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!
Conjunction
Coordinating vs subordinating conjunction: coordinating (and, but, or) joins two elements of equal rank — clause + clause, noun + noun. Subordinating (because, although, if) makes one clause depend on the other. The test: remove the conjunction. If both halves still feel complete → coordinating. If one half collapses → subordinating.
Conjunctions are connecting words for clauses, phrases, and words. The choice between coordinating and subordinating determines whether you're building a compound or complex sentence.
Diagnostic: does the conjunction create a dependent clause? Yes → subordinating. Does it link equals? → coordinating.
Complex sentence
Complex vs compound sentence: a compound sentence links two equal independent clauses with and/but/or. A complex sentence links an independent clause with a subordinate (dependent) clause — one idea is the main point, the other is background.
A complex sentence = independent clause + dependent clause. The dependent clause adds time (when), reason (because), condition (if), or detail (who/which).
Diagnostic: are both halves able to stand alone? Yes → compound. Can only one stand alone? → complex.
Compound sentence
Compound vs complex sentence: compound = two equal independent clauses (I left, and she stayed). Complex = one main clause + one dependent clause (I left because I was tired). The key: in a compound sentence, both halves can stand alone.
A compound sentence links independent clauses with coordinating conjunctions (and, but, or, so, yet) or a semicolon.
Diagnostic: split at the conjunction. Can both halves be their own sentences? Yes → compound. Is one half a fragment without the other? → complex.
Coordination
Coordination vs subordination: coordination joins equals (I sang and she danced — both independent). Subordination makes one element depend on another (I sang because she danced — one clause is background). Coordination builds compound sentences; subordination builds complex sentences.
Coordination links elements of equal weight using and, or, but. All coordinated items must be grammatically parallel — noun + noun, phrase + phrase, clause + clause.
Diagnostic: are both sides of the conjunction doing the same grammatical job? Yes → coordination. Is one side background/explanation for the other? → subordination.
A2 | Elementary | Pre-intermediate
A2 vs B1: A2 handles routine transactions and simple past narration. B1 handles connected discourse, explaining reasons, and understanding main points in clear standard speech. If you can tell what happened but not why it matters, you're still A2.
A2 is the elementary level of the CEFR: past simple, present perfect, first conditional, basic modals, and routine communication about familiar topics.
Diagnostic: can you link ideas with because, although, so that and hold a conversation beyond scripted topics? No → A2. Yes → moving into B1.
Easy
Easy vs Medium vs Hard: Easy = one rule, obvious answer, A1–A2. Medium = one rule but realistic distractors, A2–B1. Hard = interacting rules, edge cases, B2+. Start Easy to check you have the basics before moving up.
The Easy tag filters for single-rule, short-sentence, common-vocabulary challenges designed for beginners or for anyone wanting a confidence check on fundamentals.
Diagnostic: if you get Easy questions wrong, stay here — your foundations need work. If they feel trivial, move to Medium.