Cleft Sentences and Their Functions

The video tutorial by Sian from BBC Learning English focuses on ways to give emphasis in sentences using cleft sentences. It explains how cleft sentences split a sentence to highlight important information. Through examples, it demonstrates how emphasis can change by using 'it' cleft structures. The tutorial covers using cleft sentences in present and question forms, and their application in writing and speaking. It concludes by encouraging practice and directing viewers to the BBC Learning English website for more resources.

What is the primary purpose of using cleft sentences?

• To confuse the reader

• To emphasize important information

• To simplify grammar

• To make sentences longer

How does a cleft sentence structure typically divide a sentence?

• Into two parts

• Into a single part

• Into four parts

• Into three parts

In the example 'It was Rob that ate my biscuits,' what is being emphasized?

• The person who ate

• The type of food

• The time of eating

• The location of eating

Which of the following is a correct example of a cleft sentence?

• Rob ate my biscuits yesterday.

• Yesterday, Rob ate my biscuits.

• Rob ate biscuits yesterday.

• It was yesterday that Rob ate my biscuits.

Which word is commonly used in 'it' cleft sentences to introduce the emphasized information?

• Who

• That

• Where

• Which

What is the function of 'it' in an 'it' cleft sentence?

• To emphasize the key information

• To emphasize the object

• To emphasize the subject

• To introduce the sentence

Which of the following sentences uses a cleft structure to emphasize the time?

• Rob ate my biscuits yesterday.

• It was yesterday that Rob ate my biscuits.

• It was my biscuits that Rob ate.

• It was Rob that ate my biscuits.

What is the role of 'that' in a cleft sentence?

• To replace the verb

• To connect the emphasized information with the rest of the sentence

• To introduce a new subject

• To end the sentence

Which sentence correctly uses a cleft structure to emphasize the object?

• Rob ate my biscuits yesterday.

• It was yesterday that Rob ate my biscuits.

• It was my biscuits that Rob ate.

• It was Rob that ate my biscuits.

What is the correct form for emphasizing the present tense in a cleft sentence?

• It are me that does all the work.

• It were me that does all the work.

• It is me that does all the work.

• It was me that does all the work.