G6: Connectors I

by Tom Rohrbach

Multiple Choice Quiz

This practice quiz asks you to choose the correct connector from 3 kinds: conjunctions, prepositions, and transition adverbs.
Be careful to think about the meaning, the grammar, and the punctuation in order to figure out each correct answer.

If you choose a wrong answer, you'll see an explanation to help you learn from your mistake.

WHEN class was over, I immediately went to Starbucks to get a latte and a snack. [QUESTION: Which of the 3 meanings of "when" below is used in this example?]
1. When - meaning 'before'
2. When - meaning 'same time'
3. When - meaning 'after'
___ Noriko’s alarm didn’t go off this morning, she was late for school.
1. Even though
2. Because of
3. Because
___ the electricity went off at Norah’s house during the night, her alarm clock woke her up this morning. It has a battery backup!
1. Because
2. Because of
3. Even though
___ the Colorado teachers’ conference the first Friday in November, the students didn’t have to come to school.
1. Because
2. Due to
3. Despite the fact that
Ali was late for school ___ the accident this morning at a light rail station in Denver.
1. because
2. because of
3. despite
Maria is a very social and talkative person. Her sister Sofia, ___, is shy and rather quiet.
1. on the other hand
2. while
3. whereas
WHEN I got to work at 6 a.m. yesterday morning, my boss had already arrived and made coffee! [QUESTION: Which of the 3 meanings of "when" below is used in this example?]
1. When - meaning 'before'
2. When - meaning 'same time'
3. When - meaning 'after'
Laila studied for the grammar test with her American host mother, who used to be a teacher. ___, Laila did very well on the test.
1. So
2. Consequently
3. However
There is 6 inches of snow on the ground, ___ I will go to school anyway. This is Colorado!
1. but
2. however
3. therefore
I really liked the Porsche that I test-drove yesterday. I couldn’t afford it, ___.
1. although
2. though
3. even though
Natalie hasn’t been back to her country even once ___ she came to the U.S. 4 years ago.
1. since
2. because
3. though
Jayne was supposed to spend all evening preparing for her class speech the next day. ___, she went out to a movie instead.
1. However
2. Therefore
3. Even though
The roads are icy this morning. ___, Saleh drove to school without any problem. His 4-wheel-drive car has excellent snow tires.
1. Nevertheless
2. But
3. Therefore
WHEN Mr. Wilson was getting ready to sell his company, he had several meetings with lawyers each day for three weeks straight until everything was completed. [QUESTION: Which of the 3 meanings of "when" below is used in this example?]
1. When - meaning 'before'
2. When - meaning 'same time'
3. When - meaning 'after'
HP is having trouble making a profit ___ the popularity of its printers.
1. despite
2. in spite of the fact that
3. although