PRACTICE TEST 1

A. Choose the best word from A, B, C or D that fits each blank.

1. In my view, the changes to the education system have been to good----------
   1. influence
   2. outcome
   3. upshot
   4. effect
2. As a full story ----------- , the public reacted with shock.
   1. uncovered
   2. unfolded
   3. unwrapped
   4. undid
3. This song is not --------- as original as their previous ones.
   1. almost
   2. virtually
   3. nearly
   4. practically
4. In any transport system, the safety of passengers should be----------
   1. paramount
   2. eminent
   3. chief
   4. prime
5. It is expected that all members will ---------- to the rules of the club.
   1. comply
   2. concede
   3. conform
   4. compromise
6. It was decided that the cost of the project would be ---------- and so it was abandoned.
   1. repressive
   2. prohibitive
   3. restrictive
   4. exclusive
7. Karen was terribly nervous before the interview but she managed to pull herself----- and act confidently.
   1. through
   2. over
   3. together
   4. off
8. It just so ----------- that I was in their area that day, so I went to visit them.
   1. occurred
   2. happened
   3. chanced
   4. arose
9. We --------- up a friendship the very first time we met.
   1. struck
   2. launched
   3. cropped
   4. settled
10. I left the company by ------- , not because I was forced to.
    1. choice
    2. option
    3. selection
    4. preference
11. Tessa was determined to become wealthy and to that-----she started her own company.
    1. view
    2. aim
    3. end
    4. object
12. I can't understand why you have to make such a --------- about something so unimportant.
    1. mess
    2. stir
    3. fuss
    4. bother
13. If you don't want that wardrobe, I'm sure I could put it to good ---------
    1. value
    2. use
    3. benefit
    4. worth
14. Even though it was clear that he was wrong, he was unwilling to----- and admit it.
    1. take back
    2. stand down
    3. draw back
    4. back down
15. The police are looking into new ways of-------- major crime.
    1. contending
    2. wrestling
    3. combating
    4. striving
16. He made a number of ---------- remarks about my cooking, which upset me.
    1. slashing
    2. stabbing
    3. chopping
    4. cutting
17. ---------- it or not, I've just been given a totally unexpected pay rise!
    1. Believe
    2. Accept
    3. presume
    4. Allow
18. Recent defeats have ---------- his confidence in himself as a player.
    1. undermined
    2. disable
    3. impeded
    4. hampered
19. The plumber agreed that he had made a mistake and promised to put it ------- the next day.
    1. correct
    2. proper
    3. sound
    4. right
20. poor management brought the company to the ------ of collapse.
    1. brink
    2. rim
    3. fringe
    4. brim