Targeting the NP – Week 13 – Task sheet
1. Complete the second sentence so it has a similar meaning to the first. Use the conjunction
in brackets, as in the example.
0 The voting station will remain open in order to allow all votes to be cast. (so that)
The voting station will remain open so that all the votes could be cast.
1 Angela's worried about being asked difficult questions so she won't appear on expert panels.
(for fear that)
Angela won't appear on expert panels ………………………………………………………….
2 The photo was awarded first prize because it embodies the concept of solitude. (so)
The photo embodies the concept of solitude, …………………………………………………
3 We can settle your claim out of court if you undertake not to reveal the sum agreed.
(provided that)
Your claim may be settled out of court ………………………………………………………
4 It is impossible to approve the building plans before we have seen the details. (after)
We can only approve the building plans ………………………………………………………
5 You talk about law in such a way that it seems you've had legal training. (as if)
You talk about law ………………………………………………………………………….
2 Complete the sentences with a suitable subordinating conjunction from the list given below.
There are two extra conjunctions.
as long as
as though
by the time
if
for fear that
given that
in order that so as to
the moment
1 It shouldn't matter what our employees look like, ……… they can do the job.
2 …………. the dispute has already been resolved in principle, a formal agreement should be
forthcoming in the next day or two.
3 Darren is so involved in his psychology studies that he analyses people ……….. they start
talking to him!
4 Many wealthy business people employ accountants …………. they can find all the legal
ways of not paying tax.
5 Is Mrs Hardwick the owner of the hotel? She certainly behaves ……………. she is.
3. Choose the clause, A or B, that provides the best ending for each sentence.
1 Many people believe that capital punishment is a deterrent to serious crime, even though
A it actually makes little difference to the crime rate.
B the crime rate has decreased in some places where it is used.
2 I enjoy having people to stay, though
A I always appreciate the peace when they've gone.
B I always feel unhappy when they've gone.
3 Iain Banks' early novels were considered quite strange, while
A his later ones also seem to be quite weird.
B his later works are more mainstream and accessible.
4 The patient had the nurses running round and they quickly lost patience, much as
A they tried to sympathise with her.
B they got annoyed with her.
5 Global warming is often considered the main factor in current climate fluctuations, yet
A it appears to be having a real effect on phenomena such as hurricanes.
B periods of warming have long been a feature of the Earth's development.
4. Complete the article with subordinate clauses with A-I below as in the example.
End of a space-age era
The United States space shuttle programme has now been brought to a close. For thirty years,
the space shuttles, part rocket, part plane, have travelled back and forth into space and
supplied the International Space Station tirelessly and safely, apart from two major disasters.
The most recent of these happened in 2003 (0) F the external shell of Columbia (1) ………
and hit the outside of the spaceship. Had this floated away from the shuttle, it wouldn't have
been a problem, but (2) ……., the orbiter burnt up as it re-entered the Earth's atmosphere. No
human could sustain the temperatures encountered on re-entry without sufficient protection,
(3) ………. . NASA engineers guessed this would happen but limited their investigations
during the shuttle's flight (4) …… there was little they could do to save the crew. As a result
of this and the ensuing investigation, construction of the International Space Station was put
on hold (5) ………, some two years later. The Columbia disaster was the second to befall the
shuttle programme — it took place some 17 years (6) ……… . This disaster received more
publicity than the second (7) ……….. : Christa McAuliffe was the first non-astronaut to take
part in a shuttle flight, on the 'Teacher on Board' programme, (8) …….. as it lifted off, and
millions watched the disaster unfold. Despite these two disasters, the space shuttle programme
has been a success, and these space-age workhorses can only pave the way to better — and
safer — transportation into space.
A so all seven astronauts on board were killed
B while it was lifting off
C so the nation's eyes were on the spacecraft
D as they knew
E after Challenger had broken up on lift-off
F when a small piece of foam insulation broke off
G because a lay person was on board
H because it damaged part of the shuttle's heat shield
I until shuttle flights resumed
5. Write the second sentence so it has a similar meaning to the first. Use the words in
brackets.
1 Warnings of the flood were given well in advance, yet people didn't leave their homes.
(spite)
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
2 Very little of the remaining stock sold, despite the low prices in the sale. (even though)
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
3 The magazine had tried introducing several new features. Nevertheless, circulation
continued to drop. (although)
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
4 The Scots won the battle, even though they had a far smaller force. (despite)
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
5 I adore children but I can't accept that kind of behaviour from any child. (much as)
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
6. In the following pairs, identify the type of subordinate clause.
Example:
a. He left the office early so that he could have some time to spend with his son.
b. He left the office late, so he didn't have any time to spend with his son.
Answer: (a) = purpose clause; (b) = result clause
1. a. It rained last night, so the track was covered with water.
b. He got up earlier so that he wouldn’t be late for work on his first day.
2. a. Since you have already started work on this project, I guess you should be allowed to
finish it.
b. Since you have started work on this project, I have heard nothing but good things about it.
3. a. A storm was brewing, so a stiff breeze was blowing.
b. He went back inside so he could warm up.
4. a. While he was handsome, he really wasn't very intelligent. So he was never very popular
with women, except those who liked good-looking men.
b. While he was handsome, he was popular. However, with the passage of time, his popularity
waned.
7. Underline the correct phrase.
1 This shirt is still dirty even though / even if I've washed it twice.
2 Even though / Even if he loses the election, the president will still control foreign policy.
3 They drank from the stream even though / even if they knew it was polluted.
4 I'll continue to sing my songs even if / even though I never sell another record.
5 We will go ahead with the project even though / even if partners pull out.
6 I enjoy going to discos even if / even though I don't like dancing.
7 After Barlow was arrested, his wife and daughters were questioned by the police even
though / even if they knew nothing about his business affairs.
8 Even if / Even though the building was in perfect condition, it would still be impossible to
use it for modern offices.
Singular and plural nouns revisited
Complete the sentences below with the correct form of a suitable verb.
1 Rickets ……….. a disease caused by a lack of vitamin D.
2 My brother thinks that economics ……. really interesting. I disagree.
3 That band ………… always had a reputation for performing better in the studio than live.
4 The local police …….. interviewing several suspects in connection with the recent attacks.
5 British Rail ……. announced new plans.
6 White trousers …… not go very well with black shoes.
7 Binoculars ……… used to see things far away.
8 The outskirts of a town ……….. the parts that are far from the centre.
9 The public …….. not really interested in what the government ………. doing unless it
increases taxes.
10 Aerobics ……. hard work.