On the One Hand, On the Other
Explore both sides of everyday choices about travel, work, and home. Practice balanced comparisons and the small words that shape an opinion.
Preview
Questions with solutions-
1. Complétez les blancs.
On the ___ hand, cooking at home costs less. On ___ other hand, eating out saves time after a busy day.
- one
- the
- another
- a
This familiar expression presents two different sides of the same choice.
Show solution
On the one hand, cooking at home costs less. On the other hand, eating out saves time after a busy day.
'On the one hand ... on the other hand' presents contrasting points without necessarily deciding between them.
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2. Choisissez la bonne réponse.
What does 'whereas' express here?
I enjoy working from home, whereas my brother prefers going to the office. We like different things about our jobs.
- A contrast between two people's preferences
- The reason the brother prefers the office
- A change in the speaker's preference over time
- A condition for the speaker to work from home
Both preferences are true at the same time.
Show solution
- A contrast between two people's preferences
'Whereas' contrasts two facts. It does not suggest that one fact causes the other.
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3. Complétez les blancs.
___ the higher rent, I like living downtown. ___ my apartment is small, I can walk to almost everything.
- Although
- However
- Despite
- Therefore
Notice whether each gap is followed by a noun phrase or a complete clause.
Show solution
Despite the higher rent, I like living downtown. Although my apartment is small, I can walk to almost everything.
'Despite' can introduce a noun phrase, while 'although' introduces a clause with a subject and verb.
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4. Choisissez la bonne réponse.
The train offers something driving does not.
___ driving, taking the train lets me read during the trip. However, I have less control over when I leave.
- Compared
- Unlike
- Similar
- Different
The missing word must connect directly to 'driving' without another preposition.
Show solution
- Unlike
'Unlike' takes a noun or an -ing form directly. 'Compared' would need 'with' or 'to' in this structure.
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5. Remettez les mots dans l’ordre.
A used laptop would cost less, but its battery might need replacing.
- a new one.
- A used laptop
- is not
- as
- as expensive
The sentence compares a lower price using an adjective between two matching comparison words.
Show solution
A used laptop is not as expensive as a new one.
'Not as ... as' compares a lower degree of a quality. It also works with adjectives such as 'reliable' and 'convenient.'
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6. Complétez les blancs.
The speaker wants to avoid airport lines.
Flying would be faster, but I would ___ take the train ___ wait in long airport lines.
- prefer
- than
- over
- rather
The verb 'take' has no 'to' before it, which helps identify the preference structure.
Show solution
Flying would be faster, but I would rather take the train than wait in long airport lines.
'Would rather' takes a verb without 'to'; 'than' introduces the less preferred alternative.
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7. Remettez les mots dans l’ordre.
A cheaper home farther from work could leave less room in my day for fitness.
- The more time
- I have
- I spend commuting,
- for exercise.
- the less time
One amount increases while the other decreases.
Show solution
The more time I spend commuting, the less time I have for exercise.
Paired comparatives show how two changes are linked. They can move in opposite directions, as with 'more' and 'less.'
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8. Choisissez la bonne réponse.
Good value matters more to the speaker than new features.
I don't mind buying an older phone. For me, the decision is not so much about having the newest features ___ about getting good value.
- than
- like
- as
- that
This structure shifts attention from one concern toward another.
Show solution
- as
'Not so much ... as ...' corrects the emphasis: the second concern matters more, but the first may still matter.
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9. Choisissez la bonne réponse.
What does 'on balance' tell us about the decision?
A smaller apartment would be easier to clean but less comfortable for guests. On balance, I'd move: I rarely have visitors, and I want fewer chores.
- The speaker considers the two apartments equally suitable.
- The speaker has considered both advantages and disadvantages.
- The speaker refuses to decide until guests arrive.
- The speaker treats space for guests as the only important factor.
Notice how the speaker weighs chores against space for visitors.
Show solution
- The speaker has considered both advantages and disadvantages.
'On balance' introduces an overall judgment after considering different sides. It does not mean those sides are equal.
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10. Choisissez la bonne réponse.
Which arrangement best fits the speaker's stated priority?
I'm comparing a fixed schedule with flexible hours. The former would simplify childcare; the latter would help me fit in appointments. Since appointments are rare, childcare matters more to me.
- Flexible hours
- Both arrangements equally
- Neither arrangement
- A fixed schedule
Track the order of the two arrangements, then connect each one to its benefit.
Show solution
- A fixed schedule
'The former' refers to the first of two things mentioned; 'the latter' refers to the second. Here, the first arrangement supports the main priority.
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11. Choisissez la bonne réponse.
The bus is the backup if there is no protected bike lane.
A bike is a good choice if the route has a protected bike lane. ___, I'd take the bus, even though it is slower.
- Nevertheless
- Similarly
- Otherwise
- Consequently
The second sentence describes what happens if the earlier condition is not met.
Show solution
- Otherwise
'Otherwise' can mean 'if not.' It introduces a conditional alternative, rather than simply adding an opposing point.
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12. Choisissez la bonne réponse.
Under which condition would the speaker book the hotel instead of the cabin?
A hotel offers more privacy, while a shared cabin would cost less. I'd choose the cabin provided that everyone has a separate bedroom; if not, I'd book the hotel. Saving money matters to me, but not at the expense of a private place to sleep.
- The cabin offers each person a separate bedroom.
- The cabin cannot provide a separate bedroom for everyone.
- The cabin costs less than the hotel.
One benefit is welcome only if a specific requirement is met.
Show solution
- The cabin cannot provide a separate bedroom for everyone.
'Provided that' sets a requirement. Here, lower cost is not enough without a separate bedroom for everyone.