Grundkurs (Grammar):  PRACTICE TEST 4

PART 3A GRAMMAR: Syntax (Tenses) (18 points; 1 point per form): Put the verb in brackets in the correct form. Take care with the word order. Do not add any modal verbs, other than "will" / "would".

Just over a year ago*) Europeans ( 1 wonder, still ) what ( 2 happen ) on January 1 , 2002 when the Euro ( 3 introduce ). We ( 4 now, know ) for 14*) months what life without the franc and the deutschmark ( 5 be ) like; those who ( 6 foretell ) Europe's economic collapse ( 7 prove, wrong ) by the last year or so, likewise predictions that Europe's citizens as a whole ( 8 not easily, reconcile ) to the idea of a new currency ( 9 long, now, forget ). Quite understandably, however, many Germans to this day*) ( 10 still, convert ) euro prices into marks in their heads but this (11 be ) only to be expected; after all, since 1990, when the citizens of the former GDR ( 12 finally, rid ) themselves of the communist mark, the deutschmark ( 13 serve ) as a potent symbol of a reunited country. Perhaps those opinion-makers and intellectuals who for months now ( 14 criticize ) the sceptical attitude of many Germans to the euro ( 15 find ) it easier to sympathize with these views if they ( 16 ask ) themselves how the population of the United States ( 17 react ) to the suggestion that the dollar ( 18 replace ) by a pan-American currency, the americano !       *) = situation  in 2003!

PART 3B GRAMMAR: Spot the mistakes. (10 points): Decide what is wrong in the following texts. Underline the mistakes and correct them. Leave the correct words and passages unchanged.

Example:         You looked very busy when l saw you last night. What did you do?

__________________________________________were vou doina?

1. - Karin has been in England since a few months. Last summer she has suddenly decided to go and spend a term at Leeds University.

- Has she been in touch with you?

- Yes, I've had a couple of emails since she's left.

- When is she coming back?

- In March, I'm thinking. She says she'd like to travel around in Britain before she will return.

2. When a friend suggested Steven to contact a fortune-teller, he went to see Madame Claire Voyant. She told him he should soon be one of the richest men in the country. Steven wondered how that can possibly happen but, not wishing to push his luck, he didn't dare asking. He put 200 pounds on the table and was then dashing off to tell his friends.

PART 3C GRAMMAR: Translate. (12 points; 2 points per sentence)

1. Wie lange arbeitet John schon bei dieser Firma?

2. In der letzten Vorlesung wurde den Studenten das englische Bildungssystem erklärt.

3. Du hättest mich nicht abholen (pick up) müssen. Ich hätte den Bus nehmen können.

4. Wenn du letzte Nacht nur nicht so viel getrunken hättest!

5. - Weißt du, wo Helen sein könnte?
- Sie soll nach Berlin gefahren sein.

6. Wir würden uns freuen, wenn ihr uns bald besuchen würdet.

Practice test 4, KEY

3A) 1) were still wondering   2) would happen  3) was to be introduced   4) have now known
        5) is like   6) foretold   7) were proved wrong   8) would not easily be reconciled   9) have
        now been forgotten   10) are still converting   11) was   12) finally rid   13) had served  
       14) have now been criticizing   15) would find   16) asked   17) would react/would have reacted
        18) was to be replaced

3B) 1) for (a few months)   2) (last summer she suddenly) decided   3) (since she) left   4) (I) think
       5) (before she) returns   6) (suggested) to (Stephen)   7) he should (contact)   8) could (possibly)
       9) (didn’t dare) ask   10) (then) dashed (off)

3C) 1) How long have you been working for this firm?

       2) In the last lecture the students had the English educational system explained to them.

       3) You needn’t have picked me up. I could have taken the bus. (I could have gone by bus.)

       4) If only you hadn’t drunk so much last night!

       5) Do you know were Helen might (could) be? She is said to have gone to Berlin.

       6) We would be happy (glad/delighted) if you were to visit us soon.

GOOD LUCK!

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