What Are Cleft Sentences?
It-Clefts
Wh-Clefts
Pseudo-Clefts
100

What is the purpose of cleft sentences?

To emphasize specific parts of a sentence for clarity or focus.

100

What is the basic structure of an it-cleft sentence?

"It + be + [emphasized element] + who/that + [rest of the sentence]."

100

What word is commonly used to start a wh-cleft sentence?

"What."

100

What is the basic structure of a pseudo-cleft?

"[Emphasized element] + be + who/that + [rest of the sentence]."

200

Name two common structures used in cleft sentences.

"It is/was" and "What."

200

Transform this sentence into an it-cleft: "John ate the pizza."

"It was John who ate the pizza."

200

Rewrite this sentence as a wh-cleft: "He needs a vacation."

"What he needs is a vacation."

200

Convert this sentence into a pseudo-cleft: "I love sunsets."

"What I love is sunsets."

300

True or False: Cleft sentences are used to de-emphasize information.

False. They are used to emphasize information.

300

True or False: It-clefts can emphasize places and objects as well as people.

True

300

Identify the emphasized element: "What surprised me was her reaction."

"Her reaction."

300

Identify the pseudo-cleft in this sentence: "The thing that matters most is honesty."

"The thing that matters most is honesty."

400

Give an example of a cleft sentence.

"It was Mary who won the prize."

400

Identify the emphasized element in this sentence: "It was the book that she borrowed from the library."

"The book."

400

True or False: Wh-clefts can only emphasize actions.

False. They can emphasize objects, people, or places.

400

"The thing that matters most is honesty."

Pseudo-clefts place the emphasized part at the end of the sentence, while it-clefts place it after "It is/was."

500

How do cleft sentences improve communication?

By making key information stand out, helping clarify meaning and avoiding confusion.

500

Transform this sentence into an it-cleft: "They met at the cafe last week."

"It was at the cafe that they met last week."

500

Create a wh-cleft from this sentence: "The teacher explained the concept."

"What the teacher explained was the concept."

500

Rewrite this sentence into a pseudo-cleft: "He enjoys traveling to new places."

"What he enjoys is traveling to new places."

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