CELPIP: Vocabulary and grammar in context

All 30 questions in this test

Every question and its answer choices. The correct answers and explanations appear when you take the test above.

1. Which word best matches the tone of a formal complaint? 'I was ______ to learn that my order had been cancelled without notice.'

   1. bummed
   2. mad
   3. disappointed
   4. freaked out

2. Choose the correct verb: 'If I ______ more time, I would volunteer at the food bank.'

   1. have
   2. would have
   3. had
   4. will have

3. Choose the word that fits: 'The instructions were so ______ that I assembled the desk in ten minutes.'

   1. clear
   2. vague
   3. confusing
   4. lengthy

4. Which sentence uses the correct word?

   1. The noise affection my sleep all week.
   2. The noise affected my sleep all week.
   3. The noise effected my sleep all week.
   4. The noise affect my sleep all week.

5. Read: 'The manager was reluctant to approve the overtime.' Which word is closest in meaning to 'reluctant'?

   1. unwilling
   2. unable
   3. eager
   4. impatient

6. Choose the correct phrasal verb: 'Could you ______ my plants while I'm away?'

   1. look up
   2. look after
   3. look into
   4. look over

7. Choose the correct phrasal verb: 'The meeting was ______ until next Thursday because the manager was ill.'

   1. put up
   2. put off
   3. put on
   4. put out

8. Which relative pronoun fits? 'The volunteer ______ organized the fundraiser is moving to Calgary.'

   1. which
   2. whose
   3. who
   4. whom

9. Complete the notice: 'Residents must ______ their recycling bins to the curb by 7 a.m. on Tuesdays.'

   1. bring about
   2. bring off
   3. bring
   4. bring up

10. In “The new schedule will alleviate traffic congestion near the school,” what does “alleviate” mean?

    1. reduce
    2. redirect
    3. increase
    4. measure

11. Which word best completes this sentence? “The council’s decision was ______; every member voted in favour.”

    1. controversial
    2. tentative
    3. anonymous
    4. unanimous

12. Pick the right tense: 'By the time the movers arrived, we ______ all the boxes.'

    1. had already packed
    2. already pack
    3. have already packed
    4. are already packing

13. Pick the correct form: 'I look forward to ______ from you soon.'

    1. hear
    2. be hearing
    3. heard
    4. hearing

14. Which preposition fits? 'The clinic has been closed ______ last Friday.'

    1. from
    2. for
    3. during
    4. since

15. Which sentence is the most polite way to ask a neighbour for a favour?

    1. You will water my plants for me on Saturday, okay?
    2. Would you mind watering my plants on Saturday?
    3. You must water my plants Saturday.
    4. Water my plants on Saturday.

16. In 'The company will phase out paper invoices next year,' what does 'phase out' mean?

    1. send by courier
    2. suddenly start using
    3. print more copies of
    4. gradually stop using

17. Which phrase completes the sentence naturally? 'Before you sign the lease, you should ______ attention to the pet policy.'

    1. make
    2. put
    3. pay
    4. receive

18. Choose the correct comparative: 'This route is ______ than the highway during rush hour.'

    1. faster
    2. more faster
    3. fastest
    4. more fast

19. Which phrase completes the sentence naturally? 'I'd like to ______ a complaint about my last bill.'

    1. do
    2. give
    3. take
    4. make

20. Read: 'Housing costs have soared since 2020.' Which word could replace 'soared' without changing the meaning?

    1. risen sharply
    2. risen slowly
    3. dropped slightly
    4. stayed level

21. Fill the gap: 'The landlord promised to ______ the broken window before the weekend.'

    1. reply
    2. repair
    3. repeat
    4. remain

22. Which sentence uses the passive voice correctly?

    1. The parcel was deliver to the wrong address.
    2. The parcel was delivering to the wrong address.
    3. The parcel was delivered to the wrong address.
    4. The parcel delivered to the wrong address.

23. Choose the best linking word: 'The rent is reasonable; ______, the apartment is far from transit.'

    1. however
    2. for example
    3. therefore
    4. similarly

24. Choose the best word: 'Due to the storm, all flights have been ______ until further notice.'

    1. suspension
    2. suspected
    3. suspicious
    4. suspended

25. Which preposition gives the day when the appointment takes place? “Our appointment is ______ Monday at 10:30.”

    1. on
    2. by
    3. at
    4. in

26. Choose the best linking word: 'The road was icy. ______, the school buses were cancelled.'

    1. In contrast
    2. Instead
    3. As a result
    4. Even so

27. Choose the correct indefinite article: “She is ______ honest person, so I trust her advice.”

    1. the
    2. an
    3. no article
    4. a

28. Which sentence uses the singular agreement preferred after “neither of” in formal written English?

    1. Neither of the stores is open on Sunday.
    2. Neither of the stores are open on Sunday.
    3. Neither of the store is open on Sunday.
    4. Neither the stores is open on Sunday.

29. Choose the best word for an email: 'Please find the receipt ______ to this message.'

    1. attached
    2. attach
    3. attachment
    4. attaching

30. In 'Our team leader tends to gloss over problems in meetings,' what does 'gloss over' mean?

    1. avoid dealing with them properly
    2. solve them very quickly and well
    3. explain them in detail
    4. write them on the board