C1-C2

Choose the correct word: Since _______ times, Costa Rica has been known for not having an army.

• ancient
• old

Answer explanation

Ancient times' is the standard collocation for referring to the distant past.

Choose the correct word: Give me a second. I need to _______ my mind.

• make up
• clear

Answer explanation

Make up one's mind' is the correct idiom meaning 'to decide'.

Choose the correct word: Don’t _______ the car horn or you can be in trouble.

• press
• blow

Answer explanation

We typically 'blow' or 'sound' a car horn. While 'press' might seem logical, 'blow' is idiomatic here.

Choose the correct word: My sister _______ a terrible mess in the room.

• did
• made

Answer explanation

The correct collocation is 'make a mess'.

Choose the correct word: Did you hear the _______ news?

• breaking
• sensational

Answer explanation

Breaking news' refers to news happening and being reported right now. 'Sensational' describes the nature of the news.

Complete the cleft sentence: _______ I would do is call the doctor now.

• That I said
• It is what
• What I said

Answer explanation

What'-clauses are common in cleft sentences focusing on an action: What + Subject + Verb + is + infinitive phrase.

Complete the cleft sentence: _______ Marlon who decided not to come.

• He is
• This is
• It was

Answer explanation

It'-cleft sentences often use 'It + be + focus + who/that + clause' to emphasize the focus (Marlon).

Complete the cleft sentence: I need to know _______ you talked to.

• the person whom
• what the person
• who

Answer explanation

This requires the object pronoun 'whom' (formal) or 'who' (common informal) after the preposition 'to'.

Complete the cleft sentence: _______ comes first will be served first.

• What I
• It is
• Whoever

Answer explanation

Whoever' acts as the subject of the verb 'comes' in this noun clause functioning as the subject of 'will be served'.

Complete the cleft sentence: _______ her manners what annoys me the most.

• What are
• It is
• They are

Answer explanation

It'-cleft sentence structure: 'It + be + focus + that/what + clause'. Here, the focus is 'her manners'.