LANGUAGE CULTURE II

GETTING STARTED

ENGLISH INDEPENDENT USER - SELF ASSESSMENT – WRITING

GENERAL ENGLISH / LEVELS: PET+/-FCE – UPPER B1 / LOWER B2 – INTERMEDIATE / UPPER INTERMEDIATE

ACTIVITY 1. There are 9 questions in this quiz. Here are some questions about music. For each question, complete
the second sentence so that it means the same as the first sentence. Use no more than three words. Type only
the missing words in the box.

1. I haven't been to a concert for a long time.

It's a long time since ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… a concert.

2. Why don't you learn a musical instrument?

If I were you, ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… learn a musical instrument.

3. If you don't practise the piano every day, you won't improve.

You won't improve unless ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… the piano every day.

4. There are only a few concerts this month.

There aren't very ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… concerts this month.

5. This room is too small for us to play music in.

This room isn't……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… for us to play music in.

6. I prefer playing the guitar to playing the piano.

I like playing the guitar ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… playing the piano.

7. It took them a long time to decide which concert to go to.

They spent a long time ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… which concert to go to.

8. We could not take our instruments on the plane.

We were not ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… take our instruments on the plane.

9. The neighbour complained the music at our party was too loud.

We had to play the music more ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… because the

neighbour complained.

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ACTIVITY 2. There are 6 questions in this quiz. Here are some sentences about rain. For each question, complete
the second sentence so that it means the same as the first sentence. Use no more than three words.
1. Tomorrow, there will be heavy rain.
It will ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… tomorrow.

2. It hasn’t rained for four weeks.

It hasn't rained ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ago.

3. The party will be outside unless it rains.

If it ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… the party will be outside.

4. It doesn’t rain here very much in July.

We get very ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… here in July.

5. When I was young, I hated going out in the rain.

I didn't ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… like going out in the rain.

6. We have to play football outside, even when it rains.

Our football coach ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… play indoors when it rains.

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ACTIVITY 3. Write a short message.

Your family is visiting London next month. You have an English pen friend called Zara who also lives in London.
You would like to meet her when you go to London.
Write an email to Zara. In your email, you should:

 say when your family is coming to London

 ask if you can meet up, and suggest a day
 suggest what you can do together.

Write 35-45 words.

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ACTIVITY 4. Write a short message.

You are on holiday with your family. Unfortunately, the weather has been very wet.
Write an email to your friend. In your email you should:
 describe where you are
 say what you have been doing
 say how you feel

Write 35-45 words.

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ACTIVITY 5. Write a short letter.

This is part of a letter you receive from your penfriend James:
In your next letter, please tell me about the music you like.
What’s your favourite kind of music? Do you play an instrument?

Now write a letter, answering your penfriend’s questions.

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KEY – SELF ASSESSMENT WRITING

ACTIVITY 1.
1. It's a long time since I WENT TO a concert.
2. If I were you, I WOULD learn a musical instrument.
3. You won't improve unless YOU PRACTISE the piano every day.
4. There aren't very MANY concerts this month.
5. This room isn't BIG ENOUGH for us to play music in.
6. I like playing the guitar MORE THAN playing the piano.
7. They spent a long time DECIDING which concert to go to.
8. We were not ALLOWED TO take our instruments on the plane.
9. We had to play the music more QUIETLY because the neighbour complained.

ACTIVITY 2.
 1. It will RAIN HEAVILY tomorrow.
2. It hasn't rained SINCE FOUR WEEKS ago.
3. If it DOESN’T RAIN the party will be outside.
4. We get very LITTLE here in July.
5. I didn't USE TO like going out in the rain.
6. Our football coach DOESN’T LET US play indoors when it rains.

ACTIVITY 3. SAMPLE ANSWER

Dear Zara ,
My family is visiting London next month from 13th – 20th December. I would love to
meet you while I am in London. My dad is taking me and my brother to London zoo
on Saturday 15th December. Why don’t you come too? It would be great to see you
again.
Love,

ACTIVITY 4. SAMPLE ANSWER

Dear Simon,
I’m on holiday with my family in Scotland. It hasn’t been a great holiday. It has rained
nearly every day. Yesterday it rained until half past five in the evening. We played
cards and watched TV. It was quite boring. Then I argued with my brother and my
parents got angry. I hope the weather is better tomorrow!
From Paul,

ACTIVITY 5. SAMPLE ANSWER

Dear James,
Thank you for your letter, which came yesterday. It’s always good to hear from you.
I play the guitar quite a lot. I am not very good but I enjoy it. I often go to my friend's
house and we play together. I don't go to many concerts as I live in a small town and
not many bands come here. At parties we often dance and I like that! I like rock and
roll music best. I listen to a lot of music on my mp3 player. I have usually got it with
me.
What about you? Do you play an instrument?
Write soon,
LANGUAGE CULTURE II
GETTING STARTED

SELF ASSESSMENT – GRAMMAR

GENERAL ENGLISH / LEVELS: PET/FCE – UPPER B1 / LOWER B2 – INTERMEDIATE / UPPER INTERMEDIATE

ACTIVITY 1. CONNECTING WORDS

1. Which word or phrase CANNOT complete the 6. Which word or phrase best completes the
sentence? sentence?

The match was cancelled ____ the rain. He stayed up to watch the match __________ he was
 because really tired.
 due to  in spite of

 because of  however

 even though
2. Which word completes the sentence?

Some scientists believe that global temperatures are 7. Which phrase completes the sentence?

increasing and ___ ice is melting at the poles. She was late due to ___________.
 because  the bad traffic.
 consequently  the traffic was bad.

 due to  being bad traffic.

3. Which phrase completes the sentence? 8. Which word best completes the sentence?
In spite of ____, the team won the match. He didn’t start his essay until the last minute and
 their inexperience __________ he didn’t manage to finish it on time.
 they were inexperienced  although

 their experience  consequently

 because of

4. Which sentence is NOT correct?

 Despite preparing for her interview, she didn’t 9. Complete the sentence.

get the job. In spite of ______ older than his sister, Luke is not as
 Although she prepared for her interview, she responsible as her.
didn’t get the job.  be

 In spite of she prepared for her interview, she  being

didn’t get the job.  he is
 5. Which word CANNOT be used to start a sentence? 10. Which sentence is NOT grammatically correct?
 Because  Because we were late.

 But  However, it was too late.

 However  Therefore, we didn’t have time.

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ACTIVITY 2. EMBEDDED QUESTIONS or INDIRECT QUESTIONS

There are 10 questions in this quiz.

Complete this question. 6. Where did John put the report?

1. Do you know how tall ____? Do you know

they are? ………………………………………………………………………. the report?

is it?
he’s? 7. What’s the date, please?
Can you tell

2. Which question is correct? me……………………………………………………………………….please?

Can you tell me where were you born?

Can you tell me where you were born? 8. Is the flight going to be on time?
Can you tell me if where you were born? Have you any

idea……………………………………………………………………….on

3. Which question is NOT correct? time?

Do you know if they’ve fixed their car?

I want to know when is he going to get a job. 9. Who is Jennifer dating?

Have you any idea if we’ve got any bread? I wonder

…………………………………………………………………………………….?

4. Which word goes in the space?

I wonder ____ he’s moved house yet. 10. Did it work?

whether I’ve no

when idea……………………………………………………………………….or not.

where
5. Which words complete the sentence?
I’ve no idea whether _______ meat or not.

Jane does eat

Jane eats
does Jane eats

___/ 10
ACTIVITY 3. PREPOSITIONS AND PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES OF PLACE

There are 10 questions in this quiz.

1. Which sentence is NOT correct? 6. Which preposition goes in the space?

He lives in Park Street. Your wallet is right in front ______ you!
He works in the first floor. from

He works in the city centre. to

of
2. Which sentence is NOT correct?
The calendar is on the wall. 7. Complete the sentence.

The prince died on the end of the film. We rented a flat _____ Hamburg.

There are no vegetarian meals on the menu. in

on
3. Which sentence is NOT correct? at

Turn right at the end of this street.

Tom is standing at the back of the queue. 8. Which sentence is NOT correct?

There’s something written at the side of the box. I saw Helen in the butcher’s today.
I saw Helen on the butcher’s today.
4. Which word goes in the space? I saw Helen at the butcher’s today.

My name is _____ the top of the list.

at 9. Which sentence is NOT correct?

on Can you sign your name at the bottom please?

in Sorry I missed you. I was at a meeting.

The school is at Kings Square.
5. Which preposition goes in the space?

I live next ____ a railway line. 10. Which sentence is NOT correct?

to She lives in a farm on the mountains.

of There’s something written on the back of the
from envelope.
The office is on the main road between Derby and

Nottingham.

___/ 10

ACTIVITY 4. PREPOSITIONS OF TIME

There are 10 questions in this quiz.

 1. Which sentence is NOT correct? 6. Which preposition goes in the space?

We went to Turkey in June. I always have a cup of tea ______ the morning.

Let’s go the cinema in the weekend. on

I’ll finish the work in the morning. in
You don’t need a preposition here.
2. Which sentence is NOT correct?

I’ve got a meeting at 10 o’clock. 7. I saw Derek _________ Friday afternoon.

I’m having a party at my birthday. in the
I want to go on holiday at New Year. in

on
3. Which sentence is NOT correct?

We’re going to the theatre on tomorrow night. 8. We’re going clubbing _________ tonight.
I’ve got to go to work on Monday. on
She was born on 6th December. You don’t need a preposition here.

at

4. Which sentence is NOT correct?

I saw James yesterday. 9. Which sentence is NOT correct?
I went to university 1996. We always visit our relatives at Christmas.

Shall we go out tonight? We always have a cup of coffee at breaktime.

Can we visit you at Tuesday?

5. Which preposition goes in the space?

We’re going on holiday _____ spring. 10. Which sentence is NOT correct?
in I left university in 2007.
at I start college in 30th September.
on It rains a lot in summer.

___/ 10
ACTIVITY 5. PAST PERFECT TENSE

There are 10 questions in this quiz. Choose the correct answer.

1. Which word completes the sentence?

When I got home, the children had already ___ to bed.
went
gone
going

2. Which word completes the sentence?

When I turned on the television, my favourite program _______.
has nearly finished
 had nearly finished
had finished nearly

3. Which word completes the sentence?

We ___ been out long when it started to rain.
weren’t
hadn’t
had

4. Which sentence has a similar meaning?

The film started. Then we arrived at the cinema.
When we arrived at the cinema, the film had already started.
When we had arrived at the cinema, the film started.
When we had arrived at the cinema, the film had started.

5. Which sentence has a similar meaning?

Someone stole my phone. Then I found my bag and the phone was not there.
When I found my bag, I noticed that someone had stolen my phone.
When I found my bag, I had noticed that someone stole my phone.
When I found my bag, I had noticed that someone had stolen my phone.

6. Complete the sentence using the correct form of the verb BE.
We finally arrived at the hotel. It …………………………………………………………………………………………… a long journey and we
were very tired.

7. Complete the sentence using the correct form of the verb DECIDE.
The council …………………………………………………………………………………………… to put speed cameras along the road because
there had been seven fatal accidents in the past year.

8. Complete the sentence using the correct form of the verb SURVIVE.
Emergency workers pulled three people from the wreckage. They
…………………………………………………………………………………………… under the wreckage for four days.

9. Complete the sentence using the correct form of the verb LIVE.
Kathy was sad when she moved house, because
she …………………………………………………………………………………………… there for over fifteen years.

10. Complete the sentence using the correct form of the verb FEEL.
Tom …………………………………………………………………………………………… great because he had stayed up late the night
before.

___/ 10
ACTIVITY 6. PAST CONTINUOUS TENSE
There are 10 questions in this quiz. Choose the correct answer.

1. Which word CANNOT go in the space? 6. Complete the sentence. Use: not / listen
____ were talking loudly when the teacher came into the
room. Philip told Kim what to do, but Kim
He ……………………………………………………….
They
We 7. Complete the sentence. Use: study

2. Complete the sentence. I ………………………………………………………. economics at

Ellen ___ listening when the teacher spoke to her. university when I met my wife-to-be.
was
were 8. Complete the sentence. Use: not / feel
weren’t
Raymond ………………………………………………………. very well,
3. Complete the sentence. but he went to work anyway.
Helen and I ____ looking when we crossed the road.
weren’t 9. Complete the sentence. Use: do
wasn’t
didn’t What ………………………………………………………. when I called?

4. Which question is correct? 10. Complete the sentence. Use: not / concentrate
What you were doing?
Where was she living? The experiment went wrong because the scientists
Where they staying? ……………………………………………………….

5. Which sentence has the same meaning?

I got into the bath, and then the phone rang.
I was having a bath when the phone was ringing.
I had a bath because the phone was ringing.
I was having a bath when the phone rang.

___/ 10

ACTIVITY 7. PAST SIMPLE.

There are 10 questions in this quiz. Choose the correct answer.
 1. Which word is a correct past simple verb? 6. Complete the sentence. Use: have
taked
made We ………………………………………………………. a lovely meal at
studyed a restaurant last night.

2. Where can you write the word went? 7. Complete the sentence. Use: not / know
We ____ to France next week.
We ____ France last month. Sorry I’m late. I ………………………………………………………. the
We ____ to France every year. time of the meeting.
3. Which word goes in the space?
8. Complete the sentence. Use: go
What time did you ____ lunch?
had Paul and Emma ………………………………………………………. to
have America for their holiday.
haved
9. Complete the sentence. Use: feel
4. Which sentence is correct?
Sally didn’t got my email. Sarah ………………………………………………………. sick so she
Tom didn’t met Anna. decided to go home.
We didn’t go out last night.
10. Complete the sentence. Use: see
5. Which question is NOT correct?
Did you like the gift? Did you ………………………………………………………. the castle in
What time you did arrive? Edinburgh?
Where did your parents meet?

___/ 10
ACTIVITY 8. PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

There are 10 questions in this quiz. Complete the sentences with the words between brackets in the past perfect
continuous form.

1. (only walk)
We ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… for about ten

minutes before it started to rain.

2. (work)

Mandy was exhausted by the time she went on holiday because

she………………………………………………………………………………………………over 55 hours a week.
3. (clean)
The flat was lovely and tidy because my
flatmate…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

4. (not live)
Colin and his wife…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
in their home long before Colin changed jobs and they had to move house again.

5. (already take)
Many European countries……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………action to
reduce greenhouse gas emissions prior to the Kyoto Protocol in 1990.
6. (grow)
Before the recession, the
economy………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… at a

rapid pace.
7. (hide)
Five suspected terrorists were arrested earlier today.
They……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………in a London basement.

8. (not talk)

We ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… long before I

had to leave to catch my train.
9. (not get)

Paul and Debbie have broken up. They

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… on well for some

time.
10. (not rain)
If it………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… so heavily, I

would have gone running.

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