Exercises C1 : use Detached constructions in English (answers)

These exercises are designed to help you master detached constructions in English — participial phrases, absolute constructions, and appositives — as covered in the course. Work through each activity to sharpen your precision and stylistic range.

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Exercice 1 — Completing Detached Constructions

Fill in each blank with the appropriate participial phrase, absolute construction, or appositive to complete the sentence correctly.

1. ___ by the sudden change in policy, the board members demanded an immediate explanation.
2. The negotiations concluded, ___ the two delegations returned to their respective capitals.
3. She handed the report to her manager, ___, a seasoned analyst with thirty years of experience.
4. ___ all available evidence, the committee was still unable to reach a unanimous verdict.

Correction

1. Alarmed by the sudden change in policy, the board members demanded an immediate explanation.
2. The negotiations concluded, the two delegations returned to their respective capitals.
3. She handed the report to her manager, a seasoned analyst with thirty years of experience.
4. Having reviewed all available evidence, the committee was still unable to reach a unanimous verdict.

Exercice 2 — Identifying and Correcting Errors in Detached Constructions

Each sentence contains one error in the use of a detached construction. Rewrite the sentence correctly.

1. Walking down the street, the rain began to fall heavily on us.
2. His application having been rejected, he decided to reapplying for a different position.
3. The CEO, founded the company in 1998, announced her retirement last Thursday.
4. Exhausted from the long journey, the hotel room felt like a welcome refuge to them.

Correction

1. Walking down the street, we were caught in heavy rain.
2. His application having been rejected, he decided to apply for a different position.
3. The CEO, who founded the company in 1998, announced her retirement last Thursday.
4. Exhausted from the long journey, they found the hotel room a welcome refuge.

Exercice 3 — Choosing the Correct Detached Construction

Choose the option that best completes each sentence using an appropriate and grammatically correct detached construction.

1. ___, the architect unveiled her most ambitious design to date.
2. The treaty signed, ___.
3. The professor introduced Dr. Rao, ___.
4. ___, the rescue team pressed on through the night.

Correction

1. Having spent years refining her vision, the architect unveiled her most ambitious design to date.
2. The treaty signed, both nations began a new era of cooperation.
3. The professor introduced Dr. Rao, a leading authority on post-colonial literature.
4. Undeterred by the deteriorating weather conditions, the rescue team pressed on through the night.