READING & LANGUAGE ACCURACY WORKSHEET

Spot the Trap! 🎯
Level: B2 | Focus: Reading precision • Paraphrase • Collocations • Grammar | Time: 30–40 minutes

Name: ____________________________ Date: ____________________________

PART 1. TRUE / EXCEPT / NOT TRUE

Many young people are interested in learning a foreign language. Some study English because they need it for school or university, while others want to communicate with people from different countries. Learning a language can also make travelling easier and help people understand other cultures.

However, learning a language is not always easy. Students often find pronunciation difficult, especially when a language contains sounds that do not exist in their own language. Some learners also struggle to remember new vocabulary. Regular practice can help, but simply studying grammar rules is not enough. Students need opportunities to use the language in real conversations.

Question 1: All of the following are true according to the text EXCEPT:

A. Some people learn languages because of their studies.

B. Learning a language can help people when they travel.

C. Learning grammar rules is all students need to become successful.

D. Pronunciation can be difficult for some learners.

Answer: _______

Before checking your answer: Find the evidence.

My strategy:

☐ I looked for evidence for every option.

☐ I chose the answer that simply sounded wrong.

☐ I found one option that the text did not support.

PART 2. PARAPHRASE DETECTIVE 🔎

Lena has always been fascinated by the ocean. When she was younger, she watched documentaries about marine life and dreamed of exploring underwater environments. Last year, she completed a diving course and bought her own equipment. She is now planning a trip to several islands where she hopes to see unusual species of fish.

Her friend Mark, on the other hand, prefers staying close to the coast. He enjoys sailing, but he has never wanted to dive because he feels uncomfortable being far beneath the surface.

Match the descriptions with the correct person.

1. has made preparations for an underwater adventure

2. wants to travel to remote places

3. is interested in animals that live in the sea

4. enjoys being on the water but not underwater

5. feels uncomfortable about diving

A. Lena B. Mark

1. _____ 2. _____ 3. _____ 4. _____ 5. _____

Now explain your answers.

1. ________________________________________________________________

2. ________________________________________________________________

3. ________________________________________________________________

Paraphrase challenge. Match the original expression with its meaning.

Remember: In reading questions, the correct answer may not use the same words as the text.

Text: “She completed a diving course and bought her own equipment.”

Question: “She has prepared for an underwater adventure.”

The vocabulary is different, but the meaning is connected.

PART 3. COLLOCATION CHECK

1. You should _____ attention to detail.

A. make B. pay C. give D. spend

2. She is very good _____ solving problems.

A. in B. at C. on D. for

3. He takes great _____ in his work.

A. attention B. care C. detail D. pride

4. We need to _____ a decision before Friday.

A. do B. make C. take D. create

5. She always _____ attention to detail.

A. pays B. gives C. makes D. spends

6. They are _____ of trying new things.

A. afraid B. interested C. capable D. good

7. He is interested _____ learning about different cultures.

A. at B. on C. in D. for

8. She is capable _____ working under pressure.

A. to B. of C. for D. in

Chunk builder: Complete the expressions from memory.

1. pay attention _____

2. make a _____

3. take care _____

4. be good _____

5. be interested _____

6. be afraid _____

7. take part _____

8. be capable _____

Personal practice: Choose four expressions and write your own sentences.

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

PART 4. AGE EXPRESSIONS

1. They live in a _____ house.

A. 200-years-old B. 200-year-old C. 200-year's-old

2. My sister is _____.

A. 16-year-old B. 16-years-old C. 16 years old

3. We visited a _____ castle.

A. 500-year-old B. 500-years-old C. 500-years' old

4. The castle is ____.

A. 500-year-old B. 500 years old C. 500-years-old

5. It is a _____ tradition.

A. 1,000-years-old B. 1,000-year-old C. 1,000-years' old

The rule

BEFORE A NOUN: number + singular noun + old

an 800-year-old tower • a 15-year-old student • a 200-year-old building

AFTER THE NOUN: number + plural noun + years old

The tower is 800 years old. • The student is 15 years old.

Transform the sentences.

1. The bridge is 300 years old.

→ ________________________________________________________________

2. The building is 150 years old.

→ ________________________________________________________________

3. The tradition is 1,000 years old.

→ ________________________________________________________________

4. The student is 14 years old.

→ ________________________________________________________________

PART 5. WHAT KIND OF MISTAKE? 🧠

A. Evidence / EXCEPT B. Paraphrase C. Collocation D. Grammar

1. The student chooses an answer because it sounds right but cannot find evidence for it.

Answer: _____

2. The text says “spent many summers travelling by boat”, while the question says “enjoys long boating trips.”

Answer: _____

3. The student writes “make attention to detail.”

Answer: _____

4. The student writes “an 800-years-old tower.”

Answer: _____

5. The question asks ALL ... EXCEPT, but the student chooses an answer that is actually mentioned in the text.

Answer: _____

PART 6. THE 4-STEP TEST STRATEGY

STEP 1: UNDERLINE THE KEY WORDS

What exactly is the question asking? Who? What? Why? Which? EXCEPT? NOT TRUE?

STEP 2: FIND THE EVIDENCE

Where is the answer in the text? Line / paragraph: __________

STEP 3: LOOK FOR PARAPHRASES

Ask: Does the text express the same idea using different words? ☐ Yes ☐ No

STEP 4: CHECK THE TRAP

Could I be making a mistake because of: a similar word? an exception? a collocation? a grammar pattern?

PART 7. FINAL MINI TEST

The Tower of Pisa is one of Italy's most recognisable landmarks. Construction began in the 12th century, and the tower gradually became famous for its unusual tilt. Although many visitors come to see the tower itself, the surrounding city also has a great deal to offer.

The tower has undergone several restoration projects over the years. Engineers have worked to reduce the risk of the building becoming unstable. Today, visitors can enter the tower and climb its famous staircase.

Question 1: All of the following are true EXCEPT:

A. Construction began hundreds of years ago.

B. The tower is famous because it leans.

C. Engineers have worked on the tower.

D. The tower has never required restoration.

Answer: _____

Question 2: Which statement is closest in meaning to “The tower has undergone several restoration projects”?

A. The tower has been completely rebuilt.

B. People have carried out repair work on the tower several times.

C. The tower has always been perfectly stable.

D. Visitors have stopped entering the tower.

Answer: _____

Question 3: Choose the correct sentence.

A. Pisa has an 800-years-old tower.

B. Pisa has an 800-year-old tower.

C. Pisa has an 800-year's-old tower.

Answer: _____

Question 4: Choose the correct expression.

Visitors should _____ attention to the instructions.

A. make B. pay C. give D. do

Answer: _____

ANSWER KEY

Part 1: 1. C

Part 2: 1 A, 2 A, 3 A, 4 B, 5 B. Paraphrases: 1 B, 2 C, 3 A, 4 D.

Part 3: 1 B, 2 B, 3 D, 4 B, 5 A, 6 A, 7 C, 8 B.

Part 4: 1 B, 2 C, 3 A, 4 B, 5 B. Transformations: 300-year-old bridge; 150-year-old building; 1,000-year-old tradition; 14-year-old student/girl.

Part 5: 1 A, 2 B, 3 C, 4 D, 5 A.

Part 7: 1 D, 2 B, 3 B, 4 B.

TEACHER'S DIAGNOSTIC GRID

Interpretation

• Strong comprehension + weak precision: The student understands the text but needs work on test-taking precision and language accuracy.

• Weak paraphrase score: Focus on synonyms, rewording and identifying the same idea in different language.

• Weak collocation score: Teach vocabulary as chunks, not isolated words.

• Weak age-expression score: Review compound adjectives and the difference between “a 500-year-old building” and “the building is 500 years old.”

• Weak EXCEPT/evidence score: Train the student to prove every option from the text rather than choosing the answer that merely sounds plausible.