FINAL_GRAMMAR_TEST_-_winter

FINAL GRAMMAR TEST

Variant 1

Time limit: 80 min.

Total: 91 points

I. Read the following text and decide which article fits in each space:

1)… Picasso has been sold for $55.6 million at 2)… auction – 3)… new record for 4)… painter’s work. 5)… painting from 6)… Picasso’s blue period was bought by 7)… anonymous telephone bidder. 8)… price paid for 9)… painting, which shows 10)… woman with her arms folded, made it 11)… fifth most expensive work ever sold at 12)… auction of this kind and 13)… most expensive Picasso so far.

Yesterday, in what was largely 14)… rather disappointing sale, Christopher Burge, 15)… Honorary Chairman of Christie’s America, said: “It is 16)… best blue period portrait that has been up for 17)… sale at 18)… least since 19)… Fifties.” 20)… sale took in 21)… total of $150 million, far below 22)… pre-sale estimate. With only 58 per cent of 23)… pictures sold, it turned out to be one of 24)… poorest performances for 25)… Impressionist auction in many years.

25 points

II. Choose the alternative which fits the sentence:

1. The Netherlands (produces, produce) excellent cheeses.

2. 60% of his fellow students (is, are) not satisfied with their progress.

3. The Roman Catholic clergy (is, are) stationed in Vatican.

4. More than one answer (was, were) given to that question.

5. A number of people (seems, seem) to be against your decision.

6. All the fruit in Aunt Emily’s garden (is, are) already ripe.

7. Many a song (has, have) produced a long-lasting impression on the audience.

8. The outskirts of this town (is, are) shabby looking. Can you imagine a modern steel (work, works) located here?

9. My kid’s pyjamas (is, are) made of the finest cotton.

10. Neither your friend nor you (is, are) responsible for this.

11. What (is, are) the mechanics of this new process?

12. In the far corner of the room (was, were) a small sofa and two armchairs.

13. I don’t care at all what the council (thinks, think) of me.

14. The football team on the photo (come, comes) from Croatia.

15 points

III. Rewrite the following sentences using the Genitive:

1. I like theatrical plays by Shaw and Wilde.

2. The camp was at a distance of 4 miles and a half from the town.

3. She writes articles for a fashionable magazine for women.

4. This is the favourite singer of my younger brother.

5. I will call you tomorrow and we’ll talk till we are satisfied. (Use a set-expression.)

5 points

IV. Pick the correct variant:

1. (It, There) is a great deal of arrogance about his manners.

2. You’d better (don’t interrupt, not to interrupt, not interrupt) me.

3. (It, There) is no coincidence that I met you there.

4. Far (is, be, will be) it from me to betray my beloved friends.

5. (It, There) is over 100 miles from London to Birmingham.

6. If only he (were, would be, had been) here at the moment! I need him so much.

7. I keep hearing fire-engines. Is (it, there) a fire somewhere?

8. But for him I (had written, would have written, would write) this essay long ago.

8 points

V. Correct the faulty sentences:

1. I admire her hairs’ colour, it makes her such a beauty.

2. This extraordinary Swiss believes that people and snakes can live in a perfect harmony.

3. Bill isn’t one of those people who is always kind and generous, is he?

4. We all liked the wedding new exquisite gold Mary’s ring.

5. He is so stupid a person – he thinks that a mobile phone was invented in the 19^th century.

6. This is a most expensive restaurant but it’s perfect for those who like exotic.

7. It is I who is chairman of the committee, the responsibility is all mine.

8. The charming smile of Sarah’s doesn’t give poor Nick a moment’s peace.

8 points

VI. Translate into English using your active grammar:

1. А что если она выйдет за него замуж? Они ведь их разных социальных слоев: она дочь миллионера, а он работает простым клерком в компании ее отца. (5)

2. Бессмысленно продолжать эти дебаты. Все присутствующие уже устали, давайте объявим двадцатиминутный перерыв. (4)

3. Сегодня слишком хороший день, чтобы сидеть дома. Давайте поедем к Браунам, ладно? Они устраивают большой праздничный ужин. (4)

4. Старик Джон знает эти истории, как свои пять пальцев. Ты бы лучше обратился к нему за помощью. (3)

5. Где твои новые часы? Неужели ты их потерял? Ах, если бы ты только не был таким рассеянным! (3)

6. Всегда надейся на лучшее, даже если приходится выбирать меньшее из двух зол. (2)

7. Будь что будет, я пойду на завтрашнее собрание. (2)

8. Содержание этой книги чрезвычайно интересно. Я прочитал ее в оригинале. (2)

9. Я уверена, что эту картину нарисовал великий Леонардо. Как она называется? (2)

10. Кого избрали президентом? (1)

11. В ее голосе была печаль, которая удивила Тима. (1)

12. Именно ты виноват в этой ошибке. (1)

30 points

FINAL GRAMMAR TEST

Variant 2

Time limit: 80 min.

Total: 90 points

I. Read the following text and decide which article fits in each space:

William Blake, 1)… author of 2)… two of 3)… most popular poems in 4)… English language – Tyger. Tyger and Jerusalem – was also 5)… artist, visionary and mystic, who saw and spoke with 6)… angels while walking through Covent Garden in London. He also invented 7)… engraving process, which allowed him to produce 8)… etchings as delicate and subtle as water colours. Robert Hamlyn, 9)… Curator of 10)… largest ever Blake exhibition, which opens at 11)… Tate Gallery on Tuesday, explained that 12)… artist used and reused his etching plates and on his death in 1827 those remaining in his studio were sold as 13)… scrap metal. 14)… only surviving example of 15)… Blake’s relief etching technique is of 16)… unique importance.

17)… talented Blake, 18)… son of 19)… poor hosier, who never went to 20)… school and earned 21)… living as 22)… jobbing engraver, had 23)… few devoted friends and passionate admirers, but was generally regarded as 24)… madman. Today his creative work is revered by 25)… remarkable range of artists.

25 points

II. Choose the alternative which fits the sentence:

1. The audience at the church I go to (is, are) always very large.

2. I suppose only 40% of his colleagues (is, are) married.

3. There (is, are) half a dozen people screaming in the street.

4. Means (was, were) easily found and in due time.

5. Her poultry (is, are) the finest in the whole village.

6. There (is, are) rare fish in this river.

7. One or two houses (is, are) to be reconstructed this autumn.

8. The statistics of Michael’s report (seems, seem) rather inaccurate.

9. My university group (feels, feel) tired after their exam.

10. The Netherlands (lies, lie) to the north of Europe.

11. Do you think stunning looks (is, are) the key to success?

12. There is a pair of blue jeans on the sofa – could you take (it, them) to the laundry-room?

13. The theme of the novel (is, are) experiences of a lone mother in modern society.

14. My boss as well as his assistants (is, are) abroad at the moment.

15. (Is, are) there fruit in the refrigerator?

15 points

III. Rewrite the following sentences using the Genitive:

1. Look at the property of my younger brother Collin.

2. The nearest town is within a drive of 3 hours and a half.

3. There was a great variety of colourful books for children on the bookshelves.

4. The new boy-friends of Pat and Dolly are excellent managers.

5. We might be late for the train – we are walking very-very slowly! (Use a set-expression.)

5 points

IV. Pick the correct variant:

1. (It, There) remains nothing to be done about the problem.

2. And what if he (should come, would come, come) back?

3. (It, There) is no sense in joining his party.

4. I’d rather (not to have consulted, hadn’t consulted, not have consulted) him.

5. (It, There) is an appendix to this book, and (it, there) is a great advantage.

6. Oh, that my car (wouldn’t have broken, wouldn’t break, hadn’t broken) yesterday. I would be in Glasgow now.

7. But for his illness he (would come, had come, would have come) to the concert tomorrow.

8 points

V. Correct the faulty sentences:

1. The present students were surprised at the stony voice of the Dean.

2. It was a sheer nonsense, an old wives’ tale. I didn’t believe a word of it.

3. Did you listen to the President Obama’s yesterday’s speech?

4. Everyone was impressed by the leather fashionable black Dan’s sports Italian shoes.

5. A man though he is, his logic is ridiculous in the extreme.

6. She was on the other side of the river, just at the step’s top which led down to the water.

7. I have never met so a gifted person! He is a Picasso – no, a Leonardo!

8. Paper burns at the temperature of 451 degrees Fahrenheit, doesn’t it?

8 points

VI. Translate into English:

1. – Случилось невероятное – легкомысленный Саймон влюбился с первого взгляда! – Интересно, как выглядит эта девушка? Думаю, это настоящая Мэрилин Монро! (5)

2. – Вы получили товар, который должен был прибыть вчера? – Да, некий мистер Коллинз, приехавший на новом Бентли, доставил заказанный нами товар. (5)

3. Полковник Браун – один из близких друзей моих родителей. От его дома до нашего рукой подать. (3)

4. Бесполезно с ним спорить. Он прав – радио изобрел ученый Попов. (3)

5. Все опрошенные свидетели подтвердили, что именно ты взял те деньги. Где они сейчас? (3)

6. Если твои часы отстают, ты бы отнес их к часовщику. (3)

7. У меня и в мыслях не было отрицать, что ваши данные не достоверны. (2)

8. Бернард Шоу, знаменитый ирландский драматург, был чрезвычайно остроумным человеком. (2)

9. Ах, если бы Джейн не была такой жестокой! Она держит всех на расстоянии. (2)

10. Они обняли друг друга ради внешних приличий. (1)

11. Они относились к Мэри с огромным уважением. (1)

30 points