1.
I can hardly ..............the difference between a mule and a donkey.
Correct Answer
D. Tell
Explanation
The word "tell" is the correct answer because it means to perceive or recognize the difference between two things. In this context, it suggests that the speaker is unable to perceive or recognize the difference between a mule and a donkey. The other options, "distinguish," "say," and "decide," do not convey the same meaning and are not suitable in this context.
2.
The only thing I can .............. is that I am glad it's all over.
Correct Answer
B. Say
Explanation
The correct answer is "say" because in this context, the speaker is expressing their relief that something is finally finished. "Say" is the most appropriate verb to convey this sentiment, as it implies the act of expressing or stating something verbally.
3.
True friends have to .............
Correct Answer
A. Trust each other
Explanation
True friends have to trust each other because trust is the foundation of any strong and lasting friendship. Trust allows friends to rely on one another, confide in each other, and be vulnerable with each other. It creates a sense of security and mutual understanding, fostering a deep connection and bond. Trust is essential for friendship to thrive as it enables friends to have open and honest communication, respect each other's boundaries, and support one another unconditionally. Without trust, a friendship may be filled with doubt, suspicion, and insecurity, ultimately leading to its deterioration.
4.
Would you mind if I ............... your pen for a moment?
Correct Answer
B. Borrowed
Explanation
The word "borrowed" is the correct answer because when someone asks "Would you mind if I borrowed your pen for a moment?", they are asking for permission to temporarily use someone else's pen. The word "lent" means to give something to someone temporarily, so it doesn't fit in this context. "Hired" and "loaned" also don't make sense in this situation as they imply a more formal or long-term arrangement.
5.
When her parents died, she was brought ............. by an aunt in Wales.
Correct Answer
C. Up
Explanation
When her parents died, she was brought up by an aunt in Wales. This means that the aunt took care of her and raised her after her parents passed away.
6.
She had severe health problems and he often helped her by running different ...........
Correct Answer
C. Errands
Explanation
The correct answer is "errands". In this context, the sentence suggests that the person with severe health problems needed assistance with various tasks or activities, which the other person helped with by running errands for her. Errands typically refer to small tasks or jobs that involve going out to complete specific chores or duties.
7.
Apart from doing their homework regularly the kids are responsible for carrying out simple household ...............
Correct Answer
B. Chores
Explanation
The word "chores" is the most appropriate answer because it refers to the tasks or duties that need to be done regularly in a household. It implies that the kids are responsible for helping with various household tasks such as cleaning, cooking, or organizing. The other options, "tasks," "acts," and "things," are more general and do not specifically convey the idea of household responsibilities.
8.
The entire sitting room was ............ with fire - acrid chemical fumes blasting from furniture, curtains and carpet.
Correct Answer
D. Alight
Explanation
The word "alight" means to be on fire or to be burning. In this context, the sentence suggests that the entire sitting room was engulfed in fire, with acrid chemical fumes emanating from the furniture, curtains, and carpet.
9.
His illness made him ............ of concentration.
Correct Answer
C. Incapable
Explanation
The correct answer is "incapable". This word is the most suitable choice to complete the sentence because it means lacking the ability or skill to do something, which accurately describes the effect of the illness on the person's concentration. The other options, such as "incompetent," "unable," and "powerless," do not convey the same meaning in this context.
10.
The manager gave her his .............. that the complaint would be investigated.
Correct Answer
B. Assurance
Explanation
The word "assurance" fits best in the given sentence. It means a confident declaration or promise, indicating that the manager is guaranteeing or pledging that the complaint will be thoroughly looked into. "Avowal" means a frank admission or declaration, which does not convey the same level of confidence as "assurance." "Insurance" refers to a contract for financial protection, and "permission" means consent or authorization, neither of which make sense in the context of the sentence.
11.
One always has to strive to achieve ............ goal.
Correct Answer
D. One's
Explanation
The correct answer is "one's". In this sentence, the phrase "always has to strive to achieve" suggests that the subject is talking about their own personal goal. Therefore, the possessive pronoun "one's" is the appropriate choice to refer to the individual's goal.
12.
They came upon the ruins of a castle ............. a few yards off the road.
Correct Answer
A. Lying
Explanation
The correct answer is "lying." In this sentence, "lying" is the correct form of the verb to describe the position of the ruins of the castle.
13.
It is important that Israel ........... the peace treaty with Palestine immediately
Correct Answer
D. Sign
Explanation
The correct answer is "sign". This is because the sentence is expressing the importance of Israel taking action to sign the peace treaty with Palestine. The verb "sign" is the appropriate choice to convey this idea.
14.
He missed the bus ............ he had hurried up the street to catch it.
Correct Answer
A. Although
Explanation
The correct answer is "although." This conjunction is used to introduce a contrasting statement or situation. In this case, it indicates that despite the person's effort of hurrying up the street to catch the bus, they still missed it.
15.
She's writing him another email, .............. she?
Correct Answer
B. Isn't
Explanation
The correct answer is "isn't". This is because the phrase "She's writing him another email" suggests that the action of writing the email is currently happening. Therefore, the correct form of the verb "to be" to use in this context is "isn't", indicating that she is not currently writing the email.
16.
If he found her address, we .............. write to her.
Correct Answer
D. Would
Explanation
The correct answer is "would" because it is used to express a hypothetical or unreal situation in the past. In this context, it suggests that if he had found her address in the past, he would have written to her.
17.
He has been reelected as far as he knows, ........... he?
Correct Answer
D. Hasn't
Explanation
The correct answer is "hasn't". This is because the phrase "as far as he knows" indicates that the person is unsure about being reelected. "Hasn't" is the negative form of "has", indicating that he has not been reelected based on his knowledge.
18.
You will have to write ............ essay for the entrance exam.
Correct Answer
A. A three-hundred-word
Explanation
The correct answer is "a three-hundred-word". This is the correct way to express the word count for an essay in a grammatically correct manner. The hyphen is used to connect the number "three" and the word "hundred" to form a compound adjective that describes the word "essay". This ensures clarity and proper understanding of the required word count.
19.
We received ............. the other day.
Correct Answer
C. Very interesting news
Explanation
The correct answer is "very interesting news" because "news" is an uncountable noun and does not require an article before it. Additionally, "very interesting" is an adjective phrase that describes the noun "news."
20.
She is ............ girl that everybody likes her.
Correct Answer
C. Such a nice
Explanation
The correct answer is "such a nice". This is because the phrase "such a nice" is used to describe a specific person, in this case, the girl. The word "such" is used to emphasize the level of niceness, while "a" is used to indicate that the girl is one of many nice girls. Therefore, the sentence is saying that the girl is a specific nice girl that everyone likes.
21.
My mum's work was inside our home but she had always had an adventurous ............ in her character.
Correct Answer
A. Streak
Explanation
The word "streak" refers to a distinctive feature or quality that someone possesses. In this context, it suggests that despite working inside the home, the speaker's mom had a sense of adventure in her character. This implies that she had a tendency or inclination towards seeking new experiences and taking risks, which is not typically associated with someone who works from home. Therefore, "streak" is the most suitable word to describe this aspect of her personality.
22.
Coming from the centre of the British middle classes I was brought up to believe in the .............. upper lip.
Correct Answer
A. Stiff
Explanation
The phrase "stiff upper lip" is a well-known idiom in British culture, referring to the characteristic of remaining calm, composed, and unemotional in the face of adversity or difficulty. This idiom is often associated with the British middle and upper classes, who are known for their reserved and stoic demeanor. Therefore, the word "stiff" is the correct answer as it aligns with the intended meaning of the phrase.
23.
He had never been the kind of person who worries about .......... his hands dirty.
Correct Answer
B. Getting
Explanation
The correct answer is "getting". The sentence suggests that the person in question is not someone who worries about getting their hands dirty. This implies that they are not concerned about engaging in activities or tasks that may result in their hands becoming dirty.
24.
She felt light-headed and nauseated, but knew she had to ............... to a decision.
Correct Answer
D. Come
Explanation
The word "come" is the correct answer because it means to arrive at or reach a decision. The sentence suggests that the person is feeling light-headed and nauseated, which indicates that they are struggling with making a decision. However, despite feeling unwell, they know they have to come to a decision, implying that they need to reach a final choice or conclusion.
25.
As they talked, both horses .............. their ears.
Correct Answer
A. Pricked
Explanation
When horses are attentive or interested in something, they typically prick their ears forward. This means that their ears stand straight up and are pointed towards the direction of the sound or object that has caught their attention. Therefore, the correct answer is "pricked", as it accurately describes the action of the horses' ears in response to their conversation.
26.
Coming closer, Norma could make ............ two horses.
Correct Answer
C. Out
Explanation
Norma could make out two horses means that she was able to see or discern two horses clearly. The word "out" is used in this context to indicate that she could perceive the horses distinctly.
27.
Laid .............. from a fast-food job, my sister has a lot of time now.
Correct Answer
B. Off
Explanation
The correct answer is "off". In this sentence, "laid off" means that my sister was terminated or lost her job. So, the phrase "laid off from a fast-food job" indicates that she no longer works there. Therefore, the word "off" is the most appropriate choice to complete the sentence, as it shows that she has a lot of time now that she is no longer employed at the fast-food job.
28.
Winger is found guilty ............ two murders.
Correct Answer
C. Of
Explanation
The correct answer is "of" because it is used to indicate that someone is guilty of a specific crime or offense. In this case, the sentence is stating that the winger is guilty of two murders.
29.
He is ............. a sentence of life without parole.
Correct Answer
A. Serving
Explanation
The correct answer is "serving." In this context, "serving" refers to someone being sentenced to spend their life in prison without the possibility of parole. It implies that the person is currently in prison and will remain there for the rest of their life.
30.
I'm late because my car broke ........... on my way here.
Correct Answer
D. Down
Explanation
The correct answer is "down" because if someone's car breaks down, it means that it stops working or becomes inoperable. This would cause the person to be late because they would need to either fix their car or find alternative transportation to their destination.
31.
The student adviser recommended she ............. a foreign language before enrolling in university.
Correct Answer
B. Study
Explanation
The correct answer is "study". The sentence is in the present tense, so the verb should also be in the present tense. "Will study" is incorrect because it suggests future tense, while "studies" is incorrect because it is the third person singular form and does not agree with the subject "she". "Had studied" is incorrect because it is in the past perfect tense, which is not appropriate in this context. Therefore, the correct verb form is "study".
32.
She suggested ............ with them but her offer was rejected.
Correct Answer
D. Coming
Explanation
The sentence is in the past tense, indicating that the suggestion happened in the past. The word "coming" is the present participle form of the verb "come," indicating an ongoing action. Therefore, the correct answer is "coming," as it matches the tense and form of the verb in the sentence.
33.
I am the tallest ............ the boys in my class.
Correct Answer
A. Of
Explanation
The correct answer is "of". In this sentence, "of" is used to show possession or belonging. It indicates that the speaker is comparing their height to the height of the boys in their class and stating that they are the tallest among them.
34.
By the end of next term I ........... all the exams.
Correct Answer
B. Will have taken
Explanation
This question is testing the knowledge of future perfect tense. The phrase "by the end of next term" indicates a future point in time. The correct answer is "will have taken" because it correctly uses the future perfect tense to show that the action of taking all the exams will be completed before the end of next term.
35.
This time tomorrow I .................. to London.
Correct Answer
D. Will be flying
Explanation
The phrase "This time tomorrow" indicates a future time. The verb "to fly" is the appropriate choice because it describes an action that will be happening at that future time. The correct verb tense to use in this context is the future continuous tense, which is formed by using "will be" followed by the base form of the verb. Therefore, the correct answer is "will be flying."
36.
The house ........... if they had strengthened its foundation.
Correct Answer
B. Wouldn't have collapsed
Explanation
The correct answer is "wouldn't have collapsed." This answer is in the conditional perfect tense, indicating a hypothetical situation in the past. It suggests that if the house's foundation had been strengthened, it would not have collapsed.
37.
By the time I ............ the cliff top of the hill, I was utterly exhausted.
Correct Answer
B. Reached
Explanation
The correct answer is "reached." This is because the sentence is in the past tense and the phrase "by the time" indicates that the action of reaching the cliff top of the hill had already happened.
38.
The suspect admitted he ............. the crime.
Correct Answer
C. Had committed
Explanation
The use of "had committed" in the sentence suggests that the suspect confessed to having committed the crime in the past. This indicates that the crime was not recent and had occurred before the suspect's admission.
39.
Do you mind ............ your cigarette?
Correct Answer
A. Putting out
Explanation
The correct answer is "putting out". In this context, "putting out" refers to the action of extinguishing or stopping the burning of a cigarette. The phrase "do you mind" implies a polite request or asking for permission, suggesting that the speaker wants to ask if the person is willing to extinguish their cigarette.
40.
Don't you think it's time we ............. to an agreement?
Correct Answer
C. Came
Explanation
The correct answer is "came" because it is the past tense form of the verb "come." In the given sentence, the speaker is suggesting that it is time to reach an agreement, implying that the action of coming to an agreement should have already happened in the past.