Exercise:
Complete a self-assessment quiz with questions covering the major topics. Reflect on your strengths and areas for further growth.
Section 1: Grammar Proficiency
1. Identify the error in the following sentence and correct it:
No sooner he had finished his speech when the audience started clapping.
2. Transform the following sentence using inversion:
He rarely goes to the gym.
3. Choose the correct form of the modal verb:
If you want to improve your English, you (should/can/must) practice every day.
4. Complete the sentence using a cleft sentence for emphasis:
_______ was his determination that he succeeded despite all odds.
Section 2:Vocabulary Mastery
5. Match the following synonyms:
Erudite
Loquacious
Pernicious
Intransigent
a) Talkative
b) Harmful
c) Learned
d) Stubborn
6. Use the appropriate idiom in the following sentence:
Whenever John doesn’t want to do something, he always finds a way to __________.
a) kick the bucket
b) hit the sack
c) beat around the bush
d) spill the beans
7. Choose the word that best fits the context:
The manager’s decision was so ________ that it left everyone in the room speechless.
a) arbitrary
b) ambiguous
c) audacious
d) austere
Section 3: Writing Skills
8. Evaluate the coherence of the following paragraph.
Does it flow logically?
If not, suggest improvements:
The company’s profits have increased this quarter. Marketing strategies were improved. Employees received better training. Customer satisfaction is at an all-time high.
9. Rewrite the following informal sentence in a formal tone:
I reckon we should get cracking on that report.
Section 4: Speaking and Listening
10. Identify the intonation pattern used in this sentence and explain its effect:
11. Describe the most effective strategy for engaging in a discussion on a complex topic.
Answers
Section 1: Grammar Proficiency
1. Error: No sooner he had finished his speech when the audience started clapping.
Corrected Sentence: No sooner had he finished his speech than the audience started clapping.
2. Rarely does he go to the gym.
3. You should practice every day.
4. It was his determination that he succeeded despite all odds.
6. Whenever John doesn’t want to do something, he always finds a way to beat around the bush.
7. The manager’s decision was so audacious that it left everyone in the room speechless.
Section 3: Writing Skills
8. The paragraph lacks coherence because it presents ideas in a disjointed manner. An improved version:
The company’s profits have increased this quarter due to improved marketing strategies, better employee training, and a significant rise in customer satisfaction.
9. I believe we should begin work on that report immediately.
Section 4: Speaking and Listening
10. The intonation in the sentence “Are you really going to finish that by tomorrow?” rises at the end, indicating a question. The effect is one of doubt or skepticism.
11. The most effective strategy for engaging in a discussion on a complex topic is to listen carefully to the other participants, structure your arguments logically, and use examples to support your points.
Reflecting on Your Learning Journey
Objective:
Reflect on your learning throughout the course and set specific goals for continued improvement.
Reflection Prompts
1. What have you improved the most during this course?
2. Which areas do you still find challenging?
3. How will you continue to practice and improve after this course ends?
4. What specific goals will you set for yourself moving forward?
Exercise:
Write a 200-word reflection addressing the prompts above. Focus on identifying concrete actions you can take to continue improving your English skills.
Example Answer
Throughout this course, I’ve made significant progress in my ability to use advanced grammar structures and expand my vocabulary with more nuanced and precise words. However, I still find it challenging to use idiomatic expressions naturally in conversation. To continue improving, I plan to engage in more speaking practice, particularly through conversation exchanges and recording myself. My specific goal is to feel confident using at least five new idiomatic expressions in everyday conversations by the end of next month.