Discourse markers — The Feathers That Built an Empire
Grammar: discourse markers and connectors for business narrative
Free ESL grammar exercise on discourse markers themed around the feathers that built an empire. Printable worksheet from classplan.ai.
What's on this worksheet
A Business English ESL grammar exercise on business, practising discourse markers and connectors for business narrative. The worksheet has a short reading excerpt, a grammar reference and graded practice items.
From the reading
What followed was a long lesson in organisational failure. A farm at Konni in 1905 was derailed immediately by famine. A second attempt at Argungu collapsed because Harbord's administrative duties left him no time to manage the birds.
Grammar
- Contrast
- Use nevertheless or however between two clauses to show an unexpected contrast. The plan was logical; however, it failed.
- Concession
- Use despite or in spite of before a noun phrase to concede a point. Despite the warning, the project continued.
Sample items
- The feather market was booming; ______, administrators assumed it would last for decades.
- ______ the written warning from the Resident, Harbord was still given both roles.
- Local keepers had managed ostriches for generations; ______, British officers assumed European methods were superior.
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