English Vocabulary Exercises for Advanced Learners

English vocabulary exercises for advanced learners who require an understanding of the correct usage of words in context.

English Vocabulary Exercises 1

Choose from among the following idioms to fill in the blanks in the sentences below.

• up to date
• turn a hair
• down to earth
• have your face screwed on
• lose face
• by hook or by crook
• had green eyes
• hands full
• raining cats and dogs
• in the nick of time
• cat and dog life
• turned a deaf ear

• Meiling and her sister Meiyi, led a ………………….. . They were always quarreling.
• It’s been …………………… for the past two days.
• ……………………., I’ve got to get to the airport on time.
• The material in this book is not ………………. .
• He is a very ……………. person.
• He ……………. to her pleas and went ahead with his plans.
• His son’s misdemeanour caused him to ………. among his high society acquaintances.
• Kenneth ……………….. when he noticed how successful his ex-classmates had become, at the reunion.
• Marina did not ……………….. when her rival shouted insults at her.
• Could you ask someone else to help you with the new project? I have my …………………. with three other projects at the moment.
• Make sure you …………. regarding this matter.
• He arrived ………………. .

English Vocabulary Exercises 2

Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the word in the brackets.

• The Chinese believe that red is the color of …………….. (prosper).
• Mr Hong is handling the ………………………… campaign for that political candidate. (public)
• ……………………………………….. has slowed down because of the recent strike. (produce)
• I make no …………………….. to skill as an artist, but I do enjoy drawing. (pretend)
• His …………… encouraged me to look on the bright side of things. (earnest)
• The petrol bunk is located …………………………….. the supermarket. (oppose)
• Is he …………………….. ? (rely)
• The famous pianist gave a …………….. at the town hall. (recite)
• That ………………… man tried to pick a fight with me! (anger)
• She was suffering from ……………. . (sea)
• ………………………… is good for the digestive system. (Rough)
• That was quite a tactless ……………………. . (state)

English Vocabulary Exercises 3

Choose the most suitable word to fill in each blank.

• Yongguang usually takes his ………………. before going to bed.
  (1) bathe   (2) bathing   (3) bath   (4) wash
• The destitute orphans ……………….. a very miserable life.
  (1) lead   (2) survive   (3) live   (4) inhabit
• Shupei’s ……………… story brought tears to the eyes of those listening.
  (1) dramatic   (2) fatal   (3) adventurous   (4) tragic
• Under the teacher’s stern ………. the little boy broke down and confessed to being the culprit.
  (1) glance   (2) glimpse   (3) gaze   (4) stare
• The neighbours are ………………… the peace with their loud music and noisy partying.
  (1) agitating   (2) bothering   (3) disturbing   (4) annoying
• Just before the famous author could ………………………….. the story that he was writing, he suffered from a fatal heart attack.
  (1) terminate   (2) conclude   (3) determine   (4) settle
• They were very surprised to see her as they had not ……………. her to attend the party.
  (1) expected   (2) excepted   (3) accepted   (4) anticipated
• She …………… the insolent remarks that were coming from the back of the bus.
  (1) neglected   (2) repelled   (3) ignored   (4) forgot
• He was so shocked to see me that he could barely …………….. a word.
  (1) pronounce   (2) articulate   (3) talk   (4) utter
• She sounded so ………………. that everyone believed her story.
  (1) persuading   (2) convincing   (3) influencing   (4) actual
• We had a difficult time with ………. two cars, so we sold one.
  (1) retaining   (2) sustaining   (3) maintaining   (4) supporting
• The prison ………… were very well-behaved when the cabinet minister went on an inspection tour.
  (1) inhabitants   (2) residents   (3) occupants   (4) inmates

Answer Scheme

English Vocabulary Exercises 1

• cat and dog life
• raining cats and dogs
• By hook or crook
• up to date
• down-to-earth
• turned a deaf ear
• lose face
• had green eyes
• turn a hair
• in the nick of time
• have your face screwed on
• in the nick of time

English Vocabulary Exercises 2

• prosperity
• publicity
• production
• pretention
• earnestly
• opposite
• reliable
• recital
• angry
• seasickness
• roughage
• statement

English Vocabulary Exercises 3

• (3)
• (1)
• (4)
• (4)
• (3)
• (2)
• (1)
• (3)
• (4)
• (2)
• (3)
• (4)