Contrast & Concession Language — When the Interviewer Doesn't Back Down
Grammar: Discourse markers and contrast language
Free ESL grammar exercise on contrast & concession language themed around when the interviewer doesn't back down. Printable worksheet from classplan.ai.
What's on this worksheet
A Business English ESL grammar exercise on business, practising discourse markers and contrast language. The worksheet has a short reading excerpt, a grammar reference and graded practice items.
From the reading
Throughout the interview, Beddoes pressed Musk on what she identified as a central contradiction. On one hand, he described a transformative, technology-driven future arriving within a decade.
Grammar: Discourse Markers
- On one hand / on the
- Use this pair to present two opposing facts side by side. On one hand, costs are rising. On the other hand, revenue is strong.
- Despite /
- Both are followed by a noun phrase or gerund, never a full clause. Despite the strong forecast, the board stayed cautious.
Sample items
- ______ the interview was cordial at first, it grew tense very quickly.
- On one hand, Musk predicted a cashless future. ______, he could not explain how income distribution would work.
- ______ his bold predictions, Musk offered very little supporting data.
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