Vocabulary
Complete the sentences with the words in italics:
all-clear, carriageway, debris, diversion, failure, load, service, tailback
1). A lorry shed its ________ on the main road, causing long delays.
2). The traffic lights aren't working. I think there's been a power _____.
3). There's been a serious crash on the southbound __________.
4). There was a problem on the line, so we had to take the replacement bus _______.
5). Drivers on the M6 motorway have been given the _______ following an accident earlier today.
6). Sorry, I'm so late. The main road was closed so I had to make a bit of a ________.
7). There was a big crash earlier and they're still clearing all the _______ off the road.
8). We were OK, but there was a huge _______ in the other direction.
1). A lorry shed its load on the main road, causing long delays.
2). The traffic lights aren't working. I think there's been a power failure.
3). There's been a serious crash on the southbound carriageway.
4). There was a problem on the line, so we had to take the replacement bus service.
5). Drivers on the M6 motorway have been given the all-clear following an accident earlier today.
6). Sorry, I'm so late. The main road was closed so I had to make a bit of a diversion.
7). There was a big crash earlier and they're still clearing all the debris off the road.
8). We were OK, but there was a huge tailback in the other direction.
Complete the sentences with the best word. The first letter is given.
1 We tried to cross the mountain p_____ , but it was blocked by snow.
2 We rented a little cottage hidden away in a little v_____ .
3 They've created a big m______ reserve, which they hope will protect hundreds of waterbirds.
4 The beach was quiete r______ . I would've preferred a sandy one myself, but the kids liked it.
5 It's quite a remote island. There's only one ferry a day to and from the m_______.
6 I usually take my dog for a walk along the s_____ most mornings. I love living by the sea.
7 I'm from a little village in a m_______ part of the country. It's hard to get to. part of the country.
8 There are fears that the g_______ might start to melt, resulting in rising sea levels.
1. pass
2 valley
3 marine
4 rocky
5 mainland
6 shoreline (shore is also possible)
7 mountainous
8 glaciers
Complete the sentences using the best continuous form of the verbs in brackets.
1 I'd offer you a lift, but my car _____ at the moment.(repair)
2 Are you around next week? I _____ in your area, and it'd be great to see you again. (work)
3 We should phone and check they've heard the news. I mean, they might still _____ for us at the station. (wait)
4 It _____ all night so the traffic was even worse than usual that morning. (snow)
5 She saved my life. I wouldn't _____ here today if she hadn't pulled me out of my car. (sit)
6 Sorry I didn't answer your call earlier. I _____(drive)
7 I'm going to be late. There's been an accident on the motorway and we _____ just _____ along for hours now, so … (crawl)
1 is being repaired
2 ’m working/’ll be working
3 be waiting
4 had been snowing
5 be sitting
6 was driving
7 have (just) been crawling
Paraphrase the parts in italics with the climbing inspired idioms:
1). Allowing exceptions to the rule could lead us down the dangerous trajectory of losing all control.
2). Starting a new job always comes with a steep learning process, but I'm getting the hang of it.
3). The deadline for the project isn't definitive, so we might have some flexibility.
4). The young athlete is determined to reach the top of success in the next Olympics.
5). Don't blow things out of proportion; it's just a minor mistake, not a disaster.
6). The company’s financial performance has experienced many ups and downs over the past year.
7). Being stuck in a small hotel room for a week made her feel like she was going crazy.
8). The community rallied together and overcame tremendous obstacles to raise funds for the new school.
1). Allowing exceptions to the rule could lead us down the slippery slope of losing all control.
2). Starting a new job always comes with a steep learning curve, but I'm getting the hang of it.
3). The deadline for the project isn't set in stone, so we might have some flexibility.
4). The young athlete is determined to scale the heights of success in the next Olympics.
5). Don't make a mountain out of a molehill; it's just a minor mistake, not a disaster.
6). The company’s financial performance has experienced many peaks and valleys over the past year.
7). Being stuck in a small hotel room for a week made her feel like she was climbing the walls.
8). The community rallied together and moved mountains to raise funds for the new school.
Complete the sentences using a participle form of the verbs in italics.
base build check live look visit
1 _______ in Switzerland, we are known for our high standards and competitive prices.
2 _______ the forecast, I was surprised to find myself
driving through pouring rain and gales.
3 ________ in Australia, I'm used to 18-hour flights. It's normal if we want to get to most places!
4 _______ in the 14th century, the castle has recently been restored to its former glory.
5 _______ Rome many times before, I was keen to explore a different side of the city.
6 _______ out over the mountains, the hotel is perfect for a relaxing break from city life.
1 Based
2 Having checked
3 Living
4 Built
5 Having visited
6 Looking