During vs. While – English Grammar Exercises for B1
You are sitting in an examination hall. The chief invigilator is reading the strict rules and regulations before the test begins. Choose the best option (A, B, C, or D) to complete each rule.
1 “Attention everyone. All mobile phones must be switched off completely ______ the examination.”
(A) while
(B) during
(C) for
(D) when
2 “Candidates are strictly forbidden to talk to each other ______ they are taking the test.”
(A) during
(B) while
(C) throughout
(D) for
3 “______ the listening section of the test, you must remain absolutely silent.”
(A) While
(B) During
(C) As
(D) Meanwhile
4 “If you need to use the restroom ______ writing your essay, please raise your hand and wait for an invigilator.”
(A) during
(B) while
(C) inside
(D) on
5 “No one is permitted to leave the hall ______ the first thirty minutes of the examination.”
(A) while
(B) during
(C) across
(D) since
6 “______ you are waiting for the question papers to be distributed, please fill in your personal details.”
(A) During
(B) While
(C) Despite
(D) For
7 “Any form of cheating discovered ______ the grading process will result in immediate failure.”
(A) while
(B) during
(C) onto
(D) at
8 “You must keep your student ID card visible on the top right corner of your desk ______ completing the exam.”
(A) during
(B) while
(C) within
(D) until
9 “______ the short break between the two test modules, you may eat a small snack in the corridor.”
(A) While
(B) During
(C) Unless
(D) Over
10 “Please do not open the sealed test booklet ______ I am reading the final instructions.”
(A) during
(B) for
(C) while
(D) by
11 “Clear water bottles are allowed, but they must be kept on the floor ______ the entire session.”
(A) while
(B) during
(C) through
(D) along
12 “______ reviewing your final answers, make sure you have filled in all the circles correctly.”
(A) During
(B) While
(C) Although
(D) Because
13 “There will be no extra time given if you arrive late ______ the actual test.”
(A) while
(B) during
(C) on
(D) at
14 “Yesterday, ______ the chief examiner was explaining these exact rules, a student’s phone rang loudly. Do not let that be you.”
(A) During
(B) While
(C) Whenever
(D) Throughout
15 “You cannot borrow a pen, pencil, or eraser from another candidate ______ the test under any circumstances.”
(A) while
(B) during
(C) between
(D) inside
16 “It is strictly against the rules to wear smartwatches ______ sitting for this official examination.”
(A) during
(B) while
(C) by
(D) from
17 “______ the entire three-hour period, the main doors at the back will remain locked.”
(A) While
(B) During
(C) Since
(D) Wherever
18 “If you feel suddenly unwell ______ you are answering the questions, inform the medical staff immediately.”
(A) during
(B) while
(C) whether
(D) despite
19 “No questions regarding the content or meaning of the questions will be answered ______ the test.”
(A) while
(B) during
(C) for
(D) into
20 “______ packing your bags at the end of the day, please ensure you haven’t left any personal items under the desk.”
(A) During
(B) While
(C) Onto
(D) Inside
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (B) during
- Why it is correct (The Key): “The examination” is a noun phrase acting as a formal event. In rule-making, During + Noun is the most concise way to limit the timeframe of a ban.
- Error Analysis: (A) while (Common Mistake) requires a clause (e.g., while the exam is happening). (C) for (Strong Distractor) indicates a duration, not a timeframe. (D) when (Structural Error).
2 (B) while
- Why it is correct (The Key): “They are taking the test” is a full active clause (Subject + Verb). While + Clause is required to show two simultaneous actions.
- Error Analysis: (A) during (Common Mistake) cannot be followed directly by a subject and verb. (C) throughout (Structural Error). (D) for (Structural Error).
3 (B) During
- Why it is correct (The Key): “The listening section of the test” is a noun phrase.
- Error Analysis: (A) While (Common Mistake). (C) As (Strong Distractor) requires a clause. (D) Meanwhile (Structural Error) is an adverb, not a conjunction.
4 (B) while
- Why it is correct (The Key): While + V-ing (writing). This is a reduced time clause meaning “while you are writing.”
- Error Analysis: (A) during (Common Mistake) is a classic B1 error. You can never use “during writing.” (C) inside (Structural Error). (D) on (Structural Error).
5 (B) during
- Why it is correct (The Key): “The first thirty minutes of the examination” is a specific noun phrase acting as a timeframe.
- Error Analysis: (A) while (Common Mistake). (C) across (Structural Error). (D) since (Strong Distractor).
6 (B) While
- Why it is correct (The Key): “You are waiting for the question papers…” is a full continuous clause.
- Error Analysis: (A) During (Common Mistake). (C) Despite (Strong Distractor). (D) For (Structural Error).
7 (B) during
- Why it is correct (The Key): “The grading process” is an administrative noun phrase.
- Error Analysis: (A) while (Common Mistake) would require “while we are grading.” (C) onto (Structural Error). (D) at (Structural Error).
8 (B) while
- Why it is correct (The Key): While + V-ing (completing).
- Error Analysis: (A) during (Common Mistake) Never say “during completing.” (C) within (Structural Error). (D) until (Strong Distractor) changes the meaning completely.
9 (B) During
- Why it is correct (The Key): “The short break between the two test modules” is a noun phrase defining an event.
- Error Analysis: (A) While (Common Mistake). (C) Unless (Structural Error). (D) Over (Strong Distractor).
10 (C) while
- Why it is correct (The Key): “I am reading the final instructions” is a full active clause.
- Error Analysis: (A) during (Common Mistake). (B) for (Structural Error). (D) by (Structural Error).
11 (B) during
- Why it is correct (The Key): “The entire session” is a noun phrase.
- Error Analysis: (A) while (Common Mistake). (C) through (Strong Distractor). (D) along (Structural Error).
12 (B) While
- Why it is correct (The Key): While + V-ing (reviewing).
- Error Analysis: (A) During (Common Mistake) “During reviewing” is incorrect. (C) Although (Strong Distractor). (D) Because (Structural Error).
13 (B) during
- Why it is correct (The Key): “The actual test” is a noun phrase.
- Error Analysis: (A) while (Common Mistake). (C) on (Structural Error). (D) at (Strong Distractor).
14 (B) While
- Why it is correct (The Key): “The chief examiner was explaining…” is a full past continuous clause.
- Error Analysis: (A) During (Common Mistake). (C) Whenever (Structural Error). (D) Throughout (Strong Distractor).
15 (B) during
- Why it is correct (The Key): “The test” is a noun phrase representing the formal event.
- Error Analysis: (A) while (Common Mistake). (C) between (Strong Distractor). (D) inside (Structural Error).
16 (B) while
- Why it is correct (The Key): While + V-ing (sitting).
- Error Analysis: (A) during (Common Mistake) “During sitting” is completely ungrammatical. (C) by (Structural Error). (D) from (Structural Error).
17 (B) During
- Why it is correct (The Key): “The entire three-hour period” is a noun phrase acting as a timeframe constraint.
- Error Analysis: (A) While (Common Mistake). (C) Since (Structural Error). (D) Wherever (Structural Error).
18 (B) while
- Why it is correct (The Key): “You are answering the questions” is a full continuous clause.
- Error Analysis: (A) during (Common Mistake). (C) whether (Structural Error). (D) despite (Strong Distractor).
19 (B) during
- Why it is correct (The Key): “The test” is a noun phrase.
- Error Analysis: (A) while (Common Mistake). (C) for (Strong Distractor). (D) into (Structural Error).
20 (B) While
- Why it is correct (The Key): While + V-ing (packing). Reduced clause for “while you are packing”.
- Error Analysis: (A) During (Common Mistake) “During packing” is grammatically invalid. (C) Onto (Structural Error). (D) Inside (Structural Error).
GRAMMAR POINTS TO REMEMBER
1 The Power of “DURING” in Formal Rules:
- When creating formal rules, guidelines, or instructions, administrators prefer to use During + Noun Phrase because it is incredibly concise and limits the exact timeframe of a rule.
- Common Exam Collocations: during the exam, during the test, during the break, during the listening section, during the entire session.
- Grammar Rule: Never put a subject and verb after “during”.
2 The Action-Oriented “WHILE”:
- Use While + Clause (Subject + Verb) when you need to describe an active, ongoing situation that occurs alongside the rule.
- Example: Do not talk while you are taking the exam.
3 The “While + V-ing” Shortcut (Reduced Clauses):
- If the rule applies to the person doing the action, you can make the sentence shorter by removing the subject and the “to be” verb.
- Example: No talking while writing your essay. (Meaning: while you are writing).
4 The Ultimate B1 Trap to Avoid:
- Never use “During + V-ing”. You will see traps like During writing, During sitting, or During completing on English tests. These are always grammatically incorrect. Always swap “during” for “while” when an active verb ending in “-ing” follows immediately.