LanguageCert International ESOL — All Questions

Choose the best word: 'The medicine had an immediate ___ on her headache.'

• a.affect
• b.impact of
• c.effect✓
• d.reaction

'Effect' is the noun meaning a result, and 'have an effect on' is the fixed collocation. 'Affect' is normally a verb.

Select the best fit: 'I can't ___ the difference between the two colours.'

• a.say
• b.speak
• c.talk
• d.tell✓

'Tell the difference' is the fixed expression for distinguishing between things. 'Say', 'speak', and 'talk' do not collocate here.

Which word fits best? 'They reached a ___ after hours of negotiation.'

• a.compromise✓
• b.comprise
• c.composure
• d.component

'Reach a compromise' means to settle by mutual concession, which fits a negotiation. The other words mean to consist of, calmness, and a part.

Choose the correct word: 'Please keep me ___ of any changes.'

• a.informing
• b.informed✓
• c.information
• d.informative

'Keep someone informed' is a fixed pattern using the past participle 'informed' as an adjective.

Select the best word: 'The rules are quite ___; there is no room for exceptions.'

• a.strong
• b.stiff
• c.strict✓
• d.severe

'Strict' rules allow no exceptions. 'Strong' and 'stiff' do not collocate naturally with rules, and 'severe' more often describes punishment or weather.