English Tenses and Articles Quiz

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Questions and Answers

Which tense should you use to discuss an action that was in progress in the past, often unfinished?

Past Perfect

Present Perfect Continuous

Future Continuous

Past Continuous (correct)

What aspect should you use to describe a trend or changing situation?

Future Aspect

Simple Aspect

Continuous Aspect (correct)

Perfect Aspect

Which of these best describes the function of the present perfect tense?

Looking back from a time in the past to another time before it.

Focusing on the duration of actions in the future.

Looking back from now to a time before now, often focusing on completed actions. (correct)

Describing temporary actions in progress in the future.

Which of the following is the infinitive form of the perfect aspect?

to + have + past participle Signup and view all the answers

When is the indefinite article 'a/an' used?

To introduce something for the first time. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between using 'a/an' and 'one'?

'One' emphasizes a single instance or one only, while 'a/an' introduces a noun without specific quantity. Signup and view all the answers

When should the definite article 'the' be used?

When referring to something previously mentioned, unique objects, or contextually obvious items. Signup and view all the answers

Which tense should you use to talk about an action that started in the past and is still continuing into the present?

Present Perfect Continuous Signup and view all the answers

Which sentence demonstrates the correct use of a zero article?

Happiness is often pursued, but rarely found. Signup and view all the answers

What is the correct way to express a past possibility using a modal perfect?

She might have gone to the party, but I'm not sure. Signup and view all the answers

Which modal verb best expresses advice?

You should consider a different approach. Signup and view all the answers

Which sentence correctly uses a subordinate clause to express a reason?

I went to the doctor because I was feeling unwell. Signup and view all the answers

Which sentence demonstrates the correct usage of a modal verb to express refusal?

I won't do that because I disagree with it. Signup and view all the answers

Identify the sentence that correctly uses a subordinate clause for a condition.

I will go to the beach if the weather is good. Signup and view all the answers

Which option displays the correct use of modal perfect to express certainty in the past?

They must have seen the movie, as they were the 1st ones to arrive. Signup and view all the answers

Which sentence correctly uses 'needn't have' to express regret about a past action?

I needn't have bought two tickets, only one was needed. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following sentences uses the passive voice correctly in the present continuous?

The cake is being baked by the chef. Signup and view all the answers

Choose the sentence that uses a superlative phrase correctly.

The Sahara is the largest desert in the world. Signup and view all the answers

Which sentence demonstrates the use of a passive infinitive?

He wants to be promoted soon. Signup and view all the answers

Which option correctly orders adjectives in a complex noun phrase?

an old, small, blue, wooden box Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of a compound adjective?

a well-known author Signup and view all the answers

Which sentence uses a noun as a pre-modifier?

He bought a new computer game. Signup and view all the answers

Which option contains a post-modifier?

The house on the hill is beautiful. Signup and view all the answers

Which sentence uses a 'to-infinitive' to indicate the purpose of a noun?

He packed a bag to use on his trip. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Grammar - Continuous Aspect

Use the continuous aspect to describe actions or situations in progress at a specific time
Used for unfinished actions or temporary situations
Present continuous describes ongoing current actions or future arrangements
Past continuous describes ongoing past actions, often unfinished
Present perfect continuous describes ongoing past actions continuing to the present or just finished, with present result
Past perfect continuous describes ongoing past actions up to another point in the past
Future continuous describes actions in progress at a specific future time

Grammar - Perfect Aspect

Use the perfect aspect to look back from one time to another
Present perfect: looks back from now to a time before now, often focuses on completed actions or situations
Present perfect continuous: focuses on the duration of an action
Past perfect: looks back from a past time to another earlier time in the past
Past perfect continuous: focuses focusing on the duration of an action in the past
Future perfect: looks back from a future time to an earlier time
Future perfect continuous: focuses on the duration of an action in the future

Key Language - Stating Requirements

Essential: Absolutely essential, must have, have to, pre-requisite
Desirable: Helpful, good thing, advantage, give them an edge

Key Language - Reporting What Others Say

Verbs like: argue, claim, comment, conclude, deny, point out, suggest

Vocabulary - Issues in Education

assessment, critical thinking, curriculum, dumbing down, elitism, informed decisions, interpersonal skills, knowledge base, plagiarism, rote learning, streaming, traditional teaching

Vocabulary - Reporting Verbs (Suffixes)

affectionate, allergic, ambitious, analytical, educational, empathetic, famous, fictional, infectious, influential, logical, passionate, persuasive, powerful, speculative, successful, toxic

Vocabulary - Abbreviations

BA, BULATS, CV, IELTS, MBA, MSc, PhD, TOEFL

Grammar - Articles

Indefinite article (a/an): introducing something for the first time, common with singular countable nouns
Definite article (the): referring to something mentioned before, common knowledge, unique items, superlative phrases, countries, geographic features etc.
Zero article (no article): used with plural/uncountable nouns, general concepts, abstract ideas, people's names, continents, countries, cities, mountains and lakes

Ability/Possibility: can, be able to
Permission/Requests/Refusal: can, could, may, won't
Likelihood/Deduction: can, could, may, might, must, can't
Advice/Obligation/Prohibition: should, ought to, must, have to, don't have to, don't need to, can't, mustn't

Key Language - Stating your Position

Phrases like "I'd like to make my position very clear"
X is an absolute priority or is not negotiable.
It's vital to have X if you want to...
It simply isn't possible to...

Key Language - Clarifying

Phrases like "If I understand you correctly"
It seems...
What exactly do you mean?
I understand where you're coming from...
OK, you've been very clear about....

Vocabulary - Travel Collocations

ancient monument, baking temperatures, boutique hotel, budget airline, carbon footprint, last-minute deal, local delicacy, organised excursion

Vocabulary - Multi-Word Verbs

avoid getting ripped off, get away from it all, get back to nature, go off the beaten track, let your hair down, live it up, lounge around by the pool, soak up the atmosphere, steer clear of the tourist traps, take in the sights

Vocabulary - Natural World

archipelago, biodiversity, ecosystem, endemic, feral, lava, reserve, tectonic plate

Vocabulary - Independent Prepositions

ability to, fascination with, great at, love of, obsession with, passion for, proud of, reluctance to

Vocabulary - Adjectives of Character

aloof, charismatic, cultured, devious, dogmatic, emotional, hospitable, meticulous, pragmatic, self-effacing

Vocabulary - Describing Technology

a museum piece, behind the times, cutting-edge, had its day, innovative, new-fangled, obsolete, outdated, redundant, retro, revolutionary, state-of-the-art, superseded, the last word in

Vocabulary - Collocations

academic assessment, code sequence, complex data, diagnostic test, false results, health system, quality control, research subject, test tube

Grammar - Subordinate Clauses

Sentences with one or more clauses
Main clause and subordinate clause joined by subordinating conjunctions (e.g., when, because, although, if)
Subordinate clauses express explanation, reason, condition, purpose, time, relative, reported speech

Use must/can't/couldn't have + past participle to express certainty about something in the past
May/might/could have + past participle expresses possibility in the past
Should/ought to have + past participle express past necessity or criticism, or regret
Needn't have + past participle expresses something done unnecessarily

Key Language - Stating Objectives

Phrases like "Our main objective is to..."
"One of our main goals will be to..."
"Your priority is to..."

Key Language - Giving Strong Advice

Advisable, ought to, essential, vital, strongly advise, urge

Key Language - Critiquing

Phrases like "What about...?"
It's a major disadvantage...
Since when have... ?

Key Language - Accepting Criticism

Phrases like "That's a fair point."
I have to agree with you there...

Key Language - Offering Counter-Arguments

Phrases like "But really..."
"That's a fact of life..."

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Description

Test your understanding of English tenses, aspects, and articles with this comprehensive quiz. Answer questions about when to use different tenses, the role of modals, and the nuances of definite and indefinite articles. Perfect for students looking to enhance their grammar skills.