Writing test

Complete the two recipes with the words in the boxes.

Cut (1)    some meat and an (2)       into very small pieces. You can do this in a food mixer if you have one. (3)     salt and pepper, and some (4)        herbs and form it into a round, flat shape. Grill this, or (5)     it in hot oil. (6)       it in a bread (7)      , with tomato sauce or a hot, (8)       barbecue sauce.

Cut onions, carrots and other fresh (1)            into small pieces. Put them into a large (2)          with a small amount of (3)        or oil. (4)      slowly for a few minutes on a low heat, then (5)       with hot water, increase the heat and (6)      for about 45 minutes. Mix everything together in a food mixer until it is completely (7)        . (8)      in a little fresh cream and pour into bowls. Serve with bread and butter.

Choose the correct alternative to complete the sentences.

1. Would you like      [a, some] biscuit with your coffee?

2. Stir in the chocolate, then bake     [a, the] cake for 45 minutes.

3. I’m a vegetarian, so I don’t eat     [-, the] meat.

4.     [-, The] French fries aren’t very healthy.

5. I’m afraid I haven’t got      [any, some] orange juice.

6. There are           [plenty of, much] dishes on the menu to choose from.

7. You don’t need to add      [much, many] salt.

8. I’ve got      [any, some] fish for dinner.

Choose the correct verb forms to complete the sentences.

1. I didn’t perform well because I                [didn’t learn, hadn’t learned] all my words properly.

2. Daniel Radcliffe             [played, was playing] Harry in all the Harry Potter films.

3. She first               [appeared, was appearing] on TV as an actor, and later she was given her own chat show.

4. I suddenly lost my voice while I             [sang, was singing] on stage.

5. My sister went to drama school because she                    [had always wanted, was always wanting] to be an actor.

6. I met some famous singers when I             [was working, had worked] at a music festival.

7. The star refused to answer when the interviewer            [asked, was asking] him about his personal life.

8. Some friends took me to see an exciting new band that they              [were hearing, had heard] about.

Choose the correct time expressions to complete the story

I woke up early last Saturday morning. I was really excited because I was going to Florida to visit my uncle. I didn’t want to forget anything! (1)       [Then, First], I packed my bags and checked the weight – no problem! (2)       [Then, After] I made sure I had my tickets and passport. (3)        [Before, Next], I called a taxi to take me to the airport, and (4)                     [later five minutes, five minutes later], it arrived. Everything was going perfectly, but then we (5)          [suddenly, sudden] hit a traffic jam on the road to the airport! (6)             [In time, By the time] we got to the airport, I was really anxious. I hadn’t flown on my own (7)        [before, first], and now I was really late. (8)       [After, Later] I’d gone through the security checks, I only had ten minutes to get to the gate. (9)         [Earlier, Finally], I got onto the plane just in time, and was able to sit back and relax, and begin to enjoy my holiday!

Read the stories of unlucky travellers. Complete the phrasal verbs with the correct form of the words in the box. You can use the verbs more than once.

• When I arrived at the hotel, I got my passport out ready to (1)       in at Reception, but I found that it didn’t exist – they were still building the hotel!

• Last month, I (2)     off booking my holiday for a few weeks because I was unsure of my plans. When I finally booked, they had (3)     all the prices up!

• I was travelling to Edinburgh by train last year. The train arrived at the platform and I (4)     on. Unfortunately, I fell asleep, and when I finally (5)     off, nine hours later, I was in Aberdeen – 200 km further north!

• I was staying in a hotel last month. On the day I was leaving, I forgot to set my alarm and I (6)         out 15 minutes after the normal departure time. They charged me for an extra day!

• I was flying to New York last summer. The weather had been really nice for weeks, but on the day of my flight there was suddenly a big storm. My flight finally (7)      off 16 hours late!

• A few weeks ago, I was driving to Manchester to meet some old friends for lunch. I (8)     off early, but I was (9)      up in traffic for five hours, so I missed the lunch! Luckily, I still saw my friends!