English language: common mistakes at advanced levels

This mini-test gives English language learners the chance to study some of the mistakes that C1- and C2-level students commonly make. The topics covered include verb forms, idiomatic expressions, and commonly confused words. In each question, learners need to choose which sentence is correct (the other three are incorrect).

1.

A: I had difficulty to understand what he was saying.

B: I had difficulty understanding what he was saying.

C: I had difficulty for understanding what he was saying.

D: I had difficulty understand what he was saying.

2.

A: There has been a considerable increase in cases of autoimmune diseases.

B: There has been a considerable increase of cases of autoimmune diseases.

C: There has been a considerable increase to cases of autoimmune diseases.

D: There has been a considerable increase for cases of autoimmune diseases.

3.

A: There are many things we need to take in account before reaching a decision.

B: There are many things we need to take in account before to reach a decision.

C: There are many things we need to take into account before reaching a decision.

D: There are many things we need to take into account before to reach a decision.

4.

A: They are trying to raise money for help people who are living in dire poverty.

B: They are trying to rise money for help people who are living in dire poverty.

C: They are trying to raise money to help people who are living in dire poverty.

D: They are trying to rise money to help people who are living in dire poverty.

5.

A: It will be very difficult to find a viable, economic solution to the problem.

B: It will be very difficult to find a viable, economical solution to the problem.

C: It will be very difficult to find a viable, economic solution of the problem.

D: It will be very difficult to find a viable, economical solution of the problem.

6.

A: My father didn’t play part in my education.

B: My father didn’t play part in my upbringing.

C: My father didn’t play a part in my education.

D: My father didn’t play a part in my upbringing.

7.

A: She has a really close relation with her second cousin.

B: She has a really close relationship with her second cousin.

C: She has a really close relation with her secondary cousin.

D: She has a really close relationship with her secondary cousin.

8.

A: How many people are we at the end-of-year dinner?

B: How many people are we going to be at the end-of-year dinner?

C: How many of us are there going to be at the end-of-year dinner?

D: How many of us are there being at the end-of-year dinner?

9.

A: British Airways have just bought two brand new aircraft to add to their fleet.

B: British Airways have just bought two brand new aircrafts to add to their fleet.

C: British Airways have just bought two brand new aircraft to add in their fleet.

D: British Airways have just bought two brand new aircrafts to add in their fleet.

10.

A: You need to be strong and stand out of your beliefs.

B: You need to be strong and stand out for your beliefs.

C: You need to be strong and stand up of your beliefs.

D: You need to be strong and stand up for your beliefs.

Answer Key:

1: C 2: A 3: C 4: C 5: B 6: D 7: B 8: C 9: A 10: D

Carl Stevens is an English language specialist, creative linguist and travel writer based in Siena, Italy. He has a BA in Creative Writing and English Literature and an MA in Songwriting from Bath Spa University, Bath, UK. He also has a surfboard and a Siamese cat.