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C1 Advanced study materials
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C1 Advanced practice questions

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Question 1Reading and Use of English

She ______ a great deal of effort into preparing for the interview.

  1. took
  2. set
  3. made
  4. put Correct answer.

Explanation

The standard collocation is 'put effort into something', meaning to invest energy in a task. 'Make' is used in the fixed phrase 'make an effort', but it does not take the pattern 'effort into'. 'Take' collocates with time or trouble in this kind of structure.

Question 2Reading and Use of English

My grandmother has always been very fond ______ classical music.

  1. on
  2. for
  3. with
  4. of Correct answer.

Explanation

The adjective 'fond' is always followed by the preposition 'of' before its object. This is a fixed adjective-plus-preposition pattern that learners simply have to memorise. The other prepositions are used with different adjectives, such as 'keen on' or 'familiar with'.

Question 3Reading and Use of English

______ I known how expensive the tickets were, I would have booked them earlier.

  1. Have
  2. If
  3. Had Correct answer.
  4. Should

Explanation

In formal English the third conditional can be inverted by dropping 'if' and placing the auxiliary 'had' before the subject: 'Had I known' means 'If I had known'. The main clause keeps its normal 'would have + past participle' form.

Question 4Reading and Use of English

The meeting has been ______ until next Thursday because the manager is away.

  1. put out
  2. put off Correct answer.
  3. put up
  4. put away

Explanation

'Put off' means to postpone something to a later time, which fits a meeting moved to another date. Each particle gives 'put' a different meaning, so the particle must be chosen carefully. 'Put out' means to extinguish, 'put up' to accommodate or erect, and 'put away' to store something.

Question 5Reading and Use of English

The music is far too loud - could you ______ it down a little?

  1. bring
  2. turn Correct answer.
  3. put
  4. take

Explanation

The phrasal verb 'turn down' means to reduce the volume, heat or intensity of something. It is the natural choice with an object such as music, a radio or a heater. The other verbs form phrasal verbs with 'down' that do not carry this meaning.

Question 6Reading and Use of English

Read this sentence: 'The committee is still on the fence about the proposal.' The expression 'on the fence' most nearly means:

  1. to have already decided
  2. to be in charge
  3. to be undecided Correct answer.
  4. to be strongly opposed

Explanation

The idiom 'to sit on the fence' or 'to be on the fence' describes someone who has not yet chosen between two sides. The adverb 'still' in the sentence reinforces the idea that no decision has been reached. It never expresses firm opposition or authority.

Question 7Reading and Use of English

The children found the journey ______ and kept asking how much further it was.

  1. endlessly
  2. ending
  3. end
  4. endless Correct answer.

Explanation

The gap needs an adjective describing the journey, and the suffix '-less' forms 'endless', meaning seeming to have no end. After verbs such as 'find', an adjective describes the object. An adverb or a noun cannot fill that slot.

Question 8Reading and Use of English

She denied ______ the window, even though she was the only person in the room.

  1. breaking Correct answer.
  2. to have broken
  3. break
  4. to break

Explanation

The verb 'deny' is followed by a gerund, not by an infinitive: 'deny doing something'. The gerund also allows a perfect form ('denying having broken'), but a bare infinitive or a 'to'-infinitive is never used after 'deny'.

Question 9Reading and Use of English

The documentary was so ______ that I fell asleep after ten minutes.

  1. boring Correct answer.
  2. bored
  3. boringly
  4. bore

Explanation

Adjectives ending in '-ing' describe the thing that causes a feeling, while '-ed' adjectives describe how a person feels. Since the documentary causes the feeling, 'boring' is correct. 'Bored' would describe the viewer, not the film.

Question 10Reading and Use of English

The final report ______ by an independent committee last month.

  1. has approved
  2. was approved Correct answer.
  3. approved
  4. were approved

Explanation

The report receives the action, so a passive form is needed, and the finished time expression 'last month' calls for the past simple passive 'was approved'. The subject 'report' is singular, which rules out 'were'.

Question 11Reading and Use of English

There were ______ people at the concert than we had expected.

  1. few
  2. fewer Correct answer.
  3. little
  4. less

Explanation

With plural countable nouns such as 'people', the comparative determiner is 'fewer'. 'Less' is used with uncountable nouns, and 'few' or 'little' are not comparative forms, so they cannot be followed by 'than'.

Question 12Reading and Use of English

It never ______ to me that she might have been lying.

  1. fell
  2. happened
  3. occurred Correct answer.
  4. took

Explanation

The fixed pattern for an idea entering someone's mind is 'something occurs to somebody'. In this structure the subject is the thought, often with 'it' as a placeholder. The other verbs do not form this idiom with 'to me'.

Question 13Reading and Use of English

The board recommended that the contract ______ renewed for another year.

  1. be Correct answer.
  2. is
  3. will be
  4. would be

Explanation

After verbs of recommending, demanding or insisting, a 'that'-clause in formal English takes the subjunctive, which uses the base form of the verb regardless of the subject. The passive subjunctive is therefore 'be renewed'. Indicative tenses such as 'is' or 'will be' are not used in this formal pattern.

Question 14Reading and Use of English

It was ______ a boring film that half the audience walked out.

  1. so
  2. too
  3. such Correct answer.
  4. very

Explanation

The pattern with a noun phrase is 'such + a/an + adjective + noun + that'. 'So' is used with an adjective or adverb alone, without a following noun. 'Very' and 'too' do not form a result clause with 'that' in this way.

Question 15Reading and Use of English

You ______ have seen James yesterday - he has been in Canada all week.

  1. shouldn't
  2. needn't
  3. mustn't
  4. can't Correct answer.

Explanation

To state that something was logically impossible in the past, English uses 'can't have' or 'couldn't have' plus a past participle. The speaker is certain the event did not happen. 'Mustn't have' is not used for this kind of deduction.

Question 16Reading and Use of English

The ______ we set off, the less traffic we will meet on the road.

  1. earlier Correct answer.
  2. early
  3. more early
  4. earliest

Explanation

The double comparative structure 'the + comparative ..., the + comparative ...' shows that two changes happen together. The comparative of 'early' is 'earlier', formed with '-ier'. 'More early' is not a valid form in English.

Question 17Reading and Use of English

The new evidence ______ doubt on the witness's account of events.

  1. makes
  2. casts Correct answer.
  3. gives
  4. puts

Explanation

The fixed collocation is 'cast doubt on something', meaning to make people question it. 'Doubt' combines with a limited set of verbs, and 'cast' is the standard one here. The other verbs do not form this collocation with 'doubt'.

Question 18Reading and Use of English

______ in 1897, the building has recently been restored to its original condition.

  1. Building
  2. Having built
  3. To build
  4. Built Correct answer.

Explanation

A past participle clause can replace a passive relative clause: 'Built in 1897' means 'which was built in 1897'. The building receives the action, so a passive participle is required. A present participle would suggest the building performed the action itself.

Question 19Reading and Use of English

The scandal ______ the resignation of two senior ministers.

  1. brought in
  2. brought about Correct answer.
  3. brought off
  4. brought up

Explanation

'Bring about' means to cause something to happen, which is exactly the relationship between a scandal and resignations. The other particles create unrelated meanings. The choice of particle, not the verb, carries the meaning here.

Question 20Reading and Use of English

The consultant ______ we spoke last week has resigned.

  1. who
  2. to whom Correct answer.
  3. whom
  4. that

Explanation

The verb 'speak' requires the preposition 'to', and in a formal relative clause the preposition can move to the front before 'whom'. That gives 'the consultant to whom we spoke'. Leaving out the preposition produces an incomplete structure.

Question 21Reading and Use of English

______ the fact that she was exhausted, she finished the marathon in record time.

  1. Despite Correct answer.
  2. However
  3. Even
  4. Although

Explanation

'Despite' is a preposition and can be followed by the noun phrase 'the fact that ...'. 'Although' is a conjunction and would need a full clause without 'the fact that'. 'However' is a linking adverb and cannot introduce this noun phrase.

Question 22Reading and Use of English

The company has denied all the allegations; ______, it has agreed to an independent inquiry.

  1. meanwhile
  2. therefore
  3. nevertheless Correct answer.
  4. otherwise

Explanation

The second clause contrasts with the first: denying the allegations would normally rule out an inquiry, yet one has been agreed. 'Nevertheless' signals exactly this kind of unexpected concession. The other linkers express result, alternative consequence or simultaneous time.

Question 23Reading and Use of English

Rarely ______ such dedication in a young athlete.

  1. I saw
  2. have I seen Correct answer.
  3. did I saw
  4. I have seen

Explanation

When a negative or restrictive adverb such as 'rarely', 'never' or 'seldom' begins a sentence, the subject and auxiliary invert, giving 'Rarely have I seen'. The present perfect is natural here because the statement covers experience up to now. The other options either keep normal word order or use a malformed auxiliary.

Question 24Reading and Use of English

A large ______ of tourists visit the castle every summer.

  1. number Correct answer.
  2. deal
  3. quantity
  4. amount

Explanation

'A number of' is used with plural countable nouns such as 'tourists', and it takes a plural verb. 'Amount' and 'deal' are used with uncountable nouns. 'Quantity' is possible in some contexts but is not the standard choice for counting people.

Question 25Reading and Use of English

The proposal was turned down on the ______ that it would be far too expensive.

  1. causes
  2. bases
  3. grounds Correct answer.
  4. reasons

Explanation

The fixed expression is 'on the grounds that', meaning for the stated reason. It is used with a clause introduced by 'that'. The plural nouns 'reasons', 'bases' and 'causes' do not form this prepositional pattern.

Question 26Reading and Use of English

The team agreed to ______ out a survey of customer satisfaction.

  1. do
  2. take
  3. make
  4. carry Correct answer.

Explanation

'Carry out' is the fixed verb-noun collocation used with surveys, research, tests and instructions, meaning to conduct or perform them. The other verbs do combine with 'out', but as phrasal verbs with unrelated meanings.

Question 27Reading and Use of English

The success of the project depends ______ the cooperation of local authorities.

  1. from
  2. in
  3. of
  4. on Correct answer.

Explanation

The verb 'depend' is followed by the preposition 'on' (or its formal variant 'upon') in all standard varieties of English. This is a fixed prepositional pattern that does not change with meaning.

Question 28Reading and Use of English

She is used to ______ up at five every morning.

  1. got
  2. get
  3. have got
  4. getting Correct answer.

Explanation

In 'be used to', the word 'to' is a preposition, so it must be followed by a gerund. Compare 'used to get up', which describes a past habit and takes the bare infinitive.

Question 29Reading and Use of English

Hurry up - we don't have ______ time left before the train leaves.

  1. few
  2. much Correct answer.
  3. many
  4. a few

Explanation

'Time' is an uncountable noun, so it is quantified with 'much' in negatives and questions and 'a lot of' in affirmatives. 'Many', 'few' and 'a few' are used with countable plural nouns.

Question 30Reading and Use of English

He is ______ honest man who never breaks a promise.

  1. an Correct answer.
  2. some
  3. the
  4. a

Explanation

The 'h' in 'honest' is silent, so the word begins with a vowel sound and takes 'an'. The indefinite article is also correct because the man is being introduced rather than identified.

Question 31Reading and Use of English

I don't know how she ______ up with all that noise from the building site.

  1. gets
  2. puts Correct answer.
  3. makes
  4. takes

Explanation

'Put up with' is a three-part phrasal verb meaning to tolerate or endure something unpleasant. The other verbs form phrasal verbs with 'up with' that have completely different meanings or are not used at all.

Question 32Reading and Use of English

I'll wait here ______ you get back from the meeting.

  1. during
  2. until Correct answer.
  3. unless
  4. despite

Explanation

'Until' marks the point in time up to which an action continues and is followed by a clause. The other options either take a noun phrase rather than a clause or signal a different logical relationship.

Question 33Reading and Use of English

Of the two candidates, Ms Ferreira is by far ______.

  1. most experienced
  2. more experienced than
  3. the most experienced
  4. the more experienced Correct answer.

Explanation

When exactly two things are compared, English uses the comparative rather than the superlative. The definite article is needed because the comparison is specific, and 'by far' intensifies the difference.

Question 34Reading and Use of English

Not only ______ the exam, but she also achieved the highest mark in the class.

  1. did she pass Correct answer.
  2. she did pass
  3. she passed
  4. has she passed

Explanation

After the negative adverbial 'not only' at the start of a clause, the auxiliary and subject must invert. The past simple is required to match the parallel past simple 'achieved' in the second clause.

Question 35Reading and Use of English

If I had taken the job in Berlin, I ______ in Germany now.

  1. would live
  2. had lived
  3. will have lived
  4. would be living Correct answer.

Explanation

A past condition combined with a present result uses 'if' + past perfect in the conditional clause and 'would' + infinitive in the main clause. The continuous form is used because the result is an ongoing state in the present.

Question 36Reading and Use of English

I wish I ______ so rude at the party last night.

  1. hadn't been Correct answer.
  2. wouldn't be
  3. haven't been
  4. wasn't

Explanation

'Wish' followed by the past perfect expresses regret about something that happened in the past. The time marker 'last night' confirms that a past regret is intended.

Question 37Reading and Use of English

She ______ her car serviced before the long journey.

  1. made
  2. had Correct answer.
  3. let
  4. did

Explanation

The causative pattern 'have' + object + past participle means arranging for someone else to do a job for you. 'Make' and 'let' take a bare infinitive and describe direct compulsion or permission instead.

Question 38Reading and Use of English

The negotiations fell through at the last minute.

  1. They were kept secret.
  2. They came to nothing. Correct answer.
  3. They were postponed.
  4. They went ahead quickly.

Explanation

The phrasal verb 'fall through' means that a plan or arrangement fails to be completed. It reports failure, not a change of date, concealment or rapid progress.

Question 39Reading and Use of English

The film was criticised for its ______ plot.

  1. predictable Correct answer.
  2. predicting
  3. predictability
  4. predictably

Explanation

An adjective is needed to modify the noun 'plot'. 'Predictable' is the adjective formed from the verb 'predict'; the other forms belong to different word classes.

Question 40Reading and Use of English

______ the circumstances, cancelling the event was the sensible thing to do.

  1. Under Correct answer.
  2. With
  3. For
  4. On

Explanation

'Under the circumstances' is a fixed prepositional phrase meaning 'in this situation'. The preposition is not variable in this idiom.

Question 41Reading and Use of English

The scheme was expensive and unpopular; ______, the council decided to go ahead with it.

  1. nevertheless Correct answer.
  2. in addition
  3. consequently
  4. therefore

Explanation

The second clause contrasts with the first, so a concessive linking adverb such as 'nevertheless' is required. The other options signal a result or an addition rather than contrast.

Question 42Reading and Use of English

You ______ have booked tickets - there were plenty of seats free at the box office.

  1. couldn't
  2. shouldn't
  3. needn't Correct answer.
  4. mustn't

Explanation

'Needn't have' + past participle means that something was done but was unnecessary. It differs from 'shouldn't have', which criticises an action as wrong or inadvisable.

Question 43Reading and Use of English

The village ______ she grew up has changed beyond recognition.

  1. which
  2. where Correct answer.
  3. when
  4. that

Explanation

The relative adverb 'where' refers to a place and replaces 'in which'. With 'which' or 'that', the preposition 'in' would have to appear before the relative word.

Question 44Reading and Use of English

He suggested ______ the meeting until the following Monday.

  1. postponing Correct answer.
  2. that postponing
  3. to postpone
  4. postpone

Explanation

'Suggest' is followed by a gerund when no subject is mentioned, or by 'that' + subject + verb. It is never followed by a to-infinitive.

Question 45Reading and Use of English

Neither of the two answers ______ correct.

  1. is Correct answer.
  2. were
  3. be
  4. are

Explanation

'Neither of' + plural noun is treated as singular in formal written English, so the verb takes a singular form. The present tense also matches the general statement being made.

Question 46Reading and Use of English

The report ______ last week, according to the newspaper.

  1. is believed to have published
  2. is believed to be published
  3. has believed to have been published
  4. is believed to have been published Correct answer.

Explanation

After passive reporting verbs such as 'is believed', a to-infinitive follows. Because the publishing happened before the report about it, the perfect passive infinitive 'to have been published' is required.

Question 47Reading and Use of English

______ about the traffic, we would have left much earlier.

  1. If we knew
  2. Had we known Correct answer.
  3. Had we have known
  4. If we would have known

Explanation

In formal conditional sentences, 'if' can be omitted and the auxiliary 'had' fronted, giving 'Had we known'. The main clause with 'would have left' shows the condition must be past unreal.

Question 48Reading and Use of English

No sooner ______ the door than the phone rang.

  1. he had closed
  2. had he closed Correct answer.
  3. he closed
  4. did he close

Explanation

'No sooner' at the beginning of a clause triggers inversion of auxiliary and subject, and it is paired with 'than'. The earlier of the two past events takes the past perfect.

Question 49Reading and Use of English

It's high time you ______ a decision about your future.

  1. made Correct answer.
  2. make
  3. have made
  4. will make

Explanation

'It's high time' is followed by the past subjunctive, which has the same form as the past simple, to express that something is overdue. Present and future forms are not used in this structure.

Question 50Reading and Use of English

It was not until 1990 ______ the law was finally changed.

  1. when
  2. that Correct answer.
  3. which
  4. then

Explanation

This is a cleft sentence of the form 'It was ... that ...', and 'that' is the connector even when the highlighted element is a time expression. 'When' would belong to an ordinary relative clause, not to this construction.