New Edition

2101 Direct Words

Extra Matching Practices

Polish of Vocabulary Tests

 General English for Advanced Purposes 1

Table of Contents

STRUCTURE .............................................................................................................................................7
IMPORTANT GRAMMATICAL POINTS ......................................................................................................8

MECHANICS: CAPITALIZATION AND PUNCTUATION....................................................................................... 8

Capitalization Checklist ............................................................................................................................. 8
Punctuation Checklist Periods ................................................................................................................... 8
SENTENCE STRUCTURE................................................................................................................................... 10
Do You Know These Terms? .................................................................................................................... 11
To construct a sentence:........................................................................................................................... 12
AGREEMENT .................................................................................................................................................... 13
MODIFIERS ...................................................................................................................................................... 16
Types of Modifiers .................................................................................................................................... 16
Degree Adverbs......................................................................................................................................... 18
POSSIBILITY, ABILITY, ETC. ........................................................................................................................... 20
May, might, can and could: possibility ................................................................................................... 20
Can, could, and be able to: ability .......................................................................................................... 22
Must and have (got) to.............................................................................................................................. 24
Need(n't), don't have to and mustn't ........................................................................................................ 25
PASSIVES ......................................................................................................................................................... 26
Active patterns with verb + -ing .............................................................................................................. 28
Active patterns with verb + to-infinitive ................................................................................................. 28
Have/get something done; warn something done, etc. ........................................................................... 30
Passive Verb Forms .................................................................................................................................. 31
REPORTING SPEECH ........................................................................................................................................ 32
Quoting ...................................................................................................................................................... 32
Negatives in reporting .............................................................................................................................. 33
Reporting using nouns .............................................................................................................................. 33
Verb tense in the reporting clause ........................................................................................................... 36
Other changes in reporting statements ................................................................................................... 36
Say and tell ................................................................................................................................................ 37
Reporting statements with an -ing clause ............................................................................................... 37
Modal Verbs in Reporting ........................................................................................................................ 37
FEW, A FEW (OF), LITTLE, A LITTLE (OF), ETC. .............................................................................................. 38
(A) few (of), (a) little (of) .......................................................................................................................... 38
Less (than), and fewer (than) ................................................................................................................... 39
PARTICIPLE CLAUSES ..................................................................................................................................... 40
-ing, -ed, and being -ed ............................................................................................................................ 40
Participle Clauses with Adverbial Meaning ........................................................................................... 41
PURPOSES AND RESULTS ................................................................................................................................ 43
In order / so as + to-infinitive .................................................................................................................. 43
In order that and so that........................................................................................................................... 43
For ............................................................................................................................................................. 43
So…that ..................................................................................................................................................... 44
CONTRASTS ..................................................................................................................................................... 44
Although and Though ............................................................................................................................... 44
Even though and Even If .......................................................................................................................... 45
In Spite of and Despite ............................................................................................................................. 45
CONDITIONALS................................................................................................................................................ 46
Real Conditionals ..................................................................................................................................... 46
Unreal Conditionals ................................................................................................................................. 46
More about Conditionals ......................................................................................................................... 47
If...Not and Unless; If and Whether, etc .................................................................................................. 48
Hope and Wish .......................................................................................................................................... 50
INVERSION ....................................................................................................................................................... 51
Inversion after adverbial phrases of direction and place ...................................................................... 51
Inversion in conditional sentences........................................................................................................... 52
2 General English for Advanced Purposes

Inversion in comparisons with 'as' and 'than' ......................................................................................... 52

Inversion after negative adverbials ......................................................................................................... 52
Inversion after 'so + adjective... that'; 'such + be...that'; 'neither.../nor...' .......................................... 53
ADDITIONAL POINTS....................................................................................................................................... 54
When to Use Infinitives and Gerunds ...................................................................................................... 54
Non-count nouns have special qualities: ................................................................................................ 55
Collective Nouns ....................................................................................................................................... 55
Prepositions............................................................................................................................................... 55
Irregular Verbs ......................................................................................................................................... 59
Indicative, Imperative, and Subjunctive Mood ....................................................................................... 60
Pronouns should ....................................................................................................................................... 62
PRACTICE ..................................................................................................................................................... 63

PART 1: FILL IN THE BLANKS; SPOT THE INCORRECT................................................................................... 63

ANSWERS AND EXPLANATIONS ..................................................................................................................... 79
PART 2: SENTENCE CORRECTION................................................................................................................... 85
ANSWERS AND EXPLANATIONS ................................................................................................................... 123

AFFIXATION ........................................................................................................................................ 146

SIGNIFICANCE ............................................................................................................................................... 146
ROOTS ............................................................................................................................................................ 146
COMMON PREFIXES ...................................................................................................................................... 161
COMMON SUFFIXES ...................................................................................................................................... 161
Noun Suffixes........................................................................................................................................... 161
Adjective Suffixes .................................................................................................................................... 162
Verb Suffixes ........................................................................................................................................... 162
PRACTICE........................................................................................................................................................ 162
Multiple-Choice Test .............................................................................................................................. 162
Answers and Explanations ..................................................................................................................... 164
Etymology ................................................................................................................................................ 165
Same or Opposite?.................................................................................................................................. 167
Matching.................................................................................................................................................. 168
Guess the Word ....................................................................................................................................... 170

VOCABULARY.................................................................................................................................... 173
VOCABULARY BY CATEGORY ................................................................................................................ 174

IT’S NOT WHAT YOU SAY, BUT H OW Y OU SAY IT!................................................................................... 174

WORD PAIRS (1)............................................................................................................................................ 175
WORD PAIRS (2)............................................................................................................................................ 176
WORD PAIRS (3)............................................................................................................................................ 177
WORD PAIRS (4)............................................................................................................................................ 177
PERSONALITY TRAITS AND ATTITUDES (1)................................................................................................. 178
PERSONALITY TRAITS AND ATTITUDES (2)................................................................................................. 179
ONE-SYLLABLE WONDER WORDS .............................................................................................................. 180
LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTIONS – VIVID VERBS............................................................................................... 181
CRIME AND PUNISHMENT ............................................................................................................................. 182
TO BE OR NOT TO BE ................................................................................................................................... 183
WHAT’S IT LIKE? APPEARANCES AND CONDITIONS .................................................................................. 184
PERSON, PLACE, OR THING? NOUNS (1) ...................................................................................................... 185
PERSON, PLACE, OR THING? NOUNS (2) ...................................................................................................... 186
WORDS ABOUT WORK AND PLAY, FOOD AND DRINK, AND TIME ............................................................. 187
OPPOSITES ATTRACT (1) .............................................................................................................................. 188
OPPOSITES ATTRACT (2) .............................................................................................................................. 189
DESCRIBING IDEAS AND ARGUMENTS ......................................................................................................... 190
THINGS TO DO ............................................................................................................................................... 191
GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS ....................................................................................................................... 192
WHAT’S IT LIKE? MORE WORDS TO DESCRIBE THINGS ............................................................................ 193
 General English for Advanced Purposes 3

LOVE AND H ATE, WAR AND PEACE ............................................................................................................ 194

RELIGION, STORIES, AND MYTHS ................................................................................................................ 195
WAYS OF BEING – MORE WORDS TO DESCRIBE PEOPLE AND THEIR BEHAVIOR .................................... 196
VOCABULARY GRAB BAG ............................................................................................................................ 197
MORE VOCABULARY BY CATEGORY .................................................................................................... 198

PART 1 ........................................................................................................................................................... 198

PART 2 ........................................................................................................................................................... 198
PART 3 ........................................................................................................................................................... 199
PART 4 ........................................................................................................................................................... 200
PART 5 ........................................................................................................................................................... 200
PART 6 ........................................................................................................................................................... 201
PART 7 ........................................................................................................................................................... 202
PART 8 ........................................................................................................................................................... 203
PART 9 ........................................................................................................................................................... 203
PART 10 ......................................................................................................................................................... 203
PART 11 ......................................................................................................................................................... 204
PART 12 ......................................................................................................................................................... 205
PART 13 ......................................................................................................................................................... 205
PART 14 ......................................................................................................................................................... 206
PART 15 ......................................................................................................................................................... 206
PART 16 ......................................................................................................................................................... 207
PART 17 ......................................................................................................................................................... 207
PART 18 ......................................................................................................................................................... 208
PART 19 ......................................................................................................................................................... 209
PART 20 ......................................................................................................................................................... 210
PART 21 ......................................................................................................................................................... 210
PART 22 ......................................................................................................................................................... 211
PART 23 ......................................................................................................................................................... 211
PART 24 ......................................................................................................................................................... 212
PART 25 ......................................................................................................................................................... 212
PART 26 ......................................................................................................................................................... 213
PART 27 ......................................................................................................................................................... 213
PART 28 ......................................................................................................................................................... 214
PART 29 ......................................................................................................................................................... 214
PART 30 ......................................................................................................................................................... 215
PART 31 ......................................................................................................................................................... 215
PART 32 ......................................................................................................................................................... 216
PART 33 ......................................................................................................................................................... 216
PART 34 ......................................................................................................................................................... 217
PART 35 ......................................................................................................................................................... 218
PART 36 ......................................................................................................................................................... 218
PART 37 ......................................................................................................................................................... 219
PART 38 ......................................................................................................................................................... 220
PART 39 ......................................................................................................................................................... 220
PART 40 ......................................................................................................................................................... 221
1000 MOST COMMON ACADEMIC WORDS YOU NEED TO KNOW ................................................... 222

(A).................................................................................................................................................................. 222
(B) .................................................................................................................................................................. 227
(C) .................................................................................................................................................................. 228
(D).................................................................................................................................................................. 233
(E) .................................................................................................................................................................. 236
(F) .................................................................................................................................................................. 239
(G).................................................................................................................................................................. 240
(H).................................................................................................................................................................. 241
(I) ................................................................................................................................................................... 242
(J) ................................................................................................................................................................... 245
(K).................................................................................................................................................................. 245
4 General English for Advanced Purposes

(L) .................................................................................................................................................................. 245

(M) ................................................................................................................................................................. 246
(N).................................................................................................................................................................. 248
(O).................................................................................................................................................................. 248
(P) .................................................................................................................................................................. 249
(Q).................................................................................................................................................................. 253
(R) .................................................................................................................................................................. 253
(S) .................................................................................................................................................................. 255
(T) .................................................................................................................................................................. 257
(U).................................................................................................................................................................. 258
(V).................................................................................................................................................................. 259
(W)................................................................................................................................................................. 260
(Y).................................................................................................................................................................. 260
(Z) .................................................................................................................................................................. 260
PRACTICE ................................................................................................................................................... 261

FILL IN THE BLANKS...................................................................................................................................... 261

MATCHING .................................................................................................................................................... 271
WORD BY MEANING ..................................................................................................................................... 285
Part 1 .................................................................................................................................................. 285
Part 2 .................................................................................................................................................. 288
Part 3 .................................................................................................................................................. 291
MEANING BY WORD ..................................................................................................................................... 292
ANALOGY ...................................................................................................................................................... 301
SYNONYM ...................................................................................................................................................... 304
Synonym (word in context) ............................................................................................................... 304
Synonym (Single-word) ) .................................................................................................................. 308
Synonym (by category) ) ................................................................................................................... 309
ANTONYM ..................................................................................................................................................... 316
MULTIPLE -CHOICE SENTENCE COMPLETION TESTS .................................................................................. 318
Part 1 .................................................................................................................................................. 318
Part 2 .................................................................................................................................................. 320
Part 3 .................................................................................................................................................. 324
IDIOMS FROM “1100 WORDS YOU NEED TO KNOW” ........................................................................ 356
LIST OF COMMON AMERICAN IDIOMS ............................................................................................... 360
PRACTICE ................................................................................................................................................... 362

PART 1 ........................................................................................................................................................... 362

PART 2 ........................................................................................................................................................... 369
PART 3 ........................................................................................................................................................... 371

CLOZE TEST ........................................................................................................................................ 392

PASSAGE 1 ..................................................................................................................................................... 392
PASSAGE 2 ..................................................................................................................................................... 393
PASSAGE 3 ..................................................................................................................................................... 393
PASSAGE 4 ..................................................................................................................................................... 393
PASSAGE 5 ..................................................................................................................................................... 393
PASSAGE 6 ..................................................................................................................................................... 394
PASSAGE 7 ..................................................................................................................................................... 394
PASSAGE 8 ..................................................................................................................................................... 395
PASSAGE 9 ..................................................................................................................................................... 396
PASSAGE 10 ................................................................................................................................................... 397
PASSAGE 11 ................................................................................................................................................... 398
PASSAGE 12 ................................................................................................................................................... 399
PASSAGE 13 ................................................................................................................................................... 399
PASSAGE 14 ................................................................................................................................................... 400
PASSAGE 15 ................................................................................................................................................... 400
 General English for Advanced Purposes 5

PASSAGE 16 ................................................................................................................................................... 401

PASSAGE 17 ................................................................................................................................................... 402
PASSAGE 18 ................................................................................................................................................... 402
PASSAGE 19 ................................................................................................................................................... 403
PASSAGE 20 ................................................................................................................................................... 403
PASSAGE 21 ................................................................................................................................................... 404
PASSAGE 22 ................................................................................................................................................... 404
PASSAGE 23 ................................................................................................................................................... 405
PASSAGE 24 ................................................................................................................................................... 406
PASSAGE 25 ................................................................................................................................................... 406
PASSAGE 26 ................................................................................................................................................... 407
PASSAGE 27 ................................................................................................................................................... 408
PASSAGE 28 ................................................................................................................................................... 409
PASSAGE 29 ................................................................................................................................................... 410
PASSAGE 30 ................................................................................................................................................... 410

READING COMPREHENSION ................................................................................................ 412

REVIEW OF MAIN T IPS.................................................................................................................................. 412
Main Ideas, Themes ................................................................................................................................ 412
Topic Sentences....................................................................................................................................... 413
SHORT PASSAGES.......................................................................................................................................... 414
Passage 1................................................................................................................................................. 414
Passage 2................................................................................................................................................. 415
Passage 3................................................................................................................................................. 416
Passage 4................................................................................................................................................. 417
Passage 5................................................................................................................................................. 418
NONFICTION AND INFORMATION PASSAGES ............................................................................................... 420
Passage 6................................................................................................................................................. 420
Passage 7................................................................................................................................................. 421
Passage 8................................................................................................................................................. 423
Passage 9................................................................................................................................................. 424
Passage 10 .............................................................................................................................................. 425
PHILOSOPHY AND LITERATURE ................................................................................................................... 426
Passage 11 .............................................................................................................................................. 426
Passage 12 .............................................................................................................................................. 427
LONG PASSAGES ........................................................................................................................................... 428
Passage 13 .............................................................................................................................................. 428
Passage 14 .............................................................................................................................................. 430
Passage 15 .............................................................................................................................................. 431
Passage 16 .............................................................................................................................................. 434
Passage 17 .............................................................................................................................................. 436
Passage 18 .............................................................................................................................................. 437
Passage 19 .............................................................................................................................................. 439
Passage 20 .............................................................................................................................................. 442
Passage 21 .............................................................................................................................................. 444
Passage 22 .............................................................................................................................................. 446
Passage 23 .............................................................................................................................................. 447

COMPREHENSIVE TESTS ......................................................................................................... 449

PRACTICE TEST 1 ..................................................................................................................................... 450

GRAMMAR ..................................................................................................................................................... 450

SENTENCE CORRECTION............................................................................................................................... 452
VOCABULARY ............................................................................................................................................... 454
ANSWERS AND EXPLANATIONS ................................................................................................................... 458
PRACTICE TEST 2 ..................................................................................................................................... 465

SYNONYM AND ANTONYM ........................................................................................................................... 465

6 General English for Advanced Purposes

SYNONYM IN CONTEXT ................................................................................................................................ 468

ANALOGY ...................................................................................................................................................... 471
SENTENCE COMPLETION .............................................................................................................................. 472
CLOZE TEST .................................................................................................................................................. 476
READING COMPREHENSION ......................................................................................................................... 478
ANSWERS AND EXPLANATIONS: .................................................................................................................. 482
PRACTICE TEST 3 ..................................................................................................................................... 488

ANSWERS....................................................................................................................................................... 493
PRACTICE TEST 4 ..................................................................................................................................... 496

ANSWERS....................................................................................................................................................... 500

APPENDICES ........................................................................................................................................ 490

WORDS COMMONLY CONFUSED .................................................................................................................. 503
SOME ESOTERIC PHOBIAS .................................................................................................................... 505
COMMON ERRORS ......................................................................................................................................... 506
Use of Articles ......................................................................................................................................... 506
Use of Nouns and Pronouns................................................................................................................... 506
Use of Adjectives ..................................................................................................................................... 506
Use of Adverbs ........................................................................................................................................ 507
Use of Conjunctions................................................................................................................................ 507
Sentence Construction (1) ...................................................................................................................... 507
Sentence Construction (2) ...................................................................................................................... 508
Sentence Construction (3) ...................................................................................................................... 508
Sentence Construction (4) ...................................................................................................................... 508
Sentence Construction (5) ...................................................................................................................... 509
Sentence Construction (6) ...................................................................................................................... 509
Sentence Construction (7) ...................................................................................................................... 510
Sentence Construction (8) ...................................................................................................................... 510
Sentence Construction (9) ...................................................................................................................... 511
Sentence Construction (10) .................................................................................................................... 511
Sentence Construction (11) .................................................................................................................... 512
Sentence Construction (12) .................................................................................................................... 512
Sentence Construction (13) .................................................................................................................... 513

BIBLIOGRAPHY AND SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER STUDY................... 513

‫ ﻣﻨﺎﺑﻊ ﻋﻤﻮﻣﯽ ﭘﯿﺸﻨﻬﺎدی ﺑﺮای ارﺷﺪ و دﮐﺘﺮی ﻣﺠﻤﻮﻋﻪ زﺑﺎن‬...................................................................... 515
ONLINE MATERIAL....................................................................................................................... 515
 General English for Advanced Purposes 7

Structure

1 Important Grammatical Points

Practice
Explanatory Answers
8 General English for Advanced Purposes

Important Grammatical Points

Mechanics: Capitalization and Punctuation
Since every sentence begins with a capital, the how-to’s of capitalization seem like a
logical place to begin learning about language mechanics. When doing the exercises in this
section, refer to the following checklist. Matching your answer to a rule will reinforce the
mechanics of writing and secure that knowledge for you.

Capitalization Checklist
✓ The first word of every sentence➞Yes, we do carry the matching bed skirt.

✓ The first word of a quoted sentence (not just a quoted phrase) ➞And with great
flourish, he sang, “O beautiful for gracious skies, for amber waves of grain!”

✓ The specific name of a person (and his or her title), a place, or a thing (otherwise
known as proper nouns). Proper nouns include specific locations and geographic regions;
political, social, and athletic organizations and agencies; historical events; documents and
periodicals; nationalities and their language; religions, their members and their deities;
brand or trade names; and holidays.

✓ The abbreviation for proper nouns. Government agencies are probably the most
frequently abbreviated. Remember to capitalize each letter.➞The CIA makes me feel very
secure.

✓ Adjectives (descriptive words) derived from proper nouns. Ex: America (proper noun)
➞the American (adjective) flag

✓ The pronoun I.

✓ The most important words in a title➞LastMarch, I endured a twenty-hour public

reading of A Tale of Two Cities.

Punctuation Checklist Periods

✓ At the end of a declarative sentence (sentence that makes a statement)➞Today, I took a
walk to nowhere.

✓ At the end of a command or request➞Here’s a cloth. Now gently burp the baby on
your shoulder.

✓ At the end of an indirect question➞Jane asked if I knew where she had left her keys.

✓ Before a decimal number➞Statisticians claim that the average family raises 2.5
children.
 General English for Advanced Purposes 9

✓ Between dollars and cents➞I remember when $1.50 could buy the coolest stuff.

✓ After an initial in a person’s name➞You are Sir James W. Dewault, are you not?

✓ After an abbreviation➞On Jan. 12, I leave for Africa.

⩥Question Marks⩥
✓ At the end of a question➞Why do you look so sad?

✓ Inside a quotation mark when the quote is a question ➞She asked, “Why do you look
so sad?”
⩥Exclamation Points⩥
✓ At the end of a word, phrase, or sentence filled with emotion➞Hurry up! I cannot be
late for the meeting!

✓ Inside a quotation mark when the quote is an exclamation ➞The woman yelled, “Hurry
up! I cannot be late for the meeting!”
⩥Quotation Marks⩥
✓ When directly quoting dialogue, not when paraphrasing ➞Hamlet says, “To be, or not
to be. That is the question.”

✓ For titles of chapters, articles, short stories, poems, songs, or periodicals➞My favorite
poem is “The Road Not Taken.”
⩥Semicolons⩥
✓ Between two independent clauses (an independent clause is a complete thought. It has a
subject and a predicate.)➞Edward joined the basketball team; remarkably, the 5´4˝ young
man excelled at the sport.

✓ Between elements in a series that uses commas ➞The possible dates for the potluck
dinner are Thursday, June 5; Saturday, June 7; or Monday, June 9.
⩥Colons⩥
✓ Between two complete ideas when the second idea explains the first.➞Keri pushed her
dinner away: She had eaten on the car ride home.

✓ Before a list➞Grandma brought Chloe’s favorite three sweets: chocolate kisses,

Tootsie Rolls, and a Snickers bar.

✓ Between titles and subtitles➞Finding Your Dream Home: A Buyer’s Guide.

✓ Between volumes and page numbers➞Marvel Comics 21:24

✓ Between chapters and verse➞Job 4:12

✓ Between hours and minutes➞It’s 2:00 a.m.—time to sleep.

10 General English for Advanced Purposes

Apostrophes
✓ Where letters or numbers have been deleted—as in a contraction➞I looked at my father
and whispered, “It’s (It is) okay to cry every so often.”

✓ At the end of a name where there is ownership (remember to also add an s after the
apostrophe if the word or name does not end in an s already) ➞Mary Jane’s horse
sprained his ankle during practice.
⩥Commas⩥
✓ Between items in dates and addresses➞Michael arrived at Ellis Island, New York, on
February 14, 1924.

✓ Between words in a list➞The university hired a woman to direct the Bursar’s,

Financial Aid, and Registrar’s offices.

✓ Between equally important adjectives (be careful not to separate adjectives that
describe each other)➞The reporter spoke with several intense, talented high school
athletes.

✓ After a tag that precedes a direct quote➞David whined, “I am famished.”

✓ In a quote that precedes a tag and is not a question or an exclamation➞“I am

famished,”whined David.

✓ Around nonessential clauses, parenthetical phrases, and appositives (A nonessential or

nonrestrictive clause is a word or group of words that are not necessary for the sentence’s
completion; a parenthetical phrase interrupts the flow of a sentence; and an appositive is a
word or group of words that rename the noun preceding them)➞Matt’s mother, Janie
(appositive), who has trouble with directions (nonessential clause), had to ask for help.

✓ After introductory words, phrases, and clauses➞ Hoping for the best, we checked our
luggage.

✓ Before conjunctions (Conjunctions are words that link two independent clauses
together)➞Drew wanted to experience ballroom dancing before his wedding, so he signed
up for lessons at a local hall.

Sentence Structure
A sentence is like a Christmas present: Assembly is always required. Fortunately, the
instructions are fairly basic. Every sentence must have at least a subject and a predicate.
The subject is the focus of the sentence; it is the who or the what the sentence is about. The
predicate describes the subject; it explains what the subject is or what the subject is doing.
The completed idea is called a clause, and it is the building block of all sentences.

First, you have to know these terms:

 General English for Advanced Purposes 11

✓ Independent clause: a clause that expresses a complete thought.➞Monica walked on

the grass.

✓ Dependent (subordinate) clause: a clause that does not express a complete though
➞Though it was wet

✓ A complete thought➞Though it was wet, Monica walked on the grass.

✓ Essential clause: a dependent clause that is necessary to the basic meaning of the
completed sentence. ➞who are pregnant
Women who are pregnant can crave salty or sweet foods.

✓ Nonessential clause: a dependent clause that is not necessary to the basic meaning of
the completed sentence. ➞ who growls whenever the phone rings Elmo, who growls
whenever the phone rings, tried to attack the vacuum cleaner.

✓ Phrase: a group of words that lack either a subject or a predicate.➞In early spring
In early spring, I notice a change in people’s attitudes.

✓ Appositive: a phrase that makes a preceding noun or pronoun clearer or more definite
by explaining or identifying it.➞rice pudding and fruit salad
Candice’s grandfather brought her favorite desserts, rice pudding and fruit salad.

✓ Fragment: a phrase punctuated like a sentence even though it does not express a
complete thought.➞ Timothy saw the car. And ran.

✓ Coordinating Conjunction: a word that when preceded by a comma or a semicolon

joins two independent and equal clauses. (and, but, so, or, for, nor, yet)➞Dorothy had a
beautiful rose garden, and her yard was a profusion of color every summer.

✓ Subordinating Conjunction: a word that makes a clause a dependent clause (after,

although, as, because, before, if, once, since, than, that, though, unless, until, when,
whenever, where, wherever, while)➞After the accident, mourners covered the beaches
nearest to the tragedy with roses.

✓ Conjunctive Adverb: a word that introduces a relationship between two independent

clauses (accordingly, besides, consequently, furthermore, hence, however, instead,
moreover, nevertheless, otherwise, then, therefore, thus) ➞ On Tuesdays, I play
racquetball; otherwise, I would go with you.

Do You Know These Terms?

✓ Antecedent: In the last example, Janie is the specific noun that she and her replace; so
Janie is the antecedent. The presence of the antecedent in a sentence is as important as
which pronouns substitute for it.
12 General English for Advanced Purposes

✓ Contractions:When two words are made into one by omitting letters and using an
apostrophe to highlight the omission—that’s a contraction.

✓ Subjective, Objective, and Possessive Cases: Persons or things (nouns) acting on

other things are subjects. Pronouns that refer to these subjects are in the subjective case (I,
you, he, she, we, they, who). Persons or things acted upon (in other words, they are not
performing the action) are objects. Pronouns that refer to these objects are in the objective
case (me, you, him, her, us, them, whom). Subjects or objects that claim ownership of
something are possessors. Pronouns that claim their possessions are in the possessive case
(my, your, his, her, our, your, whose).

✓ Avoid Ambiguous Pronoun References. The antecedent that a pronoun refers to must
be clearly stated and in close proximity to its pronoun. If more subjects than one are
present, indicate which subject is the antecedent.➞When Katherine and Melissa left for
England, she promised to write me about all their adventures.Who is she? Katherine or
Melissa?

To construct a sentence:
1. Always have at least one independent clause in the sentence.

2. Join two independent clauses with a semicolon or a comma and a conjunction.➞

Chaucer was a narrator, and he was a pilgrim in his Canterbury Tales.

3. Do not run two or more independent clauses together without punctuation; that error is
appropriately called a run-on.Wrong: Chaucer was a narrator and he was a pilgrim in his
Canterbury Tales.

4. Do not separate two independent clauses with just a comma; that error is called a
comma splice. Wrong: Chaucer was a narrator, he was a pilgrim in his Canterbury Tales.

5. Do not use a conjunctive adverb (the words accordingly, besides, consequently,

furthermore, hence, however, instead, moreover, nevertheless, otherwise, then, therefore,
thus) like a conjunction.Wrong: Chaucer was a narrator, moreover he was a pilgrim in
his Canterbury Tales.

6. Use a comma after a conjunctive adverb when it follows a semicolon. (See Conjunctive
Adverbs)

7. Use a comma after introductory words, phrases, and clauses. (See Subordinating
Clauses)

8. Use commas around nonessential clauses. Do not use commas around essential clauses.
(See Nonessential and Essential Clauses)

9. Use commas around appositives. (See Appositives)

10. Use commas around parenthetical elements (a word or group of words that interrupt a
sentence’s flow).➞Mrs.Moses, that mean old crone, yelled at little Paula for laughing too
loud!
 General English for Advanced Purposes 13

Agreement

Agreement is a very important step in constructing a coherent sentence. There are three
basic agreements in a sentence: subject-verb agreement, tense agreement, and antecedent
pronoun agreement.

First, you have to know the definition of a verb:

✓ Verb: a word or group of words describing the action or the state of being of a subject.

✓ If the subject is singular, the verb is singular; if the subject is plural, the verb is plura ➞
Mrs.Hendrickson feeds the birds every day. Or: The Hendricksons feed the birds every
day.

✓ Subjects joined by and are plural and receive a plural verb➞Jolie and Lara swim
together every Thursday.

✓ Subjects joined by or or nor adopt the singularity or plurality of the last subject;
accordingly, the verb matches it➞Either that cat or those dogs have been eating my
snacks!

✓When the subject of the sentence is complex the following verb must agree with the
main noun in the subject. Notice how the verb, in italics, agrees with the main noun:
• Many leading members of the opposition party have tried to justify the
decision.
• The only excuse that he gave for his actions was that he was tired.

✓Some nouns with a singular form can be treated either as singular (with a singular verb)
or plural (with a plural verb):
• The council has (or have) postponed a decision on the new road.

✓ Other words like this include association, audience, class, club, college, committee,
community, company, crowd, department, electorate, enemy, family, firm,
generation, government, group, jury, orchestra, population, press, public, school,
staff, team, university, and the names of specific organisations such as the Bank of
England, the BBC, IBM, Sony.

✓We use a singular verb if we see the institution or organisation as a whole unit, and a
plural verb if we see it as a collection of individuals. Often you can use either with very
little difference in meaning, although in formal writing (such as academic writing) it is
more common to use a singular verb. In some contexts a plural form of the verb is needed.
We would say:
• The committee usually raise their hands to vote 'Yes', (not ...raises its hands...)
as this is something that the individuals do, not the committee as a whole.

✓In others, a singular form is preferred. We would say:

14 General English for Advanced Purposes

• The school is to close next year, (not The school are...) as we are talking about
something which happens to the school as a building or institution, not to the
individuals that comprise it.

✓Some nouns are usually plural and take a plural verb. These include belongings,
clothes, congratulations, earnings, goods, outskirts, particulars (= information),
premises (= building), riches, savings, stairs, surroundings, thanks:
• The company's earnings have increased for the last five years.

✓The nouns police and people also always have a plural verb. The noun whereabouts
can be used with either a singular or plural verb. Some nouns always end in -s and look as
if they are plural, but when we use them as the subject of a sentence they have a singular
verb:
• The news from the Middle East seems very encouraging.

✓Other words like this include means (= 'method' or 'money'); some academic
disciplines, e.g. economics, linguistics, mathematics, phonetics, politics, statistics,
physics; some sports, e.g. gymnastics, athletics; and some diseases, e.g. diabetes,
measles, rabies. However, compare:

Academic disciplines General use

• Politics is popular at this university. • Her politics are bordering on the fascist.
(= political belief)
• Statistics was always my worst subject. • Statistics are able to prove anything yo
want them to. (= numerical information)
• Economics has only recently been • The economics behind their policies are
recognised as a scientific study. unreasonable. (= the financial system)

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

With any of, each of, either of, neither • I don't think any of them knows (or
of, or none of and a plural noun we can know) where the money is hidden.
use a singular or plural verb. However, • Neither of the French athletes has (or
we prefer a singular verb in careful written have) won this year.
English.
With a/the majority of, a number of, a • A number of refugees have been turned
lot of, plenty of, all (of), or some (of) and back at the border.
a plural noun we use a plural verb. But if • The number of books in the library has
we say the number of, we use a singular risen to over five million.
verb.
With any of, none of, the majority of, a • All the furniture was destroyed in the
lot of, plenty of, all (of), some (of) and an fire.
uncountable noun we use a singular
verb.
With each and every and a singular noun • Every room has its own bathroom, but
we use a singular verb. (For each of, see • The boys have each drawn a picture.
above.)
With everyone, everybody, everything • Practically everyone thinks that Judith
 General English for Advanced Purposes 15

(and similar words beginning any-, some- should be given the job.
and no-) we use a singular verb.

✓Some phrases with a plural form are thought of as a single thing and have a singular
verb. These include phrases referring to measurements, amounts and quantities:
• About three metres separates the runners in first and second places.
• The fifty pounds he gave me was soon spent.

✓When a subject has two or more items joined by and, we usually use a plural verb:
• Jean and David are moving back to Australia.

✓However, phrases connected by and can also be followed by singular verbs if we think
of them as making up a single item:
• Meat pie and peas is Tom's favourite at the moment, (or Meat pie and peas
are...)

✓Other phrases like this include fish and chips, and research and development (or R
and D).

✓When a subject is made up of two or more items joined by (either) ...or... or (neither)
...nor..., we use a singular verb if the last item is singular (although a plural verb is
sometimes used in informal English), and a plural verb if it is plural:
• Either the station or the cinema is a good place to meet, (or ...are... in
informal English)
• Neither the President nor his representatives are to attend the meeting.

✓If the last item is singular and the previous item plural, we can use a singular or plural
verb:
• Either the teachers or the principal is (or are) to blame for the accident.

✓After per cent (also percent or %) we use a singular verb:

• An inflation rate of only 2 per cent makes a big difference to exports.
• Around 10 per cent of the forest is destroyed each year.

✓However, in phrases where we can use of + plural noun we use a plural verb:
• I would say that about 50 per cent of the houses need major repairs.
• Of those interviewed, only 20 per cent (= of people interviewed) admit to
smoking.

✓But where we use a singular noun that can be thought of either as a whole unit or a
collection of individuals, we can use a singular or plural verb:
• Some 80 per cent of the electorate is expected to vote, (or ...are expected...)

✓ Do not be confused by words or phrases that follow a subject that are not the subject➞
One of the chairs is damaged. His work, one of the many works exhibited here today, is
refreshingly naive.

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16 General English for Advanced Purposes

✓ Maintain one tense in a complete thought: past tense or present tense.➞

Incorrect: In the game of hide and seek, Bobby chased Mary and tag her from behind.
Correct: In the game of hide and seek, Bobby chased Mary and tagged her from behind.
Incorrect: Dusk had just settled when I see a fawn timidly step onto the beach.
Correct: Dusk had just settled when I saw a fawn timidly step onto the beach.

Do not use of in place of have. You cannot avoid pronouns. Pronouns substitute for nouns.
Instead of saying, “Because Janie was late, Janie hopped on Janie’s moped, and Janie
raced to the wedding,” you would say, “Because Janie was late, she hopped on her moped,
and she raced to the wedding.” In this section, you will not only clarify ambiguous
pronouns and assure pronoun-antecedent agreement, you will also grapple with
contractions. All too often, certain pronouns and contractions are confused. “The file
cabinet drawer snagged on an overstuffed folder; it’s now stuck just before its halfway
point.” It’s is a contraction meaning it is, while its is a possessive pronoun meaning the
drawer’s halfway point. The only visual difference between the two is an apostrophe
neatly inserted between the t and the s in the contraction.

Modifiers

Adjectives and adverbs modify subjects and/or their actions in a sentence. In the sentence,
“The orange and striped cat leapt nimbly across the dresser,” adjectives and adverbs
specify what kind of cat (an “orange and striped cat”) and how that cat leapt (“nimbly”).
All too often, adjectives and adverbs are confused for one another. However, in this
section, you will put each in its proper place and in its proper form.

First, you have to know the definition of a modifier:

✓ A modifier describes or limits another word.➞Lily is a subject. Add the word tiger
before lily and the subject is modified: It is now a specific type of lily. Pushed is an action
word. Add shyly and the action is limited: It is now a gentler action. Put the subject, its
action, and the modifiers all together and the sentence reads: Unlike its fierce namesake,
the tiger lily pushed its head shyly through the soil.

Types of Modifiers

✓ Adjectives modify nouns or pronouns. (Hint: An adjective answers one of three

questions: which one, what kind, or how many?)
✓ Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, other adverbs, or whole groups of words. (Hint: An
adverb answers one of four questions: where, when, how, or to what extent?)
✓ Comparatives are adjectives and adverbs used to compare two things.
✓ Superlatives are adjectives and adverbs used to compare more than two things.

Follow this guideline and you will do well (well describes the verb to do; therefore it is
an adverb!):

✓ Always identify whether a modifier describes or limits a sentence’s subject or its

action.
 General English for Advanced Purposes 17

✓ Use good and bad to describe nouns.

✓ Use well and badly to describe verbs, except when well means “fit” or “healthy.”When
well describes a state of being, it is an adjective.➞With repetition, you will soon write
well. Well describes how the subject writes; it is an adverb. After two months of physical
therapy, Bob was well.Well describes Bob’s state of being; it is an adjective.

✓ Use an adjective after a linking verb. The following words are linking verbs when they
express a state of being: look, sound, smell, feel, taste, appear, seem, become, grow, turn,
prove, remain, and stay. ➞Howard leaned over and surreptitiously smelled Lee; she
smelled sweet. Surreptitiously describes how Howard sniffed at the other person; in this
case, it is an adverb because it describes the act of smelling. Sweet describes Lee; the word
smell links the adjective back to the subject.

✓ Use the adjective fewer to describe plural nouns and the adjective less to describe
singular nouns.

✓ Use the word number to describe plural nouns and the word amount to describe
singular nouns.

✓ Add -er to a modifier or place the word more or less before the modifier to compare
two things. This creates a comparison. (Hint: One to two syllable modifiers usually receive
the suffix -er; modifiers with more than two syllables use more or less before them.)

✓ Add -est to a modifier or place the word most or least before the modifier to indicate
the extreme degree of a thing (Hint: One- to two-syllable modifiers receive -est;modifiers
with more than two syllables use most or least before them.)

✓ Avoid double comparatives or double superlatives. Adding the suffix -er or -est to a
modifier and preceding the modifier with more or most is redundant.➞Lindsey amazed the
class with her grammatical skills; she was the most smartest person they had ever seen.
Lindsey is already the smartest. Most also means smartest—the phrase most smartest is
redundant.

✓ Avoid double negatives unless you mean to express the positive.➞Tom hardly did not
feel tense whenever he approached grammar. Hardly and did not cancel each other out.
The sentence really reads: Tom felt tense whenever approaching grammar.

✓ Avoid illogical comparisons. Some words already indicate an extreme degree; like
double comparatives and double superlatives, adding the word more or most before such
words is redundant. ➞Some women believe Brad Pitt is more perfect than Matt Damon.
There are not degrees of perfection; one is either perfect or not perfect. However, one can
more nearly approach perfection than someone else.

✓Notice that some verbs may take adjectives to complete the meaning required
(complementary adjectives). These verbs cannot form a complete thought without the
required adjectives: He looks confused today. The music seemed loud.
18 General English for Advanced Purposes

Degree Adverbs

Degree adverbs can be used before adjectives, verbs, or other adverbs to give information
about the extent or degree of something. Compare

• They're happy. and • They're extremely

happy.
• I hate travelling by plane. and • I really hate travelling by
plane.
• He's always late. and • He's almost always late.

✓Other degree adverbs include completely, fairly, quite, rather, slightly, too, totally,
very (much).

⩥Very and Too⩥

✓Before an adjective or another adverb we use very when we mean 'to a high degree', and
too when we mean 'more than enough' or 'more than is wanted or needed'. Compare:
• The weather was very hot in Majorca. Perfect for swimming, (not ...too hot...)
and
• It's too hot to stay in this room - let's find somewhere cooler, (not ...very hot...)

✓However, in informal spoken English, particularly in negative sentences, we can

sometimes use 'too' to mean roughly the same as 'very':
• I'm not too/very bothered about who wins.
• It's not too/very warm today, is it?

⩥Very and Very Much⩥

✓We don't use very before verbs, but we can use very much before some verbs to
emphasize how we feel about things:
• I very much agree with the decision, (not ...very agree...)
• We (very) much enjoyed having you stay with us. (not ...very enjoyed...)

✓Verbs like this include agree, doubt, fear, hope, like, want; and also admire,
appreciate, enjoy, and regret. We can use very much or much (but not very) before the
last four verbs.

✓We can use very but not (very) much before participle adjectives:
• She was very disturbed to hear the news, (not She was very much disturbed...)
• It's very disappointing, (not It's very much disappointing.)

✓However, we use (very) much but not very before a past participle which is part of a
passive:
• The new by-pass was (very) much needed.
 General English for Advanced Purposes 19

Extremely, very, etc.; absolutely, completely, etc.

✓We usually use extremely, very, etc. with gradable adjectives and absolutely,
completely, etc. with ungradable adjectives. Here are more adverbs like these and
adjectives which commonly follow them:

+ gradable adjective + ungradable adjective

extremely...effective, difficult, hard absolutely...clear, necessary, sure, true
dreadfully...angry, disappointed, sorry simply...awful, enormous, terrible
hugely...entertaining, enjoyable, utterly...exhausted, unbearable,
successful unrecognisable

⩥Quite⩥

✓Quite has two meanings: to a particular degree, but not 'very' (= 'fairly'); and to a large
degree, or 'very much' (= 'completely'). Compare:
• I was quite satisfied with the result. (= 'fairly') and
• No, you're quite wrong. (= 'completely')
✓When quite is used with ungradable adjectives it means 'completely':
• 'Ted isn't coming until tomorrow.' 'Are you quite certain?'

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Likely
✓Special care must be taken with the adjective likely. It is often mistaken for an adverb
because of its form, but this is not an acceptable usage, for example:
Correct: The Republic is likely to fall. Wrong: The Republic will likely fall.

Like (used as adjective or preposition)

✓Like, with its opposite unlike, should be treated as an adjective or a preposition; that is,
it must always have a noun to relate to. A predicate is formed with the verb to be:
Life is like a box of chocolates. (Life resembles a box of chocolates.) Used in the form of a
phrase, like will link two nouns (or noun phrases) of the same kind. In this case, like
functions as a preposition, a phrase-maker, and it is categorized so in some grammar
books.

Like vs. Such As

✓In the above example, like is used to introduce similarity between two items or persons.
This is an accepted usage in Sentence Correction on the GMAT. In other words, like
cannot be used to introduce examples or a subset of a category, which should be used
following such as. Correct: I enjoy playing musical instruments such as piano and violin.
Wrong: I enjoy playing musical instruments like piano and violin. In sum, on the GMAT,
use like before a noun or pronoun when emphasizing similar characteristics between two
persons, groups or things. Use such as before a noun or phrase when introducing
examples.

Like vs. As/As If/As though

20 General English for Advanced Purposes

✓Use like before a noun or pronoun. Use as before a clause, adverb or prepositional
phrase. Use as if and as though before a clause. Like is generally used as a preposition in
such a context. As is generally used as an adverb while sometimes serving as a preposition
with the meaning of “in the capacity of.” As you can tell, the focus of the comparison
shifts from the noun when used with like to the verb when used with as, as if, or as
though. My mother’s cheesecake tastes like glue. I love frozen pizza because there is no
other snack like it. My mother’s cheesecake tastes great, as a mother’s cheesecake should.

✓There are times, as now, that learning grammar becomes important. He golfed well
again, as in the tournament last year. He served as captain in the navy. He often told half-
truths, as any politician would. He looks as if he knows me. It looked as if a storm were on
the way. He yelled at me as though it were my fault.

✓The same rule applies when you use the expressions seem like and look like. Correct:
He seemed like a nice guy at first. That looks like a very tasty cake. Wrong: It seemed like
he liked me. Correct: It seemed as if he liked me. Here the comparison is with a clause,
not a noun.

Possibility, Ability, etc.

May, might, can and could: possibility

✓In affirmative sentences (that is, sentences which are not questions or negatives), we use
may or might to say there is a possibility of something happening or being true:
• This may/might be his last major speech before the election.
• The news may/might come as a shock to many of the people present.
• When Frank gets a job, I may/might get the money back that I lent him.

✓There is often little difference in meaning, but might can suggest that there is less
possibility.

✓We can also use could, but not can, to express a similar meaning. We prefer could to
show that we are giving an opinion about which we are unsure:
n • 'Why isn't Tim here yet?' 'It may/might/could be because his mother is ill
again.'
• There may/might/could be some cake left. I'll go and look.

✓We can use can in affirmative sentences when we talk about a more general possibility
of something happening rather than the possibility of something happening in a particular
situation:
• The temperature can sometimes reach 35°C in July.
• Mountain daisies can be yellow or red.
• It may/might/could rain later, (not It can...)

✓We prefer may rather than can in more formal contexts:

• Exceeding the stated dose may cause drowsiness, (from a medicine container)
 General English for Advanced Purposes 21

✓We don't use may to ask questions about the possibility of something happening.
Instead we use, for example, could(n't) or the phrase be likely:
a • Could it be that you don't want to leave?
• Are you likely to be visiting Greece again this summer?

✓It is possible to use might in this type of question, but it is rather formal:
• Might they be persuaded to change their minds?

✓In negative sentences, including sentences with words like only, hardly or never, to say
that something is not the case we can use can't (or more formally cannot) or couldn't (or
could not):
• There can't/couldn't be any milk left - I would have seen it in the fridge.
• There can/could hardly be any doubt that he was guilty.

✓Compare the use of may/might and can/could in negative sentences:

• There are plans to rebuild the town centre, but it may not / might not happen
for another ten years. (= It is possible that it won't happen for another ten years.)
• There are plans to rebuild the town centre, but it can't/couldn't happen for
another ten years. (= It is not possible that it will happen for another ten years.)

✓The difference is that we use may not or might not to say that it is possible that
something is not true, and can't or couldn't to say that it is not possible that something is
true.
✓We use may well, might well or could well to say it is likely that something will
happen:
• The profits of the company may/might/could well reach $100 million this year.

✓We don't use can well in this way to talk about the future. However, can well is used to
talk about something we think or feel now:
• I can well recall how I felt when John told us he was moving to South Africa.

✓Other words commonly used after may, might, could and can to say it is possible that
something will happen are conceivably and possibly:
• The President may conceivably call an election in June. (= it is possible to
believe it)
• The new parking restrictions could possibly lead to fewer cars in our cities.

✓Compare these sentences:

• I'll write the date of the meeting in my diary, otherwise I may/might/could
forget it. (= talking about present or future possibility)
• Jenny's late. She may/might/could have forgotten about the meeting. (=
talking about past possibility)

✓We use may/might/could (not 'can') + have + past participle to say it is possible that
something happened in the past:
л • I thought I saw Tom in town, but I may/might could have been wrong.
• 'Where's Barbara's camera?' 'She may/might/could have taken it with her.'
22 General English for Advanced Purposes

✓We use might/could (not 'may' or 'can') + have + past participle to say that something
was possible in the past, but we know that it did not in fact happen:
• If I hadn't come along at that moment, Jim might/could have been the one
arrested instead of the real thief.
• The plan might/could easily have gone wrong, but in fact it was a great
success.

✓We use might (not 'may') + infinitive to talk about what was typically the case in the
past:
• During the war, the police might arrest you for criticising the king.
• Years ago children might be sent down mines at the age of six. (passive form)

✓We can also use could + infinitive in examples like this to talk about past ability. For
example, 'During the war, the police could arrest you...' means that the police were legally
able to arrest you.
✓We use may/might (not 'can') + have + past participle to say that by some time in the
future, it is possible that something will have happened:
• By next Friday I may/might have completed the report.
• His maths may/might have improved by the time the exam comes round.

✓We use may/might (not 'can') + be + -ing to say it is possible that something is
happening now or to talk about a possible future arrangement:
• Malcolm isn't in his office. He may/might be working at home today.
• When I go to Vienna I may/might be staying with Richard, but I'm not sure
yet.

✓Could can be used in the same patterns instead of may or might, particularly when we
want to show that we are unsure about the possibility.

✓Notice that we can combine these two patterns to talk about possible situations or
activities that went on over a period of time until now:
• David didn't know where the ball was, but he thought his sister might have
been playing with it. (= from a past time until now)

✓We use may/might/could + well/conceivably/possibly + have + past participle to say

it is likely that something would have happened in the past if circumstances had been
different, or to say that by some time in the future it is likely that something will have
happened.

✓(Notice that we don't use 'can well (etc.) + have + past participle'):
• I may/might/could conceivably have been tempted to take the job if it had
been nearer home, (passive form)
• By this time next week, I may/might/could well have left for Washington.

Can, could, and be able to: ability

 General English for Advanced Purposes 23

✓When we say that someone or something has or doesn't have the ability to do
something, we can use can('t) (or cannot) (for the present) or could(n't) (for the past):
• He can analyse people's handwriting. • We can't afford to pay the bill.
• Anita could speak three languages before she was six.

✓We can use be able to instead of can/could to talk about an ability that someone has or
had:
• Helen can / is able to read well, even though she's only three.
• He could / was able to draw on the support of over 20,000 troops.

✓In general, we use be able to when we talk about a specific achievement (particularly if
it is difficult, requiring some effort) rather than a general ability. Study this table:

general ability specific achievement

Present We prefer can (but we can also We prefer be able to (but we can also
use be able to): use can):
• He can speak Spanish. • He has now recovered from his injury
and is able to drive again.
past We prefer could (but we can also We use be able to (not could):
use be able to): • Jenny was able to leave the hospital
• After only six months, Suzanne only six hours after the baby was born.
could play the violin quite well.

✓However, we commonly use can or could, even when we are talking about specific
occasions, with verbs of the senses, feel, hear, see, smell, taste, and with verbs of
'thinking', e.g. believe, decide, remember, understand:
n • She could feel the spray on her face as the boat raced through the water.
• I can't decide where to go for my holidays.

✓We don't use be able to:

 When we talk about something that is happening as we are speaking;
 Before be + past participle:
• This furniture can be assembled by anyone, with just a screwdriver.

✓We use be able to, not can or could, if the idea we want to express needs a to
infinitive, an –ing form, or a perfect tense, or if it follows another modal verb:
• We were very lucky to be able to live in the country during our childhood.
• It was awful, not being able to see you for so long.
• Since he left, none of the other team members have been able to match his
enthusiasm.
• We may be able to move some of the staff to a different department.

✓We use will be able to, not can, to say that something will be possible in the future:
a • If the snow carries on like this, very few people will be able to get to the
concert.
• When the new road is built, I'll be able to drive to work in under half an hour.

✓However, when we make a decision now about something in the future, we use can:
 General English for Advanced Purposes 63

Practice
Part 1: Fill in the Blanks; Spot the Incorrect

Answer the questions below. If the question has a blank, choose the correct answer to fill
in the blank. If the question has four underlined words or phrases, choose the underlined
word or phrase that is incorrect.

1. The players prepared good for the tournament but performed poorly.
A. prepared B. good C. performed D. poorly

2. After the security guard’s performance was evaluated , management decides to

dismiss her and asked her to turn in her uniform.
A. was evaluated B. decides C. to dimiss D. asked

3. If your not too busy, and I know everyone is, please read and complete this
questionnaire.
A. your B. everyone C. is D. complete

4. Mitch was sure the problem ______

A. is solve B. is solving C. was solved D. was solven

5. Emmanuel wishes that he ______ never moved from his old neighborhood.
A. had B. did C. would D. could

6. The plumber did a complete estimate for us so that we would know exactly how
much the job would costed.
A. did B. for us C. would know D. would costed

7. Ginger sees her mother regularly. She was healthy and strong, even though she is
over 80 years old.
A. sees B. regularly C. was D. even though

8. If the message was more detailed, I would have been able to understand it when I
read it.
A. was B. would C. have been D. to understand

9. Half of the textile wall hangings were crooked, but each of the paintings were
slightly askew.
A. Half of B. were C. each D. were

10. Neither Sam nor James wanted their name associated with the project.
A. Neither B. wanted C. their D. associated

11. The paper is ______ on the dining room table.

A. lying B. laying C. lain D. laid
64 General English for Advanced Purposes

12. I think you’re the one ______ sent Rachna those flowers.
A. did B. that C. which D. who

13. Less people attended the conference this year, even though there were more
workshops and seminars to choose from.
A. Less B. even though C. more D. to choose

14. This floor doesn’t need no more wax; there’s plenty already.
A. doesn’t B. no C. there’s D. already

15. I really hope ______ to the concert next week.

A. to go B. going C. go D. goes

16. I don’t have anything to wear because my luggage were lost somewhere between
California and Arizona.
A. have B. anyhting C. were D. lost

17. Please remember I am older than him and have more experience.
A. remember B. older C. him D. have

18. He is the opposite ______ his twin sister in nearly every way.
A. in B. from C. of D. to

19. Jamal read the letter ______.

A. slow B. slowly
C. in a slow manner D. with slowness

20. Ronnel told me that the letter from the attorney was short, curt, and it troubled
him.
A. told me B. from the arttorney
C. short D. it troubled him

21. The course Bernard signed up for lasts longer from the one Michelle is taking.
A. for B. lasts C. from D. one

22. Bill took not only a French class __________ a Japanese class.
A. but also B. and C. too D. but too

23. The waves on the beach on the west coast of Florida are not as high __________
those on the east coast.
A. as B. than C. that D. so

24. The new computer chip is the smallest one than has ever been developed.
A. the B. than C. been D. developed

25. The farther he ran, the more exhaustion he became, until he could not continue.
A. ran B. exhaustion C. until D. continue

26. No sooner had Janice arrived at the office __________ she contacted her sister.
 General English for Advanced Purposes 65

A. the later B. that C. as D. than

27. The farmers tried to rise corn, but the birds and insects destroyed it.
A. tried B. rise C. but D. destroyed

28. The hills lie to the north of town, raising to the foot of a rocky mountain, and a
shallow stream runs along the eastern border of the town.
A. lie B. raising C. along D. eastern

29. __________ , these students are among the best prepared who have been through
this university.
A. At the whole B. On the whole C. In the general D. In generally

30. The children became ill after taking medicine that was __________ date.
A. off the B. outside C. out of D. over

31. The exam to become a lawyer is on far the most difficult he has taken.
A. to become B. on C. most D. has

32. One of the two students is studying to be a doctor, but __________ wants to
be a musician.
A. other B. others C. another D. the other

33. To give an effective speech, __________ is the delivery that is most important.
A. it B. which C. and D. there

34. The actress, having been chosen to play the lead role, deciding to try out for other
parts.
A. been B. deciding C. out D. for

35. The moon’s gravitational field is responsible for the tides, and its location affects
how high and how low tide is from time to time.
A. gravitational B. the C. its D. low tide

36. Even though the school is struggling as __________ lack of funds, it is expected to
continue to operate, due to the immense popularity among the local residents.
A. the result of a B. result a C. result D. result of

37. One of Cuba’s major sources of income is raising the sugar.

A. major B. of C. is D. the

38. A brilliant presenter, __________ used to draw a tremendous crowd, but now the
amount of money he is charging is considered too high.
A. always B. he C. be D. he was

39. In spite of the antagonistic display by their opponents’ supporters, __________

city commissioners tried to keep reason and calm at the forefront.
A. the three incumbent B. a three incumbent
C. three incumbently D. the incumbent three
66 General English for Advanced Purposes

40. Modern outboard boat engines frequently are sold with pump that automatically
mixes oil with gasoline.
A. engines B. with pump C. automatically D. with

41. Whether there should be more control over handguns __________ long been a
topic of debate in the United States.
A. having B. has C. is D. have

42. Having been found guilty of theft, __________ to find work in his chosen field as
an accountant.
A. was difficult for Henry Jones B. Henry Jones found it difficult
C. found Henry Jones difficult D. it was found by Henry Jones difficult

43. Henry Flagler was the railroad baron who he also developed a number of
magnificent hotels and other fabulous structures.
A. was B. he C. a D. other

44. This course is one of __________ few English courses offered by the college each
month.
A. the B. only C. mostly D. almost

45. Although a number of voters has cast their ballots in the city election, the
supervisor of elections temporarily ended the election because of a malfunction in the
voting mechanism.
A. has cast B. the supervisor C. temporarily D. of

46. Neither Professor Johnson nor any other faculty member __________ to apply for
the dean’s position.
A. intend B. intends C. are intending D. has intend

47. While this is not the most popular course offered at the university, just like many
others classes that have low attendance in spite of their importance, at least several
classes are always available.
A. the most popular B. others C. have D. importance

48. E. Coli has proven to be __________ most dangerous bacteria that can be
acquired from food and water, even in developed countries.
A. one of the B. one of C. one D. of one

49. The death toll would __________ much higher if immediate action had not been
taken.
A. probably being B. probably be C. probably been D. be probable

50. For years, this varsity athletes have been known throughout the country for their
tremendous abilities.
A. this B. have been known C. for D. tremendous

51. A fire in the __________ building could be a problem for firefighters.

A. ninety-story-tall B. ninety-tall-story
C. ninety-stories-tall D. ninety stories
 General English for Advanced Purposes 67

52. The company had been operate in an old warehouse since its inception, when it
built a huge, efficient, and modern office building.
A. operate B. its C. huge D. efficient

53. Their office consisted of three rooms, __________ was used as a conference room.
A. larger of which B. the largest of which
C. the largest of them D. largest

54. Before administering the exam, the proctor required that the students take their
seats and removing all items from their workplaces.
A. administering B. required C. removing D. their

55. In the past six months, the company has already received twice __________ in
gross revenues as it earned in the entire preceding year.
A. as much B. more C. as many D. as more

56. Some people enjoy preparing their own meals while another would rather eat out
regularly.
A. preparing B. their C. while D. another

57. __________ better, the team would have been able to defeat the opponent.
A. If it prepares B. If prepares C. Preparing D. Had it prepared

58. The news of the decision to invade with armed forces were not well received by
the citizens.
A. The B. to C. were D. recieved

59. Nobody knows why __________ postponed until next week.

A. the meeting B. was the meeting
C. did the meeting D. the meeting was

60. Air traffic controllers must use a form of communication that is universal
understood because a pilot’s understanding of instructions is critical.
A. use B. a C. universal D. understanding

61. The curriculum at the public school is as good __________ of any private school.
A. or better than B. as or better that
C. as or better than that D. as or better than those

62. Hurricanes hardly never reach the east coast of Florida, but some that have were
extremely hazardous.
A. never B. reach C. that have D. extremely

63. Children raised in foster homes requirement special attention to overcome the
feelings of abandonment and isolation.
A. in B. requirement C. overcome D. of

64. Being a private university, __________ a well-organized charitable giving

program in order to offer a sufficient number of quality courses and activities.
68 General English for Advanced Purposes

A. development of B. it developed C. develop D. developing

65. With so many choices of wireless technology available, it is often difficulty to

determine which offers the best value and quality.
A. With B. choices C. difficulty D. determine

66. Entering the country in car may cause different treatment by customs officials
than entering by way of mass transportation.
A. Entering B. in C. cause D. different

67. The greater the number of bacteria attacking the system, __________.
A. the sooner treatment must be begun B. sooner must begin treatment
C. begin treatment as soon as possible D. must begin treatment sooner

68. A congressional committee has been appointed to study a new procedure

__________ to eliminate some costly expenditures.
A. that is expected B. what is expected
C. which expects D. that expected

69. Some professors enjoy writing articles and performing research, while anothers
would be more content to devote all their time to teaching.
A. writing B. performing C. anothers D. to devote

70. Some people send job applications even when they are reasonably happy in their
jobs, __________ improving their position.
A. with hoping to B. hoping that C. with hopes of D. hoping to

71. Swimming is a beneficial exercise, __________ aerobic activity and uses a number
of muscle groups.
A. not only because it provides B. because it both provides
C. for provision D. as result of providing

72. Tests have been performed to determine whether studying TOEFL questions will
help students rise their test scores.
A. been B. whether C. studying D. rise

73. The professor instructed the students __________ the essay without preparing an
outline first.
A. to not write B. not to write C. do not write D. to no write

74. It is not clear when __________, although there are many different theories.
A. dinosaurs becoming extinct B. dinosaurs extinction
C. dinosaurs became extinct D. did dinosaurs become extinct

75. The professor decided to allow the students to take the examination a second time
because the low scores.
A. to allow B. take C. second D. because

76. If the driver’s own car __________ damaged, the favorite probably would have
won the race.
 General English for Advanced Purposes 69

A. had not been B. not C. no had been D. has no be

77. Having withdrawn from the race, the candidate decided supporting his opponent
despite the opponent’s representing the other political party.
A. Having B. supporting C. despite D. other

78. The soldiers were unable to determine where __________.

A. the jeep had been left B. had been leave the jeep
C. had the jeep been left D. had the jeep left

79. The manager was angry because somebody _________.

A. had allowed the photographers to enter the building
B. had let the photographers to enter the building
C. permitting the photographers enter the building
D. the photographers let into the building

80. The committee members resented __________ of the meeting.

A. the president that he did not tell them
B. the president not to inform them
C. the president’s not informing them
D. that the president had failed informing themselves

81. __________ did Arthur realize that there was danger.

A. Upon entering the store B. When he entered the store
C. After he had entered the store D. Only after entering the store

82. The congressman, accompanied by secret service agents and aides, are preparing
to enter the convention hall within the next few minutes.
A. by B. are C. to enter D. within the next

83. Because the torrential rains that had devastated the area, the governor sent the
National Guard to assist in the clean-up operation.
A. Because B. torrential C. devastated D. to assist

84. Lack of sanitation in restaurants are a major cause of disease in some areas of the
country.
A. sanitation B. are C. cause of D. in some areas of

85. Had the committee members considered the alternatives more carefully, they
would have realized that the second was better as the first.
A. Had the committee members B. more carefully
C. second was D. as the first

86. Malnutrition is a major cause of death in those countries where the cultivation of
rice have been impeded by recurrent drought.
A. is a major B. in those countries C. have D. by recurrent drought

87. The decision to withdraw all support from the activities of the athletes are
causing an uproar among the athletes’ fans.
A. to withdraw B. all support C. are causing D. among
70 General English for Advanced Purposes

88. Underutilized species of fish has been proposed as a solution to the famine in
many underdeveloped countries.
A. Underutilized B. has been C. as D. to the famine

89. Because the residents had worked so diligent to renovate the old building, the
manager had a party.
A. Because B. had worked C. diligent D. to renovate

90. John’s wisdom teeth were troubling him, so he went to a dental surgeon to see
about having them pull.
A. were troubling B. to see C. about D. them pull

91. Hardly __________ the office when he realized that he had forgotten his wallet.
A. he had entered B. had entered C. entered D. had he entered

92. Suzy had better to change her study habits if she hopes to be admitted to a good
university.
A. had B. to change C. hopes to be D. to a good university

93. Overeating, in addition to lack of attention to nutrition, are said to be the major
cause of obesity in the United States.
A. lack B. are C. be D. cause

94. Once the employees had begun receiving financial information on the company,
__________ income.
A. they diligently assisted in reducing costs and increasing
B. it made the employees more eager to assist in reduce costs and increase
C. diligently they assist to reduce costs and increase
D. with extreme diligence helped lower costs and increase

95. Because the students showed they had read the materials so thorough, the
instructor decided not to administer an exam.
A. because B. read C. thorough D. to administer

96. The plumber attempted to loosen the nut with regular pliers but then decided he
needed to retrieve his toolbox in order to use __________.
A. another pliers B. others pliers C. the others ones D. another pair

97. Judy decided to wait until after she had taken her exams before having her
wisdom teeth pull.
A. to wait B. had taken C. having D. pull

98. The committee has met and __________.

A. have approve the budget B. budget was approved
C. its approval of the budget D. approved the budget

99. Hardly the plane had landed when Adam realized that he had left the file that he
needed at his office.
A. hardly the plane had B. realied C. that he had D. needed
 General English for Advanced Purposes 71

100. After Michelle had taken control of the Accounts Receivable department, the
financial situation improved dramatically; her fiscal and management capabilities
__________ to the success.
A. should contribute B. should have contributed
C. must have contributed D. must contribute

101. The consultant said management had better to formalize its employment policies
and procedures in order to avoid adverse employment claims in the future.
A. to formalize B. its C. avoid D. adverse

102. Having been presented the financial aspects of the proposed agreement, _____.
A. legal terms were addressed by the board members
B. the board members turned their attention to the legal terms
C. they were begun to discuss legal terms
D. a discussion of the legal terms by the board members

103. The author has not rarely written anything that was not a best-seller.
A. author B. not rarely C. anything D. a

104. Rafael will not be able to attend class tomorrow because __________ an
interview with the immigration officials.
A. he must to attend B. he will be attending
C. of he must attend D. he will have attending

105. The Dean of the College of Education has already to decide whether to permit
the meeting to be held on campus.
A. The B. already to decide C. to permit D. held

106. The faculty of the university is not expected to approve the collective bargaining
proposal, and __________.
A. the administration either B. neither is the administration
C. neither the administration D. the administration is not neither

107. The professor had already completed calculation of the final grades and had
submit them to the office when Elizabeth delivered her paper.
A. already B. of C. had submit D. delivered

108. The chairman requested that __________.

A. a committee appointed to study the problem thoroughly
B. a committee be appointed to make thoroughly review of the problem
C. thoroughly review the problem by a committee
D. a committee be appointed to review the problem thoroughly

109. Several cars plunged into the water when the pier was striking by a barge that
separated from its tugboat.
A. plunged B. into C. was striking D. from

110. Internet companies rely heavily on income from on-line purchases, but
__________.
72 General English for Advanced Purposes

A. traditional companies as well B. traditional companies too

C. also traditional companies D. so do traditional companies

111. The company had difficulty distributing __________ so that they could meet
production quotas.
A. sufficiently number of parts in a timely manner to its manufacturers
B. a sufficient number of parts to its manufacturers in a timely manner
C. to its manufacturers in a timely manner a sufficient number of parts
D. in a timely manner to its manufacturers a sufficient number of parts

112. The new prospect for the team has great height and agility, but the coaches do
not believe he moves enough quickly to play in the position that they need to fill.
A. height B. enough quickly C. play D. position

113. So much people applied for service from the new company that it found it
impossible to meet the demand.
A. much B. for C. from D. impossible

114. The company sustained an angry reaction from its employees after announcing
how __________ to reduce operating costs.
A. it planned B. planned C. did it plan D. was planned

115. The meeting is being held in the fifth floor of the convention center, but there
are functions on every floor.
A. being B. in C. fifth D. are

116. Professor Anderson wrote __________, which is expected to be published in the

next few months.
A. a new textbook last year B. last year a new textbook
C. in last year a new textbook D. during last year a new textbook

117. The tube worm, __________ stationary plant-like creature that lives at the
bottom of the deep sea, can live for hundreds of years.
A. is a B. it is a C. a D. that is a

118. The gymnasium facilities of this public school are __________ those of the finest
private school in the county.
A. second after B. second only to C. first except for D. second place from

119. An orangutan escaped from the zoo and was foraged food in a residential
neighborhood.
A. from B. was foraged C. in D. residential

120. The more the horse tried to free itself from the restraint, __________.
A. the tighter it became B. it became tighter
C. the horse could not escape D. it was unable to move

121. The school officials are considering a comprehensive planning to alleviate the
problem of overcrowding in the dormitories.
A. are B. planning C. alleviate D. overcrowding
 General English for Advanced Purposes 73

122. __________, that runner is likely to be the first one chosen.

A. Due to her agility and speed B. Because of she is agile and fast
C. Because agile and rapid D. Because her agility and speed

123. Spanish is the only course that it is not offered in the summer term, but there
are several classes offered in the fall.
A. it B. offered C. several D. offered

124. It was not until the students were seated __________ the proctor realized he had
the wrong test booklets.
A. that B. when C. as soon as D. and

125. Sarah was not best speaker in the class, but her personality and ability to convey
her feelings helped her become the most requested.
A. not best B. her C. ability D. requested

126. As a result of the additional rain with so much flooding already having occurred,
residents were seeking shelter __________ than in previous years.
A. in more numbers B. more numerously
C. greater in numbers D. in greater numbers

127. The issues learned during the early stages of the project causing the researchers
to initiate additional research.
A. during B. stages C. causing D. additional

128. The company president wrote an e-mail and planned to send __________ as soon
as the vote was complete.
A. to all directors the message B. the message by all directors
C. message to all directors D. the message to all directors

129. Only when black bear has been spotted by the forest rangers will this portion of
the park be closed down.
A. when black B. been C. will D. closed

130. As the result of Diane’s illness and the effects of the medication, __________ to
curtail her work and public speaking activities.
A. has B. had C. she has had D. she will had

131. Television news producers are sometimes accuse of sensationalism, but it

appears that is what the public desires.
A. news B. accuse C. it D. what

132. The man displayed his anger when he discovered that the laundry machine was
__________ order.
A. out B. out of C. no on D. outside

133. The workers attempted to free the cat from the trap, but several obstacles were
in way.
A. attempted B. free C. from D. in way
74 General English for Advanced Purposes

134. In spite of the fact that the Olympic athletes are not permitted to compete for
compensation, some of them __________ the past and will again in the future.
A. so did in B. compete in C. in D. did so in

135. Not only could the younger people completed all the work quickly and
accurately, but the retired workers could also.
A. completed B. quickly C. could D. also

136. Allen’s not having finished his thesis did not discourage him from applying for
other degree program.
A. Allen’s not B. finished C. discourage D. other

137. To master the art of fiction writing __________ discipline and practice, as well
as studying the works of other great authors.
A. require B. requires C. requiring D. that requires

138. That investors in the stock market enjoys increases and suffer declines is simply
a fact of the financial market, and a smart investor is not too excited about the
former or crestfallen about the latter.
A. enjoys B. declines C. former D. crestfallen

139. Because it is impossible for rescuers to dig through much of the rubble, the
number of people affected by the devastating earthquake __________ yet been
determined with certainty.
A. have not B. has not C. not D. only

140. Having been found guilty of racketeering, even though he was never proven
guilty of many crimes he was believe to have committed, the mobster was sentenced
to a number of years in prison.
A. Having B. proven C. believe D. have

141. Had Jorge be able to complete his thesis instead of returning to work, he would
have graduated a year ago.
A. be B. complete C. returning D. have

142. Heather Friedman, __________ at many school functions and other community
events, is destined for fame and fortune if she receives the right backing and is
discovered by the right people.
A. who has sung B. has sung C. sung D. sang

143. After the data has received and reviewed, the finance department employees
should be able to determine the best course of action.
A. has received B. emplyees C. be D. to determine

144. The Board of Directors determined, after having tried to enter several related
business arenas, __________ concentrate on its core business.
A. that the company should B. should
C. that D. company should
 General English for Advanced Purposes 75

145. Owning a home, the dream of many, an unattainable goal for many young
people (particularly unmarried mothers) without aid from governmental and non-
profit sources.
A. Owning B. an C. aid D. sources

146. That fast foods frequently contain a considerable amount of fat __________
well-known, but many people still find it difficult to avoid them due to their work
schedules.
A. is B. quite C. be D. being

147. After the jury had determined liability, its next task was to decide how much
money should it assess as damages.
A. had B. next C. to decide D. should it

148. This application must be rejected because it should __________ submitted prior
to the commencement of classes for the term.
A. of been B. have been C. being D. have be

149. If the Board had not reversed its position on the petition to approve the fence,
the owner would had to remove it.
A. its B. to apptrove C. would had D. remove

150. A prolific writer, even when he was teaching a number of classes, Harry Crews
never achieving popularity among the masses.
A. A B. was C. classes D. achieving

151. Whereas many people visit Internet sites where products are sold, a great
number of them still __________ to actually make purchases online.
A. are hesitant B. hesitating C. hesitation D. being hesitant

152. Attorneys who practice in the area of personal injury generally spending
considerably more money on advertising in telephone books and on television than
other types of attorneys.
A. spending B. considerably C. other D. types

153. Earlier in the year, the researchers found __________, which they determined is
over 6 million years old.
A. a fossil extremely large B. extremely large fossil
C. a large extremely fossil D. an extremely large fossil

154. St. Augustine, Florida, known as oldest city in the United States, is home to the
oldest schoolhouse, a fort called Castillo de San Marcos, and other areas of historical
interest.
A. known B. as oldest C. callled D. other

155. In spite __________ seen as a comfortable and open speaker, Larry dislikes
public speaking and will do almost anything to avoid it.
A. have been B. of being C. being D. having been
76 General English for Advanced Purposes

156. The committee voted purchase the land next to the company’s existing building,
but the resolution was not approved at the full Board meeting.
A. voted B. purchase C. next D. existing

157. How long __________ left in the cold wilderness is anybody’s guess, although it
appears that they will all be brought back to health.
A. has been the children B. have the children
C. the children have been D. the children been

158. Students may buy used books if they had been readily available and correctly
priced.
A. used B. had been C. readily D. priced

159. Having been stopped by the police for running a red light, __________ it was not
in her best interest to argue since she was not wearing her seat belt.
A. Jane’s decision B. Jane decided C. decided D. decision

160. Without a doubt, the best way to do well in college to keep up constantly with
the homework, read everything that is required, and regularly outline all the class
notes.
A. doubt B. to C. constantly D. regularly

161. The children were warned not __________ in the retention pond because the
water was polluted and a large alligator called it home.
A. swim B. swimming C. to swim D. should swim

162. In the early morning, the hikers broke camp and began the long trek towards
home, hoping to before noon arrive.
A. early B. began C. towards D. before noon arrive

163. That Ana could handle the job well __________ to her friends and colleagues,
who could not understand how the university was still considering the other
candidate.
A. obviously B. was obvious C. obvious D. has obviously

164. Though the danger had passed, officials were hesitant to allow residents to
return to their homes because they were unsure how much damage caused by the
high winds.
A. passed B. hesitant C. to return D. caused

165. The company had a two-tier contingency plan in case power was lost, first using
gas operated generators, and then __________ its distant safe operation, where the
entire computer operation, including all hardware, software, and data, was able to be
run without interruption.
A. initiation B. initiate C. initiating D. to initiate

166. After having success with individual singers and several bands consisting of
teenage boys, __________ both sing and dance, he decided to experiment with bands
consisting of teenage girls as well as a co-ed band.
A. who could B. could C. that could D. which
 General English for Advanced Purposes 77

167. Bob is certain to be hired for the position because at his interview he displayed
his talents in writing, speaking, organizing, delegating and to lead.
A. position B. because C. displayed D. to lead

168. The Strangler Fig Tree, __________ Borneo, grows from seeds deposited in the
top of trees around which the Fig Tree grows.
A. native to B. native from C. how native to D. is native to

169. Hepatitis C generally occurs 20 to 30 year after one is exposed to the illness.
A. occurs B. year C. is D. exposed

170. Some types of digital telephones cannot __________ in places where others work
fine.
A. to function B. functioned C. functioning D. function

171. Ricky Martin, __________ of the band Menudo, attained great popularity in the
late 1990s.
A. formerly member B. a former member
C. was a former member D. being former member

172. The knee is the recipient of constant pressure, which causes them to fail often
and requires replacement with artificial parts.
A. recipient B. which C. them D. to fail

173. Of all the harmful bacteria that can be acquired from unsanitary food handling,
E. Coli is the one __________ the most media attention.
A. that has gained B. it has gained C. disease that it has gained D. gained it

174. Effective speaking and proficient writing is generally seen as requirements for a
professor to achieve tenure.
A. speaking B. proficient C. is D. seen

175. __________ of the history of words is called etymology.

A. Study B. The study C. Studying D. To study.

176. Universities often ignore a student’s lack of scholastically ability when the
student has great athletic potential in a sport that is important to the school.
A. lack B. scholasticallly C. athletic D. that

177. With great care and skill, __________ Lasik surgery by peeling back a flap of
the cornea so that it can be reshaped.
A. doctor performs B. a doctor performs
C. performance D. performing

178. John Steinbeck he wrote down-to-earth accounts of individuals and families who
suffered through the Great Depression.
A. he wrote B. accounts C. individuals D. suffered through

179. The possibility of being sued is __________ of construction companies.

78 General English for Advanced Purposes

A. often the greatest fear B. often the fear greatest

C. the greatest often fear D. the often greatest fear

180. Numismatics, the study of coins, can be very rewarding once a person becomes
familiar with determining the date and type of a coin, as well as grade it.
A. rewarding B. once C. familiar D. grade

181. By analyzing high pressure systems, fronts, and other influences, weather
forecasters can determine the direction towards which __________ to travel.
A. a storm is expected B. is expected a storm
C. is a storm expected D. an expected storm

182. Listening to recorded books while driving is a means of utilize time wisely.
A. recorded B. means C. utilize D. wisely

183. The Old Man and the Sea, a novel about an old fisherman’s harrowing adventure
catching a huge fish, is one of Ernest Hemingway’s __________ books.
A. most famous B. the most famous
C. are most famous D. and most famous

184. The passionate and exhuberant display of the orchestra conductor moving
several members of the audience to tears.
A. exhuberant B. of C. moving D. audience

185. The Internet has lived up to expectations expressed years ago, in __________ the
way the public researches, practices business, and communicates.
A. changing B. to change C. change of D. changed

186. In 1947, Jackie Robinson became a first Black American to play major league
baseball.
A. In B. a C. to play D. major

187. __________ a successful rock star, a singer must have stage presence and
charisma in addition to mere musical talent.
A. To become B. Becomes C. In order becoming D. For becoming

188. As a company grows in size, it is important to maintain communicate among the

various departments.
A. As B. in C. communicate D. among

189. After hurricane Floyd brushed by the East Florida Coast, emergency
management agencies, __________ with each other and the Hurricane Center,
coordinated efforts for evacuation of citizens.
A. working B. works C. is working D. has worked

190. Research involving animals is useful when researchers developing medicines to

combat illnesses of both animals and people.
A. involving B. is useful C. when D. to combat

191. To give an effective speech, __________ is the delivery that is most important.
 General English for Advanced Purposes 79

A. it B. which C. and D. there

192. The Internet has dramatically affected __________ people communicate.

A. the way B. is the way C. that the way D. which way do

Answers and Explanations

1. B. The sentence needs the adverb well to modify the verb prepared. 2. B. The verbs need to
be in the past tense. 3. A. The sentence requires the contraction you’re for you are. 4. C. The
past tense was and participle solved are required here; the sentence is in the past tense. 5. A.
The helping verb had is correct. 6. D. The past tense of cost is cost. 7. C. The verbs need to be
in the present tense. 8. A. The sentence needs the subjunctive were. 9. D. The pronouneach
requires the singular verb was. 10. C. The antecedent is neither and requires the pronoun his.
11. A. The sentence requires the verb lie, which does not require a subject; the participle is
lying. 12. D. Use who when referring to people. 13. A. Use fewer when referring to plural nouns
(people). 14. B. The sentence has an incorrect double negative. 15. A. Use the infinitive after
hope. 16. C. Luggage is a non-count noun and needs a singular verb (was). 17. C. The sentence
requires a subject pronoun (he). 18. C. Use of with opposite. 19. B. The sentence requires an
adverb to modify the verb read. 20. D. The sentence lacks parallel structure; the last part of the
sentence should be another adjective (troubling) rather than a verb phrase (it troubled him). 21.
C: from. The correct expression is longer than. Notice that the sentence also has another
idiomatic expression: sign up for. 22. A: but also. The expression is not only . . . but also; this
means the same thing as both . . . and. 23. A: as. The equal comparison is made using as +
adjective + as. 24. B: than. A comparative is made using adjective +-er+ than. The superlative
cannot appear with than because it is not being compared to anything. In this case, the word
should be that because it is introducing another clause. 25. B: exhaustion. The expression is
created by using the comparative . . . comparative: the farther . . . the more exhausted.
Exhaustion is a noun. 26. D: than. The expression is no sooner . . . than. 27. B: rise. Use raise
+ complement because it is transitive. 28. B: raising. The word raise is transitive, so it requires
a complement. This context means it rises on its own; it does not raise something. So the
correct word would be rising. Notice that lie is correct because it is properly used as an
intransitive verb. 29. B: On the whole. This expression means the same as in general. 30. C:
out of. The correct expression is out of date. 31. B: on. The correct expression is by far, which
means that the exam is much harder than any others. 32. D: the other. The sentence states that
there are two, so the article should be specific. 33. A: it. A subject of the second clause is
required because the that clause is the main clause. The sentence, as corrected, means the same
as, “To give an effective speech, delivery is the most important thing.” 34. B: deciding. The
sentence requires a conjugated verb, decided. 35. D: low tide. The context is definite, so the
definite article the is necessary: how low the tide is. 36. A: the result of a. This is an idiomatic
expression. 37. D: the. Sugar is being used as a general statement, meaning all sugar. 38. B: he.
He used to means he was accustomed to doing something in the past. He was used to would
have to be following by a verb+ing. 39. A: the three incumbent. The article the is necessary
because it is specific and makes sense with the ordinal number three. Incumbent is an adjective
because it modifies commissioners, which in this case is also modified by city. 40. B: with
pump. It would make sense to say with a pump. 41.B: has. The sentence requires a conjugated
verb, so having makes no sense. It is not passive, so is makes no sense. The subject is whether,
so the verb must be singular. 42. B: Henry Jones found it difficult. The second clause needs a
clause beginning with a subject. Because the sentence begins with a participle, having, the
subject of the second clause must be the same person or thing as the subject of the original
sentence. 43. B: he. After the relative pronoun who, it is not correct to have another pronoun.
 General English for Advanced Purposes 391

125-A, 126-B, 127-B, 128-C, 129-D, 130-A, 131-C, 132-D, 133-C, 134-B, 135-A, 136-B, 137-C,
138-A, 139-C, 140-B, 141-C, 142-D, 143-A, 144-B, 145-C, 146-A, 147-D, 148-B, 149-C, 150-D,
151-A, 152-D, 153-D, 154-C, 155-B, 156-A, 157-D, 158-C, 159-B, 160-A, 161-A, 162-C, 163-B,
164-C, 165-D, 166-B, 167-C, 168-D, 169-A, 170-C, 171-A, 172-C, 173-D, 174-B, 175-C, 176-D,
177-A, 178-B, 179-A, 180-C, 181-C, 182-A, 183-D, 184-B, 185-D, 186-C, 187-D, 188-A, 189-C,
190-A, 191-B, 192-D, 193-A, 194-B, 195-C, 196-D, 197-B, 198-C, 199-A, 200-B, 201-C, 202-A,
203-D, 204-B, 205-C, 206-D, 207-A, 208-C, 209-B, 210-A, 211-D, 212-C, 213-B, 214-A, 215-C,
216-D, 127-A, 218-B, 219-C, 220-B, 221-B, 222-D, 223-C, 224-A, 225-B, 226-D, 227-B, 228-C,
229-D, 230-A, 231-C, 232-A, 233-D, 234-B, 235-C, 236-A, 237-B, 238-C, 239-D, 240-B, 241-C,
242-B, 243-A, 244-C, 245-B, 246-D, 247-C, 248-A, 249-D, 250-C, 251-C, 252-A, 253-C, 254-B,
255-A, 256-D, 257-C, 258-B, 259-A, 260-C

Cloze Test

4 Up- To- Date Cloze Passages

Point- By-Point Answers
Introducing Challenging Words
392 General English for Advanced Purposes

Cloze Test
 Substitute each of the suggested words for each blank, check the suitability of each
substituted word and finalize. Never finalize without trying every option unless you are
100% sure about the answer. Accuracy is the main challenge faced in this type of question.

 Most importantly, you may see that all choices have the same dictionary meaning. It is
in here that your real knowledge of context-based meaning of words are subject to
challenge. Read English books and newspapers regularly to improve your vocabulary
which helps you tremendously to solve this problem.

Passage 1

My mother waved me goodbye and the bus (1). The man sitting (2) to me was a doctor (3) to
Kannur, (4) participate in a conference.

1. a) going b) started c) arrived d) stopped

2. a) next b) besides c) near d) side
3. a) coming b) arriving c) going d) visiting
4. a) to b) for c) so d) and

Answers 1(b), 2(a), 3(c), 4(a),

Explanations Collocations, meanings, and logic
 General English for Advanced Purposes 393

Passage 2

Essentially I am interested in (1) world, in this (2), not in some other (3) or a future life.

1. a) this b) that c) real d) imaginary

2. a) life b) reality c) existence d) truth
3. a) reality b) world c) life d) plan

Answers 1(a), 2(a), 3(b)

Explanation Logic
Passage 3

Whether there is such a (1) as a soul, or whether there is survival after (2) or not, I do not know;
and important as these (3) are, they do not trouble men in (4).

1. a) fact b) thing c) reality d) idea

2. a) life b) existence c) death d) reality
3. a) problems b) situations c) questions d) queries
4. a) the least b) the most c) not at all d) actually the best

Answers 1(b), 2(c), 3(c), 4(a)

Explanation 1( such (a/an) +…+ as (a/an)…), 2(logic), 3(logic), 4(logic)

Passage 4

Operation Flood was (1) with the primary objective of (2) rural milk producers with urban milk
consumers, by (3) viable producer co-operatives in the milk sheds, and thus (4) the rural milk
producers to earn higher income from milk.

1. a) launched b) devised c) started d) begun

2. a) making b) joining c) linking d) connecting
3. a) creating b) exposing c) generating d) providing
4. a) making b) hoping c) enabling d) giving

Answers 1(a), 2(c), 3(a), 4(c)

Explanation 1(to begin sth such as a plan), 2(collocation), 3(collocation), 4(enable sb to do
sth)

Passage 5

In all kinds of writings (1) is the most (2) virtue. You should write in a simple and (3) manner.
The words chosen should be (4) in meaning. Try not to use (5) words merely because they are
(6).

1. a) simplicity b) complexity c) vagueness d) toughness

2. a) natural b) romantic c) admired d) hidden
3. a) tough b) natural c) straightforward d) showy
4. a) correct b) clear c) apt d) suitable
5. a) difficult b) fine c) lengthy d) small
6. a) easy b) familiar c) good d) literary
394 General English for Advanced Purposes

Answers 1(a), 2(c), 3(c), 4(b), 5(a), 6(d)

Explanation 1(logic), 2(admire: respect, approve of), 3(straightforward: simple and easy
to understand), 4(logic), 5(logic), 6(logic)

Passage 6

Earthquakes are amongst the most destructive (1) disasters. They usually (2) without any
warning and (3) in a great (4) of life and an enormous demolition of buildings. Additionally,
they may cause devastating landslides or create gigantic tidal waves which, in (5), are collosal
walls ot water smashing into seashores with such force that they are (6) of destroying coastal
cities. However, the (7) majority of fatalities and serious injuries (8) about when buildings (9) .
Most trequently, the earthquake lasts 30 to 60 seconds, so usually there is no time to (10) the
mortal (11) once the shaking starts. The savage forces of an earthquake trigger (12) a complex
chain (13) in the building's structure when it is shaken, lifted, pushed or pulled. A building's
height, its shape and construction materials are the most significant (14) deciding about the
survival or collapse of the structure and, consequently, about the life or death of its (15).

1. a) nature b) naturalistic c) natural d) native

2. a) hit b) strike c) tally d) attack
3. a) result b) effect c) lead d) cause
4. a) damage b) waste c) harm d) loss
5. a) fact b) certainty c) honesty d) truth
6. a) potential b) conceivable c) capable d) possible
7. a) wide b) broad c) full d) vast
8. a) bring b) come c) lay d) make
9. a) demolish b) jumble c) destroy d) collapse
10. a) avert b)evade c) abstain d) restrain
11. a) upkeep b) upturn c) upshot d) uptake
12. a) up b) on c) out d) off
13. a) activity b) motion c) progress d) reaction
14. a) tactors b) phenomena c) points d) ingredients
15. a) settlers b) citizens c) inhabitants d) burghers

Answers 1(c), 2(b), 3(a), 4(d), 5(a), 6(c), 7(d), 8(b), 9(d), 10(a), 11(c), 12(d), 13(d),
14(c), 15(a)
Explanatio 1(logic/meaning), 2(collocation), 3(result in), 4(loss: death of a person), 5(in
n fact), 6(be capable of), 7(collocation), 8(come about: happen), 9(collapse:
fall down), 10(prevent, avoid-collocation), 11(upshot: consequence,
repercussion), 12(trigger off: give rise to), 13(chain reaction: a series of
events, each caused by the previous one), 14(logic), 15(meaning-logic)
Hard [tally: match or agree with sth else][demolish: destroy][abstain: decline to
Words vote, avoid][upkeep: (financial) maintenance, servicing][upturn:
improvement, increase][uptake: absorbing of sth, understanding]

Passage 7

It is believed that our (1) genetic characteristics play the (2) role in our being beautiful,
attractive and appealing to other individuals. Although there is no (3) theory on what beauty
really is and how it works, the results of a recent scientifie (4) seem to (5) the hypothesis that
our facial features are (6) by our brains. Their possible role is to (7) health and fertility as well
as genetic superiority - the quality that people, (8), share with animals which, like humans, have
their own sexual preferences. Most species of birds, for example, rely on the brightest colours
 General English for Advanced Purposes 395

of plumage when (9) their (10). To them, the vivid (11) of the feathers indicate the potential
partner's genetic fitness to produce healthy (12). In humans, similarly, beauty (13) our well-
being and our sexual attractiveness, but as far as our facial characteristics are taken into
account, people (14) to regard as extremely (15) the faces with the highest degree of symmetry.
And equally effectively, the facial properties may also indicate the appeal of the whole body.

1. a) indebted b) derivative c) innate d) acquisitive

2. a) vital b) functional c) tangible d) customary
3. a) eminent b) obscure c) indicative d) explicit
4. a) chore b) endeavour c) inquiry d) labour
5. a) bear out b) stand down c) prop up d) make about
6. a) reliant b) conditioned c) implied d) designated
7. a) manifest b) pertain c) survey d) uncover
8. a) plainly b) normally c) allegedly d) mainly
9. a) favouring b) postulating c) referring d) asserting
10. a) counterparts b) mates c) fellows d) accomplices
11. a) dyes b) marvels c) twilights d) hues
12. a) stamina b) progeny c) entity d) forebears
13. a) affirms b) foresees c) displays d) envisages
14. a) incline b) aspire c) anticipate d) declare
15. a) flourishing b) startling c) captivating d) engrossing

Answers 37(c), 38(a), 39(d), 40(c), 41(a), 42(b), 43(a), 44(c), 45(a), 46(b), 47(d), 48(b),
49(c), 50(a), 51(c)
Explanation 1(innate: natural, intrinsic, inborn), 2(vital: essential), 3(explicit: clear & exact),
4(inquiry: question, investigation), 5(bear out: show to be true), 6(condition:
control, influence), 7(manifest: display, exhibit), 8(allegedly: reportedly,
supposedly), 9(favour: support, approve of), 10(mate: sexual partner), 11(hue:
color, shade), 12(progeny: descendant, offspring), 13(display: show),
14(incline: prefer, favour), 15(captivating: charming, attractive)
Hard Words [indebted: owing money or gratitude] [derivative: unoriginal] [acquisitive:
greedy] [customary: traditional, usual] [eminent: notable] [obscure: unclear]
[stand down: give up job/position] [prop up: support, hold up] [pertain to:
relate to] [plainly: clearly/obviously] [postulate: suggest] [accomplice: partner
in crime] [envisage: imagine] [aspire: desire] [startling: surprising, worrying]

Passage 8

The money that some professional sportsmen earn shouldn't impress anyone when you take into
(1) the fact that only a few of them manage to (2) immortality and everlasting fame. And once
they reach their (3) and display their talent at their best, they are fully conscious that their
brilliant careers won't last for ever. They live under a constant pressure of being (4) and
subsequently replaced by someone who is younger, faster and more (5). For that reason,
objectives like retirement benefits and pensions are (6) great concern to all professional
athletes. Some of the retired competitors go as far as to organize strikes and rallies to (7) their
protest against any policy unresponsive to their demands (8) the younger professionals seek
more upgrading solutions to the problem as more and more of them attach a proper significance
to (9) a solid education, even at university level. Such an approach should help them find
interesting and well-paid jobs (10) their sports career is over. A completely new strategy has
been (11) by the schools priding themselves (12) supporting their own teams. Their authorities
insist that the sports clubs members achieve high academic standards or else they are debarred
from partaking in certain sports events, which may lead to further (13) in their professional
396 General English for Advanced Purposes

careers. By these practical and most effective (14), combining education with sports activity,
the (15) of the professional athlete as being brainless and unintelligent may eventually be
changing to the sportsmen's benefit.

1. a) reflection b) attention c) examination d) consideration

2. a) obtain b) fulfil c) attain d) succeed
3. a) prime b)shape c) best d) capacity
4. a) outcast b) outshone c) outstayed d) outgrown
5. a) achieved b) attributed c) accomplished d) accredited
6. a) with b) in c) at d) of
7. a) voice b) claim c) insist d)speak
8. a) whereby b) whereas c) whereupon d) wherein
9. a) mastering b) learning c) receiving d) attending
10. a) right away b) promptly c) barely d) once
11. a) assembled b) installed c) devised d) emerged
12. a) with b) on c) for d) in
13. a) disruption b) hitch c) detachment d) wreckage
14. a) grounds b) results c) factors d) means
15. a) vision b) outlook c) image d) judgement

Answers 1(d), 2(c), 3(a), 4(b), 5(c), 6(d), 7(a), 8(b), 9(c), 10(d), 11(c), 12(b), 13(a),
14(d), 15(c)
Explanation 1(logic), 2(attain: reach-collocation), 3(prime: top-quality, excellent),
4(outshine: surpass), 5(accomplish: finish completely), 6(of: having),
7(collocation), 8(whereas: while, although), 9(logic), 10(logic), 11(devise:
invent a plan/system/object…), 12(pride onself on: be proud of), 13(disruption:
interruption), 14(means: method), 15(meaning)
Hard Words [reflection: serious thought] [outcast: rejected] [outgrow: grow faster than]
[accredit: approve] [hitch: a temporary difficulty] [detachment: disinterest,
aloofness] [wreckage: remains of sth badly damaged or destroyed]

Passage 9

The knowledge and eloquence that people (1) through traveling is usually percieved as the best
(2) in life. It is the inquisitive human nature that (3) people to seek (4) experiences and to set
out an exploration trip. Those who travel frequently and to (5) places benefit from establishing
new relationships and (6) a better knowledge about other cultures and lifestyles. However, there
is a (7) of truth in the assumption that people are prone to (8) cliches and unfounded prejudices
about other nations and their characteristivs. Sometimes, it is only the first-hand encounter that
can help change the (9) towards the so-called ‘inferior communities’. This direct contact with a
different civilization enabvles travellers to (10) their baseless assumptions and get (11) with the
real concept of life in all four corners of the globe. (12) question, travelling (13) friendship and
makes it easier for many individuals to acknowledge the true value of different traditions and
customs. Yet, it does not always mean enjoyment. It may also (14) coming close with the
atrocities of real existence as well as becoming aware of the challenges and hardships that other
people have to struggle with. Hence, a true vogaye is the one with a good deal of experience to
(15) about, very often combined with exposure to abhorrent sights and incredible ordeals. The
learning to be complete, thus, requires an ability to observe and analyse the surroundings, both
their glamour and brutality.

1. a) purchase b) exact c) gain d) nurture

2. a) completion b) fulfilment c) conclusion d) resolution
412 General English for Advanced Purposes

important to be able to recognize that

difference.

Reading Comprehension Read the following paragraphs and

carefully determine what the main idea is
for each. The best way to approach these
Review of Main Tips questions is to first read the paragraph and
then, in your own words, restate what you
think the author is trying to say. From the
five choices, select the one statement that
Main Ideas, Themes best supports the author’s point.

Finding the main idea or theme of a If you’re a fitness walker, there is no need
written piece is one of the most important for a commute to a health club. Your
aspects of good reading comprehension. It neighborhood can be your health club.
is, however, easy to confuse the main idea You don’t need a lot of fancy equipment
or theme with the subject. Basically, the to get a good workout either. All you need
subject of a piece of writing is what that is a well-designed pair of athletic shoes.
piece is generally about, plain and
simple— the facts and information. This paragraph best supports the
However, when you look past the facts statement that
and information to the heart of what a. fitness walking is a better form of
writers are trying to say, and why they are exercise than weight lifting.
saying it, that’s the main idea or theme. b. a membership in a health club is a poor
For example, the subject of this investment.
introduction is about distinguishing c. walking outdoors provides a better
between a subject and a main idea or workout than walking indoors.
theme; the main idea or theme is why it’s d. fitness walking is a convenient and
valuable form of exercise.
 General English for Advanced Purposes 413

e. poorly designed athletic shoes can cause there is no support to show that most New
major foot injuries. Yorkers are interested in this work. There
is no support for choice e either.
Answer: d. The author stresses the
convenience of fitness walking, by stating Topic Sentences
that it does not require a commute to a
health club. The paragraph also implies
that fitness walking will result in a good In the last section, you learned what a
workout.Choice a is incorrect because no main idea is. Often, writers express their
comparison to weight lifting is main idea in a clearly defined sentence
made.Choice b may seem like a logical known as a topic sentence. Topic
answer, but the paragraph only refers to sentences are usually found at the
people who are fitness walkers, so for beginning of a paragraph in order to
others, a health club might be a good immediately establish the main idea. But
investment. Choice c is not in the passage. this is not always the case—topic
Although choice e seems logical, the sentences can be found anywhere in a
paragraph does not indicate that the wrong paragraph, and sometimes, the author
shoes will produce major injuries. chooses not to use one at all. Still, looking
for the topic sentence is a good skill to
50,000 to 60,000 people in the United have when ferreting out the meaning of a
States want an anthology that includes the reading passage.
complete works of William
Shakespeare.And what accounts for this For the following two questions, choose
renewed interest in Shakespeare? As the topic sentence that best fits the
scholars point out, the psychological paragraph.
insights he portrays in both male and
female characters are amazing even today. The term spices is a pleasant one,
whether it connotes fine French cuisine
This paragraph best supports the or a down-home, cinnamon-flavored
statement that apple pie. ____________. In the past,
a. Shakespeare’s characters are more individuals traveled the world seeking
interesting than fictional characters today. exotic spices for profit and, in
b. people today are interested in searching, have changed the course of
Shakespeare’s work because of the history. Indeed, to gain control of lands
characters. harboring new spices, nations have
c. academic scholars are putting together actually gone to war.
an anthology of Shakespeare’s work. a. The taste and aroma of spices are the
d. New Yorkers have a renewed interested main elements that make food such a
in the work of Shakespeare. source of fascination and pleasure.
e. Shakespeare was a psychiatrist as well b. The term might equally bring to mind
as a playwright. Indian curry made thousands of miles
away and those delicious barbecued ribs
Answer: b. The last sentence in the sold on the corner.
paragraph clearly supports the idea that the c. It is exciting to find a good cookbook
renewed interest in Shakespeare is due to and experiment with spices from other
the development of his characters. Choice lands—indeed, it is one way to travel
a is incorrect because the writer never around the globe!
makes this type of comparison. Choice c is d. The history of spices, however, is
wrong, because even though scholars are another matter altogether, and at times, it
mentioned in the paragraph, there is no can be filled with danger and intrigue.
indication that the scholars are compiling Answer: d. The mention that searching for
the anthology. Choice d is wrong because spices has changed the course of history,
414 General English for Advanced Purposes

and that for spices, nations have . . . gone b. The science of neurology has found a
to war, implies that the subject of the way to map the most important areas of
paragraph is history. These phrases also the human brain.
connote danger and intrigue. c. Nevertheless, the human brain is the
most mysterious and complex object on
It weighs less than three pounds and is Earth.
hardly more interesting to look at than d. However, scientists say that each person
an overly ripe cauliflower. uses only 10% of his or her brain over the
___________________________. It has course of a lifetime!
created poetry and music, planned and
executed horrific wars, and devised Answer: c. The mention of all the amazing
intricate scientific theories. It thinks things the brain is capable of is directly
and dreams, plots and schemes, and relevant to its being mysterious and
easily holds more information than all complex. The other choices areless
the libraries on Earth. relevant.
a. The human brain is made of gelatinous
matter and contains no nerve endings.
Topic/Subject:What the passage is about.
Main idea: The overall fact, feeling, or thought a writer wants to convey about his or her subject.
To find specific facts and details, use these two guidelines:
1. Look for key words in the question to tell you exactly what information to look for in the passage.
2. Think about the structure of the passage and where that information is likely to be located.

Short Passages

Passage 1
An ecosystem is a group of animals and plants living in a specific region and interacting with
one another and with their physical environment. Ecosystems include physical and chemical
components, such as soils, water, and nutrients that support the organisms living there. These
organisms may range from large animals to microscopic bacteria. Ecosystems also can be
thought of as the interactions among all organisms in a given habitat; for instance, one species
may serve as food for another. People are part of the ecosystems where they live and
work.Human activities can harm or destroy local ecosystems unless actions such as land
development for housing or businesses are carefully planned to conserve and sustain the
ecology of the area. An important part of ecosystem management involves finding ways to
protect and enhance economic and social well-being while protecting local ecosystems.

1. What is the main idea of the passage?

a. An ecosystem is a community that includes animals, plants, and microscopic bacteria.
b. Human activities can do great damage to local ecosystems, so human communities should be
cautiously planned.
c. In managing the ecology of an area, it is important to protect both human interests and the
interests of other members of local ecosystems.
d. People should remember that they are
a part of the ecosystems where they live and work.

2. Which of the following best sums up activities within an ecosystem?

a. predator-prey relationships b. interactions among all members
c. human-animal interactions d. human relationship with the environment

3. An ecosystem can most accurately be defined as a

 General English for Advanced Purposes 415

a. geographical area. b. community. c. habitat. d. protected environment.

Answers: 1. c. This choice most nearly encompasses the passage and is reflected in the final
sentence. 2. b. The passage defines an ecosystem as a community within which all members
interrelate. (See the first three sentences of the paragraph.) Choice a is only one example of an
interaction. The other two choices are too limited to sum up ecosystem activities. 3. b. This is
the only choice that reflects the idea of interaction among all members of the group spoken of
in the first sentence. The other choices are only physical settings.

Passage 2
(1) Once people wore garlic around their necks to ward off disease. Today, most Americans
would scoff at the idea of wearing a necklace of garlic cloves to enhance their well-
being.However, you might find a number of Americans willing to ingest capsules of pulverized
garlic or other herbal supplements in the name of health.
(2) Complementary and alternative medicine, which includes a range of practices outside of
conventional medicine such as herbs, homeopathy, massage therapy, yoga, and acupuncture,
hold increasing appeal for Americans. In fact, according to one estimate, 42% of Americans
have used alternative therapies. In all age groups, the use of unconventional healthcare practices
has steadily increased in the last 30 years, and the trend is likely to continue, although people
born before 1945 are the least likely to turn to these therapies.
(3) Why have so many patients turned to alternative therapies? Many are frustrated by the time
constraints of managed care and alienated by conventional medicine’s focus on technology.
Others feel that a holistic approach to healthcare better reflects their beliefs and values. Others
seek therapies that relieve symptoms associated with chronic disease; symptoms that
mainstream medicine cannot treat.
(4) Some alternative therapies have even crossed the line into mainstream medicine, as
scientific investigation has confirmed their safety and efficacy. For example, physicians may
currently prescribe acupuncture for pain management or to control the nausea associated with
chemotherapy. Additionally, many U.S. medical schools teach courses in alternative therapies,
and many health insurance companies offer some alternative medicine benefits.

1. What is the main idea of this passage?

a. Alternative medicine is now a big business in the United States with more Americansseeking
it out than ever before.
b. Today, it is not unusual for mainstream doctors to incorporate alternative therapies into their
practice.
c. Over the last few decades, alternative medicine has become more popular, accepted, and
practiced in the United States.
d. People are tired of conventional medicine’s focus on technology.

2. According to the passage, which practice would not be defined as alternative medicine?
a. pain management b. acupuncture
c. taking herbal garlic supplements d. massage therapy

3. Based on the information given, what kind of person would be least likely to seek out
alternative medical treatment?
a. a senior citizen suffering from chemotherapyinduced nausea
b. a young woman suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome
c. a 45-year-old man who believes that his body and mind must be treated together.
d. a 25-year-old track star with chronic back pain
416 General English for Advanced Purposes

4. The passage indicates that alternative treatments are increasingly being used by
mainstream medical professionals because
a. more and more Americans are demanding alternative therapies.
b. healthcare insurance companies are now providing some benefits for alternative medical
treatments.
c. they are frustrated by the time constraints of managed care.
d. scientific studies are becoming available that prove their effectiveness and safety.

Answers: 1. c. The entire passage supports this idea. Choice a is incorrect because the business
aspect of alternative medicine is not discussed in the passage. Choices b and d reflect accurate
supporting statements that do appear in the passage, but they are not encompassing enough to
reflect the main idea. 2. a.Pain management is a generic term and pain management treatment
can be alternative or traditional, depending on the practitioner. Choices b, c, and d are not
correct because they are all mentioned in the passage as being particular alternative medicine
practices. 3. a. The last sentence of the second paragraph clearly states that people born before
1945 are the least likely to turn to alternative therapies. 4. d. The beginning of the last
paragraph discusses this scientific investigation and its role in making alternative treatments
more accepted by mainstream medicine.

Passage 3
(1) On February 3, 1956,Autherine Lucy became the first African-American student to attend
the University of Alabama, although the dean of women refused to allow Autherine to live in a
university dormitory. White students rioted in protest of her admission, and the federal
government had to assume command of the Alabama National Guard in order to protect
her.Nonetheless, on her first day in class,Autherine bravely took a seat in the front row. She
remembers being surprised that the professor of the class appeared not to notice she was even in
class. Later, she would appreciate his seeming indifference, as he was one of only a few
professors to speak out in favor of her right to attend the university.
(2) For protection,Autherine was taken in and out of classroom buildings by the back door and
driven from class to class by an assistant to the university president. The students continued to
riot, and one day, the windshield of the car she was in was broken.University officials
suspended her, saying it was for her own safety. When her attorney issued a statement in her
name protesting her suspension, the university used it as grounds for expelling her for
insubordination. Although she never finished her education at the University of
Alabama,Autherine Lucy’s courage was an inspiration to African-American students who
followed her lead and desegregated universities all over the United States.

1. According to the passage, what did Autherine Lucy do on her first day at the University
of Alabama?
a. She moved into a dormitory.
b. She sat in the front row of her class.
c. She became terrified of the white rioters.
d. She was befriended by an assistant to the university president.

2. Based on the information in the passage, which of the following best describes
Autherine Lucy?
a. quiet and shy b. courageous and determined
c. clever and amusing d. overly dramatic

3. When she began classes at the university, Autherine Lucy expected to

a. stand out from the other students.
b. have the support of the university faculty.
 General English for Advanced Purposes 513

Incorrect Mandy is easy to suffer from cold.

Sentence Construction (13) Correct Mandy suffers from cold easily.
Incorrect We realized where our weak Incorrect How much is the price of this
points were and how to get rid of pen?
them.
Correct How much is this pen? Or How
Correct We realized where our weak much does this pen cost? Or What
points were and how we could get is the price of this pen?
rid of them.
Incorrect All I know is my friend is right.
Correct All I know is that my friend is
right.
Note: When the "that clause" is
the object of a verb, the
subordinating conjunction that
may be omitted. When it is a
complement of the verb be, that
cannot be omitted.
Incorrect Most of us found difficult to
comprehend his speech.
Correct Most of us found it difficult to
comprehend his speech.
Incorrect Her heart sank and could hardly
stand.
Correct Her heart sank and she could
hardly stand.
Note: Not changing the subject
will make "her heart" seem to
have "feet" on which it stands.
Incorrect While doing the work, there are
obstacles ahead.
Correct While doing the work, they met
with obstacles.
Note: A certain action must be
attached to the actor; otherwise
the action becomes dangling.

Bibliography and Suggestions for Further Study

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LearningExpress.
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http://www.english-test.net
4. 501 Grammar and Writing Questions. (2006). United States of America: LearningExpress.
5. 501 Reading Comprehension Questions. (2006). United States of America:
LearningExpress.
6. 501 Synonym and Antonym Questions. (2002). United States of America: LearningExpress.
7. 501 Vocabulary Questions. (2003). United States of America: LearningExpress.
8. 501 Word Analogy Questions. (2002). United States of America: LearningExpress.
9. BLACK, C., & ANESTIS, M. (2010). SAT. McGRAW-HILL’s.
10. Bromberg, M. (2000). 1100 Words You Need to Know. (4th, Ed.) BARRONS'S.
11. Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary (2nd ed.). (2005).
514 General English for Advanced Purposes

12. Dixson, R. J. (n.d.). Longman Essential Idioms in Use. Longman.

13. English Grammar Tests. (n.d.). Retrieved from Free English Tests: http//www.english-
test.net
14. English Idioms and Expressions. (n.d.). Retrieved from Free English Tests:
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15. English Language, Cloze Test. (n.d.). BANK CLERK RANK FILE. BRILLIANCE
COLLEGE.
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17. Geer, P. (2013). Essential Words for the GRE (3rd Edition ed.). Barron's.
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19. GREEK AND LATIN ROOTS, PREFIXES, AND. (n.d.). Retrieved from Vocabulary
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20. Herzog, D. A. (2005). Webster’s New World® Essential Vocabulary. Canada: Wiley.
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a division of Simon & Schuster, Inc.
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26. Pyle, M. A. (2001). TOEFL® CBT. IDG Books Worldwide, Inc.
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30. WATCYN-JONES, P. (2000). Test Your Vocabulary (5). PENGUIN BOOKS.
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(New York: ARCO, 2001).
35. Olson, Judith. Grammar Essentials, 2nd edition (New York: LearningExpress, 2000).
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University Press, 1998).
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1994).
38. Boone, Robert. What Your Need to Know about Developing Your Test-Taking Skills:
Reading Comprehension (Lincolnwood, IL: NTC/Contemporary, 1995).
39. Chesla, Elizabeth. Read Better, Remember More, 2nd edition (New York:
LearningExpress, 2000).
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(New York: Learning Express, 2001).
41. Langan, John. Ten Steps to Advancing College Reading Skills (West Berlin, NJ: Townsend
Press, 1993).
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Tests (Piscataway, NJ: REA, 1996).
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organization, writing, punctuation, and grammar. Online writing assistants available.
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reading, culture, writing, grammar, idioms, and vocabulary. Helpful links to other
websites.
46. Hinkel, Eli. Barrons TOEFL Strategies (New York: Barron’s Educational Series,
Incorporated, 1998).
 General English for Advanced Purposes 515

47. Matthiesen, Steven. Essential Words for the TOEFL. (New York: Barron’s Educational
Series, Incorporated, 1999).
48. POWERPREP Software: Preparation for the Computer-Based TOEFL Test (Princeton,
NJ: Educational Testing Service, 2000).
49. Rogers, Bruce. TOEFL Success 2000: With Cassette (Princeton, NJ: Peterson’s, 2000).
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2000). Sharpe, Pamela. How to Prepare for the TOEFL. (New York: Barron’s, 2001).
51. Stanley, Nancy and King, Carol. Building Skills for the TOEFL Test: New for the Revised
Test (Boston, MA: Addison Wesley Longman, 2001).
52. Sullivan, Patricia, Qiu Zhong, Grace and Brenner, Gail. Everything You Need to Score
High on the TOEFL (New York:Macmillan, 1998).
53. TOEFL CBT Success (Princeton, NJ: Peterson’s, 2001).
54. Wyatt, Rawdon. Check Your English Vocabulary for IELTS, 2nd Edition (UK:
Bloomsbury Publishing Plc, 2004)
55. Spears, Richard. Essential American Idioms Dictionary, 2nd Edition (McGrawHill, 2007)

‫ﻣﻨﺎﺑﻊ ﻋﻤﻮﻣﯽ ﭘﯿﺸﻨﻬﺎدی ﺑﺮای ارﺷﺪ و دﮐﺘﺮی ﻣﺠﻤﻮﻋﻪ زﺑﺎن‬

(‫زﺑﺎن ﻋﻤﻮﻣﯽ ﺟﺎﻣﻊ ﭘﯿﺸﺮﻓﺘﻪ؛ ﭘﻮران ﭘﮋوﻫﺶ )اﺣﺴﺎن ﻃﺎﻟﺐ ﻧﯿﺎ‬ -1

(‫ﺗﺴﺖ واژﮔﺎن ﭘﯿﺸﺮﻓﺘﻪ؛ ﭘﻮران ﭘﮋوﻫﺶ )اﺣﺴﺎن ﻃﺎﻟﺐ ﻧﯿﺎ‬ -2

(‫ﻟﻐﺎت و درك ﻣﻄﻠﺐ؛ ﭘﻮران ﭘﮋوﻫﺶ )ﻣﻬﺮداد اﻣﯿﺮي‬ -3

(‫دﺳﺘﻮر زﺑﺎن؛ ﭘﻮران ﭘﮋوﻫﺶ )ﮐﺎﻇﻢ ﻃﺒﯿﺒﯽ‬ -4

5- Word Power Made Easy (Norman Lewis)
6- Vocabulary for High-School Students (Levine)
7- Vocabulary for College-Bound Students (Levine)
8- English Idioms – Exercise on Idioms – (Jennifer Seidl, W. McMordie)

Online Material
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