Complete an original connected text with 15 multiple-choice gaps. Read the whole passage and use the surrounding context. Answers and explanations appear after completion.
Your progress
Ready to move on?
Mark this lesson as studied when you have finished the explanation.
Choose an option for each numbered gap. Your choices appear in the text; they are checked when you finish.
Our neighbourhood tool library began with an attempt (1)___ reduce unnecessary purchases. We realised that many tools were being (2)___ only once or twice a year. Instead (3)___ buying more, neighbours could borrow what they needed. The idea sounded (4)___, but organising it took time. We had to make (5)___ that each item was clearly labelled.
Anyone (6)___ borrowed a tool agreed to return it by a set date. We would prefer members (7)___ report problems immediately. At first, some people were worried (8)___ lending valuable equipment. We explained the rules without (9)___ that nothing could ever go wrong. The system has turned (10)___ to be easier to manage than expected.
Members often stay to discuss projects after (11)___ their tools. The library is gradually becoming a place (12)___ people exchange advice too. We needn't have (13)___ such a large room at the beginning. Nevertheless, we are likely (14)___ use the extra space as membership grows. By next spring, we will have been running the library (15)___ two years.
Our neighbourhood tool library began with an attempt ___ reduce unnecessary purchases.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: to
Our neighbourhood tool library began with an attempt to reduce unnecessary purchases. The construction requires a to-infinitive.
We realised that many tools were being ___ only once or twice a year.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: used
We realised that many tools were being used only once or twice a year. A passive construction requires be + past participle, with the appropriate tense.
Instead ___ buying more, neighbours could borrow what they needed.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: of
Instead of buying more, neighbours could borrow what they needed. This word completes the prepositional pattern in the sentence.
The idea sounded ___, but organising it took time.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: simple
The idea sounded simple, but organising it took time. An adjective describes a noun or follows a linking verb; an adverb or noun would not fit.
We had to make ___ that each item was clearly labelled.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: sure
We had to make sure that each item was clearly labelled. This is the established combination or expression required by the sentence.
Anyone ___ borrowed a tool agreed to return it by a set date.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: who
Anyone who borrowed a tool agreed to return it by a set date. Choose a relative pronoun for a person or thing, or where for a place when no other subject/object is missing.
We would prefer members ___ report problems immediately.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: to
We would prefer members to report problems immediately. The construction requires a to-infinitive.
At first, some people were worried ___ lending valuable equipment.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: about
At first, some people were worried about lending valuable equipment. This word completes the prepositional pattern in the sentence.
We explained the rules without ___ that nothing could ever go wrong.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: claiming
We explained the rules without claiming that nothing could ever go wrong. This verb, expression or preposition takes an -ing form in this construction.
The system has turned ___ to be easier to manage than expected.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: out
The system has turned out to be easier to manage than expected. This is the established combination or expression required by the sentence.
Members often stay to discuss projects after ___ their tools.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: returning
Members often stay to discuss projects after returning their tools. This verb, expression or preposition takes an -ing form in this construction.
The library is gradually becoming a place ___ people exchange advice too.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: where
The library is gradually becoming a place where people exchange advice too. Choose a relative pronoun for a person or thing, or where for a place when no other subject/object is missing.
We needn't have ___ such a large room at the beginning.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: rented
We needn't have rented such a large room at the beginning. A perfect construction uses have/has/had followed by a past participle.
Nevertheless, we are likely ___ use the extra space as membership grows.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: to
Nevertheless, we are likely to use the extra space as membership grows. The construction requires a to-infinitive.
By next spring, we will have been running the library ___ two years.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: for
By next spring, we will have been running the library for two years. For introduces the duration of a period.
Question 1 of 150% complete
Gap 1Our neighbourhood tool library began with an attempt ___ reduce unnecessary purchases.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: to
Our neighbourhood tool library began with an attempt to reduce unnecessary purchases. The construction requires a to-infinitive.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: used
We realised that many tools were being used only once or twice a year. A passive construction requires be + past participle, with the appropriate tense.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: of
Instead of buying more, neighbours could borrow what they needed. This word completes the prepositional pattern in the sentence.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: simple
The idea sounded simple, but organising it took time. An adjective describes a noun or follows a linking verb; an adverb or noun would not fit.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: sure
We had to make sure that each item was clearly labelled. This is the established combination or expression required by the sentence.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: who
Anyone who borrowed a tool agreed to return it by a set date. Choose a relative pronoun for a person or thing, or where for a place when no other subject/object is missing.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: to
We would prefer members to report problems immediately. The construction requires a to-infinitive.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: about
At first, some people were worried about lending valuable equipment. This word completes the prepositional pattern in the sentence.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: claiming
We explained the rules without claiming that nothing could ever go wrong. This verb, expression or preposition takes an -ing form in this construction.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: out
The system has turned out to be easier to manage than expected. This is the established combination or expression required by the sentence.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: returning
Members often stay to discuss projects after returning their tools. This verb, expression or preposition takes an -ing form in this construction.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: where
The library is gradually becoming a place where people exchange advice too. Choose a relative pronoun for a person or thing, or where for a place when no other subject/object is missing.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: rented
We needn't have rented such a large room at the beginning. A perfect construction uses have/has/had followed by a past participle.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: to
Nevertheless, we are likely to use the extra space as membership grows. The construction requires a to-infinitive.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: for
By next spring, we will have been running the library for two years. For introduces the duration of a period.
Keep learning
Choose your next small step
Continue this topic or practice every English skill at the same level.
