Uses of verb + -ing – B2 English Grammar Test

1  Complete the sentences with the pairs of verbs in the box. Use –ing for one verb, and the correct tense for the other.

1   You should always ……update…… your CV when ……applying…… for jobs.

2   Before ……………. as an engineer, Yuri ……………. a top chef.

3   These blinds ……………. for ……………. the sun out in summer. It gets so hot.

4   I always ……………. more relaxed after ……………. a hot shower.

5   She usually ……………. to music while ……………. her homework.

6   She ……………. the interviewers by ……………. all their questions last week.

7   Since ……………. this morning, what ……………. you actually …………….?

8   He always ……………. his shoes without ……………. the laces.

2  Complete the sentences with the missing words in the box, then rewrite each sentence using the –ing form at the beginning.

1   I’m a flight attendant, so I travel to lots of ……cities…… .

      ……Being a flight attendant, I travel to lots of cities. ……

2   Clive left his job, because he felt it was ……………… for a change.

      ……………………………………………………

3   While Gus was reading the ………………, he noticed they were offering him less pay.

      ……………………………………………………

4   She’s from the USA, so she can only work here for six …………….. .

      ……………………………………………………

5   ……………… started the job, and he didn’t know what he was doing.

      ……………………………………………………

6   Since she earned a big salary, Sarah was ……………… to pay off her bank loan.

      ……………………………………………………

7   Because he doesn’t have a job right now, Max has got ……………… of free time.

      ……………………………………………………

8   When she realised she’d got the job, Teresa shouted ‘………………’.

      ……………………………………………………

3  Cross out the mistakes in the sentences. Write the correct sentences.

1   I’m very grateful to you. Thank you for let us stay in your flat during that week.

      ……I’m very grateful to you. Thank you for letting us stay in your flat during that week. ……

2   It develops your imagination and it helps you getting used to write and speak more accurately.

      ……………………………………………………..

3   I’m looking forward to see you soon.

      ……………………………………………………..

4   Excuse me. I’m interested to do a course here.

      ……………………………………………………..

5   They advised me bringing some warm clothes.

      ……………………………………………………..

6   I’ve just realised. We left without pay the bill. We have to go back.

      ……………………………………………………..

7   I recommend you watching that movie. It’s really good.

      ……………………………………………………..

8   There’s no point to worry about it now.

      ……………………………………………………..

4  Complete the sentences with your own ideas.

1   Before going to bed last night, I ………………………. . (did what?)

2   If I lived abroad, I’d miss ………………………. . (doing what?)

3   Without knowing any English, I ………………………. . (couldn’t do what?)

4   I’ve never enjoyed ………………………. . (doing what?)

5   After finishing this worksheet, I ………………………. . (am going to do what?)

6   I’m fed up with people ………………………. . (doing what?)

5  Complete the text with the verbs in the box. Use the –ing form, the infinitive with to, or the infinitive without to.

My dad has the craziest job. He washes windows on skyscrapers! Now, 1……hanging…… from a rope 200 metres above the ground isn’t my idea of fun, but 2……………. scared of heights, it doesn’t bother my father at all. He asked me if I wanted 3……………. him one day. ‘Are you mad?’ I said. I’d rather 4……………. of a plane (at least I’d 5……………. a parachute). I’ve asked him if he ever feels nervous before 6……………. up there. ‘Never,’ he says. ‘There’s no point 7……………. nervous. Life’s too short.’ ‘So you’re not scared of 8…………….?’ I ask. ‘Why would I do a stupid thing like that?’ he says.