CEFR Written Cohesion and Coherence 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which sentence best uses a pronoun for cohesion in the following context: 'Maria submitted her report early. ___ received praise from the manager.'
- The report received praise from the manager.
- She received praise from the manager. (Correct answer)
- Maria, she received praise from the manager.
- Her report, it received praise from the manager.
Correct answer: She received praise from the manager.
The pronoun 'She' cohesively links back to 'Maria' without unnecessary repetition.
Question 2: Which transition word best signals a cause-and-effect relationship?
- Furthermore
- Nevertheless
- Consequently (Correct answer)
- Meanwhile
Correct answer: Consequently
'Consequently' explicitly signals that what follows is the result of what was previously stated.
Question 3: A well-structured paragraph typically begins with:
- A concluding remark
- A topic sentence stating the main idea (Correct answer)
- Supporting details and examples
- A transitional phrase linking to the next paragraph
Correct answer: A topic sentence stating the main idea
A topic sentence introduces the paragraph's main idea, giving the reader a clear frame for what follows.
Question 4: Which revision improves coherence by removing an off-topic sentence? 'Exercise improves mood. It also boosts energy levels. My gym has a heated pool. Doctors recommend 30 minutes daily.'
- Remove 'Exercise improves mood.'
- Remove 'It also boosts energy levels.'
- Remove 'My gym has a heated pool.' (Correct answer)
- Remove 'Doctors recommend 30 minutes daily.'
Correct answer: Remove 'My gym has a heated pool.'
The sentence about the gym's heated pool is personal and unrelated to the paragraph's focus on health benefits of exercise.
Question 5: Which of the following is an example of lexical cohesion through synonymy?
- The city was crowded. The city never sleeps.
- The vehicle broke down. The car needed repairs. (Correct answer)
- She ran fast. She also jumped high.
- He studied hard. Therefore, he passed the exam.
Correct answer: The vehicle broke down. The car needed repairs.
'Vehicle' and 'car' are synonyms that create lexical cohesion by referring to the same entity with different words.
Question 6: In CEFR C1-level writing, how should complex ideas be connected across paragraphs?
- By starting each paragraph with 'First,' 'Second,' and 'Third,'
- By repeating the same thesis sentence in each paragraph
- By using a range of cohesive devices including reference, substitution, and lexical chains (Correct answer)
- By keeping all ideas in a single long paragraph
Correct answer: By using a range of cohesive devices including reference, substitution, and lexical chains
C1 writers are expected to use varied cohesive devices beyond simple sequencing markers to link ideas across paragraphs.
Question 7: Which sentence uses ellipsis correctly as a cohesive device? 'Tom can play the piano, and Sarah can ___.'
- too (Correct answer)
- also play the piano too
- play the piano as well as Tom
- play the piano very well
Correct answer: too
Ellipsis omits 'play the piano' after 'can,' relying on the reader's understanding from the preceding clause.
CEFR Written Cohesion and Coherence 2
Which sentence best uses a pronoun for cohesion in the following context: 'Maria submitted her report early. ___ received praise from the manager.'