The Communicative Grammar of English Workbook - Edward Woods, Rudy Coppieters 2002

8.2. Concession and contrast
Unit eight. Clause types

Sections 211-212; 361; 462

The clauses in this section relate to a situation where two circumstances are in contrast. This means that one is surprising or unexpected in view of the other.

Task one **

Connect the pairs of clauses using the conjunction or adverbial phrases indicated. In some cases, it will be necessary to rewrite one of the clauses.

1. It was raining heavily last Sunday. We still went out for a walk after lunch. (although)

2. He lost all his money. He maintained an air of calm reassurance. (in spite of)

3. I admire his paintings. I doubt if he is a major artist. (much as)

4. Film directors in Hollywood have a long training. Young British directors can go straight into making major films. (whereas)

5. He puts in a lot of hard work. He never gets any promotion. (for all)

6. The administration maintains an aggressive stance. There are signs of compromise among some of its members. (nevertheless)

7. These are favourable weather conditions. The rough terrain should persuade them not to make the trip. (notwithstanding)

8. Some critics had written some very bad notices. The play was sold out for all performances. (even so)

9. The evidence points strongly towards a conviction. The defence still believes the woman will be found not guilty. (while)

10. The ruined abbey is in a very beautiful setting. I’m not sure I want to see it. (all the same)

Task two ***

Complete the text with the following conjunctions or adverbial phrases. Each one can only be used once.

although, despite, however, in spite of, nevertheless, so, though, whereas, while, yet

... (1) ... he walked on the moon in 1969, Edwin Aldrin still has space-travelling ambitions ... (2) ... his age, he’s still interested in space-travel and is involved in developing ’cyclers’ as a means of getting to Mars ... (3) ... he went direct from the earth to the moon in a space-craft, going to Mars is much more complex ... (4) ... the moon is always the same distance from the earth, the distance between the earth and Mars can vary from 33m miles to 250m miles, and periodically the planets are at opposite sides of the sun. ... (5) ... all the problems this presents, scientists believe it will be possible to go there by 2018 ... (6) ... they are now looking for plants which will provide food and keep the air fresh in the ’cyclers’ ... (7) ... ’cyclers’ will be principally shuttles between earth and Mars, they will provide all the comforts of a good hotel. Absurd it may be now, ... (8) ..., two men, one a billionaire and the other a multi-millionaire, have already booked themselves to be among the first to holiday on a space-station. It might seem to be very exciting to be travelling in space, ... (9) ... scientists are concerned about the effects of boredom on long journeys. Mars is a long way away, ... (10) ..., it is no longer a fantasy destination.