Grammar: Multiple Choice
12 pts12 questions · 12 points · ~15 minutes
Task 5 tests your knowledge of English grammar at B1-B2 level. You are given 12 separate sentences or short exchanges, each with a gap. For each gap you choose the correct answer from four options (A-D). The questions cover a wide range of grammar topics including tenses, conditionals, passive voice, reported speech, modals, articles, prepositions, relative clauses, and word formation.
Read the full sentence before looking at the options
Read the entire sentence including the words after the gap. Context clues like time expressions ('yesterday', 'by next year', 'since 2020'), conditional structures ('if'), or surrounding verb tenses often tell you exactly which grammatical form is needed before you even look at the four choices.
Identify the grammar topic being tested
Ask yourself: is this question testing a verb tense, a conditional, reported speech, a relative pronoun, an article, a preposition, or something else? Identifying the grammar area helps you recall the relevant rules and avoid being tricked by options that test a different grammar point.
Apply the grammar rule consciously
Once you know the grammar topic, apply the rule step by step. For example, if the sentence contains 'if' and a past simple verb, you know this is a second conditional and need 'would + infinitive' in the result clause. Do not rely on what 'sounds right' alone because Georgian speakers' instincts in English can be misleading.
Eliminate clearly wrong options
Usually two of the four options can be eliminated quickly because they violate basic grammar rules. For instance, a singular subject cannot take a plural verb form. Narrowing down to two options makes your decision much easier and faster.
Test your answer in the full sentence
Insert your chosen answer into the gap and read the complete sentence. Does it sound natural? Does it follow grammar rules? Does it match the time frame and meaning of the sentence? If anything feels off, reconsider your choice.
Move through questions at a steady pace
With 12 questions in 15 minutes, you have just over a minute per question. Grammar questions either click quickly (you know the rule) or they do not. If you are stuck for more than a minute, make your best guess and move on. You can revisit later if time allows.
- •Learn to recognise time markers: 'since' and 'for' signal present perfect, 'while' signals past continuous, 'by the time' signals past perfect or future perfect, and 'every day' signals present simple.
- •For questions testing articles ('a', 'an', 'the', or no article), remember that 'the' is for specific or previously mentioned nouns, 'a/an' introduces something new or general, and no article is used with uncountable nouns and plurals in general statements.
- •Conditional questions are very common. Master all four conditionals: zero (if + present, present), first (if + present, will), second (if + past, would), and third (if + past perfect, would have).
- •For preposition questions, learn common verb + preposition and adjective + preposition combinations: 'depend on', 'interested in', 'good at', 'responsible for', 'succeed in'.
- •Reported speech questions often test backshifting of tenses. Remember: present becomes past, past becomes past perfect, 'will' becomes 'would', and 'can' becomes 'could'.
- •Create a personal grammar notebook with rules and examples for every topic you encounter in practice exams. Review it regularly before the exam.
You have approximately 15 minutes for 12 questions, which gives you about 75 seconds per question. Since grammar questions test discrete knowledge, you either know the rule or you do not. Spend no more than one minute on questions where you feel confident. If a question has you stumped, narrow it down to two options, choose one, and mark the question to revisit if time remains. Most students find they can answer 8-9 questions quickly, leaving extra time for the 3-4 tricky ones.