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FY12CE English study materials
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FY12CE English practice questions

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Question 1Entry Level 1

A learner reads a short note: 'Please come to room 12 at 9 am on Monday.' What time is the meeting?

  1. 12 am
  2. 9 am Correct answer.
  3. 9 pm
  4. 12 pm

Explanation

The note gives the time directly as '9 am', which means nine o'clock in the morning. The number 12 in the note refers to the room number, not to a time. Reading the note carefully shows the meeting starts at nine in the morning.

Question 2Entry Level 1

Which word in the sentence 'My sister bought three red apples' is an adjective?

  1. apples
  2. sister
  3. bought
  4. red Correct answer.

Explanation

An adjective describes a noun, and here 'red' tells us what kind of apples they are. 'Sister' and 'apples' are nouns, and 'bought' is a verb. The adjective is therefore 'red'.

Question 3Entry Level 1

You need to write a short note to your teacher to say you were ill. Which opening is most suitable for a formal note?

  1. Dear Mr Patel, Correct answer.
  2. Hey there,
  3. Hiya!
  4. Oi you,

Explanation

A note to a teacher is formal, so it should use a polite title and the person's surname. 'Dear Mr Patel,' does this. The other openings are casual or rude and do not suit writing to a teacher.

Question 4Entry Level 1

Read this sign: 'Library closes at 5 pm on weekdays.' On which day is the library open until 5 pm?

  1. Sunday
  2. Saturday
  3. Wednesday Correct answer.
  4. Christmas Day

Explanation

Weekdays are Monday to Friday, so Wednesday is a weekday and the library closes at 5 pm then. Saturday and Sunday are weekend days and are not covered by the sign. The sign names weekdays only.

Question 5Entry Level 1

A form asks for your 'surname'. What should you write?

  1. Your date of birth
  2. Your first name
  3. Your home address
  4. Your family name Correct answer.

Explanation

In English, 'surname' means the family name or last name, such as Smith or Khan. It is not your first name, which is your given name. Forms often ask for surname and first name separately.

Question 6Entry Level 1

Which sentence is a question?

  1. The door is open.
  2. Is the door open? Correct answer.
  3. Close the door.
  4. What a big door.

Explanation

A question asks something and usually ends with a question mark. 'Is the door open?' asks for information and uses a question mark. The other sentences are a command, a statement and an exclamation.

Question 7Entry Level 1

You see the word 'ENTRANCE' above a doorway in a building. What does it tell you?

  1. You may enter here Correct answer.
  2. The room is for staff only
  3. You must not enter here
  4. The building is closed

Explanation

'Entrance' is the way in, so the sign shows where you can enter the building. It does not forbid entry or say the building is closed. Recognising common public signs helps you find your way.

Question 8Entry Level 1

Complete the sentence with the correct form: 'Yesterday I ____ to the shop.'

  1. went Correct answer.
  2. go
  3. goes
  4. gone

Explanation

The word 'yesterday' shows the action is in the past, so the past tense of 'go' is needed. The simple past of 'go' is 'went'. 'Go' and 'goes' are present forms, and 'gone' needs an auxiliary such as 'have'.

Question 9Entry Level 1

Which sentence uses the apostrophe correctly to show possession?

  1. The teacher's room is locked. Correct answer.
  2. The teachers room is locked.
  3. The teachers' room is locked.
  4. The teacher is room is locked.

Explanation

An apostrophe before the 's' shows that one teacher owns or uses the room. 'Teacher's' is the singular possessive form. 'Teachers' without an apostrophe is just a plural, and 'teachers'' would mean several teachers.

Question 10Entry Level 1

A learner writes: 'I look forward to hear from you.' Which correction makes the sentence grammatically correct?

  1. I look forward to heard from you.
  2. I looking forward to hear from you.
  3. I look forward to hearing from you. Correct answer.
  4. I look forward hear from you.

Explanation

After 'look forward to', the word 'to' is a preposition, so the verb that follows takes the -ing form. The correct sentence is 'I look forward to hearing from you.' This is a common ending for formal letters and emails.

Question 11Entry Level 1

Read the note: 'The meeting has been moved from Tuesday to Thursday.' When is the meeting now?

  1. Tuesday
  2. Friday
  3. Thursday Correct answer.
  4. Wednesday

Explanation

The phrase 'moved from Tuesday to Thursday' means the new day is Thursday. The old day was Tuesday, and Wednesday and Friday are not mentioned. Reading the direction words 'from' and 'to' carefully gives the answer.

Question 12Entry Level 1

Which word correctly completes the sentence: 'She ____ her homework before dinner every day.'

  1. doing
  2. do
  3. does Correct answer.
  4. done

Explanation

With 'she' in the present simple, the verb takes -s, so 'does' is correct. The word 'every day' shows a regular habit, which uses the present simple tense. 'Do' matches I, you, we and they, not she.

Question 13Entry Level 1

You are writing a short email to book a dentist appointment. Which sentence is most appropriate?

  1. I want to book an appointment, please. Correct answer.
  2. Gimme an appointment now.
  3. You must give me one.
  4. Appointment. Now.

Explanation

A booking email should be polite and complete, and 'I want to book an appointment, please.' does this with a clear request and 'please'. The other options are rude, abrupt or give orders. Politeness is expected in formal and semi-formal requests.

Question 14Entry Level 1

Which sentence joins the two ideas correctly with 'because'?

  1. I stayed inside because it was raining. Correct answer.
  2. Because I stayed inside it was raining.
  3. I stayed inside because of it was raining.
  4. I stayed inside because it was rain.

Explanation

'Because' introduces a reason and is followed by a full clause with a subject and verb. 'Because it was raining' has both, so the sentence is correct. 'Because of' is followed by a noun phrase, not a clause.

Question 15Entry Level 1

Read the timetable entry: 'Bus 14 leaves at 08:15 and arrives at 08:50.' How long is the journey?

  1. 25 minutes
  2. 50 minutes
  3. 45 minutes
  4. 35 minutes Correct answer.

Explanation

To find the journey time, subtract the departure time from the arrival time: 08:50 minus 08:15 is 35 minutes. Counting on from 08:15 to 08:50 also gives 35 minutes. Timetables often require this simple subtraction.

Question 16Entry Level 1

Which sentence uses 'their', 'there' and 'they're' correctly?

  1. They're going to their house and eating there. Correct answer.
  2. Their going to there house and they're eating.
  3. They're going to their house and there eating.
  4. There going to their house and they're eating.

Explanation

'They're' means 'they are', 'their' shows possession, and 'there' refers to a place. Only the last option uses all three correctly: 'They're going to their house and eating there.' The others confuse at least one form.

Question 17Entry Level 1

A learner must choose the correct word: 'Please ____ your name at the top of the form.'

  1. write Correct answer.
  2. rite
  3. right
  4. wright

Explanation

'Write' means to put words on paper, which fits putting your name on a form. 'Right' means correct or a direction, 'rite' is a ceremony, and 'wright' is a maker such as a wheelwright. These homophones sound alike but have different meanings.

Question 18Entry Level 1

Which sentence uses the comma correctly in a list?

  1. I bought, bread milk eggs and cheese.
  2. I bought bread milk eggs, and cheese.
  3. I bought bread, milk, eggs and cheese. Correct answer.
  4. I bought bread milk, eggs and cheese.

Explanation

In a list, commas separate each item except before the final 'and'. 'Bread, milk, eggs and cheese' follows this pattern. The other options put commas in the wrong places, which makes the list hard to read.

Question 19Entry Level 1

Read the sentence: 'Although it was cold, she went for a run.' What does 'although' tell the reader?

  1. The run happened because of the cold.
  2. The run happened before the cold.
  3. The run happened despite the cold. Correct answer.
  4. The cold stopped the run.

Explanation

'Although' introduces a contrast: the cold would normally discourage a run, but she went anyway. So the run happened despite the cold. It does not show cause, prevention or a time order.

Question 20Entry Level 1

A job advert says: 'Applicants must be reliable and able to work in a team.' Which person best matches this?

  1. Someone who arrives late but works alone well
  2. Someone who prefers to avoid colleagues
  3. Someone who is punctual and cooperates with others Correct answer.
  4. Someone who sometimes forgets shifts

Explanation

'Reliable' means you can be trusted to turn up and do the work, and 'able to work in a team' means cooperating with others. Being punctual and cooperative matches both requirements. The other descriptions fail one or both.

Question 21Entry Level 1

Which sentence uses the present perfect correctly?

  1. I has finished my homework.
  2. I have finished my homework. Correct answer.
  3. I have finishing my homework.
  4. I have finish my homework.

Explanation

The present perfect is formed with 'have' or 'has' plus the past participle. With 'I', we use 'have finished'. 'Has' belongs with he, she or it, and the bare or -ing forms are wrong after 'have'.

Question 22Entry Level 1

Read the two sentences: 'The train was delayed. I still arrived on time.' Which word best joins them into one sentence showing contrast?

  1. and
  2. because
  3. so
  4. however Correct answer.

Explanation

The two ideas contrast: a delay would normally make you late, but the writer was on time. 'However' signals contrast. 'So' and 'because' show cause, and 'and' simply adds without showing contrast.

Question 23Entry Level 1

A learner writes: 'If I would have known, I would have come.' Which version is grammatically standard?

  1. If I have known, I would have come.
  2. If I had known, I would have come. Correct answer.
  3. If I knew, I would have come yesterday.
  4. If I would have known, I would have come.

Explanation

In a third conditional about the past, the 'if' clause uses the past perfect ('had known') and the main clause uses 'would have' plus the past participle. So 'If I had known, I would have come.' is standard. Using 'would have' in the 'if' clause is a common error.

Question 24Entry Level 1

Which sentence keeps a consistent and clear meaning when the pronoun is used?

  1. When Sam met Tom, it said it was late.
  2. When Sam met Tom, Sam told Tom that he, Sam, was late. Correct answer.
  3. When Sam met Tom, he said he was late.
  4. Sam told Tom that Sam was late.

Explanation

Pronouns like 'he' can be ambiguous when two people are mentioned. Repeating the name or clarifying 'he, Sam' makes it clear who was late. The other options leave the reader unsure who 'he' or 'it' refers to.

Question 25Entry Level 1

Read the paragraph: 'The course starts on 3 May. Students must register by 30 April. Late registrations are not accepted.' What is the latest day to register?

  1. 31 April
  2. 3 May
  3. 29 April
  4. 30 April Correct answer.

Explanation

The text says students must register by 30 April, so that is the final day allowed. The course start date of 3 May is later and is not the deadline. 'By' a date includes that date itself.

Question 26Entry Level 1

A learner reads the sign on a shop door: 'Open 9am–5pm, Monday to Friday.' They visit at 6pm on Wednesday. What does the sign tell them?

  1. The shop opens only at weekends.
  2. The shop is open until midnight.
  3. The shop is closed at that time. Correct answer.
  4. The shop closes for lunch on Wednesday.

Explanation

The sign gives the opening hours as 9am to 5pm, so any time after 5pm falls outside the stated times. Wednesday is listed as a working day, but 6pm is later than the closing time of 5pm. Reading the exact times on a notice is the key skill here.

Question 27Entry Level 1

Which sentence tells the reader that an action happens regularly, every week?

  1. I caught the bus to college on Monday.
  2. I catch the bus to college on Mondays. Correct answer.
  3. I will catch the bus to college next Monday.
  4. I am catching the bus to college now.

Explanation

The present simple with a plural day ('on Mondays') shows a repeated, habitual action. The other sentences point to one single occasion, either past, in progress, or future. The plural form of the day is the signal that the routine repeats.

Question 28Entry Level 1

A form asks for your date of birth and shows the boxes: Day / Month / Year. You were born on 7 March 1998. Which entry follows the form's instruction?

  1. 03 / 07 / 1998
  2. 1998 / 03 / 07
  3. 07 / 03 / 1998 Correct answer.
  4. 07 / 1998 / 03

Explanation

The boxes are labelled Day, Month, Year in that order, so the numbers must follow the same order: day 07, month 03, year 1998. Filling a form correctly means matching your answer to the order the labels give. Putting the year first or mixing the order would not match the boxes.

Question 29Entry Level 1

Which word correctly completes the sentence: 'The library is ____ the bank and the post office.'?

  1. across
  2. among
  3. beside
  4. between Correct answer.

Explanation

'Between' is used when something sits in the middle of two named places, and here two places are listed: the bank and the post office. 'Among' is used with more than two things that are not individually named. The structure 'X and Y' after the gap signals that 'between' is needed.

Question 30Entry Level 1

Read the note: 'Staff must wear safety shoes in the warehouse at all times.' A worker is in the warehouse without safety shoes. What does the note say about this?

  1. The worker needs safety shoes only when lifting boxes.
  2. The worker may wear ordinary shoes if the visit is short.
  3. The worker can decide whether safety shoes are needed.
  4. The worker is breaking a rule that always applies there. Correct answer.

Explanation

'Must' shows a firm obligation, and 'at all times' means the rule has no exceptions. Together they state that safety shoes are required whenever someone is in the warehouse. The note gives no option for short visits or personal choice.

Question 31Entry Level 1

Which sentence correctly reports what someone said, keeping the meaning of 'I am tired,' said the manager?

  1. The manager says that she was tired tomorrow.
  2. The manager said that I am tired.
  3. The manager said that she is tired yesterday.
  4. The manager said that she was tired. Correct answer.

Explanation

In reported speech after a past reporting verb ('said'), the present tense usually shifts back to the past, so 'am tired' becomes 'was tired'. The pronoun also changes from 'I' to 'she' because the speaker is the manager. The other options mix tenses or pronouns in ways that break the meaning.

Question 32Entry Level 1

A learner wants to ask politely for a copy of a certificate. Which sentence is the most suitable request for an email to an office?

  1. Send me my certificate now.
  2. Could you please send me a copy of my certificate? Correct answer.
  3. I want certificate copy.
  4. You must give me the certificate.

Explanation

'Could you please...' is a polite request form suited to writing to an office. It includes a clear action and a polite marker. The other options are either abrupt commands or grammatically incomplete phrases.

Question 33Entry Level 1

Which sentence links the two ideas with a word that shows the second idea is a result of the first?

  1. The bus was late, so I missed the start of the class. Correct answer.
  2. The bus was late, although I missed the start of the class.
  3. The bus was late, or I missed the start of the class.
  4. The bus was late, but I missed the start of the class.

Explanation

'So' introduces a result or consequence of what came before, which fits a late bus causing a missed start. 'But' and 'although' mark contrast, and 'or' offers an alternative. Only 'so' expresses the cause-and-result link asked for.

Question 34Entry Level 1

Read the two sentences: 'The room was small. It was very comfortable.' Which single sentence keeps both ideas and shows the contrast?

  1. The room was small because very comfortable.
  2. The room was small but very comfortable. Correct answer.
  3. The room was small or very comfortable.
  4. The room was small so very comfortable.

Explanation

'But' is the conjunction that joins two ideas that pull in opposite directions, such as a small size and high comfort. It also removes the repeated subject and verb neatly. The other connectors wrongly suggest a result, a cause, or a choice.

Question 35Entry Level 1

A learner writes: 'She don't like coffee.' Which correction makes the sentence standard English?

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

Explanation

With the third-person singular subject 'she', the present simple negative uses 'doesn't' plus the base verb 'like'. The auxiliary carries the -s ending, so the main verb stays in its base form. The other options either omit the auxiliary or add -s in the wrong place.

Question 36Entry Level 1

Read the notice: 'Refunds are given only if you show your receipt.' A customer has no receipt. What does the notice mean for them?

  1. They can get a refund if the item is cheap.
  2. They cannot get a refund without a receipt. Correct answer.
  3. They can get a refund if they explain why.
  4. They can get a refund on a different day.

Explanation

The word 'only' makes the receipt a necessary condition, so no receipt means no refund. The notice names one requirement and does not allow substitutes such as an explanation or a later visit. Reading 'only if' as a strict condition is the key point.

Question 37Entry Level 1

Which sentence places the adverb of frequency correctly for standard English word order?

  1. He always arrives early for meetings. Correct answer.
  2. He arrives early always for meetings.
  3. Always he arrives early for meetings.
  4. He arrives always early for meetings.

Explanation

Adverbs of frequency such as 'always' normally go before the main verb but after the subject. In 'He always arrives', the adverb sits between the subject and the verb, which is the standard position. The other options place it after the verb or in an unusual opening position.

Question 38Entry Level 1

A learner writes: 'The information in the two leaflets were different.' Which analysis of the problem is correct?

  1. 'Leaflets' is plural, so the verb should be 'are'.
  2. 'Two' makes the subject plural, so 'were' is right.
  3. 'Different' needs 'than', so the verb is fine.
  4. 'Information' is uncountable, so the verb should be 'was'. Correct answer.

Explanation

The subject of the sentence is 'information', an uncountable noun that takes a singular verb, so 'was' is needed. The plural 'leaflets' is inside a prepositional phrase and does not control the verb. Finding the true subject is the rule being tested.

Question 39Entry Level 1

Read the sentence: 'Having finished the report, Maria sent it to her manager.' Who finished the report?

  1. Nobody finished it; it is still being written.
  2. The manager finished it after receiving it.
  3. Maria and the manager finished it together.
  4. Maria finished it before she sent it. Correct answer.

Explanation

An opening participle phrase like 'Having finished the report' describes the subject of the main clause, which is Maria. The perfect participle 'having finished' also shows the finishing happened before the sending. So Maria completed the report and then sent it.

Question 40Entry Level 1

Which sentence uses 'however' with correct punctuation to join two contrasting points?

  1. The course was difficult however; she passed it easily.
  2. The course was difficult however, she passed it easily.
  3. The course was difficult, however she passed it easily.
  4. The course was difficult; however, she passed it easily. Correct answer.

Explanation

'However' is a conjunctive adverb, so it cannot join two clauses with only a comma. A semicolon before it and a comma after it correctly separate the two statements. The other options either create a comma splice or misplace the punctuation around 'however'.

Question 41Entry Level 2

Which sentence ends with the correct punctuation mark for a direct question?

  1. Where is the nearest bus stop.
  2. Where is the nearest bus stop!
  3. Where is the nearest bus stop? Correct answer.
  4. Where is the nearest bus stop,

Explanation

A direct question takes a question mark at the end. The word order ('Where is...') shows this is an interrogative sentence, so the full stop, exclamation mark and comma are all unsuitable. Only the question mark matches the sentence type.

Question 42Entry Level 2

Which list of words is in correct alphabetical order?

  1. apple, cherry, banana, date
  2. apple, banana, cherry, date Correct answer.
  3. cherry, date, apple, banana
  4. banana, apple, date, cherry

Explanation

Alphabetical order follows the first letter of each word from A to Z. Apple begins with a, banana with b, cherry with c and date with d, so this is the only sequence that moves forward through the alphabet.

Question 43Entry Level 2

A form asks for your 'surname'. Which detail should you write there?

  1. Your date of birth
  2. Your first name
  3. Your family name Correct answer.
  4. Your home address

Explanation

In English form-filling vocabulary, 'surname' (also 'last name' or 'family name') means the name you share with your family. 'Forename' or 'first name' is the other part of your personal name. Dates of birth and addresses belong in separate fields.

Question 44Entry Level 2

Which sentence is a complete sentence rather than a fragment?

  1. Because the train was late again.
  2. Waiting on the cold platform for an hour.
  3. The train arrived forty minutes late. Correct answer.
  4. Although everyone had checked the timetable.

Explanation

A complete sentence needs a subject and a finite verb that can stand alone. 'The train arrived forty minutes late' has the subject 'the train' and the verb 'arrived', and it expresses a full idea. Groups beginning with 'because' or 'although', or made only of a participle phrase, are fragments.

Question 45Entry Level 2

In the sentence 'Please send the invoice to the accounts department by Friday', which word is the verb?

  1. Friday
  2. send Correct answer.
  3. department
  4. invoice

Explanation

The verb is the word that expresses the action or instruction in the sentence. Here 'send' tells the reader what to do, while 'invoice' and 'department' are nouns and 'Friday' is a proper noun acting as part of a time phrase.

Question 46Entry Level 2

Which word best completes the sentence? 'She has worked here ____ 2019.'

  1. during
  2. from
  3. since Correct answer.
  4. for

Explanation

With the present perfect ('has worked'), 'since' introduces the starting point of an action that continues to now. '2019' is a point in time, so 'since 2019' is correct. 'For' would need a length of time such as 'for five years'.

Question 47Entry Level 2

Which sentence uses the past simple tense correctly?

  1. Yesterday I went to the bank and spoke to the manager. Correct answer.
  2. Yesterday I go to the bank and speak to the manager.
  3. Yesterday I have gone to the bank and speak to the manager.
  4. Yesterday I am going to the bank and spoken to the manager.

Explanation

The past simple describes a finished action at a stated past time such as 'yesterday'. The irregular verbs 'go' and 'speak' become 'went' and 'spoke'. The other options mix present forms or present perfect with a finished past time.

Question 48Entry Level 2

Which sentence uses commas correctly in a list?

  1. The training, covers fire safety first aid, and manual handling.
  2. The training covers, fire safety first aid and manual handling.
  3. The training covers fire safety, first aid, and manual handling. Correct answer.
  4. The training covers fire safety first aid and manual handling.

Explanation

In a list of three or more items, commas separate the items from each other. 'Fire safety', 'first aid' and 'manual handling' are three separate items, so a comma belongs after each of the first two. The other options place commas where they break the sentence rather than separating items.

Question 49Entry Level 2

A colleague writes: 'Could you send me the report by 5pm?' Which reply uses formal written English suitable for a workplace email?

  1. Yeah sure, will do.
  2. I'll send it by 5pm. Thanks.
  3. Sure, I'll send it over by 5pm. Correct answer.
  4. No problem, it's on its way.

Explanation

A workplace email should be clear, polite and complete, confirming the action and the deadline. 'Sure, I'll send it over by 5pm' answers the request directly and states when the report will arrive. The other replies are either too casual or do not confirm the deadline.

Question 50Entry Level 2

Which sentence uses 'its' and 'it's' correctly?

  1. The company changed its policy and its now online.
  2. The company changed it's policy and its now online.
  3. The company changed it's policy and it's now online.
  4. The company changed its policy and it's now online. Correct answer.

Explanation

'Its' without an apostrophe is the possessive form, meaning 'belonging to it'. 'It's' with an apostrophe is short for 'it is'. Here 'its policy' shows possession and 'it's now online' means 'it is now online'.