Contents

Contents
1 Articles: the before general concepts    5
2 Articles: a/an before noun phrases    6
3 When do I use capital letters?     7
Test 1    8

4 When do I use when, if and whether?    10

T
5 Punctuation: commas with discourse markers     11

N
6 Punctuation: using apostrophes    12
Test 2    13

TE
7 Common spelling mistakes    15
8 Spelling: one word or two?     16
9 Adjective forms    17 N
O
Test 3    18
C

10 Using prepositions: with nouns    20

11 Using prepositions: after verbs    21
E

12 Using prepositions: describing trends and changes     22

PL

Test 4    23

13 Describing statistics: using prepositions    25

M

14 Describing statistics: nouns    26

15 Describing statistics: verbs    27
SA

Test 5    28

16 Number and amount    30

17 Making comparisons    31
18 Expressing contrast    32
Test 6    33
19 Countable and uncountable nouns    35
20 Singular and plural verb forms     36
21 It, they and them    37
Test 7    38

22 Verbs: being and having    40

23 Commonly confused verbs: join/attend, give/provide    41
24 Verb collocations    42

T
Test 8    43

N
25 Commonly confused nouns: habits, customs and practices    45

TE
26 Commonly confused nouns: effect, influence and impact    46
27 Commonly confused nouns: time words     47
Test 9    48
N
O
28 Using nouns: appearance and communication    50
29 Using nouns and adjectives: male/female?    51
C

30 Using nouns and adjectives: Britain, British or Briton?    52

Test 10    53
E
PL

Answer key    55
M
SA
1
Articles: the before general concepts
1 Tick the correct sentence in each pair.
1 a Some people worry about the negative effects of mobile phones on brain.
b Some people worry about the negative effects of mobile phones on the brain.
2 a We need to look at factors such as the availability of health care.
b We need to look at factors such as availability of health care.

We use the before nouns which describe a general type of thing rather than a specific
­example of that thing:

T
These are problems for students living away from the family.
We don’t know the effects of such chemicals on the body.

N
The role of the student at university level varies greatly from country to country.
Most of our business is carried out over the telephone.

TE
The is also used before abstract nouns which describe a situation, a quality, a process or a
change. These words are often followed by of something:
There is a problem with the availability of clean water in some villages.
The distribution of income is uneven in most countries.
On the whole, the standard of living is better in urban areas. N
O
Many residents complained about the frequency of bus services.
This advance was brought about by the development of antibiotics.
C
He made a number of recommendations for the improvement of staff training.
We use the development/improvement, etc. of something to describe a general process of
change, but developments/improvements, etc. in something to describe specific changes:
E

We try to keep up-to-date with new developments in information technology.

PL

2 Correct the mistake below.

Doctors always stress importance of a balanced diet.

M

Doctors always stress ........................................ .

SA

3 Are these sentences right or wrong? Correct those containing mistakes.

1 A diet high in cholesterol is bad for heart.
2 The introduction of computerised systems led to an increase in unemployment.
3 We all benefit from development of new technologies.
4 We were unhappy about quality of the food available.
5 Last year the airline saw a 20% improvement in delays.
6 There have been changes in the relationship between the teacher and the student.
7 Rates vary depending on standard of accommodation you choose.
8 She focused on the role of a family in a child’s education.

5
2
Articles: a/an before noun phrases
1 Tick the correct sentence in each pair.
1 a The company has captured a significant share of the market.
b The company has captured significant share of the market.
2 a I think they are also right to certain extent.
b I think they are also right to a certain extent.

Don’t forget to include a/an before an adjective + singular noun combination:

He clearly has a good understanding of the issues.

T
Many students have a part-time job while studying.

N
Notice the position of adverbs (very, really, quite, etc.) in these phrases:
We have a very high percentage of women working in senior government posts.

TE
There was a really good atmosphere.
In my view, this is quite a strong argument.

Some common noun phrases to be careful with:

• to a certain extent/degree: I agree with you to a certain degree.
N
• a wide range/variety: We have a wide range of books to choose from.
• a(n) large/small/equal number/amount: an equal number of men and women
O
• a high/large/small/greater proportion/percentage: a small proportion of patients
• a long time: I haven’t seen her for a long time.
C

2 Correct the mistake below.

E
PL

All competitors should have equal chance of winning.

M

All competitors should ........................................ .

SA

3 Use the words below in the same order to form correct sentences, adding any necessary
articles or prepositions.
1 Only / small / number / troublemakers / were / responsible for / problems.
2 Computers / play / very / important / role / education / nowadays.
3 She / can’t / afford to / study / full-time / basis.
4 Teenagers / should be / allowed / greater / degree / freedom.
5 They / have / slightly / different / approach to / studying.
6 We / had / one-week / intensive / training / course.
7 There / has been / gradual / increase / number / thefts.
8 They / offer / quite / wide / variety / courses.