Question 1

During the group project, my classmates took full responsibility and managed ____________ without any help from the teacher.

Accepted Answer

D. themselves. The subject 'my classmates' is plural and third person, so the reflexive pronoun must be 'themselves'. 'Ourselves' would only apply if the speaker was included as a doer.

Question 2

The scientist, ____________ discovery revolutionised the field of genetics, was awarded the Nobel Prize.

Accepted Answer

D. whose. A possessive relative pronoun is needed to show the discovery belongs to the scientist. 'Whose' is the only possessive form among the options.

Question 3

He remained determined to complete the project on time ____________ the challenges he faced.

Accepted Answer

D. regardless of. The clause shows contrast — he stayed determined despite (not because of) the challenges. 'Regardless of' expresses this in-spite-of relationship.

Question 4

Although Amelia ____________ some concerns initially, she has agreed to do what her classmates asked.

Accepted Answer

A. had. 'Initially' signals a past completed action contrasted with the present perfect 'has agreed'. Simple past 'had' fits the time sequence.

Question 5

Neither the bow nor the arrows ____________ in the bag when the hunter arrived.

Accepted Answer

D. were. With 'neither...nor', the verb agrees with the nearer subject ('arrows' — plural). The sentence is set in the past ('arrived'), so the plural past 'were' is required.

Question 6

Had Father ____________ the balloons on time, he would have made it to surprise Mother when she arrived.

Accepted Answer

D. blown. This is an inverted third conditional ('Had Father blown...'), which is equivalent to 'If Father had blown...'. The past participle 'blown' is required after 'had'.

Question 7

The committee members, along with the chairman, ____________ scheduled for a meeting tomorrow.

Accepted Answer

B. are. The phrase 'along with the chairman' is parenthetical and does not change the subject. The plural subject 'members' takes a plural verb, and 'tomorrow' requires the present 'are'.

Question 8

Despite his injury, Ethan ____________ still participate in the competition with his doctor's approval. He was relieved.

Accepted Answer

C. could. The context expresses ability/permission in the past — he was able to participate. 'Could' fits both meanings; 'must' (obligation) and 'shall/would' don't match the relief he felt.

Question 9

The weather forecast predicted heavy rain; ____________, the outdoor concert proceeded as planned.

Accepted Answer

C. nevertheless. The two clauses contrast (rain was predicted, yet the concert went on). 'Nevertheless' signals contrast; the other choices signal cause/result.

Question 10

After hours of intense training, the athlete had ____________ strength remaining to complete the final lap. It was a struggle!

Accepted Answer

B. little. 'Strength' is an uncountable noun, ruling out 'few/many'. The struggle implies a small amount, so 'little' (uncountable, negative sense) fits, not 'much'.

Question 11

When the puppy accidentally stepped on the sharp object, it let out a loud ____________.

Accepted Answer

B. yelp. A 'yelp' is a short, sharp cry of pain from a dog — the natural sound when suddenly hurt. A 'howl' is long and drawn-out, a 'whimper' is soft and prolonged, and a 'purr' is from a cat.

Question 12

Weiliang felt ____________ about speaking in front of the class, so he kept looking at the floor and spoke very softly.

Accepted Answer

C. diffident. 'Diffident' means lacking self-confidence — matching looking down and speaking softly. 'Gawky' is clumsy, 'dubious' is doubtful, 'restrained' is controlled, none of which capture shyness.

Question 13

After undergoing a major surgery, Nurul was weak for weeks, but with proper care and determination, she managed to ____________.

Accepted Answer

D. pull through. 'Pull through' means to recover from a serious illness. 'Pull off' = accomplish, 'pull out' = withdraw, 'pull over' = stop a vehicle — none fit recovery from surgery.

Question 14

The boy carried the injured bird ____________, making sure not to hurt it any further.

Accepted Answer

A. gingerly. 'Gingerly' means with extreme care and caution, fitting the intent of not hurting the bird. 'Heedlessly' and 'indiscreetly' mean carelessly — the opposite — and 'awkwardly' suggests clumsiness.

Question 15

During the quiz, James tried to ____________ the facts he had studied the night before.

Accepted Answer

B. recall. To 'recall' is to bring back to mind something previously learned — exactly what is needed during a quiz. 'Recite' means to say aloud, 'predict' is to guess the future, and 'deduce' is to reason from clues.

Question 16

The new fitness programme was designed to ____________ participants by improving their energy levels and overall well-being.

Accepted Answer

B. vitalise. 'Vitalise' means to give energy or vigour — matching 'improving their energy levels'. 'Hearten' is to encourage, 'animate' is to bring life/motion, and 'ease' is to relieve.

Question 17

The police are investigating the ____________ bank robber, but no evidence has been found to prove his involvement.

Accepted Answer

B. alleged. Since 'no evidence has been found', the robber's involvement is only claimed, not established. 'Alleged' fits; 'proven/confirmed/obvious' would contradict the lack of evidence.

Question 18

Mr Lee was just ____________ with the idea of quitting his job but he had not made up his mind.

Accepted Answer

A. toying. To 'toy with an idea' is an idiom meaning to consider it casually without commitment — matching 'had not made up his mind'. The other verbs don't collocate with 'with the idea'.

Question 19

After failing his final exams, Jake felt so ____________ that he did not want to talk to anyone.

Accepted Answer

D. despondent. 'Despondent' means in low spirits from loss of hope — fitting his withdrawal after failure. 'Relieved' is positive, 'gregarious' is sociable, and 'indifferent' suggests not caring rather than sadness.

Question 20

When Sheela saw her embarrassing childhood photos, she could not help but ____________.

Accepted Answer

B. cringe. To 'cringe' is to feel embarrassed discomfort — the natural reaction to embarrassing photos. 'Smirk' is a smug smile, 'petrify' is to terrify, and 'exhilarate' is to make joyful.

P5 English CA1 2025 — Anglo Chinese

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