INSTITUTO POLITECNICO NACIONAL

CENTRO DE ESTUDIOS CIENTIFICOS Y TECNOLOGICOS 4

“LAZARO CARDENAS DEL RIO”
ENGLISH IV ETS EXAM GUIDE

The Past
The past continuous and the past simple help us to show how two past actions or
situations are connected.

Past simple: uses

The past simple shows us that an action was in the past, not in the present. Regular
past simple verbs have -ed at the end (e.g. called, played, arrived). Irregular verbs
have a different form, usually with a different vowel sound
(e.g. wake → woke, break → broke, feel → felt).

My parents called me yesterday.

I woke up early this morning.
Sam played basketball when he was at university.

Past continuous: uses

The past continuous shows us that the action was already in progress at a certain time
in the past. What were you doing at 8 p.m. last night? I was studying.This means that I
started studying before 8 p.m. and I continued after 8 p.m.The past continuous can
also show that an activity was in progress for some time, not just for a moment. We
were cleaning the house all morning.

Past Continuous and Simple Past Tense - Exercises

There are 20 questions in this quiz and each question has only one true answer.

1. The teachers _____________ around the table when I ______________ the teacher’s
room.

a. were sitting / entered b. sat / was entering

c. are sitting / entered d. were sat / was entering

2. They ______________ about the students who failed in exams.

a. was talking b. were talking c. were talked d. talks

3. Some teachers ______________ to carefully while others ______________.

a. were listening / spoke b. listened / was speaking
c. were listening / were speaking d. were listened / spoke

4. I ______________ a chair and I ______________ to listen them carefully.

a. was taking / was starting b. took / started

c. was taking / started d. took / was starting

5. One of the teachers ______________ my opinion about extra courses on

Saturdays.

a. was asking b. were asking c. asked d. were asked

6. I ______________ to say anything because I ______________ new there.

a. don’t want / was b. didn’t want / am

c. didn’t want / was d. don’t want / was being

7. A young teacher ______________ next to me. He ______________ coffee.

a. sits / drank b. was sitting / was drinking

c. was sitting / drank d. sat / was drank

8. I ______________ to know him and I ______________ him his name.

a. wanted / asked b. wanted / was asking

c. wanted / ask d. was wanting / asked

9. He ______________ me because he _____________ to music with through the

headphones.

a. Wasn´t hearing / listened b. didn’t hear / listen

c. wasn’t hear / was listening d. didn’t hear / was listening

10. I ______________ up and ______________ the teacher’s room quietly while the
teachers ______________ extra courses on Saturdays lively.

a. was standing / was leaving / still discussed

b. stood / left / still discussed
c. stood / left / were still discussingd.
d. was standing / left / were still discussing
11. Sylvia _____________ when she ___________ the DVDs.

a. was running / dropped b. ran / dropped

c. was running / was dropping d. ran / was dropping

12. While Steve ___________ a documentary, he __________ asleep.

a. was watched / fell b. was watching / fell

c. watched / was falling d. was watching / felt

13. They _________ when you _________ for remote control.

a. aren't listening / were asking b. weren't listening / were asking

c. weren't listening / asked d. listened / asked

14. ______ you __________ anything when I ______ you?

a. Are / doing / called b. Were / doing / calling

c. Did / do / was calling d. Were / doing / called

15. ________ you ____________ my friends while you ______________ to school?

a. Are / see / went b. Did / see / were going

c. Did / saw / were going d. Were / see / went

16. We _____________ home when the accident ___________.

a. were driving / happened b. drove / happened

c. drove / was happening d. were drive / happened

17. I _______________ a novel while my mother ___________.

a. was read / was cooking b. read / cooked

c. was reading / was cooking d. was reading / cooks

18. I ___________ out of the window when the accident happened.

a. was looked b. looked c. looking d. was looking
19. You ___________ while I ____________.

a. played / study b. were playing / studying

c. were playing / was studying d. were played / was studying

20. He _____________ when his father came home.

a. were doing b. was doing c. did d. did do
Prepositions: uses
We commonly use prepositions to show a relationship in space or time or a logical
relationship between two or more people, places or things. Prepositions are most
commonly followed by a noun phrase or pronoun (underlined):
The last time I saw him he was walking down the road.
I’ll meet you in the cafe opposite the cinema.

PREPOSITIONS

Fill in the correct prepositions

about – at – by - for – from – in – of – on – to - with
21. She learned Russian ____________ the age of 45.
a. about b. at c. by d. for
22. The book was written ____________ Mark Twain.
a. by b. for c. from d. in
23. I’ll show you the picture ____________ the palace.
a. of b. on c. to d. with
24. We can only get to the camp ____________ foot.
a. from b. in c. of d. on
25. He reminds me ____________ his old history teacher.
a. for b. from c. in d. of –
26. What are you talking ____________ ?
a. about b. at c. by d. for
27. ____________ the end of next year we will have made over $100,000.
a. of b. on c. to d. with
28. She always gets up early ____________ the morning and goes to bed late
____________ night.
a. from b. in c. of d. on
29. I went to work ____________ Tuesday but I didn’t go ____________ Friday.
a. of b. on c. to d. with
 30. You’ll have to wait. He’ll be with you ____________ a minute.
a. for b. from c. in d. of

COMPARATIVES & SUPERLATIVES

Comparative adjectives

We use comparative adjectives to showchange or make comparisons:

We use than when we want to compare one thing with another:
She is two years older than me.
New York is much bigger than Boston.
He is a better player than Ronaldo.

Superlative adjectives

We use the with superlative adjectives:

We usually add –er and –est to one-syllable words to make comparatives and
superlatives:
It was the happiest day of my life.
Everest is the highest mountain in the world.

Choose the correct answer:

31. Laura is a very pretty girl. She is _________________ I know.

a. the prettiest girl b. prettier than
c. the prettier girl d. most prettier girl

32. Tom’s car is ____________________ his friend’s.

a. as big as b. the biggest
c. the bigger d. biggest

33. Who is ______________________ person in your family?

a. shorter than b. the shortest
c. shorter d. shortest
34. Who is ____________________________ person you know?
a. more independent than b. the most independent
c. the independentest d. independenter

35. These sofas are ________________________________ ours.

a. more comfortable than b. the most comfortable
c. confortabler d. more confortablest

36. My brother is ____________________________ in the class.

a. is taller than b. more tall
c. the tallest d. the taller

37. Is Jason’s dog _______________ yours?

a. older b. the most oldest
c. the most oldest d. older than

38. Who is _______________________ singer in the world?

a. the goodest b..the best
c. better than d. most better than

39. We are___________________________ the rest of the class.

a. younger than b. the younger
c. youngest than d. most younger than

40. We are the__________________________ in the class.

a. younger than b. the younger
c. youngest d. most younger than

Used to

used to
We use used to + infinitive to talk about a past situation that is no longer true. It tells
us that there was a repeated action or state in the past which has now changed.

She used to be a long-distance runner when she was younger.

I didn't use to sleep very well, but then I started doing yoga and it really helps.
Did you use to come here as a child?
41. I____________ smoke when I was in my 20s.
a. usually b.use to c. used to d. am used to

42. I____ smoke when I drink.

a. usually b. use to c. used to d. am used to

43. I____get the smell of smoke because my husband smokes.

a. Usually b. use to c. used to d. am used to

44. There was a time when she ____ always work late.
a. usually b. use to c. was used to d. would
45. He ____ be a vegetarian when he was a kid.
a. usually b. use to c. was used to d. would

46. They ____ the silence when they built a restaurant next door.
a. used to b. are used to c. are getting used to d. were getting used to

47. Sally ____ drink a lot of wine.

a. didn't use to b. wouldn't c. didn't used to d. don't use to
48. It's a noisy apartment, but I ____ it.
a. don't use to b. am used to c. use to d. am use to
49. Bill is used to ____ long days.
a. work b. works c. working d. worked
50. By the time John moves in, I ____ living alone.
a. am used to b. would be used to c. will be used to d. used to

The future

We use will when we express beliefs about the future:

It will be a nice day tomorrow.

I think Brazil will win the World Cup.
I'm sure you will enjoy the film.
We use be going to: to talk about plans or intentions:
I'm going to drive to work today.
They are going to move to Manchester.

to make predictions based on evidence we can see:

Be careful! You are going to fall. (= I can see that you might fall.)

"Be going to / Will"

51.In ten years, I ___________ (to be) the best Singer
a. will be b. ´m going to be c. ´m being be d. being be

52. A : « Did you invite John to your wedding ? B : « -Oh, I forgot ! I ___________ (to
phone) him now. » a. will phone
b. ´m going to phone c. ´m phoning d.. phone

53. Nobody in Doug's team can play soccer. They ________ (to lose) that match.

a. will lose b. are going to lose c. are losing d.. losing

54. I have bought a new car. I ____________ (to drive) it.

a. will drive b. ´m driving c. driving d. ´m going to

55. A : « Look, there’s a lot of smoke there ! » / B : « Damned, I ___________ (to call)
the firemen immediately. »
a. will call b. calling c. ´m calling d. ´m going to

56. A : « Would you prefer coffee or a cake ? » / B : « I ___________ (to have) some
coffee, please. »
a. ´m going to have b. ´m having c. will have d. ´m going having

57. I don’t think this girl __________ (to sing) tonight.

a. is going singing b. is singing c. will sing d. is going to sing

58. This morning, I listened to the radio. The weather ___________ (to be) nice for the
weekend.
a. is going to be b. is being c. will be d. is going being

59. We are late and it’s 10 o’clock ! We _______ (to miss) our plane !
a. will miss b. are going be miss c. are going to miss d. are missing

60. What __________ (you/to sing) for the party? Probably something well-known.
a. are you going to sing b. are going to sing c. are you singing d. will you sing

Active and passive voice

Transitive verbs have both active and passive forms:

active passive
The hunter killed the lion The lion was killed by the hunter
Someone has cleaned the windows The windows have been cleaned

Present simple passive: exercise

Complete these sentences with the verbs in brackets.
Most common internet activities
61. E-mails are sent and received by most internet users.
a. send b. is send c are sent. d.sending
62. Information about goods and services _______________ ( found )
a. is found b, finding c.are found d.found
63. Goods and services ____________ in e-shops.(buy)
a. buying b. is bought c. buys d. are bought
64. Online newspapers and magazines _________, mostly by adult users. (read)
a. is read b reads c. reading d. are read
65. The internet _______ for social networking, especially by young people. (use)
a. used b.are used c. is used. d. use
66. Telephone and video calls _________.(make)
a. are made. b. making c. made d. is make
67. Videos and films __________.
a. watch b. watching c. are watched d.watches
68. Listening and music streaming activities ________ out. (carry)
a. are carried b. are carrieing c. carries d. is carrie
69. Hotel accommodation _________ for by travellers.(search)
a. is searched b. searched c. are searched d. searchs
70. Financial transactions through internet banking _________.(do)
a. doing b. are done c. doing d. is doing

Conditionals
We use conditional sentences to say one thing depends on another. They can be used
to talk about real or imaginary situations. One of the clauses starts with if (or a similar
word) – this is the conditional clause. The other clause talks about the result of the
conditional clause happening.

The Zero Conditional

We can make a zero conditional sentence with two present simple verbs (one in the 'if
clause' and one in the 'main clause'):

If + present simple, .... present simple.

If people eat too much, they get fat.

If you touch a fire, you get burned.

First Conditional
first conditional: if + present simple, then will + infinitive.
f you don’t tell me, I’ll just keep asking.
If I promise to travel less, will you forgive me?
Second Conditional

second conditional. If + past simple, then would + infinitive.

Right again! This is for talking about an unlikely or unreal condition.

If you travelled less because of me, I’d feel worse.

If I had the opportunity to visit places like that, I wouldn’t complain!

So, in the second example, Oliver doesn’t think he will have the opportunity to travel a
lot. It’s possible but improbable. We use the past simple to show that it’s not likely, not
to indicate past time.

Zero conditional - exercise

Complete the sentences with verbs in brackets.

71. Peter, what do you do if your parents are at home?

If my parents .................. at home at weekends, I have to help with housework. (stay)
a. stay b. staying c. are staying d. stays
72. If my mother .................. at home, I do the washing up or hoovering. (be) a.
are b. being c. is d. be
73- If she .................. at home, I wash the car or work in the garden with my dad. (not be)
a. is b. isn´t c. aren´t d. are
74. If they .................. at home on weekdays, I do my homework first and then go out. (be)
a. is b. isn´t c. aren´t d. are
75. If my father ........................... in the evening, we play games on his computer. (not work)
a.. aren´t b.. are c. is d. isn´t

First conditional - exercise

76. If I go out tonight, I __________________ (go) to the cinema.
a. don´t go b. will go c. going to d. go
77. If you __________________ (get) back late, I will be angry.
a. will get b. won´t get c. get d. getting
78. If we ___________ (not / see) each other tomorrow, we will see each other next week.

a. won´t see b. see c. don´t see d .sees

79. If he comes, I __________________ (be) surprised.
a. am b. are c. is d. will be
80. If we wait here, we __________________ ( not be) late.
a. won´t be b. is not c. aren´t d. will be

Second conditional - exercise

Here are 10 questions in this quiz and each question has only one true answer.

81. What would you __________ if you won the lottery?

a.do b. did c.was doing was d. do
82. She wouldn't be nervous if she ________ her homework.
a. would do b .did c. does d. do

83. If my grandfather ________ alive, he ________ 110 years old.

a. were / was b. would be / were c. was / will be d. were / would be

84. If you printed on both sides, you ________ paper.

a. were saved b. saved c. would sabe d. would be save

85. We ________ football if the weather were good.

a. would be able to pla b. would were able to play
c. were able to play d. will be able to play

86. If you ________ a bike you wouldn't cycle to school.

a. don't have b. didn't have c. not had d. weren't have

87. The film ________ more interesting if it ________ a happy ending.

a. would be / has b. were / would have
c. was / would have d . would be / had

88. If my father ________ me a ticket, I ________ to the cinema.

a. didn't buy / wouldn't go b. weren't buy / won't go
c. wouldn't buy / didn't go d. wasn't buy / won't go

89. What would you do if you ________ invisible?

a. will become b. would become c. became d. were become

90. If he ________ to İstanbul, he ________ the Blue Mosque.

a. would go / visited b. went / would visit
c. were go / visited d. went / were visited
Reading

Read the text below. For each question, decide if it is "True" or "False".

Last month my day started very early. From Monday to Friday I got up at half past three
and I had a shower and a cup of coffee. I left the house very early at ten past four because
the car always arrived a few minutes early. I got to the studio at about five o'clock and
started work. My program Good Morning Britain started at seven o'clock and finished
at nine o'clock. Then I left the studio at a quarter past ten. After that, I went shopping
and visited some friends. I got home at three o'clock. A woman helped me with the
housework and the ironing. I read a newspaper every day and did some work. We
watched television every night and then I went to bed at half past eight, I was usually
asleep by nine o'clock. I think my job was very interesting, but I didn't like getting up very
early.

91. Was the person a woman?

a. Yes, she is a woman b. No, he is a man

c. Yes, she is an actress d. Yes, she is a television journalist.
92. What did she do?

a. Yes, she is a woman b. She is a writer

c. She is a television journalist. d. She is an actress

93. How did she get to the studio to work?

a. She gets there by train b. She gets there by train

c. She gets there by foot d. She gets there by car

94. Where did she go after the progamme?

a. She went to the movies b. She went directly home

c. She visited some Friends d. She went to buy some pizza

95. Who helped her with the housework?

a. Her brother helped her b. Her sister helped her
c. Her husband helped her d. A woman helped her
 96. Was she alone in the house till her husband arrived home?
a. Yes, she was with her husband b. Yes, she was. She was with a woman
c. She was in the shopping center d. No, she wasn´t with a woman

97. What time did she go to bed during last month?

a. At 8:15 b. At 8:45 c. At 8:35 d. At 8:30

98. Did her husband work with her?

a. No, he doesn´t work with her b. Yes, her husband worked in an office c.
Yes, he worked with her d. No, he didn´t work with her

99. Did she like everything about her job?

a. No, she didn't like getting up very early. b. Yes, she liked her job a lot
c. Yes, she liked to get up very early d. Yes, she liked to get up very early

100. Did she go to bed at 8:30?

a. Yes, she was b, Yes, she does c. Yes, she did d. Yes, she goes