5 questions

Core Grammar in Context

We ___ in this town since 2015, and we still love it here. Which choice is correct?

  • a.lived
  • b.have lived
  • c.are living
  • d.live

'Since 2015' marks an action that started in the past and continues now, so the present perfect 'have lived' is required. The past simple 'lived' would suggest the action is finished.

Core Grammar in Context

If I ___ more free time, I would learn another language. Which choice is correct?

  • a.have
  • b.will have
  • c.had
  • d.am having

This is a second conditional describing an unreal or unlikely present situation. The pattern is 'if + past simple, would + base verb', so 'had' is correct.

Core Grammar in Context

The colleague ___ desk is next to mine has just been promoted. Which choice is correct?

  • a.whose
  • b.who
  • c.which
  • d.whom

'Whose' is the possessive relative pronoun and correctly links the person to the desk they own. 'Who' and 'whom' cannot show possession, and 'which' is used for things, not people.

Core Grammar in Context

The lights are on and her car is outside, so she ___ be at home. Which choice is correct?

  • a.can't
  • b.needn't
  • c.shouldn't
  • d.must

The evidence points to a confident logical conclusion, so 'must' expresses near-certainty. 'Can't' would express the opposite conclusion, that she is definitely not at home.

Core Grammar in Context

During the meeting she said she ___ finish the report the following day. Which choice is correct?

  • a.will
  • b.would
  • c.has
  • d.is going to

In reported speech the reporting verb 'said' is in the past, so 'will' shifts back to 'would'. This backshift keeps the tense consistent with the past reporting verb.

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