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Cleft Sentences Quiz 1 (30 MCQs)

This multiple-choice question set evaluates the understanding of cleft sentences and their structure, focusing on identifying emphasized elements, recognizing conditional emphasis, and expressing personal opinions using cleft sentence structures. It also assesses skills in focal element identification, subject-verb agreement, and critical thinking in argument evaluation.

Quiz Instructions

Select an option to see the correct answer instantly.

1. Identify the main clause in the following sentence:'It was at the concert that I met my favorite singer.'

Explanations: The main clause in the sentence 'It was at the concert that I met my favorite singer.' is "I met my favorite singer." This is because it contains a subject ("I") and a predicate ("met my favorite singer"). The phrase "It was at the concert that" is a cleft structure used to emphasize the location where the action took place.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Incorrect. This sentence does not match the original in meaning or structure.
Option B: Incorrect. The subject and predicate are reversed, making it incorrect.
Option C: Correct. It directly states the main action without additional emphasis.
Option D: Incorrect. "Least favorite singer" contradicts the original sentence's use of "favorite singer," and the location is not emphasized in this option.

2. Christopher Columbus discovered America.

Explanations: Option B is correct because it uses a cleft sentence structure to emphasize the subject, "Christopher Columbus," by placing it after the relative clause "who discovered America." This construction highlights the main point of the sentence.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Incorrect. It incorrectly states that Christopher Columbus has been the one who discovered America, which is not grammatically correct in this context.
Option B: Correct. Uses a cleft sentence to emphasize the subject by placing it after "who." This structure focuses on the main point of the sentence.
Option C: Incorrect. It introduces an irrelevant statement about the reason for discovery, which does not align with the grammatical focus of the question.
Option D: Incorrect. The phrasing is awkward and does not correctly use a cleft sentence to emphasize Christopher Columbus as the discoverer.

3. ..... the importance of transparency in government institutions.

Explanations: Option B is correct because it directly expresses agreement with the importance of transparency in government institutions, aligning with the statement's intent.

Option Analysis:

Option A: This option does not express a clear stance or opinion on the topic.
Option B: This option clearly states agreement with the importance of transparency in government institutions.
Option C: This option is too broad, including both agreeing and disagreeing options without specifying which one aligns better with the statement.
Option D: This option contradicts the given statement by denying any agreement or disagreement.

4. What is the reason for the cancellation in the cleft sentence: "It was because of the rain that the match was canceled" ?

Explanations: In the cleft sentence "It was because of the rain that the match was canceled," the reason for the cancellation is explicitly stated as "the rain." This structure emphasizes the cause by placing it at the beginning of the sentence, using "it" and "that" to direct attention to this specific factor.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Canceled. - Incorrect. The cancellation is a result, not the reason.
Option B: Rain. - Correct. The rain is identified as the cause of the match being canceled.
Option C: Because. - Incorrect. "Because" introduces the clause but does not specify the actual reason.
Option D: Match. - Incorrect. The match itself is what was canceled, not a reason for cancellation.

5. The environmentalist at the conference explained how renewable energy resources will change the environment.

Explanations: Option A correctly identifies the subject of the sentence and maintains the focus on the environmentalist's explanation, which is the main point of the statement. This option uses a cleft sentence structure to emphasize "It was the environmentalist who explained," making it clear that the environmentalist was the one providing information about renewable energy resources.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correctly emphasizes the subject and action, using a cleft sentence structure.
Option B: Incorrect as it shifts focus to the conference rather than the environmentalist's explanation.
Option C: Incorrect as it rephrases the statement without maintaining the emphasis on the environmentalist’s role.
Option D: Incorrect as there is a correct answer among the options provided.

6. Which part of the sentence is emphasized in the cleft sentence: "It was Sarah who baked the cake" ?

Explanations: In the cleft sentence "It was Sarah who baked the cake," the emphasis is on the subject, which is "Sarah." This structure draws attention to Sarah by placing her name at the beginning of the sentence.

Option Analysis:

Option A: The cake. - Incorrect. The cake is not emphasized; it's part of the information provided.
Option B: Who. - Incorrect. "Who" is a relative pronoun used to introduce Sarah, but it itself is not emphasized.
Option C: Baked. - Incorrect. The verb "baked" is part of the information but is not the focus of emphasis in this sentence structure.
Option D: Sarah. - Correct. Sarah is the subject and the main element emphasized by placing her name at the beginning of the sentence with "It was... who..." construction.

7. Who is highlighted as the winner in the cleft sentence: "The person who won the competition is Maria" ?

Explanations: Cleft sentences are used to emphasize a particular part of the sentence by placing it at the beginning, often with "it is" or "there is." In the given cleft sentence, "The person who won the competition is Maria," the emphasis is on "Maria."

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. The emphasized part of the sentence is "Maria," making her the winner.
Option B: Incorrect. "Person" is not the emphasized element in this cleft sentence.
Option C: Incorrect. "Competition" is a noun and not the emphasized element here.
Option D: Incorrect. "Won" is part of the predicate but not the emphasized element in this structure.

8. ..... technology should complement, not replace, human creativity.

Explanations: The correct answer is Option A: "My own considered opinion is that." This phrasing indicates a personal and thoughtful stance, which aligns with the idea of expressing an individual's perspective on how technology should interact with human creativity. It uses a cleft sentence structure to emphasize the main clause.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Uses a cleft sentence structure to express personal opinion.
Option B: Implies uncertainty, not suitable for stating an opinion firmly.
Option C: Includes "All the above," which is incorrect as only Option A fits the context.
Option D: Indicates no correct option, but there is a correct one (A).

9. What I ..... most like to do is star in a West End show!

Explanations: Cleft sentences are used to emphasize a particular part of the sentence by placing it at the beginning, often with "what" or "that". In this case, "What I would most like to do is star in a West End show!" uses "would" to emphasize the speaker's desire. This fits the structure and purpose of a cleft sentence.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Will does not fit the context of emphasizing a future wish or intention.
Option B: Am is used for stating a current state, which doesn't match the emphasis in this sentence.
Option C: Would fits perfectly as it emphasizes the speaker's desire, aligning with cleft sentence structure.
Option D: None of the above is incorrect since "would" is the right choice.

10. No sooner had we set off ..... my brother needed the toilet.

Explanations: The sentence "No sooner had we set off Than my brother needed the toilet." uses a cleft construction, specifically an inverted cleft sentence where the time adverbial is placed at the beginning of the clause. The word "than" here connects two clauses in a way that emphasizes the immediacy or sequence of events.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Were - Incorrect, as it does not fit grammatically in this context.
Option B: Than - Correct, as it properly connects the two clauses and emphasizes the immediacy of the event.
Option C: How - Incorrect, as it does not make sense in this context.
Option D: Why - Incorrect, as it does not fit grammatically or logically here.

11. Select the cleft sentence that emphasizes the place:

Explanations: Cleft sentences are used to emphasize a particular part of the sentence by restructuring it, often placing the emphasized element before the verb "is" or "was". In option C, "It was in the park where we had a picnic," the place (the park) is emphasized. This structure makes the location the focal point of the sentence.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Incorrect. The placement of "where it was" disrupts the natural flow and does not emphasize the park.
Option B: Correct but not a cleft sentence; it is a simple statement providing information about where the picnic took place.
Option C: Correct. This is a cleft sentence that emphasizes the location (the park) by placing "where we had a picnic" after "in the park." The structure uses "It was... where," making the park the focal point of the sentence.
Option D: Incorrect. While it does mention the park, it is not structured as a cleft sentence and does not emphasize the location in the same way option C does.

12. Choose the correct wh-cleft.

Explanations: Option A is correct because it uses the proper structure of a wh-cleft sentence, which emphasizes the information by placing the wh-word "What" at the beginning of the sentence followed by "she really wants." The rest of the sentence follows logically.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. Uses appropriate wh-cleft structure.
Option B: Incorrect. The placement of "that" is unnecessary and disrupts the proper cleft construction.
Option C: Incorrect. This option uses a different type of cleft sentence (it-cleft) which places "It" at the beginning, not "What." It also omits the subject "she" and changes the verb order.
Option D: Incorrect. The word order is incorrect; it should be "to work abroad" rather than "abroad work," and the placement of "really" makes the sentence awkward and unclear.

13. What was the reason for leaving early in the cleft sentence: "The reason he left early was to catch the last train" ?

Explanations: The cleft sentence "The reason he left early was to catch the last train" emphasizes the reason for his leaving by using a cleft construction. The correct answer is D) Last train. This is because the phrase "to catch the last train" provides the specific detail that explains why he left early.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Catch - Too vague; does not specify what was caught to explain the reason.
Option B: Left - The verb itself is not the emphasized part in this sentence structure.
Option C: Early - While "early" modifies "left," it is not the specific detail that explains why he left early.
Option D: Last train - This phrase provides the exact reason for leaving early, making it the correct answer.

14. ..... , preventing him from evaluating the argument objectively.

Explanations: Option B is correct because it directly addresses the issue of bias affecting judgment, which aligns with the phrase "preventing him from evaluating the argument objectively." This indicates that personal beliefs are influencing his ability to assess the argument fairly.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Opinions in the issue being divided does not explain why he cannot evaluate the argument objectively.
Option B: His own set of beliefs has coloured his judgement. This is correct as it explains the bias affecting objective evaluation.
Option C: All the above includes incorrect options, making it wrong.
Option D: None of the above is incorrect since Option B is valid.

15. You gave her a bunch of rose last week.

Explanations: Cleft sentences are used to emphasize a particular part of the sentence by placing it at the beginning, often with "it is" or "it was". In this case, the emphasis is on "you", so "It was you that/who gave her a bunch of rose last week." correctly uses a cleft construction.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Incorrect. Uses "which" instead of "that/who".
Option B: Incorrect. Uses "whom", which is not appropriate here.
Option C: Correct. Uses "that/who" to emphasize the subject "you".
Option D: Incorrect. Uses "is" instead of "was", and the tense does not match with "last week".

16. ..... taught me how to collect butterflies.

Explanations: Cleft sentences are used to emphasize a particular part of the sentence by placing it at the beginning, often with "it is" or "it was." In this case, the emphasis is on who taught you how to collect butterflies. The correct form uses "that" after the subject to maintain grammatical correctness.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Incorrect because it lacks the necessary word "that" for proper cleft sentence structure.
Option B: Correct as it properly forms a cleft sentence by emphasizing who taught you, using "that" to complete the construction.
Option C: Incorrect due to the use of present tense ("is") instead of past tense ("was").
Option D: Incorrect because it uses "whom," which is not appropriate in this context. "That" should be used after the subject.

17. What makes the place special in the cleft sentence: "What makes this place special is the beautiful view" ?

Explanations: In the cleft sentence "What makes this place special is the beautiful view," the focus is on identifying what specifically makes the place special, which in this case is the view. The word "view" is the key element that fulfills the role of making the place special.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Beautiful - This describes an attribute of the view but does not directly answer what makes the place special.
Option B: Special - This is a characteristic being identified, but it's not what specifically makes the place special in this sentence structure.
Option C: Place - This refers to the subject of the sentence but does not specify what makes it special.
Option D: View - Correct. The view is explicitly stated as the element that makes the place special.

18. ..... England won the World Cup.A. It was in 1966 thatB. It was on 1966 thatC. It was in 1966 whenD. It was 1966 in that

Explanations: The correct answer is A) C. The sentence "It was in 1966 that England won the World Cup" uses a cleft sentence structure, which emphasizes the time when an event occurred. This type of sentence construction highlights the specific year by placing it after the introductory phrase "it was."

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. Uses a cleft sentence to emphasize the year.
Option B: Incorrect. The preposition "on" is not appropriate for years in this context.
Option C: Incorrect. While grammatically correct, it does not use a cleft construction.
Option D: Incorrect. This option is poorly constructed and does not form a proper sentence.

19. ..... puts me off skiing is the high cost of the equipment.

Explanations: Cleft sentences are used to emphasize a particular part of the sentence by placing it at the beginning, often using "what" as the subject. In this case, "What puts me off skiing is the high cost of the equipment." emphasizes "the high cost of the equipment," making "What" the correct choice.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. Emphasizes what specifically causes the speaker to avoid skiing.
Option B: Incorrect. "That" does not emphasize the subject in this context.
Option C: Incorrect. "Which" is used for non-restrictive clauses, not for emphasis.
Option D: Incorrect. There is a correct answer among the options provided.

20. ..... , with some experts supporting stricter laws and others opposing them.

Explanations: The sentence "Opinions on the issue are divided" accurately reflects a scenario where experts have differing views, with some supporting stricter laws and others opposing them. This statement is a clear example of a cleft sentence used to highlight the contrast or division in opinions.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correctly identifies that opinions are divided, which matches the given scenario.
Option B: Incorrect as it implies a strong belief without context of the issue's complexity.
Option C: Inaccurate because not all options are correct; only A is accurate.
Option D: Incorrect since option A is valid and accurately describes the situation.

21. ..... I shared the whole story with.

Explanations: Cleft sentences are used to emphasize a particular part of the sentence by placing it at the beginning, often with "it is" or "it was". In this case, option C) "It was Sam who" correctly emphasizes Sam as the person you shared the whole story with.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Incorrect. Does not emphasize Sam.
Option B: Incorrect. Grammatically incorrect and does not emphasize Sam.
Option C: Correct. Emphasizes Sam using a cleft sentence structure.
Option D: Incorrect. Does not emphasize Sam.

22. A:You did it for the money.B:No, the ..... save the environment.

Explanations: Option D is correct because it properly forms a cleft sentence, which emphasizes the reason for an action by using "it" as a dummy subject and placing the real reason in the second part of the sentence. In this case, "the reason why I did it was to save the environment" correctly completes the thought.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Incorrect; it does not form a proper cleft sentence.
Option B: Incorrect; it does not form a proper cleft sentence.
Option C: Incorrect; it lacks the infinitive "to" which is necessary to complete the reason.
Option D: Correct; it correctly forms a cleft sentence emphasizing the reason for the action.

23. I will never forget the day I heard I'd got into my chosen university.

Explanations: Option C is correct because it uses a cleft sentence structure, which emphasizes the day by placing "The day on which" at the beginning of the sentence. This structure highlights the importance of the day in relation to the event (hearing about university acceptance).

Option Analysis:

Option A: Incorrect as it does not emphasize the day and is a simple statement.
Option B: Incorrect for similar reasons; it uses "which" which makes the sentence less clear and emphasizes the event rather than the day.
Option C: Correct, as explained above.
Option D: Incorrect due to redundant preposition "on when," making the sentence awkward and unclear.

24. Only if the weather is clear ..... to launch.

Explanations: Cleft sentences emphasize a particular part of the sentence by using "it is" or "it was" followed by a relative clause beginning with "that". In this case, the focus is on the condition for launching the space shuttle. Option C correctly uses a cleft sentence structure: "Will the space shuttle be allowed" emphasizes the action of allowing based on weather conditions.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Incorrect because it does not use a cleft sentence and is not focused on the condition for launching.
Option B: Incorrect because it uses passive voice which is not necessary in this context of a cleft sentence focusing on the action.
Option C: Correct as it uses a cleft sentence to emphasize the condition under which the space shuttle will be allowed to launch.
Option D: Incorrect because it has grammatical errors and does not follow the structure of a cleft sentence.

25. Choose the correct option for the gap: ..... my boss you want to speak to, not me.

Explanations: Cleft sentences are used to emphasize a particular part of the sentence by restructuring it. In this case, "It's" is correctly used as an introductory phrase to create a cleft sentence emphasizing "my boss you want to speak to."

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. It uses 'it' as a dummy subject and 'is' as the verb, creating a cleft sentence.
Option B: Incorrect. "The person is" does not fit grammatically in this context to create a proper cleft sentence.
Option C: Incorrect. Both A and B are incorrect when applied here.
Option D: Incorrect. Option A is correct, so there's no need for "None of the above."

26. ..... during the meeting did anyone mention that the managing director was planning to leave.

Explanations: Cleft sentences are used to emphasize a particular part of the sentence by placing it at the beginning, often with "it" as the subject. In this case, the sentence is not using a cleft structure but rather a simple question format. The correct answer is A) At no time because it directly addresses that nobody mentioned the managing director's planned departure during the meeting.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. Indicates that nobody mentioned the managing director’s planned departure.
Option B: Incorrect. "Never" is too absolute and doesn't fit the context of a conversation or event where something might have been discussed but not specifically by someone during a meeting.
Option C: Incorrect. "In no way" implies an impossibility, which is not what the question is asking for in this context.
Option D: Incorrect. "Not only" suggests something that was mentioned exclusively or primarily, but the sentence structure and context indicate a negative statement about what was not mentioned.

27. What we had to do first was deciding where to meet.

Explanations: Option D is correct because it uses a cleft sentence structure to emphasize the first action that needed to be taken, which is "deciding where to meet." This structure places the focus on the initial step by using "The first thing we had to do was."

Option Analysis:

Option A: Repetitive and awkward phrasing. "First" is used twice unnecessarily.
Option B: Incorrect order of events; it suggests meeting came before deciding where to meet, which contradicts the intended meaning.
Option C: Grammatically correct but does not emphasize the first action as effectively as D. It lacks the cleft sentence structure that highlights the initial step.
Option D: Correctly uses a cleft sentence to emphasize "deciding where to meet" as the first thing that needed to be done.

28. ..... that the survey results were edited before publication.

Explanations: The sentence "I have a sneaking suspicion" is an example of a cleft sentence, which focuses on the main idea by separating it from additional information. This type of sentence structure emphasizes the subject or object in a more formal and emphatic way.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. Uses a cleft sentence to express doubt about the survey results.
Option B: Incorrect. Does not use a cleft sentence structure.
Option C: Incorrect. "All the above" is not applicable since only Option A uses a cleft sentence correctly in this context.
Option D: Incorrect. None of the options use a cleft sentence appropriately for the given statement.

29. Identify the cleft sentence in the following:The person who stole my wallet was my best friend.

Explanations: Cleft sentence focuses on restructuring a sentence to emphasize a particular element by using "the one" or "that" followed by a relative clause. In the given sentence, "The person who stole my wallet was my best friend," the emphasis is on identifying the thief as the speaker's best friend.

Option Analysis:

Option A: This option does not emphasize any specific element and does not follow cleft sentence structure.
Option B: This option introduces a new subject "the person who found my wallet," which is unrelated to the original sentence's emphasis.
Option C: This option correctly identifies the cleft sentence by emphasizing the thief as the speaker's best friend, aligning with the original sentence structure.
Option D: While this option directly states who stole the wallet, it does not use a cleft construction to emphasize the specific element.

30. What is the main desire expressed in the cleft sentence: "All I want is a little peace and quiet" ?

Explanations: The main desire expressed in the cleft sentence "All I want is a little peace and quiet" is Option C: Peace and quiet. In a cleft sentence, the focus is on the element that follows "is." Here, "peace and quiet" is the focal point.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Want - This is the verb but not the main desire.
Option B: Little - This modifies peace and quiet but is not the main desire itself.
Option C: Peace and quiet - The focal element of the sentence, expressing the main desire.
Option D: All - Introduces the cleft structure but does not represent the main desire.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a cleft sentence?

A cleft sentence is a type of sentence structure used to emphasize a particular part of the statement. It focuses attention on a specific element by using a form like 'It is... that' or 'what... is,' which rearranges the typical word order.

How do cleft sentences differ from regular sentences?

Cleft sentences differ by emphasizing a particular element, often using structures like 'It is... that' or 'what... is.' This differs from regular sentences where the focus is not necessarily highlighted in this way.

Can you give an example of a cleft sentence?

Certainly! An example would be 'It was the cat that scratched the door' or 'What I want is a new book.' These sentences emphasize specific parts by using cleft structures.

Are there different types of cleft sentences?

Yes, there are two main types: 'it-cleft' and 'wh-cleft.' It-cleft sentences use 'It is... that,' while wh-cleft sentences use words like 'what,' 'who,' or 'which' to emphasize a particular element.

How can cleft sentences be useful in writing?

Cleft sentences are useful for emphasizing important information, making complex ideas clearer, and adding variety to sentence structures. They help highlight key points effectively.

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