Linking Words & Discourse Markers – English Grammar Exercises for B2
Official airline announcements addressing passengers about flight delays and cancellations caused by a severe snowstorm.
Choose the best option (A, B, C, or D) to complete each official announcement.
1 “Attention passengers: Flight 404 to New York has been delayed ______ the severe snowstorm currently moving across the coast.”
(A) due to
(B) because
(C) owing of
(D) resulting
2 “______ heavy snowfall on the main runway, all morning departures have been temporarily suspended.”
(A) Owing to
(B) Since
(C) Due of
(D) Because
3 “Several connecting flights have been completely canceled ______ the unprecedented weather conditions.”
(A) as a result of
(B) as a result
(C) because
(D) therefore
4 “We deeply apologize for the inconvenience, which occurred ______ circumstances entirely beyond our control.”
(A) because of
(B) because
(C) due
(D) owing
5 “______ the freezing temperatures, our ground crew must de-ice the aircraft wings before we can push back.”
(A) On account of
(B) Despite
(C) Because
(D) Consequently
6 “Please remain in the boarding area. The delay is strictly ______ the low visibility in the surrounding airspace.”
(A) due to
(B) owing
(C) because
(D) as
7 “We cannot proceed with the boarding process ______ it is currently snowing too heavily for safe tunnel operation.”
(A) because
(B) due to
(C) owing to
(D) because of
8 “The captain has just announced a further 30-minute delay ______ mandatory safety inspections on the engine turbines.”
(A) owing to
(B) since
(C) as
(D) owing of
9 “______ an accumulation of thick ice on the windshield, our maintenance team is required to perform an emergency clearing.”
(A) Due to
(B) Even though
(C) Because
(D) Therefore
10 “All incoming regional flights are currently being diverted to Chicago ______ the severe blizzard in our sector.”
(A) as a consequence of
(B) as a consequence
(C) because
(D) due
11 “We appreciate your patience. The current operational disruption is entirely ______ hazardous crosswinds.”
(A) due to
(B) due of
(C) owing
(D) because
12 “______ the sudden runway closures, affected passengers will be issued complimentary meal vouchers at the main service desk.”
(A) On account of
(B) Because
(C) Due
(D) Since
13 “Please note that financial compensation will not be provided, as the cancellation was ______ a natural disaster.”
(A) due to
(B) owing
(C) due for
(D) resulting
14 “______ the severe weather warnings issued by the meteorology department, air traffic control has grounded all commercial jets.”
(A) In light of
(B) Because
(C) Due
(D) Consequence of
15 “If you miss your international connection ______ this unexpected delay, our ground staff will automatically rebook you.”
(A) because of
(B) because
(C) owing
(D) due of
16 “The light turbulence you might experience shortly after takeoff is simply ______ the edge of the storm system we are bypassing.”
(A) due to
(B) despite
(C) since
(D) due from
17 “______ the unexpected snowdrifts blocking Taxiway B, our aircraft must be towed to a different terminal.”
(A) Owing to
(B) Because
(C) Therefore
(D) As long as
18 “We cannot unload the baggage from the cargo hold at this moment ______ the lightning safety protocol currently in effect.”
(A) owing to
(B) due of
(C) because
(D) resulting
19 “______ the runway is covered in a dangerous layer of black ice, the airport authorities have declared it unsafe for landing.”
(A) Since
(B) Due to
(C) Owing to
(D) Because of
20 “We sincerely apologize, but the current lack of available terminal gates is ______ tonight’s unforeseen blizzard.”
(A) due to
(B) because
(C) owing of
(D) since
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (A) due to
- Why it is correct: “Due to” is a prepositional phrase meaning “caused by.” It is correctly followed by the noun phrase “the severe snowstorm.”
- Distractor Analysis: (B) Common Mistake: “Because” is a conjunction and must be followed by a full subject-verb clause (e.g., because it is snowing). (C) Structural Error: The correct phrase is “owing to”, not “owing of”. (D) Meaning Trap: “Resulting” requires the preposition “from” (resulting from).
2 (A) Owing to
- Why it is correct: A formal preposition meaning “because of.” It is perfectly followed by the noun phrase “heavy snowfall.”
- Distractor Analysis: (B) Structural Error: “Since” requires a full subject-verb clause. (C) Common Mistake: “Due of” is grammatically invalid. (D) Structural Error: “Because” requires a full clause.
3 (A) as a result of
- Why it is correct: A formal, multi-word preposition used to introduce the cause (the noun phrase: “the unprecedented weather conditions”).
- Distractor Analysis: (B) Structural Error: Missing the preposition “of”. “As a result” on its own is an adverb that introduces an effect, not a cause. (C) Structural Error: Requires a full clause. (D) Meaning Trap: “Therefore” introduces an effect, not a cause.
4 (A) because of
- Why it is correct: A prepositional phrase correctly followed by the noun phrase “circumstances entirely beyond our control.”
- Distractor Analysis: (B) Common Mistake: Missing “of”. (C) Structural Error: Missing “to”. (D) Structural Error: Missing “to”.
5 (A) On account of
- Why it is correct: A highly formal prepositional phrase meaning “because of,” perfectly suited for official public announcements. It is followed by a noun phrase.
- Distractor Analysis: (B) Meaning Trap: “Despite” shows concession (meaning the crew would de-ice the wings even though it’s not freezing), which is illogical. (C) Structural Error: Requires a full clause. (D) Meaning Trap: “Consequently” introduces a result, not a cause.
6 (A) due to
- Why it is correct: “Due to” functions as a subject complement here (The delay is [caused by] the low visibility).
- Distractor Analysis: (B) Structural Error: Missing “to”. (C) Structural Error: Requires a full clause. (D) Structural Error: “As” is a conjunction requiring a full clause.
7 (A) because
- Why it is correct: STRONG DISTRACTOR. Notice that the blank is followed by a full clause with a subject and verb (“it is currently snowing”). Therefore, a conjunction (“because”) is required, NOT a preposition.
- Distractor Analysis: (B) Structural Error: “Due to” must be followed by a noun or gerund. (C) Structural Error: “Owing to” requires a noun. (D) Common Mistake: “Because of” requires a noun.
8 (A) owing to
- Why it is correct: Introduces the noun phrase “mandatory safety inspections.”
- Distractor Analysis: (B) Structural Error: “Since” requires a full clause. (C) Structural Error: “As” requires a full clause. (D) Common Mistake: Incorrect preposition (“of” instead of “to”).
9 (A) Due to
- Why it is correct: A formal marker of cause, correctly placed before the noun phrase “an accumulation of thick ice.”
- Distractor Analysis: (B) Meaning Trap: “Even though” indicates a contrast, missing the cause-and-effect relationship. (C) Structural Error: Requires a full clause. (D) Meaning Trap: “Therefore” indicates a result.
10 (A) as a consequence of
- Why it is correct: A highly formal prepositional phrase meaning “caused by,” correctly followed by a noun phrase.
- Distractor Analysis: (B) Structural Error: Missing the preposition “of”. (C) Structural Error: Requires a full clause. (D) Structural Error: Missing “to”.
11 (A) due to
- Why it is correct: Links the subject (“The current operational disruption”) to its cause (“hazardous crosswinds”).
- Distractor Analysis: (B) Common Mistake: “Due of” does not exist in standard English. (C) Structural Error: Missing “to”. (D) Structural Error: Requires a full clause.
12 (A) On account of
- Why it is correct: A formal alternative to “because of,” followed by the noun phrase “the sudden runway closures.”
- Distractor Analysis: (B) Structural Error: Requires a full clause. (C) Structural Error: Missing “to”. (D) Structural Error: “Since” requires a full clause.
13 (A) due to
- Why it is correct: Functions effectively as a subject complement linking the cancellation to its noun phrase cause (“a natural disaster”).
- Distractor Analysis: (B) Structural Error: Missing “to”. (C) Common Mistake: Incorrect preposition (“for”). (D) Structural Error: Needs the preposition “from”.
14 (A) In light of
- Why it is correct: A formal phrase meaning “taking [something] into consideration” or “because of.” Very common in official business and aviation announcements.
- Distractor Analysis: (B) Structural Error: Requires a full clause. (C) Structural Error: Missing “to”. (D) Structural Error: Incorrect phrasing (should be “As a consequence of”).
15 (A) because of
- Why it is correct: Properly links the verb “miss” to the noun phrase cause “this unexpected delay.”
- Distractor Analysis: (B) Common Mistake: Cannot precede a noun phrase. (C) Structural Error: Missing “to”. (D) Structural Error: Incorrect preposition combination.
16 (A) due to
- Why it is correct: Explains the cause of the turbulence using the noun phrase “the edge of the storm system.”
- Distractor Analysis: (B) Meaning Trap: “Despite” would mean you experience turbulence even though there is a storm, which is logically backward. (C) Structural Error: Requires a full clause. (D) Common Mistake: Incorrect preposition.
17 (A) Owing to
- Why it is correct: Formal preposition meaning “Because of,” introducing the noun phrase cause.
- Distractor Analysis: (B) Structural Error: Requires a full clause. (C) Meaning Trap: “Therefore” is an adverb that introduces a result, not a cause. (D) Meaning Trap: “As long as” sets a condition, which is illogical here.
18 (A) owing to
- Why it is correct: Connects the inability to unload baggage with its noun phrase cause (“the lightning safety protocol”).
- Distractor Analysis: (B) Common Mistake: “Due of” is invalid. (C) Structural Error: Requires a full clause. (D) Structural Error: Needs “from”.
19 (A) Since
- Why it is correct: STRONG DISTRACTOR. The blank is followed by a full clause (“the runway is covered in a dangerous layer of black ice”). Therefore, a subordinating conjunction (“Since”) is required, not a preposition.
- Distractor Analysis: (B) Structural Error: “Due to” must be followed by a noun phrase. (C) Structural Error: “Owing to” must be followed by a noun phrase. (D) Common Mistake: “Because of” must be followed by a noun phrase.
20 (A) due to
- Why it is correct: Grammatically serves as the adjective phrase modifying the lack of gates, meaning “caused by” the blizzard.
- Distractor Analysis: (B) Structural Error: Cannot be used without “of” before a noun phrase. (C) Structural Error: “Owing of” is an invalid idiom. (D) Structural Error: “Since” requires a full clause.
GRAMMAR POINTS TO REMEMBER
In formal announcements (like airport PA systems, official emails, or corporate reports), we avoid using long sentences with “because.” Instead, we use Nominalization (turning verbs into nouns) and introduce the cause with a specific preposition.
- Prepositions of Cause (Followed by a Noun Phrase or V-ing):
- Due to (Caused by)
- Owing to (Because of)
- On account of (Because of)
- As a result of / As a consequence of
- Rule: These MUST be followed by a noun phrase.
- Example: “Due to the snow, the flight is delayed.” (Correct).
- Example: “Due to it is snowing, the flight is delayed.” (WRONG!).
- Conjunctions of Cause (Followed by Subject + Verb):
- Because
- Since
- As
- Rule: These MUST be followed by a full clause.
- Example: “Because it is snowing, the flight is delayed.” (Correct).
- The “Due to” vs. “Owing to” Nuance:
- In traditional, strict grammar, Due to is used as an adjective modifying a noun (e.g., The delay was due to rain), while Owing to is used as an adverb modifying a verb (e.g., The flight was delayed owing to rain). However, in modern B2/C1 English, they are largely interchangeable at the beginning of a sentence.
- ⚠️ Grammar Trap: NEVER write “Due of” or “Owing of”.