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These exercises will enrich your English
1-English Preposition Test
1. There is an explanation of photosynthesis (at – in – on – to) Chapter 11. 2. The answers to the problems are (at – in – on – to) page 227. 3. You have to be (at – in – on – to) least 18 to vote. 4. When did the U.S. send the first men (at – in – on – to)the moon? 5. (At – In – On – To)times I feel like quitting. 6. Did you see Professor Thompson (at – to – with – off) at the airport?
7. Yes, I asked him (about – for – of – in) the chemistry problem I didn't understand, and he explained it to me. 8. Yes, I asked him (about – for – of – in)the homework I missed when I was absent, and he gave it to me. 9. May I ask a favour (at – for – to – of) you? 10. Billy, where have you been? You're covered (ob – with – for – to) mud! 11. Are you going to the meeting (at - in - on – to) Friday? 12. Are you going to France (in – on – at – with) May? 13. The guest lecturer talked (to - on - with - into) economic development. 14. The professor wrote several comments (in – on – about – to) my paper. 15. The professor made several comments (in – on – about - to) my ideas. 16. The search (for – from – by – in) the source of the Nile took many years. 17. The class discussed (to – with – about- in Rousseau's social contract yesterday. 18. Does the candidate have a plan (about – for – to – on) balancing the budget? 19. Do you plan (about – for – to – on) speaking at the meeting? 20. He wants more help (by – for – from – on) the U.S. to combat terrorism. 21. Seven people were severely injured in the accident, according (by – to – with – about) doctors. 22. I need more time to study; I'm not ready (of – for – about – with) the test. 23. Please look at the chart (at – in – on – to) the middle of the page. 24. I'm not familiar (by – of – with – about) fashion trends in Japan. 25. I'm not aware (to – with – for – of) any opposition to the proposals. 26. Who will look (at – for – about – after) your cat while you're on vacation? 27. Police are looking (about – for – in - into the matter. 28. Do you know what features to look (at – for – to – up) when buying a personal computer? 29. Professor Olsen is a credit (for – to – with – down) his department. 30. Who translated Garcia Lorca's poetry (by – for – in – into) English? 31. People all (among – beyond – over – within) the world now use the Internet. 32. The teacher said she noticed a big improvement (for – in – on – to) our oral work this term. 33. He was so mad he threw a book (at – for – to – with) me! 34. I shouted (at – for – to – in) him across the river. 35. Mr. Gordon's son really looks (up at – up with – up on – up to) him; he thinks he's great. 36. Dr. Taylor is leaving (at the end – for the end – in the end – to the end) of the semester. 37. We had a lot of problems with our old house. (At the end - For the end - In the end - To the end) we decided to sell it. 38. I left work late, but I got home (at – on – in – for) time to watch the beginning of the game. 39. (At – On – In – By) first I thought this course would be easy, but it is becoming quite difficult. 40. Dave is very experienced (to – on – in – for) Web design. 41. U.S. trade is very dependent (at – on – in – to) foreign demand. 42. I am averse (at – on – in – to) changing our strategy at this point in the campaign. 43. The teacher was unsuccessful (for – on – in – to) changing the student's mind. 44. I'm hopeless (at – on – in – to) mathematics! 45. U.S. citizens do not need a visa to enter (at – in – to – on) Canada. 46. Our company had a 30% increase _____ sales last year. 47. The new bill lacks (in – on – of – with) sufficient support in the Senate. 48. Many accidents are caused by a lack (in – on – of – at) sleep. 49. Videogames are very efficient (at – in – on – for) enhancing visual skills. 50. He is very typical (in – on – of – with) his generation. 51. We are all responsible (for – from – of – by) our actions. 52. The subjects in the study were divided (by – on – to – into) three groups. 53. At the end of trading, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up (by – for – at – until) 21 points. 54. Most people now take eating fast food (for – from – of – by) granted. 55. I'm afraid you are not eligible (for – from – of – by) the scholarship. 56. There are certain limitations inherent (for – in – on – by) that technology.57. That item is only available (for – in – on – by) mail order. 58. Is the price acceptable (for – with – to – about) you? 59. Italian students comprise 60 % (for – of – to – in) the class.. 60. The United States is comprised (for – of – to – up) fifty states. 61. John wants a salary commensurate (for – to – with – in) his responsibilities. 62. I am convinced (for – in – with – of) his innocence. 63. The deal is contingent (with – in – on – to) your accepting a price of $50 a share. 64. Because he was a newcomer, he was viewed (for – with – in – by) mistrust. 65. Her illness caused a lot of pain (to – for – by – with) her. 66. In his new book, Professor Nash devotes only one paragraph (to – for – on – with) fiscal policy. 67. He is developing (to – in – into – with) a good teacher. 68. Owing (to – with – for – up) unforeseen circumstances, I will not be able to attend tomorrow. 69. His term paper was filled (to – with – for – by) mistakes. 70. That company's shares are priced (at – in – on – to) only 12 times earnings. 71. Automobile navigation systems rely (by – for – in – on) global positioning satellites. 72. (From – For – In – To) my opinion, we are going about this all wrong. 73. Carob is often used as a substitute (by – for – to – of) chocolate. 74. Poor grammar can detract (for – from – of – to) the effectiveness of your paper. 75. (By – For – On – To) my mind, that is a specious argument. 76. These items are not available (at – in – on – for) sale.. 77. If I don't finish this assignment, I'm going to be (at – in – on – for) big trouble. 78. That company's stock split two (by – on – for – with) one. 79. Aspirin helps prevent heart attacks (by – for – from – in) acting on platelets. 80. The ship was traveling (by – for – at – on) full speed when it collided with an iceberg. 81. I thought I would be retired (by – for – at – on) now. 82. We talked (about – to – with – in) that case yesterday, Mr. Wilson. 83. Thank you for confiding (at – to – in – with) me. I will certainly try to help you. 84. A: How much is a good MD player? B: $200 (at – by – for – to) most. 85. I am very pleased (at – for – in – with) the job you are doing, Miss Perez. 86. The teacher wants us to write (by – for – in – with) a pen. 87. The letter was unsigned and written (by – for – in – on) pencil.88. Purchasing a stock must be preceded (by – for – to – of) an in-depth analysis.. 89. Some people believe that the Social Security system should be replaced (to –with – for – in) accounts owned by individuals. 90. (On – By – In – Through) average, the birds have arrived five days earlier each decade. 91. The program is aimed (at – in – by – to) identifying students who are the most likely to succeed in college. 92. A large part of the U.S. economy is subject (at – in – by – to) competition from foreign labor. 93. The twentieth century saw incredible advances (at – in – by – to) medicine. 94. Everybody should have access (at – in – on – to) high-quality health care. 95. The U. S. has a competitive advantage (in – on – to – with) innovation. 96. His teaching style is consistent (in – on – to – with) his personality. 97. The land was valued (at – for – in – to) $10,000,000. 98. He is opposed (at – for – on – to) tax cuts. 99. There was no agreement (at – for – on – to) the type of copy protection to offer. 100. In this study, wages have been adjusted (by – for – in – with) inflation. 2-ADVANCED VOCABULARY PRACTICE 1-adv. moderately; quite; rather; to some extent forward pretty back rapidly | 2-adv. without pleasure or happiness; wretchedly; poorly Moderately miserably initially below | | 3-adv. quite; sufficiently; fairlyCounter seamlessly enough rarely4-adv. dutifully; with care; thoroughlyManually twice conscientiously below | 5-adv. very quite; to a degree; somewhat; slightly; a bit; might as well rather – further – nearby - entirely | 6-adv. politely; respectfully; graciously courteously – instinctively – forward – nearby | 7-v. to load; to oppress; to burden; to regard; to esteem become – distract – evade - weight 8-adv. amid; in the middleprecisely – miserably – between - hard 9-adv. softly; in a low voice; without strength or force; weakly; into little piecesdirectly – subjectively – small – nevertheless10- v. to arrange something in categories or groupsDisgorge glean incinerate classify | | |
3- ADVANCED VOCABULARY PRACTICE
Select the most appropriate completion from the alternatives given. 01. If ambitious people have enough ............................. they will achieve the most difficult of goals.
A. purpose B. intention C. determination D. endeavour 02. Despite his financial success, he maintained a modest .............................
A. expression B. fashion C. demeanour D. behaviour 03. The two experts retreated into a corner and were soon engaged in ............................. discussion of current economic fashions.
A. animated B. alert C. sprightly D. eager 04. It was an emergency that called for ............................. action.
A. nimble B. brisk C. prompt D. vigilant 05. Reading the news of the fall in stock prices, I realized with ............................. that I had lost several thousand dollars.
A. terror B. apprehension C. dread D. dismay 06. Such a passive acceptance of whatever fate has in store is an attitude completely ............................. to most American managers.
A. distant B. alien C. contrary D. remote 07. The military had to be mobilized in order to ............................. the rioting mob.
A. pacify B. tranquillize C. appease D. mollify 08. Usually, to ............................. a headache, we take aspirin.
A. mitigate B. moderate C. alleviate D. assuage 09. In estimating the costs of printing, it is necessary to ............................. for a certain amount of wastage.
A. allow B. grant C. permit D. concede 10. In the course of his speech, the politician frequently ............................. to the failures of the previous government.
A. mentioned B. insinuated C. indicated D. alluded 11. Talking gently, the police officer eventually ............................. the potential suicide from off the window-ledge.
A. lured B. coaxed C. decoyed D. enticed 12. Both men felt so deeply that they were right, and each hated the other so much, that what should have been a civilized discussion soon degenerated into a vulgar .............................
A. scrap B. strife C. disputation D. brawl
4-DVANCED VOCABULARY AND IDIOM QUIZ Select the correct answer from the four alternatives given.01. As times get harder we'll just have to pull in our................. A. waistlines B. ambitions C belts D. ideas 02. I'm doing badly. I'll have to pull my... up. A. stockings B. shoes C. socks D. trousers 03. The mud was... -deep. A. foot B. sock C. ankle D. toe 04. He's not a pushy person. He likes to take... A. things Iying down B. a back seat C. a long lie-in D. things backwards 05. Strikes..... prompt delivery. A. hold up B. stop back C. reverse D. hold down 06. Two items on the agenda were... until the next meeting. A. held over B. stopped over C. held back D put down 07. In hard times it's difficult to.... A. stop drowning B. keep floating C. keep one's head above water D. stay above water 08. I just do not understand it. I can't make... of it A. long or short B. head or tail C. bottom or top D. fast or loose 09. Their profits are huge. They're... it. A. lifting B. manufacturing C. crowning D. coining 10 He bought his car on the... , by hire-purchase. A. now and now B. up and up C. never-never D. pay tomorrow 11. He has made a mistake, and must face the... A. hardship B. music C. noise D. play 12. Don't... horses in midstream. A. shoot B. over-burden C. gallop D. swop 13. This car has gone to..... It won't even start. A. the devil B. seed C. pot D. earth 14. The socialists wanted to... the rich. A drown B wet C. soak D. swamp 5-ADVANCED VOCABULARY AND IDIOM PRACTICE Select the most appropriate completion from the alternatives given. 1. We went to the wrong house.................
A. on mistake B. to mistake C. mistaken D. by mistake 2. That argument is no good: it won't...................
A. hold water B. blossom C. make water D. pass water 3. If you get measles, you will................... in spots.
A. break out B. break up C. break D. crack up4. We can................ that hotel for tonight.
A. put up with B. put up at C. put up by D. put by at 5. Insults roll off him like water......................
A. down a drain B. on a tin roof C. into the river D. off a duck's back 6. When he retired, his son......................
A. took over B. stood by C. opened up D. made up 7. Fishing.................. consists of a rod, line and hooks.
A. apparatus B. gear C. tackle D. material 8. If you.................. attention, you will learn more.
A. make B. give C. pay D. stand up 9. Go to the Chinese..................... and bring back some chop suey.
A. carry-away B. carry-on C. take-away D. fast-courses 10. As a result of government................, more jobs were lost.
A. cut-aways B. cut-backs C. cuttings D. drop-backs 11. It's a secret: my.....................
A. mouth is shut B. lips are shut C. mouth is sealed D. lips are sealed 12. Don't bother looking for a hotel. We can.................... overnight.
A. fix you B. fix you up C. give you the fixings D. fix you over 6- ADVANCED VOCABULARY AND IDIOM PRACTICE Select the most appropriate completion from the alternatives given. 1. He soon................... the money he won in the lottery.
A. ran through B. dropped through C. ran away D. dropped down 2. ................... favours the brave.
A. Luck B. Fortune C. Time D. Fate 3. It wasn't serious; he did it.....................
A. by fun B. funny C. for fun D. to fun you 4. He's crazy: he's a.........................
A. moony B. goony C. noony D. loony 5. It is said waiters................... fair amount in tips.
A. lift out B. pick out C. pick up D. lift up 6. Don't hang about: get a......................
A. move to B. moving C. move on D. move out 7. A.................... is a person who spends money like a drunken sailor.
A. plunger B. spendthrift C. wastrel D. playboy 8. A drowning man clutches at a......................
A. thread B. straw C. mote D. penny 9. People threw things and the meeting..................
A. cracked up B. blew up C. broke out D. broke up10. A chain is as strong as its...................
A. weakest link B. corrosion C. anchor D. individual member 11. When beer is flat you don't get much.....................
A. head B. top C. bubble D. lift off 12. She worries too much; the least little thing...................
A. sets her up B. gets her in C. makes her up D. puts her out 7-ADVANCED VOCABULARY AND IDIOM PRACTICE Select the most appropriate completion from the alternatives given. 1. Don't walk so quickly. You'll never keep up that................ for ten miles.
A. stride B. step C. pace D. walk 2. He always................... song in the shower.
A. breaks out B. breaks up in C. breaks into D. breaks in 3. The sudden attack caught the enemy..................
A. napping B. undone C. open D. sleepy 4. I don't think he's completely honest; he seems to live on his......................
A. reputation B. nerves C. wits D. feet 5. The police followed a number of clues, but have so far drawn a.....................
A. negative B. blank C. zero D. nil 6. I am happy to fall.................... anything you suggest.
A. in with B. to with C. over D. into 7. A.................. is a book of little value, written only to make money.
A. novelette B. potboiler C. paperback D. stopgap 8. The government................... a committee to investigate the problem.
A. mounted B. put up C. raised D. set up 9. It's a skilled job, and you need quite a lot of....................
A. know-how B. knowledge C. understanding D. knowing 10. She is not popular. She is the office gossip, always............... to the boss.
A. saying stories B. going on C. letting it out D. telling tales 11. There is a storm................... We had better head for home.
A. rising up B. getting up C. lifting D. setting up 12. In the autumn, in the northern hemisphere, the days.................
A. draw in B. wane C. close to D. come in
8-ADVANCED VOCABULARY AND IDIOM PRACTICESelect the most appropriate completion from the alternatives given. 01. In the autumn, in the northern hemisphere, the days.................
A. draw in B. wane C. close to D. come in02. Inefficiency made the manager so angry, his...................
A. ears moved B. eyes boggled C. blood boiled D. breath steamed03. He has spent all his life in the business, so he knows the....................
A. way B. systems C. ropes D. map04. The mother gave the naughty children a good....................
A. telling off B. dressing over C. reprimand D. shouting out05. I've been so busy, I have hardly had time to draw.................
A. a straight line B. something C. breath D. a short straw06. There were 30 children in the class, all....................
A. said B. done C. counted D. told0 7. I'll tell you................... Let's drive to the seaside for the day.
A. how B. anything C. something D. what 08. It is easy to lose your.................... in a strange city.
A. sight B. bearings C. place D. hotel09. His training as a paratrooper made him as hard as.................
A. concrete B. steel shot C. nails D. brick10. He is not interested in anything we can offer him: he has bigger fish to......................
A. cook B. boil C. fry D. fillet11. Watching his line, the fisherman lost..................... of time.
A. appreciation B. sense C. track D. sight12. I can do no more: I have shot my....................
A. self B. cannon C. gun D. bolt 9-IDIOM QUIZSelect the correct answer from the four alternatives given. 01 Children should lead happy... lives. A. careless B. uncaring C caring D. carefree 02 Don't be lazy. Pull your... A. self B. own C. weight D socks 03. He's a trouble-maker always rocking the... A. boat B. baby C horse D carriage 04 Everything was neat and tidy: it was... A. shipshape B. regimented C. airborne D. springclean 05 Don't be pessimistic: look on the.. side. A glossy B. shining C polished D. bright 06. It's... that blows nobody any good. A. a bad breeze B bad breath C an unhappy instrument D. an ill wind 07 He thinks a lot of himself. always blowing his own. .. A. trumpet B whistle C. breath D. balloon 08. It's as American as... A. Arizona B Abe Lincoln C. apple-pie D. baseball 09. I went there on the... and. by good luck. found him at home. A. good luck B. half expectation C off chance D. in hope 10. ... waters run deep. A. Calm B. Slow C. Still D. Quiet 11 I'm terribly busy: I'm up to my... in work. A. hocks B. ears C. neck D head 12 They kept us waiting,... our heels in the lobby.A. airing B. cooling C. resting D. tapping 10- IDIOM QUIZSelect the correct answer from the four alternatives given. 01. He'll never make a soldier; he can't march in... A. unison B. order C. uniform D step 02. It's as sure as.... A. work is work B eggs is eggs C. taxes are taxes D. grey is grey 03 No half-measures. Let's make a clean... of it A. sweep B. brush C. space D. start 04. Poor old Fido. He's getting long in the... and is not interested in chasing rabbits any more. A arm B. tail C. kennel D. tooth 05 Sherlock Holmes soon got to the... of the crime A base B. foundation C. bottom D. basement 06. Things usually get worse: it never rains but it . . . A showers B. storms C. pours D. floods 07. She said the drugs in her suitcase must have been... there by someone else. A. buried B. dropped C. dug D. planted 08. Are you sure he's a... person for your daughter to know? A. proper B. right C. correct D. sure 09. On a long plane trip time hangs... on your hands A. weightily B. dully C. heavy D. grimly 10. She did me a bad... and I'll never forgive her for it. A. deed B. action C. act D. turn 11. They were glad to see us. They greeted us with open... A. hands B. arms C. doors D. minds 12. I have an examination coming up: I'll have to... on things - bone up B. flesh out C grip hard D. take
11- Advanced Idioms 1-Fox-hunting and deer stalking are condemned as blood ......................................
02. The constant noise of the bass rhythm coming through the wall made it impossible to relax. It was more than ...................... and ...................... could bear.
03. In the horror film, when the heroine saw the vampire, she let out a blood-...................... scream.
04. One look at Ramsbottom's green complexion and blood-...................... eyes is enough to tell you that he's been on the bottle again.
05. Those blood-...................... at the tax office have demanded another $1,000.
06. I have a bone to ...................... with that travel agent. I want to know why he booked me on a flight that had a three-hour delay, when I could have gone direct on KLM.
07. The main bone of ...................... at the company's general meeting was the amount paid in fees to the non-executive members of the board.
08. The new secretary ...................... no bones about telling the office manager that under no circumstances would she work overtime.
09. The cult leader could not be precise, but did say that he ...................... it in his bones that the end of the word was nigh.
10. It made my flesh ...................... to hear Mrs King scream when she saw that mouse. 12- ADVANCED VOCABULARYComplete:
01. He doesn't work hard because he likes the work. He's just a money-.................. who'll do anything for a few extra pence.
02. The play had run in the West End and on Broadway. It was a real money-..................
03. He threatened to reveal everything to the press unless he was paid a substantial amount of .................. money.
04. We normally give our children ..................-money every week.
05. My wife keeps some spare cash in the kitchen as ................-money to buy odds and end she needs.
06. They are taking their children to Florida for a month, and with seven of them in the family, it will cost them a .................. penny.
07. His father thinks it is time he stopped studying, got a job and earned an .................. penny.
08. They waste money on expensive carpets and refuse to install a decent air conditioning system: they are penny .................. and pound foolish.
09. I don't really mind if I have to work overtime. It's all .................. to me.
10. We visited Las Vegas and my wife lost $150 in a .................. bandit.
13-ADVANCED VOCABULARYComplete:1.In protest, he wrote an open .................... to the prime minister which was published in all the newspapers.2. As far as free trade is concerned, the open .................... is slowly shutting.
3. The prosecution had an open and .................... case, so the trial was a pure formality.
4. Everyone knew about it. It was all open and .................... board.
5. Of course, we are always open to an ...................., but it would have to be a good one.
6. They were glad to see us. They greeted us with open ....................
7. He is a generous sort of fellow, very open-....................
8. These days it is a good idea to keep an open ....................: you never know who is right and who is wrong.
9. They are very hospitable. They keep open ....................
10. It is nice to get out of town and into the open .................... 14-ADVANCED COLLOQUIAL ENGLISHHow many of these idioms can you complete? Only one word is missing in each case.
1-Mr Baker should stop playing jokes on Mrs King. She hates having her leg ................................
2. They tried to sue us for breach of contract but they lost because they didn't have a leg to ................................ on.
3. I think I'll take the dog for a walk to ................................ my legs.
4. The car has broken down yet again. It's on its ................................ legs.
5. This year, Mr. King has put his foot ................................ and refused to have his mother-in-law to stay during the summer holidays.
6. She's getting on in years. It's as if she had one foot in the ................................
7. So if he takes both his wife and his mother-in-law on holiday, he doesn't have much chance to put his feet ................................
8. As a sales manager, Mr Wright is rather untactful and inclined to ................................ on the customers' toes.
9. Once the company policy has been decided, there will be no further discussion. Everyone will have to toe the ................................
10. He hit the wall at 80mph but the airbag ................................ his skin.
11. Mrs King has a very ................................ skin so criticism rolls off her like water off a duck's back.
12. I'm certainly not contributing to buying a birthday present for Mrs King, not because I'm a skin................................ but because I just can't stand the woman.
15- Advanced Use of Prepositions Complete:
01. Look, it's nearly midnight. It's ....................... time we went.
02. Medicine should not be placed ......................... reach of small children.
03. You should not do it because it is ....................... the rules.
04. The mother divided the birthday cake ....................... the children at the party.
05. The tourist hired a car in order to travel ........................ the countryside, sightseeing.
06. The yacht was riding ............................ anchor in the bay.
07. The salesman did not have to pay for his car as it was provided ........................... his company's expense.
08. She is rather old-fashioned and ........................... the times.
09. It was such an extremely bad thing to have done that it was ..................contempt.
10. It stands .......................... reason that success requires hard work 16 Advanced Use of PrepositionsComplete:01. She's the office gossip. She knows everything ................. everybody.
02. A policeman must lead an honest, blameless life. He must be .................... suspicion.
03. I couldn't understand a thing they were talking about. I was all .................... sea.
04. Doctors must expect to have their lives interrupted when they are ........................ call.
05. The view was pleasing .................... the eye.
06. He was patient, good-tempered and slow ...................... anger.
07. I must find the time and energy to get .......................... to doing that job sometime.
08. She has got ....................... her illness and has returned to work.
09. She is up and ........................ again.
10. We will definitely see you next week. We will be there .......................... fail.
17 Advanced Use of Prepositions 01. I can't stand the sound of bagpipes. It sets my teeth ....................... edge.
02. Although after the accident the car was a complete write-off, he escaped ..................... a scratch.
03. I put my money in the bank ....................... safe-keeping.
04. The office supervisor in charge of a number of people had twenty people ....................... her.
05. At the seaside, the children were so .............................. themselves with excitement, they could hardly control themselves.
06. The train is ......................... time and will make me late for my appointment.
07. The country with have a million men ...................... arms is prepared for war.
08. The men in white coats said he was ....................... his head and took him away.
09. The sympathetic employer knew every one of his employees ..................... name.
10. It is worthwhile keeping those old bits of string because they could be.......................... use later.18 Advanced Use of Prepositions
Complete:
01. Traffic was backed ......................... for six kilometres as a result of the jam on the main road.
02. The footballers were down ............................ heart after losing such an important match.
03. He always acts ....................... the level and you can believe he Is serious when he says he is going to resign.
04. With inflation costs will rise ....................... doubt.
05. The nurse will be ......................... call if you need her.
06. If he reported your private conversation to the boss, he was definitely .................. the wrong.
07. He is very punctual and always arrives early as a matter ....................... course.
08. Why are those noisy children shouting ............................ the tops of their voices?
09. He went to the boss and repeated everything I said word ...................... word.
10. She refused to let them ........................ the secret.
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