It-Cleft Subject Focus Exercises (Advanced)
B2-C1 Level
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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
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