Grammar
C2
Cambridge English C2 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 committee had voted .......... the chair disclose the full extent of the deficit.
did
was
had
has
Question 2
She was appointed .......... Chair of the Ethics Board, a role she accepted on condition of complete independence.
the
-
a
an
Question 3
I .......... (to field) complaints about the new policy all morning; it’s becoming a full-time job.
have fielded
have been fielding
am fielding
had been fielding
Question 4
By the time the auditors arrived, the CFO .......... (to shred) the relevant correspondence for weeks.
was shredding
had shredded
had been shredding
shredded
Question 5
By this time next year, the team .......... (to conclude) negotiations with all three unions.
will conclude
will have concluded
will be concluding
is going to conclude
Question 6
No sooner had the verdict been announced than the judge .......... to be biased by several commentators.
was alleged
was alleging
has alleged
alleged
Question 7
The report was .......... inaccurate: it omitted key variables and misclassified half the sample.
utterly
flagrantly
blatantly
barely
Question 8
The CEO tried to .......... the scandal as a minor compliance slip, but the press wasn’t convinced.
play up
play down
play out
play off
Question 9
The proposal is expensive; .........., it is likely to save money in the medium term by reducing turnover.
nevertheless
hence
whereas
despite
Question 10
His apology sounded .........., as though it had been drafted by a lawyer rather than felt by a human being.
perfunctorily
perfunctorize
perfunctoriness
perfunctory
About Grammar — Cambridge English C2
This Cambridge English C2 Grammar exercise reviews a mix of grammar points. For each sentence, choose the option that best completes the gap.
Regular grammar practice at C2 builds the accuracy you need across every part of the exam — Use of English, Reading, Listening and Writing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does this C2 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.