1.
There was ______ anger in his voice that I had to hang up.
Correct Answer
D. So much
Explanation
Pattern: so + adjective ...... that. E.g. I'm so happy that I could kiss you.
2.
- All I had to do to convince Janet, it turned out, ____ talk to her mother.
Correct Answer
A. Was to
Explanation
'All I had to do' is the subject of the sentence + verb 'to be' in the past: 'was'
3.
Correct Answer
C. How come
Explanation
'How come' = How is it that
4.
- It seemed ____ been snowing, but we knew it was only some white dust that had covered the whole town.
Correct Answer
D. As if it had
Explanation
as if ... = in the same way that would be if... and Past Perfect Continuous (had been + ING)
5.
- The confusion ______ the discovery of the body made everybody lose track of time.
Correct Answer
D. Caused by
Explanation
The confusion (that had been) caused by the discovery.... The words in brackets have been omitted: this is called 'ellipsis'.
6.
- ____ I hadn't been expecting any visitors, I was wearing pyjamas when the doorbell rang.
Correct Answer
D. Since
Explanation
since = because
7.
- I don't regard her _____ a threat to my marriage.
Correct Answer
C. As being
Explanation
regard somebody AS something
8.
- I've broken Mum's favourite vase. I'm ______ .
Correct Answer
D. Done for
Explanation
be done for = be about to die/ be finished
9.
- When I asked him ______ the keys , Bob said he had no idea where they were.
Correct Answer
B. If he had seen
Explanation
Use IF+affirmative word order in reported speech to introduce a yes/no question.
10.
She was _____ hang up when I answered the phone.
Correct Answer
B. About to
Explanation
be about + infinitive = be going to (very soon)
11.
Prices are too high and they will remain _____ until inflation comes down.
Correct Answer
A. So
Explanation
Use 'so' to avoid repeating an adjective or an adverb.
12.
Your husband was a bit out of control at the party, to ____ mildly.
Correct Answer
A. Put it
Explanation
put something mildly = understate something to sound polite
13.
- Please, let me know why _______ the meeting.
Correct Answer
A. You didn't attend
Explanation
It's not a question- affirmative word order is used.
14.
- Do you sell apples ___ the kilo?
Correct Answer
D. By
Explanation
by = in the amount of
15.
- She always gets away with _______ . The boss loves her.
Correct Answer
D. Being late
Explanation
Use ING ending after prepositions.
16.
- Have you met Julie? She is a friend of ______.
Correct Answer
C. My mother's
Explanation
use 'a' friend of + possessive
17.
- I'm anxious _____ to get home in time to meet his granddad.
Correct Answer
B. For him
Explanation
The subject of the infinitive may be introduced by 'for'.
18.
- If it ______ , they would have divorced by now.
Correct Answer
B. Weren't for the house
Explanation
Mixed Conditional: If + Past (refers to the present) + would have+past participle (refers to the past)
19.
_____ a large number of people in my life who have always done their utmost to help me achieve my goals.
Correct Answer
D. There have been
Explanation
'There is/are' structure used in the Present Perfect = 'there has/have been'
20.
- Thanks for having me! I've had _____ with you guys.
Correct Answer
B. Such fun
Explanation
Use 'such' + nouns and 'so' + adjectives.
21.
- Charlie doesn't ____ to grasp that next year's budget may have to be cut.
Correct Answer
D. Seem
Explanation
can't/don't seem to + verb = it seems that they don't/can't do something
22.
- Their business hasn't taken off as expected, ___ , they are happy that the number of their customers is increasing.
Correct Answer
C. Nonetheless
Explanation
nonetheless = despite that, however
23.
- What does global warming have ____ overpopulation?
Correct Answer
B. To do with
Explanation
have to do with = be involved/ be connected with
24.
- The problem with this product is that the designers ______ .
Correct Answer
B. Haven't considered the users
Explanation
Present Perfect = have + past participle
25.
- They had the luck to be present when history _____ .
Correct Answer
B. Was being made
Explanation
Past Continuous Passive = was/were being + past participle
26.
Your shirt is dirty, I don't think it will _____ for the wedding.
Correct Answer
C. Do
Explanation
it will do = it will be satisfactory
27.
- _______ she meets, they take an instant liking to her.
Correct Answer
B. Whoever
Explanation
'Whoever' means 'any/every person'.
28.
- Do you know how long _____ going to stay in Italy?
Correct Answer
C. Jack and Suzy are
Explanation
Use affirmative word order after the question 'do you know?'.
29.
- We _____ regret that our presentation has been cancelled.
Correct Answer
C. Much
Explanation
In formal English 'much' can be used without 'very'.
30.
- I had to admit _____ completely forgotten our wedding anniversary.
Correct Answer
A. To having
Explanation
admit to + gerund (ING)
31.
I went to St Mary's Elementary School, ____ all my friends.
Correct Answer
B. As did
Explanation
Formal style = as + inverted word order (to express similarity)
32.
- I was wondering ____________ me some money.
Correct Answer
D. If you could lend
Explanation
It's a yes/no choice, the linking word has to be IF. It's a request, so 'could' should be used.
33.
- If anybody wants to talk to me, tell ____ to call back later.
Correct Answer
D. Them
Explanation
Use they/their/them to refer to a singular indefinite person.
34.
Avoid ____ questions that are too personal in a job interview.
Correct Answer
D. Answering
Explanation
Verb pattern: avoid + ING