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.
I used to (1)___ evening classes were only for people changing careers. When I enrolled in a writing course, I discovered I had been (2)___. Some students wanted qualifications, while others simply enjoyed (3)___. I found it difficult to get used to (4)___ unfinished work. I would rather (5)___ feedback privately than read aloud.
The tutor encouraged me (6)___ try a short paragraph first. Had I refused, I would have (7)___ a useful discussion. The comments were far more constructive (8)___ I had feared. Nobody expected my first draft (9)___ be perfect. The tutor explained that revising was part (10)___ the process.
She suggested (11)___ earlier drafts to see what changed. By the end of the course, I will have (12)___ several complete stories. I still find some exercises (13)___. However, the more I practice, the (14)___ it becomes to begin. I wish I had (15)___ myself this opportunity years ago.
I used to ___ evening classes were only for people changing careers.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: think
I used to think evening classes were only for people changing careers. Used to takes a base verb and describes a past habit or state.
When I enrolled in a writing course, I discovered I had been ___.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: mistaken
When I enrolled in a writing course, I discovered I had been mistaken. An -ed form describes a feeling or state; an -ing adjective usually describes what causes the feeling.
Some students wanted qualifications, while others simply enjoyed ___.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: learning
Some students wanted qualifications, while others simply enjoyed learning. This verb, expression or preposition takes an -ing form in this construction.
I found it difficult to get used to ___ unfinished work.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: sharing
I found it difficult to get used to sharing unfinished work. This verb, expression or preposition takes an -ing form in this construction.
I would rather ___ feedback privately than read aloud.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: receive
I would rather receive feedback privately than read aloud. Would rather/sooner takes a bare infinitive; would rather have takes a past participle for a past preference.
The tutor encouraged me ___ try a short paragraph first.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: to
The tutor encouraged me to try a short paragraph first. The construction requires a to-infinitive.
Had I refused, I would have ___ a useful discussion.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: missed
Had I refused, I would have missed a useful discussion. A perfect construction uses have/has/had followed by a past participle.
The comments were far more constructive ___ I had feared.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: than
The comments were far more constructive than I had feared. Than introduces the second part of a comparison; then refers to time.
Nobody expected my first draft ___ be perfect.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: to
Nobody expected my first draft to be perfect. The construction requires a to-infinitive.
The tutor explained that revising was part ___ the process.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: of
The tutor explained that revising was part of the process. This word completes the prepositional pattern in the sentence.
She suggested ___ earlier drafts to see what changed.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: keeping
She suggested keeping earlier drafts to see what changed. This verb, expression or preposition takes an -ing form in this construction.
By the end of the course, I will have ___ several complete stories.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: written
By the end of the course, I will have written several complete stories. A perfect construction uses have/has/had followed by a past participle.
I still find some exercises ___.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: challenging
I still find some exercises challenging. An -ed form describes a feeling or state; an -ing adjective usually describes what causes the feeling.
However, the more I practice, the ___ it becomes to begin.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: easier
However, the more I practice, the easier it becomes to begin. The ... the ... pairs comparative forms to show connected changes.
I wish I had ___ myself this opportunity years ago.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: given
I wish I had given myself this opportunity years ago. A perfect construction uses have/has/had followed by a past participle.
Question 1 of 150% complete
Gap 1I used to ___ evening classes were only for people changing careers.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: think
I used to think evening classes were only for people changing careers. Used to takes a base verb and describes a past habit or state.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: mistaken
When I enrolled in a writing course, I discovered I had been mistaken. An -ed form describes a feeling or state; an -ing adjective usually describes what causes the feeling.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: learning
Some students wanted qualifications, while others simply enjoyed learning. This verb, expression or preposition takes an -ing form in this construction.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: sharing
I found it difficult to get used to sharing unfinished work. This verb, expression or preposition takes an -ing form in this construction.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: receive
I would rather receive feedback privately than read aloud. Would rather/sooner takes a bare infinitive; would rather have takes a past participle for a past preference.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: to
The tutor encouraged me to try a short paragraph first. The construction requires a to-infinitive.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: missed
Had I refused, I would have missed a useful discussion. A perfect construction uses have/has/had followed by a past participle.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: than
The comments were far more constructive than I had feared. Than introduces the second part of a comparison; then refers to time.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: to
Nobody expected my first draft to be perfect. The construction requires a to-infinitive.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: of
The tutor explained that revising was part of the process. This word completes the prepositional pattern in the sentence.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: keeping
She suggested keeping earlier drafts to see what changed. This verb, expression or preposition takes an -ing form in this construction.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: written
By the end of the course, I will have written several complete stories. A perfect construction uses have/has/had followed by a past participle.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: challenging
I still find some exercises challenging. An -ed form describes a feeling or state; an -ing adjective usually describes what causes the feeling.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: easier
However, the more I practice, the easier it becomes to begin. The ... the ... pairs comparative forms to show connected changes.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: given
I wish I had given myself this opportunity years ago. A perfect construction uses have/has/had followed by a past participle.
Keep learning
Choose your next small step
Continue this topic or practice every English skill at the same level.
