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Ministry of EducationELT General Supervision TOEFLAptitude
TestIELTS
Prepared by ELT General Supervision
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Standardized Tests A standardized test is an examination that
attempts to determine and measure a person's ability to acquire,
through future training, some specific set of skills (intellectual,
motor, and so on).
The tests assume that people differ in their special abilities
and that these differences can be useful in predicting future
achievements.
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For example, the SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) is a test
designed to predict how well you will perform in college. It is not
designed to measure how well you did in high school, but how
capable you are of learning all the new skills necessary to do well
in college / university. ETS (Educational Testing Service) is
responsible for many international standardized tests, such as
TOEFL and others.
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Center for Measurements & Teaching Development Is the one
responsible for designing and administering Aptitude Tests for
admission in Kuwait University.
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ENGLISH APTITUDE TEST
STUDENT INFORMATIONFORENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY REQUIREMENTS
at Kuwait University
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Admission/Placement Test Contents:
This General English Test consists of the following parts:
(I) Grammar 35 Questions(II) Vocabulary 35 Questions(III)
Reading comprehension 15 Questions (3 passages)Total Number of
questions: 85 Items Time:60 minutes
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Part I - Grammar: Objective:
To test students knowledge of general, basic English
grammar.
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Grammatical items may include:
1. Articles2- Quantifiers2. Subject-verb agreement + there is I
there are3. Word order - questions, adjectives, indirect quotes4.
Prepositions - use of common prep. Phrases.5. Pronouns - subject,
object, possessive, reflexive and relative6. All verb tenses - all
active and passive 7. Gerunds & Infinitives8. Sequence of
tenses9. All subordinate clauses (relative clause, adverbial
clause, noun clause) +connecting words.
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Part II- Vocabulary:Objective:
To test students' knowledge of common vocabulary words.
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Contents
1. Some vocabulary items from high school English textbooks.
2. Items from general English vocabulary.
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Part III- Reading comprehension:
Objective:
To test students' comprehension of certain texts.
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Contents
1. Finding the meaning of words in context2. Finding the main
idea of a paragraph3. Finding the topic of a passage4. Listing
subordinating details5. Recognizing the importance of some
details6. Making inferences or deductions7. Using numbers in
passages to solve problems
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Lets give it a try.
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Basic Concepts
Handout
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Articles a = indefinite article (not a specific object, one of a
number of the same objects) with consonants.She has a dog. / I work
in a factory. an = indefinite article (not a specific object, one
of a number of the same objects) with vowels (a,e,i,o,u)Can I have
an apple? / She is an English teacher.
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the = definite article (a specific object that both the person
speaking and the listener know)The car over there is fast. / The
teacher is very good, isn't he? The first time you speak of
something use "a or an", the next time you repeat that object use
"the".I live in a house. The house is quite old and has four
bedrooms.I ate in a Chinese restaurant. The restaurant was very
good.
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DO NOT use an article with countries, states, counties or
provinces, lakes and mountains except when the country is a
collection of states such as "The United States".He lives in
Washington near Mount Rainier.They live in northern British
Columbia. Use an article with bodies of water, oceans and seas -My
country borders on the Pacific Ocean
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DO NOT use an article when you are speaking about things in
general.She likes reading books.I like Russian tea. DO NOT use an
article when you are speaking about meals, places, and transport.He
has breakfast at home.I go to university.He comes to work by
taxi.
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Check the handout for practice on ArticlesAndquantifiers.
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Subject-verb agreement
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Notice these
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Think about these situations:
When the expletive "it" is the subject In sentences beginning
with the expletives "there is" or "there areWhen words like "each"
are the subjectWhen words like "none" are the subject When the
subjects are joined by "and" When singular subjects are joined by
words like "or" When one subject is singular and one plural
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Now try the examples in your worksheets.
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Word OrderGuess the most natural order.a- Here she has worked
for a very long time.
b- For a very long time she has worked here.
c- She has worked for a very long time here.
d-She has worked here for a very long time.
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a- Please fill out with the details this form.
b- Please with your details fill out this form.
c- Please fill out your details with this form.
d- Please fill out this form with your details
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Word Order in questions
interrogative
auxiliary verb
subject
other verb(s)
indirect object
direct object
place
time
What
would
you
like to tell
me
Did
you
have
a party
in your flat
yesterday?
When
were
you
here?
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Order of Adjectives
OpinionSizeAgeShapeColourOriginMaterialPurposeasillyyoungEnglishmanahugeroundmetalbowlasmallredsleepingbag
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Which is the correct order?1- a small Canadian thin lady
2- a Canadian small thin lady
3- a small thin Canadian lady
4- a thin small Canadian lady
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1- a carving steel new knife
2- a new steel carving knife
3- a steel new carving knife
4- a new carving steel knife
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1- a cotton dirty old tie
2- a dirty cotton old tie
3- an old cotton dirty tie
4- a dirty old cotton tie
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Check handout
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What is an adverb?
The best way to tell if a word is an adverb is to try making a
question, for which the answer is the word. If the question uses
how, where or when, then the word is probably an adverb. Here is an
example:
Word in context
Question
Adverb?
Tom plays tennis aggressively.
How does Tom play tennis?
Yes -- uses HOW.
They have a small house.
What kind of house do they have?
No -- uses WHAT KIND OF, so this is an adjective.
Matthew called the police immediately.
When did Matthew call the police?
Yes -- uses WHEN.
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Kinds of AdverbsAdverbs of Manner She moved slowly and spoke
quietly.Adverbs of Place She has lived on the island all her life.
She still lives there now.Adverbs of Frequency She takes the boat
to the mainland every day. She often goes by herself.Adverbs of
Time She tries to get back before dark. It's starting to get dark
now. She finished her tea first. She left early.Adverbs of Purpose
She drives her boat slowly to avoid hitting the rocks. She shops in
several stores to get the best buys.
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Select the sentence in which usually appears in an appropriate
position.
A. She usually shops for clothes at the local thrift store. B.
Usually she shops for clothes at the local thrift store.
C. She shops for clothes at the local thrift store usually. D.
Either "A" or "B" is fine.
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Select the sentence with the most appropriate order of adverbial
phrases. A. She leaves the island during the months of December and
January after dark. B. She leaves the island after dark during the
months of December and January. C. Either "A" or "B" is fine.
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More examples
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ClausesRelative ClausesThe lazy students whom Mrs. Russell hit
in the head with a chalk eraser soon learned to keep their
complaints to themselves. Noun ClausesYou really do not want to
know what Aunt Nancy adds to her stew. Adjective ClauseThey are
searching for the one who borrowed the book. Adverb Clauses If the
British co-operate, the Europeans may achieve monetary union.
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Phrasal verbs
Match the phrasal verb with the sentence that would most
appropriately contain that verb. Your AnswersVerbsSent.
No.Sentenceshung up1He tried to __________ his jacket before his
tie was tied.came to2My family was able to ________ on very little
money when I was young.catch on3The detective vowed to __________
who the murderer was before the case went to trial.eat out4Whenever
we get tired of cooking, we ________ at our favorite Italian
restaurant.put on5Carlos ________ on his sister because he was so
tired of listening to her whining on the phone.talk over6Tashonda
was astonished that she was __________ for the counselor's
position.get by7The committee promised that the celebrity would
______ at the big event.turned down8When he __________, his wallet
and bike were nowhere to be found.find out9Professor Farbman
promised to _________ the exam after she returned the results.show
up10Terri was able to ________ to the most complex problems in
calculus before anyone else .
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VerbsSentenceshung upCarlos HUNG UP on his sister because he was
so tired of listening to her whining on the phone.came toWhen he
CAME TO, his wallet and bike were nowhere to be found.catch onTerri
was able to CATCH ON to the most complex problems in calculus
before anyone else.eat outWhenever we get tired of cooking, we EAT
OUT at our favorite Italian restaurant.put onHe tried to PUT ON his
jacket before his tied was tied.talk overProfessor Farbman promised
to TALK OVER the exam after she returned the results.get byMy
family was able to GET BY on very little money when I was
young.turned downTashonda was astonished that she was TURNED DOWN
for the counselor's position.find outThe detective vowed to FIND
OUT who the real murderer was before the case went to trial.show
upThe committee promised that the celebrity would SHOW UP at the
big event.
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Go to handout
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PronounsSubjective PronounsObjective PronounsPossessive
PronounsDemonstrative PronounsIndefinite Pronouns (all, any, both,
each, everyone, few, many, neither, none, nothing, several, some,
and somebody.)Relative PronounsReflexive Pronouns (They should
divide the berries among themselves.)Intensive Pronouns (The queen
herself visited our class.)Reciprocal Pronouns (each other and one
another)
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Jody has lost ________ book.mineherherstheirs
Junko has eaten her lunch already, but I'm saving ________ until
later.hershermymine
Choose the right pronoun
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This bird has broken ________ wing.itsitshersits
_____ pencil is broken. Can I borrow ____? Mine, yours Your,
mine My, yours Yours, mine
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Try handout
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Jane talks on the phone. Bob has been talking on the phone for
an hour. Mary is talking on the phone. Who is not necessarily on
the phone now? _____________JaneTensesTry these questions.
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- Jane left when Tim arrived. - Bob left when Tim had arrived. -
Tim arrived when Mary was leaving. - John had left when Tim
arrived. - After Tim arrived, Frank left.
Who did not run into Tim? _______ John
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Try handout
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Gerunds
Gerund as subject:Traveling might satisfy your desire for new
experiences. The study abroad program might satisfy your desire for
new experiences. Gerund as direct object:They do not appreciate my
singing. They do not appreciate my assistance. Gerund as subject
complement:My cat's favorite activity is sleeping. My cat's
favorite food is salmon. Gerund as object of preposition:The police
arrested him for speeding. The police arrested him for criminal
activity.
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Verbs that take only infinitives as verbal direct objects
agree
decide
expect
hesitate
learn
need
promise
neglect
hope
want
plan
attempt
propose
intend
pretend
Examples:
I hope to go on a vacation soon.(not: I hope going on a vacation
soon.)
He promised to go on a diet.(not: He promised going on a
diet.)
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Verbs that take only gerunds as verbal direct objects
deny
risk
delay
consider
can't help
keep
give up
be fond of
finish
quit
put off
practice
postpone
tolerate
suggest
stop (quit)
regret
enjoy
keep (on)
dislike
admit
avoid
recall
mind
miss
detest
appreciate
recommend
get/be through
get/be tired of
get/be accustomed to
get/be used to
Examples:
They always avoid drinking before driving.(not: They always
avoid to drink before driving.)
I recall asking her that question.(not: I recall to ask her that
question.)
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Verbs that take gerunds or infinitives as verbal direct
objects
start
begin
continue
hate
prefer
like
love
try
remember
Examples:
She has continued to work at the store.She has continued working
at the store.
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Try handout
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Vocabulary
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Commonly misused wordsangel / anglecite / site / sightcostume /
customdecent / descent dessert / desertlater / latterloose /
losepeace / pieceprincipal / principlequite / quiet
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If you don't take exercise you ___ the risk of getting ill. a.
stand b. face c. run d. suffer
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He was ___ with embezzlement and sentenced to three years in
prison. a. accused b. convicted c. charged d. arrested
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If you are ___ with this test, perhaps you should attempt an
easier one. a. stumbling b. stressed c. struggling d. straining
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Insulation was fitted to ___ further heat loss from the
building. a. guard b. protect c. save d. prevent
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We are all ___ the opinion that hydrocarbons in the atmosphere
contribute to global warming. a. in b. on c. of d. with e. at
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_________ had we sold out our stock when the markets crashed. a.
If only b. Just c. Seldom d. Hardly e. No sooner
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I can't ___ thinking that we made a mistake in our calculations
-- the total is too high. a. help b. bear c. stand d. be
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I dread ___ what would have happened if there'd been an
accident. a. thinking b. to think c. to thinking d. the thought
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Can you wait thirty seconds while I ___ in to the Post Office
for some stamps? a. saunter b. breeze c. break d. pop e. go
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The chess players tried very hard to ___ each other with every
move in the tournament. a. outnumber b. outclass c. outweigh d.
outcome e. outwit
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You reap what you ___. a. sew b. so c. sow
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You need flexibility to ___ to new situations. a. adapt b.
adopt
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You look like an ___ in that white dress! a. angel b. angle
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You can not ___ the problem by running away. a. allude b.
elude
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You can insult me but how dare you ___ my wife! a. sleight b.
slight
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William made a ___ that his brother would someday become an
all-star pitcher. a. prophecy b. prophesy
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Visibility was ___ because of the falling snow. a. nil b.
null
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Wait in line. Go to the end of the ___. a. cue b. queue
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We always had a ___ living with us so our meals were never
quiet. a. boarder b. border
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We will know the _________ of the injuries after the x-ray. a.
extant b. extent
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Will this low mark ___ my grade? a. affect b. effect
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This field will be the ___ of the new shopping center. a. cite
b. sight c. site
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This new information does not ___ my opinion of him. a. altar b.
alter
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To err is ___. a. human b. humane
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To give someone a wide ___ means to stay out of their way. a.
berth b. birth
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Use a knife to ___ the potatoes. a. pear b. pair c. pare
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There is nothing more ___ than cheese and chalk. a. desperate b.
disparate
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The radio is ___ the television. a. beside b. besides
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"The teacher said he would not brook such outrageous conduct in
the classroom."
bridgecomplainresenttoleratedeny
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We had to postpone our walk until the storm would abate."
diminishfishembarrasswoundcatch
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Playing their hardest, the two teams will vie for the basketball
championship.
covetstimulatesurpassspeculatecompete
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We seemed to abash her when we asked her if she liked her new
job.
enlightenstrikeembarrassdeductforsake
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It is a common practice to desiccate apricots before packing
them for sale in stores.
destroychop fineprofanedry updelay
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The parents had a lachrymose parting when their son left for his
army unit in the war zone.
gloomyhappyenthusiastictearfullaughable
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The governor treated the visiting delegations with
deference.
delayrespectoppositionunconcernshyness
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The lawyer tried to elicit a testimony from the reluctant
witness.
profanebreak the lawdraw forthbegdemand
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He was just a sanctimonious politician who can not be
trusted.
solemndogmaticconceitedhypocriticalsteady
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Why do you want to roil the mayor with these obvious lies about
his family?
confuseinsultirritatecurlamuse
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Most people feel it is inappropriate to have levity at a funeral
service.
mockerysadnessgreat vitalityevennessfrivolity
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The new evidence presented by the prosecutor will bode bad
results for the lawyer's defense.
waitforeshadowdwellstimulateendure
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She was obviously an officious clerk because she wouldn't leave
us alone to make our own decisions.
insultingdemandingauthenticformalmeddlesome
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If you feel "Like a fish ________ water" you feel in the wrong
place.
InUnderout ofover
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His name definitely rings ________, although I cant put a face
to it.
a. a memoryb. a thoughtc. a belld. a clock
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I'm very suspicious of this deal. I can smell___
a. a rabbitb. a rosec. a ratd. a fish
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To "_______ around the bush" is an idiom which means to avoid
speaking about something directly.
a. runb. beatc. talkd. look
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If you make fun of someone, you "pull his or her ________.
a. armb. fingerc. legd. toe
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The crowd was so tightly packed that it took us hours to
________.
a. get through them.b. get through it.c. get through all them.d.
get through with it.
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Look at this old photo, I ________ it, when I was cleaning the
attic.
a. came overb. came acrossc. came intod. came round
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We were very poor when I was a boy, my parents found it hard to
________. (survive on a small amount of money)
a. get byb. get awayc. get upd. get across
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What is the collective noun for knives, forks, spoons and other
eating utensils?
a. crockeryb. cutleryc. weaponryd. eatery
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Which of the following is the odd one out?
a. hammerb. chiselc. rolling pind. pliers
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The following words all contain the word speed. Which one is
incorrect?
a. speed foodb. speed bumpc. speed readingd. speed limit
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Which of the following do you do and not make?
a. a decisionb. a fussc. someone a favourd. a mistake
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Which of the following cannot be delivered?
a. a babyb. a letterc. a smiled. a speech
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What is the opposite of 'resistible'?
a. unresistibleb. irresistiblec. disresistibled.
inresistible
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Which word is the odd one out?
a. awfulb. marvellousc. fabd. terrific
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If you are seething, you are________.
a. very very coldb. very very thirstyc. very very worriedd. very
very angry
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Which word is the odd one out?
a. big bangb. penicillinc. planetsd. solar system
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Shes always cleaning so her house is absolutely ________.
a. filthyb. tediousc. hideousd. spotless
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If someone grills you, he / she ________.
a. asks you lots of difficult questions.b. tells you lots of
jokes and funny stories.c. tells you all his / her problems.d.
makes you sit in the sun until you burn.
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If you want to walk quietly, you ________.
a. staggerb. marchc. tiptoed. limp
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More examples
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Reading ComprehensionRead the following text and answer the
questions below.
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Elizabeth Blackwell was born in England in 1821 and emigrated to
New York City when she was ten years old. One day she decided that
she wanted to be a doctor. That was nearly impossible for a woman
in the middle of the 19th century. After writing many letters
seeking admission to medical schools, she was finally accepted by a
doctor in Philadelphia. So determined was she that she taught in a
school and gave music lessons to earn money for her tuition.
In 1849, after graduation from a medical school, she decided to
further education in Paris. She wanted to be a surgeon, but a
serious eye infection forced her to abandon the idea.
Upon returning to the United States, she found it difficult to
start her own practice because she was a woman. By 1857, Elizabeth
and her sister, also a doctor, along with another female doctor,
managed to open a new hospital, the first for women and children.
Besides being the first female physician and founding her own
hospital, she also established the first medical school for
women.
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1- Why couldnt Elizabeth realize her dream of becoming a
surgeon?
A- she couldnt get admitted to a medical school.B- she decided
to further her education in Paris.C- a serious eye infection halted
her request.D- It was difficult for her to start a practice in the
United States.
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2- What main obstacle almost destroyed Elizabeths chances for
becoming a doctor?
A- She was a woman.B- She wrote too many letters.C- She couldnt
graduate from a medical school.D- She couldnt establish her
hospital.
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3- How many years elapsed between her graduation from medical
school and the opening of her hospital?
A- 8B- 10C- 19D- 36
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4- All of the following are firsts in the life of Elizabeth
Blackwell except .
A- She became the first female physician.B- She was the first
woman surgeon.C- She and several other women founded the first
hospital for women and children.D- She established the first
medical school for women.
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For Extra Vocabulary Exercises & Reading Comprehension
Questions, refer to the Handout.
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