THE NINTH CANTONAL ENGLISH LANGUAGE COMPETITION

Secondary Schools 2011

Sarajevo Canton, Ministry of Education and Science Pedagogical Institute
GRAMMAR SECTION

Read the questions carefully and
choose the best answer.
1. If she ____ about his financial situation,
she would have helped him out.
a) knew
b) had been knowing
c) had known
d) have known
2. I'll ____ their cat while they are away on
holiday.
a) be looking into
b) be looking at
c) be looking after
d) be looking over

3. If you ____ so bad-tempered, Julie
wouldnt have got annoyed with you.
a) havent been
b) werent
c) wouldnt have been
d) wont have been

4. The new law is __ the old one.
a) more stricter than
b) the strictest than
c) much strictest from
d) much stricter than

5. I___ for the match to begin when suddenly
a dog ran onto the pitch.
a) had waited
b) was waiting
c) waited
d) wait

6. She ____ lunch by the time we arrived.
a) had finished
b) finished
c) have finished
d) finishing

7. The sun____at 9 last night.
a) sat
b) setted
c) set
d) was setting
8. I really didn't want to come last night. __.
a) So do I.
b) Neither do I.
c) Neither I did.
d) Neither did I.


9. Despite ____ hard, he failed the exam.
a) he studied
b) he has studied
c) studying
d) study

10. That room _______________ for a
meeting today.
a) is used
b) is being used
c) used
d) is using

11. We ____ tennis every day when we were
young.
a) use to play
b) would play
c) were playing
d) were used to play
12. Followers of Hinduism ___ in reincarnation,
that is, that we have several lives.
a) believe
b) are believing
c) are thinking
d) opinion

13. I cant help ____ that Charlotte would look
better if she lost some weight.
a) to think
b) thinking
c) to thinking
d) think

14. When I stopped ____ to Mary, she
was picking some flowers in her garden.
a) speaking
b) speak
c) to speak
d) spoke

15. Do you think ____?
a) does he know what he wants
b) he knows what he wants
c) he knows what does he want
d) what he wants he knows
16. Its no use ____ Henry at home now. Its
past 8 oclock and he wont be there.
He ____ for the office.
a) to ring / will have left
b) ringing / will have left
c) to ring / will leave
d) ringing / will leave
THE NINTH CANTONAL ENGLISH LANGUAGE COMPETITION
Secondary Schools 2011
Sarajevo Canton, Ministry of Education and Science Pedagogical Institute
17. How long ___ in Colombia?
Almost two years,now.
a) are you living
b) did you live
c) will you be living
d) have you been living

18. My ___ health is the most important thing
to me.
a) children
b) childrens
c) childrens
d) childs

19 And, the song __ by our listeners as their
favourite of the week is Goodbye Baby by
the Tunesmiths!
a) having chosen
b) chosen
c) was chosen
d) is chosen

20. The Copperhead is a venomous serpent,
found as far North as the Blue Hills in
Massachusetts and ___ bite has proved
dangerous to hikers and joggers.
a) its
b) who
c) whom
d) whose
21. I could hardly ____ the ship in the
distance.
a) look out
b) make out
c) make up
d) see out

22. Im not tired enough to go to bed yet. I
wouldnt sleep if I ____ to bed now.
a) go
b) went
c) had gone
d) would go

23. ____, we won't have much to talk about.
a) If he not comes
b) Unless he comes
c) If he didn't come
d) If he came

24. Theres nothing tastier than ___ tomato.
a) nice red
b) a nice and a red
c) a nice red
d) a nice and a red
e) nice and red

25. The film __ very boring if you __ asleep.
a) must have been/fell
b) must be/had fallen
c) must have been/had fallen
d) had to be/fell
26. Jack told her that he ____ come the next
day.
a) is going to
b) will come
c) wants
d) was going to

27. It was only later __ what he __ me.
a) did I realize/had asked
b) that I realized/asked
c) did I realize/asked
d) that I realized/had asked

28. He didn't win because he's not ____.
a) a good enough player
b) a well enough player
c) a player good enough
d) a player well enough

29. Unfortunately, Mary has ____ friends in
Tacoma.
a) a few
b) few
c) some
d) any

30. Youll be all right as soon as you ____ a
cup of coffee.
a) had
b) have had
c) will have
d) are having

31. She is staying with her ____ Ohrid.
a) in-laws at Lake
b) in-laws at Lake
c) in-laws at the Lake
d) in-laws at the Lake

32. Mother Teresa became famous for her hard
work with __ poor.
a) a
b) the
c) an
d) -

33. She wished she ____ the new car.
a) bought
b) to buy
THE NINTH CANTONAL ENGLISH LANGUAGE COMPETITION
Secondary Schools 2011
Sarajevo Canton, Ministry of Education and Science Pedagogical Institute
c) has bought
d) had bought
34. You'll be leaving for Tokyo soon, ____?
a) aren't you
b) won't you
c) don't you
d) shall you

35. ____ the last market session, the Down
Jones dropped 67 points.
a) While
b) While having
c) During
d) Throughout

36. My mother let me ____ late when I was a
child.
a) to stay out
b) stayed out
c) stay out
d) staying out

37. Lyle Lovett, __ I last saw perform over
ten years ago, is on tour again.
a) he who
b) to whom
c) who
d) that

38. They love __ very much and they are
going to get married.
a) others
b) themselves
c) himself
d) each other

39. What shall we do tonight?
How about ____ a film?
a) to see
b) see
c) seeing
d) going

40. He found his watch ____ the papers on
his desk.
a) in
b) among
c) between
d) through

41. Sebastien can drink ____ a gallon of beer
in one sitting.
a) as much as
b) their
c) so much that
d) mostly
42. She would have prepared the guest room,
if she ____ that he was coming.
a) knew
b) has known
c) had known
d) knows

43. You certainly wouldn't like ____ in such
bad company.
a) to have seen
b) to be seen
c) to be seeing
d) to see
44. Do you really want to ____ that meeting
until tomorrow?
a) put up
b) put off
c) put onto
d) put away

45. If you want to leave your job you must
give at least four ___ notice.
a) week
b) weeks
c) week's
d) weeks'

46. My parents told me __ worry about my
school work.
a) not to
b) not
c) dont
d) dont to

47. He will meet you ____ the station at
seven o'clock sharp.

a) in front
b) ahead
c) in front of
d) behind of
48. He said it had been trip to ____
Philippines which had first ____ his
enthusiasm.
a) - / aroused
b) - / arose
c) the / aroused
d) the /arose

49. Yes, we have bought the tickets to the
concert and we ____ next Friday. I'm
THE NINTH CANTONAL ENGLISH LANGUAGE COMPETITION
Secondary Schools 2011
Sarajevo Canton, Ministry of Education and Science Pedagogical Institute
so excited.
a) will go
b) won't go
c) shall be going
d) are going

50. He is now the best golf player in the world.
It looks as if he ____ really hard for his
success.
a) had worked
b) would have worked
c) should work
d) has worked

51. Is this coffee mine or ____?
a) you
b) your
c) yours
d) your's


52. I had to drive very ____ because the
snow was coming down ____.
a) slowly / heavily
b) slow / heavy
c) slowly / heavy
d) slow / heavily


53. Matthew ____ so tired yesterday after
his night working at the hospital.
a) has been
b) was
c) were
d) had been

54.There were ___ people at the party there
was no room to move.
a) so much
b) that much
c) so many
d) such much

55. ___ our meal, we had a cup of coffee.
a) Finished
b) Having finished
c) We have finished
d) Have finished

56. Hmmm, I love the smell of freshly ____
coffee.
a) grind
b) grinded
c) ground
d) grounded

57. The grass in front of her office ____ for
two months!
a) hasnt cut
b) hasnt been cut
c) didnt cut
d) not cut

58. He looks so upset. I think he ___ .
a) will cry
b) is going to cry
c) will be crying
d) cries
59. Yesterday we noticed a hole in the roof, so
now____ .
a) the roof needed fixing
b) we had the roof fixed
c) we fixed the roof ourselves
d) we are having the roof fixed

60. What was Dereks reaction to the
accusation?
Well, he denied ____ anywhere near the
house at the time.
a) to be
b) being
c) be
d) of being








This is the end of Grammar Section.
Now do the next section.











THE NINTH CANTONAL ENGLISH LANGUAGE COMPETITION
Secondary Schools 2011
Sarajevo Canton, Ministry of Education and Science Pedagogical Institute




VOCABULARY SECTION

Choose the word or phrase that best completes each sentence:

1. He gave her a mischievous ....... as she handed him order.
A peer B peep C wink D blink

2. Despite their initial objections, we soon......... them all playing football together.
A made B had C organized D persuaded

3. We may win, we may lose-it's just the.......... of the draw!
A strike B odds C chance D luck

4. You are under no obligation to help as assistance is purely ..........
A free B voluntary C charitable D donated

5 . War is ............ as open-armed conflict between countries or factions within countries.
A delineated B declared C defaulted D defined

6. I hope you won't take it .......... if I suggest an alternative remedy.
A offence B amiss C upset D heart

7. From time to time he ................ himself to a weekend in a five- star hotel.
A craves B indulges C benefits D treats

8 . My brother's son is a very..... child, but he has a very sweet nature so it is difficult to be angry
with him.
A malevolent B malicious C mischievous D malignant

9 . In the Middle Ages, women who were found guilty of ...... were sometimes burned at the stake.
A wizardry B magic C conjuring D witchcraft

10 The small boat drifted helplessly ....... the mercy of the wind and waves.
A in B with C to D at

11.He claimed that he was not a particularly remarkable businessman, but that he had simply had the
good ...... to be in the right place at the right time.
A fortune B fate C destiny D opportunity

12 It is advisable to ...... any contact with potentially rabid animals.
A escape B avoid C prevent D evade

13.She has been taken to hospital suffering from a ........... disc.
A torn B slipped C broken D sprained

14. I'm afraid this vase is anything but antique in fact, it's .......
A pointless B worthless C meaningless D hopeless

THE NINTH CANTONAL ENGLISH LANGUAGE COMPETITION
Secondary Schools 2011
Sarajevo Canton, Ministry of Education and Science Pedagogical Institute
15. They live in a very ..... populated area of Italy.
A sparsely B scarcely C hardly D barely

16. There wasn't a ..... of dust anywhere in the hotel.
A drop B fleck C speck D pinch

17. I'd like to buy that glass vase you have in the window the one with the roses ............ on the side.
A inscribed B tattooed C designed D etched

18. He's on his own now he'll have to .............. his own canoe!
A row B steer C paddle D ride

19. The room feels very ....... now that we're having to store all my brother's furniture.
A cramped B pressed C filles D crowded

20. Anna is a very nervous child and and she's very ........... of strangers.
A terrified B frightened C pertrified D horrified

21. All through his life he remained.......... resentful of the way he had been abandoned by his parents
as a child.
A fully B seriously C completeley D bitterly

22. On reflection, the reviewer realized that he had been ........ unfair in his harsh criticism of the play.
A somewhat B moreover C anywhere D whatever

23. The two children tried as hard as they could to ......... a reconciliation between their parents.
A bring about B bring up C bring in D bring together

24. By the time he had finished work and returned home, he was absolutely ............ .
A exhausted B tired C weary D weak

25. That was one of the best films I have ever seen it was ........... magnificent.
A very B fairly C quite D extremely

26. There are very few artists who have ......... much material success in their own lifetimes.
A enjoyed B disposed C possessed D realized

27. Doctors advise people who are deficient ........ vitamin C to eat more fruit and vegetables.
A from B of C in D for

28. Life expectancy in the third world is relatively short, ......... in the western world it has increased
substantially.
A whereas B unlike C however D contrary

29. Although he spoke slowly, I found it difficult at times to follow the .............. of his argument.
A spool B track C thread D path

30. The professor noticed that the student's essay ....... a strong resemblance to an article he had
seen published in a journal.
A bore B held C carried D contained

THE NINTH CANTONAL ENGLISH LANGUAGE COMPETITION
Secondary Schools 2011
Sarajevo Canton, Ministry of Education and Science Pedagogical Institute

This is the end of Vocabulary Section. Now do the next section .


Reading Comprehension

The following text is an advertisement for a bank. Read the text and then decide whether the
statements are true (T), false (F) or there is no information (N.I.).

Going to Australia
There were only two teeny-weeny obstacles preventing me from going to Australia as far
as I could see. One was persuading my boss to give me three weeks off. The other was
persuading my bank manager to give me the cash.
Actually, looking back, it was really all Chris and Kays fault. They had put the idea into
my head in the first place. Ever since they had both landed plum jobs in Sydney over six months
ago, I had been stricken with a serious mental affliction: out-and-out envy. The fact that Kay was
my oldest friend did not help. And neither did her letters.
You can imagine. Each one would have lavish descriptions of sun, sea and sand and
would tell tales of enormous wages and a positively idyllic lifestyle. Sickening, Kay always
ended with one of those throwaway lines like Youve got to come over sometime.
Like I said, there were just two flies in the ointment. Editorial assistants are not exactly
renowned for their astronomical salaries, for a start. And at the place where I work we are only
officially allowed two weeks off at any one time. So I decided a little emotional blackmail would
not go amiss.
After a series of particularly hectic afternoons, I complained I was doing more work than
anyone else in the department, that it was not fair and that I really needed a long holiday. And
anyway, you could not travel half way round the world and just take two weeks, could you?
My nagging seemed to work, I got fifteen days. But raising the money, I thought, was going to
be far trickier. For a start, I would not know my bank manager if I bumped into him (or her for
that matter) in the street. And supposing I did, what would I say? Im just popping down under
for a few weeks to visit some friends, lend us three thousand quid.
I could guess the reply. But I remembered Kays words of wisdom in her last phone call:
Beg, steal or borrow. I had decided to beg. My plan was to plead unashamedly. I would say
that it was a once in a lifetime opportunity, that I would pay them back as soon as I could,
honestly.
As it turned out, it was a cinch. They just asked me to fill in one of their application
forms and wait. It must have been all of five minutes later when they came back and said that
everything was in order, and whether I would like the money paid into my account.
I thought: Get out now while the going is good! So calmly I said: Yes please, and out I
walked 3,000 richer, without even laying eyes on the manager.
Now my bags are packed, I am ready to go and I do not mind telling you, it feels just
brilliant. I do not even need to pay the loan off in a hurry. They have given me loads of time to
do it and an interest rate that will not budge. So Chris, Kay and Sydney, here I come. And I raise
my glass to you, Mr. Bank Manager, whoever you are. I am, if you will pardon the pun, deeply
indebted to you.
THE NINTH CANTONAL ENGLISH LANGUAGE COMPETITION
Secondary Schools 2011
Sarajevo Canton, Ministry of Education and Science Pedagogical Institute



1. Chris, Kay and Sydney are the girls
good friends from Australia.
T F N.I.
2. If it had not been for her friends, the
girl would never have thought of
going to Australia.
T F N.I.


3. The two flies in the ointment are
Chris and Kay.
T F N.I.
4. The girls job was very stressful and
she desperately needed a vacation.
T F N.I
5. Kays intention was to make her
friend feel envy while reading the
letters from sunny Australia.
T F N.I.
6. The girls emotional blackmail at
work helped her get fifteen days off.
T F N.I.
7. The girl expected a positive reply at
the bank from the very beginning.
T F N.I.
8. The procedure for raising the money
at the bank was pretty tricky.
T F N.I.
9. The bank manager asked the girl if
she wanted the money paid into her
account.
T F N.I.
T F N.I.
10. The girls words at the end of the text:
Im deeply indebted to you, have two
meanings.

This is the end of test.

Good luck!