Decisions with Consequences

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

B2. 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

Single choice

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 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   Choose the best completion or reply. Had we checked the figures, we … the error sooner.

   1. would have noticed
   2. had notice
   3. would noticing
   4. will notice
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   would have noticed

   Past counterfactual consequences use would have plus a participle.

2. Question 2 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   Choose the best completion or reply. The committee has yet to … a final decision.

   1. reach
   2. perform
   3. do
   4. arrive
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   reach

   Reach a decision is the collocation.

3. Question 3 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   Choose the best completion or reply. You can proceed … you keep within the agreed budget.

   1. despite
   2. provided that
   3. unless
   4. during
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   provided that

   Provided that states the condition permitting action.

4. Question 4 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   Choose the best completion or reply. Weighing … the alternatives took longer than expected.

   1. up
   2. out
   3. over
   4. away
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   up

   Weigh up means consider and compare alternatives.

5. Question 5 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   Choose the best completion or reply. If it hadn't been … your warning, we'd have signed.

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

   Answer

   for

   If it hadn't been for introduces the factor preventing an outcome.

6. Question 6 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   Choose the best completion or reply. The proposal was rejected on the … that it was too costly.

   1. grounds
   2. floors
   3. reason
   4. bases
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   grounds

   On the grounds that introduces the reason for a decision.

7. Question 7 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   Choose the best completion or reply. We would rather the supplier … the goods tomorrow.

   1. will deliver
   2. delivered
   3. has delivered
   4. delivering
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   delivered

   Would rather with a different subject uses a past form for a desired future action.

8. Question 8 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   Choose the best completion or reply. The board took the financial risks into ….

   1. number
   2. account
   3. count
   4. amount
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   account

   Take into account means consider.

9. Question 9 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   Choose the best completion or reply. Unless costs fall, the project … viable.

   1. isn't yesterday
   2. won't be
   3. wouldn't been
   4. hadn't be
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   won't be

   A likely future result takes won't be after the present unless-clause.

10. Question 10 · Single choice

    Choose one answer.

    Choose the best completion or reply. The choice is yours, but you must bear the consequences in ….

    1. attention
    2. mind
    3. thought
    4. head
    Check answers and explanations

    Answer

    mind

    Bear in mind means remember or consider.

11. Question 11 · Single choice

    Choose one answer.

    Choose the best completion or reply. We regret … the contract before reading the small print.

    1. signed
    2. to signing
    3. signing
    4. sign
    Check answers and explanations

    Answer

    signing

    Regret doing refers to a past action regretted.

12. Question 12 · Single choice

    Choose one answer.

    Choose the best completion or reply. The decision is likely … a lasting impact.

    1. having
    2. had
    3. to have
    4. have
    Check answers and explanations

    Answer

    to have

    Likely takes a to-infinitive; have an impact is the collocation.

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.