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 final round .......... how fiercely the two candidates had been competing.
had we realised
we realised
we did realise
did we realise
Question 2
She has .......... knack for defusing tension in meetings without sounding patronising.
-
the
a
an
Question 3
I .......... (to try) to reach you all morning—my calls keep going straight to voicemail.
have tried
am trying
had been trying
have been trying
Question 4
By the time the auditors arrived, the finance team .......... (to compile) the supporting documents for weeks.
had been compiling
were compiling
had compiled
have been compiling
Question 5
This time next week, we .......... (to present) the proposal to the board in Singapore.
will present
will have presented
are presenting
will be presenting
Question 6
The final decision .......... until the legal team has reviewed the revised contract.
won't be made
hasn't been made
won't make
isn't made
Question 7
You .......... have told the client the figures were “approximate”; now they’re accusing us of misleading them.
should
shouldn't
might
must
Question 8
The CEO refused to .......... the allegations, insisting the report was based on hearsay.
back off
back out
back down from
back up
Question 9
If the company .......... more transparent about the risks, investors .......... so blindsided.
has been / wouldn't have been
had been / wouldn't have been
were / wouldn't have been
was / wouldn't be
Question 10
Maya said, “I’ll forward the minutes as soon as I’ve checked them,” so I assumed she .......... them that afternoon.
would forward
forwards
will forward
had forwarded
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.