ENGLISH AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE

• ENGLISH TEST
• BRITISH VS. AMERICAN
  

The purpose of the simple tests below are primarily to entertain you, but should also convince you of your need to use our proof-reading service. To see the correct answer, please point at the words with your mouse.

1. Listed below are a number of words that can be used to describe someone's character and personality. How would you describe their meaning if you were asked?

• Cocky
• Conscientious
• Shrewd
• Humble
• Obstinate
• Versatile
• Witty
• Bashful
• Cheeky
• Conceited
• Gullible

Even if you know the meaning of these words, how often do you use them to describe people?

2. Phrasal verbs. Read the sentences and then select a pair of words from the list immediately below and insert them into the correct sentences.

Bring down, cut down, hold down, put down, stand down.

• If you ________ from a job or position you resign or withdraw from it, usually to let someone else take your place.
• If people or some event _________ a government, this means they are defeated and lose their power.
• If you __________, for example, the number of cigarettes you smoke, you smoke less.
• If you ___________ a job, you manage to keep it even though it might be difficult to do so.
• If a government __________ a revolt or rebellion, they crush it by force.

3. Match the situation with suitable idioms. To see the correct answer, please point your mouse at the sentences in the left column.

	1. I spent more than I earn. What am I going to do?		a. She was like a cat on hot bricks.
	2. She told everyone about the wedding. It was supposed to be a secret.		b. She’s at the end of her tether.
	3. She is unemployed and is receiving money from the government until she finds a new job.		c. She’s holding the fort.
	4. She couldn't stay still for one moment and kept jumping out of her seat.		d. She can’t make ends meet.
	5. He tricked her out of $5,000.		e. She’s black and blue all over.
	6. She’s very musical – just like her mother.		f. She’s on the dole.
	7. I can’t stop the baby crying. I’ve tried everything. I just don’t know what to do next!		g. She’s got green fingers.
	8. That's the last time I go ice-skating. My body is covered with bruises.		h. She’s been taken for a ride.
	9. She is very good at gardening.		i. She let the cat out of the bag.
	10. Doreen is looking after the shop while Mary is at lunch.		j. She’s a chip off the old block.

4. Try to find the mistakes in the following sentences

• Prestige is one of the few words that has had an experience opposite to that described in the book.
• Each of the variants indicated in boldface type count as an entry.
• When his fellowship expired he was offered a rectorship at the University on condition that he married the rector's daughter.

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