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 used to throw broken objects (1)___ without much thought. Then I heard about a repair group (2)___ met near my home. I took along a lamp which had stopped (3)___. A volunteer asked how long I had (4)___ it. I was embarrassed (5)___ I knew so little about it.
She explained that the group wasn't there to judge (6)___. The lamp could (7)___ repaired with a simple replacement part. I watched carefully while she showed me what (8)___ do. I wouldn't have attempted it if she hadn't (9)___ to guide me. Since that day, I have become more interested (10)___ how things work.
Not every broken object is worth (11)___. However, I now take time (12)___ consider the options. The group has helped me save (13)___ money and materials. I have also met people I would never have spoken (14)___ otherwise. Learning one practical skill has turned (15)___ a much wider interest.
I used to throw broken objects ___ without much thought.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: away
I used to throw broken objects away without much thought. This is the established combination or expression required by the sentence.
Then I heard about a repair group ___ met near my home.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: that
Then I heard about a repair group that met near my home. Choose a relative pronoun for a person or thing, or where for a place when no other subject/object is missing.
I took along a lamp which had stopped ___.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: working
I took along a lamp which had stopped working. This verb, expression or preposition takes an -ing form in this construction.
A volunteer asked how long I had ___ it.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: owned
A volunteer asked how long I had owned it. A perfect construction uses have/has/had followed by a past participle.
I was embarrassed ___ I knew so little about it.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: because
I was embarrassed because I knew so little about it. Because introduces a clause giving a reason; because of requires a noun phrase.
She explained that the group wasn't there to judge ___.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: anyone
She explained that the group wasn't there to judge anyone. Choose the pronoun referring to a person, rather than a place or a thing.
The lamp could ___ repaired with a simple replacement part.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: be
The lamp could be repaired with a simple replacement part. A passive construction requires be + past participle, with the appropriate tense.
I watched carefully while she showed me what ___ do.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: to
I watched carefully while she showed me what to do. The construction requires a to-infinitive.
I wouldn't have attempted it if she hadn't ___ to guide me.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: offered
I wouldn't have attempted it if she hadn't offered to guide me. A perfect construction uses have/has/had followed by a past participle.
Since that day, I have become more interested ___ how things work.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: in
Since that day, I have become more interested in how things work. This word completes the prepositional pattern in the sentence.
Not every broken object is worth ___.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: repairing
Not every broken object is worth repairing. This verb, expression or preposition takes an -ing form in this construction.
However, I now take time ___ consider the options.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: to
However, I now take time to consider the options. A to-infinitive expresses the purpose of an action.
The group has helped me save ___ money and materials.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: both
The group has helped me save both money and materials. Both ... and links two included things.
I have also met people I would never have spoken ___ otherwise.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: to
I have also met people I would never have spoken to otherwise. This word completes the prepositional pattern in the sentence.
Learning one practical skill has turned ___ a much wider interest.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: into
Learning one practical skill has turned into a much wider interest. This is the established combination or expression required by the sentence.
Question 1 of 150% complete
Gap 1I used to throw broken objects ___ without much thought.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: away
I used to throw broken objects away without much thought. This is the established combination or expression required by the sentence.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: that
Then I heard about a repair group that met near my home. 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: working
I took along a lamp which had stopped working. This verb, expression or preposition takes an -ing form in this construction.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: owned
A volunteer asked how long I had owned it. A perfect construction uses have/has/had followed by a past participle.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: because
I was embarrassed because I knew so little about it. Because introduces a clause giving a reason; because of requires a noun phrase.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: anyone
She explained that the group wasn't there to judge anyone. Choose the pronoun referring to a person, rather than a place or a thing.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: be
The lamp could be repaired with a simple replacement part. A passive construction requires be + past participle, with the appropriate tense.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: to
I watched carefully while she showed me what to do. The construction requires a to-infinitive.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: offered
I wouldn't have attempted it if she hadn't offered to guide me. A perfect construction uses have/has/had followed by a past participle.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: in
Since that day, I have become more interested in how things work. This word completes the prepositional pattern in the sentence.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: repairing
Not every broken object is worth repairing. This verb, expression or preposition takes an -ing form in this construction.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: to
However, I now take time to consider the options. A to-infinitive expresses the purpose of an action.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: both
The group has helped me save both money and materials. Both ... and links two included things.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: to
I have also met people I would never have spoken to otherwise. This word completes the prepositional pattern in the sentence.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: into
Learning one practical skill has turned into a much wider interest. This is the established combination or expression required by the sentence.
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