discourse markers
We’re going to be late but she won’t mind; ___ it’s hardly our fault that the train broke down.
in fact / besides / by and large
besides
She passed the time playing with her mobile W _ _ _ _ _ waiting for Jane to arrive.
whilst
"I burst into tears when I heard the awful news. Even now, I’m struggling to believe what has happened."
devastated
The polar bear S _ _ _ _ ED each time the children threw sticks at its cage which encouraged them to do it even more.
snarled
The wind H _ _ _ ED in the trees as I slowly made my way along the top of the cliffs.
howled
The workers respect him; ___ he is a very trustworthy person.
on account of this / what's more / despite the fact that
what's more
She started explaining the rules ___ all the children were sat quietly. ("as soon as")
once
"It’s my first day at university. I don’t have a clue about what to do or where to go."
lost
She fell into her favourite chair and S _ _ _ ED loudly. She felt really fed up.
sighed
"No matter how hard I work at it, I still don’t seem to be able to make any progress. I’m getting a little fed up with it now."
frustrated
Many people believe that it pours with rain constantly in Britain, but ___ ___ the recorded average annual amount is higher in Switzerland.
in fact
She had a quiet word with him about his behaviour ___ ___ ___ ___ draw it to the attention of his parents.
so as not to
"I know I should care about him being made redundant, but I don’t."
indifferent
The sound of a leaking tap D _ _ _ _ _ _ G into the metal sink, kept him awake for most of the night.
dripping
They arrived at the construction site early each day ___ ___ ___ (___) they were already ahead of schedule.
despite the fact (that)
Upper management can easily recognise that you are more than capable of running your own team and o___ a___ o___ t___ have decided to offer you a promotion.
on account of this
I expect you all to have read up to the end of chapter two ___ ___ ___ I return in about twenty minutes. (by)
by the time
"It takes a long time for me to trust someone."
wary
The sound of C _ _ _ _ _ _ ING voices quickly faded away when the headteacher stood up.
chattering
"I’m clearly the best player on the team and rightly won the player of the match award."
smug
Reptiles have, ___ and ___, smaller brains than mammals.
by and large
I’m determined to play today ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ that I feel like I’m coming down with flu.
in spite of the fact
"I can’t quite believe I’m standing here with two gold medals. I’ve fulfilled all my dreams."
elated
We woke up last night in a terrible fright when the water started G _ _ _ _ _ G out of the central heating.
gushing
I think we should add a sound effect here, maybe ___ glass to show that the rock had hit the window.
shattering