1. Choose the correct answers (a-c) to complete the sentences.
1 It looks as though that shop has closed …….. - it’s been empty for weeks now.
a for now b for one thing c for good
2 The instructions should be clear, but if you’re …….., just ask someone.
a in doubt b in vain c in effect
3 It was a horrible journey, but we got there ……..
a in all b in the end c in that case
4 If the staff here think you’re …….., they’ll ask to see some identification.
a under arrest b under the impression c under age
5 There’s too much …….. to risk failing this exam.
a at stake b at fault c at the moment
6 Do you have more …….. with your father or your mother?
a in any case b in common c in that case
Answer
1 c 2 a 3 b 4 c 5 a 6 b
2. Write the words in brackets in the correct order to complete the sentences.
1 We were (the / impression / party / the / under / that) had been cancelled.
……………………………………………
2 Dan and Mia (a / have / for / been / while / dating).
……………………………………………
3 I’m afraid (a / moment / I’m / busy / the / bit / at). Can I call you back?
……………………………………………
4 I was going to buy the brown boots, (on / decided / second / but / thoughts / I) to get the black ones.
……………………………………………
5 ‘What do you like about living in Barcelona?’ ‘Well, (one / a / got / for / thing / it’s) great nightlife.’
……………………………………………
6 I’ll lend you this book (give / on / you / that / it / condition) back next week.
……………………………………………
Answer
1 under the impression that the party
2 have been dating for a while
3 I’m a bit busy at the moment
4 but on second thoughts I decided
5 for one thing it’s got a
6 on condition that you give it
3. Complete the sentences with the correct prepositions.
1 The ticket office sold me a return rather than a single …………… mistake.
2 Do you think Petra didn’t invite us to her party …………… purpose?
3 I heard Finn got …………… trouble for not doing his homework.
4 Tina’s not very keen on rock music - …………… fact, she can’t stand it!
5 I’d like to see you later, but …………… course, if you’re busy, that’s fine.
6 No one was really …………… fault. It was just an accident.
Answer
1 by 2 on 3 in 4 in 5 of 6 at
4. Correct the mistakes in the phrases in bold. Tick the correct sentences.
1 It was a long day and at the time I got home I was exhausted. …………………………….
2 The show doesn’t start until eight, so we should still get there in time. …………………………….
3 Joe and Lisa were always arguing and at the end they split up. …………………………….
4 It’s only by the end of the book that you learn the killer’s identity. …………………………….
5 I didn’t realise it by the time, but the girl we met last night was Terry’s sister. …………………………….
6 We should have moved house by the end of the month. …………………………….
Answer
1 by the time 2 ✓ 3 in the end 4 at the end
5 at the time 6 ✓
5. Choose the correct words to complete the text.
How do you stop being friends with someone you no longer feel close to? If you’ve been friends for 1 a while / one thing, you may simply not have anything in 2 effect / common any more. It doesn’t mean anyone’s at 3 fault / last. If you’ve tried in 4 vain / control to make things work, maybe it’s best to end the friendship. Naturally, you don’t want to hurt the other person, and if you’re in any 5 time / doubt, don’t say or do anything you might regret. Perhaps your friend doesn’t realise how to feel - they may be under 6 control / the impression that everything’s fine. You could talk to them and suggest not seeing each other for a few weeks, and in 7 time / fact you’ll know whether you want your friendship to continue or not.
Answer
1 a while 2 common 3 fault 4 vain 5 doubt
6 the impression 7 time
6. Complete the sentences with an appropriate noun and your own ideas.
1 Although I haven’t done it for a ……………………… , I used to like ………………………
2 At the ………………………, my favourite song is ………………………
3 The last time I was late for something was ……………………… . I couldn’t get there on ……………………… because ………………………
4 In the future, I’d love to ……………………… . With any ………………………, I’ll be able to.
5 There are several reasons why I like my best friend. For one ………………………, he/she ………………………
Answer
1 while 2 moment 3 time 4 luck 5 thing
Extra exercises
1. Complete the sentences with the correct prepositions.
1 You’re here ………….. last. I’ve been waiting for ages!
2 My cousin’s staying with us ………….. now, until he finds his own place.
3 The future of that company is ………….. doubt because it’s losing money.
4 Let’s meet at 8.00. ………….. second thoughts, we’d better make it 7.15 so that we have time to get the tickets.
5 I was ………….. the impression that it was going to rain today.
6 Sorry I’m late. I got on the wrong bus ………….. mistake.
7 ………….. course she’ll be upset if you don’t go to her party. You’re her best friend!
Answer
1 at 2 for 3 in 4 On 5 under 6 by 7 Of
2. Complete the text about crime. Write one word in each gap.
Despite the fact the gun possession is legal in Iceland, 1v__________ crimes, like murder, are almost unheard of. Around a quarter of the country’s population owns a gun, but these are hardly ever used to 2c__________ crimes. Pickpocketing and other 3p__________ crimes are also rare. According to experts, the country has a tradition of crime 4p__________ which stops any potential issues as soon as they are detected. In the 1970s, the government dealt with a minor crime 5w__________ , involving drugs, by creating a separate drugs police force and drugs court. Today, there are relatively few hard drugs in Iceland compared to other countries. Politicians are currently attempting to 6c__________ organised crime, which is on the increase, by passing new laws that will aid police in the fight.
Answer
1 violent 2 commit 3 petty 4 prevention 5 wave
6 combat
3. Complete the dialogue with diplomatic phrases.
A Rose, can I have a 1……………………… with you?
B Sure. What’s up?
A I didn’t want to 2……………………… it up, but you still own me some money.
B Yes, I know. I’m really sorry about that.
A I thought 3……………………… we could talk about when you were planning on paying me back.
B I’m afraid I can’t give it to you right now, Lily.
A Why’s that?
B It’s 4……………………… that my mum lost her job last month, so she’s stopped giving me pocket money.
A Oh, no! You should have 5……………………… something earlier.
B You 6……………………… feel that you can’t trust me any more!
A No, it’s not that. I just couldn’t understand why you hadn’t paid me back. Now I know!
Answer
1 word 2 bring 3 perhaps 4 just 5 said 6 must
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