Grammar Review
📝 Activity: Verb Tense Gap Fill
Instructions: Complete each sentence by filling in the blanks with the correct form of the verb in brackets. Use the appropriate tense: Present Simple, Present Continuous, Past Simple, Past Continuous, Present Perfect, Past Perfect, Present Perfect Continuous, or Modals.
- By the time the ceremony __________ (begin), all the guests __________ (arrive).
- I __________ (not/realise) that she __________ (work) on the project since last week.
- You __________ (must/submit) your application before the deadline to be considered.
- While we __________ (explore) the countryside, it suddenly __________ (start) to rain.
- He __________ (attend) several conferences this year to improve his skills.
- She __________ (not/expect) the announcement to be made so soon.
- They __________ (be) friends since they met at the workshop two years ago.
- If you had consulted the manual, you __________ (know) how to operate the device.
- I __________ (consider) buying a new bicycle, but I haven’t decided yet.
- The team __________ (complete) the assignment before the supervisor arrived.
📘 Vocabulary Focus
The sentences above incorporate less common B1-level vocabulary to challenge students and expand their lexical range. Here’s a brief overview of some key terms:
- Ceremony: A formal event held on special occasions.
- Application: A formal request, often in writing, for something such as a job or place at a college.
- Countryside: Land not in towns or cities, often with fields, woods, etc.
- Conferences: Large formal meetings where people discuss their work or a particular subject.
- Announcement: A public or formal statement about something.
- Workshop: A meeting at which people engage in intensive discussion and activity on a particular subject or project.YouTube+1Wikipedia+1
- Consulted: Sought information or advice from someone, especially an expert or professional.
- Bicycle: A vehicle with two wheels that you ride by pushing its pedals with your feet.
- Assignment: A piece of work given to someone as part of their job or studies.
📝 Activity: Conditionals Gap Fill
Instructions:
Complete each sentence with the correct form of the verbs in brackets. Use the appropriate conditional: Zero, First, or Second.
- If you __________ (heat) metal, it __________ (expand).
- If the hostel is full tonight, we __________ (have to) find another place to stay.
- If I __________ (know) how to play the keyboard, I would join the band.
- People usually __________ (get) nervous if they __________ (speak) in front of a large audience.
- If he __________ (not/wear) his helmet, he’ll get a fine.
- If I had more free time, I __________ (volunteer) at the animal shelter.
- If you mix red and blue, you __________ (get) purple.
- She __________ (be) thrilled if she passes the audition.
- If I __________ (own) a cottage in the mountains, I’d go there every weekend.
- If the forecast says it’s going to rain, we __________ (cancel) the picnic.
📘 Vocabulary Focus (Enriched B1 Lexis)
- Hostel: A cheaper place to stay, often shared by young travellers.
- Keyboard: A musical instrument like a piano, but often electronic.
- Audience: The people watching or listening to a performance.
- Helmet: Protective headgear, often used when riding bikes or motorbikes.
- Shelter: A place giving temporary protection, e.g., for stray animals.
- Audition: A short performance to show skill, usually in acting, music, etc.
- Cottage: A small house, typically in the countryside.
- Forecast: A prediction of future weather conditions.
📝 Activity: Showing Agreement
Instructions:
Read each sentence. Write a response that shows agreement using So / Neither / Nor and the correct auxiliary or modal verb. Be careful with affirmative and negative sentences.
🔹Example:
I don’t like loud music.
→ Neither do I
- I visited a gallery last weekend.
→ _______________________________ - She doesn’t enjoy crowded places.
→ _______________________________ - We’ve never eaten at that canteen before.
→ _______________________________ - I will attend the seminar tomorrow.
→ _______________________________ - They can’t solve this riddle.
→ _______________________________ - He likes spicy food.
→ _______________________________ - I’m not interested in fashion shows.
→ _______________________________ - They should study for the exam.
→ _______________________________ - I don’t know the answer to that quiz.
→ _______________________________ - She was late for the interview.
→ _______________________________
📘 Vocabulary Focus (Challenging B1 Lexis)
- Gallery: A place to display art.
- Crowded: Full of people.
- Canteen: A dining area, often at school or work.
- Seminar: A small group meeting for discussion or training.
- Riddle: A puzzle or mysterious question.
- Spicy: Strong, hot flavour (usually food).
- Fashion show: An event to display clothing designs.
- Quiz: A short test or game with questions.
- Interview: A formal meeting for a job or project.
📝 B1 Writing Practice: Part 1 – Email
Instructions:
Read the email and complete it by writing one of the following linking expressions in each blank space.
Use each one only once:
➡️ However – Because of that – On the one hand – Although – As you know
To: Maria
Subject: My new neighbourhood
Hi Maria,
I hope you’re doing well! I just moved to a new flat last week and I wanted to tell you about it.
_______ , it’s not very big, but it’s perfect for one person. It has a small living room and a cosy bedroom.
_______ , the area is very quiet and there’s a park just two minutes away. I’ve already met a few neighbours and they’re all really friendly.
_______ the flat is great, it’s quite far from my university. I need to take the bus every day, which takes about 45 minutes.
_______ , I’ve decided to look for a bicycle to make the journey quicker and cheaper.
_______ , I’ll be busy this weekend organising everything, but I’d love you to come visit soon!
Take care,
Lucas
Solution at the end of this post.
📝 Activity: Reported Speech
Instructions:
Rewrite the sentences in reported speech. Pay attention to verb tenses, word order, and pronouns.
- “I enrolled in a photography course last month,” she said.
→ _______________________________________________________________ - “We don’t agree with the proposal,” the team said.
→ _______________________________________________________________ - “Did you receive my invitation?” he asked me.
→ _______________________________________________________________ - “Where did you park the motorbike?” she asked.
→ _______________________________________________________________ - “Call the receptionist if you need anything,” the man told me.
→ _______________________________________________________________ - “I’m preparing for the presentation right now,” Mark said.
→ _______________________________________________________________ - “You shouldn’t ignore your responsibilities,” my dad said.
→ _______________________________________________________________ - “Have they repaired the equipment yet?” the teacher asked.
→ _______________________________________________________________ - “Don’t be late for the appointment,” she told me.
→ _______________________________________________________________ - “Why haven’t you replied to the announcement?” she asked me.
→ _______________________________________________________________
📘 Vocabulary Focus
- Photography: The art or practice of taking and processing photographs.
- Proposal: A formal suggestion or plan.
- Invitation: A request to participate in an event.
- Motorbike: A motorcycle.
- Receptionist: A person who answers the phone and greets people at a workplace.
- Presentation: A talk or display about a topic.
- Responsibilities: Duties or tasks you are expected to take care of.
- Equipment: The necessary tools or machines for a particular task.
- Appointment: A planned meeting, often with a doctor or professional.
- Announcement: Public or formal information shared with others.
📝 Activity: Passive Voice – Transform the Sentences
Part A – Change from Active to Passive Voice
Instructions:
Rewrite the following sentences in the passive voice.
- The technician repaired the air conditioner yesterday.
→ _______________________________________________________________ - People speak several languages in this neighbourhood.
→ _______________________________________________________________ - The chef is preparing a new recipe for the festival.
→ _______________________________________________________________ - They have cancelled the concert due to bad weather.
→ _______________________________________________________________ - The manager will send the instructions tomorrow.
→ _______________________________________________________________
Part B – Change from Passive to Active Voice
Instructions:
Rewrite the following sentences in the active voice.
- The equipment was checked by the safety inspector.
→ _______________________________________________________________ - A new canteen is being built at the college.
→ _______________________________________________________________ - The documents have been uploaded by the assistant.
→ _______________________________________________________________ - The medals were given to the winners by the mayor.
→ _______________________________________________________________ - The room will be cleaned by the housekeeper later.
→ _______________________________________________________________
📘 Vocabulary Highlights
- Air conditioner: A machine that cools the air.
- Recipe: A list of steps and ingredients to make a dish.
- Canteen: A place to eat, often in schools or companies.
- Medals: Awards given for winning competitions.
- Housekeeper: A person who cleans and maintains rooms.
Email solution:
Hi Maria,
I hope you’re doing well! I just moved to a new flat last week and I wanted to tell you about it.
As you know, it’s not very big, but it’s perfect for one person. It has a small living room and a cosy bedroom.
On the one hand, the area is very quiet and there’s a park just two minutes away. I’ve already met a few neighbours and they’re all really friendly.
Although the flat is great, it’s quite far from my university. I need to take the bus every day, which takes about 45 minutes.
Because of that, I’ve decided to look for a bicycle to make the journey quicker and cheaper.
However, I’ll be busy this weekend organising everything, but I’d love you to come visit soon!
Take care,
Lucas
Lingua-Franca 