Name: _______________________________        Date: ____________________

Advanced Language Practice

Grammar Progress Test 1a (Units 1–4)

1        Underline the correct word or phrase in each sentence.

0        Whether this new pay deal will satisfy the unions remains/will remain/is remaining to be seen.

1        According to the Publications Department, it will be two years before the new Handbook completes/is completed/will be completed.

2        The President’s plane touched down in Mexico City on Wednesday, two days after he would have arrived/had been to arrive/was due to arrive.

3        By the end of this month, I’ll be/be being/have been a member of this club for ten years.

4        Helena’s not really a party animal, so I doubt whether she comes/’ll come/’ll have come.

5        I was wondering if you wanted/had wanted/would want to go running with me.

6        I didn’t realise I’d left my file at home until the meeting will start/has started/started.

7        I was going to ask her for a date, but I don’t/didn’t/couldn’t bring myself to do it.

8        The noise stopped as soon as the Head Teacher walks/walked/was walking into the room.

9        I’ve been getting stabbing pains in my back so far/for a while now/up to now.

10        How long did you say you take/are taking/have been taking these pills?

2        Complete each sentence with an appropriate word.

0        I have never seen such a mess in all my born days!

1        I have had my doubts about this place ever ____________ I got here.

2        So where exactly were you at the ____________ of the robbery?

3        It’s ____________ since I last saw my cousin.

4        Our books still haven’t arrived; for the time ____________ we’ll have to use photocopies.

5        Sue ____________ to have played in goal, but she hurt her leg and had to miss the big match.

6        Doing this course is going to ____________ you really have to knuckle down and change your ways.

7        Every ____________ often we have a barbecue in our garden.

8        I’m ____________ it really difficult to keep up on my computer course.

9        Do I like pop music? It ____________ on what you regard as ‘pop’.

10        Simon Webster! Does this crisp packet ____________ to you, by any chance?

3        Rewrite each sentence so that it contains the word in bold, and so that the meaning stays the same.

0        In my country all adults are obliged to vote.
obligatory
In my country voting is obligatory for all adults.

1        Whose shoe is this?
belong
Who _________________________________________________________ to?

2        I’ve been too ill to do any work since Monday.
day
Monday was the _____________________________________ enough to work.

3        After a good sleep Tim started to feel better.
once
Tim started to feel better _________________________________ a good sleep.

4        We haven’t eaten out for ages.
last
It’s been __________________________________________________ ate out.

5        I’ve never lived in any other house.
all
I’ve lived ____________________________________________________ life.

6        He used to spend the whole of Saturday morning washing his car.
would 
Every Saturday ______________________________________ washing his car.

7        My new working hours enable me to be with my children for longer in the evening.
mean
My new working hours ________________________________________ more time with my children in the evening.

8        Until then I’d never seen Richard get angry.
first
That is _______________________________________ seen Richard get angry.

9        Luca was my first experience of true love.
never
Until I _______________________________________________ truly in love.

10        Try the new system a few times and you’ll become familiar with it.
used
You’ll ___________________________________ you’ve tried it a few times.

4        In most lines of this text there is one extra word. Write the extra word, or put a tick if the line is correct.

Labyrinths and Mazes

Walking labyrinths and mazes is right back in fashion; but their rich history, which dates         0       

back since 4,000 years is not often realised. A labyrinth is an ancient mystical pattern,         00  since

containing a meandering path to the centre, which it symbolises the journey through life.        1

The first labyrinths were being for ritual walking and processions. They became an         2

important feature of the Ancient Greek and Roman civilisations, but they are also found in        3

northern Europe: in Sweden many are said to would have been built by fishermen, who         4

walked through them in the hope of a good catch and a safe return. Though making secular         5

in origin, labyrinths were adopted by various religions; in Christianity, for example, the         6

tradition of walking the labyrinth in a church came up to represent the route to salvation.         7

Mazes are a much later invention, probably no more than for 500 years old. Initially the         8

preserve of kings and princes, they spread to public parks and gardens. They do consist         9

of tall hedges which act as walls. The hedges are arranged in intricate geometrical         10

patterns that present a circuitous path to the centre, including many paths which are         11

dead-ends designed to be confuse and puzzle the walker. The challenge lies in getting         12

to the centre and back out again. But mazes now go to much deeper than just puzzles         13

for walkers. A whole science has been grown up around them, applying the complicated        14

theory of how to solve them or to computer design and even to the world of business.        15

5        Complete the article by writing one word in each gap.

Mature Students

The British government recently made £20 million available to mature students,
(0) that is students who have already begun their working life, and (1) ____________ not take the normal route of university immediately after school. The mature students’ ‘gap’ (2) ____________ leaving school and matriculating into university can be
(3) ____________ from three to 50 years – time spent working, having children, travelling (4) ____________ whatever. Among (5) ____________ are those whose teenage rebellions took them too (6) ____________ away from a life of study, and equally those whose mid-life crises (7) ____________ led them to contemplate a return to the world of academia. In (8) ____________ of the new grants, returning to education remains a huge strain on the finances, all the (9) ____________ so for those with dependants. Many are obliged to take out loans, adding to a burden of debt already accumulating steadily from their busy adult lives.

Certain institutions are more welcoming than others, but even Oxford and
Cambridge have now (10) ____________ their doors to mature entrants. Indeed, these (11) ____________ traditional of universities, with their one-to-one supervisions,
(12) ____________ ideal for mature students. The criteria for entrance also suit mature students; other universities require high grades in A levels from school, a point (13) ____________ disadvantages most mature students, whereas Oxford and Cambridge have their (14) ____________ entrance exams. Cambridge actually boasts the only university college in Europe which takes only female mature students, Lucy Cavendish College. The lecturers there say (15) ____________ prefer teaching mature students because they have made great personal sacrifices just to be there, and so tend to bring a real passion to their work.

Advanced Language Practice

KEY Grammar Progress Test 1a (Units 1–4)

1

1        is completed

2        was due to arrive

3        have been

4        ’ll come

5        wanted

6        started

7        couldn’t

8        walked

9        for a while now

10        have been taking

2

1        since

2        time

3        ages

4        being

5        was

6        mean

7        so

8        finding

9        depends

10        belong

3

1        does this (1) shoe belong (1)

2        last day (1) I was well (1)

3        once he’d (1) had (1)

4        ages since (1) we last (1)

5        in this/that house (1) all my (1)

6        he would spend (1) the whole morning (1)

7        mean (that) I (can) (1) spend (1)

8        the first time (1) I’ve ever (1)

9        met Luca (1) I had never been (1)

10        get used to (1) the new system once/when (1)

4

1        it

2        being

3        

4        would

5        making

6        

7        up

8        for

9        do

10        

11        

12        be

13        to

14        been

15        or

5

1        did

2        between

3        anything

4        or

5        them (/these)

6        far

7        have

8        spite

9        more

10        opened

11        most

12        are

13        which

14        own

15        they

(Total = 70 marks)

KEY Grammar Progress Test 1b (Units 1–4)

1

1        have made

2        goes

3        noticed

4        rushed

5        had been

6        had been tampering

7        were you doing

8        arrived

9        for the time being

10        on arrival

2

1        until/’till

2        late

3        date

4        instant/moment/minute

5        ago

6        yet

7        before

8        having/experiencing

9        belong (/go)

10        means

3

1        have (my) doubts (1) about my decision (1)

2        my first (1) ever visit (1)

3        enough yet (1) for us to (1)

4        take as much (1) exercise as (1)

5        the time (1) dinner finally arrived (1)

6        is on the point (1) of making (1)

7        the last time (1) I went (1) / when I (1) last went (1)

8        use to (1) be so (1)

9        means you are/will be (1) able to (1)

10        only read (1) seven pages (1)

4

1        after

2        For

3        being

4        if

5        had

6        did

7        is

8        be

9        

10        since

11        to

12        

13        Reading

14        

15        will

5

1        more

2        it

3        be

4        need

5        like

6        watch

7        you

8        as

9        look

10        either

11        of

12        better

13        such

14        save

15        sure/certain

(Total = 70 marks)

KEY Grammar Progress Test 2a (Units 6–9)

1

1        

2        

3        

4        X  We have had our house/Our house has been broken into twice this year.

5        X  The King is believed to have arrived in Rome three hours ago.

6        X  We’re having a replacement wheel fitted tomorrow.

7        

8        

9        X  I’d prefer you not to go/that you didn’t go this year – you are a bit too young.

10        X  You look like you have just had a shock!

2

1        by

2        of

3        had

4        alone/otherwise

5        should

6        be

7        will/do

8        or

9        hope

10        keep

3

1        is more usually (1) served (1)

2        should never (1) have been nominated (1)

3        have not yet made (1) up their (1)

4        is believed to (1) be staying (1)

5        was wrongly (1) attributed to (1)

4

1        the President’s bodyguards (1) hadn’t intervened (1)

2        even if (1) it is (1)

3        deeply regret (1) not (1)

4        that Ken (1) be reinstated (1)

5        come (1) what may (1) / whatever (1) may come (1)

5

1        coming

2        taken

3        caused

4        unless

5        but

6        required

7        should

8        appropriate/necessary

9        not

10        is

6

1        line

2        rise/be increased

3        allow/enable

4        continue

5        purchase

6        announce/introduce/launch

7        be abolished/abandoned/discontinued/waived/withdrawn

8        residents

9        reasons

10        opportunity

(Total = 60 marks)

KEY Grammar Progress Test 2b (Units 6–9)

1

1        

2        

3        

4        X  We had some friends round for lunch yesterday.

5        

6        X  If I had known you were coming, I would have prepared more food.

7        X  If you see Dawn, tell her I’ve got her mobile phone.

8        X  Supposing you could have a year off work, what would you do?/What would you do if you could have a year off work?

9        

10        

2

1        from/about/concerning

2        with

3        if

4        But/Save

5        unless

6        and

7        rather

8        could

9        hope/trust

10        wouldn’t

3

1         receive (1) written confirmation (1)

2         been advised (1) to keep/remain/stay (1)

3        is thought to have (1) received help/assistance (1)

4        (a)/(my)/(a form of) punishment, (1) I was made (1)

5        to be considering (1) a change (1)

4

1        you were suddenly (1) to become (1)

2        it hadn’t (1) been for (1)

3        even if (1) he buys (1)

4        (you) the truth, (1) I’d rather go (1)

5        that as (1) it may (1)

5

1        too

2        ourselves

3        are

4        being

5        until

6        has/stocks

7        come

8        should

9        such

10        not

6

1        sent/taken

2        adequate/appropriate/suitable

3        which

4        discretion

5        obtained/ordered/purchased

6        payment/receipt

7        subject

8        to remind

9        not allowed/not acceptable/unacceptable/not tolerated

10        long as

(Total = 60 marks)

KEY Grammar Progress Test 3a (Units 11–14)

1

1        couldn’t

2        can’t

3        may

4        should

5        can’t

6        couldn’t

7        Should

8        might

9        wouldn’t

10        could

2

1        none at all/none whatever/none whatsoever/absolutely none

2        in the slightest

3        all we could

4        time after time/time and (time) again

5        what happened was

6        What I like

7        had we arrived

8        didn’t need/have to

9        shouldn’t/needn’t have gone

10        as I might

3

1        in case it (1) turns/gets/(should turn/get) cold (1)

2        may (well) have (1) been (1)

3        is bound (1) to be (1)

4        might not (1) have called (1)

5        can’t/couldn’t possibly (1) have (1)

6        may/might have made (1) a mistake (1)

7        only after (1) negotiations (1)

8        account must (1) this button ever (1)

9        point/stage/time did the kidnappers (1) ever actually harm (1)

10        were you (1) two hours late, but (1)

4

1        how

2        when

3        what

4        such/their

5        would

6        when

7        were

8        couldn’t

9        many

10        should

11        after

12        was

13        if/though

14        which

15        when

5

1        (that) you see

2        

3        was utter rubbish

4        

5        must be mad

6        

7        I simply/just had

8        she had never seen

9        

10        a complete/an utter waste

(Total = 65 marks)

KEY Grammar Progress Test 3b (Units 11–14)

1

1        couldn’t

2        would

3        can

4        couldn’t

5        can’t

6        would

7        could

8        may

9        couldn’t

10        should

2

1        in the least

2        nothing at all

3        It wasn’t until

4        what I/we etc. did

5        by no means

6        as/though it may/might seem

7        have/had I/they etc. seen

8        Little did he

9        don’t have to

10        Under no circumstances

3

1        can’t (1) be the (1)

2        I were you (1) I would (1)

3        as/though (1) I might, (1)

4        appears not (1) to have been (1)

5        must have been (1) left by (1)

6        have happened (1) is/was that (1)

7        going/moving/travelling (1) so fast (1)

8        is so clear (1) that listening (1)

9        circumstances (1) is this box to be (1)

10        was the last name (1) to be (1)

4

1        should

2        are

3        least

4        despite

5        going

6        sooner

7        unable

8        or

9        after

10        did

11        couldn’t

12        pretend/say

13        do

14        had

15        thought

5

1        

2        

3        must have been

4        should have known

5        arrived than the

6        

7        there are

8        

9        Little do people understand

10        

(Total = 65 marks)

KEY Grammar Progress Test 4a (Units 16–19)

1

1        

2        X  Mary suggested going/that we should go and see a film.

3        

4        

5        

6        X  I’ve got a bit of a cold this morning./I’ve got a bit of flu this morning.

7        X  Everyone got on very well, which was quite surprising in the circumstances.

8        X  There is only one person in my street who is a bit unfriendly.

9        

10        X  I’ve stopped going to the gym as it is too expensive.

2

1        a

2        filling

3        can’t

4        keep

5        Whoever

6        when

7        that

8        the

9        invited

10        denied

3

1        rumoured/said to be (1) on the (1)

2        Helen managed (1) to find/get

3        dare you (1) to jump off (1)

4        struggled to follow (1) the teacher’s (1)

5        has stopped (1) drinking/having/taking/needing (1)

6        which (1) really pleased (1)

7        very concerned (1) about the problem (1)

8        that Paul (should) take (1) a day off and go (1)

9        announced the (1) cutting/loss (1)

10        insisted on (1) carrying Joyce’s (1)

4

1        doing

2        never

3        could

4        confirmed

5        rest/remainder

6        able

7        let

8        Although/If

9        recovered

10        be

11        represent

12        involves/means

13        give

14        looking/sitting

15        can’t/cannot/won’t

5

1        apologise/apologized

2        giving/making

3        unable to

4        interested in/considering

5        Alternatively/Otherwise

6        held

7        available/circulated

8        instructed/requested

9        a minimum

10        require/necessitate

(Total = 65 marks)

KEY Grammar Progress Test 4b (Units 16–19)

1

1        X  Please can you explain to me/explain how to change the paper in this copier?

2        X  Harry denied taking the money/said that he hadn’t taken the money.

3        X  Bob suggested going to the bank right away and sorting the matter out./Bob urged me/him/us etc. to go to the bank …

4        X  Please do not play ball games on this grass.

5        

6        

7        X  Let me introduce Clive, who will be working with you.

8        X  The letter that/which arrived this morning contains my exam results.

9        

10        

2

1        like

2        deserve

3        remember

4        on

5        which

6        for

7        the

8        fact

9        could/couldn’t

10        telling

3

1        and you risk/run the risk (1) of getting (1)

2        thing, so it’s no use telling him

3        to be ill (1) so (that) he (1)

4        missed being (1) able to (1)

5        the only one (1) of his films (that) (1) / the only film (1) of his (that) (1)

6        as to/for (1) the difficulty of (1)

7        if he wanted to/if he would like to (1) go fishing with him (1)

8        accepted (that) (1) she had (1)

9        repeated the question (1) (that) he had (1)

10        warned her/Carrie (1) never to go (1)

4

1        be

2        who

3        when

4        over

5        expect

6        have

7        which

8        In

9        Having

10        used

11        from

12        out

13        happened

14        turns

15        Anyone

5

1        commence/start

2        to continue/last

3        alternative

4        available

5        number/quantity

6        avoid

7        closed/inaccessible

8        apologise/apologize

9        be caused

10        need

(Total = 65 marks)

KEY Grammar Progress Test 5a (Units 21–25)

1

1        charged

2        reminds

3        stem

4        keen

5        mistake

6        belief

7        come

8        let

9        takes

10        wear

2

1        was packed with

2        in dispute over

3        at dealing with

4        in favour of

5        under no obligation

6        In recognition of

7        in charge of

8        fallen out with

9        go through with

10        Stick up for

3

1        students to be (1) rude (1)

2        is putting me (1) off (1)

3        point out (1) that (1)

4        get (1) the ironing done (1) / make sure (1) the ironing is done (1)

5        with a (1) view to (1)

6        out (1) of practice (1)

7        on a (1) regular basis (1)

8        is entitled (1) to (1)

9        congratulated Sue (1) on (1)

10        really appeals (1) to me (1)

4

1        broke off

2        done up

3        come up against

4        make do with

5        try out

6        grow on

7        gone off

8        put up with

9        make for

10        stand up to

5

1        under

2        of

3        of

4        to

5        on

6        in

7        for

8        on

9        into

10        to

(Total = 60 marks)

KEY Grammar Progress Test 5b (Units 21–25)

1

1        pay

2        bring

3        devoted

4        cure

5        delay

6        carried

7        go

8        makes

9        take

10        stands

2

1        referred me to

2        an authority on

3        In all likelihood

4        for fear of

5        in high spirits

6        In comparison with/to

7        Under the circumstances

8        getting on for

9        go in for

10        let her in

3

1        go back (1) on (1)

2        live up to (1) (their) expectations (1)

3        come up (1) with (1)

4        get the/this (1) job finished (1)

5        the exception (1) of Brian (1)

6        have run out/are out (1) of time (1)

7        under (1) the impression (1)

8        out of (1) danger (1)

9        resulted in (1) the city being (1)

10        talked (1) me into (1)

4

1        ended up

2        come in for

3        stood by

4        took to

5        ran into

6        sort out

7        slipped up

8        pick up

9        live up to

10        turned out

5

1        For

2        about

3        out

4        from

5        of

6        with

7        to

8        in

9        for

10        into

(Total = 60 marks)

KEY Grammar Progress Test 6a (Units 27–28)

1

1        guarantee

2        practice

3        

4        

5        commitment

6        psychologist

7        

8        

9        underrated

10        disappeared

2        Note: use discretion as to possible variations on punctuation.

11–15

Of all my friends, I’d have to say Michelle is the nicest. You couldn’t hope to meet a more caring person. I remember on one occasion, when we were both about six, she saw that some older children were being unkind to me, and calmly led me away by the hand.

(5 marks)

16–20

The practice of headhunting is becoming more and more commonplace in the business world. Companies who have important vacancies to fill are increasingly targeting and approaching excellent individuals in other companies and offering them more money. Agencies are also springing up to do this work on companies’ behalf.

(5 marks)

21–25

‘Sharon, I don’t know what you’re talking about, darling. You’ve got the wrong end of the stick,’ said Basil. ‘I was just giving Maureen a hug because she was really upset. I’m sure you’d have done the same. Just because I’m a bloke, it doesn’t mean I can’t touch a friend.’

(5 marks)

3

1        What’s more

2        Consequently

3        As a result

4        as opposed to

5        to tell the truth

6        Subsequently

7        by and large

8        Whereas

9        Nevertheless

10        at least

4

1        aggravate

2        developing

3        symptoms

4        

5        their

6        industry has

7        

8        Sometimes

9        weird

10        sufferer’s

11        sceptical

12        removing

13        source

14        

15        absence

(Total = 50 marks)

KEY Grammar Progress Test 6b (Units 27–28)

1

1        embarrassing

2        affect

3        

4        

5        continuous

6          (also possible: swap)

7        

8          (also possible: standardized)

9        irresponsible

10        disappointing

2        Note: use discretion as to possible variations on punctuation.

11–15

The big new thing in personal fitness is the medicine ball. Yes, you heard me correctly, those huge, heavy leather balls you used in the school gym, if you’re over 30, that is. The medicine ball is lifted, held and thrown in various positions, thereby enabling the use of muscles that traditional training programmes do not. This means the body is sculpted in new ways.

(5 marks)

16–20

There is nothing more annoying in the whole world than not being able to find two socks which match. This problem becomes all the more pertinent when, at 8.30 in the morning, you have ten seconds left in which to decide, ‘Shall I go to work with no socks or one grey and one black?’

(5 marks)

21–25

Collins cursed loudly, flicked the indicator switch and pulled in to the side of the road. Sure enough, the tyre had blown, and the spare would take a good fifteen minutes to put on, even for him. If he was late, Cindy would never speak to him again. He wondered why fate always seemed to conspire against him when it really mattered.

(5 marks)

3

1        Thus

2        even though

3        Broadly speaking

4        however

5        as well as

6        Indeed

7        as a result of

8        Consequently

9        even so

10        Besides

4

1        volunteers

2        others were

3        procedure

4        knew

5        months later

6        medically

7        healing

8        

9        benefit

10        unbelievably

11        conditions

12        

13        

14        way of

15        whole

(Total = 50 marks)