Pregunta 1
Pregunta 1 · D3Bloom: ApplyA parent asks why a school transport arrived late on a weekday.
It was the heavy traffic ____ delayed the school bus yesterday.
Elige una opción para comprobar tu respuesta.
Respuesta correcta: A) that
💡 Explicación
The cleft 'It was ... that' keeps the auxiliary in 'was' and isolates the element that answers the question.
Ver respuesta
Respuesta correcta: A) that
- A) thatCorrect! 'It was ... that' is the standard cleft pattern and it focuses the heavy traffic.
- B) which'Which' can be used in a cleft about a person, but the subject here is a situation, not a person.
- C) what'What' introduces a relative clause about a thing, not the focus of a cleft sentence.
- D) who'Who' refers to people and cannot link to the heavy traffic.
💡 Explicación
The cleft 'It was ... that' keeps the auxiliary in 'was' and isolates the element that answers the question.
Pregunta 2
Pregunta 2 · D3Bloom: ApplyA student recalls when a piece of news reached him during a journey.
It was on the bus ____ I first heard about the exchange programme.
Elige una opción para comprobar tu respuesta.
Respuesta correcta: B) that
💡 Explicación
Cleft sentences move one element to the front and add 'it', so the reader is told exactly what the sentence is about.
Ver respuesta
Respuesta correcta: B) that
- A) when'When' introduces a time clause and would need a time expression rather than a place.
- B) thatCorrect! 'It was on the bus that' is the standard cleft and it focuses the place of the event.
- C) where'Where' introduces a relative clause about a place and does not build a cleft.
- D) which'Which' cannot be used as the relative pronoun of a cleft in this structure.
💡 Explicación
Cleft sentences move one element to the front and add 'it', so the reader is told exactly what the sentence is about.
Pregunta 3
Pregunta 3 · D3Bloom: ApplyA student explains what a good study place provides.
What I need ____ a quiet place to study.
Elige una opción para comprobar tu respuesta.
Respuesta correcta: C) is
💡 Explicación
The wh-cleft keeps a complete clause after the question word and then states the missing information as the complement.
Ver respuesta
Respuesta correcta: C) is
- A) are'Are' would not agree with the singular subject 'what I need'.
- B) were'Were' is the past and the need is present.
- C) isCorrect! 'What I need is' is the wh-cleft pattern and it focuses the complement.
- D) was'Was' is the past simple, which the present need does not allow.
💡 Explicación
The wh-cleft keeps a complete clause after the question word and then states the missing information as the complement.
Pregunta 4
Pregunta 4 · D4Bloom: ApplyA student acknowledges the help a relative gave with school work.
It was my brother ____ helped me with the mathematics homework.
Elige una opción para comprobar tu respuesta.
Respuesta correcta: D) who
💡 Explicación
Cleft sentences about people use 'who' and about things use 'that', which is the pair the question tests.
Ver respuesta
Respuesta correcta: D) who
- A) which'Which' is used for things in this pattern, and the focus is a person.
- B) that'That' is possible in a cleft about a thing but reads oddly with a personal subject here.
- C) what'What' introduces a clause that is the subject, which is a different construction.
- D) whoCorrect! 'It was ... who' is a cleft about a person, and 'who' is the natural relative pronoun here.
💡 Explicación
Cleft sentences about people use 'who' and about things use 'that', which is the pair the question tests.
Pregunta 5
Pregunta 5 · D3Bloom: ApplyA traveller describes a place seen during a road journey.
The place I wanted to visit ____ the coastal town we passed yesterday.
Elige una opción para comprobar tu respuesta.
Respuesta correcta: A) was
💡 Explicación
A cleft can be built without 'it': a relative clause first, then the main clause, and the information lands at the end.
Ver respuesta
Respuesta correcta: A) was
- A) wasCorrect! 'Was' is the verb of the main clause and agrees with the singular subject 'the place'.
- B) were'Were' would not agree with a singular subject.
- C) is'Is' is the present, and the reference to a place passed yesterday is a past event.
- D) are'Are' would not agree with 'the place' in any tense.
💡 Explicación
A cleft can be built without 'it': a relative clause first, then the main clause, and the information lands at the end.
Pregunta 6
Pregunta 6 · D4Bloom: AnalyzeA person explains the real obstacle in a personal project.
It is not the money ____ he lacks; it is the time.
Elige una opción para comprobar tu respuesta.
Respuesta correcta: B) that
💡 Explicación
A negative cleft denies the expected element and then gives the real one, which sharpens the contrast in the second clause.
Ver respuesta
Respuesta correcta: B) that
- A) he'He' cannot serve as the relative pronoun in this structure.
- B) thatCorrect! The negative cleft 'It is not the money that he lacks' focuses the true contrast.
- C) which'Which' refers to things but the cleft with a person subject is normally built with 'that' or 'who'.
- D) who'Who' refers to people, and the clause is about the person, not the pronoun.
💡 Explicación
A negative cleft denies the expected element and then gives the real one, which sharpens the contrast in the second clause.
Pregunta 7
Pregunta 7 · D4Bloom: ApplyA teacher explains a delay to the students at the start of a lesson.
The reason the class was late ____ the storm blocked the road.
Elige una opción para comprobar tu respuesta.
Respuesta correcta: C) was
💡 Explicación
A cleft beginning with 'the reason' states the cause last, which puts emphasis on the explanation itself.
Ver respuesta
Respuesta correcta: C) was
- A) were'Were' would not agree with the singular subject 'the reason'.
- B) has been'Has been' would place the explanation before the present moment.
- C) wasCorrect! 'Was' links the subject 'the reason' with the explanation in the second clause.
- D) will be'Will be' would predict a future explanation.
💡 Explicación
A cleft beginning with 'the reason' states the cause last, which puts emphasis on the explanation itself.
Pregunta 8
Pregunta 8 · D4Bloom: ApplyA class describes the moment it became aware of the hour of the evening.
It was not until the lights went out ____ the students realised how late it was.
Elige una opción para comprobar tu respuesta.
Respuesta correcta: D) that
💡 Explicación
The 'not until' cleft stresses a moment and is very common in speech when a late realisation is reported.
Ver respuesta
Respuesta correcta: D) that
- A) when'When' would introduce a time clause but not this cleft pattern.
- B) which'Which' cannot be the relative pronoun of a cleft about a limit in time.
- C) then'Then' is an adverb of sequence and cannot serve as a relative pronoun.
- D) thatCorrect! 'It was not until ... that' is the standard cleft for a limit in time.
💡 Explicación
The 'not until' cleft stresses a moment and is very common in speech when a late realisation is reported.
Pregunta 9
Pregunta 9 · D5Bloom: AnalyzeAn adult points out a building that plays a part in a family history.
This is the house ____ I spent my childhood.
Elige una opción para comprobar tu respuesta.
Respuesta correcta: A) that
💡 Explicación
After a clefted noun with a possessive relative clause, 'that' is preferred over a prepositional 'where', which would need a different verb.
Ver respuesta
Respuesta correcta: A) that
- A) thatCorrect! 'That' is the relative pronoun of a cleft about a place when the following clause carries a verb and no preposition.
- B) where'Where' would require a clause without a verb such as 'where I lived'.
- C) which'Which' would be used in a cleft about a thing but not about a person and a place together.
- D) what'What' introduces a subject clause, not a cleft after 'the house'.
💡 Explicación
After a clefted noun with a possessive relative clause, 'that' is preferred over a prepositional 'where', which would need a different verb.
Pregunta 10
Pregunta 10 · D3Bloom: ApplyA resident explains a complaint to a neighbour near a building site.
The thing I want to complain about ____ the noise from the construction site.
Elige una opción para comprobar tu respuesta.
Respuesta correcta: B) is
💡 Explicación
This cleft puts a relative clause first so that the complaint itself receives the emphasis at the end of the sentence.
Ver respuesta
Respuesta correcta: B) is
- A) are'Are' would not agree with a singular subject.
- B) isCorrect! 'Is' links the subject 'the thing' with the complaint in the present.
- C) was'Was' is the past, and the complaint is current.
- D) were'Were' would not agree with the singular subject in any case.
💡 Explicación
This cleft puts a relative clause first so that the complaint itself receives the emphasis at the end of the sentence.
Pregunta 11
Pregunta 11 · D3Bloom: ApplyA speaker credits a relative for a domestic skill learned in childhood.
It ____ my grandmother who taught me to cook.
Elige una opción para comprobar tu respuesta.
Respuesta correcta: C) was
💡 Explicación
In this cleft the relative clause is the longest element and the shortest one, the name, comes after 'was'.
Ver respuesta
Respuesta correcta: C) was
- A) is'Is' is the present, and the teaching belongs to the past.
- B) were'Were' would not agree with 'it'.
- C) wasCorrect! 'It was' is the auxiliary of the cleft and agrees with the singular subject 'it'.
- D) has been'Has been' would place the action in a period that is not over.
💡 Explicación
In this cleft the relative clause is the longest element and the shortest one, the name, comes after 'was'.
Pregunta 12
Pregunta 12 · D4Bloom: ApplyA person answers a question about the end of a frustrating search.
When I lost my keys ____ it was my brother who found them under the mat.
Elige una opción para comprobar tu respuesta.
Respuesta correcta: D) it was
💡 Explicación
Embedding a cleft after a 'when' clause requires the dummy subject 'it' again, because the sentence has to remain grammatical on its own.
Ver respuesta
Respuesta correcta: D) it was
- A) was'Was' alone has no subject in front of it, so the clause is incomplete.
- B) there was'There was' would introduce existence, and the sentence states a fact, not the existence of an event.
- C) he was'He was' would duplicate the subject already given in the relative clause.
- D) it wasCorrect! 'It was' introduces the cleft and lets the emphasis fall on the person who found the keys.
💡 Explicación
Embedding a cleft after a 'when' clause requires the dummy subject 'it' again, because the sentence has to remain grammatical on its own.
Pregunta 13
Pregunta 13 · D4Bloom: ApplyA class reacts to a long wait for the publication of a grade list.
It is the delay of the results ____ worries the students most.
Elige una opción para comprobar tu respuesta.
Respuesta correcta: A) that
💡 Explicación
When the clefted element is the subject of the relative clause, the pronoun is normally 'that'.
Ver respuesta
Respuesta correcta: A) that
- A) thatCorrect! 'That' links the clefted subject to the verb 'worries' in a cleft about a thing.
- B) which'Which' is possible in a cleft about a person, and here the focus is a delay.
- C) what'What' introduces a clause acting as the subject, which is a different structure.
- D) who'Who' refers to people, and a delay is not a person.
💡 Explicación
When the clefted element is the subject of the relative clause, the pronoun is normally 'that'.
Pregunta 14
Pregunta 14 · D3Bloom: ApplyA school announces who was responsible for a school activity.
The person who organised the event ____ the head of the sports department.
Elige una opción para comprobar tu respuesta.
Respuesta correcta: B) was
💡 Explicación
A cleft formed with a relative clause in front states the answer at the end, which is where the emphasis belongs.
Ver respuesta
Respuesta correcta: B) was
- A) were'Were' would not agree with the singular subject 'the person'.
- B) wasCorrect! 'Was' is the verb of the main clause, in past simple to match the relative clause.
- C) has been'Has been' would suggest the role is still held and the event is recent.
- D) will be'Will be' would place the identification in the future.
💡 Explicación
A cleft formed with a relative clause in front states the answer at the end, which is where the emphasis belongs.
Pregunta 15
Pregunta 15 · D4Bloom: ApplyA teacher analyses why a student was nervous on stage.
It was the lack of practice ____ made the performance so nervous.
Elige una opción para comprobar tu respuesta.
Respuesta correcta: C) that
💡 Explicación
A cleft with 'it' keeps the rest of the sentence intact and simply adds the focus on one element.
Ver respuesta
Respuesta correcta: C) that
- A) which'Which' is not used for a clefted subject in this pattern.
- B) what'What' introduces a clause serving as the subject of the main verb, not a cleft.
- C) thatCorrect! 'That' completes the cleft and links the cause to the result described after it.
- D) who'Who' refers to people, and a lack of practice is an abstract thing.
💡 Explicación
A cleft with 'it' keeps the rest of the sentence intact and simply adds the focus on one element.
Pregunta 16
Pregunta 16 · D3Bloom: ApplyA traveller describes an unexpected experience during a trip.
What surprised me most ____ the sudden change in the weather.
Elige una opción para comprobar tu respuesta.
Respuesta correcta: D) was
💡 Explicación
The wh-cleft is built with a complete clause after the question word, and the verb then agrees with that whole clause treated as the subject.
Ver respuesta
Respuesta correcta: D) was
- A) were'Were' would not agree with a singular subject.
- B) is'Is' is the present, and the surprise belongs to a past moment.
- C) are'Are' would not agree with the subject and would be plural.
- D) wasCorrect! 'Was' agrees with the singular subject 'what surprised me most'.
💡 Explicación
The wh-cleft is built with a complete clause after the question word, and the verb then agrees with that whole clause treated as the subject.
Pregunta 17
Pregunta 17 · D5Bloom: AnalyzeA student tells a visitor where an extracurricular group gathers.
It is in the school library ____ the study group meets every afternoon.
Elige una opción para comprobar tu respuesta.
Respuesta correcta: A) that
💡 Explicación
Because the following clause already has a subject and a verb, the cleft needs 'that' rather than a locative relative pronoun.
Ver respuesta
Respuesta correcta: A) that
- A) thatCorrect! 'It is ... that' is the standard cleft for a place with a full relative clause after it.
- B) where'Where' would be used in a cleft with a clause that has no verb of its own, such as 'where the group sits'.
- C) which'Which' cannot be the relative pronoun of this cleft about a place.
- D) when'When' introduces a time clause, and the clause is about a location.
💡 Explicación
Because the following clause already has a subject and a verb, the cleft needs 'that' rather than a locative relative pronoun.
Pregunta 18
Pregunta 18 · D4Bloom: ApplyAn administrator lists the points still pending in a financial review.
The only thing that still needs explaining ____ the cause of the error in the budget.
Elige una opción para comprobar tu respuesta.
Respuesta correcta: B) is
💡 Explicación
A cleft that starts with a long subject places the new information at the end, which is the whole rhetorical effect.
Ver respuesta
Respuesta correcta: B) is
- A) are'Are' would not agree with the singular subject 'the only thing'.
- B) isCorrect! 'Is' links the long subject with the explanation that closes the sentence.
- C) were'Were' is the past, and the question is still open.
- D) has'Has' would need a complement such as 'been explained' and cannot stand alone.
💡 Explicación
A cleft that starts with a long subject places the new information at the end, which is the whole rhetorical effect.
Pregunta 19
Pregunta 19 · D4Bloom: ApplyA committee reports the reason an event had to be cancelled.
It was a lack of planning ____ the whole event collapsed.
Elige una opción para comprobar tu respuesta.
Respuesta correcta: C) that
💡 Explicación
The 'it was ... that' cleft is the standard way of blaming one element and giving it the emphasis of the sentence.
Ver respuesta
Respuesta correcta: C) that
- A) which'Which' is not the pronoun used for a clefted subject in this pattern.
- B) what'What' would make the relative clause the subject of the main verb instead.
- C) thatCorrect! 'That' links the clefted subject to the verb 'collapsed' in the main clause.
- D) who'Who' refers to people, and a lack of planning is not a person.
💡 Explicación
The 'it was ... that' cleft is the standard way of blaming one element and giving it the emphasis of the sentence.
Pregunta 20
Pregunta 20 · D4Bloom: ApplyA group reflects on when a decision communicated to them became clear.
It was after the meeting ____ the students understood the new schedule.
Elige una opción para comprobar tu respuesta.
Respuesta correcta: D) that
💡 Explicación
Time is one of the elements most often clefted, because the question is normally about the moment rather than the event.
Ver respuesta
Respuesta correcta: D) that
- A) when'When' would introduce a time clause but not a cleft, and the sentence as written has no 'when'.
- B) which'Which' cannot be the relative pronoun of a cleft about a moment in time.
- C) where'Where' introduces a clause about a place.
- D) thatCorrect! 'It was ... that' is the cleft and it focuses the moment when understanding happened.
💡 Explicación
Time is one of the elements most often clefted, because the question is normally about the moment rather than the event.