Question

Identify the connectors / linking words in the following news report about Zedco. (1)
This year's figures show that Zedco has become profitable and is now doing well in spite of its
recent problems. Although chief executive Barry Douglas has not been in charge for long, there
has already been a dramatic upturn. Even though there have been very few job losses at the
company, Douglas has managed to reduce costs. Nothing is certain of course, but Zedco can now
look forward to a brighter future.​

Answer 1

The connecting words in the given passage are as follows:-

This year's figures show that Zedco has become profitable and is now doing well in spite of its  recent problems. Although chief executive Barry Douglas has not been in charge for long, there  has already been a dramatic upturn. Even though there have been very few job losses at the  company, Douglas has managed to reduce costs. Nothing is certain of course, but Zedco can now  look forward to a brighter future.​

• "and" is a coordinating conjunction. It is linking two sentences, Zedco becoming profitable and doing well.
• "in spite of" is a subordinating conjunction. It is linking two clauses, Zedco well and Zedco having recent problems.
• "Although" is a subordinating conjunction. Separates the main clause "there has already been a dramatic upturn" from the sub-clause.
• "Even though" is a subordinating conjunction that separates the main clause "Douglas has managed to reduce costs" from the sub-clause.

• "but" is a coordinating conjunction. It separates the two sentences that are nothing is certain and Zedco can look forward.