LanguageCert International ESOL — All Questions

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

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

'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 colors.'

• a.talk
• b.speak
• c.tell✓
• d.say

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

'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.informative
• d.information

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

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