Purpose, result and reason clauses

Kelvin changed his major from Geography to Business Studies __________   improving his job prospects.

• with a view to

• because

• so

• such

Answer explanation

Kelvin purposely changed his major, so this sentence has a purpose clause. The word following the gap is improving, an _ing word. There are several options that you could use in this gap, but the only phrase from the options is with a view to.

Dr Leung arranged some extra tutorials  __________ give her students more opportunities to ask questions before the examination.

• with the results

• in order

• so as to

• so

Answer explanation

This is a sentence with a purpose clause. The answer cannot be so that or any other because the following word, give, is a verb. It cannot be with a view to, with the intention of, with the object/aim of, or for the purpose of because give is not an _ing verb.

A key piece of equipment broke down  __________   the laboratory session had to be cancelled.

 

• with the result that

• on account of

• with a view

• so that

Answer explanation

This is a sentence with a result clause. The answer cannot be so that because a piece of equipment cannot purposely decide to break down.

__________ Tony has a very good foundation in English, he had little difficulty in passing the examination.

• with a view

• with the result of

• becose

• as

Answer explanation

This is a sentence with a reason clause. The answer cannot be any of the others, as this should be followed by a noun phrase, not a clause. It would be correct to write, 'On account of Tony's very good foundation in English, he had little difficulty in passing the examination.' as Tony's very good foundation in English is a noun phrase. Another possible answer is  'on account of Tony having a very good...'

Professor Li repeated the point in Cantonese  __________   the students would fully understand.

• so,

• so that

• in order

• on order that

Answer explanation

This is a sentence with a purpose clause. So is correct if it would've been well written. Both so that and in order that show that Professor Li's purpose was to help the students understand. The answer cannot be to, because the word after the gap is not a verb. It would be correct to write 'Professor Li repeated the point in Cantonese to make sure / ensure that the students would fully understand.

David was  __________   busy with his final-year project that he was unable to take part in extra-curricular activities.

• so

• such

• that

• with the purpose of

Answer explanation

This is a sentence with a result clause. So matches with the that after project and can define busy. Such is wrong because such busy cannot go together. Such can be followed by a noun phrase; e.g. David was such a busy person that he was unable to take part in extra-curricular activities.

It was  __________   a successful lecture series that the English Language Centre decided to repeat it the following semester.

• so

• such

• then

• because

Answer explanation

This is a sentence with a result clause. Such can be followed by a noun phrase; e.g. a successful lecture series. It is part of the phrase such...that.

The examination had to be postponed  __________   the typhoon.

• so

• because

• on account of

• such

Answer explanation

This is a sentence with a reason clause. Because is wrong unless you write of after it; i.e. because of the typhoon. It would also be correct to write 'The examination had to be postponed due to the typhoon.'

Amy joined the English Club  __________   she wanted to increase her circle of friends.

• since

• as

• because

• to

Answer explanation

This is a sentence with a reason clause. Because of and on account of are wrong because they are not followed by clauses, but by noun phrases; e.g. 'Amy joined the English Club because of her desire to increase her circle of friends.