ADVANCED TEST 4

1.- Complete the sentences with a relative pronoun. Omit them when they are not necessary.

a) Michael, ___ will be 20 years old next week, is very good at playing football.

b) My uncle's house, ___ was rebuilt only five years ago, is for sale now.

c) The programme ___ we watched on TV last night was very interesting.

d) A man ___ children go to the same school as ours has bought our house.

e) The town ___ I was born is full of tourists in the summer.

f) The boys ___ we played football with, were older than us.


2.- Complete the second sentence so that it retains the same meaning as the first sentence.

a) I was allowed in the Disco because I'm over 18 years old.
    ___ 18 years old, I was allowed in the Disco.

b) I put on my coat because it was cold.
    It was cold, ___ my coat.

c) It's three weeks since I last saw her.
    I haven't ___ three weeks.

d) Although he was a famous actor, he didn't want to live in Hollywood.
     Despite ___, he didn't want to live in Hollywood.

e) I'm going to study hard because I want to get a grant.
    I'm going to study hard in ___ a grant.

f) The exam was so difficult that nobody passed.
    It was ___ exam that nobody passed.

g) I wasn't able to read the book in one day because it was very long.
    The book was too ___ in one day.


3.- Complete the second sentence so that it retains the same meaning as the first sentence. You must include the words in CAPITALS.

a) We didn't know they were coming so we didn't wait for them. HAD

b) "I don't want to go to the cinema tonight", Charles said. THAT

c) "What did you do last week", Mary asked me. THE WEEK BEFORE

d) My father said "Don't be late". TOLD

e) James asked us "Do you know what the weather will be like tomorrow?" IF

f) We haven't got much money. IF ONLY

g) I didn't study, so I failed the exam. Now I'm sorry. WISH


4.- Complete the sentences by putting a verb in the correct form in each gap.

a) After the old man retired, his daughter ___ over the company.

b) Do you think this sweater will ___ with dark trousers?

c) How do you ___ on with your in-laws? Do you like them Do they like you?

d) I don't think I can ___ up with his behaviour any longer. He's unbearable!

e) She'll have to ___ over the fact that her husband has left her.

f) The bomb ___ off at eight o'clock yesterday morning.

g) Their car ___ down in the middle of nowhere and they couldn't find a garage.

h) We're going to have to ___ on using the same car for a few years. We can't afford a replacement.

i) Well, if you don't like it, you can always ___ it back to the shop.

j) While I was doing the shopping, I ___ across an old friend from school.


5.- Fill each gap with one of these words.

after, down, of, out, up, away, into, on (x3), over.

a) He really takes ___ his uncle. They have the same hair and the same character.

b) Hold ___ a minute! I'll be right back.

c) It is certainly a good offer, but I'll have to think it ___ for a few days.

d) It was raining so hard that the concert was called ___.

e) My cousin can never understand films. I have to keep explaining to her what is going ___.

f) She is trying to cut ___ ___ the number of cigarettes she smokes each day.

g) The police are looking ___ the case at the moment.

h) Two prisoners ran ___ during the festival.

i) We finally managed to put ___ the fire at three in the morning.

j) When you grow ___, you'll be able to drive your own car.

ADVANCED TEST 3

1.- The following text is a commentary from a journalist who is giving a live report of fire.
Complete the text with the correct form of the verbs in brackets. Sometimes you will also need to include a modal verb.

"This is KWTO and I'm Chris Kendall reporting from Sheldon Road just half a mile away from our radio station. This ___ (be) a dramatic scene. There ___ (be) flames everywhere. The ambulance sirens ___ (blare) as they drive away to the hospital. The fire brigade ___ (arrive) half an hour ago and the building ___ (already / evacuate). The firemen are making sure nobody ___ (leave) behind but, they think there ___ (modal verb + still / be) somebody in the building.

Wait a minute! There is somebody ___ (wave) his arms from a window on the top floor. Oh no, it seems he ___ (jump)!, I certainly ___ (not do) that if I ___ (be) him; it's the fifth floor, I hope he ___ (modal verb + wait) until the firemen ___ (rescue) him. Ah, it seems he ___ (not jump) in the end. The fire brigade ___ (extend) their ladder towards the top of the building ___ (reach) the man. One of the firemen ___ (climb up) and he is helping the man ___ (get down). Thank God, he ___ (seem) OK. Now in the street the police ___ (just arrive) and they are telling the passers-by ___ (leave) the area because it is still dangerous ___ (stand) around the building because the fire ___ (not yet put out).

Well, that's all for the moment. We ___ (get) back to you soon with more news.


2.- Complete the second sentence so that it retains the same meaning as the first sentence.

a) Maybe he liked our design.
    He may ________________

b) It is against the rules to wear casual clothes at work.
    You must ________________

c) They are fixing the kitchen sink tomorrow.
    I am having _________________

d) Terrorists are believed to be behind the attacks.
    It is ___________________

e) It's ages since I went to the circus.
    I haven't _____________________

f) Our teachers at school always made us study really hard.
   When we were at school we were _____

g) Somebody will send you further information on our programme.
    You ______________

h) The dog succeeded in buring all the bones in our backyard.
    The dog managed ______


3.- Rewrite the sentences so that they retain the same meaning. Include the words in CAPITALS.

a) After finishing the mistery novel, he could get to sleep.
    WHEN

b) I was sure I had to put the keys in my bag.
    REMEMBERED

c) We used to go to our grandparents' village every summer.
    WOULD

d) I'm still living in the house where I was born.
    ALL MY LIFE

e) This won't take us more than half an hour to finish.
    FINISHED

f) It wasn't necessary for me to cook on Sunday, but I did it.
   NEEDN'T


4.- Complete this newspaper article. You must use words in order in which they appear but you can add words where necessary.

Airport Nightmare

Hundreds of Easyfly passengers at several British airports ___ (forced / live) at Liverpool airport for almost two days. The airline's services ___ (cancel / two days ago) because of the cold weather conditions. Yesterday, ___ (the police / call / to two airports / respond) to disturbances caused by angry passengers who were frustrated at the flight cancellations. ___ (At least one person / arrested / last night / after / he / get in a flight / another passenger).

When questioned by our reporters, a company representative said : "___ (The problem / caused / our sub-contractors). ___ (They should / de-iced / airplanes) in time but ___" they / must / run) out of de-icing fluid. ___ (They / also / should / hired / more staff / deal with / situation).

They ___ (meet / Easyfly officials / over the next few days / find out) exactly what went wrong.

THE PENCIL METHOD

Esta vez nos ocupamos de como mejorar nuestro vocabulario. Con un simple truco o método, vamos a ir de menos a más, utilizando un único objeto.

NOTA.- El objeto puede ser cualquier cosa (o incluso tema) diferente del que utilizamos aquí.

I.- El Objeto

En este caso hemos utilizado un lápiz. Pero también podéis utilizar cualquier otro. Ejemplos:

- Un mueble
- Una casa
- Una profesión
- Ropa
- Comida, etc.

Y también temas a tratar. Ejemplos:

- Hobbies
- Educación
- Deportes
- Sociedad
- Culturas, etc.

II.- Vocabulario

De manera general, utilizaremos las palabras de pregunta:

- What
- Where
- When
- Who
- Why
- Which
- How
- How many
- How much, etc

También artículos:

- This
- That
- These
- Those
- A
- An
- The, etc.

Y verbos:

- Do
- Make
- Write
- Play, etc

Y en las respuestas encontraremos mayor vocabulario.

III.- El Método del Lápiz

Cogemos el lápiz y decimos:

a) Definición

"A pencil"
"This is a pencil".
"What is it?"
"It's a pencil".

"What can I do with a pencil?"
"I can write".
"I can draw".

"What can I write?"
"I can write words".

(Ex.)

A WORD

"Or numbers".
(Ex.)

1, 2, 3

"What can I draw?"
"I can draw a picture".

b) Ampliación de la información.

"Who writes professionally?"
"Writers (Authors) or Journalists".

"What does a writer write?"
"A writer writes novels".
"How many kinds of novels are there?"
"There are many kinds of novels. Some of them are: Romantic novels, History novels, Horror novels, etc".

"Where do journalists write?"
"Journalists write in magazines and newspapers".
"What do they write about?"
"They write about arts, society, politics, etc".

"Who draws professionally?"
"Painters, designers, etc".

"Who are famous painters?"
"Famous painters are Picasso, Van Gogh, Dalí, Rembrandt, etc".

"What do designers do?"
"Designers design clothes, plans (buildings, etc), vehicles, etc".

"Who writes numbers professionally?"
"A Maths teacher, an engineer, a businessman, a salesman, etc".

IV.- Extras

Podemos agregar preguntas de carácter personal como:

"Do you like to read?"
"Why?"
"Do you like to draw?"
"Why?"
"What do you like to read?"
"Why?"
"When do you usually read?"
"Why?"
"How many books have you read in your life?"
"What do you like to draw?"
"Why?"
"What do you use to draw?"
"Do you use colours?"
"What colours do you use?"
"Why?"

Y todas las que se nos ocurran según el nivel en el que nos encontremos.

V.- Recomendaciones

Como podeis ver, este método/truco empieza desde el nivel básico. Por ello se puede hacer desde este nivel hasta los niveles más avanzados. Y con el vocabulario que tengamos, según el nivel en el que nos encontremos.

1.- Elegir un objeto diferente cada vez.
2.- Hacer preguntas sobre el orígen, forma, color, estado, etc, de acuerdo al objeto elegido.
3.- NO hacer muchas pausas o silencios. En lugar de ello, empezar de nuevo.
4.- Formular algunas preguntas de carácter personal, como en el punto IV.
5.- Si lo hacéis en pareja es mucho mejor, puesto que una persona puede formular las preguntas y la otra, responder.

ADVANCED TEST

El siguiente es el primer test de nivel ADVANCED que les presentamos.
Igual que en los anteriores, si quereis las respuestas, podéis solicitarlas por medio de un comentario o via email.

I.- Pronouns

Choose the right pronoun.

1) We're much stronger than (they/them) at football.
2) It's only (we/us), (I/me) and my girlfriend.
3) It is (she/her) that likes sugar in her tea, not (I/me).
4) Nobody could answer except (I/me).
5) It was (he/him) I was talking about.

II.- Present

a) Insert the correct form of the Simple Present or Present Continuous.

1) The sun (shine) now. Let's go out!
2) We always (travel) by plane.
3) John never (come) early.
4) This morning I (have) coffee although I generally (take) tea.
5) In summer, he often (lie) down in the afternoon. He (rest) now. Sometimes, he (fall) asleep.

b) Put in the Present Perfect Simple form of the verbs.

1) The firm (make) good profits this year.
2) Miss Brown (never see) a tv programme.
3) He (wear) a black suit ever since his wife died.
4) Peter (be) in hospital for almost six weeks.
5) The Cathedral (stand) on this spot since the fourteenth century.

c) Put the verb in brackets, in the Present Perfect Continuous.

1) He (play) the same tune for two hours.
2) Sargeant Black (serve) for nearly twenty years.
3) He (live) in this country for many years.
4) The new students (behave) very well so far.
5) Peter (sleep) for ten hours.

III.- Past

a) Supply the correct past forms of the verbs, Simple Past or Past Continuous.

1) Who ___ you (speak) to on the telephone when I (bring) your coffee?
2) I (hear) a sound. Perhaps my brother (talk) in his sleep.
3) What ___ she (want) when she (visit) you yesterday?
4) Where ___ you (live) this time last year?
5) When the ambulance (arrive) the patient (sleep) like a child.

b) Put the Past Perfect.

1) Mary (prepare) our meals on the previous day.
2) It (rain) all the previous week.
3) He lived quietly on a little money she (save) before his retirement.
4) We (finish) our work so we went home.
5) Peter (not arrive) by two o'clock, so I did not wait.

c) Supply the Past Perfect Continuous forms of the verbs.

1) We (try) to solve the mistery for weeks, but we hadn't succeeded.
2) Peter (ask) Mary to marry him for three years before they were engaged.
3) My mother (complain) of pains in her back.
4) The professor (teach) in the university for 40 years.
5) Shakespeare (write) for a number of years before he became really well-known.

IV.- Future

a) Rewrite the verbs in brackets in the Future Tense.

1) Faher (buy) a new car this year.
2) Peter told me that he (not pay) so much for that old hat.
3) I (not refuse) to drink to that toast.
4) Peter (ask) Mary to dance with him.
5) The boys (have) a whole day's holiday on Friday.

b) Put in the correct Future form.

1) Please don't telephone between 2 o'clock and 4 o'clock. I ___ (teach) then.
2) We can't meet before Saturday as I (work) overtime until then.
3) Yes, he ___ (work) late at the office, no doubt.
4) As soon as he arrives, conduct him to the library. A good fire ___ (burn) there soon.
5) If you need my help, please call me. I ___ (watch) TV in the lounge.

c) Insert the correct Future Perfect form.

1) You will find the key under the doormat. I (leave) it there on my way to work.
2) He gets a pension in 1998. He (work) for us for 30 years then.
3) We hope to go to England next year. We (learn) quite a lot of English before then.
4) By the time we come back, we (visit) most places of interest in London.
5) We can call on the manager about 2 o'clock. We (have) lunch by that time.

V.- DO vs. MAKE

1) Will you ___ a favour?
2) ___ up your mind to ___ what is right.
3) He ___ a big mistake in ___ business with such firm.
4) It ___ not ___ to ___ fun of our superiors.
5) That glass of wine has ___ me good.

VI.- Relatives

Add Relatives where necessary.

1) The best play ___ Shakespeare wrote, but ___ I haven't read, is probably "King Lear".
2) It was the Sargeant-Major ___ told me to fetch the rifle ___ I had been practising with.
3) He's the person ___ I meet at the club every day and ___ I've invited home to dinner tonight.
4) I'm just the same ___ I was the day ___ I first met you.
5) All the while ___ I'm working, it's you ___ I'm thinking of.

VII.- THERE IS vs. IT IS.

Add the correct form (Present, Past, Future) of THERE IS and IT IS.

1) ______ a lot of jobs to be done that morning.
2) ______ a time and place for everything.
3) ______ time for your medicine in half an hour.
4) "______ a murder, evidently", said the detective calmly.
5) ______ a fact that he's not at all well.

VIII.- Prepositions and Adverbial particles.

Fill in the blanks.

1) Fifteen punds are allotted ___ us ___ furniture, so we must lay it ___ carefully ___ the purchases we have ___ mind.
2) Poor fellow, he collided ___ a tram ___ his way home ___ work.
3) I am afraid he has fallen ___ love ___ a girl who, although not exactly devoid ___ intelligence, or even deficient __ common sense, is certanly a bit weak ___ the head.
4) I am apt ___ be impatient ___ the efforts ___ people making an attempt ___ something they are not really capable ___ doing.
5) There's no need ___ you to be uncivil ___ me just because you're disgusted ___ my work.