Grammar
C1
Cambridge English C1 Exam
Complete each sentence by choosing the option that best fits the gap. This exercise reviews a mix of grammar topics.
Mixed Exercise
Question 1
Rarely .......... such a candid acknowledgement of failure from a CEO.
we had heard
we have heard
had we heard
have we heard
Question 2
She has .......... knack for turning awkward silences into productive conversations.
an
the
-
a
Question 3
I .......... (to look) for my keys for the last half hour, and I’m starting to panic.
have been looking
am looking
have looked
had been looking
Question 4
By the time we reached the venue, the keynote speaker .......... (already / to start).
was already starting
has already started
already started
had already started
Question 5
I can’t join the call at 3 p.m.; I .......... a client at that time.
meet
will be meeting
am going to meet
will meet
Question 6
The final decision .......... until the legal team has reviewed the latest evidence.
isn’t announced
won’t be announced
won’t announce
hasn’t been announcing
Question 7
You .......... have told the press before confirming the figures; now we look incompetent.
needn’t
mustn’t
shouldn’t
can’t
Question 8
We need to .......... a workable compromise before the negotiations collapse completely.
carry on
hammer out
phase out
call off
Question 9
If the committee .......... the proposal more thoroughly, it wouldn’t be facing such backlash now.
had scrutinised
would have scrutinised
scrutinised
has scrutinised
Question 10
Maya said, “I can’t make it tonight.” → Maya said that she .......... make it that night.
hadn’t been able to
couldn’t
wouldn’t
can’t
About Grammar — Cambridge English C1
This Cambridge English C1 Grammar exercise reviews a mix of grammar points. For each sentence, choose the option that best completes the gap.
Regular grammar practice at C1 builds the accuracy you need across every part of the exam — Use of English, Reading, Listening and Writing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does this C1 Grammar exercise cover?
A mix of grammar topics, with each question focused on a specific point such as tenses, articles, prepositions or pronouns.
Why is grammar important for the Cambridge exam?
Grammatical accuracy is assessed directly in Use of English and Writing, and strong grammar helps you understand Reading and Listening too.
How can I improve my grammar?
Practise little and often, review the specific topic behind each mistake, and read the whole sentence before choosing your answer.
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What to do
This part consists of a series of assessments, each having only one valid answer.
Select the best answer according to what you read.
There's only a correct answer which you will have to select by clicking on it.
Don't spend time in an assessment you don't know. Wasting time on this activity might cost you points later in the exam because you won’t have enough time to do other tasks well. Get used to being quick!
Don't spend time in an assessment you don't know. Wasting time on this activity might cost you points later in the exam because you won’t have enough time to do other tasks well. Get used to being quick!
Although these grammar tests are not part of the official Cambridge exams, they are still important as they touch on language elements that you'll come across in all parts of the official exams, such as Reading and Use of English.
Strategy
- Read the assessment so you understand what it is about.
- Pay attention to the topic on the top-right corner of each assessment.
- Check the words before and after each gap and look for grammatical collocations.
- Remember that you select a choice by clicking on it.