C2 C2 Grammar and Language Use 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Choose the sentence that correctly uses a mixed conditional:
- If I had studied harder, I would pass now. (Correct answer)
- If I studied harder, I would have passed.
- If I had been studying, I will pass.
- If I was studying, I would have passed.
Correct answer: If I had studied harder, I would pass now.
A mixed conditional combines a third-conditional 'if' clause (past perfect) with a second-conditional result clause (would + infinitive) to link past cause with present result.
Question 2: Which option shows correct use of ellipsis for conciseness?
- She can play the piano and he can play too.
- She can play the piano and he can too. (Correct answer)
- She can play the piano and he can play also.
- She can play the piano and he is also able.
Correct answer: She can play the piano and he can too.
Ellipsis removes the repeated verb phrase 'play the piano', leaving only the auxiliary 'can' with 'too'.
Question 3: Identify the sentence that uses a fronted adverbial for emphasis:
- Rarely have I seen such skill. (Correct answer)
- I have rarely seen such skill.
- Such skill I have rarely seen.
- I rarely have seen such skill.
Correct answer: Rarely have I seen such skill.
Fronting 'rarely' and inverting the subject-auxiliary creates an emphatic, formal effect common in C2-level writing.
Question 4: Which sentence uses a relative clause reduction correctly?
- The report written by her was excellent. (Correct answer)
- The report which written by her was excellent.
- The report being written by her was excellent last year.
- The report that was written by her was excellent.
Correct answer: The report written by her was excellent.
A past participial phrase 'written by her' can replace the full relative clause 'which was written by her'.
Question 5: Which sentence demonstrates correct use of the passive with a reporting verb?
- It is believed that the economy will recover. (Correct answer)
- It believed that the economy will recover.
- The economy it is believed will recover.
- They believe it that the economy will recover.
Correct answer: It is believed that the economy will recover.
'It is believed that…' is the standard passive structure with a reporting verb used in formal academic and journalistic writing.
Question 6: Choose the correct use of a concessive clause:
- Although the evidence was strong, the jury acquitted him. (Correct answer)
- Despite of the strong evidence, the jury acquitted him.
- Even the evidence was strong, the jury acquitted him.
- However the evidence was strong, the jury acquitted him.
Correct answer: Although the evidence was strong, the jury acquitted him.
'Although' introduces a concessive clause correctly; 'despite of' is ungrammatical (use 'despite' without 'of').
C2 C2 Grammar and Language Use 2
Choose the sentence that correctly uses a mixed conditional: