Vocabulary and Grammar Test Unit 8 Test B

Name: ___________________________________________

Vocabulary
1 Match the words in A to the words in B to make compound nouns. Then complete the text
with the correct form of the compound nouns.
A congested city building stand-alone urban sewage
B dwellers infrastructure system sites thoroughfares building

Chengdu
The New Century Global Centre in Chengdu, China covers 1.8 million square metres and is not
connected to any other structure, making it the world’s biggest 1__________________. Opened in
2013, it is established as part of the 2__________________ of one of China’s most rapidly growing
cities. Chengdu’s seven million 3__________________ inhabit nine crowded central urban districts,
while another seven million live in the satellite towns that surround the city. Chengdu is considered
one of the best cities in which to live in China. It has a vibrant waterfront, lively historical district,
and a good 4__________________ that carries away waste. Its many 5__________________, full of
cranes, trucks and construction workers, demonstrate the ongoing ambition to make Chengdu even
greater. The city has a lot of pollution, particularly from cars stuck in traffic jams on the
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__________________ of downtown Chengdu, however the growth in car ownership goes to show
how modern and prosperous parts of China have become in recent years.

Mark: ___ / 6

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2 Choose the correct answers.
1 The council faces a(n) ________________ choice between raising taxes and improving
services, or reducing taxes and making deep cuts.
a acute b stark c chaotic
2 The lack of investment in making repairs has caused a(n) ________________ crisis in our road
network, with many roads partially closed as authorities attempt to solve the problem.
a abundant b stark c acute
3 Although there were ________________ supplies of food and water in base camp, the explorers
died of hunger and thirst before they got there.
a abundant b impoverished c acute
4 The ________________ living conditions of poor people who inhabited the crowded slum
tenements in the Five Points district of New York in the mid-nineteenth century gave rise to
gangs, riots and violent crime.
a scarce b squalid c abundant
5 The use of water cannons by the police led to the ________________ spectacle of hundreds of
individuals running down side streets and into shops.
a scarce b abundant c chaotic
6 Food banks have been set up to help ________________ citizens who have lost everything in
the recent crisis.
a impoverished b scarce c acute
7 In a(n) ________________ statement, the president announced a state of emergency across the
country. Such a speech had never been made before.
a acute b squalid c unprecedented
8 Gas and oil reserves are growing increasingly ________________, increasing the urgent need
to invest more in renewable energies.
a scarce b stark c acute

Mark: ___ / 8

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3 Complete the sentences with a phrase using the words in brackets. Use up to six words,
including the word in brackets.
1 My parents gave me the choice to stay at home or find my own place to live. Frankly, it was
_______________________________ (brain), as I really wasn’t ready to live on my own.
2 Demonstrators were _______________________________ (arms) the police for closing one of
the streets they wanted to march along.
3 Nobody really wanted to talk to our boss about the fact that we were working so much unpaid
overtime, until Peter finally _______________________________ (horns). He marched into the
boss’ office and demanded that working practices should change.
4 Like so many others before us, we _______________________________ (trap) of seeking a
solution to our debt problems on the internet, and ended up getting into even more debt.
5 I got annoyed with Mark because he _______________________________ (water) over my
plans for the weekend. I’d carefully organized the trip, but he was very critical of what I’d done.
6 Ben hopes to _______________________________ (upper) when it comes to reaching a
decision at the meeting. He certainly feels he has the strongest argument.
7 The argument between Joe and Sara seemed quite serious, and I thought they would break up.
In the end though it was just _______________________________ (teacup). A few hours later
they were smiling and laughing together.
8 I felt that I was _______________________________ (uphill) trying to persuade the others to
accept my proposals, as nobody appeared very keen to accept them.

Mark: ___ / 8

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4 Replace the word(s) in italics with one of the verbs below.
desisted commenced inflicted yielded endeavoured seized asserted fastened
1 As soon as the police officer kicked the door with the heel of his heavy boot, it
____________________________ (gave way), and he rushed inside.
2 The recent heavy storms in the region ____________________________ (caused) a lot of
structural damage. Both private properties and municipal buildings were affected.
3 Despite the rising tide and the stormy weather, Amelia ____________________________ (tried)
to wade through the waves to the cove where she had left her camera.
4 As the fire spread through the house, Samira ____________________________ (grabbed hold
of) as many of her possessions as she could before running out into the garden.
5 A number of speakers ____________________________ (strongly expressed) their standpoint
on the issue. It would prove to be a heated debate.
6 The Athletics Championship ____________________________ (started) with a memorable
opening ceremony and a parade by all the competing nations.
7 My father went outside and ____________________________ (attached) large tarpaulin sheets
over the boxes in the yard to stop the strong wind blowing them away.
8 During the trial, the counsel for the prosecution asked a series of leading questions which upset
the chief witness. The counsel only ____________________________ (ceased) when the judge
intervened.

Mark: ___ / 8

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Grammar
5 Choose the correct answers.
1 Both burglars admitted ________________ jewellery worth over ten thousand pounds from the
safe in the vault of the bank.
a taking b to take c for taking d them taking
2 The government promised ________________ soldiers who had served in the army for many
years to adjust to civilian life.
a that she helps b to help c helping d help
3 The law insists all learner drivers ________________ L-plates to their car to indicate to other
road users that they are still learning to drive.
a attach b to attach c that they attach d they should attach
4 Jeff boasted ________________ missed any of the matches that his team had played all
season.
a not to have b for not having c about not having d to not have
5 Conservationists persuaded developers________________ their buildings more environmentally
friendly.
a to make b making c for making d that they make
6 The coastguard warned ________________ out for small craft in the water.
a swimmers watch b that watching swimmers c swimmers to watch d swimmers of
watching
7 Who would you blame ________________ all the problems we’ve been experiencing lately?
a to cause b that they cause c of causing d for causing
8 All the delegates refused ________________ the new proposal from their leadership.
a sign b signing c that they sign d to sign
9 Perhaps you could urge ________________ some money to the cause, as we currently don’t
have sufficient funds to support the hospital.
a others donate b others donating c others to donate d of others donating
10 Paul mentioned ________________ enough money to pay the rent this month.
a not to have b not having c of having d that he have

Mark: ___ / 10

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6 Read the comments from a meeting that took place yesterday. Then complete the sentences
using a reporting noun.
1 ‘We will do all we can to refund the customers’ money,’ responded the bank.
The bank’s ____________________________________________ was met with relief by people
who had lost thousands as a result of a technical error.
2 ‘The performances were disappointing,’ remarked the prominent theatre critic.
The prominent theatre critic’s ____________________________________________ caused the
play to close after only three weeks.
3 ‘The journey took longer than expected,’ observed the expedition leader.
The expedition leader’s ____________________________________________ was regarded as
something of an understatement.
4 ‘The new sports centre has passed all safety tests,’ commented the surveyor.
The surveyor’s ____________________________________________ was well received by the
centre’s management.
5 ‘Everybody ought to collect money to help the refugees,’ suggested Ivan.
Ivan’s ____________________________________________ was well intentioned, but he could
have made it at a more favourable moment.
6 ‘The council refuse to take responsibility for their mistakes,’ John Spencer accused.
John Spencer’s ____________________________________________ has upset some people.

Mark: ___ / 12

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7 Complete the second sentence using reported speech so that it has a similar meaning to the
first sentence. Include the word provided.
1 ‘It would be wise to head off early to beat the traffic,’ said Adam.
recommended
Adam _______________________________________________________________________.
2 ‘Let’s get together later this week,’ said Tina.
suggested
Tina ________________________________________________________________________.
3 ‘The local council should repair the pavement,’ said Miranda.
insisted
Miranda _____________________________________________________________________.
4 ‘Is the main road out of the village open to traffic?’ wondered Sally.
whether
Sally wondered _______________________________________________________________.
5 ‘Does anybody know how long the performance will last?’ asked Rebecca.
if
Rebecca asked _______________________________________________________________.
6 ‘I’d like social services to be informed of my decision,’ said the judge.
requested
The judge ___________________________________________________________________.
7 ‘Where can I buy new tyres for my bike?’ asked Mike.
wondered
Mike ________________________________________________________________________.
8 ‘Nothing will change in this department unless we do something,’ said Tom.
predicted
Tom ________________________________________________________________________.
Mark: ___ / 8

TOTAL MARKS: ___ / 60