It-Clefts — It Was Then That (C2)

Plain: "We realised the truth then." Focus the time word. Write the opener: we realised the truth. (start: It / was)

Plain: "Sarah found the missing file." Focus Sarah. Write the opener: found the missing file. (start: It / was)

Plain: "They first met in Paris." Focus "in Paris". Write the opener: they first met. (start: It / was)

Plain: "Precision matters most." Focus "precision". Write the opener: matters most. (start: It / is)

Plain: "The company collapsed in 2008." Focus "in 2008". Write the opener: the company collapsed. (start: It / was)

Plain: "The board chose Ahmed." Focus Ahmed (the one chosen). Write the opener: the board chose. (start: It / was)

Plain: "We solved it by trial and error." Focus "by trial and error". Write the opener: we solved it. (start: It / was)

Plain: "The climate drives migration." Focus "the climate". Write the opener: drives migration. (start: It / is)

Plain: "The teacher inspires them." Focus "the teacher". Write the opener: inspires them. (start: It / is)

Plain: "The project failed because of poor planning." Focus "because of poor planning". Write the opener: the project failed. (start: It / was)

Plain: "She understood the risk after the accident." Focus "after the accident". Write the opener: she understood the risk. (start: It / was)

Plain: "He raised the alarm." Focus "he" (use the pronoun form that fits a cleft). Write the opener: raised the alarm. (start: It / was)

Plain: "Trust holds the team together." Focus "trust". Write the opener: holds the team together. (start: It / is)

Plain: "The neighbours called the police." Focus "the neighbours". Write the opener: called the police. (start: It / be — past)

Plain: "Hard work brings success, not luck." Focus "hard work". Write the opener: brings success. (start: It / be — match the present)