Exercises C1 : Impersonal constructions in English (answers)

These exercises are based on the course on impersonal constructions in English, focusing on the use of the dummy subject ‘it’ — a structure that mirrors French ‘il’ and is essential at C1 level.

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Exercice 1 — Fill in the Gaps: Dummy Subject 'It'

Complete each sentence with the correct impersonal construction using the dummy subject 'it'. Write the full sentence in your answer.

1. ___ widely believed that impersonal constructions exist in both English and French.
2. ___ been argued that the dummy subject 'it' functions as a grammatical placeholder rather than a referential pronoun.
3. ___ worth noting that French learners of English often find impersonal constructions easier due to the parallel use of 'il' and 'it'.
4. ___ comes as no surprise that mastering impersonal structures sharpens overall grammatical accuracy at C1 level.

Correction

1. It is widely believed that impersonal constructions exist in both English and French.
2. It has been argued that the dummy subject 'it' functions as a grammatical placeholder rather than a referential pronoun.
3. It is worth noting that French learners of English often find impersonal constructions easier due to the parallel use of 'il' and 'it'.
4. It comes as no surprise that mastering impersonal structures sharpens overall grammatical accuracy at C1 level.

Exercice 2 — Spot and Correct the Error

Each sentence contains one error related to impersonal constructions in English. Identify the mistake and rewrite the full sentence correctly.

1. This is widely acknowledged that the dummy subject 'it' has no referential meaning.
2. It makes learners a powerful learning shortcut to compare English and French impersonal structures.
3. It are both English and French that require a dummy subject in impersonal constructions.
4. There is said that comparing 'il' in French with 'it' in English helps C1 learners progress faster.

Correction

1. It is widely acknowledged that the dummy subject 'it' has no referential meaning.
2. It gives learners a powerful learning shortcut to compare English and French impersonal structures.
3. It is both English and French that require a dummy subject in impersonal constructions.
4. It is said that comparing 'il' in French with 'it' in English helps C1 learners progress faster.

Exercice 3 — Multiple Choice: Impersonal Constructions

Choose the option that correctly completes the sentence with an appropriate impersonal construction, as studied in the course.

1. ___ that both English and French rely on a dummy subject to form impersonal constructions.
2. ___ a powerful learning shortcut to compare the French 'il' with the English 'it' when studying impersonal constructions.
3. ___ essential for C1 learners to understand that 'it' in impersonal constructions carries no referential meaning.
4. ___ no coincidence that mastering impersonal constructions in one language facilitates their acquisition in the other.

Correction

1. It has been shown that both English and French rely on a dummy subject to form impersonal constructions.
2. It is considered a powerful learning shortcut to compare the French 'il' with the English 'it' when studying impersonal constructions.
3. It is essential for C1 learners to understand that 'it' in impersonal constructions carries no referential meaning.
4. It is no coincidence that mastering impersonal constructions in one language facilitates their acquisition in the other.