Aptis Grammar and Vocabulary Exam Final Preparation

Aptis Grammar and Vocabulary Exam Final

Preparation
1 Refresh your memory
What do you already know about the grammar and vocabulary

exam? Choose one word from the

box to complete each gap in this summary text. Use each word only once.
as

change

consists

each tests even for pause whole

The grammar and writing exam 1)__________ of 2 separate sections. The first is 25
multiple choice answers to test your grammar knowledge. It tests things like verb
tenses, articles, prepositions, linkers, modal verbs and2)__________ spoken grammar.
The second is 5 vocabulary exercises,3)__________ with 5 items for which you have to
select one choice from a drop-down list. It 4)__________ mainly synonyms and
collocations. There is one mark 5)__________ each answer, making a total of 50 marks
for the6)__________ test. You have 25 minutes to complete the test. During the test,
you cannot 7)__________ the clock, but you can go back or forward8)__________ you
like, and you can review and 9)__________ your answers at any point until you submit
your test or your time runs out.

2 Navigating within the Aptis website

1) Circle the following: a) time remaining b) percentage of test completed c) button
to move to next question

2) How would you a) go to question 7? b) leave a question for later? c)go straight
to the vocab. section?

3 Do the Aptis Website Practice Exam

Go to the following web address and do the online Grammar and Vocabulary Practice
Exam:
http://www.britishcouncil.org/aptis-practice-tests/AptisGrammarVocabPractice/
Once youve finished, youll get a % mark. Make a note of it here: _________%

4 Find your Strengths and Weaknesses

In order to evaluate your strengths and weaknesses in grammar and vocabulary
knowledge, its useful to know the name of the grammar or vocabulary that is being
tested. That way, you can search for the same grammar / vocabulary area online and
improve on your weak areas. Here are all the questions from the test. Read through
them and decide whether you know the grammar or not. Put a tick or cross in the last
column. Also answer any of the questions in the What is it testing? column.

Grammar
Question with correct answer in bold

What is it testing?

1. He is single. He never ________.

married
marries
marrying

Tenses
Past simple, present simple. Its also testing
use of the negative adverb never.

2. I ________ use to swim much, but now I have my own pool,

I swim every day.
dont
didnt
did

Used to
An area of grammar used to talk about past
habits & states. This question is testing the
form.

3. In those days, my father ________ never eat dinner after 8

oclock.
used to
will
would

Would
A modal verb that can also be used to talk
about past habits. Why is used to impossible?

4. I had a shower, ________ I went to bed.

during
then
until

Linkers
during is a preposition, then is an adverb
and until is either a preposition or a
conjunction.

5. How much ________ the train to Santiago cost?

is
does
do

Question Forms
This question is testing whether you
understand which auxiliary to use in questions.

6. He ________ in Cairo.
living
lives
live

Tenses
Present simple vs. present continuous. Only
lives is formally correct. How would it be in
present continuous?

7. ________ you like to go out this evening?

Will
Would
Can

Question Forms
This question is testing whether you know how
to form a question with would like

8. He ________ finished cooking when we arrived.

has
have
had

Tenses
Past perfect simple vs. present perfect simple.
Why is present perfect impossible?

Do I know
this? or

9. The film starts ________ half past four.

at
on
in

Prepositions of Time
We always use at with clock times.
Do you know when we use on and in?

10. I wish it ________ the time of year when I could go on

holiday.
will be
is
were

Wish
Notice how we need to use past tense after
wish (were is the subjunctive form). The
same is true about if only.

11. I dont think its right ________ children to play with toy
guns.
for
that
to

Syntax
A difficult area to revise. It tests your
understanding of how to link clauses in
sentences. Note the structure:
be + right / wrong for (+ noun) to (+ verb).

12. I ________ to work when I saw Steve.

was going
went
going

Tenses
Past continuous vs. past simple. These are part
of an area of grammar sometimes called
narrative tenses.

13. That mans so unreliable you cant trust him. ________

I wouldnt frankly work with him.
I wouldnt work frankly with him.
Frankly, I wouldnt work with him.

Adverb position in sentences

There are specific rules as to where we can and
cant put adverbs in sentences. Do you know
the rules?

14. Excuse me, Im lost. ________ you help me?

Could
Shall
Should

Polite Requests
The example uses could. Do you know other
ways of making polite requests?

15. William ________ in South America now.

is living
will live
was living

Tenses
Present continuous vs. will future and past
continuous.

16. We could cook dinner. ________, we could buy some take

away food.
Therefore
On the other hand
Although

Linkers
Therefore and On the other hand are
discourse markers, a type of adverb. Although
is always a conjunction. Do you know the
difference?

17. You ________ to do your homework by tomorrow.

should
must
have

Expressing Obligation
This is testing an area that includes both true
modal verbs and the semi-modal have to.
Why are the others wrong?

18. We ________ have caught the early train, as the football

match was delayed.
mustnt
didnt
neednt

Neednt have (+ past participle)

Notice how some modals can be used in the
past to express criticism or make deductions.
Google past modals of deduction for more
information.

19. She reads every day ________ she isnt serious.

and
because
but

Conjunctions
This is testing the meaning of the 3
conjunctions. How would you change the
sentence to use and or because?

20. A: I enjoy working on challenging projects at work.

________ I!
am
do
can
21. Go to the end of the street and turn ________ right.
(-)
on
to

B: So So do I / Neither do I
This is a specific area of spoken grammar that
is often tested in the exam. How would you
negate the answer?
Giving Directions
This is testing collocation / dependent
prepositions within the functional area of
giving directions.

22. The children ________ playing football for two hours before
it started raining.
have been
has been
had been

Tenses
Past perfect continuous, the right answer, is
being contrasted with present perfect
continuous. What is the other verb tense used
in the sentence?

23. There were ________ than fifty people in the audience last
night.
fewer
few
lesser

Comparatives / Quantifiers
Note that in Malaysia, lesser is sometimes
used in this context, but this is considered
wrong in standard UK English.

24. I just heard they are ________ get married in June.

going to
going
go to

Be going to (+ verb)
Often just called going to, its a very
common future form in English.

25. If you were a better cook, you ________ need to eat out all
the time.
wont
wouldnt
hadnt

Conditionals (2nd vs. 1st)

The correct answer is a second conditional.
Why cant it be first conditional?

Vocabulary
For the vocabulary, write strong, OK or weak in the self evaluation column,
depending on how you did in the test:

Answers

Choices

What is it testing?

Vocabulary 1
study = read
receive = get
start = begin
talk = speak
pick = choose

go
plan
read
choose
end

begin
listen
run
speak
get

Verb Synonyms
Testing knowledge of verb
meaning. Notice that the first
answer is a very weak
synonym, but its (probably) the
best choice.

Vocabulary 2
cover wrap
improve / change adjust
state / make public announce
get somewhere arrive
put something together assemble

attend
approach
admit
arrange
accept

assemble
arrive
announce
adjust
wrap

Verb Synonyms
Testing knowledge of verb
meaning. Notice how
sometimes 2 verbs are given on
the left to ensure only one
match is possible from the
choices.

Vocabulary 3
More and more people go abroad for their
holidays these days.
Drivers need to remain alert when in
charge of a car.
The city has many ancient and interesting
buildings.
Shes a highly articulate person who
explains things clearly.
Hes a very aggressive person always
getting into fights

awkward
ancient
ahead
adequate
articulate
alert
accurate
abroad
adult
aggressive

Vocabulary 4
timetable = schedule
reward = prize
queue = line
phase = stage
error = mistake

line
command
mess
schedule
stage

joint
prize
fright
dock
mistake

Noun Synonyms
Testing knowledge of noun
meaning.

Vocabulary 5
aerobics + classes

bomb
scissors

audition
rod

Collocation
Testing knowledge of adjective

Collocations
Testing knowledge of adjectives
and adverbs. Most of the correct
answers are right because they
collocate with a verb before the
adjective or a noun after it.

Self-evaluation

agriculture + minister
aisle + seat
apron + strings
atom + bomb

classes
salesman
minister

strings
seep
seat

noun collocations, and also of

general noun knowledge. If you
know what an apron is, only one
word goes with it logically!

Note
The exact choice of vocabulary exercises varies between exams. Some can also test
adjective synonyms.

5 My Learning Plan
Between now and the exam, you can improve your mark in the grammar and
vocabulary paper significantly by improving on your current weaknesses. Complete the
table below, choosing 10 areas of grammar or vocabulary you want to study most. Put
the most important ones at the top of the table. Add the study completion date in the
last column to help you to plan your time effectively (e.g. by 20th Dec.):

Number

What I want to study

Study Completion Date

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

6 How to find what you need online

Now that you know what you want to study and when, here are some tips for finding
the right materials online. For each area of grammar, use Google to find what you
need. Example searches are given below:
1) Grammar Learning
Search for the name of the grammar (notice the use of inverted commas), and the
words grammar rules.

This will bring up websites that explain the basic rules:

2) Grammar Practice

Search for the name of the grammar (notice the use of vs) and the word exercises or
activities.
This will bring up websites that have practice exercises, such as gap fills, matching
exercises, etc. Check the answers are available before you begin:
3) Vocabulary Building
Search for the name of the vocabulary area you want to strengthen and the word list.

This will bring up useful lists that you can download or copy and print off. You can use
these lists for learning, testing yourself or testing colleagues. You can stick them on the
walls in your house (e.g. in the kitchen / bathroom / above your bed!) to help you learn,
too!
4) Vocabulary Practice
Search for the name of the vocabulary area you want to strengthen and the word
exercises.

This will bring up websites that have practice exercises, such as gap fills, matching
exercises, etc. Check the answers are available before you begin:
Dont forget about your Aptis practice materials booklet. This also contains lots of
practice material for the grammar and vocabulary exam!

Trainer Supplements
Answer Key
Grammar

1. married
2. didnt
3. would
4. then
5. does
6. lives
7. Would
8. had
9. at
10. were
11. for
12. was going
13. Frankly, I wouldnt work with him.
14. Could
15. is living
16. On the other hand
17. have
18. neednt

19. but
20. do
21. (-)
22. The children had been
23. fewer
24. going to
25. wouldnt

Vocabulary 1
study = read (poor question)
receive = get
start = begin
talk = speak
pick = choose
Vocabulary 2
cover wrap
improve or change adjust
state / make public announce
get somewhere arrive
put something together assemble

Vocabulary 3
More and more people go abroad for their holidays these days.
Drivers need to remain alert when in charge of a car.
The city has many ancient and interesting buildings.
Shes a highly articulate person who explains things clearly.
Hes a very aggressive person always getting into fights

Vocabulary 4
timetable = schedule
reward = prize
queue = line
phase = stage
error = mistake

Vocabulary 5
aerobics + classes
agriculture + minister
aisle + seat

apron + strings
atom + bomb

Aptis Practice Test Online Test

This is the online practice test (a past paper), copied from the Aptis website in Oct
2013. It can be used with teachers who are having difficulty accessing the online exam:
http://www.britishcouncil.org/aptis-practice-tests/AptisGrammarVocabPractice/
Grammar

1. He is single. He never ________.

married
marries
marrying
2. I ________ use to swim much, but now I have my own pool, I swim every day.
dont
didnt
did
3. In those days, my father ________ never eat dinner after 8 oclock.
used to
will
would
4. I had a shower, ________ I went to bed.
during
then
until
5. How much ________ the train to Santiago cost?
is
does
do
6. He ________ in Cairo.
living
lives
live
7. ________ you like to go out this evening?
Will
Would
Can
8. He ________ finished cooking when we arrived.
has
have
had
9. The film starts ________ half past four.
at
on
in
10. I wish it ________ the time of year when I could go on holiday.
will be
is
were

11. I dont think its right ________ children to play with toy guns.
for
that
to
12. I ________ to work when I saw Steve.
was going
went
going
13. That mans so unreliable you cant trust him. _________
I wouldnt frankly work with him.
I wouldnt work frankly with him.
Frankly, I wouldnt work with him.
14. Excuse me, Im lost. ________ you help me?
Could
Shall
Should
15. William ________ in South America now.
is living
will live
was living
16. We could cook dinner. ________, we could buy some take away food.
Therefore
On the other hand
Although
17. You ________ to do your homework by tomorrow.
should
must
have
18. We ________ have caught the early train, as the football match was delayed.
mustnt
didnt
neednt
19. She reads every day ________ she isnt serious.
and
because
but
20. A: I enjoy working on challenging projects at work.
B: So ________ I!
am
do
can

21. Go to the end of the street and turn ________ right.

(-)
on
to
22. The children ________ playing football for two hours before it started raining.
have been
has been
had been
23. There were ________ than fifty people in the audience last night.

fewer
few
lesser
24. I just heard they are ________ get married in June.
going to
going
go to
25. If you were a better cook, you ________ need to eat out all the time.
wont
wouldnt
hadnt

go
begin
plan
listen
read
run
choose
speak
end
get

Vocabulary 1
Select a word from the list that has the most similar meaning to the word on the left.
Example: big = large
study = ________
receive = ________
start = ________
talk = ________
pick = ________

attend
assemble
approach
arrive
admit
announce
arrange
adjust
accept
wrap

Vocabulary 2
Complete each definition using a word from the drop down list.
To cover with paper or material is to ________
To improve or change is to ________
To state or make public is to ________
To get somewhere is to ________
To put something together is to ________

awkward
ancient
ahead
adequate
articulate
alert
accurate
abroad
adult
aggressive

Vocabulary 3
Complete each sentence using a word from the drop down list.
More and more people go ________ for their holidays these days.
Drivers need to remain ________ when in charge of a car.
The city has many ________ and interesting buildings.
Shes a highly ________ person who explains things clearly.
Hes a very ________ person always getting into fights.

line
joint
command
prize
mess
fright
schedule
dock
stage
mistake

Vocabulary 4
Select a word from the list that has the most similar meaning to the word on the left.
Example: big = large
timetable = ________
reward = ________
queue = ________
phase = ________
error = ________
bom
b
audit
Vocabulary 5
ion
sciss Select a word from the list that
ors the left. Example: big + house
rod aerobics + ________
class agriculture + ________
es
strin aisle + ________
gs apron + ________
sales atom + ________
man
seep
mini
ster
seat

is most often used with the word on