Mixed Linking Words Practice

This exercise tests your ability to choose the correct linking word from different categories: contrast (however, although, despite), cause (because, since, as), and result (therefore, so, consequently). Each question requires you to identify the relationship between two ideas — is the second idea surprising (contrast), a reason (cause), or an outcome (result)? — and then choose the connector with the correct grammar. This is the skill that examiners test most often at B1-B2 level.

The first step is to read both parts of the sentence and decide the logical relationship: if the two ideas seem contradictory, you need a contrast word; if one explains why the other happened, you need a cause word; if one happened because of the other, you need a result word. The second step is to check the grammar: is the gap followed by a clause (use a conjunction), a noun (use a preposition), or a new sentence (use a sentence connector)? Practising this two-step approach — meaning first, then grammar — is the fastest way to improve your linking words for Cambridge and IELTS exams.