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.
Our class was asked (1)___ investigate how students travelled to school. We designed a questionnaire (2)___ contained five short questions. Most students said they usually came (3)___ bus. We were surprised (4)___ discover that very few cycled. At first, we assumed they weren't interested (5)___ cycling.
Then someone pointed (6)___ that we had not asked about bike storage. If the school provided secure spaces, more students might (7)___ to cycle. We added another question and sent the form (8)___. The new answers were more useful (9)___ the first set. Several students said their bikes had been (10)___ in the past.
Others were worried (11)___ riding on busy roads. Our report included suggestions instead (12)___ simply listing numbers. The headteacher asked us (13)___ we would present the findings. We agreed, although none of us had (14)___ at an assembly before. The project taught us to ask better questions before (15)___ conclusions.
Our class was asked ___ investigate how students travelled to school.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: to
Our class was asked to investigate how students travelled to school. The construction requires a to-infinitive.
We designed a questionnaire ___ contained five short questions.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: which
We designed a questionnaire which contained five short questions. Choose a relative pronoun for a person or thing, or where for a place when no other subject/object is missing.
Most students said they usually came ___ bus.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: by
Most students said they usually came by bus. By + transport noun describes the means of travel without an article.
We were surprised ___ discover that very few cycled.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: to
We were surprised to discover that very few cycled. The construction requires a to-infinitive.
At first, we assumed they weren't interested ___ cycling.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: in
At first, we assumed they weren't interested in cycling. This word completes the prepositional pattern in the sentence.
Then someone pointed ___ that we had not asked about bike storage.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: out
Then someone pointed out that we had not asked about bike storage. This is the established combination or expression required by the sentence.
If the school provided secure spaces, more students might ___ to cycle.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: choose
If the school provided secure spaces, more students might choose to cycle. A modal or have to is followed by the base form of the verb.
We added another question and sent the form ___.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: again
We added another question and sent the form again. An adverb describes how, when or where an action happens.
The new answers were more useful ___ the first set.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: than
The new answers were more useful than the first set. Than introduces the second part of a comparison; then refers to time.
Several students said their bikes had been ___ in the past.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: stolen
Several students said their bikes had been stolen in the past. A passive construction requires be + past participle, with the appropriate tense.
Others were worried ___ riding on busy roads.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: about
Others were worried about riding on busy roads. This word completes the prepositional pattern in the sentence.
Our report included suggestions instead ___ simply listing numbers.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: of
Our report included suggestions instead of simply listing numbers. This word completes the prepositional pattern in the sentence.
The headteacher asked us ___ we would present the findings.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: whether
The headteacher asked us whether we would present the findings. Whether introduces an indirect yes/no question.
We agreed, although none of us had ___ at an assembly before.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: spoken
We agreed, although none of us had spoken at an assembly before. A perfect construction uses have/has/had followed by a past participle.
The project taught us to ask better questions before ___ conclusions.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: drawing
The project taught us to ask better questions before drawing conclusions. This verb, expression or preposition takes an -ing form in this construction.
Question 1 of 150% complete
Gap 1Our class was asked ___ investigate how students travelled to school.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: to
Our class was asked to investigate how students travelled to school. The construction requires a to-infinitive.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: which
We designed a questionnaire which contained five short questions. 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: by
Most students said they usually came by bus. By + transport noun describes the means of travel without an article.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: to
We were surprised to discover that very few cycled. The construction requires a to-infinitive.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: in
At first, we assumed they weren't interested in cycling. This word completes the prepositional pattern in the sentence.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: out
Then someone pointed out that we had not asked about bike storage. This is the established combination or expression required by the sentence.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: choose
If the school provided secure spaces, more students might choose to cycle. A modal or have to is followed by the base form of the verb.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: again
We added another question and sent the form again. An adverb describes how, when or where an action happens.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: than
The new answers were more useful than the first set. Than introduces the second part of a comparison; then refers to time.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: stolen
Several students said their bikes had been stolen in the past. A passive construction requires be + past participle, with the appropriate tense.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: about
Others were worried about riding on busy roads. This word completes the prepositional pattern in the sentence.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: of
Our report included suggestions instead of simply listing numbers. This word completes the prepositional pattern in the sentence.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: whether
The headteacher asked us whether we would present the findings. Whether introduces an indirect yes/no question.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: spoken
We agreed, although none of us had spoken at an assembly before. A perfect construction uses have/has/had followed by a past participle.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: drawing
The project taught us to ask better questions before drawing conclusions. This verb, expression or preposition takes an -ing form in this construction.
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