Home Grammar Cleft Sentences ExercisesIt-Cleft Subject Focus Exercises (Advanced)

It-Cleft Subject Focus Exercises (Advanced)

B2-C1 Level

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Advanced it-cleft sentences extend beyond simple past and present tenses. The verb be can appear in any tense or form: present perfect ("It has been the government that has led these reforms"), future ("It will be the jury that decides"), or with modals ("It might have been the wind that knocked the tree down"). This flexibility allows speakers and writers to embed it-clefts in complex tense contexts without losing the emphasis function. The focused element may also include contrastive pairs using "not... but" structures for sharper arguments.

Contrastive it-clefts are particularly powerful in academic and professional writing: "It is not the cost that concerns us, but the quality of the materials." This two-part structure denies one focus and immediately asserts another, making the argument sharper. Passive constructions can also appear after the relative pronoun: "It was this decision that was later reversed by the court." At B2-C1 level, you are expected to manipulate these complex forms fluently. Cambridge C1 Advanced and IELTS Writing Task 2 both reward accurate use of sophisticated cleft structures.

Quick Rule

It + be (any tense/modal) + focused element + who/that + complex clause

1.It has been the research team that has driven most of the recent progress. (present perfect it-cleft)
2.It might have been a power surge that damaged the server overnight. (modal perfect speculation)
3.It is not the salary that attracts her, but the opportunity for growth. (contrastive "not... but")
4.It will be the committee that decides whether the project continues. (future tense it-cleft)
5.It was this policy that was later reversed by the incoming director. (passive in the relative clause)

All 20 questions

Transform the sentence into an it-cleft to emphasise the subject. Handle complex structures including perfect tenses, passive voice, and multiple clauses.

The lead researcher had already submitted the findings before the deadline was extended. (Emphasise: the lead researcher)
It was
Several independent experts have confirmed that the results are accurate. (Emphasise: several independent experts)
It is
A renowned architect whose work spans three continents designed this building. (Emphasise: a renowned architect whose work spans three continents)
It was
The committee members themselves voted to reduce their own salaries. (Emphasise: the committee members themselves)
It was
My former business partner, not me, negotiated the terms of the contract. (Emphasise: my former business partner)
It was
The whistleblower has been protecting evidence that could expose corruption at the highest levels. (Emphasise: the whistleblower)
It is
Only the founding members are entitled to vote on constitutional amendments. (Emphasise: only the founding members)
It is
Dr Chen, who had been working on this problem for decades, finally solved the equation. (Emphasise: Dr Chen)
It was
The defendant's own lawyer recommended accepting the plea bargain. (Emphasise: the defendant's own lawyer)
It was
Grassroots activists, rather than politicians, have driven the changes in environmental policy. (Emphasise: grassroots activists)
It is
My grandmother, despite her age, still tends the entire garden by herself. (Emphasise: my grandmother)
It is
The anonymous donor had been funding the scholarship programmeme for over fifteen years. (Emphasise: the anonymous donor)
It was
Each of the board members must approve any expenditure over ten thousand pounds. (Emphasise: each of the board members)
It is
A junior analyst, of all people, spotted the flaw that senior executives had missed. (Emphasise: a junior analyst)
It was
The survivors themselves have demanded an independent inquiry into the disaster. (Emphasise: the survivors themselves)
It is
Not the government but private investors financed the majority of the infrastructure project. (Emphasise: private investors)
It was
The former employees, who had been wrongfully dismissed, are now running the company. (Emphasise: the former employees)
It is
All three witnesses, despite initial reluctance, eventually testified against the defendant. (Emphasise: all three witnesses)
It was
Someone from within the organisation must have leaked the confidential information. (Emphasise: someone from within the organisation)
It must have been
None other than the prime minister herself addressed the nation during the crisis. (Emphasise: none other than the prime minister herself)
It was