ESSAY STRUCTURE – LINKING WORDS PRACTICE

Fill in the text with the correct linking word

Our state’s correctional system is plagued with problems. (a)_________(example), high officials increase their
personal wealth by awarding building and catering contracts to disreputable companies in return for bribes.
(b)___________(add a similar or equal idea), promotions within the system are made on the basis of politics, not
merit. (c)__________(result), the system is filled with people at the top who know little about what they are doing.
(d)__________(add a similar or equal idea), careless security measures, allowing trusted inmates to control certain
operations of the institution, are part of the growing problem. But one increasing tendency in particular is doing
harm to the system’s image and efficiency. This is the tendency of officials who are charged with important tasks and
who make faulty decisions to cover up their mistakes. (e)__________(conclusion), one would think that amid all the
strife some effort would be made to rectify these problems, but a seemingly dogged determination to resist change
overshadows the system.
____________________

I. Fill in the sentences below using the following connecting words: otherwise, unless, in addition, in fact, moreover, although, hence, whereas,
furthermore, despite, therefore, instead, nonetheless, however.
1. She got the job _______________ the fact that she had very little experience.
2. My sister's hand-writing is always so neat, _______________ mine is a total mess.
3. I lost the game, but I told myself that I had improved a lot _______________.
4. You'd better wear a helmet when you go roller-blading. _______________, you could hurt yourself.
5. Reading is an excellent way to increase your vocabulary. _______________, it can also help you improve your grammar.
6. The student's essay was badly written. _______________, it was too short.
7. Wine will spoil if exposed to light; _______________, wine bottles are usually green or yellow.
8. Alcohol can delay your reaction times; _______________, you should never drink and drive.
9. _______________ we have talked about the dangers of smoking before, I think the information bears being repeated.
10. Our prime minister is an incompetent leader. ____________, his government is financially irresponsible.
11. In March of 1999, more than 130 nations signed a UN Treaty banning land mines; ____________, the US, Russia and China did not sign.
12. He was an absolute failure in medical school, so he decided to try law ____________.
13. Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. ____________, it's the only thing that ever has .
14. You are not eligible for a subsidized bus pass ____________ you are a full-time student.
II. Fill in the sentences below using the following connecting words: otherwise, however, despite, in fact, whereas, therefore, although,
furthermore, consequently, moreover, instead, nevertheless, hence, unless
1. Eating well is important for good health. _______________, it helps to make you more attractive.
2. The apartment is very pretty and, _______________, the rent is quite low.
3. Research has shown that bright yellow and bright blue are the most visible, and _______________ safest, colours for cars.
4. Our production costs have increased, _______________ our prices have gone up as well.
5. You'd better work on improving your pronunciation; _______________, you'll fail the speaking test.
6. She has decided to stay with her husband _______________ the fact he cheated on her with her best friend.
7. I'm not really interested in history, but the lecture was quite interesting _______________.
8. _______________ most substances shrink when they are cooled, water actually expands.
9. ____________ each individual is unique, members of the same species share certain obvious common features.
10. No, I don't want to go to dinner with you. ____________, I'd like you to stop talking to me.
11. There is no wind on the moon, so ____________ someone disturbs them, an astronaut's footprints will last forever!
12. A snake has no ears; ____________, its tongue is extremely sensitive to sound vibrations.
13. I tried to phone you, but I dialed the wrong area code, and got someone living in Louisiana ____________.
14. He was weakened by the disease, and ____________ vulnerable to infection.
III. Fill in the sentences below using the following connecting words: despite, otherwise, moreover, instead, unless, nonetheless, consequently,
hence, therefore, however, furthermore, whereas, likewise, although
1. She was wearing only a T-shirt and shorts, _______________ the cold weather.
2. She is an excellent dancer. _______________, many people are unaware that she also has a beautiful voice.
3. Children need something to occupy their time; _______________, they get bored.
4. The students were well-prepared for the exam, _______________ their high scores.
5. Eating is a requirement for living; _______________, there must be mechanisms in the body and mind that make us hungry and interested in
eating at regular intervals.
6. Despite its small size, a sparrow has 14 bones in its neck, _______________ a giraffe only has seven.
7. He does things quite slowly sometimes, but they are _______________ done very well.
8. She is a very hard worker; _______________, she is liked by everyone in the office.
9. She was thinking of buying a new car, but her friend convinced her to buy a used car ____________.
10. ____________ you may not know the formal rules of your own language, you know a lot about its grammar.
11. You cannot vote in a municipal election ____________ you are a resident of the area.
12. Attempting to commit suicide is no longer illegal; ____________, counseling suicide still remains a criminal act.
13. The planet Venus does not tilt as it goes around the Sun; ____________, it has no seasons.
14. If you ever need any help, give me a call, and ____________, if I need some assistance, I'll let you know.
!!!!DESPITE = IN SPITE OF = NOTWITHSTANDING

Despite the teacher’s optimism, the students were all very unhappy.

In spite of the teacher’s optimism, the students were all very unhappy.

,
The teacher’s optimism notwithstanding the students were all very unhappy.

IV. Rephrase the following sentences using: despite; notwithstanding; instead of

1) The new plant will employ available clean-coal technology and reduce pollutants. However, it will also double the city's consumption of coal.
1). The new plant will employ available clean-coal technology and reduce pollutants, …………………….doubling the city's consumption of coal.
2) When scientists examined temperature records to see if higher global temperatures correlated with urban heat waves, they found no
evidence of a link, even though environmentalists have claimed that this link does exist.
2) When scientists examined temperature records to see if higher global temperatures correlated with urban heat waves, they found no
evidence of a link, environmentalist claims……………………
3) Nanotechnology has the potential to create many new products. However, there may not be enough engineers and scientists in the European
Union to fulfill future needs in this field.
3)…………….. nanotechnology's potential to create new products, there may not be enough engineers and scientists in the European Union to
fulfill future needs in this field.
V. Rephrase the following sentences using: notwithstanding
1) Despite layoffs and cutbacks, people are still happy with their job.
1)……………………………………………………………..,people are still happy with their job.
2) In spite of all the provocation, the death toll at was the result of an outrageous, disproportionate overreaction by the police.
2)……………………………………………………, the death toll at was the result of an outrageous, disproportionate overreaction by the police.
3) Despite his optimist assessment, nobody believed the U.S. can win the war in Afghanistan.
3)…………………………………….., nobody believed the U.S. can win the war in Afghanistan.