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.
I had been preparing for the interview (1)___ the invitation arrived. On the morning itself, I set (2)___ early to avoid the traffic. While I was travelling, I realised I had (3)___ my notes at home. I considered (4)___ back, but there wasn't enough time. The train was delayed, (5)___ made me even more nervous.
I called the office to let (6)___ know what had happened. The receptionist said that the interviewer (7)___ running late too. By the time I reached the building, I had (8)___ down a little. The interviewer asked me (9)___ I wanted the job. I answered more naturally (10)___ I would have with written notes.
She seemed interested (11)___ my previous volunteer work. I was able (12)___ describe a project I had organised. At the end, she thanked me (13)___ coming despite the delay. I haven't heard the result (14)___. Whatever happens, I am pleased that I didn't give (15)___.
I had been preparing for the interview ___ the invitation arrived.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: since
I had been preparing for the interview since the invitation arrived. Since introduces the starting point of a period extending to a later time.
On the morning itself, I set ___ early to avoid the traffic.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: off
On the morning itself, I set off early to avoid the traffic. This is the established combination or expression required by the sentence.
While I was travelling, I realised I had ___ my notes at home.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: left
While I was travelling, I realised I had left my notes at home. A perfect construction uses have/has/had followed by a past participle.
I considered ___ back, but there wasn't enough time.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: going
I considered going back, but there wasn't enough time. This verb, expression or preposition takes an -ing form in this construction.
The train was delayed, ___ made me even more nervous.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: which
The train was delayed, which made me even more nervous. Choose a relative pronoun for a person or thing, or where for a place when no other subject/object is missing.
I called the office to let ___ know what had happened.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: them
I called the office to let them know what had happened. Use an object pronoun as the object of a verb or preposition.
The receptionist said that the interviewer ___ running late too.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: was
The receptionist said that the interviewer was running late too. Choose the form agreeing with the subject and fitting the reported past situation.
By the time I reached the building, I had ___ down a little.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: calmed
By the time I reached the building, I had calmed down a little. A perfect construction uses have/has/had followed by a past participle.
The interviewer asked me ___ I wanted the job.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: why
The interviewer asked me why I wanted the job. Choose the question word for the information being requested in this clause.
I answered more naturally ___ I would have with written notes.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: than
I answered more naturally than I would have with written notes. Than introduces the second part of a comparison; then refers to time.
She seemed interested ___ my previous volunteer work.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: in
She seemed interested in my previous volunteer work. This word completes the prepositional pattern in the sentence.
I was able ___ describe a project I had organised.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: to
I was able to describe a project I had organised. The construction requires a to-infinitive.
At the end, she thanked me ___ coming despite the delay.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: for
At the end, she thanked me for coming despite the delay. This word completes the prepositional pattern in the sentence.
I haven't heard the result ___.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: yet
I haven't heard the result yet. Yet is used here for an expected event that has not happened up to now.
Whatever happens, I am pleased that I didn't give ___.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: up
Whatever happens, I am pleased that I didn't give up. This is the established combination or expression required by the sentence.
Question 1 of 150% complete
Gap 1I had been preparing for the interview ___ the invitation arrived.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: since
I had been preparing for the interview since the invitation arrived. Since introduces the starting point of a period extending to a later time.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: off
On the morning itself, I set off early to avoid the traffic. This is the established combination or expression required by the sentence.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: left
While I was travelling, I realised I had left my notes at home. A perfect construction uses have/has/had followed by a past participle.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: going
I considered going back, but there wasn't enough time. This verb, expression or preposition takes an -ing form in this construction.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: which
The train was delayed, which made me even more nervous. 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: them
I called the office to let them know what had happened. Use an object pronoun as the object of a verb or preposition.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: was
The receptionist said that the interviewer was running late too. Choose the form agreeing with the subject and fitting the reported past situation.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: calmed
By the time I reached the building, I had calmed down a little. A perfect construction uses have/has/had followed by a past participle.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: why
The interviewer asked me why I wanted the job. Choose the question word for the information being requested in this clause.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: than
I answered more naturally than I would have with written notes. Than introduces the second part of a comparison; then refers to time.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: in
She seemed interested in my previous volunteer work. This word completes the prepositional pattern in the sentence.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: to
I was able to describe a project I had organised. The construction requires a to-infinitive.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: for
At the end, she thanked me for coming despite the delay. This word completes the prepositional pattern in the sentence.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: yet
I haven't heard the result yet. Yet is used here for an expected event that has not happened up to now.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: up
Whatever happens, I am pleased that I didn't give up. This is the established combination or expression required by the sentence.
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