LCDU Pre-IntIV-Unit8Review

They won’t let her join the band because she ___ sing very well.

• can

• can’t

• could

• couldn’t

Answer explanation

The context is in the present time (won't let her join), so we obviously cannot choose could (C), nor couldn't (D). Based on the context of the sentence, 'can't sing' (B) is the correct answer, as it was the reason she wasn't allowed to join the band.

I ___ copy the files because I didn’t have the right software.

• ’m able to

• ’m not able to

• was able to

• wasn’t able to

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'wasn’t able to' because it indicates the inability to copy the files due to the lack of the right software at ONE particular moment in the PAST.

We missed our train, but luckily, we ___ to get on the next one.

• can

• could

• are able

• were able

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'were able' because it indicates past ability to get on the next train after missing the previous one. We use 'were able to' when the situation is particularly challenging, but somehow we managed to solve the problem.

I can program a computer now, but I ___ three months ago.

• couldn’t

• could

• can’t

• can

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'couldn’t' because it indicates the inability to program a computer in the past, which contrasts with the ability to do so now.

Are new songs ___ to the website every day?

• upload

• uploaded

• uploads

• uploading

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'uploaded' (Verb 3 / Past participle) because the question is in the passive form.

The first computer ___ in 1822 by Charles Babbage.

• built

• is built

• was built

• has been built

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'was built' because the sentence is in the passive voice. Can a computer build computers by itself? We use 'was' not 'is' because it already happened in the past (first computer).

The storm ___ in several of today’s newspapers.

• have mentioned

• has mentioned

• has been mentioned

• have been mentioned

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'has been mentioned' because it has a passive meaning, and the subject 'storm' is singular, so the verb should be 'has been mentioned' in the present perfect passive form.

Letters ___ to all our employees at the moment.

• are being sent

• are sending

• are sent

• send

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'are being sent' because the sentence is in the passive and present continuous tense, indicating an ongoing action. Remember that for ongoing action we need the extra word 'being' in the sentence before the V3.

You need to keep ___ until your leg is better.

• rest

• to rest

• rested

• resting

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'resting' because after the verb 'keep' we need to follow it with an -ing form.

I look forward to ___ you next week.

• seeing

• seen

• see

• saw

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'seeing' because look forward to is one group of words which requires verb-ing after it.