In the following sentences there are gaps. Each gap should be filled with ONE word. The word must make sense in the context and fit in grammatically and stylistically. Click on the “Correct Answer” button to compare your response with the correct one. Please note that there may be other correct answers than the one provided. If you believe your response is right, even if it does not correspond with the suggested correct answer, ask your teacher for guidance.
Sentence 1
Don’t move that bit of wood, John. It’s acting ____________________ a barrier to the water that will come down there.
Sentence 2
The bookstore, after a long history of poor sales, is doing well. Thanks to a new advertising campaign, never before ____________________ so many customers bought books there.
Sentence 3
The whole family, with the notable ____________________ of the youngest son, arrived for the reunion at the Italian restaurant.
Sentence 4
Doug, having often found ____________________ in the right place at the right time, rose quickly in the company.
Sentence 5
While the north of the country is generally warm, the south ____________________ to be cold, particularly in February.
Sentence 6
There are many issues to be considered when thinking about Shakespeare’s work, ____________________ least the identity of the writer himself!
Sentence 7
The civil servant said it was beneath her ____________________ to respond to the recent allegations of corruption made against her.
Sentence 8
In the past, most homes had a ____________________ television set. Nowadays, it’s not unusual to find a TV in each bedroom.
Sentence 9
In this desert, remote ____________________ man and civilization, the fox makes his home.
Sentence 10
You arrived home at 2 am and not ____________________ did you think of calling me to tell me where you were?!
- Only use one word.
- Do not forget that contractions (like don’t or isn’t) count as two words.
- Pay attention to the clauses and words around each gap, as these will help you identify which part of speech is missing. For example, if the gap is after a verb, is it possible a dependent preposition is missing? If the gap follows a comma, could the missing word be a relative pronoun? If the gap appears at the beginning of a sentence, could the missing word be a linking word such as However or Furthermore?