C1 English Grammar Test

by | Mar 18, 2025 | English Grammar in Use

Are you preparing for a C1 English Grammar Test? This test is crucial for demonstrating advanced grammar proficiency and is required for exams like Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE), GET (Global English Test) (70), IELTS (7.0+), TOEFL (95-110), and PTE Academic (75-85).

In this guide, you’ll learn what the C1 English Grammar Test is, how to prepare effectively, and get 20 multiple-choice practice questions to test your skills.

C1 English Grammar Test

What Is the C1 English Grammar Test?

The C1 level in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) indicates advanced English proficiency. If you’re at this level, you can:

✔ Understand complex grammar structures and use them fluently.
✔ Express ideas clearly and effectively in both written and spoken English.
✔ Handle academic and professional English with confidence.

Who Needs the C1 Grammar Test?

If you are:
✔ Preparing for Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE)
✔ Taking the IELTS (7.0+ band) or TOEFL (95-110)
✔ Applying for a job or university in an English-speaking country
✔ Improving your grammar accuracy and fluency

Then, this test is perfect for you!

How to Prepare for the C1 English Grammar Test

1️⃣ Master Key Grammar Topics

At the C1 level, grammar is about fluency, accuracy, and complexity. You should focus on:

Conditionals & Mixed Conditionals (If she had studied, she would be fluent by now.)
Perfect Tenses (She had already left before he arrived.)
Modal Verbs (He must have forgotten the meeting.)
Passive Voice in Different Tenses (The book has been read by millions.)
Inversion & Emphasis (Rarely have I seen such dedication.)
Relative Clauses (The man who lives next door is a doctor.)
Phrasal Verbs & Prepositions (She is keen on learning new things.)

2️⃣ Improve Your Reading & Writing Skills

  • Read newspapers, academic articles, and novels to observe complex grammar in context.
  • Write essays, reports, and summaries, using a variety of sentence structures.

3️⃣ Practice Listening & Speaking

  • Listen to podcasts, news, and TED Talks to hear advanced grammar in use.
  • Speak with native speakers or practice advanced conversation topics.

4️⃣ Take Practice Tests

  • Solve mock tests regularly to identify weak areas.
  • Review detailed explanations for each mistake.

What’s your English level?

Discover your level now: A1/A2/B1/B2/C1/C2 and GET your certificate!

C1 English Grammar Practice Test (20 Multiple-Choice Questions)

🔹 Conditionals & Verb Tenses

1. If I ______ more time, I would travel around the world.

a) have
b) had ✅
c) will have
d) has

2. By next year, she ______ in this company for a decade.

a) will work
b) has worked
c) will have worked ✅
d) is working

3. If he ______ harder, he would have passed the exam.

a) studies
b) studied
c) had studied ✅
d) was studying

4. I wish I ______ more languages when I was younger.

a) learned
b) had learned ✅
c) have learned
d) learn

🔹 Modal Verbs & Passive Voice

5. The documents ______ yesterday, but I haven’t received them yet.

a) should have been sent ✅
b) should be sending
c) should send
d) should have sent

6. She ______ be at home because her car is not outside.

a) mustn’t
b) can’t ✅
c) shouldn’t
d) wouldn’t

7. You ______ be exhausted after working all night.

a) must ✅
b) may
c) could
d) can

8. The match was postponed because it ______ heavily.

a) rained
b) was raining
c) had been raining ✅
d) rains

🔹 Inversion & Word Order

9. Not until later ______ how serious the situation was.

a) I realized
b) did I realize ✅
c) I have realized
d) had I realized

10. Only after she had left ______ what she meant.

a) I understood
b) did I understand ✅
c) I had understood
d) do I understand

🔹 Relative Clauses & Prepositions

11. The novel, ______ was written in the 19th century, is still popular today.

a) that
b) who
c) which ✅
d) where

12. He’s really good ______ solving difficult problems.

a) on
b) at ✅
c) in
d) of

13. She’s looking forward ______ her holiday next month.

a) to go
b) going
c) to going ✅
d) go

🔹 Phrasal Verbs & Collocations

14. I was so tired that I ______ in the middle of the meeting.

a) dropped out
b) dropped off ✅
c) dropped in
d) dropped down

15. I couldn’t ______ what he was saying because of the noise.

a) take in ✅
b) take up
c) take over
d) take out

16. She ran so fast that she ______ her competitors easily.

a) left behind ✅
b) left out
c) left over
d) left in

🔹 Error Correction

17. I wish I know the answer. ❌

a) knows
b) will know
c) knew ✅
d) known

18. He said he will be there on time. ❌

a) will
b) would ✅
c) shall
d) might

19. If I was rich, I would buy a house. ❌

a) were ✅
b) had been
c) be
d) was

20. This is the book who I borrowed from the library. ❌

a) who
b) which ✅
c) whom
d) whose

📌 Final Tips for Success

Practice regularly – consistency is key!
Take mock exams to test your knowledge.
Engage with native speakers to improve fluency.
Expand your vocabulary with idioms & phrasal verbs.
Read advanced materials (newspapers, research papers, etc.).

🚀 Ready to test your C1 grammar skills? Take the C1 English Grammar Test now and see if you’re truly advanced!

What’s your English level?

Discover your level now: A1/A2/B1/B2/C1/C2 and GET your certificate!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is a C1 English grammar test?

A C1 English grammar test evaluates your understanding of advanced grammar structures, complex sentence forms, and nuanced language usage at the C1 level of the CEFR scale.

What is tested in a C1 English level test?

The C1 level English test assesses:

  • Grammar (e.g. conditionals, inversion, participle clauses)
  • Sentence types and transformations
  • Vocabulary range and collocations
  • Reading and listening comprehension at an academic level

How can I learn C1 English grammar?

You can learn C1 grammar by:

  • Practicing with real test examples
  • Using resources like C1 English grammar PDF guides
  • Taking online grammar practice quizzes
  • Reviewing topics such as advanced tenses, reported speech, and modal verbs in past forms

Are there free PDF resources for C1 grammar?

Yes, you can find downloadable C1 grammar PDF files for practice. Some include bilingual explanations (e.g., Chinese-English) or TOEFL-style exercises.

What types of sentences appear in the English C1 test?

C1-level tests often include:

  • Complex sentences
  • Relative and conditional clauses
  • Passive constructions
  • Sentence transformation tasks (e.g., “Rewrite using the word given”)

Is there a difference between C1 grammar and Matura English?

While both refer to advanced grammar knowledge, Matura English is specific to certain European exams. C1 grammar refers to the CEFR global standard.

What are good practice methods for C1 English?

  • Daily reading and grammar exercises
  • Grammar drills with answer keys
  • Practice tests with explanations
  • C1 English grammar + practice combo materials (print or Google Drive PDFs)

Test your English level and get your certificate!

Find out your English level

Takes only ~20 minutes 🎉

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