Life, Advanced, Unit 1 Test
Name:
Vocabulary
1 For questions 1–10, read the text below and think of the word which best fits each gap. Use only
one word in each gap. There is an example at the beginning (0).
Now and (0) ____then ___ , I remember my late father. He was a larger than (1) ____________ figure
who managed to get on with people from all (2) ____________ of life. On social occasions, he was
always first to (3) ____________ the ice. Without exception, he would be the life and (4) ____________
of any party. I remember he would invariably make a (5) ____________ of making sure that he spoke to
everybody. He was, (6) ____________ and large, the most approachable of men.
I have my father’s open nature. It is something that has been (7) ____________ down through the
generations in our family, I think. I travel (8) ____________ and wide in my job. Wherever I go, first and
(9) ____________ , I try to be approachable and generous. I think the (10) ____________ to living a
happy life is to be open and friendly – just as my dear old dad was.
(10 points)
2 Write one word in each gap to complete the sentences. Here is an example (0).
0 One good rule of __thumb_____ is to listen to what people have to say before making a decision.
1 Tony’s a bit of a control ____________ . He’s always telling other people what to do.
2 Accept your own limitations – that’s become a ____________ principle for me.
3 Seeking sound advice, then ____________ on it quickly and decisively – that’s the secret of being a
good manager.
4 Travelling to and ____________ all day was exhausting.
5 The weather was awful up in the mountains, but, fortunately, everybody is back safe and
____________ .
6 I need a bit of peace and ____________ to get my essay finished.
7 I can go to almost any university I like. The world is my ____________ !
8 I feel as though my life has come ____________ circle. I am back living in the same small village I was
born in.
9 Roberts will get the job. It’s a ____________ conclusion. He’s the boss’ favourite.
10 I’m getting old. I suffer from all sorts of aches and ____________ .
(10 points)
Grammar
3 Read the text below and decide which answer (A, B, C or D) best fits each gap. There is an example
at the beginning (0).
A History of the English-Speaking Peoples
While I (0) ____________ in my local second-hand bookshop the other day, I (1) ____________ across
an old set of books. They were four volumes of A History of the English-Speaking Peoples, a series of
history books published (2) ____________ , and written, surprisingly, by Winston Churchill, one of the
most important figures in British history. Churchill completed writing the series at a time (3)
____________ he had retired from public life, and (4) ____________ over eighty years old. (5)
____________ , between 1940 and 1945, Churchill had led Britain during the Second World War. (6)
____________ , of course, it is for his wartime leadership that we (7) ____________ remember him. (8)
____________ I bought the book, I (9) ____________ it. It’s taking a while! (10) ____________ , I’m
working my way through Chapter Three. I don’t think I will be finishing it any time soon, but, despite its
length and complexity, I am really enjoying it!
0 A browsed
B was browsing
C have browsed
D have been browsing
1 A came
B was coming
C have come
D had come
2 A over the 1950s
B in the 1950s
C since over fifty years ago
D before fifty years
3 A while
B later
C when
D already
4 A was
B has been
C had been
D was being
5 A Since then
B At the time
C Up to then
D Before that
6 A At the moment
B Nowadays
C Recently
D At the time
7 A for some time
B ever
C generally
D every time
8 A Ever since
B Yet
C After that
D While
9 A am reading
B was reading
C have been reading
D had been reading
10 A Those days
B Currently
C Recently
D Since
4 Complete the sentences with the correct form of the verbs in brackets. Use a continuous form
whenever possible. Here is an example (0).
0 I __have been living__ (live) here since June.
1 Prior to the 1980s, the nation’s economy ____________ (boom), but that soon changed.
2 While Penny ____________ (know) exactly what had to be done, she didn’t act decisively.
3 James’ behaviour ____________ (cause) everybody concern for a while, and we feel somebody should
talk to him.
4 Clearly, it was a mistake, but, at the time, it ____________ (not seem) to be such a foolish decision.
5 How long ____________ (you / feel) like this? You really should have said something sooner.
6 Selwyn became coach in June. Two of his assistants ____________ (share) the job up to then.
7 There’s a transport strike next weekend, so it looks like we ____________ (not go) to Edinburgh on
Saturday after all.
8 Corbyn would like to start his own company, but, currently, he ____________ (not have) a big enough
budget.
9 Over the last decade, more and more people ____________ (choose) to rent rather than to buy.
10 Jo ____________ (not leave) yet. There’s still time to catch her if you’re quick.
(10 points)