What do the four options tell you?
“Careful,” “carefully,” and “carefulness” belong to the same word family but serve different functions. A verb can be modified by an adverb; a noun can be modified by an adjective. Before looking for a French equivalent, examine the structure immediately around the blank. This first analysis narrows the choices without guessing.
When the options are forms of the same verb, look for the subject, auxiliary verbs, and time markers. “Each applicant” does not work like “all applicants.” “Yesterday” and “since 2021” do not relate to the present in the same way. Once you find a plausible form, reread the entire sentence to check that no other clue rules it out.
With connectors, meaning becomes central again. A cause, contrast, and condition are not interchangeable. Two options may both be grammatical while expressing different ideas. The choice then depends on how the sentence’s two clauses relate.
How can you make a useful diagnosis?
These Upsilar practice questions also appear in our 200-question bank. If you have already worked through them here, the bank will not be an unfamiliar assessment.
Record your choice and a brief reason before opening each explanation. A guess is still something to review, even if it is correct. After the set, categorize your difficulties instead of keeping only a total score.
Part 5 — 12 sentences
Choose an answer for each blank. Then classify any mistake as a grammar, collocation, or sentence meaning issue.
Please submit your travel expenses _____ Friday.
Choose an answer.
The solution, step by step
D — by
The method in action
- “By” sets a deadline. “During” introduces a period; “among” and “into” express other relationships.
The final report was reviewed _____ before publication.
Choose an answer.
The solution, step by step
A — carefully
The method in action
- The verb “reviewed” takes the adverb “carefully.” “Careful” is an adjective; the other options are nouns.
Each applicant _____ to provide two references.
Choose an answer.
The solution, step by step
D — needs
The method in action
- “Each applicant” is singular; “needs” agrees with the subject and is a conjugated verb.
The café is closed _____ the kitchen is being renovated.
Choose an answer.
The solution, step by step
D — because
The method in action
- The renovation explains the closure. “Despite” is not followed directly by a conjugated clause.
We _____ the new display yesterday afternoon.
Choose an answer.
The solution, step by step
B — installed
The method in action
- “Yesterday” places the action in a completed past period; the simple past is appropriate.
The new warehouse is _____ than the old one.
Choose an answer.
The solution, step by step
C — larger
The method in action
- “Than” introduces a comparison; “larger” is the comparative form of “large.”
Customers may exchange an item if they retain the original _____.
Choose an answer.
The solution, step by step
A — receipt
The method in action
- “Original” is followed by the noun for proof of purchase: “receipt.”
Ms Rivera has worked here _____ 2021.
Choose an answer.
The solution, step by step
A — since
The method in action
- “Since” introduces the starting point of an ongoing situation. “For” would require a duration.
Please contact the technician _____ installed the equipment.
Choose an answer.
The solution, step by step
A — who
The method in action
- The relative pronoun is the subject of “installed” and refers to a person, so “who” is correct.
The manager asked us _____ the revised schedule.
Choose an answer.
The solution, step by step
D — to check
The method in action
- The construction is “ask someone to do something.”
The files are stored in a _____ cabinet.
Choose an answer.
The solution, step by step
B — lockable
The method in action
- “Lockable” is the adjective meaning that the cabinet can be locked. “To lock” is an infinitive and cannot go between “a” and “cabinet.”
Choose the form used in formal written English: Neither of the two proposals _____ within our budget.
Choose an answer.
The solution, step by step
C — is
The method in action
- In the requested formal written English, “neither of” takes “is” here. “Are” occurs in informal usage; the register specified in the prompt distinguishes the options.
The pitfall
Turning a clue word into an automatic rule
A word like “for” does not determine the verb tense by itself. It may introduce the duration of a completed or ongoing situation. Likewise, recognizing an adverb does not mean it fits every blank. The full grammatical structure and timeline must support your choice.
Do not justify your answer only by saying “it sounds better.” That judgment can help, but it is unreliable when two forms sound familiar. Look for the clue that actually distinguishes the options.
What should you practice next?
For word-form mistakes, rewrite the same idea using a noun, adjective, and adverb. For tense mistakes, sketch the timeline mentally. For prepositions, learn the full phrase, such as “responsible for maintaining,” rather than memorizing a standalone translation of “for.”
Redo a few sentences without a time limit, then try a new set with a timer. Faster work is progress only if your reasoning remains reliable. Do not skip error analysis just to complete more questions.
Key takeaways
- The options give you a clue about the task.
- Local structure and overall meaning work together.
- Categorize your mistakes before deciding what to review.