Practice English Vocabulary C1 Exercises – Quantity and money

A. Choose the correct word.

1   Thankfully, she only suffered ……………….. injuries in the accident.

      A minor          B meagre

      C minute        D tiny

2   A half, written as a/an ……………….., looks like this: 1/2.

      A fraction      B rate

      C ratio            D equation

3   In a few hundred years’ time, oil will not be nearly so ……………….. here on Earth.

      A abundant

      B ample

      C considerable

      D immense

4   ……………….. is measured in cm3 or m3.

      A Mass           B Extent

      C Volume       D Magnitude

5   Don’t wash that sweater in really hot water or it’ll ……………….. .

      A diminish      B shrink

      C reduce        D decrease

6   Maps on paper can only show the world in two ……………….. .

      A areas           B masses

      C dimensions

      D proportions

7   Why are all your clothes in a ……………….. on the floor?

      A bulk             B batch

      C heap            D sum

8   Sending out e-mails that people haven’t asked for to ……………….. addresses is often known as ‘spamming’.

      A sufficient

      B widespread

      C countless

      D multiple

B. Each of the words in bold is in the wrong sentence. Write the correct words on the lines.

1   The uneven age of everyone in this class is 16.5. ………………………

2   It’s impossible to expand how much destruction the hurricane has caused. ………………………

3   There was a severe shortage of food in the Second World War so many governments had to force it.

4   Balloons ration when you blow into them. ………………………

5   There isn’t a/an equidistant number of numbers because you can always add one more onto the biggest number you can think of. ………………………

6   Russia is an absolutely finite country – it can take two weeks to travel from one side to the other by train. ………………………

7   Any point on a circle is vast from the centre. ………………………

8   There’s a huge quantify between what the rich and the poorest members of society earn. ………………………

9   The imbalance that makes things drop to the ground is called gravity. ………………………

10   The walls of the old cottage were rough and average in height. ………………………

11   The density of an object is calculated by dividing its intensity by its volume. ………………………

12   The storm hit the coast with such mass that many buildings in the region were destroyed. ……………………..

C. Circle the correct word or phrase.

1   The judge awarded us 1,000 euros damage / damages when the builder admitted he hadn’t followed safety standards.

2   The hotel was so bad I’m thinking of asking for compensation / debit from the travel agency.

3   Many companies withdraw / deduct tax from your salary before you get paid.

4   Hello. I’d like to withdraw / deduct 500 euros from my account, please.

5   You can pay in 12 monthly instalments, but you’ll have to make an initial lump sum / down payment of £25.

6   If you win, you can choose to receive it all in one go as a lump sum / down payment or you can have a certain amount per year for life.

7   I’ll finance / deposit the money in your bank account in the morning.

8   I’m thinking of speculating / depositing on the stock exchange. Do you think it’s risky?

9   Why don’t you arrange to pay your bills by direct debt / debit? That way, they’re automatically paid from your account.

10   Where is the company planning to get the sum / finance for this project from?

D. Write a word from the box in the correct form in each gap.

Money management – an introduction

• Different bank accounts pay different amounts of (1) …………………… . It makes sense to shop around before you open an account.

• If your salary doesn’t always get you to the end of the month, you’ll have to arrange a/an (2) …………………… with your bank, so it’s worth being on good terms with your bank manager.

• If you’re planning to buy a house, you’ll probably need to get a/an (3) …………………… . Once again, shop around to get the best deal.

• If you’re thinking about taking out life (4) ……………………, make sure you talk to an independent financial advisor. They’ll give you unbiased advice.

• Make sure you know what (5) …………………… you’re entitled to. If you’re on a low income and have a family, you may be surprised how much you’ll receive from the state each month.

•   Even if you’re only in your early twenties, it pays to plan for the future. If you can, start paying into a/an (6) …………………… scheme now to ensure you have a comfortable retirement.

• It goes without saying that you should try to avoid getting into too much (7) …………………… . Only buy things on credit if you’re sure you can afford to pay the monthly instalments.

• If you do manage to start saving a little each month, you might want to think about buying some (8) …………………… . Their value can go down of course, but they can be a good (9) ……………………, particularly in the mid- to long-term. Many companies pay an annual (10) …………………… to shareholders – this can be a welcome source of extra income if the company’s doing well.

E. Write one word in each gap.

Dealing with debt

If your debts are mounting (1) …………………. and your financial problems are weighing you (2) …………………., the first thing to do is to stay calm. Sizing (3) …………………. your financial situation – however painful – is far better than just ignoring it. The next thing to do is to make a financial plan.

At the top, write down your total monthly income. Then make a list of all your monthly outgoings. Break these outgoings (4) …………………. into essentials (such as electricity bills and food) and luxuries (such as nights out). Cross the luxuries off – there’s no more of them for the time being – and take your essential outgoings (5) …………………. from your income. The amount that’s remaining is the amount you can afford to pay (6) …………………. to your creditors each month. Most credit card companies are willing to accept payment in instalments as they know that if you – and they – just let the debt build (7) …………………. indefinitely it will never be paid off. If your essential expenses add up (8) …………………. more than your income, then your situation is more serious and you’ll have to consider drastic action either to increase your income or reduce the amount of money you have to pay (9) …………………. each month on essentials.

F. Match to make sentences.

A   up over 700 hours of flying time already.

B   up support is to get people in the high street to sign a petition.

C   it over till next year and take it in January.

D   up most of the land round here already.

E   out the company when it was threatened with closure.

F   blackmailers off – I’d rather go to the police and face the consequences.

G   together, I’m sure we can afford to get Mrs Timms a nice leaving present.

G. Phrasal verbs with together, such as club together, often contain the idea of people doing something as a group. Tick the sentences which contain that idea.

1   Eight countries in the region have banded together to make a free-trade zone. ………………….

2   I didn’t know anyone was coming to dinner, so I had to cobble a meal together from whatever was in the fridge. ………………….

3   Why don’t we all get together on Tuesday evening? ………………….

4   The twins have been behaving so badly recently. I should knock their heads together! ………………….

5   Everyone in the village pulled together to make the carnival a success. ………………….

6   The only way we’ll all get off this mountain alive is if we stick together. ………………….

7   The three of us put together quite an interesting proposal. ………………….

H. Circle the correct word.

1   It took quite a while but at slow / long last the website’s starting to take off.

2   Did you really offer Liz a 50 per cent share / piece in the business?

3   No, you can’t borrow a thousand euros! I’m not made of / with money, you know!

4   Nice apartments are a bit thin / slim on the ground round here.

5   I literally went weak on / at the knees when he told me how much he’d won.

6   Let’s discuss this in / with depth tomorrow.

7   The field’s just over four hectares at / in size.

8   They said on the news the escaped convict’s still at / in large.

9   The problem with Jimmy is that he’s such a weak / poor loser.

10   I hate landlords who grow fat / large on the rent they collect.

11   The area used to be very rich / wealthy in tin and copper.

12   It’s a good business opportunity for / with my money.

13   There were a whole number / load of people I knew at the opening.

I. Write one word in each gap.

1   Jane just stood there and watched while we did all the work. A ……………….. lot of use that was!

2   You can make a lot of money if you work in ……………….. finance.

3   We’ve travelled the length and ……………….. of the country looking for the next Teen Star!

4   Hi Chloe! Long time no ………………..!

5   The first moments of the universe are often known as the Big ……………….. .

6   It only cost five euros and we were there all day. We really did get our money’s ……………….. .

7   It’s a pay and ……………….. car park, so get a ticket from the machine before you go shopping.

8   ‘That was very generous of you to give half of your lunch to Tony.’

     ‘Share and share ……………….. , that’s what I say.’

9   And suddenly Diana appeared out of ……………….. air.

10   I think you’re on very weak ……………….. with that argument.

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

1   I think we’re running ……………………… of petrol.

      Nick would be a terrible teacher – he’s got such a ……………………… temper.

      At least she apologised for calling me in at such ……………………… notice.

2   It ……………………… to shop around when you’re looking for a mortgage.

      I don’t mind Guy moving in for a few weeks as long as he ……………………… his way.

      It always puts a smile on my face when someone ……………………… me a compliment.

3   You can have one more bowl of ice cream but then that’s your ……………………… .

      Maybe it’s just my ……………………… in life never to find someone to settle down with.

      I’ve got a ……………………… on this weekend, so I doubt we’ll be able to meet up unfortunately.

4   Pauline seems to be in very ……………………… spirits this afternoon.

      There’s quite a ……………………… risk of side effects with this medicine, apparently.

      It’s ……………………… time you started thinking about your future.

5   Tom’s actually quite a ……………………… name in the poultry industry.

      I’ve said I’m sorry; there’s no need to make such a ……………………… thing out of it.

      It’s every teenager’s dream to make it ……………………… in the entertainment business.

6   I don’t think I’ve got any ……………………… change, I’m afraid.

      You made me feel so ……………………… when you criticised me like that in front of everyone.

      I’m really not keen on making ……………………… talk at parties.

K. 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 three and eight words, including the word given.

1   Some people will do anything to make money. lengths

      Some people will …………………………………….. to make money.

2   I don’t know why you’re saying this is so important. deal

      I don’t know why you’re …………………………………….. this.

3   Simon said he had no idea what he was doing for the first few weeks of his new job. depth

      Simon said he …………………………………….. for the first few weeks of his new job.

4   I think they’re largely responsible for what’s happened. small

      I hold them …………………………………….. responsible for what’s happened.

5   We’ve searched everywhere for the lottery ticket and can’t find it anywhere. low

      We’ve searched …………………………………….. for the lottery ticket and can’t find it anywhere.

6   We talked about investments for a very long time. length

      We talked …………………………………….. about investments.

L. Each of the words or phrases in bold is incorrect. Rewrite them correctly.

1   I was hoping I’d raise about 1,000 euros for the local hospital, but I fell small by a few hundred euros. …………………….

2   Jerry and I agreed to split the costs twenty-twenty so we’d each pay exactly half. …………………….

3   There are two ways to get to Innsbruck, but I think it’s as wide as it’s long. …………………….

4   My dad taught me about the importance of saving money when I was knee-high to a locust. …………………….

5   So many politicians just seem to be trying to line their own wallets these days – it’s disgraceful. …………………….

6   We shouldn’t worry about paying for that advert. The cost is a drop in the sea in terms of the whole marketing budget. ……………………..

7   I’ve decided to sell the whole business – lock, stock and trigger. …………………….

8   Don’t pay the whole bill. Let’s go half. ……………………..

9   There are two ways to get to Innsbruck, but I think it’s six of one and half a twelve of the other. …………………….

10   Lucy managed to save quite a clean sum last summer. …………………….

11   We’re not going to make a profit this year, but we should just break equal. …………………….

12   Colin gets a new car every August. He’s just trying to stay up with the Joneses, if you ask me. …………………….

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

1   How dare they ……………………. blame without knowing all the facts first? PORTION

2   At the ……………………. of summer, the temperature can reach so0c. HIGH

3   I’d like to make a ……………………. from my bank account, please. DRAW

4   Doris Carter, who is 107 today, puts her ……………………. down to having a loving family, and seven cups of tea a day. LONG

5   A ……………………. of residents now support the proposal to build a new roundabout in the town centre. MAJOR

6   What strength ……………………. do those binoculars have? MAGNIFY

7   We took out a loan from the bank, so we’re going to have to make monthly ……………………. for the next five years. PAY

8   Liskeard and Callington are basically ……………………. from here, so it’ll take about the same time to get to either of them. DISTANT

9   Their help was hugely ……………………. . BENEFIT

10   Please keep e-mails short. ……………………. makes everyone’s lives easier. BRIEF

11   The school’s football pitch has been ……………………. over the summer to conform to new national standards. LONG

12   I don’t want to ……………………. the agony for you, but I’m afraid you’ll have to wait another two days to know how much money you’ve won. LONG

13   You might find it hard to answer all the questions in the ……………………. time. LOT

N. Use the word given in capitals to form a word that fits in the space.

Albert Einstein

Albert Einstein’s work has enormously (1) …………………… (BROAD) our understanding of the universe and has had a (2) …………………… (CONSIDER) impact on all our lives. Thanks to his equation E=mc², we now know that energy and mass (or matter) are directly related to each other. To a very great (3) …………………… (EXTEND), it is Einstein who is responsible for our now knowing that space and time are actually one thing: space-time. (4) …………………… (ADD), without E=mc², we would not have nuclear power – and nuclear weapons – today.

Einstein did not become famous because of E=mc², which was first published in 1905. At the time, his paper was (5) …………………… (LARGE) ignored, even by most scientists. Indeed, it was 14 years later that Einstein first made headlines round the world, when scientific evidence began to show that his Theory of General Relativity, which was an (6) …………………… (EXTEND) of his 1905 paper, was correct.

The idea that only a tiny (7) …………………… (MINOR) of scientists can understand Einstein’s theories comes from this media reporting. The New York Times asked its golfing correspondent to cover the story. As he was clearly out of his (8) …………………… (DEEP), he presumed that everyone else was too. A myth was born.

Space, time, energy and mass are (9) …………………… (WEIGH) subjects – no pun intended – to get to grips with, but Einstein’s ideas are not impossible to understand by any means. The implications of Einstein’s work for our lives, however, may well be (10) …………………… (FINITE).