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
Only after the audit .......... that the figures had been manipulated.
did we realise
we realised
had we realised
we did realise
Question 2
She has .......... uncanny ability to defuse tension with a single remark.
-
a
the
an
Question 3
I .......... the report all morning, but I still can’t get the tone right.
have been rewriting
had been rewriting
rewrite
am rewriting
Question 4
By the time the keynote began, most attendees .......... their seats.
already took
have already taken
were already taking
had already taken
Question 5
This time next week, I .......... in a cabin with no Wi‑Fi.
will be staying
will stay
will have stayed
am staying
Question 6
The final decision .......... until the legal team has reviewed the contract.
isn’t announcing
won’t be announced
won’t announce
hasn’t been announced
Question 7
You .......... have told the client their proposal was “naive”; it was bound to offend them.
mustn’t
couldn’t
shouldn’t
needn’t
Question 8
The negotiations .......... because neither side would compromise on the timeline.
wore off
fell through
turned up
broke out
Question 9
If the board .......... earlier, we .......... the reputational damage.
has intervened / might have avoided
intervened / might avoid
had intervened / might have avoided
would intervene / had avoided
Question 10
“I can’t guarantee delivery by Friday,” the supplier said. → The supplier said that they .......... guarantee delivery by Friday.
can’t
won’t be able to
couldn’t
hadn’t been able to
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.