Word Formation
Sentence Transformations
Vocabulary - Collocations
Open Close
Phrasal Verbs
100

Original word: Important

There has been much debate in recent times about when young people should take up a second language. This has been especially fueled in recent times by the increasing ________ placed on the English language.

importance

100

Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence, using the word given. Do not change the word given. You must use between two and five words, including the word given.

 Brian was really interested in North American history in his school days.

interest


Brian_______ North American history in his school days.


Brian had an interest in North American History in his school days. 

100

I picked up a nasty tummy ..... while I was on holiday and couldn't stop being sick.

A.   sickness

B.  illness

C.  bug

D.  cold

C. bug

100

US publication Rolling Stone magazine is to launch in China. The magazine, ________ should hit shelves early next year, will focus on China's emerging youth culture as well as foreign arts and entertainment.

which

100

What does it mean to blend in?

not be noticed


200

Original Word: Funding

 It is now commonplace to see parents providing a substantial amount of _______ on additional tuition on language lessons

funds

200

Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence, using the word given. Do not change the word given. You must use between two and five words, including the word given.

When it comes to population, Beijing’s is much bigger than Auckland’s.

populated


Beijing is  __________ than Auckland

Beijing is much more populated than Auckland. 

200

For some museums and galleries there is an admission .....

A. rate

B. price

C. cost

D. charge

D. Charge

200

 Rolling Stone ______ first published in San Francisco in 1967 to chronicle cultural changes in the US. 

was

200

What does it mean to go off track?

not be focused on; lose focus


300

Original word: Advanced

 the past decade, language institutes have sprung up in numerous centres, all claiming to provide rapid ______ in English.

advancement

300

Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence, using the word given. Do not change the word given. You must use between two and five words, including the word given.

The manager should think about experience when hiring new staff.

consideration

The manager should ______   when hiring new staff.

The manager should take experience into consideration when hiring new staff.

300

He brings the .......... touch to a very impersonal business.

A. human

B. Spirit

C. Individual

D. Character

A. human

300

Rolling Stone ____ licensed Hong Kong-based One World to publish the Chinese-language edition.

has

300

What does let down mean?

Use it in a sentence. 

to disappoint someone

You let your teachers down when you don't study. 

400

Original Word: Instinct

This, many claim, will make the language more _______ and ensure that all pronunciation errors can be avoided.

instinctive 

400

Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence, using the word given. Do not change the word given. You must use between two and five words, including the word given.

The anti-smoking advertisement does not stop people from smoking.

ineffective

The anti-smoking advertisement is _______   people from smoking.

The anti-smoking advertisement is ineffective at stopping people from smoking.

400

During the discussion the speaker showed an excellent .......... of all the issues.

A. knowledge

B. grasp

C. comprehension

D. Skill

B. grasp

400

Mr Jung said the magazine, to be printed in simplified Chinese characters, will contain a mix of local content ______ primarily by Beijing-based staff and translations of articles from the US edition.

written

400

What does blurt out mean and use it in a sentence. 

say without thinking

I accidentally blurted out the answer. 


500

Original words: Easy & Advantage

While these children can switch between two languages with greater _______, it remains to be seen whether this is ________ when learning additional languages.

ease, advantageous 

500

Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence, using the word given. Do not change the word given. You must use between two and five words, including the word given.

She has learnt a substantial amount from her university course.

gained

She has ________   knowledge from her university course.

She has gained a substantial amount of  knowledge from her university course.

500

It is widely .......... that computers can make our lives easier.

A. accepted

B. agreed

C. allowed

D. affirmed

B. agreed

500

 "We want to make _____ that we're faithful to the spirit of the brand," said Jung. He added that while Hong Kong and Taiwan had more developed pop cultures, mainland China was more important.

sure

500

Explain the difference between call off and call for. Use both in a sentence. 

call off is to cancel, call for is to require. 

 The party was called off when he got in trouble. 

Your response was uncalled for.