English Exercises Language

Practice Grammar:15-25p
Vocabulary:203-221p
English: FCE Language Practice
Grammar 1:Past Time
Ex.1:Choose a suitable description for each picture.
1)When he returned from Portugal in March, Peter put his passport and
wallet in his jacket pocket.
2)A few days before leaving for his summer holiday, Peter phoned the
airport to check his flight.
3)After phoning the airport, Peter packed his suitcase.
4)When he left the house, Peter forgot that he had put his passport and
wallet in his other jacket.

Ex.2:Underline the most suitable verb form in each

sentence.
b)While Diana watched/was watching her favourite television
programme, there was a power-cut.
c)Tom used to live/would live in the house at the end of the street.
d) Who was driving/drove the car at the time of the accident?
e)By the time Sheila got back, Chris went/had gone.
f)David ate/had eaten Japanese food before, so he knew what to order.
g)I did/was doing some shopping yesterday, when I saw that Dutch
friend of yours.
h)I used to like/was liking sweets much more than I do now.
i)What exactly were you doing/did you do when I came into your office
yesterday?
j)Laura missed the party because no-one was telling/had told her about
it.
k)Tanya would/used to be a doctor.
Ex.3:Put each verb in brackets into a suitable past verb
form. Only use the past perfect where this is absolutely
necessary.
a)While I was trying to get my car started, a passing car stopped and the
driver offered to help me.
b)The police payed no attention to Clare's complaint because she had
phoned the so many times before.
c)Mary didn’t wear her glasses at the time, so she didn’t notice what
kind of car the man was driving.
d)Nick lay down on the grass for a while, next to some tourists who
were feeding the ducks.
e)Tony admitted that he hit the other car, but said that he didn’t
damage it.
f)Sorry, I wasn’t listening to u. I was thinking about smth else.
g)Helen was feeling very tired, and when she finished her work, she fell
asleep.
h)The police got to Clare’s house as fast as they could, but the burglars
had disappeared.
i)I phoned u last night but u didn’t answer. What were u doing?
j)We didn’t go out yesterday because it was raining.
Ex.4:Decide whether the verb form in italics is suitable
or unsuitable.
b) Sally didn't go to a boxing match before. Unsuitable.
wasn’t going
c)Harry tried to repair the car, but he didn't really know what he was
doing. Suitable.
d)What did you wear to the Ponsonby's party? Suitable.
e)Were you eating spaghetti every day when you lived in Italy? suitable.
f)I didn't know you had bought a new car. Suitable.
g)They all wanted to believe her, but suspected she was lying. Suitable.
h)As Peggy walked home, she tried to remember what happened.
Suitable.
i)What a terrible day!' thought Lucy. Everything had gone wrong!
Suitable.
j)Although it rained a lot, I was enjoying my holiday last year.
Ex.5:Put each verb in brackets into a suitable past verb
form.
SHORTLY:
(1)invited (11)believed
(2)didn’t hesitate (12)still kept
(3)had discovered (13)setted off
(4) ever gone (14)were looking forward
(5)believed (15)were climbing
(6)never existed (16)was studying
(7)fell (17)were resting
(8)vanished (18)noticed
(9)became (19)was waving
(10)hided (20)was shining
When Professor Mallory, the famous archaeologist, (1)invited me to
take part in his expedition to find the Lost City of the Himalayas,
I(2)didn’t hesitate to accept his invitation. Mallory(3)had discovered
an ancient map showing the position of the city, although no
European(4) ever gone to the area before. In fact, most of Mallory's
colleagues either(5)believed that the city(6)never existed or(7)fell that
it(8)vanished long ago and(9)became simply a legend. According to the
Professor, the builders of the city(10)hided it among the mountains in
order to protect its immense riches. He (11)believed that the
descendants of these ancient people (12)still kept themselves apart from
the rest of mankind for the very same reasons. So when we(13)setted off
on a cool May morning towards the distant
mountains, each of us (14)were looking forward to exciting
discoveries. For a week or more we (15)were climbing higher and
higher, following the map, which Mallory (16)was studying from time
to time. Then one afternoon, while we (17)were resting at the top of a
valley, we (18)noticed that a rider on a horse(19)was waving at us from
the other side of the valley. A rider whose clothes (20)was shining like a
gold!
Ex.6:Rewrite each sentence beginning as shown. Use a

participle clause.

b) Sue left the house but first she checked that she had her keys.
Before leaving the house, Sue checked her keys.
c) Mark was parking his car when he noticed the wing-mirror was
broken.
While Mark was parking his car, he noticed that wing-mirror was
broken.

d) Julia cleaned the house, but then she fell asleep on the sofa.
After cleaning the house, Julia fell asleep on the sofa.

e) Brian bought a new television, but first he checked all the prices.
Before buying a new Television, Brian checked al the prices.
f) Alan was skiing in Switzerland and met his old friend, Ken.
While Alan was skiing in Switzerland, he met his old friend Ken.
g) Kate took two aspirins, and then she felt a lot better.
After taking two aspirins, Kate felt a lot better.
h) Sheila went out for the evening, but first she washed her hair.
Before going out for the evening, Sheila washed her hair.

Grammar 2:Present Perfect

Ex.1:Choose a suitable description for each picture.
a)2)Have u enjoyed the match?
b)1)What have u been doing?
c)2)He has been married six times.
d)1)How long have u been here?
e)1)I’ve been waiting for two hours.
f)1)Where did Wendy go?
Ex.2:Underline the most suitable verb form in each
sentence.
b)Larry is writing/has been writing/has written his novel for the last two

years.

c)From the minute he got up this morning Gary asked/has asked/has

been asking silly questions!
d) Have you given/Did you give Helen my message when you have
seen/saw her?
e)Sorry, could you say that again? I didn't listen/haven't listened/haven't
been listening to you.
f) The police think that they found/have found your wallet, so call this
number.
g)Did you two meet/Have you two met before? Eric, this is Amanda.
h)Did you meet/Have you met anyone interesting at the reception?
Ex.3:Put each verb in brackets into a suitable verb form.
a)I'm sorry about not coming last week. I (have) had. a cold and so I
(stay)stayed at home.
b) Wait a minute! I(have)’ve got an idea. Let's go and see Roger. We last
(see)’ve seen him a long time ago.
c) It's nice to be back here in London. This is the second time
I(come)’ve come here.
d) I'm phoning about your bicycle for sale, which I(see)saw
in the local paper.(you sell)Have u sold it? Or is it still available?
e) This place is in a terrible mess! What on earth(you do)have u done?
And now for an item of local news. Hampshire police(find)found the
dangerous snake which(go)has been going missing earlier in the week.
g)This tooth(kill)has killed me lately! So I (make)made an appointment
with the dentist for next Tuesday.
h)I can't give you the report I(promise)promised for today
because I(not finish)haven’t finished it.
Ex.4:Underline the most suitable time expression.
a)I haven't seen Gerry for/since a long time. How is he?
b)It's ages ago/since I last went to a football match.
c)I've written to Deborah last week/recently.
d)What have you been doing today/yesterday?
e)Have you eaten Italian food before/already?
f)I've been living here in/since the end of last year.
g)Actually I had dinner with Sue last night/lately.
h)I've been trying to get in touch with David for ages/for the last time.
i)Terry hasn't been to Edinburgh since/when we went there together.
j)I can't remember how long/when I've had this watch.
Ex.5:Complete the second sentence so that it has a
similar meaning to the first sentence, using the word
given. Do not change the word given. You must use
between two and five words, including the word given.
b) I haven't been to an Indian restaurant for ages.
since
It's ages since I’ve been in an Indian restaurant.
c) When she heard the results, Mary began to feel more
confident. become
Since hearing the results Mary became more
confident.
d) The last time Nancy came here was in 1986.
since
Nancy hasn't been there since 1986.
e) This is my first visit to Japan.
time
This is the first time I’ve been to Japan.
f) How long have Helen and Robert been married?
get
When have they got married?
g) Jack bought those trousers last month, and has been wearing them
ever since.
for
Jack has bought and wore trousers for a month.
h) It's a long time since our last conversation.
spoken
We haven’t spoken long time.
i) Thanks, but I had something to eat earlier.
already
Thanks, but I've already got to eat.
j) This is my first game of water-polo.
played
I haven’t played that before.
Ex.6:Put each verb in brackets into either the present
perfect simple or the present perfect continuous.
b) What have u bought your sister for her birthday?
c) My throat is really sore. I’ve been singing all evening.
d)Brenda‘s been learning Russian, but she finds it difficult.
e)How many people have u invited to your party?
f)Those two cats have been sitting on that branch for the last hour.
g) It has been raining all day! Why can't it stop?
h) Diana has been wearing twelve different dresses in the past week!
i) I‘ve been doing everything you asked. What should I do now?
j) Graham and Pauline have been trying to find a house for ages, but
they can't find one they can afford.
Ex.7:Put each verb in brackets into either the past
simple, the present perfect simple, or the present
perfect continuous.
SHORTLY:
(1)has discovered (6)gave (11)found
(2) have drilled (7)was (12)have got
(3)found (8)already have welcomed (13)haven’t told
(4)discovered (9)have asked (14)have been refusing
(5)lent (10)happened (15)have been asking
It was announced in London this morning that the British Oil
Corporation(1)has discovered (discover) oil under the sea near the
Welsh coast. The company, which (2) have drilled(drill) for oil in the
area since 2001,(3)found(find) small amounts of oil near Swansea last
month, and since then (4)discovered(discover) larger amounts under the
seabed nearby. Last year the government (5)lent(lend) over £50,000,000
to BOC, and (6)gave(give)permission for the company to build an oil
refinery and other facilities in South Wales. The reaction of local people
to today's news (7)was (be) mixed so far. Local MPs (8)already have
welcomed(already welcome)the news, pointing out that the oil industry
will bring badly needed jobs to the area. But local residents are worried
about the danger of pollution. 'Nobody(9)have asked(ask) us yet what
we want,' said Ann Griffiths, leader of the Keep Out The Oil Campaign.
'Look what (10)happened(happen) when they(11)found(find) oil in
Scotland in the 1960s. The oil companies(12)have got(get) rich, not the
local people. BOC
(13)haven’t told(not tell)us the truth about what this is going to mean for
our people. 'A BOC spokesman later (14)have been refusing(refuse)to
comment. Meanwhile local campaigners(15)have been asking(ask) the
government to hold an inquiry.
Ex.8:Look carefully at each line. Some of the lines are
correct, and some have a word which should not be
there. Tick each correct line. If a line has a word which
should not be there, write the word in the space.
A letter from the builders
Dear Mrs Sangster,
Just a quick note to explain what we have been done been
so far this month. The work on the kitchen has gone 
well so far, although we haven't already finished 1) 
knocking down the outside wall yet. So I wrote 2) 
to you last week and have explained that two of 3) 
my workmen were ill. They have quite recovere4)have been recovering
now, I am glad to say, and they have came back 5)came back
to work yesterday. As the weather has been bad 6) 
we have been work inside most of the time, and 7) 
all the painting is now been finished. We have 8) 
also put in a new window in the kitchen, as you 9)
have instructed in your last letter. As you 10)have been
instructing
have not been visiting here for two weeks 11)
we have not had the chance to discuss the walls. 12)
When we checked them we have discovered 13)
that they are in a dangerous condition. I'll 14)
let you know what we have do to them. 15)
Best wishes,
Andrew Turner, Builder

Grammar 3:Future Time

Ex.1:.Underline the most suitable future form in each
sentence.
b) Don't phone between 8.00 and 9.00. I'll study/I'll be studying then.
c) Look out! That tree will/is going to fall!
d) Let me know as soon as Louise will get/gets there.
e) Great news! Jean and Chris will come/are coming to stay with us.
f) According to this timetable, the bus is going to arrive/arrives at 6.00.
g) Can you call me at 7.00, because I'll leave/I'm leaving tomorrow.
h) If you arrive late at the sale, the best things will go/will have gone.

Ex.2:Put each verb in brackets into a suitable future

form. More than one answer may be possible.
b) George won’t be back until six. Can I take a message?
c) What r u going to do with the money you won in the
lottery?
d) I don't think you’ll have any problems at the airport.
e)R u going to take your dog with you to Scotland?
f) All the hotels are full. Where will we/r we going to spend the night?
g) You'd better not come in July. My mother will stay/is going to stay
with me then.
h) What time does ur pane leave.
Ex.3:Put each verb in brackets into a suitable future
form. More than one answer may be possible.
b) This time next week I will lie on the beach in Spain.
c) In ten years' time I’ve worked for a different company.
d) If we don't get there by 6.00, Jack leaves.
e) In July they’ll have been married for twenty years.
f) In the year 2500 a lot of people will live on the Moon.
g) When you get to the station, I’ll be waiting for you outside.
h) Don't worry! The plane will land in a moment.
i) By the time you come home, I’ll be finishing the decorating.
j) Come round between eight and nine. We will be watching the match
on television then.
Ex.4:Put each verb in brackets into a suitable future
form.
SHORTLY:
(2)soon will be able (5)will live (8)also will be doing
(3)will hold (6)will be (9)will direct
(4)be (7)will replace (10)will teach
Have you ever wondered what exactly (1) ..you will be doing... (you
do) in ten years time? Well, according to computer expert Tom
Vincent, computers(2)soon will be able(soon be able)to make accurate
predictions about the future. Professor Vincent, from Cambridge,
(3)will hold(hold)a press conference next week to describe the
computer which he calls “Computafuture”. 'This computer can tell us
what life(4)be(be)like, based on data describing past events, explains
Professor Vincent. For example, Computafuture can predict how many
people (5)will live(live) in a particular area, or whether there (6)will
be(be) a lot of rain during a particular period. Professor Vincent also
believes that by the year 2050, computers (7)will replace(replace)
teachers, and(8)also will be doing(also do)most of the jobs now being
done by the police. 'Computers are becoming more intelligent all the
time,' says Professor Vincent. 'Soon they (9)will direct(direct) traffic
and(10)will teach (teach)our children. And telling us about the future.
Ex.5:Put each verb in brackets into a suitable verb form.
All sentences refer to future time.
a)When I (see) .see. you tomorrow, I’ll tell you my news.
b)As soon as we get there, we’ll phone for a taxi.
c)I’ll go to the library before I doing the shopping.
d)We’ll wait here until the rain stops.
e)I’ll get £50 from the bank when it opens.
f)After you take the medicine, you’ll feel better.
g)You have to stay until you finish your work.
h)I’ll let you know the minute I hear the results.
i)Before we paint the wall, we’ll have a cup of tea.
j) We’ll climb over the wall as soon as it gets dark.

Grammar 4:Present Time

Ex.1:Underline the most suitable verb form in each
sentence.
b) I can't talk now. I cook/I'm cooking the dinner.
c) What shall we have? Do you like/Are you liking fish?
d) Can I borrow this typewriter? Or do you use/are you using it?
e) What do the people here do/are the people here doing in the
evenings?
f) Follow that bus. Then you turn/are turning left.
g) A lot of people think that the Sun goes/is going around the Earth.
h) Excuse me, do you read/are you reading your newspaper? Could I
borrow it?
i) Do you wait/Are you waiting for the bus to Newcastle?
j) Andy builds/is building his own house in the country.
Ex.2:Put each verb in brackets into either the present
simple or the present continuous.
a) There's nobody here, and the door's locked. What (we do) ..do we
do... now!
b) What r u looking at? Do I wear the wrong clothes?
c) I’m looking after Jack's dog this weekend. Do u want to take it for a
walk?
d) Who drives the Mercedes that's parked outside?
e) I’m still having a pain in my leg but it gets better.
f) Who is Sue dancing with? That's not her brother, is it?
g) Harry always is looking untidy! He wears dirty jeans.
h) I’m writing in reply to your advertisement in the Daily News.
i) That plant I bought doesn’t grow very much. And I’m watering it
every day.
j) Which hotel r u staying in when you come here.

Ex.3:Decide whether the verb form in italics refers to

present or future time.
b) George retires at the end of next year. future
c) What are we doing when the guests arrive? future
d) I'm trying really hard to understand this book. present
e) Wait for me here until I get back. present
f) Sue is leaving in the morning. future
g) I'm waiting for the bus. present
h) I'm off now and I'm taking the car. present
i) They're showing a Woody Allen film on Channel 4 tonight. present
j) I'm going for a walk this evening. future
Ex.4:Write each verb in the -ing form, then complete the
spelling rules below.
Admit-admitting swim-swimming get-getting
Study-studying annoy-annoying begin-beginning
Decide-deciding like-liking try-trying
a) If a word ends in vowel + consonant + -e (write)-just add “-ing”
ending discounting “-e”(e.g. write-writing)
b) If a word ends in vowel + consonant (swim)- we add one more letter
which the word is ending (e.g. swim-swimming)
c) Words which end in -y (try, annoy)-we just add “-ing” ignoring “-
y”(e.g. try-trying; annoy-annoying)
Ex.5:Rewrite each sentence. Use a verb from the box to
replace the words in italics.
b) I think you are behaving in a very silly way. being
c) She is expecting a baby in the summer. having
d) Nancy is considering moving to Scotland. thinking of
e) Don't go in. They are holding a meeting. having
f) I am meeting Janet this evening actually. seeing
g) Good clothes are becoming more and more
expensive. costing
h) I am trying the soup to see if it needs more salt.
tasting
i) Helen is taking a bath at the moment. having
j) I think that you would be happier in another job. think of

Ex.6:Put each verb in brackets into either the present

simple or the present continuous.
Dear Aunt Jean,
I (1) ...am just writing. (just write) how to tell you how much I
(2)am appreciating(appreciate) the money you sent me, and to tell you
how I(3)am getting on(get on)in my first term at university Actually
I(4)really enjoy(really enjoy) myself! I(5)am studying(study)quite hard
as well, but at the moment I(6)am spending(spend) a lot of time just
making friends. I(7)still stay(still stay)with my friend Sue, and I(8)am
looking for(look for) somewhere of my own to live. Only a few of the
first-year students(9)live(live)in college here, and I(10)am seeming to
be spending a lot of time travelling backwards and forwards. I(11)go(go)
to lectures every morning, and most afternoons I(12)am studying(study)
in the library. In fact I(13)am writting(write) this letter instead of an
essay on Hamlet. I(14)think(think) I'll buy some new clothes with the
money you sent. Everything(15)costs(cost) a lot here, and I(16)am
saving(save) to buy a winter coat. It(17)is getting(get) really cold here
in the evenings. I now(18)know(know) some other students and
generally speaking we(19)r having(have)quite a good time socially!
I(20)am also learning(also learn) to drive. See you soon.
Katherine
Vocabulary
1[Travel & Holidays]
Ex.1:Complete each sentence with a word from the box.
b) As the train drew in to the station, Terry could see her sister waiting
on the platform.
c) I was so nervous about flying that I left my bag in the departure
lounge.
d) By the time I got to the coach station, the bus to Scotland had left.
e) As soon as the boat left the harbor, the storm began.
f) We hadn't had anything to eat, but luckily there was a buffet[buffe]on
the train.
g) I'm afraid there is only one first-class quay free on the boat.
h) Tim reached Paris safely, but his luggage didn't reach its destination.
i) There was a queue of cars on the cabin, waiting for the car-ferry to the
island.
j) Our plane nearly crashed into a fire-engine on the runway.

Ex.2:Underline the most suitable word or words.

b) The ship's owner agreed to give the crew/passengers a pay-rise.
c) The plane from Geneva has just grounded/landed.
d) We hope that you will enjoy your flight/flying.
e) Because of heavy snow, their plane was diverted/deviated to Luton.
f) I won't be long. I'm just packing my last luggage/suitcase.
g) You have to check in/check up an hour before the plane
leaves.
h) All duty free goods must be declared/surrendered at
customs.
i) The plane took off/took up and was soon high over the city.
j) I bought a simple/single ticket, as I was going to return by car.
k) A sign above the seats in the plane says 'Fasten your life belt/seat
belt'.
l) On the plane the flight attendant/waitress brought me a newspaper.
Ex.3:Use a word or words from exercises 1 or 2 to
complete each sentence. The word may be in a different
form.
b) The train for London is now arriving at three.
c) The plane took off on time but arrived half an hour late.
d) We finally reached our destination after travelling all day.
e) It was hard to find a seat on the train as there were so many of
passengers.
f) While we were waiting at the station we had a bite to eat in the
departure lounge.
g) I felt seasick so I went to my cabin and tried to sleep.
h) Do you want a return ticket, or a single one?
i) The customs officer asked Bill if he had anything to check up.
j) There is a small quay here for fishing boats and yachts.
k) How much luggage can I take with me on the plane?
1) The 8.55 from Hull will be 30 minutes late. We apologize for the
deviating.
Ex.4:Match the words in the box with a suitable
definition(a-j).
a) A journey by ship for pleasure a cruise.
b) A journey by plane a flight.
c) The plan of a journey an itinerary.
d) An informal word for journey. Sometimes meaning a short journey a
trip.
e) A journey for a scientific or special purpose an expedition.
f) A holiday which includes organised travel and accommodation a tour.
g) Taking journeys, as a general idea a package tour.
h) A journey by sea a voyage.
i) An organised journey to see the sights of a place travel.
j) A journey from one side of the sea to the other a crossing.

Ex.5:Use a word from 4 in each sentence

b) My neighbors went on a guided tour of Rome.
c) Last time I went from England to France we had a very rough trip.
d) The first prize in the competition is a luxury Mediterranean trip.
e) When you go on a package tour, you pay one price for everything.
f) The college organized an expedition to search for the ancient ruins.
g) Olympic announces the arrival of voyage OA 269 from Athens.
h) The Titanic sank on its first crossing in 1912.
i) Travelling is one of my main interests.
j) Mr. Dean is away on a business cruise at the moment. Can I help you?
Ex.6:Replace the words in italics in each sentence with a
word from the box.
b) It's difficult to find anywhere to stay here in the summer.
c) We had no money so we had to get lifts in other people's cars.
d) I'd like a room for the night please. A room for two people double
room.
e) The place where we stayed wasn't a hotel but a private house where
you pay to stay and have meals.
f) I'd like to reserve three single rooms for next week, please. To book
g) It was raining, and we couldn't find a place to put our tent. Camp-site
h) I'd like a room for the night, please. Do you have a pee one? Hostel
i) The school has its own place for students to stay. Accommodation
j) We gave a tip to the person who carried our bags in the hotel. Porter

Ex.7:Use a dictionary to find compound words beginning

sea-. Complete each sentence with one of these words.
b) There's a restaurant near the harbor that serves wonderful seafood.
c) The beach was covered in piles of smelly green seaweeds.
d) This town is very high up. It's a thousand metres above sea surface.
e) We drove along sea quay the but we couldn't find anywhere to park.
f) Tourists were throwing bread to the sea birds flying behind the ship.
g) Luckily I had taken some travel pills so I didn't feel seasickness.
h) Children were building sand castles on the sea beach.
Ex.8:Choose the most suitable word or phrase to
complete each sentence.
b)faced up
c)reach
d)behind
e)pay for
f)poster
g)get down
h)unpack
i)enjoyed
j)make up