Learning Outside the Classroom

Study the questions and tasks

Work through the material below, or start the interactive practice above to complete an attempt. Try the exercises before opening any answer or transcript sections, then use them to review your work.

Practice level

B1. Try this level if you can follow the instructions and understand most of the language; choose an earlier level if you need more support.

Question formats

Cloze (dropdown)

How to approach this practice

Read the complete context. Check both the meaning and the grammar, including word forms, collocations and links between sentences.

1. Question 1 · Cloze (dropdown)

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   Choose the best option for each gap: I wanted a hobby that would give me a reason to spend more time outdoors. I took 1___ photography last year because I wanted 2___ a new skill. A practical class seemed more useful than trying to learn everything from a book.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. after
   2. off
   3. up
   4. out of

   Choices for blank 2

   1. learned
   2. learning
   3. to learn
   4. learn
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   up

   Blank 2

   to learn

   Take up means begin an activity; want takes a to-infinitive.

2. Question 2 · Cloze (dropdown)

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   Choose the best option for each gap: Our first lesson took place in the streets near the college rather than inside a classroom. The teacher encouraged us 1___ outside and pay 2___ to ordinary objects. The exercise showed us that an interesting picture did not always need an unusual subject.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. looking
   2. look
   3. to look
   4. looked

   Choices for blank 2

   1. care
   2. attention
   3. sight
   4. watch
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   to look

   Blank 2

   attention

   Encourage takes an object and to-infinitive; pay attention is fixed.

3. Question 3 · Cloze (dropdown)

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   Choose the best option for each gap: Knowing what I wanted to photograph was easier than making the camera do what I expected. At first, I had difficulty 1___ the camera. I kept 2___ the wrong button. The teacher encouraged me to slow down and check one setting at a time.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. use
   2. to use
   3. used
   4. using

   Choices for blank 2

   1. to press
   2. pressing
   3. press
   4. pressed
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   using

   Blank 2

   pressing

   Have difficulty and keep both take ing forms.

4. Question 4 · Cloze (dropdown)

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   Choose the best option for each gap: As we became more familiar with the camera, the teacher changed the way she helped us. Instead 1___ explaining everything, the teacher let us 2___ for ourselves. Testing an idea and looking at the result helped us understand why it worked.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. to
   2. for
   3. of
   4. at

   Choices for blank 2

   1. experimented
   2. experiment
   3. experimenting
   4. to experiment
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   of

   Blank 2

   experiment

   Instead of takes an ing form; let takes a bare infinitive.

5. Question 5 · Cloze (dropdown)

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   Choose the best option for each gap: One assignment asked us to think about how a still image could suggest an action. We were asked to take photos 1___ showed movement. My favourite was a bird 2___ flight. Waiting patiently for the right moment was more important than taking lots of pictures.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. whose of
   2. that
   3. what
   4. who

   Choices for blank 2

   1. at
   2. by to
   3. on to
   4. in
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   that

   Blank 2

   in

   That introduces a relative clause about photos; in flight is the phrase.

6. Question 6 · Cloze (dropdown)

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   Choose the best option for each gap: The course changed my habits even when I did not have a camera with me. I have become more 1___ since the course and now notice things I used 2___ miss. I began to notice light, colour and small details during ordinary journeys.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. observantly
   2. observe
   3. observant
   4. observation

   Choices for blank 2

   1. by
   2. at
   3. for
   4. to
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   observant

   Blank 2

   to

   Observant is the adjective; used to takes a base verb.

7. Question 7 · Cloze (dropdown)

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   Choose the best option for each gap: At the end of the term, I thought about whether the course had been a good choice. The course was well 1___ the money. I'd recommend it 2___ anyone who enjoys being creative. The practical work and helpful feedback made the lessons feel useful beyond the classroom.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. value
   2. cost
   3. worthy
   4. worth

   Choices for blank 2

   1. for to
   2. with
   3. at
   4. to
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   worth

   Blank 2

   to

   Well worth the money expresses value; recommend something to someone is the pattern.

8. Question 8 · Cloze (dropdown)

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   Choose the best option for each gap: Now I would like to share the photographs instead of leaving them on my computer. I plan 1___ a small exhibition and have already invited friends 2___ their work too. Showing our pictures together will also give us a reason to keep learning from one another.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. organising
   2. organised
   3. to organise
   4. organise

   Choices for blank 2

   1. show
   2. showed
   3. showing
   4. to show
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   to organise

   Blank 2

   to show

   Plan and invite someone both take to-infinitives.

What to review next

Explain why each answer fits the meaning and structure. Record useful phrases and write a new example using each pattern you found difficult.

A focused practice result shows how you did on these tasks. Use several activities across skills to decide what to study next; one practice score does not certify an overall CEFR level.