1.2. English for Professional Purposes Flashcards
(228 cards)
1
Q
What would not be a conciliatory sentence in a reply letter to a client’s complaint?
a. I hope this solution compensates your mood and understandable bad manners.
b. Please let me know if this solution meets with your approval.
c. We think that you’ll find these measurements to be reasonable and satisfying.
A
a. I hope this solution compensates your mood and understandable bad manners.
2
Q
What would you say if you wanted to take a seat to the person next to it?
a. I want to sit here, please.
b. Is this sit sat upon, please?
c. Is this seat taken, please?
A
c. Is this seat taken, please?
3
Q
How do you express that the flights are running behind schedule?
a. The flights have been delayed.
b. The flights are on strike.
c. The flights are late.
A
a. The flights have been delayed.
4
Q
At what time is your flight?
a. It takes off in half an hour.
b. It leaves in half an hour.
c. It flies in half an hour.
A
a. It takes off in half an hour.
5
Q
How do you ask about the duration of a journey?
a. How much time does it need to get to Barcelona?
b. How long does it take to get to Barcelona?
c. For how long does it travel to Barcelona?
A
b. How long does it take to get to Barcelona?
6
Q
How is the following symbol “@” read in English as part of an email address?
a. monkey’s tale
b. a
c. at
A
c. at
7
Q
Which of the following sentences is correct?
a. High-speeded trains can get there in 6 hours.
b. High speed trains take 6 hours to get there.
c. Trains of high speed travel there in a period of 6 hours.
A
b. High speed trains take 6 hours to get there.
8
Q
What is your job about?
a. I have 300 people under my command.
b. I charge 300 people.
c. I’m responsible for 300 people.
A
c. I’m responsible for 300 people.
9
Q
You get up to go to the bar because you are thirsty. What would you say?
a. I’m going to drink.
b. I want to have something down my throat.
c. I’m going to get something to drink.
A
c. I’m going to get something to drink.
10
Q
Which of the following structures is right?
a. She stopped being a cleaner because of him.
b. She stopped being a cleaner seeing that him.
c. She stopped being a cleaner since him.
A
a. She stopped being a cleaner because of him.
11
Q
How would you call a woman who is an astronaut?
a. she-astronaut
b. astronautess
c. female astronaut
A
c. female astronaut
12
Q
_____ so many delayed flights, I suspect ours will be late too.
a. Since
b. With
c. Seeing that
A
b. With
13
Q
What do you typically say in a warm spring morning?
a. It’s nice and sunny.
b. It’s dry and hot.
c. It’s fine and fair.
A
a. It’s nice and sunny.
14
Q
How would you describe an oppressively humid day?
a. damp
b. muggy
c. flurry
A
b. muggy
Damp
1. slightly wet, especially in a way that is not pleasant or comfortable: The grass is still damp.
This shirt still feels a bit damp.
It was a damp, misty morning.
Muggy
When the weather is muggy, it is unpleasantly warm and the air contains a lot of water. Synonyms. sticky. sultry
Flurry
a. : a brief period of commotion or excitement. b. : a sudden occurrence of many things at once : barrage sense 2. a flurry of insults.
15
Q
What cannot be done in a VIP lounge in an airport?
a. Work in a meeting room.
b. Have a swim in the pool.
c. Travel.
A
c. Travel.
16
Q
What is incentive tourism about?
a. Visiting historical landmarks.
b. Taking part in a training course.
c. Being awarded a trip for duties well performed at work.
A
c. Being awarded a trip for duties well performed at work.
17
Q
Which of the following structures is correct?
a. If there were a heat wave, the population would have to evacuate.
b. If there would be a heat wave, the population’d have to evacuate.
c. If there had been a heat wave, the population would have to evacuate.
A
a. If there were a heat wave, the population would have to evacuate.
18
Q
William Shakespeare died _____ April 23rd 1616.
a. at
b. on
c. in
A
b. on
19
Q
What sentence would not be appropriate in a complaint letter?
a. If I don’t get a reply, I’ll pass this matter to my lawyer.
b. I think I have the right to a compensation.
c. I want to refund you generously at once.
A
c. I want to refund you generously at once.
20
Q
In which of the following countries is English not the official language?
a. Lesotho.
b. Guyana.
c. Chad.
A
c. Chad.
21
Q
What do you ask somebody after having done some common activity together (watching a film, listening to a conference, etc.)?
a. Did you enjoy it?
b. Did you like the experience?
c. What would you think about it?
A
a. Did you enjoy it?
b) sounds too transcendental
c) is something you would say if you are making a proposal to someone, not if you’re asking them for their opinion.
22
Q
What would you say spontaneously to someone to prompt them to provide further explanations about something they have just said (esp. if it was something unexpected or something surprising)?
a. Really? How is that?
b. I’d like you to give me further explanations on that issue, please.
c. I don’t understand what your implications are.
A
a. Really? How is that?
b) lacks spontaneity and sounds rather pompous.
As for c), it is things or actions that have implications, not people.
23
Q
How would you NOT refer to your flight delay?
a. My flight is two hours late.
b. My flight was scheduled to take off two hours ago.
c. My flight has postponed two hours.
A
c. My flight has postponed two hours.
c) would need to be in the passive voice and it is a transitive verb so the sentence is meaningless and grammatically incorrect too.
24
Q
How do you ask someone their profession?
a. In what do you work?
b. What do you do when you work?
c. What do you do for a living?
A
c. What do you do for a living?
a) sounds rather awkward (In which field do you work? would be a lot more natural).
b) is not asking for someone’s job but for some sort of description abut their working activities.
25
How do you ask somebody to supervise your belongings in a public place?
a. Can you keep watch of my stuff, please?
b. Can you observe my stuff, please?
c. Can you keep an eye on my stuff, please?
c. Can you keep an eye on my stuff, please?
a) “keep watch” takes the preposition on and is not used for momentary activities like this one.
“Observe” in b) is related to visual perception but its meaning is slightly different.
26
Don’t look for it here; it is...
a. there beyond.
b. over there.
c. far away there.
b. over there.
b) is the only logical prepositional phrase with a preposition (over) followed by the adverb there. It is so common that it is a rather fixed expression.
“There, far away” in c) would have been plausible as well.
“Beyond” in a) is a preposition which is lacking a following complement.
27
How do you ask for things politely?
a. I would appreciate it if you kept the secret for me.
b. I’d be grateful for you keeping my secret.
c. I’d thank you to keep my secret, please.
a. I would appreciate it if you kept the secret for me.
The three initial clauses are conditional so an if- clause in the past is the most adequate option
28
In hop on-hop off buses, you get _____ and _____ the bus as you like.
a.On/off
b.on/out
c. inside / outside
a.On/off
Movements in and out of land vehicles like buses and trains are expressed with those prepositions (although not cars!).
29
What do you say when you want to finish off a story without too much detail?:
a. To cut / make a long story short...
b. Let me be brief and concise with this story...
c. What is brief, it’s good twice...
a. To cut / make a long story short...
b) is not a natural saying
c) is completely meaningless in English.
a), on the contrary, is a highly common expression in these cases.
30
Who does a floor housekeeper in a hotel report to directly?
a. A deputy housekeeper.
b. A recruiting member of staff.
c. An assistant manager.
a. A deputy housekeeper.
A floor housekeeper supervises work activities of the cleaning personnel for a particular floor within a building.
31
What is a prep cook?
a. The prefect of a restaurant kitchen, similar to a maître.
b. A cook who helps the major chiefs in doing the initial preparation of the dishes.
c. An entry level kitchen position ideally suited for an aspiring chief.
c. An entry level kitchen position ideally suited for an aspiring chief.
32
How do you specify that a lawyer is female?
a. A she lawyer.
b. A lady lawyer.
c. A lawyeress.
b. A lady lawyer.
a) is typical of female animals (a she dog, a she goat)
c) does not exist.
Women lawyers are not referred to as “Lady lawyer, would you be so kind as to....?”, but a speaker may choose to specify that his/her lawyer is a woman, and not a man, by using an expression like: “lady lawyer / woman lawyer / female lawyer”. This obviously applies to other professions like “lady doctor”, etc.
33
Which type of weather does NOT affect visibility?
a. Foggy.
b. Misty.
c. Chilly.
c. Chilly
Chilly is strictly related to cold weather.
Fog and mist reduce visibility and their difference is related to the density of humidity.
34
What type of weather is likely to coincide with electric storms?
a. Thundery
b. Muggy
c. Damp
a. Thundery
b) Muggy is related to the presence of moisture in the air
damp in c) means humid, wet.
35
Which of the following expressions is preferred to refer to a specific set of people?
a. Card holders enjoy the following privileges:
b. People holding cards enjoy the following privileges:
c. Customers who have cards enjoy the following privileges:
a. Card holders enjoy the following privileges:
The morpheme –er turns the subject into a regular group, a category of people
b) and c) refer to temporary circumstances.
36
What is the tendency in English these days regarding gender distinctions?
a. Emphasize them when possible.
b. Neutralize them when possible.
c. Ignore them.
b. Neutralize them when possible.
There is a strong tendency to be and sound politically correct and neutralizing gender differences is the least controversial option nowadays.
37
Which is the most numerous group of English speakers in the world?
a. Natives, i.e., those who speak it as their mother tongue.
b. Non-natives, i.e., those who speak it as a second language.
c. Americans, particularly North Americans.
b. Non-natives, i.e., those who speak it as a second language.
by many millions
38
Which is the general criterion for belonging to the Commonwealth of Nations?
a. Being an English speaking state.
b. Being an Anglophile country.
c. Being an ex British colony or having a strong constitutional link to the United Kingdom or one of its ex colonies.
c. Being an ex British colony or having a strong constitutional link to the United Kingdom or one of its ex colonies.
Although a couple of countries that have been admitted into the Commonwealth do not fulfil any of these requirements, namely Rwanda and Mozambique.
39
How would you ask somebody if they are pleased about an exam, a job interview or some other important event?
a. How did you enjoy it?
b. What do you think of the event?
c. How did it go?
c. How did it go?
All three answers are grammatically correct. However, when you walk out of an exam or an interview, the logical thing would be to ask you if it went well or badly. Whether you had a good time or any other consideration is secondary.
40
How do you offer to pass a message to someone (esp. on the phone if the person is not there)?
a. What do you want me to tell X?
b. Can I take a message for X?
c. Do you have anything to say to X?
b. Can I take a message for X?
All three answers are grammatically correct, but a) and c) are rather clumsy ways of saying the same thing, while b) is highly idiomatic, and hence preferable. The equivalent of b) in Spanish would be: “¿Quiere que le dé algún recado?”
40
How do you typically identify yourself on the phone to someone you know?
a. This is Mary Smith.
b. I'm Mary Smith, and you?
c. My name is Mary Smith, and yours?
a. This is Mary Smith.
All three answers are grammatically correct. On the phone, however, one typically identifies oneself with the expression: “This is...” rather than the other two, which you tend to use in face-to-face situations.
41
How do you express a strong opinion?
a. I'm tentatively convinced that
b. I firmly believe that
c. I declare allegedly that
b. I firmly believe that
a) and c) are not possible ways of expressing strong statements because of the presence of the respective adverbs “tentatively” (experimentalmente, como prueba) and “allegedly” (supuestamente).
41
What would you say to someone you want to pick up after work?
a. What time do you finish work?
b. At what time do you free work?
c. At which time does your day finish?
a. What time do you finish work?
All three are grammatically correct but b) and c) are meaningless. b) means “liberar” so “to free work” does not mean anything. For c) to be acceptable, it should have said something like “At what time does your working day finish?”.
42
The project was cancelled _____ lack of interest.
a. because
b. since
c. due to
c. due to
a) and b) are not grammatically possible because they require a clause afterwards (that is, a structure with a verb) and the sentence contains a noun phrase (that is, a noun/pronoun with determiners, modifiers and complements). It would have been possible, for example, to say: “The project was cancelled because there was a lack of interest” and “The project was cancelled since there was a lack of interest”.
43
What would you say to criticize something?
a. The weak point of your argument is that it is attractive to the general public.
b. I find too many weaknesses in its being attractive to the general public.
c. I dare say it cannot possible be attractive to the general public.
a. The weak point of your argument is that it is attractive to the general public.
b) is not grammatically possible. Subordinate clauses with a possessive subject (like “its being attractive to the general public”) are very infrequent and only possible with verbs like “appreciate” and “mind”: “I appreciate your being here”; “I hope you don’t mind my saying that it is a little stuffy in here”. The modal “dare” in c) is not a standard way to express a criticism but a highly cautious one (either because you want to convey humility or warn that what you are about to say is likely to be controversial or shocking).
44
_____ humans' eagerness to be powerful, very few actually achieve significant power in life.
a. Despite
b. Whereas
c. Yet
a. Despite
“Whereas” is used to introduce a clause, not a phrase (see question 6 above). “Yet” in c) is meaningless because it cannot appear in that context (cf. She is smart, yet a little too casual [meaning “aunque”]; I haven’t considered any other options [meaning “aún”]; Have you established a limit? [meaning “ya”]).
45
Which of the following fragments is in the right order?
a. an American new computer model
b. a new American computer model
c. a computer American new model
b. a new American computer model
The correct order is that of answer b): general objective feature + precedence + nominal modifier.
46
I used _____ my clients on the phone but I'm used _____ them by email these days.
a. contacting / to contact
b. to contact / to contacting
c. to contacting / contact
b. to contact / to contacting
The verb “used” (a defective verb since it only has past tense; to be translated “solía”; not to be confused with the verb “to use-usar”) is complemented by infinitive clauses with “to” (e.g., When I was a child I used to play hide-and-seek). The verbal periphrasis “be used” (to be translated “estar acostumbrado”) is completely different and requires the complementing clause to be in the –ing form with the particle to (I am used to getting up at 7.00 everyday).
47
What do ladies wear to a formal ball?
a. A nightdress.
b. A full-length gown.
c. A fancy dress.
b. A full-length gown.
A nightdress is a female garment to wear in bed and a fancy dress is what people wear in carnivals. A full-length gown goes all the way down to your feet.
48
What is the term for an association of workers?
a. WA.
b. Working league.
c. Union.
c. Union
The correct term is union, which can be defined as a number of persons joined or associated together for some common purpose, like their working rights.
49
Which of the following objects do you use to underline a sentence in a text on a page?
a. A stapler.
b. A highlighter.
c. A filing gadget.
b. A highlighter.
A stapler is a little stationary gadget used to staple sheets together. A filing gadget is not an established name for anything (there is “filing cabinets”, “filing folders” etc.). A highlighter is a rather thick felt pen of a bright colour.
50
Which of the following words is of American origin?
a. Cab
b. Underground.
c. Motorway.
a. Cab
“Cab” is the American English word for “taxi”; “underground” and “motorway” are the British counterparts of “subway” and “highway”.
51
How would you expect to find a shy person?
a. Amusing
b. Embarrassed
c. Terrifying
b. Embarrassed
“Embarrassed” is a common state or frame of mind in shy and introverted people. Terrifying and amusing imply that they cause or produce terror or amusement in others, which is not necessarily associated with shy people.
52
Which text types are typically NOT expressed in telegraphic language?
a. PowerPoint presentations.
b. Notes.
c. Reports.
c. Reports.
It should be obvious that reports do not seek economy of expression in such an evident way as notes and PowerPoint presentations. The former are basically reminders and the latter are forms of support for oral communication.
53
Which of the following words is pronounced exactly the same regardless of the part of speech (i.e., whether it is a noun or a verb)?
a. Object
b. Contract
c. Control
c. Control
“Control” is the only word whose tonic syllable is the first one from the right, regardless of whether it is a verb or a noun. The other two words vary accordingly.
54
How was the English language introduced in the United States?
a. Because this country was founded by a number of British colonies.
b. Because this country was once a member of the Commonwealth of Nations.
c. Because this language was forced on formal education (primary, secondary and tertiary).
a. Because this country was founded by a number of British colonies.
The USA has never belonged to the Commonwealth of Nations and English was not introduced through formal education. The reason why English is spoken in the States is because it was founded by thirteen British colonies located along the Atlantic seaboard.
55
The American Declaration of Independence was issued on July 4th ____.
a. 1676 (17th century).
b. 1776 (18th century).
c. 1876 (19th century).
b. 1776 (18th century).
It is important to know that as early as the 18th century, the Americans elaborated a document whose opening sentence is the following: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." This is one of the most famous sentences in the English language and it is interesting that Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin and three other men wrote these beautiful words almost two hundred years before the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
56
One of the North American celebrations that is least followed in Europe is _____.
a. Halloween.
b. Easter Carnival.
c. Thanksgiving.
c. Thanksgiving.
Carnival takes place before Easter; there is not such a thing as Easter Carnival in North American tradition. Of the other two celebrations, Halloween and Thanksgiving, the former is increasingly more followed in Europe.
57
What is a “lingua franca”?
a. A variety of English spoken overseas.
b. A language artificially created by contact between two communities.
c. A synonym for “French language”.
d. A language used to communicate between speakers of any mother tongue.
d. A language used to communicate between speakers of any mother tongue.
58
When did English start spreading over the world?
a. At the time of the British Empire.
b. After World War II.
c. With the hegemony of the United States.
d. When it started being used in texts.
a. At the time of the British Empire.
59
In which of these words is the letter “g” pronounced differently?
a. gel
b. giraffe
c. gentle
d. give
d. give
60
Which of these words has a foreign origin?
a. eye
b. tattoo
c. way
d. place
b. tattoo
61
Which of these words is unlikely to appear in a brochure advertising holiday resorts?
a. sightseeing tour
b. package deal
c. hiking trail
d. escape route
d. escape route
62
Which of these words belongs to the British English variant?
a. taxi
b. elevator
c. garbage
d. truck
a. taxi
63
One of the typical work activities in an office is __________ office expenditure and managing the budget.
a. using
b. deleting
c. recording
d. ignoring
c. recording
64
Which of these sentences refers to an academic background particularly relevant for working in a hotel?
a. I have experience in managing a restaurant
b. I earned a degree in Restoration
c. I have done Tourism
d. My background is in Hospitality Management
d. My background is in Hospitality Management
65
Which of these expressions shows a positive reaction?
a. Leave me alone!
b. I don’t fancy doing anything.
c. I’m going for it!
d. I don’t give a damn.
c. I’m going for it!
66
Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:
- When she heard the terrible news, she____________.
a. passed by
b. passed up
c. passed out
d. passed off
c. passed out
se desmayó
67
Please, complete the following idiomatic comparison: - As white as a _________.
a. sheet
b. nail
c. pin
d. wall
a. sheet
68
Which was the most terrible century in the history of Ireland?
a. 15th.
b. 17th.
c. 19th.
d. 21st
c. 19th.
69
How would you paraphrase the following sentence?
- The manager said: “The bank has sent me a letter claiming unpaid bills.”
a. The manager said that he has sent a letter claiming unpaid bills.
b. The manager said that he had been sent a letter claiming unpaid bills.
c. The manager said that he had sent a letter claiming unpaid bills.
d. The manager said that he has been sent a letter claiming unpaid bills.
b. The manager said that he had been sent a letter claiming unpaid bills.
70
Choose the best option in the passive voice for the following sentence: - The secretary has not sent me the e-mail.
a. I have not been sent by the secretary the e-mail.
b. The e-mail has not been sent to me by the secretary.
c. I have not been sent the secretary the email.
d. The e-mail has not been sent me by the secretary.
b. The e-mail has not been sent to me by the secretary.
71
Complete the sentence with the appropriate verbs:
- If I _________ you, I ________ for another job.
a. were/applied
b. had been/applied
c. were/would apply
d. was/apply
c. were/would apply
72
Choose the correct sequence (no emphasis added):
a. A Spanish young man.
b. A special silver bracelet.
c. An old kind man.
d. A blue wonderful car.
b. A special silver bracelet.
73
Choose the correct option:
- Repeat the story to me _____________ we’re waiting for them to come.
a. until
b. while
c. after
d. before
b. while
74
After heavy rain, the atmosphere is _____.
a) damp
b) rainy
c) freezing
a) damp
After a period of rain, the weather does not have to be cold, but the humidity in the atmosphere makes it damp or wet.
75
We didn't waste our time, we _____.
a) did our best time.
b) made the most of our time.
c) profited our time greatly.
b) made the most of our time.
The expression is "to make the most of a situation/an opportunity/time/etc." and it means the opposite of "to waste".
"To profit" means "to take advantage of".
You do your best time when you break your own speed record running.
76
With _____, it is understandable that she was the candidate selected.
a) the fact that he has a very strong CV
b) such a strong CV
c) his CV being so strong
b) such a strong CV
"With" in this sense of cause or reason requires a phrase (not a clause with a verb).
77
They are very competent, _____ they are still a little inexperienced.
a) although
b) whilst
c) while
a) although
Concessive clauses (this is a type of clause which introduces a contrasting element with respect to the previous one) may be introduced by "although", "however" or "but", but not by "whilst" or "while".
The last two words are synonymous and they have two uses:
introducing a simultaneous time reference (He told me the story of his life while he was sewing a sock) and a contrast in the initial position (While I think it's too late, I'll give you one last chance - but not: I'll give you one last chance, while I think it's too late).
78
I burst out laughing during the conference because _____.
a) I couldn't resist.
b) I couldn't avoid so.
c) I couldn't help it.
c) I couldn't help it.
The main aspect in this question is not so much the verb but the presence of the proform "it" in substitution of "laughing during the conference".
a) is not possible because a transitive verb (eat, write, tell, etc.) must be followed by an object.
79
What do you say to the doctor?
a) I have a sideache when I run.
b) My side hurts when I run.
c) My side is in pain when I run.
b) My side hurts when I run.
People are said to be in pain, not parts of your body.
Your body parts hurt or they are painful but they are not in pain.
As for a), the suffix "-ache" go with a closed set of body parts (toothache, stomachache, earache, headache) but it can't be used freely.
80
What do you typically address the assistant in a computer shop?
a) I want a portable computer.
b) Can I have a portable computer, please?
c) I was looking for a portable computer, please.
c) I was looking for a portable computer, please.
You shouldn't use "want" to ask for things in a polite way.
b) is an appropriate way to ask for permission to borrow something.
c) is polite and adequate for the situation described.
81
How would you call someone with walking difficulties?
a) A slow walking person.
b) A slow pacer.
c) A non-fast walker.
b) A slow pacer.
b) is the politically correct term that is most widely used for such people.
82
How do you feel when you are confused?
a) Mischievous.
b) Puzzled.
c) Listless.
b) Puzzled.
a) means "naughty"
c) means "apathetic, without energy".
83
And how do you definitely NOT feel when you are proud of something?
a) Ashamed.
b) Overwhelmed.
c) Wary.
a) Ashamed.
b) means "overcome"
c) means "cautious".
84
What must you do when you shake hands in a job interview?
a) Pump the other hand.
b) Shake it firmly.
c) Provide a limp and damp handshake.
b) Shake it firmly.
a) and c) are rather unpleasant!
85
How would you finish a covering letter when you apply for a job?
a) As you can see I'm a most suitable candidate so please give me the job.
b) I look forward to hearing from you in due course.
c) I really need the job so I remain at your disposal.
b) I look forward to hearing from you in due course.
a) is pompous and arrogant
c) would make you sound desperate, which would also cause a negative impression.
86
What is NOT typical contained in the language of marketing?
a) Passives.
b) Compounds.
c) Positive adjectives.
a) Passives.
The language of marketing (brochures, commercials, adverts, etc.) is very direct and imaginative, so passive structures are not common.
87
Which European war was crucial in the history of Canada?
a) The Anglo-Irish War.
b) The Second World War.
c) The Seven Years' War.
c) The Seven Years' War.
The Seven Years' War is the name given to the final phase in the century-long struggle between France and Great Britain for dominance in North America and supremacy in the world.
It is so named as war officially started in 1756, and the peace treaty that resolved it was signed in 1763.
In reality, a state of war had existed in North America since 1754.
The war was of significance as the two great powers fought on land and sea in nearly all parts of the world, invested huge amounts of money, material and men in this conflict, to the point that they both emerged exhausted from it.
The balance of power was tipped irretrievably in Britain's favour and the course of Canadian history was profoundly altered as the Canadians were conquered and annexed to the British Empire.
As such, this war is the central event in Quebec history.
In recognition of this fact, in Canada it is simply called the War of the Conquest.
88
How do you typically ask for advice at the Tourist Information Office?
a) Can you tell me what I have to do?
b) Can you please advice me to make the most?
c) Can you suggest the best options I have?
c) Can you suggest the best options I have?
Option a) is too direct and inappropriate for an advising bureau like the tourist information office.
What they do there rather is advise tourists about different options for hotels, excursions, etc.
Option b) is grammatically incorrect since "to make the most of" cannot be left incomplete (e.g., "...my two-day stay in this town?").
89
How do you express partial agreement?
a) You have half a point.
b) I agree up to a point.
c) OK, I make your point.
b) I agree up to a point.
Option a) is grammatically correct but meaningless in this context (you may hear it, for example, while calculating the score during a game).
c) is rather meaningless.
Option b) is another way of saying: "I agree with you up to a certain point".
90
Which expression would NOT be used to give directions to find an office on the same floor?
a) Walk down that path.
b) Go down the corridor.
c) Turn right past the lift.
a) Walk down that path.
Corridors and lifts are typically found in a storey building.
Paths, on the contrary, are likely to be outdoors (e.g., in a garden or park).
91
How do you express a current routine?
a) I would like to go the gym every day.
b) I use to go to the gym everyday.
c) I like going to the gym every day.
c) I like going to the gym every day.
Option a) is grammatically correct but expresses a wish, not a routine.
The verb "use to" is defective and can only be used in the past to indicate a past habit (I used to go to the gym everyday... but I don't do it anymore / when I was young / etc.).
92
Which celebrations does Canada share with Britain?
a) Thanksgiving.
b) Guy Fawkes night.
c) Boxing Day.
c) Boxing Day.
Canada shares Thanksgiving with the US but Guy Fawkes Night is only British.
All three celebrate Boxing Day.
Boxing Day is traditionally a day following Christmas when wealthy people in the United Kingdom would give a box containing a gift to their servants. Today, Boxing Day is better known as a bank or public holiday that occurs on December 26, or the first or second weekday after Christmas Day, depending on national or regional laws. It is celebrated in the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and some other Commonwealth nations.
93
What is "mirroring"?
a) When a person unconsciously imitates the postures of the person in front of him/her.
b) When a person consciously imitates another one whom s/he admires.
c) When a person rehearses the postures and movements prior to attending and interview.
a) When a person unconsciously imitates the postures of the person in front of him/her.
It's exactly a), not b), and it is not related specifically to interviews.
94
How do you NOT express that a place is spacious?
a. It is roomy.
b. It has a big space.
c. There is plenty of room.
b. It has a big space.
The verb “to have” is much more related to the notion of possession than the Spanish equivalent; you therefore do not say that a place “has” a big or a small space; you’d use the verb to be and say that it is or isn’t spacious.
95
If you want to be able to see the sea from your hotel room, you should ask for:
a. a room with a sea view.
b. a room which looks at the sea.
c. a room which overlooks to the sea.
a. a room with a sea view.
Standard English is far less metaphorical than Spanish. Therefore, rooms neither look nor overlook at/to the sea. The expression is: “—view”: sea view, swimming pool view, garden view, etc.
96
A solution when you can’t afford to buy a car is:
a. to buy it in a gradual procedure.
b. to buy it on instalments.
c. to but one at a time.
b. to buy it on instalments.
a) is completely meaningless. It would sound better to say: “buy something in a gradual way or gradually”.
The term for “comprar a plazos” is “to buy in instalments”.
To buy “one at a time” means to buy sequentially.
97
What does one normally use to make a bed?
a) A sheet or two.
b) White cotton material.
c) Bedding.
c) Bedding.
The generic term to refer to all the elements that are in a bed (sheets, blankets, pillows, etc.) is “bedding”.
98
What does the waiter ask the customers after they’ve been consulting the menu?
a) What do you want to eat?
b) Are you ready to order?
c) Would you like to have something to eat, please?
b) Are you ready to order?
The verb “want” sounds far too direct and blunt.
“Would you like to...” is the formula used for offers and invitations.
The communicative context makes it clear that the customers are in fact going to eat and the waiter’s standard question is the one in b).
99
What type of curtains do you find in many hotels to give you privacy and yet pass all the light?
a) Lace curtains.
b) Parasol curtains.
c) Blinds.
a) Lace curtains.
b) does not exist and c) (persianas) do not let the light pass.
The English equivalent of “visillo” is “lace curtain”.
100
What types of verbs are used for cooking recipes and other instruction texts?
a) Simple present.
b) Passive voice.
c) Imperatives.
c) Imperatives.
The immense majority of verbs in these text types are in the imperative form: “chop, remove, bring to the boil, open, etc.”.
101
How could you also refer to a widely followed tendency (like wearing jeans or going to the beach in the summer)?
a) A heavy fashion
b) A remarkable habit
c) A strong trend
c) A strong trend
“Heavy” and “fashion” do not collocate very well (they do not appear together very often).
It is more common to talk about a strong/widespread fashion/trend, etc.
102
How is the Australian population distributed?
a) It is a very large and highly populated country.
b) Its population is mainly concentrated in a few large cities.
c) Its population is evenly distributed around the coast.
b) Its population is mainly concentrated in a few large cities.
Australia is the 50th most populous country in the world. Its population is concentrated mainly in urban areas and is expected to exceed 28 million by 2030.
103
What is the general misconception about Oceania?
a) People in general think that Australia forms a continent of its own.
b) People think that Oceania is a geological continent including a number of countries like Australia and New Zealand.
c) People think that New Zealand and its neighbouring islands depend on Australia geologically, socioeconomically, etc.
b) People think that Oceania is a geological continent including a number of countries like Australia and New Zealand.
Opinions of what constitutes Oceania range from the islands of the South Pacific to the entire insular region between Asia and the Americas, including Australasia.
The term is sometimes used more specifically to denote a continent comprising Australia and proximate islands, or biogeographically as a synonym for either the Australasian ecozone or the Pacific ecozone.
Many geologists now refer to six continents, where Europe and Asia are combined (since they're one solid geologic landmass).
Thus, these six continents are Africa, Antarctica, Australia, Eurasia, North America, and South America.
Geographers divide the planet into regions, and generally not continents, for ease of study.
Various geographers have various definitions of these world regions.
The “Official Listing of Countries by Region” divides the world into eight regions: Asia, the Middle East and North Africa, Europe, North America, Central America and the Caribbean, South America, Africa, and Australia and Oceania.
104
How many major types of resume (CV) are there?
a) Two: functional and chronological.
b) Three: functional, chronological and a hybrid of the two.
c) There isn’t a real typology. You can write your resume any way you like.
b) Three: functional, chronological and a hybrid of the two.
Although strictly speaking one can write what one likes, at least in private, the fact is that there are three major ways to write resumes.
105
What would you call a “politically correct” way of referring to the worst element in a set?
a) The best.
b) The least good.
c) The not-so-worst.
b) The least good.
a) is the opposite of “worst”
c) is not common (“the not-so-bad X” would be more common).
106
Which of the following is a positive personality feature?
a) reliable
b) bitchy
c) laid-back
a) reliable
A reliable person is someone you can trust because they keep their promise, they are punctual, etc.
A “bitchy” person is nasty and malicious
A “laid-back” person is passive and lacks initiative and will power.
107
What would you say to express that “you can’t be bothered to do something/ you don’t feel like it / you don’t fancy it”?
a) I absolutely don’t want to do it.
b) I refuse to do it.
c) I’m not in the mood.
c) I’m not in the mood.
The sentence that expresses that non-categorical refusal is c).
a) and b) imply that “you don’t want to do it and you’re sure about it”.
108
She is a very interesting academic ...
a) when talking.
b) to talk to.
c) that is talked.
b) to talk to.
a) and c) are grammatically wrong.
Many adjectives are complemented with clauses after “to”: “It is lovely to look at”, “She is hard to convince”, “We are easy to handle”, etc.
Notice in the first example that the preposition must be kept at the end in the case of prepositional verbs.
109
I’m sorry _______; do you have the time on you (what time is it, please)?
a) that I bother you
b) to bother you
c) when I bother you
b) to bother you
a) and c) are grammatically correct but they imply a regular action, i.e., that you regret it every time you bother them.
The cliché expression is b).
110
Which of the following words has a clear rolling /r/ sound?
a) harm
b) horror
c) bored
b) horror
Post-vocal “r” is generally mute in many English accents.
The clearest case for the “r” rolling sound are the two “rr” together in b).
111
How do you express that you are grateful and pleased that someone paid you a visit?
a) I am honoured of your visit, thank you.
b) Thanks for coming.
c) Thanks for being my best guest.
b) Thanks for coming.
a) is wrong because of the presence of the preposition “of”.
c) is very emphatic and not common at all.
In any case, the standard polite formula is b).
112
How do you express the size of a garment?
a) It’s a size ten.
b) It has the size ten.
c) It is a ten-size.
a) It’s a size ten.
The number comes after the word “size” and in this type of expression it is more common to use the verb “to be” than “to have”.
113
How would you check that you understood correctly?
a) Are you trying to tell me that cows are herbivores?
b) Did I understand you correctly when you said that cows are herbivores?
c) Did you mean that cows are herbivores?
b) Did I understand you correctly when you said that cows are herbivores?
“Are you trying to tell me that...” implies great surprise and almost disbelief on the part of the speaker. “Did you mean that...” could be trying to check the other person’s communicative intents.
114
What would you say to encourage someone to contact you if they need it?
a. Would you like to be able to contact me if you need to?
b. Let’s contact me if you need to.
c. Don’t hesitate to contact me if you need to.
c. Don’t hesitate to contact me if you need to.
“Would you like to” is a formula for invitations and offers.
“Let’s” typically involves the speaker so it is not pertinent in this case.
c) is a standard way to encourage your reader/interlocutor to get in touch with you.
115
(a host to a guest):
a. Let me show you to your room.
b. Will I show you towards your room?
c. How would you like me to show you to your room?
a. Let me show you to your room.
b) is a yes-no question about a possible event that might or might not take place in the future
“how would you like me to” is a very cautious introduction to an offer and it indicates that you are unsure of the answer.
In a situation as obvious and straightforward as the one presented in question 2, the most natural option is “Let me...”.
116
How would you express that something was pricey?
a. It cost me incredible expensively!
b. The price was incredibly high!
c. I found it very dear to me.
b. The price was incredibly high!
The verb “to cost” is transitive, so it requires a direct object (such as “a million dollars”).
The preposition to indicate perspective or viewpoint in c) should be “for”, not “to”. b) is correct and adequate.
117
How do you typically refer to a room in a house with things like a TV set, a pool table and video games?
a. Enjoyment room.
b. Recreation room.
c. Relaxness room.
b. Recreation room.
There is typically no justification for lexical choices. “Recreation room” is the usual word to refer to such a place.
Besides, the word “relaxness” does not exist anyway.
118
How would you try to convince someone that they must start exercising more?
a. You should take into account that you’ll feel better.
b. If I would be you, I would at least try it once.
c. You’ll be agree with me that you’d be healthier.
a. You should take into account that you’ll feel better.
For b) to be correct, the first clause should have been “If I were you”.
The verb in the conditional form should only appear in the main clause.
c) is not possible because the verb “estar de acuerdo con alguien en algo” is “to agree with somebody that”, not “to be agree”.
119
How do you NOT call the little thing you put under a glass to protect the surface underneath?
a. a beermat.
b. a coaster.
c. a saucer.
c. a saucer.
A saucer is a little dish placed under a cup, not a glass.
120
How do you express that you already have a reservation on arriving at a restaurant?
a. I have a booked table at 9.00 on the name of Elena Bárcena.
b. I have a table reserved at 9.00 under the name of Elena Bárcena.
c. I have a reserved table from 9.00 onwards for Elena Bárcena.
b. I have a table reserved at 9.00 under the name of Elena Bárcena.
With verbs like “have”, “get”, “make”, “find”, “consider”, and “name”, it is preferable to place the past participle behind the noun (I got my finger stuck; I had my hair done; I consider him a genius).
The expression “a nombre de” is “under the name of”.
121
Which of the following locations is NOT well expressed?
a. That cinema is located in the city centre, right opposite the town hall.
b. That cinema is just a stroll from the Knightsbridge underground stop.
c. That cinema is in front of the Modern Art Museum, at the round corner of the Royal Academy of Arts.
c. That cinema is in front of the Modern Art Museum, at the round corner of the Royal Academy of Arts.
The only ill choice of preposition is “at the round corner of”.
“A la vuelta de la esquina” is “around the corner”.
122
If you hold a rose by the stem, you might prick yourself with the:
a. buds
b. stamen
c. thorns
c. thorns
“Thorn” is the English word for “espina” (as in plants; fish are said to have bones).
123
What is the snout of an animal?
a. The nose (or nares)
b. The mouth.
c. The nose (or nares) and the mouth.
c. The nose (or nares) and the mouth.
The nares are the little holes that many animals have above their mouths to smell, not breath.
The snout refers to the whole protruding part of the face, not just the nose/nares or the mouth.
124
If something was false or untrue, it was:
a. delusional
b. mirrorlike
c. a fake
c. a fake
“Delusional” means “having false or unrealistic beliefs or opinions”.
Mirrorlike means “capable of reflecting the light like a mirror”.
125
What is the American equivalent of a return ticket?
a. a one-way and return ticket.
b. a round ticket.
c. a whole ticket.
b. a round ticket.
The most widespread term is “round ticket”.
126
_____ sustainable tourism, the environment has to be preserved in the short, medium and long term.
a. For there to be
b. If there were
c. Where there was
a. For there to be
b) would require the main clause to have a verb in the conditional form.
c) would render the whole sentence meaningless.
127
How would you indicate that you are fed up of a situation?
a. I’m out of it!
b. I’m sick of it!
c. I’m worn out of it!
b. I’m sick of it!
“To be worn out” means “to be very tired / exhausted”.
However, it is possible to say: “I’m tired of it”, but not “I’m worn out of it”.
“I’m out of it” has many uses, like “I’m out of my mind”, but it is not particularly used to indicate that you’re fed up and you can’t take it any more.
128
_____ at the shop, I realised I didn’t have my purse with me.
a. At arrival
b. On arriving
c. To arrive
b. On arriving
The infinitive cannot be used in this context (it would only be possible to say: “To arrive is worse than to travel”). It is also possible to say “At the arrival at the shop....”, but the article is missing in a).
129
A talk that lasts five minutes is _____.
a. a five-minute talk.
b. a five minutes talk.
c. a talk during five minutes.
a. a five-minute talk.
b) is not possible because nominal modifiers preceded by a numeral always go in the singular and hyphenated.
The preposition in c) is “of”, not “during”.
130
What would you say when you are not fully satisfied with a product and you want your money back?
a. Can you return me my money, please?
b. Can you give me the price of this item back, please?
c. Can I have a refund on this item, please?
c. Can I have a refund on this item, please?
c)
The verb “return” would be possible in the sentence “Can you return my money to me?”.
“Return” does not allow “me” before the direct object.
b) is rather meaningless or at least not well expressed.
131
What would you say to check that your audience is following your argument and is roughly in agreement with it (e.g., in a presentation)?
a. Do you agree with my words?
b. Does this make sense to you?
c. Would you follow me a little further?
b. Does this make sense to you?
a) is used to ask if the interlocutor agrees with the speaker, not to check his/her understanding.
c) is very likely to be used to invite the other person to actually follow the speaker to a different location.
132
What might the chair say at the beginning of a meeting, typically after welcoming the attendees?
a. Let’s get started.
b. We are going to begin.
c. We shall initiate it.
a. Let’s get started.
b) would be plausible as the first part of a longer sentence, for example: “We are going to begin by congratulating our colleagues on their promotion”.
c) sounds most awkward and the use of “shall” makes the whole sentence sound like a promise or a statement of determination.
133
What are you likely to say to deal with the next item in the agenda?
a. You have on your agenda the next element to deal.
b. We are going to cover a following topic.
c. Let’s move on to the next point.
c. Let’s move on to the next point.
a) is wrong in two ways: “on your agenda” should go after the direct object or right at the beginning of the sentence, and “deal” is a prepositional verb which needs to be followed by “with”.
Hence, it would have been plausible to say: “You have the next element to deal with on your agenda”.
b) is not fully correct because of the use of the indeterminate article, instead of “the”.
134
Which of the following words contains a different vowel sound?
a) moon
b) put
c) food
d) lose
b) put
135
Which of the following words contains a different vowel sound?
a) foot
b) blood
c) took
d) bush
d) bush
(es una 'u' corta)
136
Which of the following words contains a different vowel sound in the British variant?
a) purse
b) bird
c) shirt
d) clerk
d) clerk
(in UK it sounds with 'a' clark)
137
Which of the following words contains a different vowel sound?
a) pork
b) door
c) word
d) court
c) word
(werd)
138
Which of the following words contains a different vowel sound?
a) lord
b) ghost
c) tall
d) talk
b) ghost
139
Which of the following words contains a different vowel sound:
a) pot
b) walk
c) shot
d) what
b) walk
140
Which of the following words contains a different vowel sound?
a) silk
b) ship
c) shirt
d) trick
c) shirt
140
Which of the following words contains a different vowel sound?
a) meat
b) seed
c) reach
d) rich
d) rich
141
Which of the following words contains a different vowel sound?
a) heart
b) head
c) ten
d) read (past tense)
a) heart
142
Which of the following words contains a different vowel sound?
a) son
b) cut
c) flood
d) lurk
d) lurk
143
Which of the following expressions is closest in meaning to “pace”?
a. speed
b. need
c. length
d. weight
a. speed
144
Which of the following expressions is closest in meaning to “highways”?
a. paths
b. roads
c. tolls
d. trails
b. roads
145
Which of the following expressions is closest in meaning to “trend”?
a. illusion
b. model
c. tendency
d. track
c. tendency
146
Choose the correct sentence:
a. This is such a bored journey!
b. The journey is quite bored!
c. This is such a boring journey!
d. This is quite a bored journey!
c. This is such a boring journey!
147
Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:
- The toilet _______________ a horrible smell.
a. gives up
b. gives off
c. gives out
d. gives in
b. gives off
The toilet gives off a horrible smell.
148
Choose the best option in the passive voice for the following sentence:
- They are going to inaugurate the new museum next week.
a. Next week there is going to be a new museum.
b. The new museum will be ready next week.
c. They will inaugurate the new museum.
d. The new museum is going to be inaugurated next week.
d. The new museum is going to be inaugurated next week.
149
Choose the word or expression that is NOT related to campsites:
a. common facilities
b. caravan park
c. flurry
d. motor-home
c. flurry
'a sudden light fall of snow, blown in different directions by the wind'
150
Choose the correct option in these conditional sentences:
a. If I wouldn’t be so scared of heights, I would have been a flight attendant.
b. If I hadn’t been so scared of heights, I would have a flight attendant.
c. If I weren’t so scared of heights, I would be a flight attendant.
d. If I hadn’t been so scared of heights, I would flight attendant.
c. If I weren’t so scared of heights, I would be a flight attendant.
151
Which of these words belongs to the American English variant?
a. antenna
b. lift
c. biscuit
d. petrol
a. antenna
152
Which is the most polite way to make a request?
a. Write a new report.
b. Give me a new report, please.
c. May I have a new report, please?
d. We need a new report.
c. May I have a new report, please?
153
Which of these expressions shows a positive reaction?
a. Leave me alone!
b. I don’t fancy doing anything.
c. I’m going for it!
d. I don’t give a damn.
c. I’m going for it!
154
Choose the correct option:
- Come to the cafeteria at one and we can talk _____________ we’re eating lunch.
a. until
b. while
c. now
d. before
b. while
Come to the cafeteria at one and we can talk while we’re eating lunch
155
Which of the following words is closest in meaning to “sneak into”?
a. access furtively
b. march in
c. look into
d. change into
a. access furtively
156
Which of the following words is closest in meaning to “row”?
a. set of doors
b. sitting zone
c. set of windows
d. line of seats
d. line of seats
157
Which of the following phrases is closest in meaning to “peak season”?
a. the cheapest time
b. the best time
c. the most active period
d. the hardest period
c. the most active period
158
Choose the correct sentence:
a. The business plan offers interesting opportunities.
b. The business plan has opportunities interesting.
c. This is an interested business plan.
d. The opportunities offer interested business.
a. The business plan offers interesting opportunities.
159
Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:
- Can you ____________ these photocopies? One for each, please.
a. give up
b. give off
c. give out
d. give in
c. give out
Can you give out these photocopies? One for each, please.
160
Choose the best option in the passive voice for the following sentence:
- They will make flying cars in the future.
a. In the future cars will fly.
b. Cars will be flying in the future.
c. Cars will be made flying in the future.
d. Flying cars will be made in the future
d. Flying cars will be made in the future
161
Which of these areas of the airport will you go to if you have to take a connecting flight?
a. check out desk
b. transit lounge
c. VIP lounge
d. security check
b. transit lounge
162
The door __________ in this hotel room is quite unusual.
a. roll
b. root
c. sheet
d. handle
d. handle
The door handle in this hotel room is quite unusual.
163
Which of these actions shows good table manners in Western cultures?
a. Picking your nose.
b. Eating with your mouth closed.
c. Burping.
d. Scratching your face
b. Eating with your mouth closed.
164
Choose the correct option in these conditional sentences:
a. If I had been your boss, I gave you a pay rise.
b. If I were your boss, I would give you a pay rise.
c. If I were your boss, I given you a pay rise.
d. If I would be your boss, I gave you a pay rise.
b. If I were your boss, I would give you a pay rise.
165
Choose the correct word to complete the sentence:
- She has worked very _________ to get that promotion.
a. hardly
b. hard
c. strongly
d. strong
b. hard
She has worked very hard to get that promotion.
166
Choose the correct option:
- Hurry up! Everyone is already ____ the bus.
a. on
b. in
c. at
d. to
a. on
Hurry up! Everyone is already on the bus.
167
Read the following text and answer the questions below:
On 17 October 2006, at about 9am, I had a near-death experience in a car crash. I was 44 km north of Arusha driving my Land Rover Discovery to Nairobi to collect a visa from the British Embassy to get married in the UK.
According to the text, the writer...
a. almost died in an accident.
b. had picked up his visa that day.
c. was about to get married in Nairobi.
d. was in Arusha when he had the accident.
a. almost died in an accident.
168
Read the following text and answer the questions below:
I was in Tanzania, on the downward slope of Mount Meru. While overtaking a truck, with my lights on and after honking, I got pushed to the right side of the road, nearly off the road, by a bad or malicious truck driver.
According to the text, how did the accident take place?
a. Because of an overtaking manoeuvre.
b. Because the honking scared the truck driver.
c. Because a truck driver accidentally took him off the road.
d. Because the truck driver was probably drunk.
a. Because of an overtaking manoeuvre.
169
3. Read the following text and answer the questions below:
The right edge of the road was broken and missing, and as a result, I burst the right tire, then skidded to the left side of the road, burst my two left tires, then skidded back to the right side, went off the road to the right side, and rolled 2.5 times. The car ended up upside down, facing away from and perpendicular to the road. I never saw the truck’s registration.
According to the text, the writer...
a. had one tire broken.
b. had two tires exploded.
c. had three tires ruined.
d. had all tires destroyed.
c. had three tires ruined.
170
4. Read the following text and answer the questions below:
I had one passenger, a legal defence assistant for Bagosora, who broke her collarbone. We got bashed around in rolling over, but luckily no life-threatening injuries. We climbed out the windows of the wreck. About ten minutes later, tourists on safari passed by and called the police for us. A shuttle bus took my passenger to Nairobi, and she flew onward to Qatar and London the same day in pain.
According to the text, the passenger ...
a. stayed in Nairobi for a few days.
b. was not really injured in the car accident.
c. was still hurt when she got back to London.
d. broke several bones.
c. was still hurt when she got back to London.
171
Read the following text and answer the questions below:
The truck driver heard my honking, saw us skid, burst tires, crash, and roll in front of him, but he fled. This makes me think his pushing me was malicious. I waited 6 hours for the UN tow truck to come. I was chatting with the Masai goatherds, who really just wanted to make jewellery out of my broken metal scraphead. I’m attaching a photo of the wreck once turned over.
According to the text, the truck driver...
a. was surely kind.
b. may have caused the accident on purpose.
c. came back 6 hours later to help.
d. took a photo of the car after the accident.
b. may have caused the accident on purpose.
172
Which of the following words/expressions is closest in meaning to “collect” in the text?
On 17 October 2006, at about 9am, I had a near-death experience in a car crash. I was 44km north of Arusha driving my Land Rover Discovery to Nairobi to collect a visa from the Bristish Embassy to get married in the UK.
a. pick up
b. stock
c. dispense
d. recover
a. pick up
173
Which of the following words/expressions is closest in meaning to “overtaking” in the text?
I was in Tanzania, on the downward slope of Mount Meru. While overtaking a truck, with my lights on and after honking, I got pushed to the right side of the road, nearly off the road, by a bad or malicious truck driver.
a. hitting
b. losing
c. falling behind
d. getting passed
d. getting passed
174
Which of the following words/expressions is closest in meaning to “edge” in the text?
The right edge of the road was broken and missing, and as a result, I burst the right tire, then skidded to the left side of the road, burst my two left tires, then skidded back to the right side, went off the road to the right side, and rolled 2.5 times.
a. shape
b. margin
c. surrounding
d. core
b. margin
175
Which of the following words/expressions is closest in meaning to “injuries” in the text?
I had one passenger, a legal defence assistant for Bagosora, who broke her collarbone. We got bashed around in rolling over, but luckily no life-threatening injuries. We climbed out the windows of the wreck. About ten minutes later, tourists on safari passed by and called the police for us. A shuttle bus took my passenger to Nairobi, and she flew onward to Qatar and London the same day in pain.
a. blessings
b. damages
c. spots
d. shocks
b. damages
176
Which of the following words/expressions is closest in meaning to “fled” in the text?
The truck drive heard my honking, saw us skid, burst tires, crash, and roll in front of him, but he fled. This makes me think his pushing me was malicious. I waited 6 hours for the UN tow truck to come. I was chatting with the Masai goatherds, who really just wanted to make jewellery out of my broken metal scraphead. I’m attaching a photo
of the wreck once turned over.
a. ran away
b. stayed
c. jumped
d. took the exit
a. ran away
177
What is the most accurate expression to ask about someone’s job:
a. What are you doing?
b. What do you do?
c. What do you work?
d. What do you live of?
b. What do you do?
178
Choose the correct Saxon Genitive form.
a. This is the James’ car.
b. This is James’ car.
c. This is James car.
d. This is car’s James
b. This is James’ car.
179
Choose the expression which shows gratitude.
a. I’m truly grateful for your help.
b. Sorry, it was not my intention.
c. I’m truly puzzled by your behaviour.
d. My apologies!
a. I’m truly grateful for your help.
180
Choose the correct form of order of adjectives in the sentence below:
a. I bought a new fancy black leather jacket.
b. I bought a fancy new leather black jacket.
c. I bought a new fancy leather black jacket.
d. I bought a fancy new black leather jacket.
d. I bought a fancy new black leather jacket.
181
Paris is __ Madrid.
a. much large than
b. larger that
c. more large than
d. larger than
d. larger than
Paris is larger than Madrid.
182
Read the following text and answer the questions below:
Lately, I’ve been extra busy. It seems like school started ages ago, but it is only October. We are just a week away from October 31st, one of the kids’ favourite days. Halloween! I love helping them get their costumes together but it is really a lot of work. We never buy pre-made costumes.
According to the text, the writer...
a. isn’t happy about designing costumes.
b. feels school has been going on and on for a long time.
c. states Halloween is one of her favourite days.
d. likes helping with costumes because it is reasonable work.
b. feels school has been going on and on for a long time.
183
Read the following text and answer the questions below:
Last year my mum made John a werewolf costume from head to toe! She really did a great job. This year Sally decided she wanted to be a chicken and John wants to be a farmer. It should be great fun! They are going to go trick or treating with her friends from the neighbourhood and three of their cousins are coming too. They usually go in little groups around 5:00 and 6:00 at night, knocking on neighbours’ doors asking for candy.
According to the text, the writer...
a. says the kids will wear costumes, but they won’t play trick and treat.
b. affirms her mum made the kids human-related costumes for the present year.
c. states this year is expected to be crowded.
d. suggests the kids visit their neighbours to get treats.
d. suggests the kids visit their neighbours to get treats.
184
Read the following text and answer the questions below:
After Halloween is over I need to start preparing for Thanksgiving. This year we are going to celebrate Thanksgiving at our house with my wife’s family. That includes her two sisters and their families, her brothers, her parents, and two of her cousins who live in our town. Luckily everybody helps out, if not I don’t think I’d be able to do it all
myself! Well, and honestly, we mostly just celebrate Thanksgiving because it is a tradition here in the States.
According to the text, the writer...
a. is going to celebrate Thanksgiving abroad.
b. is planning to host the Thanksgiving celebration.
c. feels worried because of how much work preparing Thanksgiving alone is going to be.
d. suggests that Thanksgiving is only celebrated in the US depending on the family.
b. is planning to host the Thanksgiving celebration.
185
Read the following text and answer the questions below:
Thanksgiving commemorates the Pilgrims, the first Europeans who settled here. They had a hard time when they arrived and they met some Native Americans, or Indians, and the Indians showed them what to hunt and how to plant and which vegetables. They
were so thankful for the Indians’ help at the end of the year that they decided to celebrate a big feast, and that is where the tradition came from.
According to the text, the writer...
a. explains the first Europeans who made a home in the US were helped by the Pilgrims.
b. suggests the Pilgrims helped Native Americans plant and hunt.
c. explains Thanksgiving commemorates the Pilgrims were helped by Native Americans.
d. suggests Native Americans made the Pilgrims have a hard time.
c. explains Thanksgiving commemorates the Pilgrims were helped by Native Americans.
186
Read the following text and answer the questions below:
Nowadays we remember Thanksgiving but most people just see it as a traditional time to come together with friends of family to eat a lot of food and just be together. We usually have roast ham and/or turkey with vegetables, mashed potatoes, bread, cranberry sauce, gravy, and salad... and the list goes on. It is also typical to have pie for dessert, pumpkin pie, pecan pie, or apple pie, whatever kind of how many you want. I must admit that it is quite delicious but it is a lot of work, but it’s worth it.
According to the text, the writer...
a. suggests if you have pecan pie, you won’t have pumpkin pie.
b. implies the list of food eaten is quite varied.
c. supports the idea that everybody still remembers the origins of Thanksgiving.
d. means that even though the food is really nice, she is not happy with the amount of work to cook.
b. implies the list of food eaten is quite varied.
187
Which of the following words/expressions is closest in meaning to “extra busy” in the text?
Lately, I’ve been extra busy. It seems like school started ages ago, but it is only October. We are just a week away from October 31st, one of the kids’ favourite days. Halloween! I love helping them get their costumes together but it is really a lot of work. We never buy pre-made costumes.
a. occupied
b. unavailable
c. idle
d. overloaded
d. overloaded
188
Which of the following words/expressions is closest in meaning to “costume” in the text?
Last year my mum made John a werewolf costume from head to toe! She really did a great job. This year Sally decided she wanted to be a chicken and John wants to be a farmer. It should be great fun! They are going to go trick or treating with her friends from the neighbourhood and three of their cousins are coming too. They usually go in little groups around 5:00 and 6:00 at night, knocking on neighbours’ doors asking for candy.
a. suit
b. custom
c. habit
d. top
a. suit
189
Which of the following words/expressions is closest in meaning to “celebrate” in the text?
After Halloween is over I need to start preparing for Thanksgiving. This year we are going to celebrate Thanksgiving at our house with my wife’s family. That includes her two sisters and their families, her brothers, her parents, and two of her cousins who live in our town. Luckily everybody helps out, if not I don’t think I’d be able to do it all
myself! Well, and honestly, we mostly just celebrate Thanksgiving because it is a tradition here in the States.
a. immortalise
b. go partying
c. commemorate
d. disregard
c. commemorate
190
Which of the following words/expressions is closest in meaning to “Pilgrims” in the text?
Thanksgiving commemorates the Pilgrims, the first Europeans who settled here. They had a hard time when they arrived and they met some Native Americans, or Indians, and the Indians showed them what to hunt and how to plant and which vegetables. They were so thankful for the Indians’ help at the end of the year that they decided to celebrate a big feast, and that is where the tradition came from.
a. people who go trekking
b. settlers
c. invaders
d. vagabonds
b. settlers
191
Which of the following words/expressions is closest in meaning to “mashed” in the text?
Nowadays we remember Thanksgiving but most people just see it as a traditional time to come together with friends of family to eat a lot of food and just be together. We usually have roast ham and/or turkey with vegetables, mashed potatoes, bread, cranberry sauce, gravy, and salad... and the list goes on. It is also typical to have pie for desert, pumpkin pie, pecan pie, or apple pie, whatever kind of how many you want. I must admit that it is quite delicious but it is a lot of work, but it’s worth it.
a. crashed
b. damaged
c. smashed
d. pureed
d. pureed
192
What is the CORRECT form of expressing an apology from the options below?
a. I’m awful sorry by the delay of your flight.
b. I ask you for forgive for the delay of your flight.
c. Please receive my apologies by the delay of your flight.
d. I’d like to express my most sincere apologies for the delay of your flight.
d. I’d like to express my most sincere apologies for the delay of your flight.
193
Shall we meet __ the restaurant?
a. on
b. at
c. to
d. for
b. at
Shall we meet at the restaurant?
194
Choose the best option to express cause in the following sentence:
I’ll move to a bigger city _____ I don’t seem to get a job around here.
a. provided
b. since
c. because of
d. due to
b. since
I’ll move to a bigger city since I don’t seem to get a job around here.
195
Select the sentence that indicates lack of equality correctly from the options below:
a. That package holiday is not as expensive than the one from the other website.
b. That package holiday is not so expensive than the one from the other website.
c. That package holiday is not as expensive like the one from the other website.
d. That package holiday is not so expensive as the one from the other website.
d. That package holiday is not so expensive as the one from the other website.
196
I think you write formal letters ___ me.
a. carefully than
b. more careful than
c. more carefully than
d. much careful than
c. more carefully than
I think you write formal letters more carefully than me.
197
Choose the most formal request:
a. I want to read your newspaper.
b. Give me your newspaper.
c. May I read your newspaper?
d. Why don’t you give me your newspaper?
c. May I read your newspaper?
198
Complete the sentence with the correct verb:
The competition was so demanding that I finally had to _________; it was too much for me.
a. give into
b. give up
c. give off
d. give out
b. give up
The competition was so demanding that I finally had to give up; it was too much for me.
199
How would the following sentence be transformed into a passive form?
We must consider all the details before making a decision.
a. Before making a decision must be considered all the details.
b. All the details must be considered before making a decision.
c. Making a decision must be considered before all the details.
d. They must be considered all the details before making a decision.
b. All the details must be considered before making a decision.
200
Australia...
a. is a continent with more than one country.
b. is a country and a continent.
c. includes the countries of Australia and New Zealand.
d. is only a country but not a continent.
b. is a country and a continent.
201
Choose the LEAST polite request.
a. Can you repeat it please?
b. Repeat it, pal!
c. Will you repeat it?
d. Please repeat it!
b. Repeat it, pal!
202
What is the communicative function of the following sentence?
Are you trying to say that you know better?
a. Offer
b. Request
c. Telling off
d. Invitation
c. Telling off
203
Choose the correct sentence:
a. Either me or you is invited to the party.
b. Neither I nor you are invited to the party.
c. Either me nor you is invited to the party.
d. Neither I nor you aren’t invited to the party.
b. Neither I nor you are invited to the party.
204
Which of these sentences in reported speech is correct?
a. She promised us that she will explained the report the day after.
b. She promised to us that she could explain the report tomorrow.
c. She promised us she would explain the report the following day.
d. She promised to me that she will explain the report one day later.
c. She promised us she would explain the report the following day.
205
Choose the correct conditional sentence to refer to a scientific phenomenon.
a. Water will boil if you put it at 100ºC.
b. If you put water at 100ºC, it could boil.
c. Water boiled if you put it at 100ºC.
d. Water boils if you put it at 100ºC.
d. Water boils if you put it at 100ºC.
206
What is/are the capital(s) of South Africa?
a. Cape Town
b. Cape Town and Pretoria.
c. Cape Town, Pretoria and Bloemfontein.
c. Cape Town, Pretoria and Bloemfontein.
Pretoria is the administrative capital.
Cape Town, as the seat of Parliament, is the legislative capital. Bloemfontein has traditionally been regarded as the judicial capital.
The Constitutional Court, the country's highest court, is located in Johannesburg.
207
How many official European languages are there in South Africa?
a. Currently none.
b. Two: South African English and Bantu.
c. Two: South African English and Afrikaans.
c. Two: South African English and Afrikaans.
South Africa is known for its diversity in cultures and languages. Eleven official languages are recognised in the constitution.
Two of these languages are of European origin: Afrikaans, a language which originated mainly from Dutch that is spoken by the majority of white and coloured South Africans, and South African English.
208
How did India become a British colony?
a. The British had commercial interests in India, so it had trading posts and then made the most of internal conflicts to establish a colony.
b. By entering a ten-year war which lasted from 1846 till 1856.
c. The Indians asked the British to abolish the inefficient Indian National Congress.
a. The British had commercial interests in India, so it had trading posts and then made the most of internal conflicts to establish a colony.
209
What do you say when you hand something (money, an object, etc.) to someone?
a. This is it.
b. Here you are.
c. There you have.
210
What do people in Europe do to express disapproval?
a. nod and clap.
b. shrug the shoulders.
c. shake the head from left to right.
c. shake the head from left to right.
211
How do you feel after going on a rollercoaster?
a. dizzy
b. listless
c. overwhelmed
a. dizzy
212
Which of the following words is of Greek origin?
a. Delicatessen
b. Psychology
c. Yashmak
b. Psychology
213
Which initial sound is different to that in “giraffe”?
a. gorgeous
b. gentle
c. gill
c. gill
214
What punctuation mark is used in English letters after the opening and closing salutation?
a. full stop
b. none
c. comma
c. comma
215
In a formal letter, where do you include the name, title and address of the person (and the company) you are writing to?
a. On the upper right hand corner of the page.
b. On the upper left hand corner of the page.
c. On the top middle of the page.
216
Come _____, hurry _____ or we’ll be late!
a.on–up
b.in–on
c.out–off
a.on–up
Come on, hurry up or we’ll be late!
217
What do you typically express when you shrug your nose and show your teeth?
a. fear
b. disgust
c. disappointment
b. disgust
218
Which of the following Spanish words is NOT the same in English?
a. sombrero
b. patio
c. Sevilla
a. sombrero
219
What is the meaning of “A leopard cannot change its spots”?
a. We all look physically like our parents (animals and people).
b. It is very hard for people to change the way they are.
c. It is easy for others to tell what type of animal/person we are, no matter how hard we try to hide it.
b. It is very hard for people to change the way they are.
220
As deaf as a _____.
a. donkey
b. post
c. cucumber
b. post
221
Which of the following features is NOT desirable in a leader?
a. down to earth
b. cunning
c. self conscious
b. cunning
222
“I’ll leave in two hours’ time”. He said he was leaving ______
a. two hours after
b. two hours later
c. in two hours
b. two hours later
223
How long was the training course?
a. It was two hours.
b. It took about two hours.
c. It was a two-hours course.
b. It took about two hours.
224
What are you likely to say when you are grateful?
a. I think you are great.
b. That’s very kind of you.
c. I thanks you very much.
b. That’s very kind of you.
225
What do you say at the counter when you do not want to use a credit card?
a. I’ll pay with bank notes and coins, please.
b. I hate credit cards.
c. I’ll pay in cash.
c. I’ll pay in cash.
