Q.1
Choose the answer that completes the sentence in the most accurate and suitable English. 'I shall need that book again ... ... early September for next year's teaching, so you can borrow it ... ... the end of August.'
  • ... from ... / ... by ...
  • ... starting ... / ... from ...
  • ... by ... / ... until ...
  • ... during ... / ... for ...
Q.2
To begin with: which ONE of these versions is NOT an acceptable way of expressing this in English?
  • Until he turned eight years old, he had never even seen a mountain in his life.
  • He had never set eyes on a mountain before his eighth birthday.
  • Before eight years, he had never seen any mountains.
  • Up to the age of eight, he had never seen any mountains.
Q.3
Which of these versions does NOT 'belong'? 'If these tough financial times continue, he won't be able to pay off that loan ... ... '
  • ... by the time he takes retirement.'
  • ... prior to his retirement.'
  • ... until he retires.'
  • ... before he goes onto his pension.'
Q.4
Which is the only UNACCEPTABLE way of phrasing this idea? 'The cricket match was so close and tense; and, what with interruptions for breaks in the weather, play did not finish ... ... '
  • ... after 6 o'clock.
  • ... by 6 o'clock.
  • ... before 6 o'clock.
  • ... until 6 o'clock.
Q.5
Choose the answer that completes the sentence in the most accurate and suitable English. 'Due to essential maintenance works, the company's IT system will be out of action temporarily, ... ... approximately 30 hours ... ... the weekend beginning Saturday 1 April.'
  • ... for ... / ... during ...
  • ... during ... / ... of ...
  • ... while ... / ... at ...
  • ... since ... / ... over ...
Q.6
Which is the LEAST similar, and LEAST good or accurate, of the following versions? 'I went straight to the repair shop at the start of my lunch-hour, and the man said my job would be ready ... ... '
  • ... for a quarter to two.'
  • ... in about half an hour or so.'
  • ... sometime after twenty to two.'
  • ... by around forty minutes.'
Q.7
Choose the answer that completes the sentence in the most accurate and suitable English. ~ And finally, the wording from the signboard wherever you come to a road or pedestrian crossing over a railway in Britain: 'STOP LOOK and LISTEN ... ... CROSSING THE LINE'!
  • ... until ...
  • ... while ...
  • ... before ...
  • ... after ...
Q.8
Choose the answer that completes the sentence in the most accurate and suitable English. If he studies the subject at that university, he should complete his course ...
  • ... by two years.
  • ... of two years.
  • ... in two years.
  • ... when two years.
Q.9
Choose the answer that completes the sentence in the most accurate and suitable English. She was a very successful actress ... ... the Noughties, ... ... she met a partner who introduced her to several too many bad habits, her looks and punctuality began to suffer, and producers ... ... queued up to offer her parts in their films and shows.
  • ... throughout ... / ... while ... / ... stopped ...
  • ... during ... / ... until ... / ... no longer ...
  • ... in ... / ... but ... / ... no more ...
  • ... along ... / ... when ... / ... nevermore ...
Q.10
Choose the answer that completes the sentence in the most accurate and suitable English. ' ... ... he fetches the umbrella from the car, this heavy shower of rain will probably have blown over.'
  • When ...
  • By the time ...
  • By when ...
  • During ...
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