Cleft sentences (C1) — English exercises with answers

Cleft sentences with 'what' and 'it' to emphasise a point in debate and argument

Correct answers are marked. Add the set to your exercises to open it in the editor, where you can adjust tasks, play them on screen or add them to a lesson.

1
Multiple choice
is a clear plan for reducing traffic in the city centre.
What we needThat we needWhat do we needIt we needA what-clause ('What we need') can be the subject of the sentence to put the focus on the rest.
2
Multiple choice
It was the decision to cut funding caused the protests.
thatwhatwhowhenIn it-cleft sentences we use 'It is/was ... that' to highlight one part of the sentence.
3
Multiple choice
Which sentence puts the most emphasis on the reason?
The reason why I oppose the plan is that it ignores local residents.I oppose the plan because it ignores local residents.Local residents are ignored by the plan, which I oppose.I oppose the plan, and it ignores local residents.'The reason why ... is that ...' moves the reason to the end, where it gets the most emphasis.
4
Multiple choice
What the critics object to the lack of public consultation.
isareit iswhat isA what-clause is treated as singular, so here it is followed by 'is'.
5
Fill the gap
worries me most is the cost to taxpayers.
WhatThatItWhich'What' means 'the thing that' and begins the clause we want to put in focus.
6
Fill the gap
It wasn't until the final debate the candidate admitted her mistake.
thatwhichwhatthenThe fixed pattern is 'It wasn't until ... that ...'.
7
Fill the gap
All I'm asking for a fair hearing.
Answer: is'All I ...' means 'the only thing I ...' and is followed by a singular verb.
8
Fill the gap
What the minister did ignore the evidence completely.
Answer: wasTo emphasise an action we use 'What + subject + did was + (to) infinitive'.
9
Fill the gap
It is not the idea itself the way it has been presented that I find unconvincing.
butorandthan'It is not X but Y that ...' contrasts two things and emphasises the second.
10
True / false
This sentence is correct: 'What I disagree with is the idea that young people don't care about politics.'
Answer: TrueA what-clause as the subject, followed by 'is' and the point we want to stress, is correct.
11
Discussion question
Give your opinion on banning cars from city centres. Start at least two sentences with 'What I think is...' or 'It is ... that...'.
Sample answer: What I think is that a complete ban would hurt small businesses. It is public transport that needs investment first. What we really need is a gradual approach, not a sudden ban.
12
Discussion question
Respond to this statement using cleft sentences: 'Social media does more harm than good.'
Sample answer: What worries me is not social media itself but the way we use it. It is the endless scrolling that causes the harm. What people need to learn is how to use it with purpose.

Cleft sentences with 'what' and 'it' to emphasise a point in debate and argument

Correct answers are marked. Add the set to your exercises to open it in the editor, where you can adjust tasks, play them on screen or add them to a lesson.

1
Multiple choice
is a clear plan for reducing traffic in the city centre.
What we needThat we needWhat do we needIt we needA what-clause ('What we need') can be the subject of the sentence to put the focus on the rest.
2
Multiple choice
It was the decision to cut funding caused the protests.
thatwhatwhowhenIn it-cleft sentences we use 'It is/was ... that' to highlight one part of the sentence.
3
Multiple choice
Which sentence puts the most emphasis on the reason?
The reason why I oppose the plan is that it ignores local residents.I oppose the plan because it ignores local residents.Local residents are ignored by the plan, which I oppose.I oppose the plan, and it ignores local residents.'The reason why ... is that ...' moves the reason to the end, where it gets the most emphasis.
4
Multiple choice
What the critics object to the lack of public consultation.
isareit iswhat isA what-clause is treated as singular, so here it is followed by 'is'.
5
Fill the gap
worries me most is the cost to taxpayers.
WhatThatItWhich'What' means 'the thing that' and begins the clause we want to put in focus.
6
Fill the gap
It wasn't until the final debate the candidate admitted her mistake.
thatwhichwhatthenThe fixed pattern is 'It wasn't until ... that ...'.
7
Fill the gap
All I'm asking for a fair hearing.
Answer: is'All I ...' means 'the only thing I ...' and is followed by a singular verb.
8
Fill the gap
What the minister did ignore the evidence completely.
Answer: wasTo emphasise an action we use 'What + subject + did was + (to) infinitive'.
9
Fill the gap
It is not the idea itself the way it has been presented that I find unconvincing.
butorandthan'It is not X but Y that ...' contrasts two things and emphasises the second.
10
True / false
This sentence is correct: 'What I disagree with is the idea that young people don't care about politics.'
Answer: TrueA what-clause as the subject, followed by 'is' and the point we want to stress, is correct.
11
Discussion question
Give your opinion on banning cars from city centres. Start at least two sentences with 'What I think is...' or 'It is ... that...'.
Sample answer: What I think is that a complete ban would hurt small businesses. It is public transport that needs investment first. What we really need is a gradual approach, not a sudden ban.
12
Discussion question
Respond to this statement using cleft sentences: 'Social media does more harm than good.'
Sample answer: What worries me is not social media itself but the way we use it. It is the endless scrolling that causes the harm. What people need to learn is how to use it with purpose.