Relative Clauses — Commas and Meaning (B2)

Which sentence correctly uses a NON-DEFINING relative clause?

The Amazon, which flows through Brazil, is the world's largest river by discharge.The river which flows through Brazil is called the Amazon.The Amazon, that flows through Brazil, is the world's largest river by discharge.The Amazon that flows through Brazil is the world's largest river.

Correct answer: The Amazon, which flows through Brazil, is the world's largest river by discharge.

"My brother who lives in Paris is a doctor." — What does this sentence imply?

The speaker has only one brother.The speaker has more than one brother and is specifying which one.The speaker's brother no longer lives in Paris.The speaker is referring to a friend rather than a biological brother.

Correct answer: The speaker has more than one brother and is specifying which one.

Which sentence correctly uses a NON-DEFINING clause to describe the speaker's boss?

My boss, that is very experienced, gave me some advice.My boss, who very experienced, gave me some advice.My boss, who is very experienced, gave me some advice.My boss, is very experienced, gave me some advice.

Correct answer: My boss, who is very experienced, gave me some advice.

"The scientists, who had worked on the project for years, finally published their results." — What does the relative clause (in commas) do?

It identifies only some of the scientists who worked on the project.It restricts the meaning to scientists who worked for a long time.It specifies which scientists from a larger group are being discussed.It adds extra background information about all the scientists mentioned.

Correct answer: It adds extra background information about all the scientists mentioned.

A student writes: "My professor, that inspired me most, retired this year." — What is the error?

"that" cannot be used in a non-defining clause; it should be "who".The commas should be removed to make it a defining clause."professor" should be followed by "which" not "that"."most" should be "the most" for correct comparison.

Correct answer: "that" cannot be used in a non-defining clause; it should be "who".

"The employees who missed the meeting were reprimanded." — What does this sentence imply?

All the employees missed the meeting.Only some employees missed the meeting; the clause identifies which ones.The employees are frequently absent from meetings.The employees were reprimanded before the meeting took place.

Correct answer: Only some employees missed the meeting; the clause identifies which ones.

"My neighbour's car, ___ is parked outside every day, disappeared last night." — Which pronoun is correct?

thatwhowhichwhose

Correct answer: which

Which sentence uses a DEFINING relative clause correctly?

The film, which won three Oscars, was directed by a first-time filmmaker.The director, who had never won an Oscar, was shocked by the win.The actor, who starred in the film, gave a lengthy acceptance speech.The film that won three Oscars was directed by a first-time filmmaker.

Correct answer: The film that won three Oscars was directed by a first-time filmmaker.

What is the difference between these two sentences? I. "The students who had read the article understood the discussion." II. "The students, who had all read the article, understood the discussion."

Sentence I implies only some read the article; Sentence II implies all did.Sentence I implies all students read the article; Sentence II implies only some.Both sentences carry the same meaning.Sentence I is grammatically incorrect.

Correct answer: Sentence I implies only some read the article; Sentence II implies all did.

"The summit ___ was attended by world leaders last year produced no binding agreement." — Which option gives a defining (no commas) clause?

, which,that, that,, which

Correct answer: that

"The director's latest film ___ has divided critics, opens nationwide next Friday." — What correction makes this a well-formed non-defining clause?

Remove the comma after "film".Replace "which" with "that" after the first comma.Add "which" after the first comma and add a closing comma before "opens".Remove "has" to reduce the clause.

Correct answer: Add "which" after the first comma and add a closing comma before "opens".

"She is the only engineer ___ fully understands the system." — Which is correct?

, who, whichwhichwho

Correct answer: who

A teacher corrects: "Paris, that is the capital of France, is known as the City of Light." — What error did the student make?

"that" cannot be used in a non-defining clause; it should be "which".The commas are not needed because the clause gives essential information.Proper nouns like "Paris" should not be followed by a relative clause."is known" should be "known" to create a reduced relative clause.

Correct answer: "that" cannot be used in a non-defining clause; it should be "which".

I. "My sister, who is a doctor, lives in Edinburgh." II. "My sister who is a doctor lives in Edinburgh." — Which statement is true?

Both sentences are grammatically incorrect.Sentence I is non-defining (one sister, extra info); Sentence II is defining (implies multiple sisters).Sentence I is defining; Sentence II is non-defining.Both sentences carry the same meaning.

Correct answer: Sentence I is non-defining (one sister, extra info); Sentence II is defining (implies multiple sisters).

"The company which I work for has recently been acquired." — A teacher suggests adding commas around "which I work for". After the change, what does the sentence now imply?

The speaker works for more than one company.The clause now specifies which company out of several is meant."which" should now be changed to "that" in the defining clause.The clause now gives extra information about a company already identified.

Correct answer: The clause now gives extra information about a company already identified.