A2 Unit 5 Grammar Test

The correct plural form of "mouse" is "mice." This word is an example of an irregular noun in English, where the standard "-s" or "-es" ending for plurals does not apply. Instead, the word changes form completely to represent more than one. Such irregular forms are common in English and often stem from Old English roots, which is why they don't follow modern pluralization rules. Knowing these irregular forms is crucial for correct English usage, especially in writing and formal communication.

"She is watching TV" uses the present continuous tense, which is formed with the present tense of the verb "to be" (is/am/are) followed by the "-ing" form of the main verb. This tense is used to describe actions that are happening at the moment of speaking. It emphasizes the ongoing nature of an action, making it clear that the action is unfinished. This tense is particularly useful in conversational English for discussing current activities.

The correct past form of "go" is "went." This verb is irregular, which means it does not follow the standard "-ed" ending that regular verbs use in their past forms. Instead, "went" is derived from the Old English verb "wendan," which means to turn or to go. The use of irregular verbs like "go" requires memorization, as they do not conform to usual conjugation patterns, making them a frequent subject of study in English language learning.

In the sentence "She ___ to school," the correct verb form to use is "goes," reflecting the simple present tense for third-person singular subjects. The verb "go" changes to "goes" to agree with the singular subject "she." This form is used to describe habitual or regular actions, highlighting routines or general truths. Verb conjugation in the present tense is fundamental for clear and grammatically correct English communication.

In the phrase "We arrived ___ night," the correct preposition to use is "at." Prepositions are words that link nouns, pronouns, or phrases to other parts of the sentence and are crucial for indicating relationships of time, place, direction, or introducing objects. "At" is typically used with clock times, festivals, and phrases involving parts of the day, including "at night," indicating a specific, yet indefinite, point in time.

In the sentence "I like tea ___ she prefers coffee," the conjunction "but" correctly fills the blank. Conjunctions are words that connect clauses, sentences, words, or phrases, and "but" is used to introduce a contrast or exception. It effectively highlights differences in preference or opinion, which is a key aspect of constructing sentences that present comparative or contrasting ideas.

The superlative form of "big" is "biggest." Superlative adjectives are used to describe an object that is at the upper or lower limit of quality compared to others in a group of three or more. They are formed by adding "-est" to the end of the adjective or placing "most" before it if the adjective is longer. For the adjective "big," it also involves doubling the final consonant before adding "-est," which follows a common rule in English spelling that applies to short, single-syllable adjectives.

The negative form of "She has a cat" is "She doesn't have a cat." Forming negative sentences in English typically involves the auxiliary verb "do" (does for third-person singular) plus "not," followed by the base form of the main verb. This structure is vital for expressing negation in present simple tense statements, and mastering it is essential for accurate and varied English communication.

The pronoun "it" correctly replaces "the book" in "I have read ___." Pronouns are used to avoid repetition of nouns, and "it" is a singular, neuter pronoun suitable for referring to objects or things. Using pronouns correctly is fundamental for maintaining coherence and avoiding redundancy in both spoken and written English, facilitating smoother and more engaging communication.

In the phrase "I can swim," "can" expresses ability. It is a modal verb that is used to indicate someone's capacity or power to do something. Modal verbs are auxiliary verbs that provide additional information about the function of the main verb that follows it. In this case, "can" helps describe a personal skill or capability, which is crucial in expressing competencies in various contexts, from casual conversations to professional environments.