Free Year 9 Cohesive devices — text connectives Practice | Skillo

Year 9 students sitting their final NAPLAN need to be confident with cohesive devices — text connectives. Cohesive devices link, expand and develop ideas including text connectives (nevertheless, consequently, furthermore, however, in contrast). Skillo has targeted practice questions for this exact skill, mapped to the Australian Curriculum v9.0, free and ready to go.

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What is tested: Cohesive devices — text connectives

  • ✓Cohesive devices link, expand and develop ideas including text connectives (nevertheless, consequently, furthermore, however, in contrast).
  • ✓Questions test identification and correction of errors
  • ✓Both Australian English conventions and sentence structure are assessed

Sample questions

Question 1 — Easy

Which sentence correctly uses reported (indirect) speech? The context involves a Year 9 student, Kofi, reporting what his geography teacher said about the Great Dividing Range.

A) Kofis teacher said that the Great Dividing Range is the longest mountain range in Australia.
B) Kofis teacher says the Great Dividing Range was the longest mountain range in Australia.
C) Kofis teacher said the Great Dividing Range is being the longest mountain range in Australia.
D) Kofis teacher said that the Great Dividing Range was the longest mountain range in Australia.

Answer: Option D is correct — In reported speech, when the reporting verb ('said') is in the past tense, the verb in the reported clause typically shifts back one tense (from present 'is' to past 'was'). Option B correctly applies this backshift. Option A does not apply the backshift; Options C and D contain structural errors.

Question 2 — Medium

Select the sentence that correctly uses a conditional clause. The context involves a Year 9 student, Zac, preparing for a science experiment on renewable energy.

A) If the solar panel will be positioned correctly, it generates more electricity.
B) If the solar panel was positioned correctly, it will generate more electricity.
C) If the solar panel would be positioned correctly, it generates more electricity.
D) If the solar panel is positioned correctly, it will generate more electricity.

Answer: Option D is correct — In a first conditional sentence expressing a real or likely future condition, the if-clause uses simple present tense ('is positioned') and the main clause uses 'will' + base verb ('will generate'). Option B is the only sentence that follows this rule correctly.

Question 3 — Hard

Priya studied hard for her science exam every night. ___, she achieved the highest mark in her class.

A) However
B) Consequently
C) In contrast
D) Nevertheless

Answer: The connective 'consequently' signals a cause-and-effect relationship, showing that Priya's high mark was a direct result of her study. 'However' and 'in contrast' signal contrast, not consequence. 'Nevertheless' signals that something happened despite an obstacle, which does not fit here because there is no obstacle mentioned.

How to use Skillo for Year 9 Grammar

  1. Select Year 9 and Grammar on the home screen
  2. Use Quick Practice — questions on cohesive devices — text connectives will appear as part of the session
  3. Check the Skill Breakdown on your profile to track your accuracy on cohesive devices — text connectives specifically
  4. Review explanations after each question to understand the reasoning behind correct answers

Skillo is free, requires no email or account details, and is built specifically for Australian students. Every question is mapped to the Australian Curriculum v9.0 and filtered by skill so your child practises exactly what they need.

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