C1 Relative & Participle Clauses Test 1 (15 Questions) – Advanced Grammar for IELTS, TOEFL, YDS
Challenge your advanced English grammar with this C1-level Relative Clauses and Participle Clauses test. 15 multiple-choice questions (3 options) with extremely detailed explanations. Perfect for IELTS, TOEFL, and YDS preparation.
Choose the correct answer.
RESULTS
#1. The researcher, ______ work has significantly influenced modern linguistics, will deliver the keynote speech.
#2. The students ______ the scholarship must submit additional documents by Friday.
#3. The book, ______ was published posthumously, became an international bestseller.
#4. The engineer ______ the bridge is internationally renowned.
#5. People ______ to loud noise for prolonged periods may suffer hearing loss.
#6. The company, ______ headquarters are located in Berlin, is expanding rapidly.
#7. The theory ______ by the committee was eventually rejected.
#8. The woman ______ next to me on the plane turned out to be a famous author.
#9. The data, ______ collected over a ten-year period, reveal significant trends.
#10. Students ______ late will not be admitted to the examination hall.
#11. The scientist ______ discovery revolutionized the field received international acclaim.
#12. The policy, ______ implemented without consultation, sparked widespread criticism.
#13. The manuscript ______ in the attic was of immense historical value.
#14. The committee members, ______ deeply divided on the issue, postponed the vote.
#15. The candidate ______ the highest score will be offered the position.
EXPLANATIONS (ALL ANSWERS EXPLAINED BELOW)
Now we dissect the grammar with surgical precision. C1 level means you must understand structure, not memorize patterns.
1 – whose
We need a possessive relative pronoun because “work” belongs to “researcher.” “Whose” functions as a possessive determiner inside a relative clause. “Which” and “whom” cannot express possession. This is a non-defining clause (comma present), giving extra information.
2 – applying for
This is a reduced relative clause. Full form: “The students who are applying for the scholarship…” We reduce “who are” and keep the present participle (-ing). “Applied for” would imply past completed action; “having applied” would suggest completion before another action, which is not the intended meaning.
3 – which
Non-defining relative clause (comma). “That” is not used in non-defining clauses. “What” cannot introduce this type of clause because it means “the thing that.”
4 – designing
Reduced relative clause. Full form: “The engineer who is designing the bridge…” We drop “who is” and use present participle. “Designed” would imply the bridge is already completed. “Who designing” is grammatically impossible.
5 – exposed
This is a passive meaning. Full form: “People who are exposed to loud noise…” We remove “who are” and use past participle. “Exposing” would make people the active agents. “Having exposed” changes meaning and structure incorrectly.
6 – whose
Possession again: headquarters belong to the company. “Which” and “that” cannot express possession in this structure.
7 – proposed
Passive reduced clause. Full form: “The theory that was proposed by the committee…” We reduce “that was” and keep past participle. “Proposing” would make the theory the active doer. “Having proposed” incorrectly suggests the theory performed an action.
8 – sitting
Reduced relative clause. Full form: “The woman who was sitting…” We reduce “who was.” “Sat” is simple past and cannot function as modifier here. “Having sat” implies sequence before another action.
9 – which
Non-defining clause (comma). “That” is not used after comma. “What” is incorrect because it cannot replace a noun already present.
10 – arriving
Reduced defining clause. Full form: “Students who arrive late…” Present participle expresses general rule. “Arrived” would refer to past event. “Having arrived” expresses prior completion, not general rule.
11 – whose
Possessive relative pronoun modifying “discovery.” “Who” and “whom” cannot indicate possession.
12 – which
Non-defining clause with passive meaning. “That” not used after comma. “What” structurally impossible.
13 – found
Passive reduced relative clause. Full form: “The manuscript that was found in the attic…” We remove “that was.” “Finding” would imply the manuscript did the action. “Having found” implies it performed the action.
14 – being
Reduced clause expressing state. Full form: “who were deeply divided…” We drop “who were” and use “being.” “Were” cannot function as modifier without pronoun. “Having been” suggests completed prior state, which changes nuance.
15 – achieving
Reduced defining clause. Full form: “The candidate who achieves the highest score…” Present participle shows defining ongoing criterion. “Achieved” refers to past event. “Having achieved” implies sequence before another action.
