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Conjunctions & Cohesion — B2 Interactive Unit





Conjunctions & Cohesion — Expanded B2 Interactive Unit


B2 Grammar & Writing

Conjunctions
& Cohesion

Expanded interactive unit · clauses, logic and punctuation

Expanded from the supplied general-English worksheet

The original notes and complete exercise have been developed into a broader B2 unit using everyday contexts such as food, school, travel, work and relationships. One important correction is made explicit: although introduces a clause, while despite and in spite of normally introduce a noun phrase or an -ing form.

112 ITEMS11 connected stages

By the end, you should be able to…

join equal ideas with coordinating conjunctions;express reason, result, time, condition and contrast;distinguish conjunctions, prepositions and linking adverbials;punctuate complex and connected sentences accurately.
Your progressCheck each stage when ready.

0 of 11 checked

Core notes

Three different linking tools

They all connect ideas, but they do not use the same grammar or punctuation.

Inside one sentence

Conjunction

Joins words, phrases or clauses.

clause + but + clause

It was late, but we continued.

Before noun / -ing

Preposition

Despite and in spite of do not normally introduce a finite clause.

despite + noun / -ing

Despite the rain, we left.

Across sentences

Linking adverbial

Connects the new sentence to the previous idea.

Sentence. However, sentence.

It was late. However, we continued.

1

Coordinating conjunctions

Complete the sentences. Equal grammatical units should remain parallel.

Think: Are you adding, contrasting, choosing, explaining or showing a result?

Word bank and · but · or · so · yet · nor · for · and
  1. The researchers interviewed staff managers.
  2. The proposal is affordable, it may be difficult to implement.
  3. You can submit the form online by post.
  4. The roads were flooded, the meeting was postponed.
  5. The early results are modest, they are promising.
  6. Neither the director the secretary was available.
  7. The committee adjourned, the chair was unwell.
  8. The guidance is clear practical.
FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so. Use a comma before one when it joins two independent clauses; usually omit the comma when it joins only words or short phrases.
2

Reason & result

Choose the connector that matches both the logic and the grammar.

Think: A reason answers “why?”; a result tells us what happened because of that reason.

Word bank because · since · as · so · therefore · consequently · because of · due to
  1. The ferry was cancelled the engine failed.
  2. the data are incomplete, further interviews are necessary.
  3. the offices were closed, the documents were sent electronically.
  4. The deadline was approaching, the team worked late.
  5. The evidence was inconsistent. , no firm conclusion was reached.
  6. The permit was missing. , the application could not proceed.
  7. The flight was delayed thick fog.
  8. The building was closed safety concerns.
Pattern: because + clause, but because of / due to + noun phrase. Therefore and consequently normally link complete sentences.
3

Time relationships

Use each time conjunction once.

Word bank before · after · while · when · until · as soon as · once · whenever
  1. Check the figures carefully you submit the report.
  2. The team held a review meeting the pilot project had ended.
  3. Maya was presenting the findings, Leo took notes.
  4. The alarm sounded the door was opened.
  5. Do not publish the results the director has approved them.
  6. Please call me you arrive.
  7. the payment is confirmed, access will be activated.
  8. The system sends an alert the temperature rises above the limit.
Future time: After when, once, before, after, until and as soon as, English normally uses a present form for future meaning: “I’ll call when I arrive.”
4

Conditions & alternatives

Complete each sentence with the best conditional expression.

Word bank if · unless · provided that · as long as · even if · in case · whether · otherwise
  1. the weather improves, the event will take place outdoors.
  2. The application will not be accepted all sections are complete.
  3. You may use the archive you follow the access rules.
  4. Remote work is possible service standards are maintained.
  5. The hearing will continue one witness is absent.
  6. Take a printed copy the network fails.
  7. The rule applies the service is free or paid.
  8. Submit the form today; , you may miss the deadline.
Meaning: unless = “if not”; even if says the result will not change; in case explains a precaution, not a direct condition.
5

Contrast & concession

Choose according to the structure after the gap.

Word bank although · even though · whereas · while · despite · in spite of · however · nevertheless
  1. the proposal was expensive, the board approved it.
  2. Elena had warned them, the team repeated the error.
  3. Cargo traffic increased, passenger numbers fell.
  4. one model focuses on cost, the other prioritises safety.
  5. the delay, everyone arrived before the session began.
  6. strong opposition, the measure passed.
  7. The plan is efficient. , it is expensive.
  8. The evidence was limited. , the committee decided to act.
Key contrast: although + subject + verb; despite + noun / -ing; however links to a previous sentence and is followed by a comma here.
6

Linking ideas across sentences

Choose a suitable linking adverbial. Some close alternatives are accepted.

Word bank moreover · furthermore · in addition · however · on the other hand · therefore · consequently · for example
  1. The course develops writing accuracy. , it builds confidence.
  2. The library has extended its opening hours. , more study spaces are now available.
  3. The software is faster. , it is easier to use.
  4. The city offers excellent employment opportunities. , housing is expensive.
  5. Working from home reduces travel time. , some people miss daily contact with colleagues.
  6. Demand has increased significantly. , additional staff are required.
  7. The payment arrived after the deadline. , the booking was released.
  8. Several measures can reduce waste. , offices can replace disposable cups.
Flexibility: Real writing often allows more than one accurate linker. The checker accepts close alternatives where meaning and punctuation remain correct.
7

Choose the correct grammar pattern

The word after the gap determines which structure is possible.

Word bank although · despite · because · because of · unless · until · whereas · however
  1. the sample was small, the results were useful.
  2. the small sample, the results were useful.
  3. The event was cancelled the speaker was ill.
  4. The event was cancelled the speaker’s illness.
  5. You cannot enter you show identification.
  6. Please wait here the manager arrives.
  7. The first method measures speed, the second measures accuracy.
  8. The first method is fast. , it is less accurate.
Diagnostic: Before choosing a connector, look to the right. Is there a complete clause, a noun phrase, or a new sentence?
8

Punctuation clinic

Choose the correctly punctuated sentence.

  1. 1. Which sentence is correct?

  2. 2. Which opening clause is punctuated correctly?

  3. 3. Which sentence is correct?

  4. 4. Which version correctly links two sentences?

  5. 5. Which single-sentence alternative is correct?

  6. 6. Which phrase is punctuated correctly?

  7. 7. Which sentence is correct?

  8. 8. Which sentence is correct?

Avoid comma splices: Do not join two complete sentences with only a comma. Use a coordinator, a semicolon, or a full stop plus linking adverbial.
9

Build a cohesive mini-report

Complete the report so that its sequence and logic are easy to follow.

Ferry timetable pilot

A local council tested a revised ferry timetable for three months. The sentences below form a short report of the pilot.

Word bank First · while · because · therefore · furthermore · however · for example · finally
  1. , the council surveyed passengers about the existing service.
  2. weekday passengers were generally satisfied, weekend users reported long waits.
  3. Most delays occurred the harbour was congested.
  4. The council added an extra weekend sailing. , average waiting times fell.
  5. , live service updates were introduced.
  6. , operating costs increased.
  7. , the operator paid more for fuel and weekend staffing.
  8. , the council decided to continue the timetable for a further six months.
Cohesion: A good paragraph does not use connectors mechanically. Each one should make the relationship between ideas clearer.
10

Complete exercise from the source PDF

Choose the best word or phrase. The original 24 questions are retained, with small corrections to spelling, capitalisation and natural wording.

General-English review: These everyday sentences cover food, school, travel, work, appointments and relationships. Where another answer is genuinely grammatical and preserves the meaning, the checker accepts it too.

  1. We ate a pizza a kebab.BUT · AND · SO
  2. We had some cake, we did not have any coffee.UNLESS · UNTIL · BUT
  3. I had a headache, I did not go to the party.WHEN · SO · WHEREAS
  4. You can have a coffee a tea, but not both.OR · TILL · BUT
  5. I cannot come to school I have an important appointment.SO · BECAUSE · UNLESS
  6. I will call you I get home.AS · AND · WHEN
  7. you do your homework, you will pass the course.UNLESS · UNTIL · AS LONG AS
  8. I wanted Japanese food, my wife wanted Chinese food.SO · WHEN · WHEREAS
  9. You cannot enter that bar you are 18 or older.PROVIDED THAT · UNLESS · AS
  10. She still went to work she was sick.EVEN THOUGH · UNTIL · IF
  11. Do not call me you have finished your work.UNTIL · WHILE · AS LONG AS
  12. the bad weather, they decided to have a picnic.BECAUSE · DESPITE · WHEREAS
  13. Wash your hands you eat your dinner.TILL · WHEN · BEFORE
  14. I did not have the correct visa. , I could not enter the country.BECAUSE · AS · CONSEQUENTLY
  15. I like milk, butter, cream and yoghurt. , I do not like cheese.SO · HOWEVER · AND
  16. He did not pass the exam because he had not studied or completed his homework. , he did not go to school on the exam day.OR · UNTIL · IN ADDITION
  17. You can have an ice cream you have finished your homework.SO · PROVIDED THAT · OR
  18. John was fixing the car, his wife was making sandwiches.WHILE · UNTIL · DESPITE
  19. He could not get the job his excellent qualifications.BECAUSE · WHILE · IN SPITE OF
  20. I will love you I die.AFTER · UNLESS · TILL
  21. I had a shower I got home.BUT · AS SOON AS · UNTIL
  22. you do not work hard, you will not get a promotion.IF · SO · AS LONG AS
  23. You will not get a promotion you work hard.WHILE · UNLESS · BECAUSE
  24. we had no money, we still had a good time.FINALLY · HOWEVER · ALTHOUGH
About alternatives: The displayed choices preserve the source worksheet. The checker also recognises other standard answers when the grammar and meaning remain natural.
11

Final challenge: a long connected cloze

Complete the whole account with suitable connectors. Read beyond each gap: several answers may be grammatically possible, but the relationship between ideas must remain precise.

Challenge: This is one continuous text, not a set of unrelated sentences. Some expressions may be reused, and the checker accepts natural alternatives where the grammar, punctuation and meaning still fit.

Language pool although · even though · because · since · as · so · however · nevertheless · while · whereas · in addition · moreover · furthermore · unless · as long as · provided that · before · once · when · after · as soon as · despite · in spite of · because of · due to · therefore · consequently · as a result · for example · for instance · finally · eventually

The empty lot that became a garden

A neighbourhood group decides to transform an unused piece of land. Follow the project from its first meeting to the end of the summer.

1 the idea of a community garden sounded simple, turning an empty lot into useful space required careful planning.
2The residents created a small steering group nobody had led a project of this size before.
3They had very little money, they reused timber, borrowed tools and asked local shops for spare materials.
4, the lack of funds was not their only difficulty.
5 some volunteers wanted to grow vegetables, others preferred flowers and a quiet seating area.
6, the council required public-liability insurance and an accessible entrance.
7The site could not open the paths were made safe.
8The council agreed to provide gravel the residents carried out the work themselves.
9 any planting began, a local gardener tested the soil and suggested suitable crops.
10 the raised beds were ready, families selected their plots and agreed on a watering schedule.
11 an unusually wet spring, most of the plants grew well.
12A few seedlings died several unexpectedly cold nights.
13, the volunteers altered the planting timetable for the following year.
14, they decided to move the planting of delicate herbs from March to April.
15 disagreements occasionally arose, monthly meetings helped the group reach practical compromises.
16, the once-empty lot became a lively place where neighbours could grow food, rest and get to know one another.
Final check: Read the completed passage aloud. Check what follows every connector—a clause, a noun phrase or a new sentence—and notice the commas already supplied around sentence linkers.
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