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
Not until the auditors arrived .......... that the figures had been manipulated.
did we realise
we did realise
we realised
had we realised
Question 2
As .......... rule, the committee refrains from commenting on ongoing litigation.
a
the
an
-
Question 3
I .......... (to negotiate) with the supplier all week, so I’d appreciate a quick decision today.
have been negotiating
am negotiating
had been negotiating
have negotiated
Question 4
By the time the press conference began, the spokesperson .......... (to rehearse) the statement three times.
has rehearsed
was rehearsing
rehearsed
had rehearsed
Question 5
The final decision .......... (to make) by the board before any public announcement.
will be made
has been made
is made
will make
Question 6
You .......... have disclosed the client’s data; it’s a clear breach of confidentiality.
can't
might not
shouldn't
needn't
Question 7
The CEO tried to .......... the scandal, but the documents leaked within hours.
set off
bring about
carry out
cover up
Question 8
The report, .......... was circulated prematurely, contained several unverified claims.
what
that
where
which
Question 9
If the company .......... more transparent last year, it .......... facing this level of public distrust now.
were / wouldn't be
has been / wouldn't be
had been / wouldn't be
had been / wouldn't have been
Question 10
"I’ll forward the contract once I’ve had it vetted," she said. → She said she .......... the contract once she .......... it vetted.
would have forwarded / had had
will forward / has had
would forward / had had
would forward / has had
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.