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EF SET study materials
EF SET study resources

EF SET practice questions

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Question 1Reading

Read the sentence: 'The museum, which opened in 1892, houses a large collection of Roman coins.' What does the sentence say opened in 1892?

  1. The museum Correct answer.
  2. The Roman empire
  3. The collection
  4. The coins

Explanation

The relative clause 'which opened in 1892' sits directly after 'The museum' and modifies it. The collection and the coins are what the museum houses, not what opened.

Question 2Reading

Choose the word that best completes the sentence: 'She was so ______ that she finished the whole report before lunch.'

  1. efficient Correct answer.
  2. efficiently
  3. efficiencies
  4. efficiency

Explanation

The gap follows 'was so' and describes the subject, so an adjective is needed. 'Efficient' is the adjective form; the others are nouns or an adverb.

Question 3Reading

Read: 'Tickets cost $12 for adults, but students pay only $7.' How much does a student pay?

  1. $12
  2. $19
  3. $7 Correct answer.
  4. $5

Explanation

The sentence contrasts the adult price with the student price, stating students pay $7. The other figures are either the adult price or arithmetic not supported by the text.

Question 4Reading

Which sentence is grammatically correct?

  1. He doesn't likes coffee.
  2. He don't like coffee.
  3. He doesn't like coffee. Correct answer.
  4. He not like coffee.

Explanation

With third-person singular subjects in the present simple, the auxiliary is 'doesn't' and the main verb stays in its base form. 'Like' therefore follows 'doesn't' without -s.

Question 5Reading

Read: 'The library is on the second floor. Take the stairs next to the café.' Where is the library?

  1. Behind the stairs
  2. On the ground floor
  3. Next to the café
  4. On the second floor Correct answer.

Explanation

The first sentence states the library's location directly: the second floor. The café and stairs are landmarks for finding it, not its location.

Question 6Reading

Choose the best word: 'The train was delayed, ______ we still arrived on time.'

  1. unless
  2. but Correct answer.
  3. because
  4. so

Explanation

The two clauses contrast a delay with arriving on time, so a contrast connector is needed. 'But' signals that contrast; the others express cause, result or condition.

Question 7Reading

Read: 'Please return all borrowed books by Friday. Items returned late will incur a small fee.' What happens if a book is returned late?

  1. The book is kept
  2. Nothing happens
  3. The borrower is banned
  4. The borrower pays a fee Correct answer.

Explanation

The second sentence states that late items 'will incur a small fee', meaning a charge applies. No other consequence is mentioned.

Question 8Reading

Which word is closest in meaning to 'brief' in the phrase 'a brief meeting'?

  1. Short Correct answer.
  2. Important
  3. Boring
  4. Private

Explanation

In this context 'brief' describes duration and means lasting only a short time. The other options describe attitude or status, not length.

Question 9Reading

Read: 'Although the recipe looked complicated, it required only three ingredients.' What does the writer imply about the recipe?

  1. It was harder than expected
  2. It needed many ingredients
  3. It was badly written
  4. It was simpler than it appeared Correct answer.

Explanation

The contrast between 'looked complicated' and 'only three ingredients' implies the recipe was easier than its appearance suggested. The word 'although' sets up this reversal.

Question 10Reading

Choose the correct sentence.

  1. I have saw him yesterday.
  2. I have seen him yesterday.
  3. I seen him yesterday.
  4. I saw him yesterday. Correct answer.

Explanation

A finished past time expression like 'yesterday' requires the past simple, so 'saw' is correct. The present perfect is used for time up to now, not for a specific finished point.

Question 11Reading

Read: 'The company's profits rose sharply in 2019, then levelled off the following year.' What happened to profits in 2020?

  1. They disappeared
  2. They doubled
  3. They stopped rising Correct answer.
  4. They fell sharply

Explanation

'Levelled off' means the increase stopped and the level became stable. It does not mean a fall or a continued rise.

Question 12Reading

Read: 'The new policy was welcomed by staff, who had long complained about the old system.' What can be inferred about the old system?

  1. It was never used
  2. It was introduced recently
  3. It had caused dissatisfaction Correct answer.
  4. It was popular with staff

Explanation

Staff had 'long complained' about the old system, which implies dissatisfaction with it. This also explains why the new policy was welcomed.

Question 13Reading

Choose the best word: 'The manager asked us to ______ the report before the deadline.'

  1. submitting
  2. submit Correct answer.
  3. submission
  4. submits

Explanation

After 'to' in an infinitive, the base form of the verb is required. 'Submit' is the base form; the others are inflected or a noun.

Question 14Reading

Read: 'Sales in the north fell by 4%, whereas sales in the south grew by 6%.' Which statement is true?

  1. The south declined and the north grew
  2. The north declined and the south grew Correct answer.
  3. Both regions declined
  4. Both regions grew

Explanation

The sentence contrasts a 4% fall in the north with a 6% rise in the south. 'Whereas' signals that the two trends move in opposite directions.

Question 15Reading

A sign reads: 'Refunds only with a valid receipt.' What is required to get a refund?

  1. A membership card
  2. A credit card
  3. A receipt that is valid Correct answer.
  4. A written request

Explanation

The sign makes a valid receipt the condition for a refund. No other document or method is mentioned.

Question 16Reading

Read: 'The lecture, originally scheduled for Monday, has been postponed until Thursday.' When will the lecture take place now?

  1. Wednesday
  2. It has been cancelled
  3. Thursday Correct answer.
  4. Monday

Explanation

'Postponed until Thursday' means the new date is Thursday. 'Postponed' indicates a delay, not a cancellation.

Question 17Reading

Choose the sentence with the correct punctuation.

  1. My brother who lives in Rome, is a doctor.
  2. My brother, who lives in Rome is a doctor.
  3. My brother, who lives in Rome, is a doctor. Correct answer.
  4. My brother who, lives in Rome is a doctor.

Explanation

A non-defining relative clause is set off by commas at both ends. The clause 'who lives in Rome' is extra information, so it needs a comma before and after.

Question 18Reading

Read: 'Despite the heavy rain, the outdoor concert went ahead as planned.' What does 'went ahead' mean here?

  1. Took place Correct answer.
  2. Was delayed
  3. Was moved indoors
  4. Was cancelled

Explanation

'Went ahead' means the event proceeded as planned. The phrase 'despite the heavy rain' reinforces that the concert still happened.

Question 19Reading

Read: 'The survey found that most respondents preferred working from home, though a minority missed the office atmosphere.' What is the main point?

  1. The survey was unsuccessful
  2. All workers want to stay home
  3. Most prefer home but some miss the office Correct answer.
  4. Nobody likes the office

Explanation

The sentence balances a majority preference for home working with a minority who miss the office. The main point combines both parts of this contrast.

Question 20Reading

Choose the correct option: 'If I ______ more time, I would learn to play the guitar.'

  1. having
  2. had Correct answer.
  3. have
  4. will have

Explanation

This is a second conditional: an unreal present situation uses 'if' plus the past simple, followed by 'would' plus the base verb. 'Had' fits that pattern.

Question 21Reading

Read: 'The author's latest novel is a departure from her earlier work, which focused on rural life.' What does this suggest about the latest novel?

  1. It is about rural life
  2. It is her first novel
  3. It repeats her earlier work
  4. It differs from her earlier themes Correct answer.

Explanation

'A departure from' means something different from what came before. The earlier work focused on rural life, so the new novel moves away from that theme.

Question 22Reading

Read: 'The committee's decision was met with muted enthusiasm.' What does 'muted enthusiasm' most likely mean?

  1. Limited or restrained approval Correct answer.
  2. Total indifference
  3. Complete rejection
  4. Strong excitement

Explanation

'Muted' means restrained or toned down, so 'muted enthusiasm' indicates only moderate approval. It is weaker than strong excitement but not outright rejection.

Question 23Reading

Read: 'Had the funding been approved, the project would have started in spring.' What actually happened?

  1. The project was cancelled forever
  2. The project started in spring
  3. The funding was approved late
  4. The funding was not approved Correct answer.

Explanation

This inverted third conditional describes an unreal past: the funding was not approved, so the project did not start. The 'would have started' clause is hypothetical.

Question 24Reading

Read: 'While the report acknowledges the benefits of remote work, it stops short of recommending it as standard practice.' What is the report's position?

  1. It ignores remote work entirely
  2. It notes benefits but does not recommend it as standard Correct answer.
  3. It fully endorses remote work
  4. It rejects any benefits

Explanation

'Stops short of recommending' means the report goes only as far as acknowledging benefits without endorsing the practice. The concessive 'while' sets up this partial position.

Question 25Reading

Read: 'The evidence, far from conclusive, left the researchers cautious about drawing firm conclusions.' Which statement best captures the meaning?

  1. The evidence proved the hypothesis
  2. The evidence was strong enough for firm conclusions
  3. The evidence was weak, so the researchers were cautious Correct answer.
  4. The researchers ignored the evidence

Explanation

'Far from conclusive' means the evidence was not decisive, which explains the caution. The phrase is an emphatic way of saying 'not conclusive at all'.

Question 26Reading

Read: 'The museum is closed on Mondays, but opens at 10 a.m. on all other days.' A visitor arrives on Tuesday at 11 a.m. What will they find?

  1. The museum is closed only in the morning.
  2. The museum opens at noon.
  3. The museum is open. Correct answer.
  4. The museum is closed for the whole day.

Explanation

The sentence says the museum is closed only on Mondays and opens at 10 a.m. on every other day. Tuesday at 11 a.m. falls after opening time on a non-Monday, so the museum is open.

Question 27Reading

Choose the best word: 'She spoke so ______ that everyone in the back row could hear her.'

  1. quietly
  2. softly
  3. slowly
  4. clearly Correct answer.

Explanation

The clause 'everyone in the back row could hear her' calls for a word describing being heard well. 'Clearly' fits this meaning directly. The other adverbs describe volume or pace rather than audibility.

Question 28Reading

Read: 'Applications must be submitted by 5 p.m. on 30 June. Late entries will not be considered.' What happens to an application sent on 1 July?

  1. It is accepted with a fee.
  2. It is not considered. Correct answer.
  3. It is reviewed after the deadline.
  4. It is moved to next year.

Explanation

The notice states that late entries 'will not be considered', and 1 July is after the 30 June deadline. Therefore the application is rejected. No fee or deferral option is mentioned.

Question 29Reading

Choose the best word: 'The instructions were so ______ that I finished the task in minutes.'

  1. vague
  2. lengthy
  3. confusing
  4. clear Correct answer.

Explanation

Finishing quickly suggests the instructions were easy to follow, which 'clear' conveys. The other adjectives describe difficulty or length that would slow the reader down.

Question 30Reading

Read: 'The café offers free Wi-Fi to customers who make a purchase.' What must you do to use the Wi-Fi?

  1. Pay a monthly subscription.
  2. Buy something at the café. Correct answer.
  3. Ask a member of staff for a password.
  4. Register online first.

Explanation

The condition given is 'customers who make a purchase', meaning you must buy something. No registration, password request, or subscription is mentioned.

Question 31Reading

Which word is closest in meaning to 'rare' in the phrase 'a rare opportunity'?

  1. unusual Correct answer.
  2. difficult
  3. expensive
  4. common

Explanation

In 'a rare opportunity', 'rare' means not happening often, i.e. unusual. 'Common' is its opposite, while 'expensive' and 'difficult' describe different qualities entirely.

Question 32Reading

Read: 'The new café on the corner has already become popular with local students, who appreciate its cheap prices and late opening hours.' Why do students like the café?

  1. It is close to the university library.
  2. It has a quiet study area.
  3. It is cheap and open late. Correct answer.
  4. It offers discounts to graduates.

Explanation

The sentence explicitly names two reasons: 'cheap prices and late opening hours'. These correspond to 'cheap and open late'. The other details are not stated.

Question 33Reading

Read: 'Although the film received poor reviews, it performed strongly at the box office.' What does this tell us?

  1. The film was a commercial failure.
  2. The film won several awards.
  3. The reviews were written after release.
  4. Critics and audiences disagreed about the film. Correct answer.

Explanation

Poor reviews reflect critical opinion, while strong box office performance reflects audience spending. The contrast signals that critics and audiences reacted differently. No award or timing detail is given.

Question 34Reading

Choose the best word: 'The team worked ______ to finish the project before the deadline, often staying late.'

  1. tirelessly Correct answer.
  2. reluctantly
  3. occasionally
  4. casually

Explanation

Staying late to meet a deadline indicates sustained hard effort, which 'tirelessly' captures. The other adverbs suggest a lack of effort or irregular commitment.

Question 35Reading

Read: 'The council has announced that the library will close for renovation, a decision that has upset many residents.' How do residents feel about the closure?

  1. They support it strongly.
  2. They are confused by it.
  3. They are unhappy about it. Correct answer.
  4. They are indifferent to it.

Explanation

The phrase 'has upset many residents' directly indicates unhappiness. Indifference, support, and confusion are not supported by the wording.

Question 36Reading

Read: 'The report notes that while online sales grew by 20%, in-store sales declined by 5%.' Which statement is accurate?

  1. Online sales fell by 20%.
  2. In-store sales grew more than online sales.
  3. Both online and in-store sales grew.
  4. Online sales grew while in-store sales fell. Correct answer.

Explanation

The figures show a 20% rise online and a 5% fall in stores. This matches the statement that online grew while in-store fell. The other options reverse or misstate the direction.

Question 37Reading

Read: 'The manager, who had reviewed the proposal twice, still had reservations about its cost.' What does this suggest?

  1. The manager wanted a larger budget.
  2. The manager had concerns despite careful review. Correct answer.
  3. The manager rejected the proposal outright.
  4. The manager approved it without reading it.

Explanation

'Had reviewed twice' shows careful reading, while 'still had reservations' shows lingering concerns. Together they indicate doubts despite thorough review. Outright rejection and approval are not stated.

Question 38Reading

Choose the correct option: 'By the time we arrived, the concert ______.'

  1. is starting
  2. already starts
  3. has started
  4. had already started Correct answer.

Explanation

The past perfect ('had already started') expresses an action completed before another past action ('arrived'). The present and present perfect forms do not fit a past sequence.

Question 39Reading

Read: 'The instructions were far from straightforward, leaving several participants unsure how to proceed.' What does 'far from straightforward' mean?

  1. Quite short
  2. Completely optional
  3. Very complicated Correct answer.
  4. Fairly accurate

Explanation

'Far from' negates the adjective that follows, so 'far from straightforward' means not simple, i.e. very complicated. The resulting confusion among participants supports this reading.

Question 40Reading

Read: 'The company's new app is intuitive, though it lacks some of the advanced features offered by its competitors.' What is one weakness of the app?

  1. It does not work on phones.
  2. It is more expensive than rivals.
  3. It is missing some advanced features. Correct answer.
  4. It is hard to use.

Explanation

The clause after 'though' identifies the drawback: it lacks advanced features found in competitors' apps. The app is described as intuitive, so ease of use is a strength, not a weakness.

Question 41Reading

Choose the best word: 'The two theories are ______; accepting one makes the other impossible.'

  1. compatible
  2. interchangeable
  3. mutually exclusive Correct answer.
  4. complementary

Explanation

The clause 'accepting one makes the other impossible' defines a relationship where the two cannot coexist. 'Mutually exclusive' expresses exactly this. The other options suggest the theories can be combined or swapped.

Question 42Reading

Read: 'The study's findings, while promising, are based on a small sample and should be treated with caution.' What is the writer's attitude toward the findings?

  1. Cautiously optimistic Correct answer.
  2. Completely indifferent
  3. Fully convinced
  4. Openly hostile

Explanation

Calling the findings 'promising' shows a positive view, while urging caution because of the small sample tempers it. This combination is best described as cautiously optimistic. Hostility and indifference are not supported.

Question 43Reading

Read: 'Had the company invested in staff training, it might have avoided the errors that damaged its reputation.' What actually happened?

  1. The company invested heavily in training.
  2. The company's reputation improved.
  3. The company avoided the errors.
  4. The company did not invest enough in training. Correct answer.

Explanation

This is a third conditional with inversion ('Had the company invested...'), which describes a past situation that did not occur. It implies the company did not invest in training and therefore suffered errors.

Question 44Reading

Read: 'The novel's plot is thin, but the author's prose is so vivid that readers rarely notice.' What is the writer's overall point?

  1. Readers find the book difficult to finish.
  2. The plot is the novel's main strength.
  3. The author should rewrite the plot.
  4. The beautiful writing compensates for a weak plot. Correct answer.

Explanation

The sentence contrasts a 'thin' plot with 'vivid' prose that readers 'rarely notice' the weakness of. This means the writing makes up for the plot. The other options misread the contrast.

Question 45Reading

Read: 'The proposal was met with a lukewarm response from the board, who asked for further analysis before committing.' What does 'a lukewarm response' suggest?

  1. Strong enthusiasm
  2. Mild, unenthusiastic interest Correct answer.
  3. Outright rejection
  4. Complete confusion

Explanation

'Lukewarm' literally means slightly warm, and figuratively means lacking enthusiasm. The board's request for more analysis before committing supports this mild, hesitant reaction.

Question 46Reading

Read: 'While the article acknowledges the benefits of automation, it stops short of endorsing widespread adoption.' What is the article's position?

  1. It recognises some benefits but does not recommend full adoption. Correct answer.
  2. It denies that automation has any benefits.
  3. It calls for an immediate ban on automation.
  4. It fully supports widespread automation.

Explanation

'Acknowledges the benefits' shows recognition of positives, while 'stops short of endorsing' means it does not go as far as recommending. Together this describes partial, cautious support.

Question 47Reading

Read: 'The evidence, far from conclusive, left the researchers hesitant to draw firm conclusions.' Which statement best reflects the sentence?

  1. The evidence was weak, so the researchers were cautious. Correct answer.
  2. The researchers ignored the evidence entirely.
  3. The researchers reached firm conclusions quickly.
  4. The evidence was strong enough to settle the question.

Explanation

'Far from conclusive' means the evidence was not decisive, and 'hesitant to draw firm conclusions' shows resulting caution. These two parts align to describe weak evidence and a cautious response.

Question 48Reading

Read: 'So persuasive was her argument that even her critics conceded she had a point.' Which feature of the sentence emphasises the strength of the argument?

  1. The use of the past tense
  2. The inverted word order after 'so persuasive' Correct answer.
  3. The phrase 'had a point'
  4. The reference to her critics

Explanation

Fronting 'so persuasive' and inverting the subject and verb ('So persuasive was her argument') is an emphatic construction that highlights the adjective. This device intensifies the claim about the argument's strength.

Question 49Reading

Read: 'The committee's report is notable less for what it recommends than for what it leaves unsaid.' What does the writer imply?

  1. The report says nothing of value at all.
  2. The report's omissions are more significant than its proposals. Correct answer.
  3. The committee refused to publish the report.
  4. The recommendations are the report's most important feature.

Explanation

The comparative structure 'less for X than for Y' places greater weight on Y, which here is 'what it leaves unsaid'. The writer therefore stresses the significance of the report's silences over its recommendations.

Question 50Reading

Read: 'The workshop is open to all staff, provided they register by Friday.' What condition must staff meet to attend?

  1. They must pay a registration fee.
  2. They must be senior members of staff.
  3. They must attend every session of the workshop.
  4. They must register before the end of the week. Correct answer.

Explanation

The phrase 'provided they register by Friday' sets a single condition: registering before Friday, i.e. by the end of the week. 'Provided' functions like 'on condition that', so the requirement is the deadline for registration. No other restriction or payment is mentioned in the sentence.