Intermediate grammar in context. 45 questions on narrative, expository, and persuasive grammar choices, and editing mixed-register texts.
What this test covers
- Grammar in Narrative Writing
- Grammar in Expository and Persuasive Writing
- Editing Mixed-Register Texts
Answer the 45 questions below. Each answer is checked straight away, with an explanation. Press Submit at the end to get your score and save it to your dashboard. Answers are not kept if you leave before submitting.
All 45 questions with answers
Pick an answer for each question to see if you are right, with the explanation. Submit when you are done; you can submit before answering them all.
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Q1The detective entered the study and looked around. He realised someone ___ in while he was away.
Answer: A. had broken
The past perfect ('had broken') is used to describe an action that happened before another point in the past. Here, the break-in occurred before the detective 'entered' and 'realised' (past simple). Using 'was breaking' would suggest the action was still happening as he arrived, while 'broke' does not clearly show the sequence of events.
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Q2Sarah was walking to the station when she saw an old friend. She ___ him for years.
Answer: D. hadn't seen
The past perfect ('hadn't seen') is required to describe a state that existed before the main narrative time (the moment she saw her friend). The present perfect 'hasn't seen' is incorrect because the entire story is set in the past.
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Q3The car suddenly stopped in the middle of the road. It ___ a strange noise for miles before that.
Answer: C. had been making
The past perfect continuous ('had been making') is used to emphasize the duration of an action that was happening leading up to a specific point in the past ('the car stopped'). The phrase 'for miles' is a clue that we need a continuous form to show the length of time.
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Q4The hikers were climbing the mountain. Suddenly, the weather changed, and they ___ to turn back.
Answer: A. decided
The past simple ('decided') is used for the next completed action in a chronological narrative sequence. 'Were deciding' would imply a long, ongoing process, but the context clue 'suddenly' suggests an immediate, completed action.
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Q5I arrived at the theatre at 8:00 PM. The play ___ already started, so I had to wait.
Answer: C. had
The past perfect ('had already started') shows that an action happened before a specific time in the past (8:00 PM). 'Has' is present tense and does not fit the past narrative, while 'was' would be used for the passive voice or continuous tenses.
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Q6She was reading a book while the children were playing. Suddenly, the doorbell ___.
Answer: B. rang
In narratives, we use the past simple ('rang') for a short, sudden action that interrupts a longer background action in progress ('was reading'). 'Was ringing' would focus on the duration of the sound rather than the interruption.
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Q7In a short story, which sentence correctly uses historical present for immediacy?
Answer: C. She walks in, looks around, and sits down.
The historical present uses the present simple to tell a past story with more energy. For the sentence to be correct, all verbs must be consistent. 'She walks in, looks around, and sits down' stays entirely in the present. The other options incorrectly mix past and present forms.
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Q8The witness described the scene. 'I saw him running away!' she cried. Choose the indirect speech version.
Answer: C. She cried that she had seen him running away.
When changing direct speech to indirect (reported) speech, we typically 'backshift' the tense. The past simple 'saw' becomes the past perfect 'had seen'. 'She saw' is technically possible in casual English, but 'had seen' is the standard grammatical choice for intermediate learners.
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Q9He opened the envelope and read the letter. Before long, he ___ what he had to do.
Answer: B. realised
This is a sequence of events in a past narrative: he opened, he read, and he realised. Use the past simple ('realised') for consecutive actions that happen one after another. 'Had realised' would imply he knew before he read the letter.
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Q10As soon as the alarm went off, she jumped out of bed. She ___ for hours already.
Answer: D. had been sleeping
The past perfect continuous ('had been sleeping') describes an ongoing action that was happening right up until a past event ('the alarm went off'). The clue 'for hours already' indicates the need for a continuous perfect tense to show duration.
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Q11The museum was very quiet. Meanwhile, a group of tourists ___ in the lobby.
Answer: A. were waiting
The past continuous ('were waiting') is used to describe a background scene or an ongoing situation happening at the same time as the main narrative. 'Waited' suggests the action started and finished at that moment, while 'were waiting' sets the scene.
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Q12Eventually, they reached the summit. They ___ for six hours by that point.
Answer: C. had been climbing
The past perfect continuous ('had been climbing') is the best choice here because it links a duration of time ('for six hours') to a specific point in the past ('they reached the summit'). It emphasizes how long the activity had been happening.
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Q13The sun was setting as they walked home. All of a sudden, a dog ___ out of the bushes.
Answer: A. jumped
The past simple ('jumped') is used for a sudden, completed action that happens while another action is in progress ('was setting'). 'Was jumping' would imply the dog was in mid-air for a long time, which doesn't fit the context.
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Q14She looked at the old photograph. She ___ that face before, but couldn't remember where.
Answer: D. had seen
The past perfect ('had seen') indicates that the experience of seeing the face happened at an unspecified time before the current past moment (looking at the photo). 'Has seen' is present perfect and cannot be used in a past narrative.
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Q15Next, the chef chopped the onions. After that, he ___ them into the pan.
Answer: C. threw
Sequence markers like 'next' and 'after that' are typically followed by the past simple ('threw') to list a series of chronological actions in a story or process.
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Q16In an expository report, which sentence uses appropriate passive voice for objectivity?
Answer: C. The process is considered efficient.
Formal expository writing often uses the passive voice to remove the subject and sound more objective. 'The process is considered efficient' avoids using 'we' or 'they', which makes the statement sound more like a neutral fact than a personal opinion.
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Q17Photosynthesis is a crucial biological process. It ___ light energy into chemical energy.
Answer: A. converts
The present simple ('converts') is used for general truths, scientific facts, and repeating natural processes. Since photosynthesis is a permanent scientific fact, the present simple is the correct choice.
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Q18In a persuasive article, which sentence uses an effective rhetorical question?
Answer: D. How can we ignore such a critical issue?
A strong rhetorical question in persuasive writing should be impactful and lead the reader toward a specific conclusion. 'How can we ignore such a critical issue?' is more emotionally charged and persuasive than the other simpler or more passive questions.
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Q19The committee reviewed the proposal. Subsequently, the budget ___ for approval.
Answer: A. was submitted
In formal reporting, the passive voice ('was submitted') focuses on the action rather than the person who did it. Since the first sentence is in the past ('reviewed'), the second sentence must follow the past sequence.
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Q20In a persuasive call to action, which is the most effective imperative?
Answer: C. Donate to the cause today.
An imperative is a direct command verb. 'Donate to the cause today' is a strong, direct call to action. While 'Please consider donating' is polite, it is less persuasive than a direct imperative.
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Q21The climate is changing rapidly. Therefore, we ___ take immediate action to reduce emissions.
Answer: B. must
The modal verb 'must' expresses strong necessity or obligation. In persuasive writing, 'must' is used to emphasize that an action is essential, whereas 'might' or 'could' sound too uncertain.
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Q22The study was conducted over two years. ___ the findings were presented to the board.
Answer: C. Subsequently
'Subsequently' is a formal transition word meaning 'afterwards.' It is appropriate for formal expository writing. 'Basically' is too informal, and 'All of a sudden' is used for unexpected narrative events, not research reports.
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Q23Global warming is a complex issue. How long ___ we afford to wait before acting?
Answer: C. can
The modal 'can' is used here to ask about possibility and ability. In a rhetorical question, 'How long can we afford to wait?' highlights the danger of delay by questioning our ability to survive or manage the consequences.
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Q24The Amazon River flows through Brazil. It ___ the largest river in South America.
Answer: B. is considered
The present simple passive ('is considered') is used for stating facts and widely held beliefs in the present. 'Was considered' would imply it is no longer the largest, which is incorrect.
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Q25In a formal report, nominalisation is preferred. Choose the best formal version.
Answer: C. The decision to quit was made.
Nominalisation involves turning verbs ('decided') into nouns ('decision'). Using 'The decision... was made' sounds more objective and formal than 'We decided,' which is more personal.
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Q26The government needs to address poverty. We ___ ignore the suffering of others.
Answer: A. cannot
The modal 'cannot' expresses a strong moral or logical impossibility in this persuasive context. It emphasizes that ignoring suffering is not a viable or acceptable option.
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Q27Firstly, the data was collected. Secondly, the ___ of the data was completed.
Answer: C. analysis
A noun is required following the definite article 'the.' 'Analysis' is the noun form. 'Analysed' is a verb, 'analyser' refers to a person/tool, and 'analysing' is a gerund.
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Q28Pollution is a major problem. As a result, ___ levels have increased significantly.
Answer: A. toxic
We need an adjective to modify the noun 'levels.' 'Toxic' correctly describes the nature of the levels. 'Toxins' and 'toxicity' are nouns, and 'toxically' is an adverb.
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Q29Climate change is undeniable. Given the evidence, why ___ we continue to ignore the warning signs?
Answer: D. should
The modal 'should' is used to express moral obligation or duty. In a rhetorical question, it challenges the logic or morality of current actions.
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Q30The experiment results were unexpected. Consequently, the team ___ repeat the entire process.
Answer: B. had to
'Had to' is the past tense form used to express necessity or obligation. Since the results 'were' (past simple) unexpected, the obligation to repeat the work also occurred in the past.
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Q31In a formal business report: 'Basically, our profits are down.' Which is the best correction?
Answer: C. Consequently, our profits are down.
Formal reports should avoid conversational fillers and informal adverbs like 'basically,' 'like,' or 'you know.' 'Consequently' is a formal linker that shows a logical result.
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Q32In a formal email: 'I'm writing to inform you.' Which is the best formal replacement for the contraction?
Answer: D. I am writing.
In formal writing, contractions (like 'I'm') should be expanded to their full forms. 'I am writing' is the correct formal equivalent of 'I'm writing.'
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Q33In a formal report: 'The data is pretty good.' What is the best correction?
Answer: B. The data is satisfactory.
Formal writing requires precise, objective vocabulary. 'Satisfactory' is a professional adjective, whereas 'pretty good,' 'nice,' and 'okay' are too casual and vague.
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Q34In a formal academic text: 'The report is, like, really long.' What is the best replacement?
Answer: B. The report is significantly long.
Informal fillers like 'like' and 'really' should be replaced with formal intensifiers. 'Significantly long' is a professional way to emphasize length in an academic context.
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Q35In a formal report: 'The team looked into the issue.' What is the best formal replacement for the phrasal verb?
Answer: A. The team investigated the issue.
Formal writing generally prefers single-word verbs (like 'investigated') over phrasal verbs (like 'looked into'). This sounds more professional and precise.
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Q36In a formal report: 'The team sort of finished the project on time.' What is the best replacement?
Answer: B. The team finished the project on time.
In formal reports, you should avoid 'hedging' words like 'sort of' or 'kind of' which make the writing sound uncertain and informal. Removing the phrase makes the statement clear and direct.
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Q37In a formal letter: 'I don't think you're right.' What is the best formal replacement?
Answer: C. I do not agree with your assessment.
Formal language avoids contractions ('I do not' instead of 'I don't') and uses professional vocabulary like 'assessment' rather than casual phrases like 'you're right'.
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Q38In a narrative set in the present: 'He arrives at the station, bought a ticket, and waits for the train.' Correct the tense inconsistency.
Answer: C. He arrives, buys, and waits.
When using the historical present for a narrative, all verbs in a sequence must be in the present simple. 'Arrives' and 'waits' are present, so 'bought' must be changed to 'buys' for consistency.
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Q39In a formal memo: 'Hey, please look at the attached file.' What is the best replacement?
Answer: A. Please review the attached file.
Formal memos should avoid casual greetings like 'Hey' or 'Hi' and use professional verbs like 'review' instead of phrasal verbs like 'look at'.
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Q40In an academic essay: 'The results are super high.' What is the best correction?
Answer: C. The results are very high.
The word 'super' is an informal intensifier. 'Very' is more appropriate for academic writing. Note that 'significantly highers' is grammatically incorrect because 'highers' is not a standard comparative adjective form.
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Q41In a formal report: 'It's a shame that sales dropped.' What is the best formal replacement?
Answer: C. It is unfortunate that sales declined.
Formal reports should use objective, non-emotive language. 'Unfortunate' is more professional than 'a shame,' and 'declined' is a more formal verb than 'dropped.' It also avoids the contraction 'It's'.
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Q42In a business email: 'Thanks for the info.' What is the best formal replacement?
Answer: D. Thank you for the information.
Formal business communication avoids abbreviations like 'info' and casual expressions like 'thanks.' 'Thank you for the information' is the full, professional version.
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Q43In a narrative set in the past: 'She was running, jumped, and was falling.' Correct the inconsistency.
Answer: A. She ran, jumped, and fell.
In a narrative sequence of completed actions, it is best to use the same tense for all verbs. 'Ran, jumped, and fell' (all past simple) creates a clear, consistent chronological flow.
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Q44In a formal report: 'Basically, the budget is messed up.' What is the best replacement?
Answer: D. The budget requires adjustment.
Formal reports require professional, neutral terminology. 'Requires adjustment' is a formal way to describe a problem, whereas 'messed up' is slang and 'basically' is too informal.
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Q45In a formal proposal: 'We're going to start the project.' What is the best formal replacement?
Answer: B. We intend to commence the project.
Formal proposals use precise verbs like 'intend' and 'commence' rather than 'going to' and 'start.' It also avoids contractions like 'We're'.
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