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Ellipsis and Substitution – Test 1

C1 Advanced GrammarEnglish

This 30-question C1 grammar test covers substitution with one/ones, so/not, do so, that/those and the same, as well as ellipsis after auxiliaries, the infinitive marker to and so/neither. It suits advanced learners and exam candidates who want to sound natural and avoid repetition in speech and writing.

Questions
30
Time
30 min
PDF
4 pages
Answer key
Included
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Choose the one correct option (A–D) for each question. Choose your answers, then press “Check my answers”.

Part 1: Substitution

Choose the word or phrase that best completes each sentence.

  1. I don't want a large coffee, thanks. Just a small _____, please.

  2. "Are you coming to the meeting this afternoon?" "I'm afraid _____."

  3. "Will the trains be running normally tomorrow?" "I hope _____."

  4. "Do you think it'll rain this evening?" "I don't think _____."

  5. The committee was asked to reconsider its decision, and it has now _____.

  6. These avocados are far too soft. Have you got any firmer _____?

  7. The population of Lisbon is smaller than _____ of Madrid.

  8. Mira ordered the grilled fish, and I had _____.

  9. Choose the correct sentence.

  10. If the weather improves, we'll eat in the garden; if _____, we'll stay indoors.

Part 2: Ellipsis

Choose the option that correctly completes each sentence, leaving out repeated words where natural.

  1. I haven't been to Iceland, but my sister _____.

  2. You don't have to come with us, but you can if you want _____.

  3. Lena can't drive, and _____ her brother.

  4. Tomás speaks Japanese far better than I _____.

  5. She said she would call me back later, and she _____.

  6. "Has the parcel arrived yet?" "It should _____ by now."

  7. The windows haven't been cleaned yet, but they will _____ tomorrow.

  8. "You'd tell me if something was wrong, wouldn't you?" "Of course I _____."

  9. Some of the students passed the exam, and others _____.

  10. Choose the correct sentence.

Part 3: Advanced use and common errors

Choose the correct option, or identify the part of the sentence that contains an error.

  1. Find the error: "I asked him to help me, but he refused to do."

  2. Kenji wanted to join the expedition but wasn't allowed _____.

  3. "Is Amara coming tonight?" "I suppose so." What does the speaker mean?

  4. "I've just been offered the job in Singapore." "_____? That's fantastic news!"

  5. Find the error: "Do you think we'll finish on time?" "I'm not thinking so."

  6. The instructions said to switch off all devices, and _____ we did.

  7. Anyone who wishes to leave the session early may _____.

  8. He promised he'd never be late again, but he _____ twice this week already.

  9. Some people prefer to work in the morning, others _____ the evening.

  10. "Why didn't you call the plumber?" "I _____, but nobody answered."

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About this test

This 30-question C1 grammar test covers substitution with one/ones, so/not, do so, that/those and the same, as well as ellipsis after auxiliaries, the infinitive marker to and so/neither. It suits advanced learners and exam candidates who want to sound natural and avoid repetition in speech and writing.

Topics covered

Substitution with one/onesSo and not after verbsDo so and the sameAuxiliary ellipsisEllipsis with to-infinitiveSo/neither/nor inversionShort answers and reply questionsError correction

How to use this test

  1. Download the PDF and print it, or take the test online below.
  2. Answer every question without a dictionary or time pressure.
  3. Check your answers and note the topics you need to review.

Notes for teachers

Use this test after teaching ellipsis and substitution, or as a diagnostic before exam writing tasks. It targets frequent C1 errors such as 'I don't think not', 'refused to do', 'brown one' with uncountable nouns and omitting 'been' in perfect ellipsis. As follow-up, ask students to rewrite a repetitive paragraph using the structures tested, or to role-play short dialogues using so/not, reply questions and short answers.