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← Level B lessonsNORTHEAST STORM · LEVEL B · UNIT 9

Explaining Why: Because of, While, However

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Practice note: Grammar examples and role-play details may be hypothetical. Questions explicitly about the article use the reported facts. This is a historical report, not current travel advice.

Words from the text: due to, therefore, while, however, among, disrupt, impact, affected, flexibility, figures, eligible, conditions

A We already know because of + noun to give a reason (Unit 5). Due to + noun has the same meaning and is common in news and official reports. Both go before a noun, not before a full sentence (subject + verb).

Hundreds of flights were canceled due to strong winds and heavy rain.

Delta expects more cancelations due to the bad weather on Sunday.

The storm's impact is still being felt due to poor conditions across the Northeast.

Русские студенты часто ставят due to перед подлежащим и глаголом: 'due to it was raining' ❌. После due to должно идти существительное: 'due to the rain' ✓. Для придаточного с подлежащим+сказуемым используйте because (Unit 5): 'because it was raining'.

B While can compare or contrast two facts. It can also mean at the same time as; context determines the meaning. Put a comma before while when it comes in the middle of the sentence. While can also start the sentence.

Cape Air had 115 canceled flights, while Delta had 95.

While Boston Logan was badly affected, other regional airports also reported delays.

Nantucket recorded 66 cancelations, while Martha's Vineyard recorded 44.

C However shows a contrast between two separate sentences. It usually starts the second sentence and is followed by a comma. Therefore shows a result; it often comes after the subject or at the start of a sentence, also followed by a comma when it starts the sentence.

Airlines have given passengers more flexibility. However, this does not mean every flight has been canceled.

The storm has disrupted air travel across the region. Delta has therefore given affected customers more flexibility.

Cape Air and Delta were among the airlines most affected; however, the regional figures were also high.

However не соединяет два предложения в одно без точки или точки с запятой: 'The flight was delayed, however it landed safely' обычно пишут как два предложения: 'The flight was delayed. However, it landed safely.'

Exercises

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9.1 Join the two sentences using while to compare facts or show actions happening at the same time.

Example: Boston Logan reported 253 cancelations. / Nantucket reported 66. → Boston Logan reported 253 cancelations, while Nantucket reported 66.

  1. Delta gave customers more flexibility. / JetBlue issued its own waiver.
  2. American Airlines issued a waiver for selected airports. / United Airlines issued one for other routes.
  3. The storm hit Boston hard. / New York airports were also affected.
  4. Nantucket had 66 cancelations. / Martha's Vineyard had 44.
  5. Delta expects many cancelations on Sunday. / The airline continues to adjust its schedule.
  6. Cape Air canceled all North Region flights. / Other Cape Air routes kept operating.
Answers

For open questions, these are model answers. Other answers may also be correct.

  1. Delta gave customers more flexibility, while JetBlue issued its own waiver.
  2. American Airlines issued a waiver for selected airports, while United Airlines issued one for other routes.
  3. The storm hit Boston hard, while New York airports were also affected.
  4. Nantucket had 66 cancelations, while Martha's Vineyard had 44.
  5. Delta expects many cancelations on Sunday, while the airline continues to adjust its schedule.
  6. Cape Air canceled all North Region flights, while other Cape Air routes kept operating.

9.2 Complete the sentences with because of, due to, while, however or therefore.

Example: Hundreds of flights were canceled ______ the storm. → because of / due to

  1. Delta expects a large number of cancelations the weather conditions.
  2. Cape Air had 115 cancelations, Delta had 95.
  3. The storm has disrupted travel across the Northeast. , airlines are giving passengers more flexibility.
  4. Airlines have introduced waivers. , this does not mean all flights have been canceled.
  5. strong winds and heavy rain, Boston Logan canceled hundreds of flights.
  6. Boston Logan was badly affected, Nantucket also reported many cancelations.
Answers

For open questions, these are model answers. Other answers may also be correct.

  1. due to / because of
  2. while
  3. Therefore
  4. However
  5. Due to / Because of
  6. While

9.3 Complete the sentences about the storm using words from the box: due to, while, however, therefore, among.

Example: Flights were delayed ______ heavy rain and strong winds. → due to

  1. Cape Air and Delta were the airlines most affected by the storm.
  2. The airline has given customers more flexibility to change their travel plans.
  3. Nantucket had 66 cancelations, Martha's Vineyard had 44.
  4. The waiver covers eligible travel. , passengers must change their flight before the deadline.
  5. JFK and LaGuardia are the airports covered by JetBlue's waiver.
  6. All flights in the North Region were canceled the weather.
Answers

For open questions, these are model answers. Other answers may also be correct.

  1. among
  2. therefore
  3. while
  4. However
  5. among
  6. due to

9.4 Use the supplied information to write contrast sentences. Item 4 is a hypothetical practice scenario. Use while, however or therefore where appropriate.

Example: Boston Logan: 253 cancelations / Nantucket: 66 cancelations → Boston Logan had 253 cancelations, while Nantucket had only 66.

  1. Cape Air: 115 cancelations / Delta: 95 cancelations
  2. Martha's Vineyard: 44 cancelations / Nantucket: 66 cancelations
  3. Delta's waiver: Boston only / JetBlue's waiver: Boston and several other airports
  4. The storm badly affected Boston / Flights were still operating on time at some smaller airports
  5. Airlines issued waivers to help passengers / Not all affected flights were actually canceled
Answers

For open questions, these are model answers. Other answers may also be correct.

  1. Cape Air had 115 cancelations, while Delta had 95.
  2. Martha's Vineyard had 44 cancelations, while Nantucket had 66.
  3. Delta's waiver covers Boston only, while JetBlue's waiver covers Boston and several other airports.
  4. The storm badly affected Boston, while flights were still operating on time at some smaller airports.
  5. Airlines issued waivers to help passengers. However, not all affected flights were actually canceled.