CEFR Written Cohesion and Coherence 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which revision makes the following sentences more cohesive? 'The report was long. The report was detailed. The report took two weeks to write.'
- The long, detailed report, which was long, took two weeks to write.
- The report was long, detailed, and it took two weeks to write it.
- The long, detailed report took two weeks to write. (Correct answer)
- The report: long, the report: detailed, two weeks to write the report.
Correct answer: The long, detailed report took two weeks to write.
Combining adjectives into one noun phrase eliminates redundant repetition of 'the report' and creates a more cohesive sentence.
Question 2: In CEFR assessments, 'coherence' at the C2 level is best demonstrated by:
- Using a wide range of vocabulary
- Producing a text that flows effortlessly with no apparent effort in organization (Correct answer)
- Writing very long sentences
- Avoiding all cohesive markers to sound natural
Correct answer: Producing a text that flows effortlessly with no apparent effort in organization
C2 texts demonstrate effortless, natural organization where structure does not draw attention to itself but aids comprehension seamlessly.
Question 3: Which of these demonstrates the use of a 'lexical chain' to create cohesion?
- He ran. She walked. They drove.
- Climate, weather, temperature, precipitation, and humidity all appeared in the passage. (Correct answer)
- The dog barked. However, the cat slept.
- First, he left. Then, she arrived.
Correct answer: Climate, weather, temperature, precipitation, and humidity all appeared in the passage.
Words from the same semantic field (climate-related vocabulary) form a lexical chain that holds the text together thematically.
Question 4: Which sentence uses the discourse marker 'that is' (i.e.) correctly to aid coherence?
- She passed the exam; that is, she studied hard.
- The policy is mandatory; that is, all employees must comply. (Correct answer)
- He is tall; that is, she is short.
- The meeting ended; that is, it began at noon.
Correct answer: The policy is mandatory; that is, all employees must comply.
'That is' (i.e.) introduces a clarification or restatement, which is correctly used to explain 'mandatory' as requiring all employees to comply.
Question 5: Which structural feature helps maintain coherence in a multi-paragraph essay?
- Beginning each paragraph with a completely new topic unrelated to the thesis
- Using topic sentences that link back to the essay's central argument (Correct answer)
- Writing conclusions that introduce new information
- Avoiding transitional phrases between paragraphs
Correct answer: Using topic sentences that link back to the essay's central argument
Topic sentences that echo the central argument act as signposts, ensuring each paragraph contributes to the essay's coherence.
Question 6: A student writes: 'Although the economy improved, many citizens remained poor. Nevertheless, the government claimed success.' Which cohesive relationship do these sentences demonstrate?
- Additive
- Causal
- Adversative (concessive) (Correct answer)
- Temporal
Correct answer: Adversative (concessive)
'Although' and 'Nevertheless' both signal concession/contrast, creating an adversative cohesive relationship across the two sentences.
Question 7: Which feature distinguishes a B1-level text from a B2-level text in terms of cohesion?
- B1 texts use no cohesive devices at all
- B2 texts use a wider variety of cohesive devices with greater flexibility (Correct answer)
- B1 texts are always shorter than B2 texts
- B2 texts avoid complex sentences to ensure clarity
Correct answer: B2 texts use a wider variety of cohesive devices with greater flexibility
The CEFR descriptors show that B2 writers use a broader, more flexible range of cohesive devices compared to the more limited repertoire at B1.
CEFR Written Cohesion and Coherence 4
Which revision makes the following sentences more cohesive?
'The report was long.
The report was detailed.
The report took two weeks to write.'