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 never belonged (1)___ a book club before my neighbour invited me. I was afraid that everyone would know more (2)___ I did. The first book was a novel (3)___ ending I found confusing. I considered (4)___ that I had understood it. Instead, I admitted that I wasn't sure (5)___ the main character left.
Several other members had been wondering the same thing (6)___. We discussed the details which might (7)___ her decision. One person pointed to a conversation I had (8)___ about. Another disagreed politely (9)___ that interpretation. There wasn't a single answer that everyone agreed (10)___.
I found the discussion much more (11)___ than I had expected. The leader encouraged us (12)___ choose the next book together. We selected a shorter one so that everyone would have time (13)___ finish it. I have attended every meeting (14)___ that evening. I now enjoy reading books I might otherwise have given (15)___ on.
I had never belonged ___ a book club before my neighbour invited me.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: to
I had never belonged to a book club before my neighbour invited me. This word completes the prepositional pattern in the sentence.
I was afraid that everyone would know more ___ I did.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: than
I was afraid that everyone would know more than I did. Than introduces the second part of a comparison; then refers to time.
The first book was a novel ___ ending I found confusing.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: whose
The first book was a novel whose ending I found confusing. Whose expresses possession and is followed by the noun belonging to someone or something.
I considered ___ that I had understood it.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: pretending
I considered pretending that I had understood it. This verb, expression or preposition takes an -ing form in this construction.
Instead, I admitted that I wasn't sure ___ the main character left.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: why
Instead, I admitted that I wasn't sure why the main character left. Choose the question word for the information being requested in this clause.
Several other members had been wondering the same thing ___.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: too
Several other members had been wondering the same thing too. The sentence adds a second idea or says that the same thing is also true.
We discussed the details which might ___ her decision.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: explain
We discussed the details which might explain her decision. A modal or have to is followed by the base form of the verb.
One person pointed to a conversation I had ___ about.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: forgotten
One person pointed to a conversation I had forgotten about. A perfect construction uses have/has/had followed by a past participle.
Another disagreed politely ___ that interpretation.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: with
Another disagreed politely with that interpretation. This word completes the prepositional pattern in the sentence.
There wasn't a single answer that everyone agreed ___.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: on
There wasn't a single answer that everyone agreed on. This word completes the prepositional pattern in the sentence.
I found the discussion much more ___ than I had expected.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: interesting
I found the discussion much more interesting than I had expected. An -ed form describes a feeling or state; an -ing adjective usually describes what causes the feeling.
The leader encouraged us ___ choose the next book together.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: to
The leader encouraged us to choose the next book together. The construction requires a to-infinitive.
We selected a shorter one so that everyone would have time ___ finish it.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: to
We selected a shorter one so that everyone would have time to finish it. A to-infinitive expresses the purpose of an action.
I have attended every meeting ___ that evening.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: since
I have attended every meeting since that evening. Since introduces the starting point of a period extending to a later time.
I now enjoy reading books I might otherwise have given ___ on.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: up
I now enjoy reading books I might otherwise have given up on. This is the established combination or expression required by the sentence.
Question 1 of 150% complete
Gap 1I had never belonged ___ a book club before my neighbour invited me.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: to
I had never belonged to a book club before my neighbour invited me. This word completes the prepositional pattern in the sentence.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: than
I was afraid that everyone would know more than I did. Than introduces the second part of a comparison; then refers to time.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: whose
The first book was a novel whose ending I found confusing. Whose expresses possession and is followed by the noun belonging to someone or something.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: pretending
I considered pretending that I had understood it. This verb, expression or preposition takes an -ing form in this construction.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: why
Instead, I admitted that I wasn't sure why the main character left. Choose the question word for the information being requested in this clause.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: too
Several other members had been wondering the same thing too. The sentence adds a second idea or says that the same thing is also true.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: explain
We discussed the details which might explain her decision. A modal or have to is followed by the base form of the verb.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: forgotten
One person pointed to a conversation I had forgotten about. A perfect construction uses have/has/had followed by a past participle.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: with
Another disagreed politely with that interpretation. This word completes the prepositional pattern in the sentence.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: on
There wasn't a single answer that everyone agreed on. This word completes the prepositional pattern in the sentence.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: interesting
I found the discussion much more interesting than I had expected. An -ed form describes a feeling or state; an -ing adjective usually describes what causes the feeling.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: to
The leader encouraged us to choose the next book together. The construction requires a to-infinitive.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: to
We selected a shorter one so that everyone would have time to finish it. A to-infinitive expresses the purpose of an action.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: since
I have attended every meeting since that evening. Since introduces the starting point of a period extending to a later time.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: up
I now enjoy reading books I might otherwise have given up on. This is the established combination or expression required by the sentence.
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