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
Read the text below and decide which answer (A, B, C or D) best fits each gap. Eight questions, one mark each.
Strategy, tips & common traps
What it tests: precise vocabulary — collocations, phrasal verbs, idioms, and fine shades of meaning.
- Three options are often grammatically possible. The right one is the one that collocates (the natural word partner).
- Watch for fixed phrases: make a difference, a passing fad, here to stay.
- Check the words on both sides of the gap — especially the preposition that follows.
- If unsure, eliminate options that change the meaning of the sentence.
A drained B emptied C poured D washed — Answer: A drained. “Mentally/emotionally drained” is the natural collocation for exhausted; the others do not partner with mentally.
Across the world, a growing number of young people are deliberately stepping back from their screens. After years of being (1) ____ to their phones, many now describe an exhaustion that no amount of scrolling can cure. This so-called “analog” movement (2) ____ a wide range of habits, from journaling by hand to swapping streaming services for vinyl records. What unites them is a desire to feel more present.
For some, the change came (3) ____ gradually; for others, it was a sudden decision. Maya Lindqvist, a nineteen-year-old student, admits she used to check her phone without giving it a second (4) ____ . “I couldn’t (5) ____ a single hour without reaching for it,” she says. Keeping the device in another room overnight has (6) ____ a noticeable difference to her sleep.
Critics argue that the trend is little more than a passing (7) ____ , popular precisely because it photographs well. Yet supporters insist that even a partial retreat from constant connectivity can help people (8) ____ control of their attention.
Grammar & structure
Read the text and think of the word that best fits each gap. Use only one word per gap. Eight questions, one mark each.
Strategy, tips & common traps
What it tests: grammar and the small “function” words — articles, prepositions, auxiliaries, relatives, and linkers.
- The answer is almost never a content word; it is usually a grammar word.
- Read the full sentence first. Decide what structure the gap belongs to (a verb pattern, a fixed phrase, a linker).
- Only one word — contractions like don’t count as two and are not allowed.
- Common answers: it, one, to, that, whether, has, however.
The rise of AI tutoring has been one of the most talked-about developments in education. Just a few years ago, the idea that software could adapt to a student’s every need seemed far-fetched. Today, is hard to find a classroom that has not been touched by it in way or another.
Supporters claim that, to traditional teaching, AI tutors offer something no human can: instant, round-the-clock feedback. A student struggling at midnight no longer to wait until the next lesson for help. Critics, , warn that an over-reliance on these tools may weaken the very skills they are meant to build.
What few people dispute is that the technology is here stay. The question is no longer schools should use it, but how. Used wisely, AI may free teachers to focus on the things matter most: motivation, curiosity, and human connection.
Building the right word
Use the word in CAPITALS at the end of each gap to form a word that fits the space. Eight questions, one mark each.
Strategy, tips & common traps
What it tests: word families — turning a stem into the right noun, verb, adjective, or adverb.
- First decide the part of speech the gap needs (often shown by the word before it: a / the / public / very).
- Consider whether a negative prefix is needed (un-, in-, dis-, im-) — the meaning of the sentence will tell you.
- Don’t forget plurals and spelling changes (justify → justifiable).
- Watch for a person noun (science → scientist) versus an abstract noun.
The past year has been (EXCEPTION) for space exploration. (SCIENCE) around the world have watched as the Artemis program carried astronauts around the Moon for the first time in over fifty years. The mission’s success has reignited public (FASCINATE) with what lies beyond our planet.
Meanwhile, a new generation of telescopes promises (PRECEDENT) views of the distant universe. Engineers describe the latest instrument as (REMARKABLE) sensitive, capable of detecting light from galaxies billions of years old. Its (DEPLOY) later this year is among the most eagerly awaited events in modern astronomy.
Not everyone is convinced that such projects are a (JUSTIFY) use of public money. Yet supporters argue that the (KNOW) gained — and the inventions that follow — repay the investment many times over.
Say it another way
Complete the second sentence so that it means the same as the first, using the word given. Do not change the word given. Use between three and six words, including the word given. Six questions, two marks each.
Strategy, tips & common traps
What it tests: control of structures — inversion, passives, conditionals, reported speech, comparatives, fixed phrases.
- Identify the grammar point being tested before you write (the key word is a strong clue).
- Count your words: three to six, and never change the key word.
- Each item is worth two marks, usually split into two halves — you can earn one mark for a partly correct answer in the real exam.
- Don’t add extra information; keep the meaning identical.
The trip was cancelled on account of the storm. — was cancelled on account of (5 words). Half one: passive was cancelled; half two: the phrase on account of = because of.
English Refresher · C1 Advanced Use of English · Parts 1–4