Straightforward Upper Intermediate and Advanced Level Placement Test

The Straightforward Upper Intermediate and Advanced Placement test has been designed to help you decide whether the Straightforward Upper Intermediate course would be suitable for your students or whether they would qualify for using the Straightforward Advanced Course.

The Straightforward test has 50 questions, each worth one point. The first 40 are grammar questions and the final 10 are vocabulary questions. The conversion chart below has been designed to assist you in making your decision but please note, however, that these bandings are a guide.

Total score	Level
0 – 35	Upper-Intermediate
36 – 50	Advanced

This test can also be used to diagnose the grammar of the Upper-Intermediate level that your students need clarification on.

Straightforward Upper Intermediate and Advanced Level Placement Test

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Congratulations - you have completed Straightforward Upper Intermediate and Advanced Level Placement Test. You scored %%SCORE%% out of %%TOTAL%%. Your performance has been rated as %%RATING%%

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Question 1

She _____ obsessed with rock climbing at a young age.

A	becomes
B	became
C	has become
D	would become

Question 1 Explanation:

Use the past simple for a finished past event. The clue is at a young age, which is a finished time in the past. Not has become, because the present perfect can't be used with a finished past time.

Question 2

He’s not a stamp collector, _____?

A	was he
B	wasn’t he
C	is he
D	isn’t he

Question 2 Explanation:

A question tag uses the same tense as the sentence and the opposite form. The sentence is negative present (He's not), so the tag is positive present: is he? Not isn't he, because a negative sentence takes a positive tag.

Question 3

How long _____ you had this car?

A	did
B	do
C	have
D	were

Question 3 Explanation:

How long + present perfect asks about a period that started in the past and continues now: How long have you had this car? The past participle had tells us we need the auxiliary have.

Question 4

_____ anyone get hurt?

A	Did
B	Were
C	Have
D	Had

Question 4 Explanation:

The main verb get is in the base form, so the question needs the auxiliary did: Did anyone get hurt? Were, Have and Had would need a different verb form (e.g. Was anyone hurt?).

Question 5

He _____ about birds. It drives me mad!

A	forever talk
B	is forever talking
C	will forever be talking
D	has forever been talking

Question 5 Explanation:

Be + forever/always + -ing describes a repeated habit that annoys the speaker. The clue is It drives me mad!: He is forever talking about birds. Forever talk is wrong because the verb needs the -s form and this structure needs the continuous.

Question 6

She keeps _____ her things all around the place, which is so annoying.

A	to leave
B	leaves
C	leave
D	leaving

Question 6 Explanation:

Keep is followed by the -ing form: She keeps leaving her things around. It shows an action that happens again and again. Not to leave, because keep never takes the infinitive.

Question 7

He _____ me to the first game when I was only 6.

A	used to take
B	would take
C	took
D	has taken

Question 7 Explanation:

This is one single event in the past (the first game), so we use the past simple: took. Not used to take or would take, because these describe repeated past habits, not one occasion.

Question 8

At first, I _____ starting work so early but this has changed.

A	didn't use to
B	wouldn't
C	didn't have to
D	wasn't used to

Question 8 Explanation:

Be used to + -ing means 'be accustomed to something'. The clue is starting (an -ing form) and this has changed: now I am used to it. Not didn't use to, because it is followed by the base form (didn't use to start) and talks about past habits.

Question 9

My new PC, _____ I bought last week, has already broken down.

A	that
B	which
C	whose
D	_____

Question 9 Explanation:

This is a non-defining relative clause (extra information between commas) about a thing, so we use which. That cannot be used after a comma, and the relative pronoun cannot be left out in non-defining clauses.

Question 10

I'd like to see the photos _____ you took on holiday.

A	who
B	whose
C	where
D	_____

Question 10 Explanation:

In a defining relative clause, the pronoun can be left out when it is the object of the verb: the photos (that) you took. Here you is the subject of took, so no pronoun is needed. Who is for people and whose shows possession.

Question 11

People _____ from the illness find it difficult to relax.

A	suffered
B	suffering
C	who suffering
D	were suffering

Question 11 Explanation:

A present participle (-ing) can replace an active relative clause: People suffering from the illness = People who suffer from the illness. Not who suffering, because a relative clause needs a full verb (who suffer).

Question 12

You'd better take your coat _____ the weather gets worse.

A	in case
B	otherwise
C	so that
D	in order to

Question 12 Explanation:

In case means 'as a precaution because something might happen': take your coat because the weather might get worse. Not so that, which shows purpose and doesn't fit the meaning here.

Question 13

She did a course in confidence building _____ overcome her phobia.

A	so that
B	in order to
C	although
D	in case

Question 13 Explanation:

In order to + base verb shows purpose: in order to overcome. Not so that, because it must be followed by a subject and verb (so that she could overcome).

Question 14

He _____ a therapist for several years after he left school.

A	has seen
B	has been seeing
C	saw
D	used to seeing

Question 14 Explanation:

The past simple is used for a finished period in the past. The clue is after he left school, which places the whole period in the past. Not has been seeing, because the present perfect does not go with a finished past time.

Question 15

She _____ much better since she left the hospital last week.

A	is feeling
B	feels
C	felt
D	has been feeling

Question 15 Explanation:

Since + a past point (since she left the hospital) needs a present perfect form. The present perfect continuous (has been feeling) shows a situation that started in the past and continues now. Not is feeling, because the present continuous can't be used with since.

Question 16

He realized that he _____ his car keys in the office.

A	left
B	has left
C	had left
D	was leaving

Question 16 Explanation:

The past perfect (had left) shows an action that happened before another past action. He left the keys first, and then he realized. Not has left, because the present perfect doesn't fit in a past-tense story.

Question 17

We couldn't fall asleep because our neighbours _____ a lot of noise.

A	make
B	had made
C	have made
D	were making

Question 17 Explanation:

The past continuous (were making) describes an action in progress at a past time, here the background to couldn't fall asleep. Not had made, because the noise was still going on, not finished before.

Question 18

_____ plans you might have for the weekend, you'll have to change them.

A	Wherever
B	Whoever
C	Whatever
D	However

Question 18 Explanation:

Whatever + noun means 'any … at all, it doesn't matter which': Whatever plans you have, you'll have to change them. Wherever is for places, whoever for people and however for manner or degree.

Question 19

They _____ out for a few years before they decided to get married.

A	had gone
B	have been going
C	were going
D	had been going

Question 19 Explanation:

The past perfect continuous (had been going out) shows an activity that continued for a period up to another past moment. The clues are for a few years and before they decided. Not have been going, because the story is in the past.

Question 20

You won't pass the exam _____ you start revising immediately.

A	as long as
B	provided
C	unless
D	if

Question 20 Explanation:

Unless means 'if … not': You won't pass unless you start revising = if you don't start revising. Not as long as or provided, because they mean 'only if', which gives the opposite meaning.

Question 21

We wouldn't have missed the bus if you _____ to chat with Mary!

A	didn't stop
B	hadn't stopped
C	don't stop
D	wouldn't have stopped

Question 21 Explanation:

This is a third conditional about an unreal past: would have + past participle in the result and if + past perfect in the condition: if you hadn't stopped. Not wouldn't have stopped, because would is not used in the if-clause.

Question 22

The party was so boring I wish I _____ there at all.

A	hadn't gone
B	wouldn't go
C	haven't gone
D	didn't go

Question 22 Explanation:

To express regret about the past, use wish + past perfect: I wish I hadn't gone. Not didn't go, because wish + past simple is about the present, not a past event.

Question 23

If only you _____ more time to spend with the family.

A	would have
B	have had
C	had
D	have

Question 23 Explanation:

If only + past simple expresses a wish about the present: If only you had more time (but you don't). Not would have, because would is used with a person's behaviour we want to change, not with have time.

Question 24

Oh, you're busy? I _____ you later, OK?

A	am calling
B	call
C	have called
D	will call

Question 24 Explanation:

Will is used for a decision made at the moment of speaking. The speaker decides to call later after seeing the person is busy. Not am calling, because the present continuous is for plans already arranged.

Question 25

By the time the guests arrive, we _____ everything for the party.

A	will be preparing
B	will have prepared
C	prepare
D	have prepared

Question 25 Explanation:

The future perfect (will have prepared) shows an action that will be finished before a future moment. The clue is By the time the guests arrive. Not will be preparing, because that means the action will still be in progress.

Question 26

During the next meeting we _____ about setting goals.

A	were talking
B	will have talked
C	will be talking
D	talk

Question 26 Explanation:

The future continuous (will be talking) describes an action that will be in progress at a time in the future. The clue is During the next meeting. Not will have talked, because that means finished before the meeting.

Question 27

I can't find my keys. I _____ them.

A	may lose
B	must lost
C	might have lost
D	should have lost

Question 27 Explanation:

Might have + past participle expresses a possibility about the past: perhaps I lost them. Not should have lost, which means it was a good idea to lose them, and must lost is not a correct form (must have lost).

Question 28

The police stopped us and said we _____ to enter the building.

A	can't
B	couldn't
C	didn't allow
D	weren't allowed

Question 28 Explanation:

Be allowed to + verb talks about permission; in reported speech it moves into the past: we weren't allowed to enter. Not couldn't, because it is not followed by to, and didn't allow needs an object (didn't allow us).

Question 29

Admission was free so we _____ any tickets.

A	needn't buy
B	mustn't buy
C	didn't need to buy
D	mustn't have bought

Question 29 Explanation:

Didn't need to + verb means something was not necessary in the past, so we didn't do it. Not needn't buy, because it refers to the present or future, and mustn't means it is forbidden.

Question 30

I'm not sure if you're aware _____ the risk.

A	of
B	to
C	at
D	in

Question 30 Explanation:

The adjective aware is always followed by of: be aware of the risk. It means 'knowing that something exists'.

Question 31

The horror movie wasn't just frightening. It was _____ terrifying!

A	extremely
B	absolutely
C	very
D	fairly

Question 31 Explanation:

Terrifying is an extreme adjective, so it is used with absolutely, not with gradable adverbs. Not very or extremely, because they go with ordinary adjectives like frightening (very frightening).

Question 32

_____ the weather was horrible, we decided to go out for a short walk.

A	Even though
B	However
C	In spite of
D	Despite

Question 32 Explanation:

Even though is followed by a full clause (subject + verb): Even though the weather was horrible. Not Despite or In spite of, because they need a noun or -ing form (Despite the horrible weather).

Question 33

We should remind _____ to be thankful for all that we have.

A	us
B	_____
C	ourselves
D	we

Question 33 Explanation:

When the subject and object are the same people, use a reflexive pronoun: We should remind ourselves. Not us, because the object refers back to the subject we.

Question 34

His father asked Dan where _____ all day.

A	had he been
B	was he
C	he had been
D	he has been

Question 34 Explanation:

In a reported question, the word order is like a statement (subject before verb) and the tense moves back: where he had been. Not had he been, because that is question word order.

Question 35

She advised him _____ sun cream.

A	putting
B	put on
C	to putting on
D	to put on

Question 35 Explanation:

Advise + object + to-infinitive: She advised him to put on sun cream. Not putting, because the -ing form is only used without an object (She advised putting on sun cream).

Question 36

She was only 19 when she sailed across _____ Atlantic.

A	a
B	an
C	the
D	_____

Question 36 Explanation:

We use the with the names of oceans, seas and rivers: the Atlantic, the Thames.

Question 37

Your leg could be broken so you must have _____ X-ray.

A	a
B	an
C	the
D	_____

Question 37 Explanation:

Choose a or an by the sound, not the letter. X-ray begins with a vowel sound /eks/, so we say an X-ray.

Question 38

The square was _____ crowded we couldn't pass.

A	so
B	such
C	very
D	as

Question 38 Explanation:

So + adjective (that) shows a result: so crowded (that) we couldn't pass. Not such, because it is used before a noun (such a crowded square).

Question 39

Two climbers are reported to _____ during the storm last night.

A	die
B	have died
C	had died
D	died

Question 39 Explanation:

In the passive reporting structure be reported to, we use the perfect infinitive (to have died) for something that happened before the report. The clue is last night. Not to die, which would refer to the same time or the future.

Question 40

I'll need to have the stairs _____.

A	renovate
B	renovating
C	to renovate
D	renovated

Question 40 Explanation:

Have + object + past participle means someone else does the job for you: have the stairs renovated. Not renovate, because the stairs are not doing the action.

Question 41

I only paid £20 for this jacket! It was a real _____.

A	buy
B	price
C	bargain
D	sale

Question 41 Explanation:

A bargain is something you buy for much less than its usual price: It was a real bargain. Not sale, which is the event when shops lower prices, not the item you buy.

Question 42

Jane is always poking her nose in other people's business. She's so _____!

A	inquisitive
B	obedient
C	playful
D	unreliable

Question 42 Explanation:

Inquisitive means too interested in other people's private lives, like nosy. The clue is poking her nose in other people's business. Obedient, playful and unreliable describe different qualities.

Question 43

As far as I'm _____, the new plan is a waste of money.

A	matter
B	referred
C	according
D	concerned

Question 43 Explanation:

As far as I'm concerned is a fixed phrase meaning 'in my opinion': As far as I'm concerned, it's a waste of money. The other options do not form this expression.

Question 44

The window _____ was really imaginative.

A	exhibition
B	display
C	collection
D	vision

Question 44 Explanation:

A window display is the arrangement of goods in a shop window: The window display was really imaginative. Not exhibition, which is a public show of art or objects in a gallery or museum.

Question 45

She _____ the sack last week and is now looking for a new job.

A	did
B	made
C	took
D	got

Question 45 Explanation:

Get the sack is an informal expression meaning 'lose your job': She got the sack last week. The clue is is now looking for a new job.

Question 46

She doesn't _____ of my decision.

A	agree
B	approve
C	accept
D	support

Question 46 Explanation:

Approve of means 'think something is good or right': She doesn't approve of my decision. Not agree, because it takes with, and accept and support take a direct object without of.

Question 47

During his stay in Indonesia he went _____ with malaria.

A	up
B	off
C	down
D	over

Question 47 Explanation:

Go down with an illness is a phrasal verb meaning 'become ill with it': He went down with malaria. The other particles don't make this meaning.

Question 48

When the customs officers found some illegal goods hidden in the car, the driver was arrested for _____.

A	assault
B	mugging
C	hijacking
D	smuggling

Question 48 Explanation:

Smuggling means secretly taking goods into or out of a country illegally. The clues are customs officers and illegal goods hidden in the car. Assault and mugging are attacks, and hijacking is taking control of a vehicle by force.

Question 49

I can't move the sofa. Could you _____ me a hand with it, please?

A	give
B	get
C	take
D	borrow

Question 49 Explanation:

Give someone a hand is a fixed phrase meaning 'help someone': Could you give me a hand with it? Not borrow, which means take something you will return.

Question 50

I couldn't get in _____ with you all week! Where have you been?

A	connection
B	call
C	touch
D	talk

Question 50 Explanation:

Get in touch with someone is a fixed phrase meaning 'contact someone': I couldn't get in touch with you all week. Not call or talk, because we say give someone a call or talk to someone, not get in call or get in talk. Connection does not form this phrase.

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