Linking Words - ESL worksheet by ana2005 - Free Printable

Let's solve the exercises in this worksheet step by step. The goal is to use appropriate linking words (such as *and, but, or, because, so, to + infinitive*, and sequence words like *first, then, later, after that, finally*) to complete the sentences correctly.

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🔹 Part 1: Fill in the blanks with suitable linking words

#### First paragraph:
> My best friend’s name is Carol. She is 22 years old ________ she looks younger. She is tall ________ slim, with long black hair. I like her ________ she is smart ________ always makes me laugh. She is also a student like me ________ we don’t attend the same university. I am studying law ________ she is studying music. She wants to be a famous singer one day. I hope that she becomes famous ________ she sings very well. Carol and I see each other every weekend. On Saturday mornings she eats breakfast at my house ________ she can’t cook! We often go walking in the mountains ________ stop for a picnic. ________ if it rains, we go to the theatre. We also enjoy dancing very much. Carol sings beautifully, ________ I think I’m a better dancer!

Solutions:

1. but – contrast between age and appearance
2. and – connecting two similar qualities (tall and slim)
3. because – reason why the speaker likes her
4. and – connects two positive traits
5. but – contrast: both students, but different universities
6. but – contrast: different subjects
7. because – reason why she might become famous
8. because – explanation of why she eats at the speaker’s house
9. and – adding an action (stop for a picnic)
10. But – contrast: if it rains, they do something else
11. but – contrast: Carol sings well, but the speaker thinks they're a better dancer

✔ Completed paragraph:
> My best friend’s name is Carol. She is 22 years old but she looks younger. She is tall and slim, with long black hair. I like her because she is smart and always makes me laugh. She is also a student like me but we don’t attend the same university. I am studying law but she is studying music. She wants to be a famous singer one day. I hope that she becomes famous because she sings very well. Carol and I see each other every weekend. On Saturday mornings she eats breakfast at my house because she can’t cook! We often go walking in the mountains and stop for a picnic. But if it rains, we go to the theatre. We also enjoy dancing very much. Carol sings beautifully, but I think I’m a better dancer!

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#### Second section: Use 'so', 'because', 'to'

> 1. It was cold ________ I closed the window.
> 2. I closed the window ________ it was cold.
> 3. I took a taxi ________ it was raining.
> 4. I took a taxi ________ arrive on time.
> 5. The water was dirty, ________ we didn’t swim.
> 6. I am tired today ________ I slept badly yesterday.
> 7. I slept badly yesterday, ________ I’m tired today.
> 8. We went to the station ________ get the tickets.
> 9. We went to the station ________ we wanted to get the tickets.
> 10. We wanted to get the tickets, ________ we went to the station.
> 11. She bought flour ________ make a cake.
> 12. She wanted to make a cake, ________ she bought flour.
> 13. He went to London ________ learn English.
> 14. I studied hard ________ pass the exam.

Solutions:

1. so – result of being cold → closed window
2. because – reason for closing window
3. because – reason for taking taxi
4. to – purpose (infinitive)
5. so – result: water dirty → didn’t swim
6. because – reason for being tired
7. so – result: slept badly → tired
8. to – purpose
9. because – reason for going
10. so – result: wanted tickets → went to station
11. to – purpose
12. so – result: wanted cake → bought flour
13. to – purpose
14. to – purpose

✔ Completed:
1. so
2. because
3. because
4. to
5. so
6. because
7. so
8. to
9. because
10. so
11. to
12. so
13. to
14. to

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#### Third section: Use a suitable linking word

> • We went to the park ________, exercise ________ it started to rain, ________ we went back home.
> • I finished my homework, ________ I made a sandwich ________ I was hungry and ________ I went out.
> • The dog started barking ________ there was someone at the door ________ I stood up ________ went to see.
> • We walked for three hours, ________ we were very tired ________ we decided to go back home ________ rest.

Solutions:

1. to – purpose of going to the park
and – connect activities
but – contrast: rain interrupted
so – result: went back home
→ We went to the park to exercise, and it started to rain, but we went back home.
Wait — let’s fix the structure:

Actually, the sentence should be:
> We went to the park to exercise, but it started to rain, so we went back home.

So:
- 1st blank: to
- 2nd blank: but
- 3rd blank: so

✔ Answer: to, but, so

2. I finished my homework, then I made a sandwich because I was hungry and then I went out.
→ Uses sequence (then) and reason (because)

✔ Answer: then, because, then

3. The dog started barking because there was someone at the door so I stood up and went to see.
→ Cause: barking due to person at door → result: stood up → action: went to see

✔ Answer: because, so, and

4. We walked for three hours, so we were very tired and we decided to go back home to rest.
→ Result of walking → decision → purpose

✔ Answer: so, and, to

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✔ Final Answers Summary:

#### Paragraph 1:
1. but
2. and
3. because
4. and
5. but
6. but
7. because
8. because
9. and
10. But
11. but

#### Section 2:
1. so
2. because
3. because
4. to
5. so
6. because
7. so
8. to
9. because
10. so
11. to
12. so
13. to
14. to

#### Section 3:
- We went to the park to, exercise but it started to rain, so we went back home.
- I finished my homework, then I made a sandwich because I was hungry and then I went out.
- The dog started barking because there was someone at the door so I stood up and went to see.
- We walked for three hours, so we were very tired and we decided to go back home to rest.

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📌 Explanation of Linking Words Used:

| Word | Purpose |
|------|--------|
| and | Connects similar ideas or adds information |
| but | Shows contrast or opposite ideas |
| or | Gives options |
| because | Explains a reason |
| so | Shows result or consequence |
| to + infinitive | Expresses purpose |
| first, then, later, after that, finally | Shows sequence of events |

These linking words help make writing clearer, more logical, and natural in English.

Let me know if you'd like this turned into a printable answer key!