Use of English

Level B2

Part 1 - Multiple Choice

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For Questions 1-8, read the text below and decide which answer best fits each gap.

Keeping a Secret

Most people like to think they can keep a secret, but the truth is that it often (0) TURNS into a test of self-control. The first rule is to decide whether the information really needs to be shared at all. If it doesn’t, you should (1) .......... it to yourself and avoid dropping hints. It also helps to be clear about why you’re keeping it. If you’re doing it to protect someone, you’ll be less likely to (2) .......... in and tell a friend “just this once”. Another useful strategy is to change the subject quickly if the conversation starts heading in a risky direction. People are surprisingly good at (3) .......... information out of you, especially if they ask the same question in different ways. Of course, social media makes everything harder. A single photo can (4) .......... away more than you intended, and even private messages can be forwarded. If you’re worried you might slip up, it’s best to (5) .......... clear of situations where you’ll be tempted to talk. Finally, remember that keeping a secret doesn’t mean lying. You can often answer honestly without (6) .......... anything important. And if you’ve promised to stay quiet, don’t let anyone (7) .......... you into changing your mind. In the long (8) .........., people will trust you more for it.

What to do

In this part, you read a text with eight gaps and choose the best word from four options to fit each gap.

Nothing prepares you for this test better than reading.

Read a lot. Candidates who often read in English (for work, for fun) find this part of the test manageable, while those who never read tend to find it very hard.

If you are 100% sure that two of the 4 choices are completely identical, then neither can be the answer. There is always only one word that fits grammatically and has the right meaning.

Usually the correct option will be part of a fixed phrase or collocation, a phrasal verb, a connector or the only word that fits grammatically in the gap.

Strategy

  1. Read the title and the whole text quickly to understand its general meaning before you attempt the task.
  2. Check the words before and after the gap.
  3. Choose the best option.
  4. When you have finished, read the text again with the words inserted to check that it makes sense.

Instructions

For Questions 1-8, read the text below and decide which answer best fits each gap.

Exercise Details

Author

James Ford

@james-ford

User Prompt

"How to keep a secret"

Tone: Standard
Level: B2

Created on:

Mar 7, 2026

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