Master Grammar With The FCE: English Practice Quiz

Concentration is the correct form because the sentence requires a noun naming the state needed to avoid distractions. Concentrate is a verb, concentrated is an adjective, and concentrating is a participle implying ongoing action, not the general concept. Grammatically, the noun fits after periods of and agrees in number. Lexically, it conveys the mental steadiness necessary for deep work, unlike the process-focused alternatives. Hence, concentration aligns perfectly with the context and structure, expressing sustained mental focus.

Runs requires an adverb to describe how the app performs. Effectively modifies verbs, so it’s the correct adverbial form of effective. The noun effectiveness would not fit syntactically, as it would require a preposition like with. The adjective effective would describe a noun, not modify a verb, and effectual is outdated in this context. The sentence focuses on operational performance across devices, where effectively indicates smooth, efficient functioning, matching standard collocations such as works effectively and runs effectively.

The sentence takes blank needs a noun representing a quality. Patience fulfills this because it denotes the necessary endurance when progress is slow. Patient and impatient are adjectives, while patiently is an adverb modifying verbs. The verb take requires a direct object that is a noun, not an adjective or adverb. Therefore, patience fits grammatically and semantically. It also forms the natural collocation take patience, reinforcing the idea that sustained effort and tolerance are required in long-term learning processes.

The command read the safety instructions blank requires an adverb modifying the verb read. Carefully is the correct adverb derived from careful with -ly. Careful is an adjective modifying nouns, care is a noun, and carefulness is abstract and unsuitable here. The word carefully conveys the idea of paying close attention, which aligns with the safety context. Grammatically, it’s the only choice that correctly modifies a verb in an imperative sentence and pragmatically ensures clarity in instruction for precision and caution.

The phrase considered what blank would fit demands a noun naming a judicial consequence. Punishment, derived from punish with -ment, is the noun that means the act of penalizing. Punish is a verb, punishing is an adjective meaning exhausting, and punishable describes something subject to punishment. Only punishment fulfills both the syntactic requirement as the object of considered and the semantic need for proportional retribution. In formal English, fit the seriousness of the crime directly collocates with punishment, reinforcing its correctness in context.

The phrase the only blank indicates a singular count noun representing a drawback. Disadvantage fits because it is the antonym of advantage, forming the collocation the only disadvantage. The adjectives advantaged, advantaging, and advantageous either refer to beneficial states or describe processes, not negative aspects. Grammatical correctness also supports disadvantage as the object of the definite article the. Contextually, it aligns with occasional isolation being the sole negative point of remote work, making it the precise and idiomatic choice.

The phrase announced its final requires a noun indicating an official conclusion. Decision, the noun form of decide, fits this grammatical slot perfectly. Decide is a verb, decisive is an adjective, and decisively is an adverb — none of which can act as the object of announced. The collocation final decision is widely used in both spoken and written English to indicate a conclusive judgment. The sentence’s structure and context — after hours of debate — further confirm that decision best expresses the intended final outcome.

The sentence needs an adjective describing the type of internet connection required. Reliable, the adjective form of rely, means dependable and consistently performing, which matches the context. Reliance is a noun that wouldn’t fit grammatically, reliably is an adverb, and rely is a verb. The collocation reliable connection is standard in technical and everyday use. Syntactically, adjectives modify nouns like connection, and semantically, reliable conveys stability essential for uninterrupted online exams, making it the grammatically and contextually accurate choice.

The phrase proof of her points to a noun denoting achievement. Success, the noun from the verb succeed, fits both grammatically and semantically. The adjectives successive and successful would require accompanying nouns (for example, successful performance), while succeed cannot act as a noun. Collocation patterns like achieve success or proof of success reinforce this choice. The context — years of training — implies outcome, not process, further confirming that success best conveys the intended idea of accomplishment.

The phrase practical blank calls for a plural countable noun since it refers to multiple workplace issues. Solutions fits perfectly, denoting distinct answers or fixes. Solving is a gerund, solved is a past participle, and solution as singular does not agree in number with the plural implication of issues. The collocation practical solutions is common in formal English, emphasizing applicability and relevance. Grammatically, solutions fulfills the plural noun requirement and semantically expresses the outcome of resolving problems, making it the only correct option.