Intermediate English Grammar and Reading Comprehension

Vocabulary Completion Exercise

Complete the sentences with the words below. There are more words than you need:

Shocking, personal trainer, swollen, breathe, sigh, reflection, relax, treatment

1. My personal trainer makes sure I do all the right exercises.
2. I asked the author to sign the book.
3. After I fell, my foot was swollen.
4. I think it's shocking the way some animals are mistreated.
5. What treatment did the doctor suggest for your rash?
6. I see my reflection in the window.

Sentence Rewriting Practice

Rewrite the following sentences using the words in brackets. Do not change the original meaning of the sentences:

1. In the past, trains were much slower. (used to)
   In the past, trains used to be much slower.
2. I don't know the girl. Her dog ate all your food. (whose)
   I don't know the girl whose dog ate all your food.
3. I didn't meet anyone who spoke English. (no one)
   I met no one who spoke English.
4. Stan will be very upset if you don't apologise. (unless)
   Stan will be very upset unless you apologise.
5. They will call you with the results of the test. (be)
   You will be called with the results of the test.
6. Lucy said, "I am going to the beach tomorrow." (she)
   Lucy said she was going to the beach the next day.

Multiple Choice: Choose Two Correct Answers

1. This mosquito bite is itchy / cruel / exotic / swollen.
2. If we want to meet, we should set up a date / take a rain check / make plans / work out.
3. Good sunglasses should relax / filter / reflect / burn the sunlight and protect your eyes.
4. Her paintings are armed / realistic / extraordinary / talented.
5. Soap operas / Sit-coms / Crime dramas / Cartoons are usually funny.
6. Where can I catch a train / take a rain check / book a ticket / achieve my goal to Paris?

Reading Comprehension and Sentence Completion

Read the text and complete the sentences:

How long does it take to make a good impression on someone you meet? Some experts tell us it takes 30 seconds, others say seven seconds. But psychologist Janie Willis and Alexander Todorov say that after only one-tenth of a second, we form opinions about a person. Most people agree that these opinions are very difficult to change. It is, therefore, important to understand how we form opinions of people that we are meeting for the first time.

1. Experts don't know exactly how long it takes to make a good impression on someone you meet.
2. It's important to smile because people will think you are friendly and confident.
3. If you look at someone when they are talking, they will feel that you are interested in them.
4. A calm person might wear blue clothes.
5. People who talk quietly seem to be insecure and shy.