Complete the time traveler's frantic logbook entry by dragging the correct time conjunctions into the gaps.
You must memorize the emergency escape codes before you step into the portal, or you might end up stranded in the Middle Ages!
The machine needs to cool down for exactly one hour after it completes a temporal jump.
My chronometer started beeping wildly when I accidentally stepped on a prehistoric butterfly.
You must memorize the emergency escape codes before you step into the portal, or you might end up stranded in the Middle Ages!
"Before" indicates that an action must happen earlier than another event. Logically, you need the codes prior to jumping!
The machine needs to cool down for exactly one hour after it completes a temporal jump.
"After" is used here to show sequence: the cooling down happens subsequent to the jump being completed.
My chronometer started beeping wildly when I accidentally stepped on a prehistoric butterfly.
"When" connects two events that happen at almost the exact same time, or shows that one quick action triggered another.
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.
Clause
Clause vs phrase: a clause has a subject + verb (she runs); a phrase does not (in the morning, running fast). This is the first distinction to make when analysing sentence structure.
A clause is a grammatical unit built around a verb: independent clauses make complete sentences; dependent clauses attach to them as modifiers or complements.
Diagnostic: find the verb. If there's a subject doing or being something → clause. If there's no subject-verb pair → phrase.
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.
B1 | Intermediate
B1 vs B2: B1 handles standard everyday communication and simple opinions. B2 handles abstract topics, sustained arguments, and nuanced register. If you can chat about your life but struggle to debate an issue or write a formal essay, you're B1.
B1 is the intermediate CEFR level: independent handling of familiar topics, second conditional, basic passive, reported speech, and linking words for cause and contrast.
Diagnostic: can you read a newspaper article on a familiar topic and summarise the argument? Comfortably → B2. Struggle with abstractions → still B1.
Medium
Medium vs Easy: Easy has one obviously correct answer and clearly wrong distractors. Medium has one correct answer but plausible distractors — you need to actually know the rule, not just guess from sound.
The Medium tag filters for A2–B1 challenges with realistic difficulty: one rule per question, plausible alternatives, everyday contexts.
Diagnostic: if you're scoring 90%+ on Easy, move here. If you're below 60% on Medium, go back to Easy for that topic. Target 70–80% accuracy for maximum learning.