C2 – Relative Clauses, Participle Clauses & Nominalisation -Advanced English Grammar Test 1
Take this C2 English grammar test on advanced relative clauses, reduced clauses, participle clauses, and nominalisation. Includes 15 challenging questions with detailed explanations for CPE, IELTS Band 9, and TOEFL 110+ learners.
Choose the correct answer (A, B, C, or D).
Only one option is grammatically correct and stylistically appropriate in formal C2-level academic English.
RESULTS
#1. The theory, ______ originally proposed in the early twentieth century, remains influential today.
#2. Researchers who fail to disclose conflicts of interest risk undermining the credibility ______ essential to academic integrity.
#3. The data collected from multiple cohorts, ______ for demographic variables, revealed consistent patterns.
#4. The proposal calls for the immediate implementation of policies ______ environmental impact.
#5. The findings, many of ______ remain contested, require further empirical validation.
#6. The participants were selected according to criteria ______ by the ethics committee.
#7. The results suggest a correlation, the implications of ______ are far-reaching.
#8. The methodology employed, ______ replicable across diverse contexts, enhances the study’s credibility.
#9. The committee approved the framework, ______ several minor revisions.
#10. Students exposed to interdisciplinary training demonstrate analytical skills ______ those of their peers.
#11. The article discusses several assumptions, none of ______ empirically verified.
#12. The policy aims to minimize risks ______ with large-scale implementation.
#13. Having thoroughly reviewed the literature, the inconsistencies ______ readily apparent.
#14. The experiment yielded results ______ previous theoretical predictions.
#15. The rapid expansion of digital platforms has led to the normalization of practices once ______ controversial.
Very Detailed Explanations
1. Non-defining relative clause
“The theory” is followed by a comma.
This signals a non-defining relative clause.
Non-defining clauses:
use commas
use “which,” not “that”
cannot omit the relative pronoun
Thus:
which was originally proposed
2. Defining relative clause
“Credibility” requires specification.
No comma → defining clause.
“That is essential” correctly defines which credibility.
“Which” would also be possible, but in restrictive clauses, “that” is stylistically preferred in formal writing.
3. Reduced relative clause (passive)
Full form:
which were adjusted for demographic variables
Reduced to:
adjusted for demographic variables
Past participle expresses passive meaning.
“Adjusting” would imply the data performed the action.
4. Present participle for purpose/function
“Policies reducing environmental impact”
= policies that reduce environmental impact.
Active meaning → present participle.
5. Quantifier + of + which
Structure:
many of which
Used in non-defining clauses referring to plural noun.
“That” cannot follow a preposition in non-defining clauses.
6. Reduced passive clause
Full form:
criteria that were established
Reduced to:
criteria established
Past participle signals passive meaning.
7. The implications of which
Preposition + which structure.
Formal academic construction.
Cannot use “that” after preposition.
8. Non-defining clause
Comma indicates non-defining clause.
Thus:
which is replicable
“Being replicable” would suggest ongoing action and is stylistically awkward.
9. Participle clause expressing result
“Requiring several revisions” explains consequence.
Present participle adds extra information.
10. Participle clause modifying skills
“Skills exceeding those of their peers”
Active meaning: skills exceed.
Thus present participle.
11. None of which were verified
Quantifier + of + which.
Plural agreement required → were.
12. Reduced passive relative clause
Full form:
risks that are associated
Reduced to:
risks associated
Past participle expresses passive.
13. Dangling participle avoidance
“Having reviewed the literature” refers to the subject of the main clause.
Subject implied: researchers.
“The inconsistencies became apparent” is correct main clause.
14. Present participle clause
“Results contradicting previous predictions”
Active meaning → present participle.
15. Reduced passive clause
Full form:
practices that were once considered controversial
Reduced to:
once considered controversial
Past participle expresses passive state.
