Not Least Because ...

by Vocafy Terverifikasi

Inggris (AS) C1 10 pertanyaan Words & expressions

Explore how “not least because” highlights an important reason in concise summaries—and how it interacts with contrast, uncertainty, and inference.

1. 1. Pilih jawaban yang benar.

   How does the writer present the affordable space?

   The town should preserve the old market, not least because it gives small businesses affordable space.

   • As an especially important reason to preserve the market.
   • As a minor detail with little effect on the decision.
   • As a consequence of deciding to preserve the market.
   • As an objection to preserving the market.

   Show solution

   • As an especially important reason to preserve the market.

   “Not least because” gives a reason particular weight; it does not label that reason as minor.

2. 2. Isi bagian yang kosong.

   The pilot merits a wider trial, not least ___ it reached residents who rarely attend public meetings.

   • because of
   • despite
   • because
   • due to

   The gap is followed by a clause with its own subject and verb.

   Show solution

   The pilot merits a wider trial, not least because it reached residents who rarely attend public meetings.

   “Because” introduces a clause. “Because of” and “due to” normally introduce a noun phrase instead.

3. 3. Isi bagian yang kosong.

   Reduced waiting times were a major reason for extending the trial. The trial was extended, ___ it had reduced waiting times.

   • even though
   • not least because
   • as if
   • except that

   Show solution

   Reduced waiting times were a major reason for extending the trial. The trial was extended, not least because it had reduced waiting times.

   The first sentence establishes a reason. “Even though” would instead mean that the decision was made despite the reduced waiting times.

4. 4. Pilih jawaban yang benar.

   What changes in the conversational version?

   Report: The service warrants retention, not least because it broadens access.
   Conversation: We should keep the service. A big reason is that more people can use it.

   • The reason becomes an objection to keeping the service.
   • The speaker now presents broader access as the only reason.
   • The decision is now described as already completed.
   • The register becomes less formal, but the reason keeps its emphasis.

   Show solution

   • The register becomes less formal, but the reason keeps its emphasis.

   “Not least because” suits analytical writing. “A big reason is” conveys similar emphasis in more conversational language.

5. 5. Pilih jawaban yang benar.

   Which later summary adds a claim not made here?

   The board approved the merger, not least because it would stabilize funding.

   • Funding stability was a significant reason for approval.
   • The board approved the merger.
   • Funding stability was the only reason for approval.
   • The merger's expected effect on funding helped explain the approval.

   Look for a claim that excludes every other reason.

   Show solution

   • Funding stability was the only reason for approval.

   “Not least because” highlights one reason among others; it does not mean “solely because.”

6. 6. Pilih jawaban yang benar.

   What does the lack of support help explain?

   The team did not renew the contract, not least because its support requests had gone unanswered.

   • Why the provider left support requests unanswered.
   • Why the team decided against renewing the contract.
   • Why the team renewed the contract despite poor support.
   • Why the team stopped submitting support requests.

   Separate “not” in the main clause from the expression “not least.”

   Show solution

   • Why the team decided against renewing the contract.

   The emphasized reason supports the negative main statement. “Not least” does not reverse “did not renew.”

7. 7. Pilih jawaban yang benar.

   How do the two considerations relate to the council's support?

   The council backed the revised plan, not least because it protected existing trees, although it required a longer construction schedule.

   • Tree protection and a longer schedule are both objections to the plan.
   • The longer schedule supports the plan, while tree protection is a drawback.
   • Tree protection and a longer schedule are both reasons for backing the plan.
   • Tree protection supports the plan, while the longer schedule is an acknowledged drawback.

   Show solution

   • Tree protection supports the plan, while the longer schedule is an acknowledged drawback.

   “Although” introduces a reservation without canceling the important reason introduced by “not least because.”

8. 8. Pilih jawaban yang benar.

   Which statement preserves the writer's degree of certainty?

   The proposal may face resistance, not least because it would shift costs from the central office to local branches.

   • The cost shift is an important reason to anticipate resistance, but resistance is not certain.
   • The writer is certain that the cost shift will provoke resistance.
   • The writer rules out resistance despite the proposed cost shift.
   • The writer doubts that the cost shift has any connection to possible resistance.

   The modal verb still matters after the reason is added.

   Show solution

   • The cost shift is an important reason to anticipate resistance, but resistance is not certain.

   Emphasizing a reason does not remove the uncertainty expressed by “may.” A strong reason can support a cautious prediction.

9. 9. Pilih jawaban yang benar.

   What assumption makes this reason support the committee's position?

   The committee favored including small firms in the trial, not least because excluding them would skew the results toward larger companies.

   • The trial should focus exclusively on the largest companies.
   • Small firms necessarily produce better results than large firms.
   • The trial should reflect the experience of firms of different sizes.
   • A firm's size has no bearing on its experience of the trial.

   Consider why results tilted toward one group would be a concern.

   Show solution

   • The trial should reflect the experience of firms of different sizes.

   The reason works because an unbalanced picture is treated as undesirable. Including small firms helps make the results more representative.

10. 10. Pilih jawaban yang benar.

    What role does the because-clause play here?

    The discrepancy must have arisen before the analysis, not least because it is already present in the raw data.

    • It identifies the mechanism that created the discrepancy.
    • It gives evidence for the conclusion about when the discrepancy arose.
    • It explains why the discrepancy first appeared during the analysis.

    Distinguish what caused an event from what supports a conclusion.

    Show solution

    • It gives evidence for the conclusion about when the discrepancy arose.

    A because-clause can justify an inference rather than describe what caused something. The raw data support the conclusion but do not reveal how the discrepancy originated.