English Language Skills: Vocabulary & Grammar Practice
English Vocabulary Practice
Enhance your English vocabulary with these practical exercises focusing on common phrases and expressions.
Exercise 1: Time and Schedule Vocabulary
Complete the sentences using the most appropriate word from the list below:
- brief
- sidetracked
- take your time
- due
- stages
- on time
- deadline
- sharp
- drag on
- delayed
- The train was due, but it’s been delayed.
- The ceremony will start at 5:00 PM sharp, so please make sure to be on time.
- There is no deadline. You can relax and take your time.
- They said the meeting would be brief, but it seemed to drag on for hours.
Exercise 2: Everyday Conversations
Fill in the blanks to complete the dialogue, using appropriate words and phrases.
Dialogue:
- B: No, we decided to put it off.
- A: She stood me up!
- B: That’s terrible! It drives me crazy when that happens.
- A: Me too. Got some free time on my hands now.
- B: OK. They usually accept short notice, so they can be there in no time flat.
Exercise 3: Career and Work Vocabulary
Complete the sentences using the most appropriate word from the list below:
- dull
- full-time
- hardworking
- praises
- overtime
- staff
- internship
- hired
- field
- undergraduate
A: Your brother… Did he get his undergraduate degree?
A: Wow! Will he be able to find work in that field?
B: He was actually hired! He began an unpaid internship, and then they gave him a full-time job.
B: It’s great. The staff is fantastic. There’s never a dull moment.
B: He’s very hardworking in the office and often works overtime. He always praises his team.
English Grammar Practice
Transform the following sentences as instructed, focusing on various grammatical structures.
Original: Many fans think she is a positive role model.
Transformation: It is thought to be a positive role model by many fans.
Original: We are sending our friends in Canada some Christmas cards.
Transformation: Our friends in Canada are being sent some Christmas cards by us.
Original: Maybe the meeting hasn’t finished yet.
Transformation: The meeting may not have finished yet.
Original: It’s impossible that she saw us.
Transformation: She can’t have seen us.
Original: Why didn’t you come to my party last week?
Transformation: My friend asked me why I hadn’t come to her party the week before.
Original: Don’t drive so fast. The road is quite slippery.
Transformation: My father warned me not to drive so fast because the road is quite slippery.
Original: They didn’t buy the car because they didn’t have enough money.
Transformation: If they had had enough money, they would have bought the car.
Original: K. Argiñano is a famous chef. His son is also a good cook.
Transformation: K. Argiñano, whose son is also a good cook, is a famous chef.
Original: When we warm water at 100°C, it boils.
Transformation: If we warm water at 100°C, it boils.
Original: The mechanic is repairing my car at the garage.
Transformation: I am having my car repaired at the garage by the mechanic.
Original: I won’t be able to attend the conference because I have an appointment with the doctor.
Transformation: If I didn’t have an appointment with the doctor, I would be able to attend the conference.
Original: Shall we meet at the cafe? We used to go there when we were at university.
Transformation: Shall we meet at the cafe where we used to go when we were at university?
Original: When did the event take place?
Transformation: The police wanted to know when the event had taken place.
Original: People say that Helen may become the new manager of the company.
Transformation: It is said that Helen may become the new manager of the company.
Original: The organizers gave us special tickets for backstage access.
Transformation: We were given special tickets for backstage access by the organizers.
Original: I went to the concert and I regret it. I have a terrible headache.
Transformation: I wish I hadn’t gone to the concert; I have a terrible headache now.
Original: Has the dentist examined your broken tooth?
Transformation: Have you had your broken tooth examined by the dentist?
Original: I’m sure she hasn’t left the house as her car is still here.
Transformation: She can’t have left the house as her car is still here.
Original: Where is the toilet?
Transformation: The new employee asked where the toilet was.
Original: The last time I saw Mike was a year ago.
Transformation: I haven’t seen Mike for a year.