HSC Use of appropriate sentence connectors Exercises with Solutions 1

Use appropriate sentence connectors in the blank spaces of the following passage.

1. Previously women in our country were regarded as subservient to men. (a) — men did not pay their due honour. (b) — they had no opinion about important family matters. (c) — they had no say about the number of children they would have. (d) — the situation has changed now. Today they are not neglected. They have come out of their cocoon. (e) — they are becoming educated and (f) — taking in out-of-home activities with men. (g) — they have proved their worth. (h) — there is hardly any workforce where women are not involved. (i) — it can clearly be said that women are now not subservient to their husbands completely. (j) — they become better halves of their husbands.

Answers- (a) Moreover;  (b) That's why;   (c) So; (d) However/but;   (e) Gradually;  (f) simultaneously;  (g) Thus;  (h) Presently;  (i)  therefore/so;  (j) Truly

2. A lion was drinking water from a brook. (a) — a lamb was also drinking water from downstream of the same brook. The lion saw the lamb and decided to devour it. (b) — he was thinking about how to accomplish his evil design. (c)  – he hit upon a plan. (d) — the lion complained that the lamb was disturbing him by muddying the water. But the lamb said that he was drinking water from downstream. (e)  –the questions of muddying the water on his part did not arise. (f)  –, the lamb argued that it was the lion that was muddying the water for him as he was drinking water upstream. (g)  –, the lion retorted that the lamb spoke oil of him a year ago. (h) —, the lamb said that he was not born a year ago. The lion grew into a rage. (i)  –he said that perhaps his father spokes ill of him last year. (j) — the lion had the right to take revenge and kill the lamb. (k) _, the lamb argued that it was his father not he. (l)_ the lion did not pay heed to the lamb. (m)_, the lion wanted to eat the lamb. (n)_, he blamed the lamb intentionally just to eat it.

Answers - (a) incidentally;  (b) so;   (c) then; (d) at first;   (e)  so;  (f) moreover/instead;  (g) then; (h) again/but;  (i) therefore;  (j) so ;(k) again; (l) but (m) actually ; (n) so

3. There have been significant changes in the types of entertainment over time. Many of these no longer exist. (a) — they do, people keep looking for newer forms of entertainment. (b) — snake charming, puppet shows, jatra, jarigan, sharigan and kabigan which were common forms of entertainment in the past, have almost lost of their appeal. (c)– , radio used to be a good source of entertainment. (d) — it is giving place to television and to satellite channels in particular. (e)– , the entertainment business, like other spheres of life, is getting westernized. (f)– , folk music or palligeeti is now sung with western instruments. (g)– , modern music is now fusing melodies from folk and traditional songs. (h)– , band and pop music is becoming more and more popular particularly among the young generation. (i)  –sport has become a great source of entertainment today. (j) — football, which used to be the most popular spectator sport in Bangladesh is gradually being replaced by cricket.

Answers - (a) in fact;  (b) by doing so;   (c) certainly; (d) and;   (e) eventually;  (f) at present;  (g) but;   (h) sorrowfully;  (i) as such;   (j) so/ therefore  

4.  A thing of beauty is a joy forever. (a)  __ a flower is a symbol of beauty and purity. Its sweet smell attracts one to all. (b) __ flower cultivation was very rare in our country. (c) — the scenario has changed. (d) — many people cultivate flowers not only for enjoying their beauty but also for earning money. (e) — in big cities and towns many flower shops have flourished. Different kinds of flowers are sold there. (f) — the demand of flowers is increasing day by day. (g) — they are of great use to us. (h) — we keep flowers in flower vase to beautify our drawing room. (i)–  during marriage ceremony we decorate gate and vehicle with flowers. Thirdly, we express our love and affection towards anyone with flowers. (j) — the use of flowers is very great.

Answers - (a) likewise;  (b) in the past;   (c) at present; (d) now;   (e)  recently;  (f) as a result;  (g) truly speaking;   (h) firstly;  (i) secondly;  (j) so/hence

5. Food adulteration is a social problem. There is hardly any food that is not adulterated. (a) –, a business syndicate is involved in this. (b) , they are bringing national health to the edge of death. (c) , people taking adulterated food will become gradually sick. (d) , they will suffer from many complicated diseases. (e) ,– they will die. (f)– , food adulteration has reached in an alarming state in our country. (g) –, the authority concerned is playing a silent role. (h) —, laws regarding this crime are not so strict. (i)– , this crime is going to be out of control. (j) –, steps must be taken against this heinous crime to save our life.

Answers - (a) even if;  (b) thus;   (c) once; (d) but now;   (e)  at present;  (f) consequently; (g) moreover;   (h) nowadays;  (i) besides/also;  (j) but

6. Happiness lies in the mind of a man (a) — beauty lies in the eyes of a beholder. (b) — we can say (c) — happiness comprises a state of mind. A poor man can be happy with one lakh Taka (d) — it has no importance for a millionaire. (e)– , the source of happiness lies in us. (f) — we do good work (g)  gives happiness to others, our own happiness also increases by leaps and bounds. One way of doing this is to find out and go out to those (h)  may be in need of our help. The highest form of happiness is derived when we help others (i)  make them happy. (j)  in every religion, great importance is put on the service of mankind.

Answers- (a) as;  (b) so;   (c) that; (d) while;   (e) in fact;  (f) if;  (g) which;  (h) who;  (i) and;  (j) therefore/so

7.  We earned our independence in nine months. Many reasons made our victory easier. (a) —- we all were united at one point. (b) —- it was a question of our survival and dignity. (c) —- our freedom fighters were committed. They fought valiantly in the war fields. (d) —- we had huge international support. (e) —- the Pakistani soldiers didn’t have any noble reason before them. They were killers. They were not natives of this country. (f) —- they didn’t have sufficient ideas about the communication systems, weather, or peoples' sentiments in this country. (g) —- they had two superpowers behind them. (h) —-, these superpowers could do very little directly for them. (i) —- only in nine months the Pakistani soldiers had to accept the worst defeat the world had ever experienced. (j) —- it can be said, the war of Independence proved that no power can suppress the desire of the mass people.

Answers:  (a) Firstly (b) Besides (c) Moreover (d) Not only that (e) On the other hand (f) Hence (g) True that (h) However (i) As a result (j) Finally