Linking Words & Discourse Markers – English Grammar Exercises for B2
An event organizer is pitching contingency plans (Plan B) to a client to handle potential bad weather during an outdoor wedding reception.
Choose the best option (A, B, C, or D) to complete each sentence in the conversation.
1 “We can host the main reception in the botanical garden. ______, if the weather turns bad, we have the Grand Ballroom reserved on standby.”
(A) In alternative
(B) Alternatively
(C) Alternate
(D) Therefore
2 “We need to finalize the catering numbers by Tuesday afternoon. ______, the kitchen will charge us a 15% late penalty fee.”
(A) Otherwise
(B) Unless
(C) Other ways
(D) In addition
3 “If the sun is too harsh, we could set up a clear marquee tent on the lawn. ______, we might just move the entire dining setup indoors.”
(A) Like an alternative
(B) As alternative
(C) As an alternative
(D) Consequentially
4 “Please confirm if you definitely want the acoustic band to play outside. ______, I will cancel their outdoor permit tomorrow morning.”
(A) If no
(B) If not
(C) Unless
(D) Besides
5 “We should definitely secure the indoor venue just in case. ______, we risk having absolutely no shelter for the guests if it downpours.”
(A) If otherwise
(B) Other wise
(C) Otherwise
(D) Similarly
6 “You can choose the buffet-style dinner for a more relaxed, mingling vibe. ______, a plated three-course meal offers a highly formal experience.”
(A) Alternatively
(B) Alternating
(C) In alternate
(D) Moreover
7 “Our primary goal is to use natural sunset lighting for the photos. ______, we have a full professional lighting rig ready to deploy.”
(A) Failing this
(B) To fail that
(C) Failing that
(D) Despite that
8 “Make sure all the guests are clearly informed about the ‘garden chic’ dress code. ______, they might show up in stilettos that will sink into the mud.”
(A) In other words
(B) By other means
(C) Unless
(D) Otherwise
9 “We can hire a fleet of golf carts to transport the guests from the parking lot. ______, they can simply use the valet service at the main entrance.”
(A) On another hand
(B) In the other hand
(C) Consequently
(D) On the other hand
10 “We cannot use real candles if the wind speed exceeds 15 miles per hour. ______, we will use high-quality LED candles that look incredibly realistic.”
(A) Instead
(B) Instead of
(C) In instead
(D) Likewise
11 “We must order the waterproof velvet seat covers right now; ______, the expensive rental chairs will be completely ruined by the humidity.”
(A) nor else
(B) or else
(C) or either
(D) furthermore
12 “You can serve champagne during the primary toast. ______, a signature sparkling mocktail is a fantastic non-alcoholic choice for your guests.”
(A) Alternately
(B) Alternative
(C) Accordingly
(D) Alternatively
13 “Let’s prepare a strict, minute-by-minute indoor timeline. ______, the event will become chaotic if we have to evacuate the garden suddenly.”
(A) Unless so
(B) If not so
(C) Otherwise
(D) Hence
14 “If the string quartet is too expensive for the budget, we can hire a solo violinist. ______, we could just use a high-quality surround sound system.”
(A) As another option
(B) As other option
(C) Like another option
(D) For instance
15 “We need to pay the non-refundable deposit for the indoor hall by noon today; ______, we will lose our contingency plan completely.”
(A) despite
(B) otherwise
(C) unless
(D) on the contrary
16 “We could hand out customized, branded umbrellas to the guests as wedding favors. ______, we can set up covered wooden walkways.”
(A) In alternative
(B) As an alternative to
(C) Correspondingly
(D) Alternatively
17 “Please approve the revised, rain-friendly floor plan tonight. ______, the decorators won’t have enough time to set up the indoor stage properly.”
(A) Unless
(B) If not
(C) Whether not
(D) In addition
18 “The fireworks display will go ahead at 10 PM as planned. ______, if the wind is deemed unsafe by the technicians, we will substitute it with an indoor laser show.”
(A) Even though
(B) Despite this
(C) However
(D) Furthermore
19 “We sincerely hope the weather stays clear and sunny. ______, we are fully prepared to activate Plan B flawlessly.”
(A) Should that fails
(B) Should that fail
(C) If failing that
(D) Given that
20 “You must decide on the final menu by Friday. ______, the chef will have to select the default chicken dish for everyone.”
(A) Otherwise
(B) Other ways
(C) Unless
(D) In conclusion
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (B) Alternatively
- Why it is correct: A formal adverb used at the beginning of a sentence to introduce a second possibility or choice.
- Distractor Analysis:
- (A) Common Mistake: Translating directly from other languages (e.g., in alternativa). The correct phrase is As an alternative.
- (C) Structural Error: “Alternate” is a verb or adjective, not an adverbial discourse marker.
- (D) Strong Distractor / Meaning Trap: “Therefore” implies a logical consequence, not a backup option.
2 (A) Otherwise
- Why it is correct: Used to state what the negative consequence will be if the previous condition (finalizing numbers) is not met.
- Distractor Analysis:
- (C) Common Mistake: “Other ways” is a literal, incorrect translation of the concept.
- (B) Structural Error: “Unless” is a subordinating conjunction that must be attached directly to a clause (e.g., Unless we finalize the numbers, the kitchen will charge us). It cannot be used with a semicolon/comma to link two independent sentences this way.
- (D) Strong Distractor / Meaning Trap: Adds information but ignores the conditional threat of the late fee.
3 (C) As an alternative
- Why it is correct: A standard prepositional phrase used to introduce a different choice.
- Distractor Analysis:
- (B) Common Mistake: Missing the article “an”.
- (A) Structural Error: “Like” is used for comparisons, not for introducing a choice.
- (D) Strong Distractor / Meaning Trap: Shows consequence, not a secondary option.
4 (B) If not
- Why it is correct: A concise conversational marker meaning “If you do not want the band.”
- Distractor Analysis:
- (A) Common Mistake: “If no” is grammatically invalid.
- (C) Structural Error: “Unless” cannot stand alone followed by a comma.
- (D) Strong Distractor / Meaning Trap: Means “in addition to,” missing the conditional ultimatum.
5 (C) Otherwise
- Why it is correct: Perfectly introduces the negative consequence of failing to secure the indoor venue.
- Distractor Analysis:
- (B) Common Mistake: Spelling it as two words (“Other wise”) is a frequent typo.
- (A) Structural Error: Redundant and grammatically invalid combination (“If otherwise”).
- (D) Strong Distractor / Meaning Trap: “Similarly” compares two alike things, destroying the warning aspect of the sentence.
6 (A) Alternatively
- Why it is correct: Introduces a mutually exclusive option (you can have the buffet, OR you can have the plated meal).
- Distractor Analysis:
- (C) Common Mistake: Incorrect idiom.
- (B) Structural Error: “Alternating” is a participle meaning switching back and forth, not a discourse marker.
- (D) Strong Distractor / Meaning Trap: “Moreover” implies you are getting both the buffet and the plated meal, which is incorrect contextually.
7 (C) Failing that
- Why it is correct: A highly natural B2/C1 idiom meaning “If the first plan does not work or is not possible.”
- Distractor Analysis:
- (A) Common Mistake: “Failing this” is rarely used; the fixed idiom is “Failing that”.
- (B) Structural Error: Infinitive form is invalid here.
- (D) Strong Distractor / Meaning Trap: “Despite that” means “Even with the sun lighting,” which contradicts moving to a backup rig.
8 (D) Otherwise
- Why it is correct: Shows the disastrous consequence (muddy stilettos) of not following the advice (informing guests).
- Distractor Analysis:
- (A) Strong Distractor / Meaning Trap: “In other words” is used to clarify or rephrase, not to show a negative consequence.
- (B) Strong Distractor / Meaning Trap: Means “using a different method.”
- (C) Structural Error: “Unless” cannot be used as a standalone conjunctive adverb.
9 (D) On the other hand
- Why it is correct: Used to introduce a contrasting alternative option.
- Distractor Analysis:
- (B) Common Mistake: Incorrect preposition (“In”).
- (A) Structural Error: Incorrect phrasing (“another hand”).
- (C) Strong Distractor / Meaning Trap: Implies cause and effect.
10 (A) Instead
- Why it is correct: Used as an adverb at the beginning of the sentence to show substitution (replacing real candles with LED ones).
- Distractor Analysis:
- (C) Common Mistake: Adding an unnecessary preposition (“In instead”).
- (B) Structural Error: “Instead of” is a preposition and must be followed by a noun/gerund object (e.g., Instead of real candles, we will use…), not a comma.
- (D) Strong Distractor / Meaning Trap: “Likewise” means “similarly,” missing the concept of replacing one thing with another.
11 (B) or else
- Why it is correct: A slightly more conversational, yet standard, synonym for “otherwise.” It introduces a threat or negative consequence.
- Distractor Analysis:
- (C) Common Mistake: “Or either” is a grammatical mashup.
- (A) Structural Error: “Nor” is used for negative additions, not conditional consequences.
- (D) Strong Distractor / Meaning Trap: “Furthermore” adds a positive point, missing the warning.
12 (D) Alternatively
- Why it is correct: Introduces the mocktail as a secondary choice to the champagne.
- Distractor Analysis:
- (A) Common Mistake: “Alternately” means taking turns one after the other in a sequence; “Alternatively” means offering a choice.
- (B) Structural Error: The adjective form cannot act as a sentence-modifying adverb without “-ly”.
- (C) Strong Distractor / Meaning Trap: Means “therefore.”
13 (C) Otherwise
- Why it is correct: Links the necessary preparation (timeline) to the chaos that will happen if it is not done.
- Distractor Analysis:
- (B) Common Mistake: “If not so” is clunky and non-standard.
- (A) Structural Error: Grammatically invalid phrasing.
- (D) Strong Distractor / Meaning Trap: “Hence” means “as a result,” meaning the timeline causes the chaos, which is logically backward.
14 (A) As another option
- Why it is correct: A straightforward, professional phrase to stack multiple Plan Bs.
- Distractor Analysis:
- (B) Common Mistake: Missing the article “an”.
- (C) Structural Error: “Like” cannot be used to introduce a discourse marker phrase here.
- (D) Strong Distractor / Meaning Trap: “For instance” provides an example of a previously mentioned category, it doesn’t pivot to a totally new alternative.
15 (B) otherwise
- Why it is correct: Perfect use of the conjunctive adverb after a semicolon to show the consequence of missing the deadline.
- Distractor Analysis:
- (C) Structural Error: “Unless” is a subordinating conjunction and cannot follow a semicolon to introduce an independent clause.
- (A) Strong Distractor / Meaning Trap: “Despite” shows concession, not consequence.
- (D) Strong Distractor / Meaning Trap: “On the contrary” is used to deny a fact, not to show a consequence.
16 (D) Alternatively
- Why it is correct: Introduces covered walkways as a completely different choice to umbrellas.
- Distractor Analysis:
- (A) Common Mistake: Translating from a foreign idiom (e.g., Latin languages).
- (B) Structural Error: “As an alternative to” requires an object immediately following it (e.g., As an alternative to umbrellas, we can…). It cannot stand alone with a comma.
- (C) Strong Distractor / Meaning Trap: Means “in a similar way,” missing the either/or nature of the options.
17 (B) If not
- Why it is correct: Acts as a shorthand for “If you do not approve it tonight,” smoothly introducing the consequence.
- Distractor Analysis:
- (C) Common Mistake: “Whether not” is invalid.
- (A) Structural Error: “Unless” cannot stand alone followed by a comma.
- (D) Strong Distractor / Meaning Trap: Misses the conditional warning entirely.
18 (C) However
- Why it is correct: Introduces a contrast/condition that modifies the absolute statement made in the previous sentence.
- Distractor Analysis:
- (B) Strong Distractor / Meaning Trap: “Despite this” would mean the fireworks go ahead even with the wind, which contradicts the sentence.
- (A) Structural Error: “Even though” cannot start an independent sentence followed by a comma.
- (D) Strong Distractor / Meaning Trap: Adds similar information, rather than a contrasting contingency.
19 (B) Should that fail
- Why it is correct: A highly advanced, elegant B2/C1 conditional inversion meaning “If that fails.”
- Distractor Analysis:
- (A) Common Mistake: In inverted conditionals with “should,” the base verb must be used (“fail”, not “fails”).
- (C) Structural Error: Grammatically invalid combination.
- (D) Strong Distractor / Meaning Trap: “Given that” means “considering the fact that,” which assumes failure is already a reality.
20 (A) Otherwise
- Why it is correct: Warns the client of the default action that will be taken if they don’t meet the Friday deadline.
- Distractor Analysis:
- (B) Common Mistake: “Other ways” is an invalid idiom here.
- (C) Structural Error: “Unless” requires a dependent clause structure, not an independent transition.
- (D) Strong Distractor / Meaning Trap: “In conclusion” wraps up an essay; it doesn’t issue a conditional warning.
GRAMMAR POINTS TO REMEMBER
To sound professional and organized when discussing backup plans or giving ultimatums, master these specific discourse markers:
- Offering a Different Choice (The “Plan B” Markers):
- Alternatively, / As an alternative, / Instead, / On the other hand,
- Function: Use these to smoothly pivot to a mutually exclusive option.
- Example: “We can host it outdoors. Alternatively, we can move inside.”
- Grammar Trap: Do not confuse Alternatively (a choice between options) with Alternately (taking turns in a sequence).
- Stating the Consequence of Inaction (The Ultimatum Markers):
- Otherwise, / Or else, / If not,
- Function: These mean “If this doesn’t happen, [bad result] will occur.” They are incredibly useful for enforcing deadlines.
- Example: “Sign the contract today. Otherwise, you will lose the venue.”
- The “Unless” Trap: Unless means the exact same thing as If not, BUT grammatically, it is a subordinating conjunction. It CANNOT stand alone with a comma.
- Correct: Unless you sign today, you will lose the venue.
- Wrong: Sign the contract today. Unless, you will lose the venue.
- The “Plan A Failed” Marker:
- Failing that, / Should that fail,
- Function: An elegant, native-sounding way to introduce your absolute last-resort backup plan.