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The Subjunctive and Formal Structures – Test 1

C1 Advanced GrammarEnglish

This C1 grammar test checks your control of the subjunctive and related formal structures in English. It covers the mandative subjunctive, the unreal past after wish, if only and would rather, inverted conditionals, and fixed expressions such as 'be that as it may'. It suits advanced learners preparing for C1 exams and teachers who need a ready-made revision or assessment task.

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: The mandative subjunctive

Choose the correct form after verbs, nouns and adjectives of demand, necessity and recommendation.

  1. The committee insisted that every applicant _____ a full portfolio by Friday.

  2. It is essential that the samples _____ at a constant temperature.

  3. The doctor recommended that Ms Okafor _____ any strenuous exercise for a month.

  4. Choose the correct sentence.

  5. The landlord has asked that tenants _____ their bins out before 7 a.m.

  6. We propose that the meeting _____ until all members are present.

  7. Find the error: It is vital that every passenger not to unfasten their seatbelt while the sign is illuminated.

  8. Her lawyer requested that she _____ to answer any further questions.

  9. Was it really necessary that the ceremony _____ cancelled?

  10. Which verb CANNOT complete the sentence? The manager _____ that all staff be informed of the changes.

Part 2: The were-subjunctive and the unreal past

Choose the correct form to express hypothetical, unreal or regretted situations.

  1. If I _____ in your position, I would ask for a second opinion.

  2. She talks about the project as though she _____ in charge of it, but she's only an intern.

  3. I'd rather you _____ my colleagues about the promotion until it's official.

  4. It's high time the council _____ something about the potholes on this road.

  5. I wish I _____ the contract more carefully before I signed it.

  6. If only he _____ interrupting people – it makes meetings so tense.

  7. Suppose your flight _____ cancelled – what would you do?

  8. She'd sooner _____ than apologise to him.

  9. Find the error: I wish you would have told me earlier about the delay.

  10. Had it not been for her quick thinking, the situation _____ much worse.

Part 3: Inversion and formulaic subjunctives

Choose the correct option to complete these formal structures and fixed expressions.

  1. _____ you require any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us.

  2. _____ the government to raise taxes, consumer spending would probably fall.

  3. _____ known about the traffic, we would have left much earlier.

  4. _____ for the volunteers, the festival could never have taken place.

  5. She spoke quietly lest she _____ the sleeping baby.

  6. We will finish this project on time, come what _____.

  7. The proposal has some flaws. _____, it is still the best option we have.

  8. Choose the correct sentence.

  9. If she _____ to refuse, we would need to find another speaker at short notice.

  10. Far be it from me _____ you how to run your business, but those prices seem very high.

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About this test

This C1 grammar test checks your control of the subjunctive and related formal structures in English. It covers the mandative subjunctive, the unreal past after wish, if only and would rather, inverted conditionals, and fixed expressions such as 'be that as it may'. It suits advanced learners preparing for C1 exams and teachers who need a ready-made revision or assessment task.

Topics covered

Mandative subjunctiveNegative subjunctiveWere-subjunctive and unreal pastWish, if only, would ratherInverted conditionalsLest and formulaic expressions

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 the mandative subjunctive and inversion, or as a diagnostic before C1 exam preparation. It targets typical advanced errors such as 'demand him to', 'that he not to be', 'I wish you would have', 'Hadn't it been' and 'would rather + present'. As follow-up, ask students to rewrite formal letters or notices using inversion ('Should you...') and mandative structures, and to compare formal and informal versions of the same message.