GRAMMAR

1.

He wanted to be a pilot _______ as a young boy.

a.
b.
c.
d.

2.

4.

5.

9.

Have
If
Had
Would

ECPE 2007 Preliminary Test

Realizes
Realizing
To realize
Has realized

Sue is very talented, isnt she?

Yes, _______ paint, but she can sculpt, too.
a.
b.
c.
d.

10.

opposing by
in opposition
opposed against
opposed to

_______ she couldnt win, she gave up on the

contest.
a.
b.
c.
d.

The number
A number
Number
Large number

_______ I known Sue was coming, I would have

picked her up.
a.
b.
c.
d.

8.

Those register
They are registered
Those registering
They are registering

Many people are strongly _______ the death penalty.

a.
b.
c.
d.

as nearly low as
nearly as low as
nearly low as
as lower than

_______ of students came to class.

a.
b.
c.
d.

7.

GRAMMAR

_______ for the special computer class should sign

up by tomorrow.
a.
b.
c.
d.

addictive
addict
addicted
addiction

The freezing temperatures this year are _______

those of last year.
a.
b.
c.
d.

6.

although
even
still
yet

I am a self-proclaimed chocolate _______. I can eat

it nonstop.
a.
b.
c.
d.

3.

GRAMMAR

she can only not

not only can she
not only she can
she only can not

In addition _______ beautiful, Sandra is also a good

athlete.
a.
b.
c.
d.

to being
as being
being
to be

GRAMMAR
1.

Didnt I see you at Moiras party?

No. You must be _______ for somebody else.
a.
b.
c.
d.

2.

Had
To have
Having
If I had

trying
having tried
tried
try

I was so upset, feeling _______ for what I had done.

a.
b.
c.
d.

8.

regretted
regretful
regrettable
regretting

ECPE 2008 Preliminary Test

at
in
for
to

Johns decision to retire _______ surprise.

a.
b.
c.
d.

10.

he comes to
it comes to
coming to
it is coming to

Bill devotes a lot of his time _______ studying.

a.
b.
c.
d.

9.

might not have

might havent
might not had
might hadnt

When _______ playing violin, Jack is a natural.

a.
b.
c.
d.

The best we can do is _______ to resolve the

problem as soon as possible.
a.
b.
c.
d.

5.

extensive
extension
extent
extends

7.

GRAMMAR

Chris _______ been informed of the new policy last

week.
a.
b.
c.
d.

_______ been to London before, I wasnt really

interested in going again.
a.
b.
c.
d.

4.

6.

mistook me
mistaking me
mistaken
mistaking her

Wow, tuition went up 20 percent this year!

Really? To what _______ will you have to cut down
on your other expenses?
a.
b.
c.
d.

3.

GRAMMAR

was caught by my
caught me by
caught me in
was caught in my

The criminal cant escape. Its only _______ the

police find him.
a.
b.
c.
d.

a matter of time if
the matter of time when
a matter of time before
the matter of time then

GRAMMAR
1.

Kyle was thrown into the situation without being

prepared for _______.
a.
b.
c.
d.

2.

4.

5.

9.

her belonging
belonging to
belong to
she belongs to

ECPE 2009 Preliminary Test

going usually
usually going
usually gone
usual to go

The new drug to treat arthritis _______ in early trials.

a.
b.
c.
d.

10.

arrived
arrived at
arrived to
arrived for

Does your job require you to travel much?

Yes, Im _______ three days a week.
a.
b.
c.
d.

to ask
you ask
asking
ask

The idea of _______ a group was important to her.

a.
b.
c.
d.

8.

was thinking
had thought
would have thought
thought

At seven oclock, I _______ the hotel and

checked in immediately.
a.
b.
c.
d.

A decade is more since

A decade or more than before
More than a decade after
Although more than a decade

Why not _______ Susan about this issue?

a.
b.
c.
d.

7.

GRAMMAR

It took more time to finish the report

than one _______.
a.
b.
c.
d.

dependent
depending
dependable
depended

_______ he was voted out of office, the politician

regained his position as governor.
a.
b.
c.
d.

6.

one
such
it
any

Many math students have become too _______

on calculators.
a.
b.
c.
d.

3.

GRAMMAR

has promised
has shown promise
was shown promise
promised

Out of all the scholarship winners, James was

_______ to organize his own research laboratory.
a.
b.
c.
d.

one of the first

the one of first
the first of one
first of the one

GRAMMAR

GRAMMAR

1. _____ you hear the news? Sarah won the contest!

a. Wouldnt
b. Havent
c. Didnt
d. Dont
2. Ive tried all day _____ I cant undo the mess that
she made.
a. so
b. unless
c. instead
d. yet
3. Many people are used to _____ groceries from the
same store each week.
a. buy
b. buying
c. bought
d. have bought
4. The committee changed its recommendations
because _____ the previous ones were too
difficult for most people to follow.
a. that felt that
b. it felt that
c. they felt it
d. felt that
5. Things happened differently _____ I had expected.
a. as
b. than
c. like
d. so

GRAMMAR

6. Now that he has started law school, Eric _____ give

up his volunteer work.
a. has had
b. was to
c. has been
d. has had to
7. Attending every class is important _____ in college.
a. for the success
b. succeeding
c. for success
d. to be succeeding

8. _____ at night, there isnt much traffic in the city.

a. When late
b. Its late
c. From late
d. Late
9. Hey John, _____ what time the baseball game starts,
do you?
a. you dont know
b. you do know
c. do you know
d. dont you know
10. Learning is a lifelong process through _____ must
go.
a. it everyone
b. everyone
c. which everyone
d. that everyone

2005-06 Preliminary Examination for the Certificate of Proficiency in English

GRAMMAR

GRAMMAR

GRAMMAR

1. Im trying to call the theater to find out when the

movie starts, but I _____ any luck so far.
a. should not have
b. had not had
c. can not have
d. have not had

6. Is the museum open on Sundays?

Lets call them _____ and find out.
a. in
b. up
c. by
d. over

2. He was calmly exploring the sea floor _____

noticing his oxygen tank was nearly empty.
a. after
b. since
c. before
d. while

7. The towers of the new bridge are 56 meters _____

the old one.
a. as high as those of
b. as high as
c. higher than of
d. higher than those of

3. The Olympics _____ for athletes from all over the

world to compete with each other.
a. possibly make
b. make possible
c. make it possibly
d. make it possible

8. I wish we _____ the scenic route, but we had to get

there quickly.
a. will have taken
b. could take
c. could have taken
d. have taken

4. How do you think I should prepare for my

speaking test? Well, what I do is to pretend Im
an examiner. Then I ask _____ questions that we
have practiced in class.
a. myself
b. ourselves
c. them
d. you

9. There were four people on the committee, _____

representing a different department.
a. which
b. each
c. that
d. who

5. _____ the difficulty of the material, the teacher

took extra time teaching it to her students.
a. Because recognizing
b. By recognizing
c. Recognizing
d. To recognize

10. Have you been feeling _____ the weather lately?

a. below
b. over
c. beside
d. under

2005-06 Preliminary Examination for the Certificate of Proficiency in English

GRAMMAR

GRAMMAR

1. I would not have pursued that course of action if I

_____ what would happen.
a. had known
b. knew
c. know
d. have known

2. What should we do with this new data?

Well, _____ previous case, I think Denise should
analyze them first.
a. as that
b. as in
c. as in the
d. in the
3. For many years, I was happy with the way my life
_____.
a. is going
b. has gone
c. was going
d. has been going
4. Do you think Dr. Fisher will be here soon?
Yes, I called the airport this morning and I
confirmed _____ be on time.
a. his flight to
b. with the flight that it
c. about his flight to
d. that his flight would
5. Im sorry, _____ Id like to come to your party, I just
cant.
a. as much as
b. so much
c. more than
d. as much

GRAMMAR

6. Recent statistics _____ that the economy is

improving.
a. shown
b. showing
c. have shown
d. have showed
7. What movie did you see last night?
I saw _____ everyones been talking about.
a. the one of which
b. the one
c. which one
d. one of which
8. You should wear _____ clothing when handling
these chemicals.
a. protect
b. protected
c. protection
d. protective
9. Dr. Briggs recommendation was different _____ Dr.
Simpson.
a. than that of
b. that of
c. than of
d. than
10. I cant find my keys, but I remember _____ them
into the house.
a. have brought
b. brought
c. bringing
d. to bring

2005-06 Preliminary Examination for the Certificate of Proficiency in English

GRAMMAR

GRAMMAR

GRAMMAR

1. This show _____ towards children of all ages

and even adults.
a. is directing
b. is directed
c. directed
d. directs

6. We can leave for the airport _____ Bill

finishes packing his suitcase.
a. until
b. since
c. once
d. afterwards

2. The problem of pollution is a _____ topic.

a. hotly debating
b. debating hotly
c. debated hotly
d. hotly debated

7. My computer was broken so she _____ use hers.

a. let me
b. lets me
c. let me to
d. lets me to

3. Everyone has the right to their own _____.

a. believing
b. believes
c. believe
d. beliefs

8. _____ for the competition left her exhausted.

a. Preparing
b. To prepare
c. Having prepared
d. Prepared

4. Sally is talented _____ beautiful.

a. except
b. besides
c. as well as
d. in addition to

9. The higher the mountain, the more

difficult _____ to climb.
a. is
b. it is
c. is it
d. is that

5. He has no reason _____ angry.

a. of being
b. for he is
c. that he is
d. for being

10. _____ from traveling for ten hours, Henry

decided to stop for the night.
a. Having been tired
b. Had tired
c. Tired
d. Tiring

2004-05 Preliminary Examination for the Certificate of Proficiency in English

GRAMMAR

GRAMMAR

GRAMMAR

1. Why are you laughing so hard?

_____ the jokes hes been telling.
a. Because of
b. In light of
c. As a result
d. Due to

6. Before Sally was 25 years old, she _____ four

children.
a. has had already
b. had already had
c. has already had
d. already has had

2. Using a foreign language is often the key _____

fluent in it.
a. in become
b. for become
c. to becoming
d. becoming

7. The professor was surprised that Shelleys

Spanish was so _____.
a. impressive
b. impressed
c. impressing
d. impression

3. _____ time, I eat lunch around noon.

a. Most of
b. The most
c. Of the most
d. Most of the

8. What qualifications _____ in order to become

president?
a. have someone
b. must have someone
c. must someone have
d. someone must have

4. When he wants to, John _____ be very funny.

a. has to
b. might
c. could
d. can
5. My father said that he ought to _____ me to play
the piano when I was younger.
a. teach
b. have taught
c. had taught
d. taught

9. _____ economists predictions, the stock market

still has not recovered.
a. Although
b. Despite
c. Regardless
d. On the contrary
10. This project is _____ for the level of this class.
a. too much really hard
b. much too really hard
c. really much too hard
d. really hard too much

2004-05 Preliminary Examination for the Certificate of Proficiency in English

GRAMMAR

GRAMMAR

1. Can you tell them your answer anytime?

No, theres a special date _____ we must
respond.
a. when by
b. when that
c. by which
d. by which when
2. Since he lost his job, Sam cannot afford many of
the products that he _____ regularly.
a. was used to buying them
b. had used to buying
c. used to buy
d. was used to buy
3. The people _____ for the bus looked tired and
upset.
a. waited
b. waiting
c. are waiting
d. have been waiting
4. To forget your homework is one thing, _____ to
tell your teacher that your dog ate it is another!
a. but
b. so
c. besides
d. because
5. My birthday is soon. Do you want to
celebrate _____ me?
a. by
b. to
c. of
d. with

GRAMMAR

6. Very few people are used to _____ an airplane.

a. fly
b. flying
c. flown
d. flew
7. _____ he cancelled tomorrows class, lets go to
the museum.
a. After
b. Once
c. Since
d. When
8. One problem that _____ is flooding.
a. concerns us
b. we concern
c. is concern to us
d. we are concerned
9. In the early 1960s, _____ successful.
a. only rarely were transplants
b. transplants were rarely only
c. transplants rarely only were
d. were transplants rarely only
10. _____ so rocky, we would have walked barefoot
on it.
a. The beach wasnt
b. The beach hadnt been
c. Hadnt the beach been
d. Had the beach not been

2004-05 Preliminary Examination for the Certificate of Proficiency in English

GRAMMAR
1.

_______ great at math, but she can also speak three

languages.
a.
b.
c.
d.

2.

a somewhat confusing
confusing somewhat
somewhat confusing
a confusing somewhat

that
too
that far
that much

Its important to always be _______ with ones

neighbors.
a.
b.
c.
d.

quite
very
most
more

as compared to
as comparing
in compared to
in comparison

If I bought a new car I _______ have to borrow

money.
a.
b.
c.
d.

8.

will
would
should
could

consider
considered
considering
considerate

ECPE 20062007 Preliminary Test 1

Everyone who came to the last two meetings

_______ at the reception today.
a.
b.
c.
d.

I never bought a telephone answering machine.

Theyre just not _______ useful.
a.
b.
c.
d.

5.

Many studies have shown that smokers have a

shorter life span, _______ nonsmokers.
a.
b.
c.
d.

7.

GRAMMAR

It seemed like _______ concept to learn.

a.
b.
c.
d.

4.

6.

Although Lisa is
Not only Lisa is
Whereas is Lisa
Not only is Lisa

Henry is, _______ often than not, lucky at cards.

a.
b.
c.
d.

3.

GRAMMAR

9.

I really enjoy gardening after it _______.

a.
b.
c.
d.

10.

were
have been
are
was

rains
rained
had rained
was raining

Doctors recommend starting each day _______ a

healthy breakfast.
a.
b.
c.
d.

with eating
while eating
by eating
to eat

GRAMMAR
1.

What happened to your long hair?

I was tired of it, so I had it cut _______.
a.
b.
c.
d.

2.

GRAMMAR

to short
shorten
short
shortened

The committees proposal _______ funding for the

next three years will be very controversial.
a.
b.
c.
d.

6.

John is very lazy _______ to the other students.

a.
b.
c.
d.

4.

Doctors recommend _______ vegetables every day.

a.
b.
c.
d.

5.

9.

been known long as

known as long been
as long been known
long been known as

ECPE 20062007 Preliminary Test 2

so
too
as
very

A teacher needs to be patient _______ her students.

a.
b.
c.
d.

10.

are overcoming
are to overcome
were to overcome
will overcome

Cindy plays the violin _______ well that many

schools have offered her scholarships.
a.
b.
c.
d.

that eating
that to eat
eating
to eat

Detroit has _______ the Motor City.

a.
b.
c.
d.

as comparison
comparing
as comparing
in comparison

would have had

have had
might have
had had

If we _______ this obstacle, we need to work harder.

a.
b.
c.
d.

we increase
we will increase
that we increase
what we increase
8.

3.

They decided that they _______ a good time,

despite the final result.
a.
b.
c.
d.

7.

GRAMMAR

by
with
to
at

The laws of this country apply to everyone, _______

you are rich or poor.
a.
b.
c.
d.

either
whether
both
including

GRAMMAR

GRAMMAR

GRAMMAR

1. Bill _____ play the piano, he plays the violin

and flute too.
a. does just
b. just does
c. just doesnt
d. doesnt just

6. Many valuable paintings _____ during the war

earlier this century.
a. disappeared
b. were disappeared
c. have disappeared
d. have been disappeared

2. I came back from vacation only _____ my

plants had died.
a. having found
b. finding
c. to find that
d. having been found

7. Which car did you buy?

After carefully comparing them _____ each
other, I chose the newer one.
a. between
b. from
c. of
d. to

3. I dont know why Ann keeps driving that

ten _____car.
a. years older
b. year
c. years old
d. year old
4. What are your plans for the summer?
_____ June, Im not sure.
a. Beyond next
b. By next
c. Since next
d. Next
5. All the students tried _____ to get a good
education.
a. their best they could
b. their best
c. with their best
d. as their best

8. Mary recognized Steve at the coffee shop, even

though she _____ seen him for many years.
a. hasnt
b. hadnt
c. hasnt been
d. hadnt been
9. I believe there are more honest people _____
dishonest people.
a. than there are
b. than who are
c. than are
d. who there are
10. I won a scholarship for next year.
Congratulations! I knew you _____ one.
a. will be winning
b. would have won
c. will win
d. would win

2003-04 Preliminary Examination for the Certificate of Proficiency in English

GRAMMAR

GRAMMAR

GRAMMAR

1. How was your speech?

For every person who liked it, _____
didnt.
a. other one who
b. another who
c. there was one who
d. who was one

6. Is gender a factor in heart disease?

Yes, heart disease occurs in men more than
four times _____ women.
a. than that of
b. as often as in
c. more in
d. as many as

2. Dogs and wolves are two _____ species of

mammals.
a. close related
b. related closely
c. closed related
d. closely related

7. Wheres the train? It _____ here an hour ago.

a. was to have been
b. would have been
c. hasnt been
d. has been

3. Since this soup is very hot, you _____ it right

away.
a. could have eaten
b. might not be able to eat
c. might have eaten
d. could not be able to eat
4. As we grow older, we become _____.
a. matured
b. maturity
c. mature
d. maturely
5. Will Ann be working here next year?
That _____ she is accepted to law school or
not.
a. is depending whether
b. is depending on
c. depends on
d. depends on whether

8. _____ I built a fence, strangers always walked

across my yard.
a. Whenever
b. Since
c. Until
d. Because
9. Although I know life is not easy, I wish _____.
a. that it were
b. it could have been
c. that it is
d. it has been
10. I heard about your accident. Are you OK?
Yes, but it caused a lot of problems _____ me.
a. to
b. with
c. on
d. for

2003-04 Preliminary Examination for the Certificate of Proficiency in English

GRAMMAR

GRAMMAR

1. John has a large garden, doesnt he?

Yes, _____ vegetables he also has fruit
trees.
a. more than
b. besides
c. except for
d. as much as
2. The new deadline means that we have to
finish our work _____ a shorter amount of
time.
a. on
b. at
c. in
d. for
3. Mary is starting a new job next week.
I really hope she _____ well.
a. does
b. would do
c. did
d. have done
4. Did the doctor give you medicine for your
stomach problem?
No, but she told me _____ to eat.
a. not that
b. not what
c. that not
d. what not
5. Im sure Lizs Spanish would improve if
she _____ a semester in Spain.
a. had been spending
b. had spent
c. is to spend
d. were to spend

GRAMMAR

6. Henry Smith is the name of the man _____

daughter I met.
a. his
b. whom his
c. who his
d. whose
7. Small children are completely _____ on their
parents.
a. depend
b. dependable
c. dependent
d. depended
8. According to a recent report, cellular phone
sales _____ 300 million a year.
a. were approached
b. has approached
c. are approaching
d. have been approached
9. This car belongs to my sister; the other, _____.
a. to me
b. is to me
c. me
d. mine
10. Are you excited about your trip?
Yes, Im really looking forward _____ away for
a few days.
a. to get
b. to getting
c. getting
d. on getting

2003-04 Preliminary Examination for the Certificate of Proficiency in English