Section1 Q1: The correct answer is: Most University Instructors say that MBA students should learn at least one foreign language,  and you chose  .

Both say and tell can be used with direct and indirect speech, but say is more common in direct speech. Say refers to any kind of speech; tell is only used to mean 'instruct' or inform'. Tell is followed by an object, say is not.

E.g: "Turn right" he said. (direct) OR  He told me to turn right. (indirect).

        I'll say "What's your problem?"   NOT  I'll tell her "What's your problem?".

For more practice with commonly confused words and phrases (lower intermediate level) CLICK HERE.

For more practice with commonly confused words and phrases ( intermediate level) CLICK HERE.

Section1 Q2: The correct answer is: Adult languge learning is not the same as acquiring your native language as a child,   and you chose  .

The phrase the same as is used to compare two exactly equal things. Before a clause, the same..... that (things) or

the same ......who (people) can be used.

E.g Things are the same as they ever were.

      It's the same shirt as/that I was wearing yesterday.

        He's the same man who/that asked me for money yesterday.

To see examples of this phrase in the VLC concordancer, CLICK HERE

Section1 Q3: The correct answer is: For most people, it takes a long time to become fluent in a second language,

  and you chose  .

The phrases to take time and to take a long time are both correct, but NOT to take long in an affirmative sentence.

To SPEND time/a long time ON s.t is also correct.

The question, how long does it take? is correct however!

Section1 Q4: The correct answer is: Chinese is supposed to be the hardest language to learn, and you chose  .

The comparative form (comparing 2 things) ends in er

The superlative form of short adjectives (1-2 syllables) usually ends in est. E.g hardest

The superlative form of longer adjectives (2-3 syllables) is formed by putting most in front of the adjective. e.g. most beautiful

Section1 Q5: The correct answer is: English is also difficult as there are many exceptions to rules, which have to  be memorised, and you chose  .

In subordinate clauses, who refers to people and which to things. That is also possible.

Which and what are often both possible as question words, with very little difference in meaning.

E.g Which/What is the highest city in the world?

Which/What people have had the greatest influence on your life?

Which is preferable when the number of choices are limited however: There's orange or apple juice; which do you want?

What is preferable when the number of choices are not limited : What's your phone number?

Section1 Q6: The correct answer is: However, basic language structures are quickly learnt if you are willing to make the effort, and you chose  .

The phrase is to be willing to (do something), meaning that you are happy to do it.

Will is the noun in this sense, e.g She has a very strong will and normally gets her own way.

Want is not normally used in the progressive tense.

Section1 Q7: The correct answer is: Many people aren't used  to studying the grammar rules of their native language, and you chose  .

To be used to (doing) s.t means to be accustomed or habituated to (doing) s.t.

E.g  Using the Internet was difficult at first, but now I'm used to it.

This structure should not be confused with used to +infinitive (e.g used to go) which means a discontinued past habit .

Section1 Q8: The correct answer is: Most adult language learners wish they had started their studies earlier, and you chose  . This is an example of the 3rd Conditional tense, talking about a hypothetical past (because it never happened.) i.e situations which are different from what actually happened.

The 3 conditional structures are:

1. If clause=present tense, result clause= will e.g If there's a typhoon I'll stay at home. This generally expresses probable events.

2. If clause=past tense, result clause= would e.g If I won the lottery I'd buy a purple Jaguar. This generally expresses improbable events.

3. If clause= past perfect tense, result clause= would/could/should +perfect infinitive .

e.g If they'd been there, they would have found out.

We'd never have met  if you hadn't slipped on that banana skin.

Section1 Q9: The correct answer is: Language students are well advised to develop skills to help them study on their own, and you chose  .

The phrase to be/do st on one's own means to be/do it alone.

E.g No-one else was interested, so I went on my own. They're old enough to go to school on their own now.

Section1 Q10: The correct answer is: There aren't any shortcuts to learning a foreign language quickly in your own country, and you chose  .

• Any is generally used with negative and question phrases.
• Some is generally used in affirmative statements.
• No is negative and therefore not used with a negative verb.

Section1 Q11: The correct answer is: However, you can improve your English by listening to English language radio programmes or watching  films, and you chose  .

Listening to something means paying attention to it deliberately.

Hearing is less discriminate; it encompasses all incomig sounds.

E.g He heard a conversation in the next room but didn't listen to it.

I was listening to the radio so I didn't hear the phone.

For more practice with commonly confused words and phrases (lower intermediate level) CLICK HERE.

For more practice with commonly confused words and phrases ( intermediate level) CLICK HERE.

Section1 Q12: The correct answer is: Living with foreign students or making foreign friends can also help a lot, and you chose  .

-ing forms (gerunds and participles) can be used as:

• nouns, as in this sentence. Another e.g :smoking is bad for you. They can be subject, object or complement (e.g our favourite activity is reading).
• verbs e.g. She's smoking too much because she's studying really hard.
• adjectives e.g. There was a smoking cigarette end in the ashtray

Section1 Q13: The correct answer is: It's no use trying to learn a language just by looking at a grammar textbook, and you chose  .

It's no use + ...ing  is a standard phrase.

To see examples of this phrase in the VLC concordancer, CLICK HERE

Section1 Q14: The correct answer is: Most students would rather be  tested continuously than sit exams, and you chose  .

Would rather + infinitive: To see examples of this phrase in the VLC concordancer, CLICK HERE

Would prefer to + infinitive is also correct.

To see examples of this phrase in the VLC concordancer, CLICK HERE

Section1 Q15: The correct answer is: There is a general belief now that we should all learn a single international language, and you chose  .

Should suggests a moral imperative or obligation.

Might suggests possibility

Section1 Q16: The correct answer is: Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos joined   the Association of South East Asian Nations in 1997, and you chose  .

When there is a past time phrase (in 1997, last week, 100 years ago etc) the past simple tense is used.

Section1 Q17: The correct answer is: Since then, the member countries have been working on a 'modus operandi' which suits them all, and you chose  .

With since and for, the present perfect tense is used. The progressive form suggests continuous action.

Section1 Q18: The correct answer is: It is wise to wait until ordered goods are received before authorising credit card payments online, and you chose  .

The -ing verb form is used with before .... and after..... e.g. Please shower before entering the swimming pool.

Section1 Q19: The correct answer is Hong Kong has been known as the SAR for only a short time, and you chose  .

This is the present perfect passive tense.

Section1 Q20: The correct answer is: PolyU students would like to have fewer assignments and more free time!   and you chose  .

This is an example of the 2nd Conditional tense, talking about improbable events! The suggestion is "IF they could choose.."

The 3 conditional structures are:

1. If clause=present tense, result clause= will e.g If there's a typhoon I'll stay at home. This generally expresses probable events.

2. If clause=past tense, result clause= would e.g If I won the lottery I'd buy a purple Jaguar. This generally expresses improbable events.

3. If clause= past perfect tense, result clause= would/could/should +perfect infinitive . Talking about  situations which are different from what actually happened.

e.g If they'd been there, they would have found out.

We'd never have met  if you hadn't slipped on that banana skin.

Section1 Q21: The correct answer is: Then, as they put it, they could 'develop other important life skills',   and you chose  .

As someone puts it means in that person's own words.

Section1 Q22: The correct answer is: You can't vote until you are 21 years old,   and you chose  .

The present tense is used with until here.

To see examples of this word in the VLC concordancer, CLICK HERE

Section1 Q23: The correct answer is: His ex-wife met her new boyfriend while she was working in a cement factory,   and you chose  .

This is the past progressive (continuous) tense.

Section1 Q24: The correct answer is: Now they have 2 children, both of whom were  born in Shenzen, and you chose  .

This is the past simple (the act of being born is finished, even though the children are still alive).

Section1 Q25: The correct answer is: It's time we called it a day, isn't it?  and you chose  .

Tag questions invert the auxiliary verb and subject e.g. 'It is' in the question becomes 'isn't it?' in the tag.