Contrast & Concession — The Peacock's Dilemma
Grammar: The language of contrast and concession (yet, while, whereas, nevertheless, despite)
Free ESL grammar exercise on contrast & concession themed around the peacock's dilemma. Printable worksheet from classplan.ai.
What's on this worksheet
A Business English ESL grammar exercise on business, practising the language of contrast and concession (yet, while, whereas, nevertheless, despite). The worksheet has a short reading excerpt, a grammar reference and graded practice items.
From the reading
A peacock's tail is not beautiful despite being heavy and dangerous; it is persuasive because it is. Only a bird in genuinely excellent condition can afford to carry four feet of iridescent feathers. Yet the principle has a sharp edge.
Grammar
- yet — concession
- Used between two equally true but surprising facts. The tail is heavy, yet it remains the most effective signal in the forest.
- whereas — parallel
- Compares two subjects directly. The peacock invests in display, whereas the stickleback relies on colour.
Sample items
- The candidate was nervous, ______ she delivered the most compelling answer of the day.
- ______ the lengthy preparation, his answers still felt unrehearsed and natural.
- The senior partner preferred formal presentations, ______ her junior colleague favoured open conversation.
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