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.
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Choose an option for each numbered gap. Your choices appear in the text; they are checked when you finish.
Our discussion group used to (1)___ subjects that might cause disagreement. As a result, meetings were pleasant but rarely (2)___. The new organiser suggested (3)___ a different approach. She asked each speaker to explain a view before (4)___ it. At first, I thought this would prevent us (5)___ speaking honestly.
In fact, it made our disagreements more (6)___. I could no longer claim someone had said something they (7)___ actually said. We were encouraged (8)___ ask for clarification when needed. The organiser insisted (9)___ giving quieter members time to respond. The more carefully we listened, the (10)___ defensive we became.
That didn't mean we all ended (11)___ agreeing. Some differences were too important (12)___ disappear in one evening. Nevertheless, I left feeling (13)___ rather than defeated. I wish more public discussions were conducted (14)___ the same way. We have already (15)___ a difficult topic for next month.
Our discussion group used to ___ subjects that might cause disagreement.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: avoid
Our discussion group used to avoid subjects that might cause disagreement. Used to takes a base verb and describes a past habit or state.
As a result, meetings were pleasant but rarely ___.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: memorable
As a result, meetings were pleasant but rarely memorable. An adjective describes a noun or follows a linking verb; an adverb or noun would not fit.
The new organiser suggested ___ a different approach.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: trying
The new organiser suggested trying a different approach. This verb, expression or preposition takes an -ing form in this construction.
She asked each speaker to explain a view before ___ it.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: criticising
She asked each speaker to explain a view before criticising it. This verb, expression or preposition takes an -ing form in this construction.
At first, I thought this would prevent us ___ speaking honestly.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: from
At first, I thought this would prevent us from speaking honestly. This word completes the prepositional pattern in the sentence.
In fact, it made our disagreements more ___.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: precise
In fact, it made our disagreements more precise. An adjective describes a noun or follows a linking verb; an adverb or noun would not fit.
I could no longer claim someone had said something they ___ actually said.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: hadn't
I could no longer claim someone had said something they hadn't actually said. Choose the auxiliary that agrees with the subject and verb construction.
We were encouraged ___ ask for clarification when needed.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: to
We were encouraged to ask for clarification when needed. The construction requires a to-infinitive.
The organiser insisted ___ giving quieter members time to respond.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: on
The organiser insisted on giving quieter members time to respond. This word completes the prepositional pattern in the sentence.
The more carefully we listened, the ___ defensive we became.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: less
The more carefully we listened, the less defensive we became. The ... the ... pairs comparative forms to show connected changes.
That didn't mean we all ended ___ agreeing.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: up
That didn't mean we all ended up agreeing. This is the established combination or expression required by the sentence.
Some differences were too important ___ disappear in one evening.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: to
Some differences were too important to disappear in one evening. The construction requires a to-infinitive.
Nevertheless, I left feeling ___ rather than defeated.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: respected
Nevertheless, I left feeling respected rather than defeated. An -ed form describes a feeling or state; an -ing adjective usually describes what causes the feeling.
I wish more public discussions were conducted ___ the same way.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: in
I wish more public discussions were conducted in the same way. This word completes the prepositional pattern in the sentence.
We have already ___ a difficult topic for next month.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: chosen
We have already chosen a difficult topic for next month. A perfect construction uses have/has/had followed by a past participle.
Question 1 of 150% complete
Gap 1Our discussion group used to ___ subjects that might cause disagreement.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: avoid
Our discussion group used to avoid subjects that might cause disagreement. Used to takes a base verb and describes a past habit or state.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: memorable
As a result, meetings were pleasant but rarely memorable. An adjective describes a noun or follows a linking verb; an adverb or noun would not fit.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: trying
The new organiser suggested trying a different approach. This verb, expression or preposition takes an -ing form in this construction.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: criticising
She asked each speaker to explain a view before criticising it. This verb, expression or preposition takes an -ing form in this construction.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: from
At first, I thought this would prevent us from speaking honestly. This word completes the prepositional pattern in the sentence.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: precise
In fact, it made our disagreements more precise. An adjective describes a noun or follows a linking verb; an adverb or noun would not fit.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: hadn't
I could no longer claim someone had said something they hadn't actually said. Choose the auxiliary that agrees with the subject and verb construction.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: to
We were encouraged to ask for clarification when needed. The construction requires a to-infinitive.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: on
The organiser insisted on giving quieter members time to respond. This word completes the prepositional pattern in the sentence.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: less
The more carefully we listened, the less defensive we became. The ... the ... pairs comparative forms to show connected changes.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: up
That didn't mean we all ended up agreeing. This is the established combination or expression required by the sentence.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: to
Some differences were too important to disappear in one evening. The construction requires a to-infinitive.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: respected
Nevertheless, I left feeling respected rather than defeated. An -ed form describes a feeling or state; an -ing adjective usually describes what causes the feeling.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: in
I wish more public discussions were conducted in the same way. This word completes the prepositional pattern in the sentence.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: chosen
We have already chosen a difficult topic for next month. A perfect construction uses have/has/had followed by a past participle.
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