Think about these questions, or answer them aloud.
In many reading tasks, you do not need to know every word in the options. You need to know what kind of word fits the gap and what time the sentence talks about.
| Word class | Common endings | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Noun (a thing, person or idea) | -tion, -sion, -ment, -ness, -ity, -ance, -er, -or, -ist | information, decision, payment, kindness, ability, assistance, manager, visitor, scientist |
| Verb (an action) | -ise / -ize, -en, -ify | organise, widen, simplify |
| Adjective (describes a noun) | -ful, -less, -able, -ible, -ive, -al, -ous, -ed, -ing | useful, careless, comfortable, possible, active, national, dangerous, bored, boring |
| Adverb (describes a verb or adjective) | usually -ly | quickly, carefully, extremely |
The words next to the gap tell you which word class you need:
Also check singular or plural. After many, several, all or a number of, you need a plural noun: all visitors, several suggestions.
| Time words in the text | Usual tense | Example |
|---|---|---|
| yesterday, last week, in 2019, ago | past simple | The parcel arrived yesterday. |
| since, for, already, yet, just, ever | present perfect | She has worked here since 2020. |
| every day, usually, often, on Mondays | present simple | The shop usually closes at six. |
| now, at the moment, currently | present continuous | He is having a meeting at the moment. |
| tomorrow, next week, soon, from 1 June | will / going to / present continuous | The new rules will start next week. |
| when + a past action (an interruption) | past continuous | I was cooking when the phone rang. |
From 1 June, Greenway Sports Centre ___(1)___ (open) at 6 a.m. on weekdays. Many members have asked for an ___(2)___ (early) start, so they can exercise before work.
The swimming pool ___(3)___ (clean) last month, and the water is now ___(4)___ (complete) clear. Please remember that the centre is closed on public holidays.
If you have any ___(5)___ (suggest) about the new timetable, please speak to a member of staff at reception.
A strong reader asks two questions for each gap: What kind of word? and What time?
Notice that the reader did not need to understand every word in the notice. The words around each gap did most of the work.
Choose the word that best completes each sentence.
Choose the verb form that best completes each sentence. Look for time words.
To: All staff
From: Karen Bell, Office Manager
Subject: Staff kitchen
Dear colleagues,
As many of you know, the staff kitchen on the second floor ___(1)___ next week. The work will start on Monday 3 March and should take about five days. During this time, the kitchen will be closed and the fridge will be switched off. Please take all your food home by Friday evening. ___(2)___
While the work is taking place, you are welcome to use the kitchen on the ground floor. It is much ___(3)___ than the second-floor kitchen, so please wash your cups straight away and do not leave anything in the sink.
When the work is finished, the kitchen will have a new dishwasher and a second coffee machine. We hope these changes will make your breaks more ___(4)___.
Thank you for your patience.
Karen
Read the email. Choose the best answer for each gap. One gap needs a whole sentence.
Complete the missing letters in the paragraph. Type only the missing letters (typing the whole word is also accepted). Use grammar to help you: is the word a noun, a verb or a small grammar word?
The Rex Cinema in Hadley ___(1)___ (close) in 2015 because it was losing money. For years the building stood empty, its windows were broken, and many people believed it would become a car park. Then, in 2021, a group of local people made an important ___(2)___ (decide): they would try to save it.
First, the group asked for ___(3)___ (donate) online. The ___(4)___ (respond) was amazing: in just six months, people gave more than £80,000. After that, volunteers painted the walls, repaired the seats and ___(5)___ (careful) cleaned the old screen.
The cinema ___(6)___ (open) again last spring. Since then, it ___(7)___ (show) more than 200 films, and it ___(8)___ (become) a favourite meeting place for families and students. Tickets are ___(9)___ (afford), and the small café sells home-made cakes. On Saturday mornings, children under ten can watch a film for free with an adult.
Right now, the volunteers ___(10)___ (plan) a summer film festival. “We are all very ___(11)___ (excite) about it,” said Maria Lopez, one of the ___(12)___ (organise). “Next summer, the festival ___(13)___ (move) to the park, so people can watch films outside.”
Read the news story. Each sentence below comes from it. Write the correct form of the word in brackets. For verbs, choose the right tense; you may need more than one word (for example has done).
Save words to review them later with flashcards.
“The hotel was renovated last year and looks like new.”
“Thank you for your patience while we fix the problem.”
“I had lunch with two colleagues from the sales team.”
“A colony of ants lives under that tree.”
“The hospital received a large donation from a local company.”
“The response to our advert was much bigger than we expected.”
“It is hard to find affordable flats in the city centre.”
“The organisers of the festival expect 5,000 visitors.”
“Read the instructions before you start the machine.”
“Please ask at reception if you need any assistance.”
