B2 Relative Clauses (Defining & Non-Defining) – Grammar Test 3 | 15 Practice Questions for IELTS, TOEFL & YDS
Improve your grammar with B2 Relative Clauses Grammar Test 3. Practice defining and non-defining relative clauses with 15 questions designed for IELTS, TOEFL, and YDS preparation.
Relative clauses are an essential grammatical structure that helps English learners combine information efficiently and produce more complex sentences. Instead of using several short sentences, speakers can connect ideas using relative pronouns such as who, whom, which, that, whose, and where. At the B2 level, learners are expected to understand not only how these pronouns work but also when they are necessary and when they can be omitted in certain contexts.
There are two major types of relative clauses: defining and non-defining clauses. Defining relative clauses provide crucial information that identifies exactly which person or thing is being referred to. Without this clause, the sentence would be unclear. Non-defining relative clauses, however, simply add additional information and are separated by commas. These clauses are commonly used in formal writing, academic texts, and professional communication.
Relative clauses are commonly tested in international English proficiency exams such as IELTS, TOEFL, and YDS. Students must recognize which relative pronoun correctly fits the sentence structure and meaning. Mastering these grammatical patterns allows learners to create more sophisticated sentences, improve reading comprehension, and perform better in writing sections of these exams. The following test is designed to strengthen your understanding of defining and non-defining relative clauses at the B2 level.
Choose the correct answer for each question.
RESULTS
#1. The athlete ______ won the marathon trained for months.
#2. The documentary ______ we watched last night was extremely informative.
#3. My colleague, ______ office is next to mine, helped me finish the report.
#4. The hotel ______ we stayed during our vacation was very comfortable.
#5. The manager ______ you emailed yesterday will respond soon.
#6. The bicycle ______ was parked outside has disappeared.
#7. People ______ work hard often achieve their goals.
#8. The university ______ my sister studies is located in London.
#9. The author ______ novel became a bestseller is giving a lecture today.
#10. The laptop ______ I am using right now belongs to my brother.
#11. The conference room ______ the meeting was held was recently renovated.
#12. The researcher ______ discovered the new treatment received international recognition.
#13. The painting, ______ was created in the 18th century, is extremely valuable.
#14. The student ______ project won the competition received a scholarship.
#15. The island ______ we spent our holiday is famous for its beaches.
Detailed Explanations
1
Correct Answer: who
This sentence refers to an athlete, which is a person performing the action in the clause. The correct relative pronoun for a person acting as the subject is used.
2
Correct Answer: that
The clause identifies a specific documentary. In defining relative clauses referring to things or objects, this relative pronoun is commonly used.
3
Correct Answer: whose
The clause indicates possession related to the colleague’s office. This relative pronoun expresses ownership.
4
Correct Answer: where
The clause refers to a location where the action occurred. This relative adverb is used to describe places.
5
Correct Answer: whom
The manager is the object of the verb “emailed.” In formal English, this relative pronoun is used when referring to a person as the object.
6
Correct Answer: which
The noun refers to a bicycle, which is an object. This relative pronoun is used when describing things.
7
Correct Answer: who
The clause refers to people performing an action. The correct relative pronoun for people acting as the subject is used.
8
Correct Answer: where
The clause describes the location of the university. This relative adverb connects the noun with the place being described.
9
Correct Answer: whose
The clause expresses possession related to the author’s novel. This pronoun indicates ownership.
10
Correct Answer: that
The clause identifies a specific laptop being discussed. This pronoun is commonly used in defining clauses referring to objects.
11
Correct Answer: where
The clause refers to the location of the meeting. This relative adverb describes the place in which something happened.
12
Correct Answer: who
The sentence refers to a researcher, which is a person performing the action of discovering something.
13
Correct Answer: which
The clause provides additional information about the painting and is separated by commas, indicating a non-defining relative clause referring to a thing.
14
Correct Answer: whose
The clause shows possession related to the student’s project. This pronoun expresses ownership.
15
Correct Answer: where
The clause refers to the island as the place where the holiday was spent. This relative adverb connects the noun with the location being described.
