Fill in the blanks.
1He has been a reliable friend ............... over twenty years.
Wrong!
For shows duration. Since shows the starting point.
2He had nothing left of his inheritance ............... his prodigal ways.
Wrong!
Because of is a preposition. It is followed by a noun / noun phrase.
3That restaurant has tolerable food ............... I wouldn't take a gourmet friend there.
Wrong!
But is used to connect two contrasting ideas.
4Children get a better education today ............... at any time in the past.
Wrong!
5My grandfather was a disciplinarian. He ............... never tolerate disobedience.
Wrong!
Could shows past ability.
6............... can authorize your leave.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
7He supplemented his earnings ............... a night job.
Wrong!
8Our contract with the decorator stipulates the maximum amount he ............... charge us.
Wrong!
Can shows present ability.
9Critics with different standards often ...............
Wrong!
The subject is the plural noun critics. Hence, the plural verb disagree is used.
10Even the small details ............... thoroughly.
Wrong!
11The salesman proclaimed that his tonic ............... cure all ills.
Wrong!
Here the main verb is in the past tense; hence, we use would instead of will in the subordinate clause.
12The prodigal went through money ............... it were water.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
Either as if or as though is possible here.
Done.
Score: 0/12
Answers
- He has been a reliable friend for over twenty years.
- He had nothing left of his inheritance because of his prodigal ways.
- That restaurant has tolerable food but I wouldn’t take a gourmet friend there.
- Children get a better education today than at any time in the past.
- My grandfather was a disciplinarian. He could never tolerate disobedience.
- Only the supervisor/The supervisor alone can authorize your leave.
- He supplemented his earnings by taking a night job.
- Our contract with the decorator stipulates the maximum amount he can charge us.
- Critics with different standards often disagree
- Even the small details should be checked thoroughly.
- The salesman proclaimed that his tonic would cure all ills.
- The prodigal went through money as if/as though it were water.

