Practice English Vocabulary C1 Exercises – Vocabulary Review 1

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

Students learning English as a second language are sometimes given a word by their teacher and asked to give an (1) ………………… (EXPLAIN) as to what that word means; in other words, to provide a (2) ………………… (DEFINE). The (3) ………………… (ASSUME) is that if you know a word, you can define it. (4) ………………… (LOGIC), that might make sense, but in reality it is not always (5) ………………… (REASON) to assume that. There are words and phrases that even native speakers use in conversation without much (6) ………………… (THINK) which can lead to (7) ………………… (CONFUSE) when you ask a native speaker to define them. Take the (8) ………………… (CONCEIVE) of ‘zeitgeist’, for example, which has entered English from German. It’s (9) ………………… (DOUBT) much easier to use than it is to define. With a word like ‘zeitgeist’, it may be more (10) ………………… (SENSE) to test the student’s understanding in ways other than asking them to define it.

B. 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.

11   I’m never going to forget to consider Darren’s views when I make a decision again. account

        That’s the last time I ………………………………… when I make a decision.

12   I don’t know how on earth she thinks of such brilliant plots for her novels. come

        How on earth ………………………………… such brilliant plots for her novels?

13   I’m sure Nancy is still presuming that the party starts at nine. impression

        I’m sure Nancy ………………………………… that the party starts at nine.

14   Sean, do you know yet what you’re doing this evening? mind

        Sean, ………………………………… yet what you’re doing this evening?

15   I told Jeanne, thinking that she’d be supportive – how wrong I was! belief

        I told Jeanne ………………………………… that she’d be supportive – how wrong I was!

16   There’s no way that you’re staying out all night with your friends, I’m afraid. question

        Your staying out all night with your friends …………………………………, I’m afraid.

17   I’m glad you now see sense and agree that your parents are right. senses

        I’m glad ………………………………… and agree that your parents are right.

18   I think you think – wrongly – that this is all a conspiracy against you. misapprehension

        I think ………………………………… that this is all a conspiracy against you.

C. Write one word in each gap.

19   You really have to have your ………………… about you when driving through Birmingham.

20   It’s a typical example of not being able to see the ………………… for the trees.

21   Bill Denver? That name rings a ………………… .

22   Don’t let success go to your ………………… whatever you do!

23   We were kept completely in the ………………… about what was going on – they didn’t tell us anything!

24   Am I going round the ………………… or did you just ask me to marry you?

25   He’ll never win the court case. My solicitor says he doesn’t have a ………………… to stand on.

26   Dawn’s a bit slow on the ………………… sometimes, so maybe she didn’t realise you were suggesting she gave you a job.

D. Circle the correct word.

27   We’re still trying to part / piece / set together exactly what went wrong.

28   It’s too much information for me to take / read / get in in one go.

29   You’d better create / think / work up a very good excuse why you didn’t come to the meeting.

30   Let me mull this about / in / over for a while and then I’ll get back to you.

31   Toni was totally opposed at first but I think she’s come / made / taken around to the idea now.

32   I think you should face up on / with / to the fact that our relationship’s over.

33   We’re still trying to figure / think / guess out how the burglars got in.

34   I’m going to have to learn / swot / look up on what all the road signs mean before my driving test.

E. Choose the correct answer.

35   I’m in a real …………….. and I just don’t know what to do.

        A dilemma

        B paradox

        C query

        D hunch

36   They’re staying in rented accommodation for the time …………….. .

        A going         B making

        C doing         D being

37   Is it really the first time …………….. first class?

        A you ever fly

        B you’re ever flying

        C you’ve ever flown

        D you’ve ever been flying

38     …………….. getting a pet tarantula?

        A Does Claire really think of

        B Is Claire really thinking of

        C Has Claire really thought that

        D Has Claire really been thinking that

39   …………….. Alan for hours but he just doesn’t answer his mobile. I hope nothing’s wrong.

        A I call

        B I’m calling

        C I’ve called

        D I’ve been calling

40   Looking at your CV, I …………….. you used to live in Australia.

        A gather

        B do gather

        C am gathering

        D have gathered

41   I …………….. it’s going to snow tonight, don’t you?

        A speculate

        B reflect

        C reckon

        D ponder

42   ‘Have you finished with the paper yet?’ ‘I’ve …………….. started reading it!’

        A even          B just

        C still             D already