English Language
What the exam tests
The English section checks grammar accuracy, vocabulary in context, sentence structure, and reading comprehension. Expect verb tense and agreement, articles, prepositions, pronoun reference, comparatives, conditionals, and short passages followed by inference questions.
Concepts to master
- Subject–verb agreement, especially with collective nouns and phrases between subject and verb.
- Tense consistency and correct use of present perfect versus simple past.
- Articles: a/an by sound, the for specific or unique references.
- Prepositions that pair with fixed verbs and adjectives (depend on, interested in, capable of).
- Conditionals: first (real future), second (unreal present), third (unreal past).
Common traps
- A plural noun next to the verb pulling agreement the wrong way ("The list of names is long").
- "Since" and "for" with present perfect, not simple past.
- Choosing a synonym that fits the dictionary but not the sentence's tone.
- In comprehension, picking an option that is true in general but not stated in the passage.
- Misreading "not" or "except" in the question stem.
Worked example
Choose the correct form: "She has lived here ___ 2015." Options: since / for / from / during. Use since with a point in time and for with a duration. 2015 is a point, so the answer is since. Rule of thumb: if you can ask "how long?" and get a length of time, use for; if you get a starting moment, use since.