Keyboard Symbols and Punctuation Marks

What are these symbols?
Click the answer button to see the answer.

Look at the keys across the top of the computer keyboard.

1. ~ This is called a ___.
   Answertilde

2. ` This is called a ___.
   Answergrave or grave accent

3. ! This is called an ___.
   Answerexclamation mark

4. @ This symbol means ___.
   Answerat

5. # This symbol means ___.
   Answernumber

6. $ This is called a ___.
   Answerdollar sign

7. % This symbol means ___.
   Answerper cent

8. ^ This symbol is called a ___.
   Answercaret or circumflex

9. & This symbol is called an ___ and means ___.
   Answerampersand - and

10. * This symbol is called an ___.
    Answerasterisk

11. ( ) These two marks are called ___.
    Answerparentheses

12. - This is called a ___.
    Answerhyphen

13. + This symbol is called a ___.
    Answerplus sign

14. = This symbol is called an ___.
    Answerequal sign

Look around the computer keyboard.

1. { } These marks are called ___.
   Answerbraces

2. [ ] These marks are called ___.
   Answerbrackets

3. : This is called a ___.
   Answercolon

4. ; This is called a ___.
   Answersemicolon

5. " " These marks are called ___.
   Answerquotation marks or quotes

6. " " In British English, these marks are called ___.
   Answerinverted commas

7. ' This is called an ___.
   Answerapostrophe

8. , This is called a ___.
   Answercomma

9. . This is called a ___.
   Answerperiod

10. . In British English, this is called a ___.
    Answerfull stop

11. ... Three periods together are called an ___.
    Answerellipsis

12. ? This is called a ___.
    Answerquestion mark

13. / This is called a ___.
    Answerforward slash or virgule

14. \ This is called a ___.
    Answerback slash

15. < > These marks are called ___.
    Answerangle brackets

(C) 1999 Nevitt Reagan

One Word... 2 Meanings

Click the answer button to see the answer.

1. I'm taking a Japanese ___ at the moment.
   I'm going to have fish for my main ___.
   Answercourse

2. He wrote her a ___ before he left.
   She found the top ___ difficult to sing.
   Answernote

3. It's hot so let's sit in the ___.
   That ___ of red doesn't suit her.
   Answershade

4. She packed a ___ for the ocean voyage.
   We sat on a fallen tree ___ to rest.
   Answertrunk

5. He gave her a beautiful diamond ___ for her birthday.
   ___ me later. I'll be home in an hour.
   Answerring

6. The ___ look bright tonight.
   Lots of movie ___ live in Hollywood.
   Answerstars

7. He sat on the river ___ to fish.
   I must go to the ___ to get some cash.
   Answerbank

8. The new ___ of the department is a woman.
   He's got a smart ___ on his shoulders.
   Answerhead

9. We always eat there so let's go somewhere else for a ___.
   Can you ___ this money into coins?
   Answerchange

10. He ___ the ball with one hand.
    The house ___ fire when the cigarette fell from the ashtray.
    Answercaught

(C) 1998 by Letitia Bradley

Assorted Grammar Quiz

Make a choice by clicking on the radio button, then compare it with the correct answer hidden under the answer button.

1. I want ___ , please.
   a dozen eggs
   a dozen of eggs
   Answera dozen eggs
2. He was really strange. He didn't talk to ___ in his class.
   nobody
   anybody
   Answeranybody
3. Please give him ___ chance.
   the other
   another
   Answeranother
4. Being considerate means thinking about ___ not only about yourself.
   others
   the others
   Answerothers
5. Please turn off the lights. I have to develop this film and it's ___ here.
   bright enough
   too bright
   Answertoo bright
6. You shouldn't take ___ luggage. You'll stay there for only two days.
   too much
   too many
   Answertoo much
7. ___ he studies, ___ he seems to know.
   The more/ the less
   The most / the least
   AnswerThe more/ the less
8. I have been studying ___ I can to learn English.
   so hard as
   as hard as
   Answeras hard as
9. They finally decided to buy a ___ car.
   four-doors
   four-door
   Answerfour-door
10. ___ cheats on the test will be caught sooner or later.
    Whatever
    Whoever
    AnswerWhoever
11. He said he had done it, ___ was not true.
    which
    what
    Answerwhich
12. ___ did you give it?
    To whom
    To who
    AnswerTo whom
13. I wasn't there and ___.
    neither was Mary
    Mary was neither
    Answerneither was Mary
14. I haven't finished the homework and my brother hasn't ___.
    neither
    either
    Answereither
15. ___ ? He's tall and thin.
    What's he like?
    How is he?
    AnswerWhat's he like?
16. ___ it regularly takes a lot of will power.
    Doing
    Do
    AnswerDoing
17. No news ___ good news.
    are
    is
    Answeris
18. Students won't be able to take notes if the teacher ___ fast.
    speaks
    will speak
    Answerspeaks
19. She's looking forward to ___ her husband's parents.
    meet
    meeting
    Answermeeting
20. I used to ___ a lot when I was in college.
    smoke
    smoking
    Answersmoke
21. He told me ___ there.
    not to go
    to not go
    Answernot to go
22. She ___ for the doctor for two hours.
    has been waiting
    has being waiting
    Answerhas been waiting
23. Seldom ___ such an intelligent man.
    I have talked to
    have I talked to
    Answerhave I talked to
24. A small number of visitors ___ to come to the meeting.
    is expected
    are expected
    Answerare expected
25. The boss insists ___ here on time.
    that you are
    that you be
    Answerthat you be
26. You ___ the truth then.
    should have told
    should to have told
    Answershould have told
27. You ___ kill animals; it's cruel and unlawful.
    don't have to
    mustn't
    Answermustn't
28. Look how wet the ground is. It ___ last night.
    must have rained
    should have rained
    Answermust have rained
29. John wishes he ___ taller so he could play basketball.
    were
    had been
    Answerwere
30. She doesn't remember ___.
    who the author of this book is
    who is the author of this book
    Answerwho the author of this book is

(C) 1997 Vera Mello

Word Groups

Which word doesn't fit the group?

Make a choice by clicking on the radio button, then compare it with the correct answer hidden under the answer button.

1. Bondage
   Foolproof
   Enormity
   Wisdom
   Answer Foolproof - adjectiveNOTE: Bondage; Wisdom; Enormity - nouns
2. Dispose
   Lighten
   Theft
   Recollect
   Answer Theft - nounNOTE: Dispose; Lighten; Recollect - verbs
3. This
   Those
   There
   Answer There - adverbNOTE: This; Those - pronouns
4. Nourish
   Fretful
   Outrageous
   Queasy
   Answer Nourish - verbNOTE: Queasy; Fretful; Outrageous - adjectives
5. Within
   Among
   Per
   Although
   Answer Although - conjunctionNOTE: Within; Among; Per - prepositions
6. A
   Him
   The
   Answer Him - pronounNOTE: A; The - articles
7. Always
   Someone
   Somewhat
   Ever
   Answer Someone - pronounNOTE: Always; Ever; Somewhat - adverbs
8. Anybody
   Me
   She
   Anywhere
   Answer Anywhere - adverb NOTE: Anybody; Me; She - pronouns
9. Or
   Because
   Nor
   Afterwards
   Answer Afterwards - adverbNOTE: Or; Because; Nor - conjunctions
10. Oh
    Ouch
    Ours
    Wow
    Answer Ours - pronounNOTE: Oh; Ouch; Wow - interjections

(C) 1997 Vera Mello

Make or Do?

Make a choice by clicking on the radio button, then compare it with the correct answer hidden under the answer button.

1. I don't know why he's not ___ progress with his English.
   doing
   making
   Answer making
2. Good students hate ___ spelling mistakes.
   doing
   making
   Answer making
3. She'll have her hair ___ before she goes to the party.
   made
   done
   Answer done
4. Don't ___ so much fuss over having to type the report again.
   do
   make
   Answer make
5. They ___ fun of her because she couldn't pronounce the word correctly.
   did
   made
   Answer made
6. Could you please ___ me a favor?
   make
   do
   Answer do
7. Those two companies don't like to ___ business with each other.
   make
   do
   Answer do
8. It won't ___ her any harm to stay up a little later.
   do
   make
   Answer do
9. They ___ a great effort to get what they wanted.
   made
   did
   Answer made
10. To ___ him justice, we must admit that his intentions were good.
    do
    make
    Answer do
11. After a few drinks, he often ___ a scene in the bar.
    does
    makes
    Answer makes
12. ___ the most of your stay in Paris visiting the famous museums.
    Make
    Do
    Answer Make

(C) 1997 by Vera Mello

Raise or Rise?

Make a choice by clicking on the radio button, then compare it with the correct answer hidden under the answer button.

HINTS! raise / raised / raised (transitive verb - The verb requires an OBJECT) rise / rose / risen (intransitive verb - No OBJECT needed)

1. If you have any questions, ___ your hand and I'll try to help you.
   raise
   rise
   Answer raise
2. The student ___ a very good question about the importance of security in the big cities.
   rose
   raised
   Answer raised
3. The sun ___ in the east.
   rises
   raises
   Answer rises
4. Our community ___ money for the victims of the plane accident.
   is rising
   is raising
   Answer is raising
5. He ___ to an important position in the company.
   rose
   raised
   Answer rose
6. She's ___ three children without her husband's financial support.
   raised
   risen
   Answer raised
7. Unemployment ___ quickly in the metropolitan areas.
   is rising
   is raising
   Answer is rising
8. They ___ chicken on their farm.
   rise
   raise
   Answer raise
9. The people decided to ___ up against the new government politics.
   rise
   raise
   Answer rise
10. Don't ___ your voice to me! I'm still your boss.
    rise
    raise
    Answer raise
11. The price of gas ___ by 5%.
    has raised
    has risen
    Answer has risen
12. As the speaker didn't show up, I ___ to the occasion and made the speech.
    raised
    rose
    Answer rose

(C) 1997 Vera Mello

Lie or Lay?

Make a choice by clicking on the radio button, then compare it with the correct answer hidden under the answer button.

1. He was ___ when he said that he didn't see anyone there.
   lying
   laying
   Answer lying
2. She ___ about her experience in order to get that job.
   lay
   lied
   laid
   Answer lied
3. You'll feel much better if you just ___ down and rest for a while.
   lie
   lay
   Answer lie
4. He ___ the books on the table.
   lied
   lay
   laid
   Answer laid
5. The hens aren't ___ any eggs this week.
   lying
   laying
   Answer laying
6. Why did they ___ so many employees off at that company last year ?
   lay
   lie
   Answer lay
7. He___ a serious charge against his employer.
   has lied
   has laid
   has lain
   Answer has laid
8. What I did ___ heavily on my conscience ever since.
   has lain
   has laid
   has lied
   Answer has lain
9. The solution ___ with you.
   lies
   lays
   Answer lies

Remember lie, lied, lied ( tell a lie)lie, lay, lainlay, laid, laid

(C) 1997 Vera Mello

Miscellaneous Grammar Quiz

Click the answer button to see the answer.

1. In the sentence, "You may be wrong, but you may be right." May mean:
   a. ability
   b. permission
   c. possibility
   Answerc

2. In which of the statements does "must" express necessity?
   a. There's somebody in the other office. It must be my boss!
   b. You mustn't smoke here!
   c. I must go right now!
   Answerc

3. In which of the sentences can "since" be replaced by because?
   a. I have enjoyed science since I was a child,
   b. I am interested in this article since I like science,
   c. I've been studying science since 1988.
   Answerb

4. Choose the alternative in which "while" is being used to express a contrast.
   a. While the machines are working, let's have some coffee.
   b. I usually take a shower while my mom is preparing breakfast.
   c. My dad is a dreamer, while my mom is too realistic.
   Answerc

5. Choose the correct statement.
   a. Many people have computer phobia, that generates more unemployment.
   b. Many people have computer phobia, which generates more unemployment.
   c. Many people have computer phobia, what generates more unemployment.
   Answerb

6. "I'm a person ___ technical knowledge of computer will impress anyone."
   a. who
   b. which
   c. whose
   Answerc

7. The Internet, ___ is the fastest means of communication, will be available for most people very soon.
   a. which
   b. that
   c. X
   Answera

8. Which is the best sentence?
   a. I've smoked, but I don't anymore.
   b. I used to smoke, but I don't anymore.
   c. I smoked, but I don't anymore.
   Answerb

Copyright 1998 by Lucimara Mello

Bits and Pieces

Vocabulary Quiz

Read the sentences and choose the best alternative.
Click the answer button to see the correct answer.

1. What do people sing at Christmas?
   a. carols
   b. lullabies
   c. lyrics
   AnswerA

2. Which word does not mean lovely?
   a. pleasant
   b. amusing
   c. faithful
   AnswerC

3. Who offers a house or an apartment for rent?
   a. a landlady
   b. a charwoman
   c. a tenant
   AnswerA

4. What do you put on the finger to protect it while sewing?
   a. a thumb
   b. a thimble
   c. a thorn
   AnswerB

5. Who sees that the rules are obeyed in a baseball game?
   a. a judge
   b. a referee
   c. an umpire
   AnswerC

6. What word does not refer to babies?
   a. pacifier
   b. milkweed
   c. cradle
   AnswerB

7. Which word completes the proverb: "Every _____has its day."
   a. tiger
   b. dog
   c. horse
   AnswerB

8. Which word does not mean dismal?
   a. queasy
   b. lugubrious
   c. gloomy AnswerA

(C) 1997 Vera Mello

Troublesome Words

Make a choice by clicking on the radio button, then compare it with the correct answer hidden under the answer button.

1. Don't be too severe on that student; he's very ___ .
   sensible
   sensitive
   Answersensitive

2. I think I ___ my car keys in the office.
   forgot
   left
   Answerleft

3. He knows it's not ___ to spit on the floor.
   polite
   educated
   Answerpolite

4. She receives an average weekly ___ of US$100.
   wage
   salary
   Answerwage

5. It's advisable to ask someone who is ___ to judge the matter.
   disinterested
   uninterested
   Answerdisinterested

6. The ___ in our school is to punish students caught cheating on exams.
   policy
   politics
   Answerpolicy

7. Can you ___ me 5 bucks until tomorrow ?
   borrow
   lend
   Answerlend

8. He's been participating in competitions ___ a professional for a year.
   as
   like
   Answeras

9. I arrived late at the conference and ___ the speaker's introductory remarks .
   missed
   lost
   Answermissed

10. John and Becky ___ vows of eternal love.
    exchange
    change
    Answerexchange

(C) 1997 Vera Mello

L or R?

L & R Minimal Pair Quiz

Click the answer button to see the answer.

1. Turn ___ at the next corner.
   a. light
   b. wright
   c. right
   d. write
   Answerc
2. When you turned left, you took the ___ decision.
   a. light
   b. wright
   c. right
   d. write
   Answerc
3. The donkey ___ them down the mountain path.
   a. led
   b. read
   c. red
   d. lead
   Answera
4. The ___ sunset lasted over thirty minutes.
   a. led
   b. read
   c. red
   d. lead
   Answerc
5. Avoid cooking with utensils made from aluminum or ___.
   a. led
   b. read
   c. red
   d. lead
   Answerd
6. Sam ___ the newspaper after dinner last night.
   a. led
   b. read
   c. red
   d. lead
   Answerb
7. A clarinet is a ___ instrument.
   a. lead
   b. read
   c. reed
   Answerc
8. May I ___ my book while I eat?
   a. lead
   b. read
   c. reed
   Answerb
9. Anthropologists are looking for the missing ___ between ape and man.
   a. link
   b. rink
   Answera
10. How many ___ are there in the chain you are wearing?
    a. lynx
    b. rinks
    c. links
    Answerc
11. How many hockey ___ are there in you community?
    a. lynx
    b. rinks
    c. links
    Answerb
12. Cloth stretched too tight ___ easily.
    a. lips
    b. rips
    Answerb
13. A canoe is a ___ speed boat.
    a. low
    b. row
    Answera
14. A ___boat is not a high speed boat.
    a. low
    b. row
    Answerb
15. During the autumn it is necessary to ___ the leaves from the lawn daily
    a. lake
    b. rake
    Answerb
16. The ___ once had pure water but now many of the fish are dying.
    a. lake
    b. rake
    Answera
17. A ___ is larger than a stream.
    a. river
    b. liver
    Answera
18. I ___ about my age. I am not 29. I am 41.
    a. lied
    b. ride
    Answera
19. No matter what my age, I love to ___ on the rollercoaster.
    a. lied
    b. ride
    Answerb

(C) 1998 Donna Tatsuki

Connecting Words

Choose the connecting word that completes the
sentences meaningfully. Then check your answer.

1. I don't know ___ you want to meet that lady. She's such a snob.
   that
   why
   when
   Answerwhy
2. He looks ___ he were sick.
   even if
   even though
   as if, as though
   Answeras if, as though

He asked ___ he could smoke a cigarette.
whether, if
what
that
Answerwhether, if

He insists ___ I be there.
if
that
as if
Answerthat

He punished the little boy ___ put salt in his coffee.
who
which
whenever
Answerwho, that

It was raining hard ___ we left the office.
where
when
although
Answerwhen

He'll have the work done ___ that you arrive.
when
after
by the time
Answerby the time

___ I was saying, how many of you want to attend the conference?
As
So
For
AnswerAs

He must be rich, ___ he spends a lot of money on gifts for his girlfriend.
but
for
in order to
Answerfor

We have been having problems with the heater ___ we bought it.
when
while
since
Answersince

___ he said did not please us.
That
Which
What
AnswerWhat

I liked the car, ___ I bought it.
so
for
even so
Answerso

The picture ___ is hanging over my bed was painted by an art student.
which
who
whom
Answerthat, which

Her parents will be very happy ___ she passes with flying colors.
so that
if
though
Answerif

(C) 1997 Vera Mello

Active Voice? Passive Voice?

Active or Passive Voice

Make a choice by clicking on the radio button, then compare it with the correct answer hidden under the answer button.

1. Everybody ___ by the news of his death.
   shocked
   was shocked
   Answer was shocked
2. Mr. Green ___ at the University since 1989.
   has been teaching
   has been taught
   Answer has been teaching
3. Not much ___ about the accident since that time.
   has said
   has been said
   Answer has been said
4. A new book ___ by that company next year.
   will publish
   will be published
   Answer will be published
5. He ___ the girl's name now.
   remembers
   is remembered
   Answer remembers
6. The secretary ___ to her new boss yesterday.
   introduced
   was introduced
   Answer was introduced
7. Our plan ___ by the members of the committee.
   is being considered
   is considered
   Answer is being considered
8. He ___ responsible for the accident.
   was holding
   was held
   Answer was held
9. A prize ___ to whoever solves this equation.
   will be giving
   will be given
   Answer will be given
10. When the manager arrived, the problem ___ .
    had already been solved.
    had already solved.
    Answer had already been solved

(C) 1997 Vera Mello

The "Mother" Quiz

Click the answer button to see the answer.

1. ___ is the mother of good luck.
   a. Diligence
   b. Experience
   c. Intelligence
   d. Arrogance
   Answera

2. ___ is the mother of wisdom.
   a. Diligence
   b. Experience
   c. Intelligence
   d. Necessity
   Answerb

3. ___ is the mother of invention.
   a. Diligence
   b. Experience
   c. Intelligence
   d. Necessity
   Answerd

4. He that would the ___ win, must with the mother first begin.
   a. battle
   b. argument
   c. lottery
   d. daughter
   Answerd

5. "Like mother, like daughter" means ___.
   a. If you admire the mother you will also admire the daughter.
   b. Daughters tend to do the same things as their mothers.
   Answerb

6. "Tied to one's mother's apron strings" means ___.
   a. A person likes cooking.
   b. A person has a fetish for his or her mother's clothing.
   c. A person is dependent on his or her mother.
   d. A person has very strict ideas about what is proper behavior.
   Answerc

7. "Every mother's son (of someone)" means ___.
   a. Absolutely everyone with no exception
   b. Anyone who is underage
   c. All who are immature
   d. Anyone who is living at home
   Answera

8. "Old enough to be someone's mother" means ___.
   a. A person is as old as someone's parents (too old for a relationship).
   b. A person is old enough to have children.
   c. A person is well matched emotionally with another person.
   d. A person ought to act more mature.
   Answera

9. Children are the ___ that hold a mother to life. (Sophocles)
   a. stitches
   b. anchors
   c. pillars
   d. glue
   Answerb

10. Every beetle is a gazelle in the ___ of its mother. (Moorish Proverb)
    a. mind
    b. view
    c. eyes
    d. heart
    Answerc

11. A ___ son is the heaviness of its mother. (Bible, Proverbs)
    a. foolish
    b. friendly
    c. frank
    d. fiendish
    Answera

12. The ideal mother, like the ideal ___ is fiction.(Milton B. Sapirstein, Paradoxes of Everyday Life, 1955)
    a. house
    b. job
    c. marriage
    d. vacation
    Answerc

13. A mother is glad to get the loveliest child ___. (Emerson)
    a. dressed
    b. ready
    c. home
    d. asleep
    Answerd

14. No woman can call herself ___ unless she can choose consciously whether she will or will not be amother. (Margaret Sanger, Parade, Dec.1, 1963)
    a. happy
    b. open
    c. free
    d. modern
    Answerc

15. What mother sings to the cradle goes all the way ___ to the coffin. (Henry Ward Beecher, Proverbsfrom Plymouth Pulpit, 1887)
    a. down
    b. after
    c. on
    d. in
    Answera

16. Who takes the child by the ___ takes the mother by the heart. (Danish Proverb)
    a. storm
    b. hand
    c. shirttails
    d. arm
    Answerb

17. Men are what ___ mothers made them. (Emerson)
    a. some
    b. other
    c. their
    d. many
    Answerc

18. Only mothers can think of the ___ because they give birth to it in their children. (Maxim Gorky)
    a. future
    b. past
    c. present
    d. possible
    Answera

19. Motherly love begins with oneness and ___ to separateness. (Erich Fromm)
    a. ends
    b. leads
    c. results
    d. depends
    Answerb

20. A motherless son is a fish ___low water. (Burmese Proverb)
    a. out
    b. over
    c. in
    d. on
    Answerc

Copyright (C) 1998 by Donna Tatsuki

Bits and Pieces

What's the Correct Word Order?

Click the answer button to see the correct answer.

1. a. beautiful
   b. to
   c. lady
   d. what
   e. young
   f. that
   g. happened
   h. ?
   AnswerWhat happened to that beautiful young lady?
2. a. how
   b. us
   c. waiting
   d. has
   e. long
   f. she
   g. been
   h. for
   i. ?
   AnswerHow long has she been waiting for us?
3. a. far
   b. gas
   c. is
   d. the
   e. how
   f. nearest
   g. it
   h. to
   i. station
   j. ?
   AnswerHow far is it to the nearest gas station?
4. a. didn't
   b. our
   c. come
   d. meeting
   e. to
   f. why
   g. you
   h. ?
   AnswerWhy didn't you come to our meeting?
5. a. tonight
   b. you
   c. come
   d. do
   e. guests
   f. how
   g. will
   h. many
   i. know
   j. ?
   AnswerDo you know how many guests will come tonight?
6. a. green
   b. cost
   c. much
   d. that
   e. vase
   f. how
   g. does
   h. Japanese
   i. ?
   AnswerHow much does that green Japanese vase cost?
7. a. I
   b. in
   c. may
   d. this
   e. room
   f. smoke
   g. ?
   AnswerMay I smoke in this room?
8. a. me
   b. you
   c. ride
   d. can
   e. give
   f. a
   g. ?
   AnswerCan you give me a ride?
9. a. break
   b. it
   c. we
   d. should
   e. before
   f. do
   g. coffee
   h. ?
   AnswerShould we do it before coffee break?
10. a. will
    b. here
    c. he
    d. when
    e. be
    f. again
    g. ?
    AnswerWhen will he be here again?

(C) 1998 Vera Mello

Correct or Incorrect use of preposition?

Click the answer button to see whether
the sentence is correct (c) or incorrect (i).

1. She's a very selfish person who doesn't show any consideration for others.
   Answerc
2. On our school the teachers' basic hourly rate was increased by 5%.
   Answeri (in,by)
3. When we said: "the time is over", the young girl glanced quickly on her watch.
   Answeri (at)
4. There's a fine of 25 cents a day at overdue library books.
   Answeri (of,on)
5. In the beginning of his career he had very little success.
   Answeri (at,of)
6. He forgot to consider the rise in the cost of living.
   Answerc
7. This ticket entitles you to a free meal in our new restaurant.
   Answerc
8. Why did the burden to bringing up her two brothers fall on her shoulders?
   Answeri (of)
9. When I came through the customs at the airport, I had to pay duty about an electric knife I had in my luggage.
   Answeri (on,in)
10. The botanist discovered some new specimens of flowers on that island.
    Answerc

(C) 1998 Vera Mello

Homophones - A homophone is a word that is pronounced the same as another word but differs in meaning. The words may be spelled the same, such as rose and rose (past tense of "rise"), or differently, such as to, two, and too. Homophones that are spelled the same are also both homographs and homonyms.

Click the answer button to see the answer.

1. Things are not as they ___.
   a. seam
   b. seem
   Answerb
2. A type of corn is called ___.
   a. maize
   b. maze
   Answera
3. On the ___, he is a nice person.
   a. whole
   b. hole
   Answera
4. He ___ better but he did it anyway.
   a. knew
   b. new
   Answera
5. Always try to buy low and ___ high.
   a. sell
   b. cell
   Answera
6. Didn't you ___ me when I called you?
   a. hear
   b. here
   Answera
7. A rank lower than general is ___.
   a. colonel
   b. kernel
   Answera
8. Do not ___ in the affairs of other.
   a. medal
   b. meddle
   Answerb
9. Do you really ___ the money?
   a. knead
   b. kneed
   c. need
   Answerc
10. During the summer I work as a tour ___.
    a. guide
    b. guyed
    Answera
11. I will have a ___ sandwich on rye bread.
    a. stake
    b. steak
    Answerb
12. I told ___ not to go but he would not listen.
    a. him
    b. hymn
    Answera
13. His car broke down so he called for a ___ truck.
    a. toe
    b. tow
    Answerb
14. If you run a bear will chase and try to ___ you.
    a. mall
    b. maul
    Answerb
15. If you sleep with ___ hair you will catch a cold.
    a. wet
    b. whet
    Answera
16. A vein of gold in a mine is known as the mother ___.
    a. load
    b. lode
    Answerb
17. I want to ___ you for your delicious meal.
    a. complement
    b. compliment
    Answerb
18. He was not ___ to stay up later than 9:00 at night.
    a. allowed
    b. aloud
    Answera
19. My son has ___ 10 centimeters since this past summer.
    a. groan
    b. grown
    Answerb
20. He ___ flowers to his mother on Mother's Day.
    a. cent
    b. scent
    c. sent
    Answerc

(C) 1998 Donna Tatsuki

Grammar Basics

Click the answer button to see the answer. You may need a dictionary in some cases.

1. Beer is the world's best-selling ___ drink.
   a. alcohol
   b. alcoholic
   c. alcohols
   Answerb
2. The process of making beer is called ___ .
   a. beering
   b. brewsing
   c. brewing
   Answerc
3. The first recorded recipe ( ___ on clay tablets) seems to be one for making beer.
   a. write
   b. written
   c. wrote
   Answerb
4. The ___ ingredients used in making beer are malted grains, water, hops, and yeast.
   a. principal
   b. principle
   c. principles
   Answera
5. The most common grain ___ for beer-making is barley, but sometimes wheat, corn, or rice are also added.
   a. use
   b. uses
   c. used
   Answerc
6. Grain is malted by first soaking it in water, then allowing it to sprout, and finally drying it ___ stop the sprouting.
   a. in order to
   b. to order to
   c. into order to
   Answera
7. Hop cones add both flavor and aroma to beer; they are also good ___ .
   a. preserves
   b. preservatives
   c. preservations
   Answerb
8. In a process ___ fermentation, yeast changes sugar from the malted grain into alcohol.
   a. call
   b. calling
   c. called
   Answerc
9. Although the alcohol level in beer ___ ranges from 4-7%, it can go as high as 15%.
   a. usual
   b. unusual
   c. usually
   Answerc
10. The two most ___ styles of beer are lager and ale.
    a. common
    b. commons
    c. commonly
    Answera
11. Lager ___ about 150 years ago, and it is now the most popular style of beer.
    a. has developed
    b. was developed
    c. has been developed
    Answerb
12. However, in recent years, ale has been regaining ___ .
    a. popular
    b. population
    c. popularity
    Answerc
13. One difference between lager and ale ___ the kinds of yeast used in the fermentation process.
    a. lies in
    b. lies at
    c. lies on
    Answera
14. Another difference between these two ___ of beer is the temperature of the fermentation process.
    a. type
    b. types
    c. typicals
    Answerb
15. In addition, lager ___ lighter in color and body than ale.
    a. tends to be
    b. tend to be
    c. tends to have
    Answera
16. Most beer in the United States is made by big breweries, such as Anheuser-Busch and Miller; microbrew or "craft" beer ___ only 5-10% of all beer produced.
    a. account for
    b. accounts for
    c. count for
    Answerb
17. However, the rapid ___ in the number of microbreweries in the past 20 years means that the United States has a wider selection of beer styles than any other country.
    a. increasing
    b. increases
    c. increase
    Answerc
18. In Europe, one of the smallest countries, Belgium, produces the ___ variety of beer styles of all and is sometimes thought of as a "Disneyland" for beer drinkers.
    a. great
    b. greatest
    c. greater
    Answerb

Copyright (C) 1999 Nevitt Reagan

Reading Comprehension and Vocabulary

Hello there,
Les dejamos un ejercicio de comprensión de texto junto con un ejercicio de vocabulario vocabulario. La idea es que NO usen diccionario sino que puedan entender globalmente de que se trata. Requiere concentración, intuición linguística, and the best of your English,
It's challengeing, isn't it?

Kind regards,
Porfesores del CUI

EJERCICIO (desde acá)

Gapped Exercise

Hi everyone,
below you will find exercises that will help you brush up the grammar topics and vocabulary exercises that you have been working so far.

Kind regards,
Profesores del CUI

EXERCISES (download or view here)