Past Tense Review Quiz

By Kenneth Beare This quiz is for in-class use and does not have the answers provided. Take the interactive version of the Past Forms Review Quiz for correct answers and results. Choose the correct form in the brackets. Click on the button to check your answer. Use "lower case" typed answers - incorrectly spelled answers will be wrong. 1. They (were cleaning up / had cleaned up) while I was cooking dinner. 2. There was no food left when I returned. They (had eaten / ate) everything! 3. If she had visited us last summer, she (would have enjoyed / would enjoy) the hikes in the mountains. 4. I (checked / was checking) the bags before we left on holiday. 5. If he (broke / had broken) the window he would repair it. 6. She told me she was flying to Chicago last week. She (must have been / must be) in her hotel room last night. 7. By the time the presentation began, they (completed / had completed) their discussion. 8. If I (had been / were) you, I would finish my homework! 9. She is very intelligent. She (can not have thought/ couldn't have thought) that! 10. When I arrived, they (stretched their legs / were stretching their legs).

Action Idioms Quiz - 1

By Kenneth Beare This quiz is for in-class use and does not have the answers provided. Take the interactive version of the Action Idioms Quiz for correct answers and results. Choose the correct word or phrase to complete the action idiom in the question. Each question has only one correct answer.

Tom is really trying hard to _____ his smoking habit. meaning- _____ a habit - stop doing something habitual. Usually used with smoking or drinking

drop kiss blow hold kick

The stock market crashed so I guess I can my profit goodbye. meaning- _____ something goodbye - forget about something, except something as not existing anymore in your life

kiss blow kick hit

When you get to Japan, make sure to _____ me a line and let me know how you are doing. meaning- _____ a line - get in contact, usually by mail

hold drop climb blow

Jack was _____ the wall with impatience. meaning- _____ the wall - become extremely impatient

kicking biting climbing kissing

I wish the boss would _____ off on his demands. meaning- _____ off - wait

hold hit blow climb

Peter's father _____ his lid when he heard about his poor grades. meaning- _____ someone's lid - become very angry

hit kicked bit blew

Have you seen Mary's new computer? She must have _____ a bundle! meaning- _____ a bundle - spend a lot of money

bit dropped climbed held

The next time Jim offends you, just _____ him down and he will probably leave you in peace. meaning- _____ down - confront

stare kick hold kiss

Don't complain about your boss! You should never _____ the hand that feeds you. meaning- _____ the hand that feeds you - respond in a negative manner to your employer or provider

climb bite kiss hit

I'm so depressed. I think that I've truly _____ bottom this time. meaning- _____ bottom - be very sad or depressed

bit dropped hit

kicked

It's time to _____ the bullet and start studying for the exam. meaning- _____ the bullet - accept a situation

kiss climb hit kiss

If you want him to buy you a new car, why don't you _____ a hint? meaning- _____ a hint - give a hint to someone

hit drop kick blow

He _____ over backwards to help Bob find a new job. meaning- _____ over backwards - make every effort possible

ran kept bent stood

Luckily, Jane _____ up for me when the teacher accused me of cheating. meaning- _____ up for someone - defend someone

kept stood crunched gave

I'm afraid I can't make it today. Can I _____ you a rain check? meaning- _____ a rain check - promise to do something later that you can't do now

make provide keep give

If we go shopping on our way home from the lecture, we can _____ two birds with one stone. meaning- _____ two birds with one stone - do two things with one action

kill keep bend hit

I _____ the roof when my son told me he was going to get married at the age of 17! meaning- _____ the roof - become very angry

held kept hit crunched

We _____ time by playing some video games. meaning- _____ time - waste time

kept killed stood hit

I tried to _____ abreast of the situation in my home town. meaning- _____ abreast - to keep up to date, remain informed about

bend keep stand feel

Bye! I've got to _____ the books because I have a test tomorrow. meaning- _____ the books - study

hit hold keep crunch

I was just _____ the numbers and I'm afraid we don't have enough money. meaning- _____ numbers - calculate finances or statistics

feeling crunching keeping standing

I have to go to the supermarket. It looks like we are _____ out of food. meaning- _____ out of - have very little of something and needing more, usually used with basic supplies like food, gas, money etc.

holding hitting running standing

I was _____ out of my mind thinking about what could have happened to Tom. meaning- _____ out of your mind - become crazy

crunching feeling going bending

I went over to Nancy's house to _____ her company. meaning- _____ someone's company - provide friendship to someone

give keep hit feel

Confusing Words Quiz 1

By Kenneth Beare Confusing words are words that are very similar and commonly confused. Choose the correct word to complete the question. Each question has only one correct answer.

This quiz is for in-class use and does not have the answers provided. Take the interactive version of the Confusing Words quiz for correct answers and results. Visit http://esl.about.com for more practice quizzes, as well as study sheets and information on grammar, vocabulary, listening, reading and writing. The _____ applauded enthusiastically after the performance was finished.

audience spectators

I haven't seen him ____ over five years.

since for

_____ the fact that it was difficult, the exam also included questions that we had never studied before.

Besides Beside

I told my boss that I wanted a big _____.

rise raise

The article's _____ read "Politician Wants Answers".

title headline

His opinion had no _____ on my decision.

effect affect

He _____ down for a short nap.

lay lie

Could you give me the _____ for that wonderful dessert?

receipt recipe

They _____ his passport on entering the country.

controlled

inspected

Please finish your work _____ five o'clock.

by until

He was cooking dinner ______ the football match.

while during

Could you go the store and get me some _____?

stationary stationery

I need to ______ a new button onto my shirt.

sow sew

You will find the book _____ the lamp on the table.

beside besides

You can choose from _____ four prizes!

between among

It's so hot! I need to find some _____.

shadow shade

_____ his having studied French, he found the course very difficult.

Although Despite

The movie was _____ boring he fell asleep!

such so

Try to use your ______ when answering this question.

phantasy

imagination

I _____ about how my friend was doing in Rotterdam.

wandered wondered

He should be arriving _____.

briefly shortly

They went to a basketball ____ on Saturday night.

play game

Unfortunately, unemployment is on the ____ again.

rise raise

I wasn't able to do any work because of the _____ interruptions.

continual continuous

You can't wear those trousers! They are _____.

creased crinkled

Did Henry Ford _____ the car?

invent discover

The car needs to have its _____ repaired.

breaks brakes

_____ I'm concerned, you can come along.

As long as As far as

_____ he was reluctant to help, he finally lent a helping hand.

Despite

Although

The _____ of the school welcomed the new students to classes.

principle principal

Olympia is the _____ of Washington State.

capital capitol

That painting by Picasso is _____.

worthless priceless

Have you decided _____ you would like to come?

weather whether

You shouldn't leave litter _____ on the ground.

laying lying

I spent my evening _____ television.

looking at watching

The political situation is _____ very unstable.

actually currently

Art _____ is a very subjective matter.

objection criticism

The car tried to _____ the bus on the freeway.

overcome overtake

You will just have to _____ his decision.

except

accept

Could you wait a moment? I would like to stop ____ my mother.

to telephone telephoning

Could you give me some _____ on this problem?

advice advise

Please ______ me to pick up some bread at the market.

remember remind

John _____ me $50 until next Monday.

borrowed lent

He _____ us about his trip to Chicago.

said told

His help with the contract was _____.

invaluable valueless

He is a very _____ person. He always has time to listen to people's problems.

sensible sensitive

Jack went to the library to _____ the latest Stephen King novel.

lend borrow

Mary _____ us we had made a good decision.

assured ensured

He _____ the book on the table.

laid

lay

Unfortunately, he made quite a serious _____ while working on the plumbing.

fault mistake

Gerund or Infinitive 1
By Kenneth Beare This quiz is for in-class use and does not have the answers provided. Take the interactive version of the Gerund or Infinitive Quiz # 1 for correct answers and results. Choose the correct answer or phrase to fill in the blank. Each question has only one correct answer. Visit http://esl.about.com for more practice quizzes, as well as study sheets and information on grammar, vocabulary, listening, reading and writing. I need ___ soon.

going to go

They refused ____ any farther.

going to go

He threatened _____ the teacher if I didn't stop.

telling to tell

Do you swear ____ the truth and nothing but the truth?

telling to tell

I promise _____ you tomorrow.

helping to help

He intends _____ his studies soon.

to finish finishing

The teacher taught the children _____ their homework every evening.

do doing to do

Bob told me ____.

hurrying up to hurry up

Gertrude wishes _____ our club.

joining to join

He practiced _____ quickly a number of times.

to start starting

I challenged him _____ the impossible.

doing to do do

We anticipate _______ a response soon.

to receive receiving

He denies ______ the criminal.

to know knowing

My father made me ___ early on Saturday.

getting up to get up get up

I hope _____ this report soon.

to finish finishing

Jack persuaded Larry _____ to the exhibition.

coming to come come

The weather appears _____ changing.

to be being

Jack risked ______ a major mistake in the competition.

to make making

I urged the students ______ well for the exam.

to prepare preparing

I resent ____ to ask for permission.

having to have

We'll finish ______ soon.

to clean cleaning

Peter claimed _____ the answers to all the questions.

having to have

We enjoy ______ in the Cascades.

to hike hiking

The children seem _____ the situation.

understanding to understand

Mary offered ______ Jackson with the project.

to help helping

The officer ordered the crowd _____.

dispersing to disperse disperse

She quietly instructed the students _____ calm.

staying stay to stay

My friend Jack quit _____ last year.

to smoke smoking

Do you mind _____ for a few minutes?

to wait waiting

I want _____ you soon!

seeing to see

Common Phrases Quiz - 1

By Kenneth Beare This quiz is for in-class use and does not have the answers provided. Take the interactive version of the Common's Phrases Quiz for correct answers and results. Choose the correct word or phrase to complete the idiomatic phrase in the question. Each question has only one correct answer. Visit http://esl.about.com for more practice quizzes, as well as study sheets and information on grammar, vocabulary, listening, reading and writing. Jack has egg ______ because he couldn't remember how to spell "Batman"!

on his teeth on his face on his shirt on his fingers

As the maestro lifted his baton the theater was so still you could hear _____.

his heartbeat a pin drop

bird wings the drum beating

I don't agree with you, but your idea certainly gives me food _____.

for fun for consider for thought for thinking

I think I understand the nuts and _____ of the operation.

screws hammer nails bolts

I'm afraid hip hop isn't my cup of _____.

tea java coffee wine

Just a moment... I've got the answer on the ____ of my tongue.

top tap tip back

Look, I will pay you back. Would you please call the ____?!

hunters off tigers off dogs off apes off

Ever since he married Jane, he's had a new ____ on life.

rent lease title loan

Oh, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that. I guess I really put my _____ in my mouth.

foot hand elbow

knee

I'll be back in the twinkling of ____.

an eye a lighting bolt a smile a laugh

Past Simple or Present Perfect Quiz

Printable Quiz for In-class Use
By Kenneth Beare This quiz is for in-class use and does not have the answers provided. Take the interactive version of the Simple Past or Present Perfect Review Quiz for correct answers and results.
1. Jack _____ (live) in Boston for the past 15 years. o has lived o lives o lived 2. Janet ____ (work) for Smith and Brothers before she came to work for us. o works o worked o has worked 3. Dad, ____ (you/finish) reading the paper yet? o did you finish o are you finishing o have you finished 4. I would love to visit Prague sometime. Unfortunately, I ____ (be/never) there. o have never been o was never o will never be 5. Peter _____ (play) Tennis for five years when he _____ (be) at school. o has played - was o played - was o has played - has been 6. Can you help me? I _____ (finish) my homework, but I still don't understand number 7. o have finished o didn't finish o finish 7. I _____ (work) in Italy for 5 years. I ____ (begin) work as soon as I arrived. o work - began o have worked - have begun o have worked - began 8. I'm afraid I'm not hungry. I _____ (eat/already). o didn't eat already o have already eaten o haven't already eaten

9. When Jack was at school, he _____ (learn) to play the saxophone. He _____ (play) it ever since. o has learned - has played o learned - has played o learned - played 10. Could you give me some advice? I _____ (buy) this sweater at Macy's yesterday. Do you think I should take it back? o bought o have bought o buyed 11. Maria lives in Boston. Before she _____ (move) here, she ____ (live) in Seattle for 3 years. o moved - has lived o moved - lived o has moved - lived 12. Peter ____ (go) to Paris last year. That means that he ____ (be) to Paris 3 times! o went - has been o went - was o has gone - was 13. Just a moment! I _____ (not think) of a good idea yet! o haven't thought o didn't think o don't think 14. Maria _____ (believe) that for ages! o believes o has believed o was believed 15. How long _____ (you/live) there before coming here? o have you lived o did you live o do you live 16. She _____ (write) the email but doesn't know how to send it. o has written o writes o written 17. I ____ (just/have) something done to my hair. Do you like it? o have just had o just have had o just have 18. Hurry up! The concert _____ (begin) and we are late. o begins o has begun o began 19. Madonna _____ (record) many albums and will probably make many more. o records o has recorded o recorded 20. Nat King Cole _____ (record) many albums during his wonderful career. o records o has recorded o recorded 21. How many books ____ (read) this year?

22.

23.

24.

25.

26.

27.

28.

29.

30.

did you read do you read have you read How many books ____ (read) last year? o do you read o have you read o did you read ____ (newspaper/arrive)? Yes, Ken is reading it at the moment. o Did the newspaper arrived o Does the newspaper arrive o Has the newspaper arrived Where ____ (you/find) that book? - I _____(find) it in the library. o have you found - have found o did you find - found o did you find - have found ____ (you/smoke) a lot before becoming a non-smoker? o Have you smoked o Did you smoked o Did you smoke He _____ (leave) the house a few minutes ago. o was left o left o has left She ____ (not leave) the house yet. o has left o hasn't left o didn't leave I _____ (not know) you ____ (be) here! _____ (you/be) here long? o haven't known - were - Have you been o didn't know - were - Have you been o didn't know - have been - Have you been _____ (you/see) today's paper? o Do you see o Have you seen o Are you seeing I'm tired. I _____ (not get) much sleep last night. o haven't got o didn't get o wasn't get

o o o

Printable TOEFL Grammar and Structure Practice Quiz

By Kenneth Beare
This quiz is for in-class use and does not have the answers provided. Take the interactive version of the TOEFL Grammar Practice quiz for correct answers and results.

Choose the correct letter to fill the blank.

1. _____ his illness, John continued to play rugby.

Despite Although Even though

2. After many peace corps teachers return to the States, ___________ professional English teachers.

often they become they often become and often become

3. _______ that the American Indian crossed a land bridge into North America from what is now Russia.

It is considered It is thought It was thought

4. None of the students _____ a car.

has have have got

5. _______ the Depression, individual stock ownership was common in the United States.

It was during By the time of Because

6. Never before _____ as rapidly, as during the last three decades.

communications have developed have communications developed have developed communications

7. It is not yet clearly understood _________ cause obesity.

why eating too many hamburgers can why can eating too many hamburgers eating too many hamburgers can

8. The Eiffel Tower is ________ the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

as popular a tourist attraction than as popular a tourist attraction as as more popular a tourist attraction as

9. While most New Yorkers believe in ghosts, ______ do not.

are a few who there are a few which there are a few that

10. With his first painting 'Le Temple du Mordu', George Lesereaux _______ to establish himself as a master of pointilism.

could with ability was able

11. ______ Chinese is more difficult to learn than English.

It is certain that Certain it is that Certainly is

12. Thinker and poet, ___________ the Brinker prize for his poem 'Alexander' in 1976.

Claude Pinocchio was awarded was awarded Claude Pinocchio was awarded to Claude Pinocchio

13. Research now proves that eating fish and chips is healthier than _______

when eating hamburgers. eating hamburgers. to eat hamburgers.

14. It was ______ Johnny finally gave up.

such difficult that so difficult that so a difficult test that

15. __________, I would have returned it immediately.

If I knew that you wanted to read it I had known that you wanted to read it Had I known that you wanted to read it

16. In the 1990s, _________ its premium position in the world economy.

the USA returned the USA returned to the USA returning

17. ___________ in a home where two parents work is a difficult task indeed.

Children brought up To bring up children Bringing up children

18. There has not yet been any decision made _______ will represent the country at the Olympics

concerned athletes chosen as to which athletes those athletes

19. _____________, Shakespeare was also a prolific writer of sonnets.

Noting for his plays Famous plays Noted for his plays

20. The Concorde, which is ______________ jet, can reach New York from London is approximately 2 and 1/2 hours.

fastest in the world the fastest of the world the world's fastest

21. Scientists _____________ the existence of nano-technology capable of computation at the atomic level.

newly have developed have recently developed have still developed

22. ___________ is portrayed in Hermann Hesse's 'Steppenwolf'.

Man searching his soul A man searched his soul A man in search of his soul

23. Despite ____________, Jack continued to lose weight.

he increased his food intake increasing food intake increased food intake

24. Singer and entertainer, ____________ for his beautiful and expressive voice.

was Frank Sinatra famous famous was Frank Sinatra Frank Sinatra was famous

25. It is not only important to be on time, __________ courteous when replying to colleagues.

but also is it important being but is it also important to be but it is also important to be

26. __________ was this check written?

To who Whom To whom

27. Children attending private schools ____________ being slightly spoiled.

are often accused of often accused are often accused from

28. Diets based on only one basic food element ____________ no diet at all.

can be as ineffective than can be as ineffective as can be so ineffective than

29. ________________ that James Franklin made his stunning debut.

It was 'Lions' It was in 'Lions' 'Lions' it was

30. Considering human history, it ______________ using mass communications.

has recently been that man is only recently that man has begun only recently is that man has begun

31. That test was _________________ .

such difficult that I almost failed as difficult that I almost failed so difficult that I almost failed

32. 'Within Tuscany' ___________ Matthew Spender.

is written from was written from was written by