Grade 9 English Grammar Quiz: Test Your Language Skills

The given correct answer is "Do you believe." This is because the question is asking about the person's belief in magic, and the correct way to phrase this question is by using the present simple tense, which is "Do you believe." This form is used to ask about general beliefs or opinions.

Traveling to a foreign country has both positive and negative aspects. This means that there are advantages and disadvantages to traveling to a foreign country. It implies that there are positive aspects such as experiencing new cultures, trying different cuisines, and exploring new places, but there are also negative aspects such as language barriers, cultural differences, and potential safety concerns.

Certain gas emissions negatively affect the ozone layer. The ozone layer is a protective layer in the Earth's atmosphere that absorbs most of the sun's ultraviolet radiation. When certain gasses, such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), are released into the atmosphere, they can break down ozone molecules, leading to a thinning of the ozone layer. This thinning allows more ultraviolet radiation to reach the Earth's surface, which can have harmful effects on human health and the environment.

The regret expressed about buying shoes is best conveyed with "bought" because the action of buying caused immediate discomfort. The past simple tense indicates a completed action, and the regret shows that the speaker wishes they had made a different choice at the moment of purchase. "Didn’t buy" and "tried on" imply an action they didn’t take or something that was temporary. "Have worn" refers to a longer period of time rather than a single instance of regret. "Bought" precisely identifies the key action causing the regret, fitting the context perfectly.

Both Tim and John were responsible for closing the shop, as the correct answer is "They both were." This suggests a shared responsibility between them, and it’s logical that the task might require two people depending on the shop’s size or procedures. If only Tim or John were responsible, the other answers ("Tim" or "John") would suffice, but the phrase "both" clarifies that it was a joint effort. "Neither" would imply neglect or no action, which isn’t the case here, making "They both were" the most fitting response.

The word "complement" means something that completes or enhances something else. In the context of the sentence, the red scarf enhances the outfit, making it look more complete and stylish. The other options use "complement" incorrectly, highlighting the importance of understanding the subtle differences in meaning between similar-sounding words.

By the time the sun sets, the work "will have finished" is the correct future perfect tense, indicating that the work will be completed before a specified future event (the sunset). This tense is used to show that an action will be completed at some point in the future. "Are finishing" implies the work is currently in progress, while "have finished" and "finish" are incorrect because they imply the action has already happened, not something that will conclude before sunset. The future perfect tense fits best, given the future deadline provided by the sunset.

The correct answer is "had not eaten." This is because the phrase "had not eaten" is in the past perfect tense, indicating that the action of not eating the second piece of cake occurred before the stomach ache. This suggests that if the person had not eaten the second piece of cake, they might not have had a stomach ache.

The correct answer is "not only did she make". This answer is grammatically correct and conveys the meaning that the person not only made a donation but also founded an organization for the homeless. The phrase "not only" is used to emphasize that there was an additional action or accomplishment.

"I look forward to seeing you soon" expresses anticipation. The phrase "to seeing" is the correct gerund form, indicating the expectation of a future meeting. It conveys a friendly sentiment, implying eagerness and a positive outlook towards the prospect of seeing the person soon.

Even though he was tired, he still "went to the gym" indicates a strong commitment. The other options, like "cooked dinner" or "called his friend," are plausible actions, but none demonstrate the physical exertion that contrasts with tiredness as clearly as going to the gym does. Staying home wouldn’t align with the idea of doing something despite being tired. The act of going to the gym requires motivation and effort, especially when fatigued, making it a stronger choice for explaining determination against tiredness than the other, less strenuous alternatives.

The verb "to lie" (to recline) is often confused with "to lay" (to place). The correct past participle of "to lie" is "lain," as used in option c). The other options incorrectly use "lay" or "laid," which are forms of the verb "to lay."

Sarah didn’t attend the meeting because she hadn’t been told about it. The phrase "hadn't been told" uses the past perfect tense, which is appropriate because her not receiving the information happened before the meeting. This is crucial to understanding the timeline: if Sarah had been informed earlier, she might have attended. The other options fail to fit logically. "She forgot" implies she knew about it, while "wasn’t invited" and "couldn’t make it" suggest intentional absence. "Hadn’t been told" pinpoints the lack of awareness, making it the most precise answer based on the context and timing.