B2 Relative Clauses (Defining & Non-Defining) – Grammar Test 2 | 15 Practice Questions for IELTS, TOEFL & YDS
Practice defining and non-defining relative clauses with this B2 Grammar Test 2. Improve your English grammar for IELTS, TOEFL, and YDS with 15 exam-style questions.
Relative clauses are an important grammatical structure that allows speakers and writers to combine ideas and provide additional information about nouns. At the B2 (upper-intermediate) level, learners are expected to use a variety of relative pronouns such as who, whom, which, that, whose, and where accurately. These clauses make sentences more informative and help avoid repetition by linking related pieces of information together.
There are two main types of relative clauses in English: defining and non-defining clauses. Defining relative clauses provide essential information that identifies the noun being described, and they are not separated by commas. Non-defining relative clauses add extra, non-essential information and are usually separated by commas in written English. Understanding the difference between these two types is essential for producing clear and grammatically accurate sentences.
Relative clauses are frequently tested in international English proficiency exams such as IELTS, TOEFL, and YDS. Candidates must be able to choose the correct relative pronoun depending on whether the clause refers to a person, object, place, or possession. Mastering these structures helps learners write more complex sentences, improve academic writing, and express ideas more precisely.
Choose the correct answer for each question.
RESULTS
#1. The professor ______ wrote this article is well known in the field of linguistics.
#2. The laptop ______ I bought last month is already outdated.
#3. My neighbor, ______ car was stolen last week, has moved to another city.
#4. The museum ______ we visited yesterday was very impressive.
#5. The woman ______ you spoke to earlier is the new manager.
#6. The school ______ my father studied has recently been renovated.
#7. Students ______ participate actively in class usually learn faster.
#8. The painting ______ was displayed in the gallery attracted many visitors.
#9. Mr. Brown, ______ office is on the second floor, will help you with the application.
#10. The book ______ you recommended was extremely helpful.
#11. The park ______ we had the picnic is famous for its beautiful lake.
#12. The engineer ______ designed the bridge received an international award.
#13. My cousin Sarah, ______ lives in Australia, is visiting us next month.
#14. The company ______ products are sold worldwide is expanding rapidly.
#15. The conference ______ was held in Berlin attracted scientists from many countries.
Detailed Explanations
1.
Correct Answer: who
The sentence refers to a professor, which is a person. When the relative clause describes a person acting as the subject of the clause, the appropriate relative pronoun is used.
2.
Correct Answer: that
The clause identifies a specific laptop. In defining relative clauses referring to objects, this relative pronoun is commonly used.
3.
Correct Answer: whose
The clause expresses possession related to the neighbor’s car. This relative pronoun is used to show ownership.
4.
Correct Answer: which
The noun refers to a museum, which is a thing or place. In non-defining clauses referring to things, this relative pronoun is used.
5.
Correct Answer: whom
The person mentioned is the object of the verb “spoke to.” In formal English, this relative pronoun is used when referring to a person as the object of the clause.
6.
Correct Answer: where
The sentence refers to a place where the action occurred. This relative adverb is used when describing locations.
7.
Correct Answer: who
The clause describes students performing an action. This relative pronoun refers to people acting as the subject of the clause.
8.
Correct Answer: which
The noun refers to a painting, which is an object. This relative pronoun introduces clauses describing things.
9.
Correct Answer: whose
The clause shows possession related to Mr. Brown’s office. This relative pronoun expresses ownership.
10.
Correct Answer: that
The clause identifies a specific book being discussed. This relative pronoun is commonly used in defining clauses referring to objects.
11.
Correct Answer: where
The sentence describes the location of the picnic. This relative adverb connects the noun with the place where the action happened.
12.
Correct Answer: who
The clause refers to an engineer, which is a person performing the action of designing the bridge.
13.
Correct Answer: who
The clause provides additional information about Sarah and is separated by commas. Non-defining clauses referring to people use this pronoun.
14.
Correct Answer: whose
The clause describes possession related to the company’s products. This pronoun indicates ownership.
15.
Correct Answer: which
The clause refers to a conference, which is an event rather than a person. This relative pronoun introduces clauses describing things or events.
