CONTENTS
1. Nouns - regular and irregular
…………………. 7
2. Quantities, units & groups
…………………. 13
3. Sizes, measurements, dimensions & units
…………………. 17
4. Digits, numbers & calculations
………………….. 21
5. Nationalities, capital cities & currencies
………………….. 23
6. Chemical elements & substances
………………….. 27
7. Materials & textures
…………………. 30
8. Sounds
…………………. 32
9. Colloquial expressions & responses
…………………. 37
10. What things do
…………………. 43
11. The state of things & quality
…………………. 46
12. Comparisons & similes
…………………. 48
13. Words & expressions of foreign origin
…………………. 54
14. Rhyming expressions
…………………. 61
15. Pairs
…………………. 66
16. Compounds
…………………. 73
17. Word formation
…………………. 94
18. False friends
…………………. 106
19. Confusables
…………………. 110
20. Prepositions
…………………. 118
21. Prepositional phrases
…………………. 125
22. Phrasal verbs
…………………. 133
23. Idioms & idiomatic expressions
…………………. 147
24. Proverbs & sayings
…………………. 158
25. British English vs. American English
…………………. 163
26. Collocations
…………………. 165
KEY
…………………. 171
5
1
Nouns – regular and irregular
REGULAR AND IRREGULAR PLURAL (1)
I. Write the irregular plural form of the following nouns.
analysis
……………
echo
……………
wolf
……………
church
……………
crisis
……………
cranium
……………
son-in-law
……………
bacterium ……………
looker-on
……………
datum
……………
alumna
……………
basis
……………
scarf
……………
alumnus
……………
deer
……………
ox
……………
criterion
……………
sheaf
……………
hypothesis
……………
oasis
……………
radius
……………
father-to-be ……………
mouse
……………
calf
……………
larva
……………
corpus
……………
ellipsis
……………
half
……………
prognosis
……………
potato
……………
erratum
……………
tomato
……………
passer-by
……………
axis
……………
leaf
……………
stratum
……………
knick-knack ……………
yes-man
……………
sheep
……………
louse
loaf
……………
aircraft
……………
……………
II. Fill the gaps with the correct nouns in the plural form.
diagnosis
hanger-on
phenomenon
hoof
lady-in-waiting
thesis spacecraft
stimulus
man of straw
ward of court
1. The astronauts that make the crew of the ……………………. have been carefully
selected from the best jet pilots in the country.
2. The Queen used to have more than twenty ……………………. to look after her
all day round.
3. It’s amazing! I’ve been examined by three doctors and the …………………….
they have made vary to a great extent.
7
4. The chamois can move easily in the steep rocky terrain thanks to their welladapted ……………………. that enable them to keep balance at all times.
5. These youths’ parents have been put to prison. Therefore, they have been made
……………………. .
6. The primitive people were overwhelmed by ……………………. like
thunderbolts, eclipses or even shooting stars and believed that the divine forces
were responsible for all that.
7. Mark says that a high salary and perks are not sufficient ……………………. to
hard work. He says he needs more than that to do his best.
8. I don’t trust all these people who flatter me. They’re just ……………………. .
They’re only after my money and influences.
9. Professor Bobkin has been very busy these days. He has been evaluating his
students’ ……………………. for their doctoral examination.
10. These politicians are just puppets or rather ……………………. who are unable to
make their own decisions.
REGULAR AND IRREGULAR PLURAL (2)
I. Write the regular and irregular plural form of the following nouns.
bureau
…………… ……………
formula
……………
……………
elk
…………… ……………
crocus
……………
……………
automaton
…………… ……………
tempo
……………
……………
dwarf
…………… ……………
matrix
……………
……………
chateau
…………… ……………
nucleus
……………
……………
fungus
…………… ……………
stadium
……………
……………
antenna
…………… ……………
index
……………
……………
papyrus
…………… ……………
focus
……………
……………
ultimatum
…………… ……………
libretto
……………
……………
syllabus
…………… ……………
wharf
……………
……………
apex
…………… ……………
vertebra ……………
……………
plateau
…………… ……………
aurora
……………
8
……………
II. Fill the gaps with the correct nouns in the plural form.
aquarium
forum
cactus
handkerchief
curriculum
formula
medium
virtuoso
1. ‘What have you got in your handbag, madam?’ ‘Nothing special. Just my
documents, a few lipsticks, eye shades, my keys and some …………………….
for my runny nose.’
2. David has kept exotic fish for years. Now, he’s got ten ……………………. in his
house.
3. There’s a number of mathematical ……………………. that you have to apply if
you want to solve this intricate problem.
4. The most renowned piano ……………………. from all over the world are
expected to take part in the great concert of classical music.
5. I’ve compared the ……………………. of the three colleges and I cannot see any
big difference between the courses they offer.
6. This month, we have already organized four ……………………. to confer about
the criteria of granting overseas scholarships.
7. The heartrending news of the death of princess Diana were broadcast in all the
……………………. all over the world.
8. ……………………. do not require much care and so they can be easily grown
even by an inexperienced gardener.
III. Underline the correct plural form (! In some cases both may be correct).
son-in-laws / sons-in-law
checks-up / check-ups
bys-stander / by-standers
runner-ups / runners-up
heros / heroes
doctor-to-bes / doctors-to-be
courts-martial / court-martials
off-shots / offs-shot
higher-ups / highers-up
go-getters / goes-getter
lily of the valleys / lilies of the valley
man-of-wars / men-of-war
bones of contention / bone of contentions
rounds-up / round-ups
roofs / rooves
commander-in-chiefs / commanders-in-chief
hang-ups / hangs-up
goings-on / going-ons
kimonoes / kimonos
cover-ups / covers-up
9
7
Materials & textures
I. Match the materials to the correct types of products and phrases.
china clay glass golden iron lace leather marble
nylon plastic rubber steel stone wooden woollen
1. ……………………
2. ……………………
3. ……………………
4. ……………………
5. ……………………
6. ……………………
7. ……………………
8. ……………………
9. ……………………
10. ……………………
11. ……………………
12. ……………………
13. ……………………
14. ……………………
15. ……………………
jumper / sweater / cardigan / socks / coat
ore / Age / Curtain / fist / rations / determination / will
gloves / boots / tyres / ball / plant / band / stamp / dinghy
floor / statue / slab / cake
underwear / gloves / dress / tablecloth / curtains
rod / blade / knife / frame / sword / nerves / grip
brick / pot / pipe / court
barrel / bridge / floor / shelf / leg / spoon
pane / plate / door / ware / case / eye / house
jacket / coat / belt / boots / bag
ring / bracelet / hair / age / handshake / opportunity / rule
crockery / cup / plate / ware / figurine / cabinet / clay
fork / knife / bag / toys / food / money / bullet / explosive
stockings / shirt / thread / sheets
slab / steps / wall / jar / pottery / statue / tomb / Age
II. Put the materials in the correct categories according to their use.
brass chipboard concrete corduroy denim leather oil
paper polystyrene PVC sand suede taffeta velvet wax
Clothing
…………. trousers
…………. shoes
…………. gown
…………. shirt
…………. scarf
Construction &Industry
Household
…………. insulation
…………. panel
…………. stone
…………. foundations
…………. pipes
…………. serviette
…………. door handles
…………. candles
…………. upholstery
…………. painting
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III. Combine the words into correct phrases and put them in the sentences.
stony
wooden
leathery
woolly
skinny
+
judgements
meat
heart
child
expression
1. I quite liked the meal I ordered in the restaurant except the ………………….
…………………. . It was like rubber.
2. Never before have I seen such a …………………. …………………. . The boy is
twelve years old but he weighs only fifteen kilograms.
3. Could you please express yourself more clearly? We don’t quite follow your
…………………. …………………. .
4. Judging by the …………………. …………………. on our boss’s face, he can’t
be satisfied with the presentation we have made.
5. Mr Rollins says he doesn’t care about the sick children’s problems. He must have
a …………………. …………………. .
IV. Combine the words into correct phrases and put them in the right sentences.
muddy
icy
greasy
meaty
golden
+
opportunity
hair
concept
look
debate
1. A chance like this happens once in a lifetime only. Why not take this
…………………. …………………., John?
2. I expressed my approval for Adam’s idea and then Susan gave me this
…………………. …………………. . Then, I realized she was against it.
3. Your …………………. …………………. needs to be washed. Use this shampoo,
it’s really good.
4. The Board members met in the afternoon and had a really ………………….
…………………. . A number of good notions were conceived and accepted.
5. What is he talking about? I don’t quite understand his ………………….
…………………. .
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16
Compounds
COMPOUNDS (1): PREPOSITION + VERB/NOUN/ADJECTIVE/ADVERB
I. Complete the compounds using the appropriate prepositions.
after back by down in
off out under
up
1.
………… line
- a rough draft of a plan; a sketch, a summary
2.
………… pour
- a heavy rainfall
3.
………… life
- life after death; a later period of life
4.
………… keep
- (the cost of) maintenance
5.
………… take
- the number or amount received
6.
………… bite
- speak badly of someone
7.
…………-stander
- a person standing near but not taking part
8.
………… shoot
- a new branch or stem
9.
………… skirts
- the outer border of a town, district etc.
10.
………… cover
- kept secret; involved in spying
11.
………… cast
- cloudy; gloomy
12.
………… math
- the result or consequence of something bad
13.
………… up
- a support; a reserve; a security copy
14.
………… let
- a small arm of a river, sea or lake; a way of entry
15.
…………-putting
- unpleasant, upsetting, discouraging;
16.
………… sight
- the power of understanding the hidden truths
17.
…………-licence
- a liquor store; a shop selling alcoholic drinks
18.
…………-product
- an additional product or result of something else
19.
………… beat
- depressed, pessimistic, gloomy; casual, relaxed
20.
………… roar
- a violent disturbance; a noisy activity
21.
………… break
- a sudden eruption of anger, disease, war etc.
22.
………… fall
- a fall from prosperity or power; a heavy rainfall
23.
………… dated
- obsolete, no longer in use
24.
………… turn
- an improvement, an increase, a change for better
25.
………… mate
- an occupant of a prison cell, hospital room etc.
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COMPOUNDS (2): PREPOSITION + VERB/NOUN/ADJECTIVE/ADVERB
II. Complete the compounds using the appropriate prepositions.
bone fit lay log rising shot taking thought throw turn
1.
out…………
- a set of clothes, equipment; a group of people
2.
up…………
- the final result or conclusion
3.
over…………
- a defeat or removal from power
4.
back…………
- arrears of uncompleted work; reserves
5.
about-…………
- a change of opinion, policy or position
6.
under…………
- a work, responsibility or an effort; a promise
7.
out…………
- money spent on some purpose
8.
up…………
- a rebellion, revolt
9.
back…………
- the spine; supporters; strength of character
10.
after…………
- an idea or an item that is conveyed or added later
drop fall hearted lay law look quest set slaught taste
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
down…………
out…………
in…………
on…………
after…………
in…………
by-…………
18.
back…………
19.
in…………
20.
out…………
- sad, in low spirits, dejected
- the future prospect; view; point of view
- a filling for a decayed tooth; an inserted pattern
- a fierce attack
- a pleasant memory or impression
- an inquiry into the cause of a sudden death; an analysis
- a regulation or rule made by a local authority or by a
company for its members
- a painted cloth at the back of the stage making the main
part of the scenery; background
- an extra page inserted in a folded sheet, book or a
magazine
- the mouth of a river where it empties into the sea
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22
Phrasal verbs
PHRASAL VERBS WITH ‘ABOUT’:
I. Fill the gaps with the appropriate verbs in the correct form.
come
get
go
lay
turn
1. Eddie’s a lazybones. He will ……………….. about all day doing nothing.
2. I wasn’t in the office when it happened. I didn’t see how it all ………………..
about.
3. At first, he said he supported our cause, but now it seems he has ………………..
about. I wonder what’s made him change his mind.
4. Soon, the news of the president’s illness ……………….. about despite the
officials’ efforts to keep it secret.
5. ‘How do you ……………….. about writing a thesis?’ ‘I have no idea. I have
never done it before.’
PHRASAL VERBS WITH ‘ACROSS’:
II. Fill the gaps with the appropriate verbs in the correct form.
come
get
put
run
see
1. The professor wasn’t sure whether his explanations of the theory ………………..
across to his students, and so he decided to repeat them.
2. While I was tidying up the attic, I ……………….. across an old diary which later
turned out to have been written by my great-grandmother.
3. A number of police officers has been delegated to ……………….. the youngest
schoolchildren across the busiest roads in the town.
4. By the way he behaved at the meeting, David ……………….. across as a wellgroomed young gentleman.
5. We will have to lay off at least one hundred workers next month, but I don’t know
how to ……………….. such bad news across to the people.
133
PHRASAL VERBS WITH ‘AFTER’:
III. Fill the gaps with the appropriate verbs in the correct form.
be
get
make
run
take
1. ‘Don’t you think Susan ……………….. after her mother?’ ‘Indeed. They both
have blond hair, blue eyes and are very conceited.’
2. Why do you always ……………….. after me? Whenever something wrong
happens you find fault with me. It’s unfair.
3. The scientific aspect of the research doesn’t interest Harry at all. He ……………...
only after the money he can get from taking part in it.
4. The police ……………….. after the bank robbers but were unable to catch them
as their car wasn’t so fast as the burglars’ Ferrari.
5. Joe’s devotion to his studies is unmatched. He’s always the first to ……………….
after the latest developments in cybernetics.
PHRASAL VERBS WITH ‘AT’:
IV. Fill the gaps with the appropriate verbs in the correct form.
drive
get
jump
make
nag
1. If the prices were lowered by a few percent, many farmers would ………………..
at the opportunity of buying cheaper farming machinery, for sure.
2. The local companies must ……………….. at higher quality and modern methods
of production if they hope to keep pace with the international competitors.
3. My girlfriend has been ……………….. at me to set the date of our wedding,
but I’m still not sure if I really want to get married.
4. Suddenly, the suspect turned violent and ……………….. at the judges calling
them names and threatening to take his revenge on them.
5. No matter how hard it was to ……………….. at the truth, the detective would
provide tangible evidence that helped solve even the most puzzling cases.
134