Phrases Proficiency

7/29/2019 Phrases Proficiency

1/8

USE OF ENGLISH - Cambridge CPE 1 (Average: 76 - B)

AVERAGE: 83 (A)

Test 1 (83)

Much as (Although) I would like to help you, I'm afraid I'm simply too busy at the moment.

Thousands of new businesses have sprung up in the past couple of years.

I have heard it said that journalists are poor letter-writers.

We strive for perfection but sometimes have to accept something less.

Test 2 (87)

Helens fathers jokes were a source of embarrassment to her.

Dr Potter took exception to some of the remarks that were made about her work.

Appreciably

A Roman soldier's pay, found by a metal detector enthusiast, has been declared treasure trove at an inquest.

Test 3 (75)

The committee said that further discussion of the matter was out of the question.

Alison bought the big house with a view to opening a hotel.

I didnt have any clue about how to send a fax when I started work.

She is the undoubted star of British ballet.

Relaxation is not about drifting into an exhausted sleep.

Moving to London is certainly a possibility - I wouldn't dismiss it out of hand.

I just think he ought to get a grip on himself - he's behaving like a child.

He was moved to tears during the scene.

A light breeze stirred the leaves lying on the path.

The interviewer probed deep into her private life.

She headed inside the house with her brother hot on her heels.

Test 4 (86)

A lesser man (= a man who was not as strong or brave) might have given up at that point.She has campaigned relentlessly for her husband's release from prison.

Gin, vodka, whisky, beer - you name it, I've got it.

There are some overlaps between the products of the two companies.


2/8

USE OF ENGLISH - Cambridge CPE 2

AVERAGE: 81 (A)

Test 4 (70)

Theres not much too choose between these two carpets.

The inspectors singled out the school library for criticism because of its poor lighting.

He reached the heights of his profession at the age of 35.

Obviously, giving the lack of space, we cannot be totally comprehensive.

The smell of hospitals always puts me off.

Despite the extent to which you might be familiar with the story, you must read this article.

We haven't needed extra staff as yet, but may do in the future.

Our experts are nothing if not unpredictable.

He gave a fairly run-of-the-mill (ordinary) speech.

They are a close-knit family.

She doesn't mind mucking in with the rest of us when there's work to be done.

There's no need to hang back - you can sing as well as anyone.

I was terrified at the silence which fell when I spoke.

The hut afforded little protection from the elements.

Her parents always regarded her as the cleverest of their children.I don't think he has any notion of the seriousness of the situation.

Test 3 (78)

The actor was given a standing ovation for his performance.

Inaccessible.

As the evening drew to a close, people started reaching for their coats.

Alone now and almost penniless, he was bereft of hope.

It would cost a fortune to send water into orbit.

They meet in an old house, whose basement has been converted into a chapel.

We idled away the hours drinking and playing cards.

The search was pursued with vigour.I'm exhausted after lugging these suitcases all the way across London.

Several boats were smashed against the rocks during the storm.

The advancing soldiers closed in (got near) on the town.

He had lured (persuade to go somewhere) his victim to a deserted house.

Test 2 (81)

The Prime Ministers resignation resulted from his sudden illness.

Much as I enjoy reading, I prefer to do something more active.

The winner has been disqualified for cheating, so justice has been done.

With regard.

Following on from what I said earlier...

Modern detergents will shift most stains.

Test 1 (94)

Illogical.

Games opened a new world, so much so (to such a great degree) you wonder what you used to do with your time.


3/8


AVERAGE:

Test 1 (67)

The manufacturing process was held up by unforeseen events.

She would never have got the job without her brother advising her when completing the application form.

The most pressing (urgent) question is what do we do next?

In times gone by, only the literate knew what was going on.

I've told you time and again - look before you cross the road.

People came from far and wide to see the house.

Bob's decision not to take the job ran counter to his family's expectations.

The president's speech heralds (is a sign) a new era in foreign policy.

He said that Allende's government in Chile was overthrown by the army.

It is an anthology of American verse.

Test 2 (75)

It's most unlike you to be quiet - is something wrong?

He decided to extend his stay at the hotel by two weeks.

Johns comments didnt go down well.

Playing chess requires a great deal more skill than playing backgammon.

Heavy rainfall ruined the match.

The police have so far been unable to ascertain the cause of the explosion.

His name appears on countless products.

To this day nobody knows what happened to him.

She watched the snake slither away.

They hauled the boat out of the water.

After two years spent teaching abroad, she returned home for a month to take stock (think) of her life.

Test 3 (78)

It is of little consequence to me which make of car you choose.Students are required to undertake simple experiments.

Unrelated.

I'm going, whether she likes it or not.

In between sobs, he managed to tell them what had happened.

I'd have crashed the car but for your warning.

Being recognized in the street is part and parcel of being a celebrity.

Test 4 (78)

He was, for the most part, quite helpful.

I can't get that dreadful image out of my mind.

We have the whole weekend before us - what shall we do?

They'll be home before very long.

Just drop me a line when you've decided on a date.

He is in the habit of playing soccer.

The regeneration of the city's downtown dock front will put it on a par with Nice or Cannes.

The sight of so much blood made him shudder (shake).

The battery was failing.

Temperatures will soar into the eighties over the weekend say the weather forecasters.


4/8


AVERAGE: 77 (B)

Test 1 (75)

Much to Hendriks delight, he was selected for the team.

Yoshi didnt want to leave anything to chance on the big day.

The treasurers purpose in calling the meeting was to discuss the clubs finances.

I had a terrible headache, but even so I went to the concert.

She is at pains to point out how much work she has done.

British distributors are currently involved in a bidding war (competing to buy) for the film.

The tickets for the concert were snapped up within three hours of going on sale.

She got what she wanted by dint of pleading and threatening.

Test 2 (72)

The police had to let the suspect go in the light of the new evidence produced.

Dont let yourself be taken in by her relaxed manner.

The watch mechanism is extremely intricate and very difficult to repair.

Inability to use a computer is a serious disadvantage when you are applying for jobs.

It's no longer possible to argue that crime is unconnected with unemployment.

The brain cannot help but take these messages in.

She succeeded by virtue of her tenacity rather than her talent.

It is also just as true that publicity images confirm and enhance brands.

We will in one way or another become rich.

He maintains that he has never seen the woman before.

I would take you if I could, but I don't have a car at my disposal this week.

Political instability helped the army to seize power.

Being unemployed entitles you to free medical treatment.

They went to a lot of trouble to make the party a success.

Test 3 (78)She has made a series of documentaries on the subject of family relationships.

I wasn't convinced by any of the arguments that he put forward.

In view of what you've said, I think we should reconsider our proposed course of action.

There was no vegetation whatsoever growing in the area.

The children plagued him with questions all through lunch.

The cold weather is set to persist throughout the week.

There are plans afoot to launch a new radio station.

Test 4 (81)

We enjoyed a leisurely picnic lunch on the lawn.

You shouldn't expect immigrants to assimilate into an alien culture immediately.

You need tunnel vision if you want to succeed in sport.


5/8


AVERAGE: 72 (C)

Test 4 (72)

What Niko is keen on is going for a swim every morning.

This new radio bears no similarity to the previous model.

Lydias reason for going to London was that she wanted to brush up her English.

There is no escaping the fact that we shall have to work faster in order to finish the project in time.

I've heard it played countless times on the radio.

Modern buildings have far too few nooks where the birds can nest.

If, for whatever reason, numbers drop below this threshold, the stimulus to breed disappears.

The passenger pigeon went from being the worlds most common bird to extinction within 50 years.

As the boat picked up speed, the coastline receded into the distance.

They laid on a wonderful buffet after the wedding.

When you live in a country you soon pick up the language.

He said he'd left the book on the desk, and sure enough, here it was.

Test 3 (70)

The speed of the rumours spreading could not have been predicted.

The head teacher is reputed to be a reliable and dedicated person.

Unless I get hold of the statistics, I wont be able to complete the report.

He was noted for his strict adherence to the rules.

It was a seductive black evening dress.

Over and above = in addition to

Each and every one of the flowers has its own colour and smell.

The party was well and truly (completely) over when he arrived.

We, as shoppers, have to keep our wits about us to resist the retailers ploys.

What the book does convey very successfully is the horror of war.

We got so wet that our clothes clung (past of cling) to us.

She's trying to make a comeback with her first album for twenty years.

Test 2 (64)

It took my sister over three hours to finish her homework last night.

I was unable to find anywhere to park this morning.

A fierce argument broke out between the two children.

Much though I admire her, I dislike the way she manages her staff.

A computer breakdown was given as the reason for the delay in dispatching the brochures.

The sequel did not live up to the expectations of the public.

Sleepiness, designated

I told him at the outset I wasn't interested.

He's been depressed ever since he got divorced.

They've set up a plan whereby (by which way) you can spread the cost over a period.

I carry a notebook so that I can jot down any ideas.

A glass of wine in the evening helps me to unwind after work.

Test 1 (81)

The famous singer made no reference to the influence of his first teacher.

This range of computers is very fast, but their successors will be even faster.

It doesn't matter if you fail, just do your best.

She has amassed a huge fortune from her novels.

He was probably the most prolific songwriter of his generation.

This novel is his best work to date.

Attacks by enemy aircraft forced the tanks to retreat.


6/8

USE OF ENGLISH Exam Essentials

AVERAGE:

Test 5 (50)

He paced the room nervously.

She spun round to see what had happened.

He fell dead in his tracks.

My brother planted himself on the sofa in front of the television.

They've had to dispense with a lot of luxuries since Mike lost his job.

The bread had gone stale.

She is at the crossroads.

Indecisiveness.

He's reputedly the strongest man in Britain.

Just follow the signs to Bradford - it's very straightforward.

In accordance with her wishes, she was buried in France.

The peace agreement comes into effect on Friday.

After years of research, scholars have finally ascribed this anonymous play to Christopher Marlowe.

Are you planning to go in for the 100 metres race?

Test 4 (70)

How did the problem come about in the first place?

Different games were played through the centuries.

He is noted as playing a game called creag.

The rules were drawn down in 1744.

Fiery

She suffered years of mistreatment from her violent husband.

Exceeds.

For the police, the incident seemed nothing out of the ordinary.

Instead of a prison sentence they were let off with a fine.


7/8

USE OF ENGLISH CPE Handbook 2008

AVERAGE: 72

We fell in love with the cottage at first sight.

Apply the suntan cream liberally to exposed areas.

The concert was excellent - there were lots of well-known songs with some new ones thrown in for good measure.

Exemplify.

I think he'd dismissed me as an idiot within five minutes of meeting me.

The park is going to close down whether we like it or not.

Personally, I didn't enjoy the film, but don't let that put you off going.

Be sure to tune in to next week's show.

USE OF ENGLISH CPE Sample

AVERAGE: 71

They refused to admit her, not least because she hadn't got her membership card with her.

The doors are extra-wide for ease of access.

I do like her - after all, she is my sister.

They estimate that the temperature yesterday was in the region of -30C.

The answers to these questions remain as elusive as ever.

Fresh evidence has recently come to light which suggests that he didn't in fact commit the murder.

They had to cut short their picnic.

He is suspected of having stolen the wallet.


8/8

USE OF ENGLISH Proficiency Practice Tests Plus

AVERAGE:

Test 1 (78)

She had her first three children in rapid succession.

I looked in a lot of clothes shops but nothing really took my fancy.

When he heard that maps of, say, Seattle where popular, he looked for them.

Unsettling changing.

If you have not signed a contract, you are under no obligation to pay them any money.

If an area is out of bounds, people are not allowed to go there.

On no account must you do it.

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Phrases Proficiency