Practice English Vocabulary C1 Exercises – Preference and leisure activities

A. Choose the correct answer.

1   Although she would have preferred to carry on working, my mum …………………. her career in order to have children.

        A devoted   B repealed

        C sacrificed  D abolished

2   I find the offer quite …………………., but I think I’d rather study at Oxford.

        A tempting  B desirous

        C inclined    D envious

3   I don’t normally like noisy clubs, but I had a sudden …………………. to see what the Blue Parrot was like.

        A force         B motive

        C pressure   D impulse

4   Jerry loves snowboarding so much that it’s almost like a drug …………………. .

        A passion     B obsession

        C addiction  D requirement

5   I don’t want to do the course in applied statistics, but it’s …………………. .

        A compulsory

        B inevitable

        C bound       D indecisive

6   Don’t worry about me – I’m quite …………………. to sit here and wait for you to come back.

        A ecstatic    B delighted

        C joyful         D content

7   When I was pregnant, I often got a sudden …………………. for tinned sardines.

        A preference

        B craving

        C envy          D greed

8   Thank you for thinking of us, but I’m afraid we’re going to have to …………………. your kind invitation.

        A decline     B deny

        C condemn D reject

9   I’ve never seen anyone so …………………. to their job as Philip is.

        A eager        B keen

        C dedicated

        D interested

10   Why do you have such a …………………. with model railways?

        A desire       B fascination

        C love           D preference

11   I wish you would stop wasting so much time on computer games and do something a little more …………………. .

        A welcome  B enviable

        C feasible     D worthwhile

12   Olivia has always …………………. to return to the country she was born in.

        A favoured  B yearned

        C urged        D inclined

B. Complete using the correct form of the words in the box.

1   Trisha suggested going to Indonesia, but the idea didn’t really ………………… to me.

2   Young children seem to ………………… in showing things they’ve made at school to their parents.

3   Francis obviously ………………… his three children and will do anything for them.

4   I think I just ………………… getting a DVD and staying in tonight.

5   The firefighters ………………… Mrs Collins for her quick thinking when the fire broke out.

6   We would ………………… anyone who values personal freedom to vote against this proposal.

7   The Prime Minister ………………… the suggestion from the leader of the opposition and said that the government would consider it carefully.

8   I   don’t know how Liz can ………………… to work at that place.

9   It’s important to have clear goals to ………………… towards.

10   Parents should try to treat all their children equally and not ………………… one over another.

11   It’s quite easy to ………………… between margarine and butter because butter has a creamier taste.

12   The Board of Directors has ………………… to increase sales by at least 20% over the coming year.

C. Circle the correct word.

1   Share your chocolate with your brother and don’t be so greedy / obsessed.

2   Claudia’s completely greedy / obsessed with Jack and doesn’t talk about anything else these days.

3   I smiled in anticipation / aspiration as the waiter brought the desserts to our table.

4   Joining the Air Force has always been an anticipation / aspiration of mine.

5   These two day trips are included in the price of the tour, while the third is arbitrary / optional and costs 50 euros extra.

6   We don’t have any information about the hotels, so we’ll just have to make an arbitrary / optional decision.

7   If you look at Madeleine’s house, it’s obvious she has a lot of liking / taste.

8   I’ve always had a liking / taste for Naomi, ever since she moved in next door.

9   Life in this small town is really quite mediocre / mundane and I can’t wait to move to the big city.

10   I thought her latest book was mediocre / mundane compared to the others, which I really enjoyed.

11   Eva got everything she had ever envied / desired when she married a rich businessman.

12   I envy / desire people who can just walk into a room full of strangers and feel at home.

D. If the word in bold is correct, put a tick. If it is incorrect, replace it with one of the words in bold from the other sentences.

1   It should be quite a sedentary event, so don’t dress up too much. ………………..

2   Without enough leisure time, people begin to suffer from stress and solitude. ………………..

3   I get 25 days a year venue, which is probably about average. ………………..

4   The new Arts Centre should be a great outing for concerts. ………………..

5   Last time I had a day off, we went on a family lifestyle to the beach. ………………..

6   Kids just wouldn’t fit in with my fatigue, so I don’t plan to have any at the moment. ………………..

7   I like to be quite active when I’ve got time off because my job is quite absorbing. ………………..

8   I find nothing so relaxing as reading a really casual book. ………………..

9   Work’s so tedious that I can’t wait to meet my friends in the evening. ………………..

10   The most relaxing things about getting away to the mountains are the peace and leave. ………………..

E. Complete using the correct form of the words in the box.

The beginnings of modern leisure

During the first half of the nineteenth century, more and more people were employed in factories, working 14- or 15-hour days that left them little time for hobbies, sport or any other form of (1) ………………… and meant they weren’t able to (2) …………………with friends. A key breakthrough in Britain came with the Ten Hour Act (1847), which limited the working day and ensured that workers got some (3) ………………… from their jobs. People now had at least some time to (4) ………………… from work at the end of the day and (5) ………………… themselves.

Not everyone approved. Many members of the middle class hated the idea of the workers being (6) ………………… and believed that they would waste their time on (7) ………………… matters instead of (8) ………………… productive activities, such as education or going to church. The workers, however, found the new freedom (9) ………………… and threw themselves into new (10) ………………… with enthusiasm.

F. Match to make sentences.

1   I suppose I spend a lot of time just hanging

2   The best thing about camping is just messing

3   Since I’m self-employed, I’m able to take

4   Drew spends a lot of time seeking

5   Most of my leisure time seems to centre

6   The tour we’re going on next week takes

7   I’m not one of those people who go in

8   With a bit of practice, I picked

A   in some fantastic areas of natural beauty.

B   for active pastimes; I much prefer reading.

C   about with all the equipment all day.

D   a whole month off and just travel.

E   out with friends in the town centre.

F   out good spots to go windsurfing.

G   around fishing or my other main hobby, water polo.

H   up a few songs after just a couple of lessons on the guitar.

G. Complete using a phrasal verb with a word from box A in the right form and a word from box B. You need to use one word from box B more than once.

1   I don’t have much money these days, so it’s hard to ………………. my music collection.

2   If you’re ………………. Amanda ………………. this weekend, why don’t you go to the Popwave festival?

3   I didn’t like this CD at first, but now I’m really ………………. it.

4   Carl and I just spent the whole day ………………. listening to music.

5   I’m still not sure about this track, but I think it’s starting to ………………. me.

6   Before the concert started, we could hear the band ………………. off stage.

7   I used to love this band, but I’ve ………………. them since the lead singer left.

8   You can tell they’ve ………………. a lot of hard work when you listen to their latest album.

H. The phrasal verb get into has a meaning connected to the idea of becoming involved in an activity or situation. Tick the sentences where the phrasal verb has a meaning connected to a similar idea.

1   I love watching TV, but it does bite into my free time. ………….

2   Jordan was relieved when she finally broke into the music business. ………….

3   When you’re flying a model aeroplane, the important thing is not to crash into anything! ………….

4   The council have entered into discussions on building a new sports centre in town. ………….

5   To access the online games network, key your username and password into the box below. ………….

6   Think carefully before you rush into such a long-term agreement. ………….

7   Kelly launched into a detailed account of her plans for the summer. ………….

8   Pete is always taking up new hobbies and he really throws himself into them. ………….

I. One word in each sentence is incorrect. Underline the incorrect word and write the correct word.

1   It’s the boss’s birthday next Wednesday, and there’s a rumour we might be taken the day off. ……………….

2   I know you’d rather I took up a sport, but it’s not your choice to do. ……………….

3   Some of the courses are compulsory, so we can’t just pick and select whatever we like. ……………….

4   If you won’t give me a pay rise, then I shall have to think my options. ……………….

5   The council said they had no option apart to close the sports centre. ……………….

6   Angela travels a lot and is only very eager to experience new places. ……………….

7   Jake’s been practising as mad to impress the others in the band. ……………….

8   I can’t believe the judge just let the accused be free like that. ……………….

9   I’ve decided in favour for joining the local swimming team. ……………….

10   You should plan things more carefully and not just act with impulse all the time. ……………….

J. Circle the correct word.

The future of leisure

There is no doubt technology and shorter working hours have (1) got / let / set people free to enjoy their leisure time more than ever before. Many people (2) do / have / make the leisure to pursue hobbies and other activities they (3) like / prefer / want to the work routine. What leisure activities will people (4) choose / decide / opt for in the future?

We can expect to see increased personal (5) choice / decision / option. The range of leisure (6) actions / hobbies / pursuits will expand and people will have the (7) decision / option / preference of following up an interest in almost any activity. Whether at home or at (8) enjoyment / leisure / relaxation centres, there will be an ever-increasing need to provide for people at (9) play / recreation / rest. If the future is not one of increased leisure, then it won’t be for (10) need / desire / want of demand.

K. For each question, write one word which can be used in all three sentences.

1   To our ……………………., the boss said that we could have an extra day off work.

      Martin always takes great ……………………. in talking to anyone about fishing.

      When Erin finally started to move downhill on the skis for the first time, she laughed in ……………………..

2   It’s important that people feel they can exercise ……………………. over their leisure activities.

      Your fee is so late that I’m afraid we have no ……………………. but to cancel your membership.

      The college offers a wide ……………………. of evening and weekend classes.

3   The local council should start a building programme to meet the ……………………. for leisure facilities.

      The Mayor said he had no ……………………. of advice from people who didn’t understand the situation.

      This area is badly in ……………………. of financial investment.

4   I had dried frog when I was in Korea, and I would describe the ……………………. as unforgettable.

      I thought that what you said to Erica was in very bad ……………………. .

      You might not like sushi the first time you try it- it’s a bit of an acquired ……………………. .

5   We’re quite ……………………. for our son to go to Cambridge University when he finishes school.

      I enjoy team sports, like basketball and volleyball, and I’m especially ……………………. on football.

      My parents have always taken a ……………………. interest in my hobbies.

6   I was a bit of a loner when I was younger and I spent a lot of time ……………………. by myself.

      The government has been accused of ……………………. for time because it doesn’t know what to do.

      Liam never learnt to read music, but he’s capable of ……………………. practically anything by ear.

7   The headmaster was full of ……………………. for the school cricket team, who had won six matches in a row.

      The police officers involved deserve ……………………. for their bravery in such a difficult situation.

      If I read one more newspaper editorial in ……………………. of the Prime Minister I shall scream.

8   When we finally made it out of the forest, we decided to ……………………. before moving on.

      Just ……………………. your bike against the gate and come inside.

      You can ……………………. assured that I will not stop until I find the person who damaged the school gym.

L. Complete using the words in the box.

1   ‘Oh! I’m exhausted! I’ve been doing housework all day.’

        ‘Come and put your …………………… up for five minutes and I’ll make a cup of tea.’

2   ‘Do you fancy going to that new jazz club in town?’

        ‘Yes, let’s go and let our …………………… down a bit, shall we?’

3   ‘Jamie is so much fun!’

        ‘Yes, he really is the life and soul of the …………………… .’

4   ‘You’re not changing jobs again already, are you?’

        ‘Well, they do say that variety is the …………………… of life.’

5   ‘Roger wasn’t pleased to get rejected by the team, was he?’

        ‘No. He really had his …………………… set on playing for them.’

6   ‘You look a bit bored.’

        ‘Well, I’ve been at a loose …………………… since I finished the book I was reading.’

7   ‘You weren’t planning to go to Singapore on holiday, were you?’

        ‘No. I got to the travel agent’s and just decided to go there on a …………………… .’

8   ‘I can’t believe you built the Eiffel Tower out of matchsticks!’

        ‘I guess I must have had a lot of …………………… on my hands.’

9   ‘Does Jenny ever move from in front of the TV?’

        ‘I think she’s in danger of becoming a bit of a couch …………………… .’

10   ‘You’ve got a great suntan!’

        ‘I went away for a few days to recharge my …………………… .’

M. Complete the sentences by changing the form of the word in capitals.

1   The cricket ground and the theatre make this a very …………………… area to live in. DESIRE

2   My family have always gone in for traditional country ……………………, such as hunting, shooting and fishing. PURSUE

3   What I like about Stravinsky’s music is the …………………… complexity, which has a powerful effect on the listener. RHYTHM

4   After ten matches, we had the …………………… record of played ten, won none, lost ten. ENVY

5   I know you’d rather take your holiday in August, but when the boss is offering you extra days off, I don’t think you can afford to be so …………………… . CHOOSE

6   You don’t need to be quite so …………………… in your work, and you might find you enjoy it more if you take a little time off. ZEAL

7   You don’t have time to do all the sports you’d like to, so you’re going to have to be a bit …………………… . SELECT

8   After dinner, we went for a …………………… stroll along the seafront. LEISURE

9   We’re only two weeks into the school holidays and already my children are …………………… . REST

10   I don’t mind Annabel spending time on her computer, but playing this latest game has become almost an …………………… . OBSESS

N. Write a word formed from the words in the box in each gap.

Get Active with Marlston Council

As a local resident, you may already be aware of Marlston Council’s ‘Get Active‘ campaign. We’d like to take this opportunity to remind you of the campaign and to give you some simple tips to help you and your family get active.

* It’s impossible to (1) ……………………. the importance of getting active as a family. We all have a (2) ……………………. to start off with good intentions and then lose our (3) ……………………. . Playing and exercising together as a family can help you through those moments when you are (4) ……………………. with your progress.

* Don’t (5) ……………………. it. Start with gentle exercise and work up to something more strenuous. Whatever your (6) ……………………. activity, make sure that you’re all comfortable doing it at that level. If necessary, switch to a more (7) ……………………. activity until you’re all in better shape.

* Children these days get a lot of (8) ……………………. from the fast-moving worlds of television, the Internet and computer games. Make sure you find an activity that they’ll find fun. Contact Marlston Council to find out about the (9) ……………………. of facilities where you live.

* Playing a sport together will teach your children about fair play, (10) ……………………. and working with others. But remember that it has to be fun or they’ll soon lose interest.

For further information, contact Marlston Council and ask to speak to someone from the ‘Get Active’ campaign.