II. Choose the correct answer.

1. Although the new library service has been very successful, its future is ................  certain. (at any rate, by no means, by all means, by any chance)

2. Sally has an .............  command of the Chinese language. (extreme, litter, outstanding, intensive)

3. The transport minister ...............  recent statistics to support the case for a reduction in the speed limit. (named, quoted, summoned, claimed)

4. The strike was.............. owing to a last-minute agreement with the management. (called off, broken up, set back, put down)

5. ................  the people who come to this club are in their twenties and thirties. (By and large, Altogether, To a degree, Virtually)

6. ................ what most people say about him, he has a very good sense of humour. (Opposite to, Against, Contrary to, Opposing)

7. You haven’t heard all the facts so don’t ................ to conclusions. (dash, fly, spring, jump)

8. Jane put her mistake ....................  to lake of concentration. (up, over, through, down)

9. Politicians should never lose .................  of the needs of the people they represent. (view, sight, regard, prospect)

10. Several passengers received minor injuries when the train unexpectedly came to a ............

.... (delay, stand, brake, half)

Fill in the blanks with a suitable word.

Read the text and answer the questions given by choosing one numbered options.

If you want to give someone the nod in Bulgaria, you have to nod your head to say ‘no’ and shake it to say  "yes" – the exact opposite of what we do! In Belgium, pointing with your index finger or snapping your fingers at someone is very rude.

In France, you shouldn’t rest your feet on tables or chairs. Speaking to someone with your hands in your pockets will only make matters worse. In the Middle East, you should never show the soles of your feet or shoes to others as it will be seen as a grave insult. When eating, only use your right hand because they use their left hands when going to the bathroom. 

In Bangladesh, the ‘thumbs-up’ is a rude sign. In Myanmar, people greet each other by clapping, and in India, whistling in public is considered rude.

In Japan, you should not blow your nose in public, but you can burp at the end of a meal to show that you have enjoyed it. The ‘OK’ sign (thumb and index finger forming a circle) means "everything is good" in the West, but in China it means nothing or zero. In Japan, it means money, and in the Middle East, it is a rude gesture.

People nod their head to say no in ___________.

A. Belgium

B. France

C. Japan

D. Bulgaria

1. I am certainly not lending my laptop to you anymore.

- I have no....................

2. Nobody expected him to be at the training workshop.

- He was.......................

3. You must submit your essays to the teacher by June 20th.

- The deadline...............

4. He has worked very hard, but he cannot get high exam results.

- No matter...................

5. Just when I arrive at the conference room, the director was starting to deliver a speech.

- No sooner..................

37. “Good luck with the exam, Minh!” - “____, Dad.”

A. By no means          B. I wish so         C. Never mind              D. Thank you

38. “Dad. I’ve passed the English test.” - “____”

A. Good job!            B. Good test!           C. Good luck!            D. Good way!

39. “I think I will choose a new laptop rather than a smartphone.” - “____,Phong!”

A. Congratulation        B. I hope so          C. What a pity             D. What a wise choice

C. That was the least I could do.           D. You can say that again.

40. “Has an announcement been made about the eight o’clock flight to Paris ?” – “____”

A. I don’t think that.         B. Not yet.            C. Sorry I don’t.               D. Yes, it was.

41. “I love studying science as it allows me to answer questions about natural world.” – “____”

A. No, I won’t.               B. Neither do I.              C. Yes, I like it.                 D. So do I.