A. Circle the correct option.

1   My mobile phone, … I got for my birthday last year, is my most important possession.

      a what     b which     c that

2   My brother is the only person in the world for … I would do anything.

      a who     b which     c whom

3   The company … I used to work has closed down.

      a which     b where     c

4   By the time you get here I might have gone to bed, in … case I’ll leave the door unlocked.

      a –     b that     c which

5   Pasta is probably the kind of food … I like best.

      a where     b what     c which

6   My mother’s cooking was … I missed most when I left home for the first time.

      a which     b that     c what

7   Sara still hasn’t replied to my email about Friday’s party, … suggests she’s not very keen on the idea.

      a that     b which     c

8   Is Natasha the girl … mother is an English teacher?

      a who     b her     c whose

9   There aren’t many cases … people find their perfect job as soon as they leave school or university.

      a where     b why     c that

10   The only reason … Neil doesn’t like Liam is because Liam always gets better marks at school.

      a for     b if     c why

Answers

1 b   2 c   3 b   4 c   5 c   6 c   7 b   8 c   9 a   10 c

B. Complete each sentence with a relative pronoun.

1   The town …………………. I grew up has changed a lot in the last few years.

2   Luca, …………………. goes to school with my sister, is a really good tennis player.

3   Spring is the time of year …………………. I like best.

4   We finally arrived home at nearly 2 in the morning, by …………………. time we were all exhausted.

5   The audience consisted of about 20 people, most of …………………. left before the end of the play.

6   The relaxed atmosphere is …………………. I like best about living here.

7   Jessica told everyone what had happened, which is …………………. I don’t trust her.

8   We were back home by 9.30, the time at …………………. many people were just going out.

9   That’s Marco, …………………. brother is in my class at school.

10   I usually get home at 6.30 in the morning, …………………. many people are just getting up.

Answers

1 where   2 who   3 which / that   4 which   5 whom

6 what   7 why   8 which   9 whose   10 when

C. Make the relative clauses shorter by crossing out any unnecessary words.

 We are determined to do everything that is necessary to find a solution to this problem.

 Google, which was started by Larry Page and Sergey Brin in 1996, is the world’s best known internet search engine.

 Most of the people who had been present at our first concert also came to our second one.

 The motorway which is being built at the moment will make the journey between the cities much faster.

 All the people who were waiting for the bus were complaining about how late it was.

 Look at this old school photo-do you recognise the girl who is in the middle of the back row?

 The company has apologised to everyone who has been affected by the problem.

 If you call our Helpline tomorrow morning, there’ll be someone who’ll be available to advise you.

 Children who are under the age of 12 can travel free.

10   This suitcase is the only one which is big enough to fit everything in.

Answers

1 that is   2 which was   3 who had been   4 which is

5 who were   6 who is   7 who has been

8 who’ll be   9 who are   10 which is

D. Join the sentences, using relative clauses and the words in brackets.

1   I bought some shoes last week. The shoes were very expensive. (that)

      ………………………………………………..

2   My cousin’s name is Jeff. He works for a big American bank. (whose)

      ………………………………………………..

3   One of Joe’s brothers lives in Canada. He is a singer in a rock band. (who)

      ………………………………………………..

4   I’d like to thank my family. I wouldn’t have been able to win this award without my family. (whom)

      ………………………………………………..

5   A new shopping centre is being built in the city centre. The new shopping centre will open in two years’ time. (which)

      ………………………………………………..

6   We always go on holiday at the end of September. Flights are cheaper at the end of September. (when)

      ………………………………………………..

 Kevin is my new boss. I introduced you to Kevin this Morning. (who)

      ………………………………………………..

 I fell asleep during the lesson. This happened because I was very tired. (why)

      ………………………………………………..

 The lights suddenly went out. I started to feel frightened at that point. (which)

      ………………………………………………..

10   My favourite city is San Sebastian. I’ve been to San Sebastian many times. (where)

        ………………………………………………..

Answers

Possible answers

 The shoes that I bought last week were very expensive.

2   My cousin, whose name is Jeff, works for a big American bank.

3   Joe’s brother who lives in Canada is a singer in a rock band.

4   I’d like to thank my family without whom I wouldn’t have been able to win this award.

5   The new shopping centre which is being built in the city centre will open in two years’ time.

6   We always go on holiday at the end of September, when flights are cheaper.

7   Kevin, who I introduced you to this morning, is my new boss.

8   The reason why I fell asleep during the lesson is because I was very tired.

9   The lights suddenly went out, at which point I started to feel frightened.

10   My favourite city is San Sebastian, where I’ve been many times.

E. Complete each sentence in an appropriate way, starting with a relative clause.

1   The woman …………………………………………… .

2   This time of year, …………………………………………… .

3   The train didn’t arrive until 10.30, by …………………………………………… .

4   At the back of the cupboard …………………………………………… .

5   President Jones, for …………………………………………… .

6   In 1998, the year …………………………………………… .

7   The percentage of people …………………………………………… .

8   There were only seven passengers on the bus, few of …………………………………………… .

9   It was a really difficult week, at the end of …………………………………………… .

10   Maurizio, …………………………………………… .

Answers

Possible answers

1   who is standing in the corner is a famous actress.

2   This time of year, when the weather is usually good, is the best time to come here.

3   The train didn’t arrive until 10.30, by which time the football match had already started.

4   At the back of the cupboard w here I keep my tools there should be a hammer.

5   President Jones, for whom this is the first official visit to the country, was welcomed by the Prime Minister.

6   In 1998, the year when I left school, I went on holiday to the USA.

7   The percentage of people who go to university has been rising for the last five years.

8   There were only seven passengers on the bus, few of whom had any luggage with them.

9   It was a really difficult week, at the end of which I really needed a holiday.

10   Maurizio, w hose sister is a nurse at the hospital, is one of my best friends.

F. Choose at least five of the items in the box and write a true sentence about each one in your notebook. Include at least one relative clause or shortened relative clause in each sentence.

your best friend

an interesting place in your country

an important year in your life

a singer you like

a popular meal or food in your country

your favourite film

a hobby you enjoy

a plan or ambition

a memorable experience

Example:   My best friend, whose name is Melissa, is a very good tennis player.

Answers

your own answers

G. Circle the correct option.

1   The new Italian restaurant, ………. looks very nice, is also quite cheap.

      a which     b that     c what

2   The woman ………. lives next door always plays her music really loud at night.

      a –     b who     c whom

3   Next weekend I’m going to Caracas, ………. I used to live.

      a that     b which     c where

4   3 August 1998, the day on ………. my sister was born, is the first day I remember.

      a when     b which     c that

5   The only person ………. me when I lived in Venezuela was my brother.

      a visited     b what visited     c to visit

Answers

1  2 b   3 c   4 b   5 c

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