Use of English Mastery
Parts 1–4
A self-scoring practice set that mirrors the real exam, marks every answer instantly, and tells you why each answer is right.
Vocabulary in context
For questions 1–8, read the text and decide which answer (A, B, C or D) best fits each gap. One mark each.
Strategy, tips & common traps
What it tests: vocabulary — the right word partner (collocation), phrasal verbs, and fixed phrases.
- Often more than one option fits the grammar. Choose the one that collocates — the natural partner.
- Learn fixed phrases as whole chunks: take action, make a difference, set up a group.
- Check the word right after the gap, especially prepositions.
- If two options seem possible, think about exact meaning.
A raise B lift C grow D rise — Answer: A raise. We “raise money” (a fixed collocation). “Rise” has no object, and “lift/grow” don’t partner with “money”.
Every Saturday morning, while most of her friends are still asleep, sixteen-year-old Nadia Reyes heads down to the beach with a bag and a pair of gloves. Two years ago, she (1) ____ up a small group to clean the coastline near her town. What started as just three friends has now (2) ____ into a team of more than forty volunteers.
Nadia first had the (3) ____ after a school trip, when she noticed how much plastic was washed up on the sand. “I knew I had to (4) ____ action,” she says. At first, some people didn’t (5) ____ much attention to her because of her age, but the group’s results soon spoke for themselves.
Last month, the crew (6) ____ a local award for their work. Nadia says the best part is seeing the difference they (7) ____ . “When children get involved, their parents do too,” she explains. She hopes the project will (8) ____ on long after she leaves for university.
Grammar & structure
For questions 9–16, read the text and think of the word that best fits each gap. Use only one word per gap. One mark each.
Strategy, tips & common traps
What it tests: grammar and the small “function” words — prepositions, articles, auxiliaries, linkers, and quantifiers.
- The answer is almost always a grammar word, not a content word.
- Decide the structure first: a verb pattern, a fixed phrase, a comparison.
- Only one word — contractions like don’t count as two.
- Common answers: without, of, much, have, if, at, one.
These days, it is almost impossible to imagine life 9 a smartphone. For most teenagers, their phone is the first thing they look 10 in the morning and the last thing they check at night. But 11 more and more young people are starting to wonder whether they spend too 12 time staring at a screen.
Some have decided to do something 13 it. A growing number switch their phones off for one day a week, or delete the apps that waste most 14 their time. They say that, since making this change, they 15 felt calmer and more focused. 16 you have ever felt controlled by your phone, it might be worth a try.
Building the right word
For questions 17–24, use the word in CAPITALS at the end of each gap to form a word that fits the space. One mark each.
Strategy, tips & common traps
What it tests: word families — turning a stem into the right noun, verb, adjective, or adverb.
- Decide the part of speech first (the word before the gap is a clue: a / the / most / feel).
- Think about plurals (friendship → friendships) and adverbs (-ly).
- Sometimes you need a negative prefix (un-, in-, dis-).
- Watch spelling changes (responsible → responsibility).
Joining a sports team can be one of the most 17 (ENJOY) things you do at school. As well as keeping you fit, playing regularly helps you build 18 (FRIEND) that can last for years.
It is completely normal to feel 19 (NERVE) before your first practice. 20 (SURPRISE), even students who think they are bad at sport often discover a hidden talent, and this can do wonders for their 21 (CONFIDENT).
Being part of a team also teaches you 22 (RESPONSIBLE), because others are depending on you. With a little 23 (ENCOURAGE) from a good coach, most players improve quickly and feel a real sense of 24 (ACHIEVE) by the end of the season.
Say it another way
For questions 25–30, complete the second sentence so it means the same as the first, using the word given. Do not change the word given. Use between two and five words, including the word given. Two marks each.
Strategy, tips & common traps
What it tests: control of B2 structures — comparatives, the passive, reported speech, conditionals, and too/enough.
- Spot the grammar point from the key word before you write.
- Count your words: two to five, and never change the key word.
- Each item is worth two marks — you can earn one for a half-correct answer in the real exam.
- Keep the meaning exactly the same; don’t add extra ideas.
Tom apologized for breaking my phone. — apologized for breaking (3 words). Half one: apologized for; half two: the -ing form breaking.
English Refresher · B2 First for Schools · Use of English Parts 1–4