Basics. Basic Conjunctions: And, But, Or, So, Because: correct answers
Jump to answers ↓Basic Conjunctions: And, But, Or, So, Because
Conjunctions are the essential glue that holds our sentences together. Words like and, but, or, so, and because help us connect ideas, show contrast, explain reasons, or present choices. For example, you might say, "I wanted to sleep in, but my alarm went off," or "I was hungry, so I ate a snack."
In this challenge, you will practice using these basic conjunctions across a variety of funny and relatable situations. You'll help a supervillain explain his failed evil plan, assist a frantic roommate looking for a missing hamster, complete a food critic's bizarre restaurant review, and navigate a teenager's disastrous first date.
You will work through 12 questions in single-choice, multi-choice, drop-down, and drag-and-drop formats. Along the way, you'll master how to properly express cause and effect, contrast, addition, and alternatives.
Try the quiz to check your knowledge!
Correct answers
Question 1
You can feed Mr. Fluffles the chicken pate, or you can give him the salmon chunks if he is being picky. Just don't leave your socks on the bedroom floor because he will absolutely try to eat them!
Use or to present an alternative or a choice (chicken pate vs. salmon chunks).
Use because to explain the reason why something happens or why a rule exists (the reason you shouldn't leave socks out).
Question 2
Drag the correct conjunctions to help the supervillain finish his evil (but slightly pathetic) retreat monologue.
I built a giant laser to destroy the moon, but I forgot to plug it in. The heroes are arriving in five minutes, so we need to run away immediately! Grab the secret blueprints, and pack my favorite coffee mug!
I built a giant laser to destroy the moon, but I forgot to plug it in.
We use "but" to show unexpected contrast between a grand evil plan and a silly mistake.
The heroes are arriving in five minutes, so we need to run away immediately!
We use "so" to show the logical result or action that must be taken due to the heroes arriving.
Grab the secret blueprints, and pack my favorite coffee mug!
We use "and" to connect two instructions or items to be added together.
Question 3
The correct answers are The soup is too salty because I added too much soy sauce. and I added too much soy sauce, so the soup is too salty.
Because introduces the reason or cause (adding too much soy sauce).
So introduces the result or effect (the soup becoming too salty).
The incorrect options mix up the cause and the effect, creating a funny but illogical situation where the chef adds soy sauce as a result of the soup already being salty!
Question 4
Help the panicked roommate complete the sticky note about a missing pet hamster by dragging the correct words into the gaps.
I left the cage door open, so Sir Fluffs-a-Lot escaped. He might be hiding under the sofa, or he could be inside your favorite shoe. Please don't be mad at me because it was an honest mistake!
I left the cage door open, so Sir Fluffs-a-Lot escaped.
We use "so" to introduce the result or consequence of leaving the door open.
He might be hiding under the sofa, or he could be inside your favorite shoe.
We use "or" to present alternative possibilities (he can only be in one of those places at a time!).
Please don't be mad at me because it was an honest mistake!
We use "because" to give the reason why the roommate shouldn't be angry.
Question 5
I missed the bus because my alarm didn't wake me up, so I am definitely going to be late for Professor Snape's chemistry lecture!
Use because to introduce a reason or cause (the alarm didn't go off).
Use so to introduce a result or consequence (being late for the lecture).
Question 6
Help the messy roommate complete his text message with the correct excuse.
I didn't wash the dishes _____ my pet iguana was looking at me sadly.
The correct answer is because.
We use because to introduce a reason or cause for an action. In this case, the sad iguana is the (highly questionable) reason the dishes didn't get washed!
- So introduces a result.
- But introduces a contrast.
- Or introduces an alternative.
Question 7
The correct answers are We can fly to Paris, or we can take the train to Rome. and The package includes your hotel stay and a daily breakfast.
Or is used to present alternative choices. When connecting two complete sentences, we use a comma before "or".
And is used to add information together.
"Or we taking" has incorrect verb tense agreement, and "and or" is an incorrect double conjunction in this context.
Question 8
The tomato soup was served freezing cold, but it actually tasted completely delicious. For dessert, I ordered the chocolate cake and a large cup of green tea.
Use but to show a contrast or surprise (cold soup is usually bad, but this was surprisingly tasty!).
Use and to add similar items together or show addition (ordering both cake and tea).
Question 9
The correct answers are I wrote the essay, but my cat deleted the file. and I printed the assignment and placed it on your desk.
But is used to show contrast or an unexpected problem (writing the essay vs. the cat deleting it).
And is used to link two related actions together (printing and placing).
The incorrect options use two conjunctions right next to each other ("but because", "but and"), which is grammatically incorrect.
Question 10
Complete the teenager's text message to her best friend about a disastrous first date by dragging the correct conjunctions into the blanks.
He was thirty minutes late, and he didn't even apologize! I wanted to leave early, but my mom hadn't arrived to pick me up yet. I am never going out with him again because he is completely oblivious!
He was thirty minutes late, and he didn't even apologize!
We use "and" to add one piece of information to another (usually two negative things in this context).
I wanted to leave early, but my mom hadn't arrived to pick me up yet.
We use "but" to show a contrast between wanting to leave and being unable to do so.
I am never going out with him again because he is completely oblivious!
We use "because" to introduce the reason for her decision.
Question 11
Finish this very honest social media bio by choosing the right word.
I really want to be a morning person, _____ my bed is just way too comfortable at 6:00 AM.
The correct answer is but.
We use but to connect two contrasting ideas. The desire to wake up early directly contrasts with the reality of a cozy bed.
- And simply adds information without showing contrast.
- Because would mean the comfortable bed is the reason you want to be a morning person, which contradicts the logic.
Question 12
Complete the student's dramatic diary entry about a boring class.
The professor's voice was incredibly soothing, _____ I accidentally fell asleep and drooled on my textbook.
The correct answer is so.
We use so to show the result or consequence of a situation. The soothing voice caused the result of falling asleep.
- If we used because, the sentence would mean the soothing voice happened as a result of falling asleep, which doesn't make sense!