1 The children agreed they would each tidy the playroom on alternate days.

turns
The children .............................................................................. . the playroom.
2 Professor Smith talked firstly about living on Mars, and then discussed the Space Lab.
went
After talking about living on Mars, Professor Smith . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . the Space Lab.
3 It's a shame Peter didn't wear a suit to the wedding.
put
If only .................................................................... the wedding.
4 Everyone remembers my great-uncle because he was always having arguments with his wife.
having
My great- uncle ................................................................ . arguments with his wife.
5 We must always bear in mind that many scientific breakthroughs are due to luck.
sight
We must .................................................................. plays a large part in many scientific breakthroughs.
6 When it comes to friendship, I prefer having a few close friends to many acquaintances.
rather
As far . . . . . . . ... . . ... .. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . .. a few close friends than many acquaintances
3 For q uestions a-n, decide which word is correct.
a His plans came in for/came up with fierce criticism at the meeting.
b My English teacher always had a nice turn/set of phrase when he commented on essays.
h Tom's really pompous/morbid now he's been promoted - he never lets you forget he's boss.
Eating really cold ice-cream puts/sets my teeth on edge.
c Lisa is such a bright, meticulous/vivacious girl, always fun and cheerful.
The news of his engagement to Elisa arrived like a bolt from the sky/blue.
d That new girl is never going to set/put the world on fire, I'm afraid.
k My brother admires anyone who calls a knife a knife/ a spade a spade.
e I'm sorry to say that Pete is the one weak link in the wires/ chain.
I The dress I'm making is coming along/round well and will be ready for the weekend.
f Karen gave me the cold elbow/shoulder when we were introduced.
g The little girl just stood there, trying to choke back/fend off the tears.
m I really think the council needs to grasp the thistle/nettle and decide whether to have more rural buses or
not.
7 Decide which of the words in italics in each sentence below fits best. Justify your answers and think of a
sentence using the alternative word.
a I can't afford to buy a new car this year - I'm broke/destitute.
b Her grandmother is always telling her she should eat more, as she's much too slender/skinny.
c Dr Pitt has made many opponents/enemies because of his rudeness.
d I have a feeling my horrible sister's been sneaking into/ entering my room and reading my diary while I'm out.
e The evening will commence/kick off with a short speech, given by Sir John Bertram.
f The left back lost his cool/became displeased with his opponent and socked him in the jaw.
g Pablo struck/touched the jammed window forcibly with his fist to make it open.
h I felt the rain trickling/flooding slowly down the back of my collar.

The following are all examples of words which have been used inappropriately by Proficiency candidates. The
words a either formal, informal or u n marked. Decide when it would be appropriate to use each word.
EXAMPLE: kids I children: 'Kids' is informal and used mainly in speaking; 'children' is unmarked.
a people I persons // b amelioration I improvement // c bloke I man
d stuff I things // e frequented I went to // f reckon I think
g boozing I drinking // h mates I friends // i fellow I guy
j snaps I photographs // k pluses I advantages // I lousy I terrible
m prudent I careful // n mad I annoyed //
The words in the exercise above are all synonyms - that is words with the same or similar meaning. Synonyms
can rarely be used interchangeably, either because of difference in register (as above), or because of a
difference in use. For example, rife and widespread have a similar meaning - 'existing in many places':
Many illnesses are rife in areas with a poor water supply.
There is widespread flooding of coastal areas.
However, rife suggests something unpleasant, whereas widespread is a more unmarked or neutral word
TH E FUTU RE The environmental (1) ................ for the future is mixed. In spite of economic and political
changes, interest in and (2) ............ .... about the environment remains high. Problems such as acid deposition,
chlorofluorocarbons and ozone depletion still require solutions and (3) . ............... action is needed to deal with
these. Until acid depositions (4) ................ , loss of aquatic life in northern lakes and streams will continue and
forest growth may be affected. Water pollution will remain a growing problem as an increasing human
population puts (5) ........ ..... ... stress on the environment. To reduce environmental degradation and for
humanity to save its habitat, societies must recognise that resources are (6) ........... ..... . Environmentalists
believe that, as populations and their demands increase, the idea of continuous growth must (7) ................ way
to a more rational use of the environment, but that this can only be brought (8) ................ by a dramatic change
in the attitude of the human species.
1 A outline B outset C outcome D outlook
2 A concern B attention C responsibility D consideration
3 A affiliated B shared C concerted D pooled
4 A wane B diminish C depreciate D curtail
5 A untold B uncounted C unrelated . D undreamed
6 A finite B restricted C confined D bounded
7 A make B force C give D clear
8 A on B about C off D in

a Most sportswear commercials are produced by companies that specialise ................ this type of advertising.
b Town planners have not paid enough attention ................ the need for recreational areas such as parks.
c You should n't laugh ................ Tony, he can't help bei ng a slow runner.
d Melissa shouted ................ the player to look behind him .
e What are you thinking ................ right now?
f If I catch you throwing your ball ................ my house a ga i n, I ' l l tell you r father.
g I don't object ................ you watching the Olympics, a s long a s you don't stay up all night.
h His professional approach is typical ............... . our team .
T h e Sports Council voted ................ the amendment late last night.
You can't insist ................ a refund of your gym membership you know.
k Let me congratulate you ................ your fine achievement.
Sal certainly doesn't care ................ running, but enjoys long walks .
m W e discussed it for ages before we finally agreed ................ a solution.
a rely f interfere
b take pride g admire
c look forward h apologise
d prohibit I accuse
e consist j believe

in to of into on
a The impact ........... ..... climate change has been greatest in the polar regions.
b The attitude of this community ................ recycling has been very positive.
c Research ................ solar power has shown it can be cost effective.
d Analysis ................ the data will be done later in the year.
e What the outcome the scientific report will be, no one yet knows.
f The rise/increase ................ the cost of petrol continues to trouble the
government.
g An increase/rise .. . . . ... . . . .. . . . 12% on heating bills will prove unsustainable.
h A change ................ the law against polluting streams is long overdue.
i The impact ................ polar bears of the ice cap melting will be huge.
J The objection ................ the legislation was not based on scientific evidence.