Conjunctions & connectives MCQ — 14 Practice Questions with Answers

Explanation

The renewal is not being explained as an event that has already happened; it is being made dependent on a requirement. That cue is the future construction 'will be renewed' followed by a deadline condition. Provided that means 'on the condition that' and fits this contingency. Because would state a reason, as in 'the grant was renewed because accounts were submitted', which changes the logic. Therefore the assertion is true, the reason is true, and the reason explains the assertion.

Explanation

The blank introduces a finite clause: 'several independent directors had warned that the valuation was optimistic.' A concessive conjunction is needed because the board approved the merger despite that warning. 'Although' correctly introduces such a clause. 'Despite' would be correct before a noun phrase or gerund, as in 'despite warnings' or 'despite being warned', but not before this finite clause. 'Because' reverses the logic by making the warning the reason for approval, and 'besides' merely adds a point without marking contrast.

Explanation

The quoted sentence is faulty because it attempts to mark one contrast twice: first with 'Although' and then with 'but'. A concessive subordinate clause beginning with 'Although' is normally followed by a main clause without 'but': 'Although the circular was issued late, the department implemented it immediately.' Alternatively, a coordinate structure may use 'but': 'The circular was issued late, but the department implemented it immediately.' The reason correctly identifies the difference between subordination and coordination and therefore explains the assertion.

Explanation

The sentence sets up a contrast between two decisions of the same committee: it accepted the audit findings but rejected the proposed immediate suspension. A concessive connective is needed to show that the second clause is surprising or contrary to what one might expect from the first. Although correctly introduces that contrast. Because would give a cause, unless would create a condition, and therefore would mark a result. None of those relations fits the logic of the two clauses.

Explanation

Option C is incorrect because 'unless' already carries a negative meaning: it means 'if not'. Adding 'does not' after it creates an unintended double negative. The sentence would mean, illogically, that the scholarship will not be processed if the applicant does submit the certificate. Options A and B correctly express the same condition in two different ways, and option D correctly uses 'only if' to show that submitting the certificate is necessary. In such questions, test whether the negative idea is expressed once or twice.