Diagnostic Test C - Grammar (English File Advanced Plus)

My boss told me he ________ in a few months’ time.

• about to retire

• will be retiring

• due to retire

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'will be retiring' because it indicates a future action that is planned. The phrase 'in a few months’ time' aligns with this future tense, making it the most appropriate option.

We would rather ________ a small wedding but we ended up having to invite the whole family to avoid disappointing anyone.

• have had

• we had

• that we had

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'we had' because it fits the structure of the sentence, indicating a preference for a small wedding that was not realized. 'Have had' and 'that we had' do not grammatically fit the context.

I can’t go to the barbecue as I’m working. ________, I’m a vegan so I don’t eat meat.

• After all

• In any case

• In other words

Answer explanation

The phrase 'In any case' indicates that regardless of the reason for not attending the barbecue (working), the speaker's veganism is another reason. It effectively connects the two statements, making it the correct choice.

If you ________ earlier this morning, you wouldn’t be late for college.

• A were getting up

• B had been getting up

• C had got up

Answer explanation

The correct choice is C 'had got up' because it uses the past perfect tense, indicating that if the action of getting up had occurred earlier, the result of being late would not have happened.

Hello, may I speak to the ________, please?

• director company

• company director

• director of company

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'company director' because it follows the standard English structure for titles, placing the adjective 'company' before the noun 'director'. The other options are either incorrect or less commonly used.

Excuse me. Are you the woman ________ smartphone was stolen?

• whom

• whose

• who’s

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'whose' because it indicates possession. The sentence refers to the woman who owns the smartphone that was stolen, making 'whose' the appropriate relative pronoun.

Don’t worry. You’re ________ find a job soon – you’ve got great qualifications.

• bound to

• sure

• must

Answer explanation

The phrase 'bound to' indicates a strong likelihood or certainty. In this context, it suggests that with great qualifications, finding a job soon is very likely, making 'bound to' the most appropriate choice.

Not until the judge has heard all the arguments ________ make a decision.

• she’ll

• will she

• she will

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'will she' because it follows the inversion rule in conditional sentences. The phrase 'Not until the judge has heard all the arguments' requires the auxiliary verb 'will' to precede the subject 'she'.

Did Alexandro pass his driving test? I’m afraid ________. Hopefully next time.

• no

• so

• not

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'not' because it fits the context of the sentence, indicating that Alexandro did not pass his driving test. The phrase 'I’m afraid not' is a common way to express disappointment.

Tick (✓) A, B, or C to complete the sentences. 10. Nick has had to stop training for a while ________ a knee injury.

• due to

• owing

• because

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'due to' because it appropriately indicates the reason for Nick stopping training, linking the action to the knee injury. 'Owing' and 'because' do not fit grammatically in this context.