Present Past
Someone sells coconuts at the beach.
Coconuts are sold at the beach.
1. Complete the sentence with the correct word: "It was _______ a loud noise that everyone in the building heard it."
a) so
b) such
c) such as
d) very
b) such
Airbus will design a new aeroplane.
A new aeroplane will be designed by Airbus.
If an inventor is working on a project and says they need to 'build a better mousetrap,' what are they trying to do?
A) To switch careers to pest control.
B) To create a superior or more efficient version of a common product.
C) To simplify a machine until it is basic.
D) To find a way to trap competitors in a business deal.
C) To simplify a machine until it is basic.
1.Often called 'The Bard of Avon,' this playwright is credited with adding more than 1,700 words to the English language, including 'lonely' and 'swagger.'
D.Christopher Marlowe
J.K. Rowling wrote this book.
This book was written by J.K. Rowling.
2. Choose the correct form for the Past Perfect: "The meeting _______ by the time I arrived at the office."
a) has already started
b) already started
c) had already started
d) was already starting
c) had already started
Somebody has turned on the air conditioning.
The air conditioning has been turned on.
2. Which idiom is used when an inventor wastes time creating something that already exists and works perfectly?
A. Reinventing the wheel
B. Back to the drawing board
C. Breaking the mold
D. Cutting edge
A. Reinventing the wheel
2. What is the only letter in the English alphabet that does not appear in the name of any US State?
D. Q
D. Q
She waters the flowers every day.
The flowers are watered every day.
3. First Conditional (Real Possibility): "If it _______ tomorrow, we will have to cancel the picnic."
a) rains
b) will rain
c) rained
d) had rained
a) rains
The president would give a speech by Friday.
A speech would be given by the president by Friday.
If a new gadget is described as being 'the greatest thing since sliced bread,' what does that mean?
A) An extremely good or useful invention.
B) A culinary tool for the kitchen.
C) A very cheap and affordable product.
D) An invention that will expire quickly.
B) A culinary tool for the kitchen.
3. In English grammar, what is the term for a word that is spelled the same as another word but has a different meaning, such as 'bat' (the animal) and 'bat' (the sports equipment)?
B. Antonym
C. Synonym
D. Acronym
A. Homonym
I was afraid that someone watched us.
I was afraid that we were watched.
4. Second Conditional (Hypothetical): "If I _______ more free time, I would learn how to play the cello."
a) have
b) will have
c) had
d) would have
c) had
Had she introduced you to the new manager?
Had you been introduced to the new manager?
4. A sudden moment of inspiration or a "lightbulb moment" is often called a:
A) Brainstorm.
B) Paper trail.
C) Long shot.
D) Brainwave (or flash of genius).
A) Brainstorm.
Did he send the letter?
Was the letter sent?
5. Third Conditional (Past Regret): "We wouldn't have missed the flight if we _______ the alarm clock."
a) set
b) have set
c) would have set
d) had set
d) had set
Fishermen have caught great white sharks this week.
Great white sharks have been caught this week (by fishermen).
5. An invention described as being "ahead of its time" is one that:
A) Was finished weeks before the deadline.
B) Is used specifically for time travel.
C) Uses ideas or technology too advanced for the current era to fully adopt.
D) Tells the time more accurately than a standard clock.
D) Tells the time more accurately than a standard clock.