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.
By Thursday, we had been preparing the exhibition (1)___ nearly a month. We expected to have everything (2)___ before the guests arrived. Then the owner called to say the room was no (3)___ available. I wish we had (4)___ the arrangement in writing. We needn't have (5)___ so many leaflets with the old address.
My colleague suggested (6)___ the exhibition online. I would rather have (7)___ it in person, but there was little time. We agreed that the work should (8)___ seen in some form. The more we discussed the idea, the (9)___ confident we became. We asked a friend to help us (10)___ up a simple website.
By the following Monday, we would have (11)___ every photograph. The artists were relieved (12)___ hear that the event could continue. Some even preferred the new format (13)___ relatives abroad could attend. In the end, the change turned (14)___ to be an opportunity. Even so, we will check the contract more (15)___ next time.
By Thursday, we had been preparing the exhibition ___ nearly a month.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: for
By Thursday, we had been preparing the exhibition for nearly a month. For introduces the duration of a period.
We expected to have everything ___ before the guests arrived.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: finished
We expected to have everything finished before the guests arrived. Have/get + object + past participle describes work completed for someone or a resulting state.
Then the owner called to say the room was no ___ available.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: longer
Then the owner called to say the room was no longer available. This is the established combination or expression required by the sentence.
I wish we had ___ the arrangement in writing.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: confirmed
I wish we had confirmed the arrangement in writing. A perfect construction uses have/has/had followed by a past participle.
We needn't have ___ so many leaflets with the old address.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: printed
We needn't have printed so many leaflets with the old address. A perfect construction uses have/has/had followed by a past participle.
My colleague suggested ___ the exhibition online.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: moving
My colleague suggested moving the exhibition online. This verb, expression or preposition takes an -ing form in this construction.
I would rather have ___ it in person, but there was little time.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: held
I would rather have held it in person, but there was little time. Would rather/sooner takes a bare infinitive; would rather have takes a past participle for a past preference.
We agreed that the work should ___ seen in some form.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: be
We agreed that the work should be seen in some form. A passive construction requires be + past participle, with the appropriate tense.
The more we discussed the idea, the ___ confident we became.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: more
The more we discussed the idea, the more confident we became. The ... the ... pairs comparative forms to show connected changes.
We asked a friend to help us ___ up a simple website.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: set
We asked a friend to help us set up a simple website. This is the established combination or expression required by the sentence.
By the following Monday, we would have ___ every photograph.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: uploaded
By the following Monday, we would have uploaded every photograph. A perfect construction uses have/has/had followed by a past participle.
The artists were relieved ___ hear that the event could continue.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: to
The artists were relieved to hear that the event could continue. The construction requires a to-infinitive.
Some even preferred the new format ___ relatives abroad could attend.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: because
Some even preferred the new format because relatives abroad could attend. Because introduces a clause giving a reason; because of requires a noun phrase.
In the end, the change turned ___ to be an opportunity.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: out
In the end, the change turned out to be an opportunity. This is the established combination or expression required by the sentence.
Even so, we will check the contract more ___ next time.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: carefully
Even so, we will check the contract more carefully next time. An adverb describes how, when or where an action happens.
Question 1 of 150% complete
Gap 1By Thursday, we had been preparing the exhibition ___ nearly a month.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: for
By Thursday, we had been preparing the exhibition for nearly a month. For introduces the duration of a period.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: finished
We expected to have everything finished before the guests arrived. Have/get + object + past participle describes work completed for someone or a resulting state.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: longer
Then the owner called to say the room was no longer available. This is the established combination or expression required by the sentence.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: confirmed
I wish we had confirmed the arrangement in writing. A perfect construction uses have/has/had followed by a past participle.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: printed
We needn't have printed so many leaflets with the old address. A perfect construction uses have/has/had followed by a past participle.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: moving
My colleague suggested moving the exhibition online. This verb, expression or preposition takes an -ing form in this construction.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: held
I would rather have held it in person, but there was little time. Would rather/sooner takes a bare infinitive; would rather have takes a past participle for a past preference.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: be
We agreed that the work should be seen in some form. A passive construction requires be + past participle, with the appropriate tense.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: more
The more we discussed the idea, the more confident we became. The ... the ... pairs comparative forms to show connected changes.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: set
We asked a friend to help us set up a simple website. This is the established combination or expression required by the sentence.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: uploaded
By the following Monday, we would have uploaded every photograph. A perfect construction uses have/has/had followed by a past participle.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: to
The artists were relieved to hear that the event could continue. The construction requires a to-infinitive.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: because
Some even preferred the new format because relatives abroad could attend. Because introduces a clause giving a reason; because of requires a noun phrase.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: out
In the end, the change turned out to be an opportunity. This is the established combination or expression required by the sentence.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: carefully
Even so, we will check the contract more carefully next time. An adverb describes how, when or where an action happens.
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