Upper intermediate/FCE level

Reading comprehension. Choose the word or phrase.

1. Steve couldn't understand the language ..............but after a few weeks he could communicate quite well.

a) first of all b) first c) at first d) firstly

2. Micheal read two novels ............... the flight to Singapore.

a) for b) during c)while d)through

3. Sarah wanted to buy some shoes to ...............her new dress.

a) match b) suit c) fit d) resemble

4. We are looking forward ..............you when you next come to England.

a) see b) to see c) to seeing d) for seeing

5. In this hot weather milk will turn ............. very quickly.

a) bitter b) bad c) thick d)sour

6. The manager told us that a great ............ of money was missing.

a) lot b) quantity c) deal d) supply

7. The delay at the airport .............that we arrived at our hotel late.

a) resulted b) led c) meant d) caused

8. At the age of eighteen he ............... the army.

a) enlisted b) conscripted c) entered d) joined

Use of English. Finish each of the following sentences so that it means exactly the same as the original one.

1. 'Sebastian is the one who stole the radio,' said Peter.

Peter accused ......................................................

2. Please don't invite Mary to stay for the weekend.

I'd rather ........................................................

3. The fireman managed to rescue the child from the burning house.

The fireman was......................................................................

4. We really must leave the party now if we are to catch the last bus.

It's time we ..............................................................................

5. Henry's got toothache because he doesn't go to the dentist for regular check-ups.

If Henry .........................................................................................................

6. These shoes need mending.

These shoes haven't .............................

7. Margaret has read more books than any one else in the class.

No-one ..............................................................................

8. We have run out of milk.

There ................................

Answers

I. 1c) 2b) 3a) 4c) 5d) 6c) 7c) 8d)

II.

1. Peter accused Sebastian of stealing the radio.

2. I'd rather you didn't invite Marry to stay for the weekend.

3. The fireman was able to rescue the child from the burning house.

4. It's time we left the party.

5. If Henry went to the dentist for regular check-ups he wouldn't have toothache.

6. These shoes haven't been mended yet.

7. No-one has read more books than Margaret.

8. There is no milk left.

Advanced

Reading comprehension. Choose the word or phrase.

1. The journalist refused to disclose his ................. to the judge.

a) information b) source c) sponsor d) article.

2. The ............... from a nearby tree were scratching against the window.

a) trunks b) boughs c) barks d) twigs

3. I'm thinking of changing my job because there are few ............... of promotion.

a) prospects b) opportunities c) chances d) sources

4. We demanded pay rises to take accounts of the ................ of inflation.

a) figures b) percentage c) price d) rate

5. The death .............. in the weekend's traffic exodus has risen to sixteen.

a) score b) rate c) toll d) mark

6. The play is full of very ............. remarks made by the main character.

a) hilarious b) witty c) comic d) jolly

7. There are so many rules and ............... about importing food that you need to consult a good lawyer.

a) laws b) regulations c) licences d) orders

8. Don't ............... your head, Jimmy. You'll make it sore!

a) itch b) tear c) scratch d) grate

Use of English. Complete each sentence with a word made from the word in capitals.

1. Please .................. our letter of the 14th. We have not had a reply. know

2. There will be no pay rises in the ................. future. see

3. Jim is one of the most ...............members of the committee. speak

4. I think that your ..............about the cost are wrong. assume

5. The meeting adopted a .................. calling for Smith to resign. resolve

6. The failure of the scheme would have serious .............. imply

7. Have you read the latest ............ about Madonna's private life? reveal

8. Janet had to ................from the team because of injury. draw

Answers

I. 1a) 2d) 3a) 4d) 5c) 6b) 7b) 8c)

II.

1. acknowledge 2. foreseeable 3. outspoken 4. assumption 5. resolution

6. implication 7. revelation 8. withdraw

Proficiency

Reading comprehension. Choose the word or phrase.

1. Mrs. Nelson's baby is now two weeks ...............

a) late b) overdue c) delayed d) expected

2. At the scene of the disaster the Prince said some comforting words to the ............... relatives.

a) lamenting b) wailing c) complaining d) grieving

3. Since he spoke about the subject so indirectly, it was difficult to see what he was ................

a) getting at b) getting on c) getting in d) getting up

4. The minister assured us that there were ................. funds for this project.

a) rich b) financial c) ample d) deep

5. As the election results came through, the Prime Minister .............. defeat.

a) declared b) granted c) conceded d) announced

6. The High Street in Cambridge is blocked by a lorry that has ............... its load.

a) slipped b) shed c) loosed d) overturned

7. The unpaid bills will be ................ to next month's account.

a) carried in b) carried on c) carried up d) carried over.

8. In this quiz you have the chance to .............. your wits against the most intelligent people in England.

a) set b) pit c) try d) sharpen

Use of English. For each of the sentences write a new one as similar as possible in meaning to the original sentence, but using the word given. Do not change the word in any way.

1. A summary cannot bring out the high quality of this book. justice

2. Although he is young, there are several ministers even younger than him. means

3. I'd be grateful if you could have a look at these firgures. cast

4. They hate each other intensely. sworn

5. Without his personal assistant John wouldn't know what to do next. relies

6. Joan was not sure if it was a good idea to employ such young staff. misgivings

7. I tried as hard as I could to persuade John not to go. utmost

8. No special payments have been received by my client. receipt

Answers

I.

1b) 2d) 3a) 4c) 5c) 6b) 7d) 8b)

II.

1. A summary cannot do justice to the high quality of this book.

2. Although he is young, he is by no means the youngest minister.

3. I'd be grateful if you could cast an eye over these figures.

4. They are sworn enemies.

5. Joan relies on his personal assistant to know what to do next.

6. John had misgivings about employing such young staff.

7. I tried my utmost to persuade John not to go.

8. My client hasn't been in receipt of any special payments.