Cleft Sentences Exercises PDFSet 1: It-Cleft Basics: Emphasising with It is/was … who/that
20 questions·12 min·Answers included·Explanations included
Preview: Questions
Fill in the blank with the correct option.
1.It was my mother ___ taught me how to cook.
a) whichb) whomc) whod) where
2.It was the storm ___ caused the power outage.
a) whob) thatc) whomd) which
3.It was Sarah ___ organised the whole event.
a) whichb) whomc) whered) who
4.It is the final exam ___ makes students nervous.
a) thatb) whoc) whomd) which
5.It was the old bridge ___ collapsed during the flood.
a) whob) whomc) thatd) which
... and 15 more questions in the PDF
Preview: Answers
1.who
2.that
3.who
4.that
5.that
... and 15 more answers in the PDF
Preview: Explanations
1."who"(c)
Use 'who' for people in it-cleft sentences. 'Which' and 'where' cannot refer to people, and 'whom' requires an object position, but here the blank needs a subject.
2."that"(b)
Use 'that' for things and events in it-cleft sentences. Unlike ordinary relative clauses, cleft sentences do not use 'which' — 'that' is the standard connector. 'Who' and 'whom' are only used for people.
3."who"(d)
Use 'who' when the focused element is a person. 'Which' and 'where' cannot refer to people, and 'whom' does not fit a subject position.
4."that"(a)
Use 'that' when emphasising a thing in it-cleft sentences. 'Who' and 'whom' are reserved for people.
5."that"(c)
Use 'that' for things in it-cleft sentences. A bridge is not a person, so 'who' and 'whom' are incorrect.
... and 15 more explanations in the PDF
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