The Nuance is Key
The difference in tenses. How do these differ in meaning: "He has been to Japan" vs. "He has gone to Japan"?
What is "has been" = went and returned, while "has gone" = left and is there now?
Find the error: "If I will have time tomorrow, I will call you."
What is in first conditional sentences after "if" we use the Present Simple? "If I have time..."
Paraphrase using a modal verb for past possibility: "Perhaps she saw the letter."
"She might/could have seen the letter"
Which adjective does NOT naturally collocate with the word "rain"? heavy / strong / pouring
strong rain
The weather made our picnic impossible. It was completely ______. (ENJOY)
The weather made our picnic impossible.It was completely unenjoyable
Choose and explain: "I (regret to inform / regret informing) you that your application was unsuccessful."
What is "regret to inform"? (I am sorry to inform you now — about a present, unpleasant action).
Find and classify the error: "Despite he was tired, he continued working."
What is "despite" is a preposition, not a conjunction? Correctly: "Despite being tired..." or "Although he was tired...".
Rewrite, starting with "Hardly" and using inversion: "He had left when the phone rang."
Hardly had he left when the phone rang
Choose the correct verb: "to (make / do / commit) a mistake"
make a mistake
I can't read his notes; his handwriting is completely ______. (LEGIBLE)
I can't read his notes; his handwriting is completely illegible
Explain the difference in the shade of supposition: "She must be at home" vs. "She should be at home".
What is "must" = near certainty (a logical deduction), "should" = expectation (it's probable based on a plan/rule)?
Explain why this sentence is grammatically odd: "The house needs painted."
What is after "need" in this meaning, you use either a passive infinitive ("needs to be painted") or an active gerund ("needs painting")?
Paraphrase using inversion after "Only": "You can understand the culture only by living in the country."
Only by living in the country can you understand the culture
Which adverb naturally intensifies the adjective "aware": fully / strongly / highly
"fully aware" or "acutely aware"
The sudden fall in prices was ______ for investors. (BENEFIT)
The sudden fall in prices was beneficial for investors
The difference in structure. Why can't you say "I suggest you to go"? What are three correct alternatives?
What is the verb "suggest" isn't used with an object + infinitive? Correctly: suggest (that) you go (subjunctive), suggest going, suggest your going.
What is the advanced error here? "It's a phenomenon worth to be studied in detail."
What is after "worth" you use a gerund, not an infinitive? Correctly: "worth studying".
Rewrite using "were" to express an unreal condition: "I want to go, but I have to work."
If I didn't have to work, I would go" or "I would go if I weren't working
Complete the fixed expression: "To ___ the brunt of the criticism."(принять на себя основной удар)
to bear the brunt of the criticism
There's a growing ______ that the economic model needs to change. (RECOGNISE)
There's a growing recognition that the economic model needs to change
Explain the difference in meaning: "I didn't need to go" vs. "I needn't have gone".
500: What is "didn't need to" = there was no necessity (and I possibly didn't go), while "needn't have gone" = I did go, but it was pointless/unnecessary?
Explain the issue with mixing conditionals in: "If you had listened to me, you wouldn't be in trouble now."
What is this is a Mixed Conditional, and it's NOT an error! It's a correct combination: a past condition (had listened) and a present result (wouldn't be). A great example.
Paraphrase, using a negative infinitive at the beginning for emphasis: "It is not only a job; it's a calling."
Not to be just a job, it's a calling
Correct the faulty collocation: "She has a thick French accent."
What is "strong accent", while "thick" is used with "soup", "fog"? (Though "thick accent" is sometimes used, "strong" is preferable and more correct).
The ______ of the old treaty led to new negotiations. (INTERPRET)
The misinterpretation of the old treaty led to new negotiations