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.
We had always booked hotels until our friends recommended (1)___ a small cottage. The cottage was in a village (2)___ there were no large shops. Before leaving, we bought enough food (3)___ last a few days. When we arrived, the owner showed (4)___ around. The rooms were smaller (5)___ they had looked in the photographs.
Nevertheless, the place was clean and (6)___. We spent the first afternoon (7)___ the local paths. We got lost because we hadn't (8)___ a proper map. A resident (9)___ dog was following us gave us directions. He suggested a café which was known (10)___ its homemade bread.
If we had stayed in town, we would have (11)___ that conversation. During the week, we became used to (12)___ everywhere. We didn't miss the busy roads (13)___ all. The holiday was so peaceful (14)___ we decided to return. Next time, we will bring bikes as (15)___ as a map.
We had always booked hotels until our friends recommended ___ a small cottage.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: renting
We had always booked hotels until our friends recommended renting a small cottage. This verb, expression or preposition takes an -ing form in this construction.
The cottage was in a village ___ there were no large shops.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: where
The cottage was in a village where there were no large shops. Choose a relative pronoun for a person or thing, or where for a place when no other subject/object is missing.
Before leaving, we bought enough food ___ last a few days.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: to
Before leaving, we bought enough food to last a few days. A to-infinitive expresses the purpose of an action.
When we arrived, the owner showed ___ around.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: us
When we arrived, the owner showed us around. Use an object pronoun as the object of a verb or preposition.
The rooms were smaller ___ they had looked in the photographs.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: than
The rooms were smaller than they had looked in the photographs. Than introduces the second part of a comparison; then refers to time.
Nevertheless, the place was clean and ___.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: comfortable
Nevertheless, the place was clean and comfortable. An adjective describes a noun or follows a linking verb; an adverb or noun would not fit.
We spent the first afternoon ___ the local paths.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: exploring
We spent the first afternoon exploring the local paths. This verb, expression or preposition takes an -ing form in this construction.
We got lost because we hadn't ___ a proper map.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: brought
We got lost because we hadn't brought a proper map. A perfect construction uses have/has/had followed by a past participle.
A resident ___ dog was following us gave us directions.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: whose
A resident whose dog was following us gave us directions. Whose expresses possession and is followed by the noun belonging to someone or something.
He suggested a café which was known ___ its homemade bread.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: for
He suggested a café which was known for its homemade bread. This word completes the prepositional pattern in the sentence.
If we had stayed in town, we would have ___ that conversation.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: missed
If we had stayed in town, we would have missed that conversation. A perfect construction uses have/has/had followed by a past participle.
During the week, we became used to ___ everywhere.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: walking
During the week, we became used to walking everywhere. This verb, expression or preposition takes an -ing form in this construction.
We didn't miss the busy roads ___ all.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: at
We didn't miss the busy roads at all. This is the established combination or expression required by the sentence.
The holiday was so peaceful ___ we decided to return.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: that
The holiday was so peaceful that we decided to return. The structure so + adjective/adverb + that introduces a result.
Next time, we will bring bikes as ___ as a map.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: well
Next time, we will bring bikes as well as a map. This is the established combination or expression required by the sentence.
Question 1 of 150% complete
Gap 1We had always booked hotels until our friends recommended ___ a small cottage.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: renting
We had always booked hotels until our friends recommended renting a small cottage. This verb, expression or preposition takes an -ing form in this construction.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: where
The cottage was in a village where there were no large shops. 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
Before leaving, we bought enough food to last a few days. A to-infinitive expresses the purpose of an action.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: us
When we arrived, the owner showed us around. Use an object pronoun as the object of a verb or preposition.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: than
The rooms were smaller than they had looked in the photographs. Than introduces the second part of a comparison; then refers to time.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: comfortable
Nevertheless, the place was clean and comfortable. An adjective describes a noun or follows a linking verb; an adverb or noun would not fit.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: exploring
We spent the first afternoon exploring the local paths. This verb, expression or preposition takes an -ing form in this construction.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: brought
We got lost because we hadn't brought a proper map. A perfect construction uses have/has/had followed by a past participle.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: whose
A resident whose dog was following us gave us directions. Whose expresses possession and is followed by the noun belonging to someone or something.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: for
He suggested a café which was known for its homemade bread. This word completes the prepositional pattern in the sentence.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: missed
If we had stayed in town, we would have missed that conversation. A perfect construction uses have/has/had followed by a past participle.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: walking
During the week, we became used to walking everywhere. This verb, expression or preposition takes an -ing form in this construction.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: at
We didn't miss the busy roads at all. This is the established combination or expression required by the sentence.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: that
The holiday was so peaceful that we decided to return. The structure so + adjective/adverb + that introduces a result.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: well
Next time, we will bring bikes as well as a map. This is the established combination or expression required by the sentence.
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