Vocabulary and Grammar Exercises for English Learners
Vocabulary
1. Choose the correct alternative to complete the sentences.
- Some people think that the wide, flared trousers popular in the 1970s will make a comeback one day.
- The 1950s film star James Dean became iconic after his death in a car crash, aged just 24.
- If I pass tomorrow’s maths exam, it will be a huge accomplishment.
- The gadget was just a fad, however, its popularity lasted just a matter of months.
- The clothes my parents are wearing in photos of them when they were my age look so outdated.
- It would be a(n) ordeal trying to convince my parents to let me go on holiday with my peers.
- Although the group was popular for several months, there has been a recent backlash against them.
- Some actors are underrated and should be given more credit for their talent and work.
- Failing my driving test the first time didn’t make me feel discouraged. On the contrary, it was a feat that I successfully overcame the next time.
2. Use ONE suitable word in each gap to complete the text.
I must admit that I’ve always tried to (a) keep up with the latest fashions. To see what’s on the (b) radar in terms of fashion, I look at fashion websites and online fashion magazines. That’s how I know what the (c) next big thing is likely to be. This means that you can guarantee that whatever’s (d) in vogue at a particular time, I’ll be wearing it!
At the moment, tight jeans and hoodies and T-shirts of a particular meme are all the (e) rage so that’s what I wear when I go out. After all, I always like to make a fashion (f) statement when I’m out and about!
It’s amazing how quickly new fashions come and go – everything seems to be a (g) passing trend these days, appearing and disappearing so quickly. In fact, some of the clothes I used to wear when I first got into clothes are already (h) back in fashion now!
I’d like to be a fashion designer when I’m older so that I can actually (i) start a new trend rather than just following ones that other people have created. When I do, I’ll have to think of clever ways of raising my (j) profile so that my designs become more popular than anyone else’s!
3. Complete the sentences with the best IDIOM. (6 marks)
- Be prepared for your kids to pull the wool over your eyes when they’re teenagers.
- We need to put our thinking caps on and decide what can be done to prevent the problem.
- Why do you keep trusting John when he has lied to you time and time again?
- Students are behind the eight ball because they didn’t hand in their writing practice on time.
- Last night my boyfriend and I went Dutch (=shared expenses) on a meal in the new restaurant in High Street.
- I get paid next week, so can we go to the cinema then? I’m just a bit out of pocket right now.
- Looking on the bright side, I’ll have plenty of time to start my own business now that I’m unemployed.
- You really must pull your socks up if you want to beat Jane in the competition. feeling that something was wrong when her daughter
- Susan’s mother had a gut feeling that something was wrong when her daughter wasn’t home by ten o’clock.
- Politicians shouldn’t skirt around the issue of corruption when they are asked in press conferences.
Grammar
1. Complete the text with the correct relative pronoun in each of the gaps. (3 marks)
The clothes shop (a) where I buy most of my clothes is in the town centre. It’s an independent store, unlike most of the shops (b) that sell clothes in my town. The woman (c) who owns the shop is also a fashion designer, (d) whose designs have been worn by celebrities, so she’s well-known. The shop, (e) which is next door to the railway station, is really popular with people my age. I prefer going there during the week, (f) which the shop is usually less busy.
2. Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence. Do not change the word given. (12 marks)
- Most of my friends listen to hip-hop, which is still really popular.
- I haven’t seen Jane since New Year’s Eve.
- My brother is far more responsible than he used to be.
- Juan, whose first language is Spanish, speaks French fluently.
- Mia always visits England when the leaves are starting to turn brown in the autumn.
- This is the teacher whom Erik was speaking to.
- My neighbours have been living here for nine months now.
- Jeremy is the tallest in class by miles.
- Surfing is nowhere as dangerous as bungee jumping.
- The café in which Anna and Jeremy met is in the mall.
- The man who has a beard is the owner of the cafe.
- Susan is easily the most fashionable woman I know.
Task 1 Circle the correct answer.(6 marks)
1. The British trainee felt that people who want to be addressed as ‘Dr’ must be …
b. conceited and self-important.
2. If you are not sure how to address someone, you should …
d. ask them what they would like you to call them.
3. There might be a misunderstanding if an American smiles at a Russian business associate because the Russian might think that the American is …
a. being fake
4. The Japanese, South Koreans and Iranians might interpret a smiling face as being …
c. not as intelligent
5. Americans and British people sometimes use eye contact to show that they …
b. are really listening to what is being said
Task 2: Are the sentences true or false? (10 marks)
1. When doing business internationally, there is a possibility that we might misinterpret what each other is saying even though we are speaking the same language. TRUE
2. To the German trainee, having a PhD is equivalent to being a medical doctor FALSE
3. Sometimes, the smallest things can trigger a huge emotional response in us, especially when they are things we are not used to. TRUE
4. In the research done to the perceptions of smiles, people from different countries were asked to rate photos of smiling faces and non-smiling faces. TRUE
5. Making eye contact can be interpreted in different ways in different cultures but is almost always a positive thing. FALSE