Although I appreciate your deep love for tropical climates... ...however, I expect you to actually wear it...
Although is a subordinating conjunction. It connects a dependent clause ("Although I appreciate...") directly to an independent clause ("...setting our apartment... is unacceptable").
However is a conjunctive adverb. It is used to show contrast between two independent clauses, and it is usually preceded by a semicolon (or a period) and followed by a comma. "Despite" is incorrect in the first blank because it must be followed by a noun or gerund, not a full subject-verb clause.
Conjunction
A conjunction is a word that connects other words, phrases, or clauses. English has two main types: coordinating conjunctions join units of equal weight (and, but, or, so, yet, for, nor — the FANBOYS), while subordinating conjunctions introduce dependent clauses (because, although, if, when, while, since, unless).
Conjunctions are how you build compound and complex sentences instead of stacking short ones. The choice of conjunction signals the relationship between the ideas — addition, contrast, cause, condition, time — so picking the right one shapes the whole meaning.
Adverb
An adverb modifies a verb, an adjective, or another adverb — adding information about how, when, where, how often, or to what degree something happens: she sings beautifully, unbelievably fast, we go there often. Many adverbs end in -ly, but plenty don't (well, fast, hard, almost).
Adverbs matter because they're how you add nuance without piling on extra clauses. Used well, a single adverb can sharpen a vague sentence (she answered → she answered honestly), but misplace one and the meaning drifts in a way native speakers immediately notice.
Clause
A clause is a grammatical unit built around a verb — typically a subject plus a predicate (She laughed; The manager approved the budget). Clauses come in two types: independent clauses stand alone as complete sentences; dependent clauses need an independent clause to make sense (Because I overslept — incomplete on its own).
Spotting clause boundaries is the foundation of correct punctuation. Once you can see where one clause ends and another begins, comma rules, run-on sentences, and complex sentence structure stop being mysteries.
Punctuation
Punctuation is the set of visual marks — periods, commas, question marks, colons, semicolons, apostrophes, quotation marks, hyphens and dashes — that show readers where sentences begin and end, where pauses go, and how parts of a sentence relate.
Punctuation does two jobs: it follows the rhythm of speech (where you'd pause aloud) and it marks the structure of clauses. Mismatch the two and writing reads either as breathless or as choppy. Mastering the basics is a small investment with huge returns — clear punctuation makes prose look careful and considered.
B2 | Upper Intermediate
B2 is the upper-intermediate level in the CEFR framework, sitting between B1 and C1. At B2 you can read editorials, follow most TED talks without subtitles, and hold extended conversations on abstract topics — including topics outside your everyday life.
Grammatically, B2 means flexible control of mixed conditionals, passive voice across tenses, reported speech with proper backshifting, and participle clauses. B2 is the standard target for university entrance exams (IELTS 5.5–6.5, TOEFL 87–109) and most skilled-migration thresholds — knowing whether you're there shapes your study plan.
Difficulty: Medium
The Medium difficulty tag marks questions and challenges in the middle of the difficulty range — typically suitable for A2 to B1 learners. Expect a single rule with realistic distractors, longer sentences, and contexts where you have to think before answering rather than reading off the obvious choice.
Filter by Medium when you're past the absolute basics and ready to consolidate. It's the level where most lasting progress happens — easy enough that you can finish without exhausting concentration, hard enough that getting it right means you've actually understood.