19/09/2026
Here is a NSU Admissions / IELTS Style Grammar & Vocabulary Test by the Bright Prep. It is designed at approximately upper-intermediate to advanced (B2βC1) level.
Grammar & Vocabulary Test
Part A β Vocabulary in Context
Choose the best answer.
1. In the sentence βSt Andrews was ranked the top university in the guide after a strong performance across all league table metricsβ, metrics most nearly means:
A. criticisms
B. measures or criteria
C. qualifications
D. predictions
2. βThe Scottish university has a distinctive undergraduate experienceβ. The word distinctive means:
A. expensive
B. traditional
C. noticeably different or unique
D. academically difficult
3. βIts charge up the tightly-packed top ten is immenseβ. Here, charge up means:
A. move rapidly upward
B. pay for something
C. attack another university
D. become financially stronger
4. βThe performance of Oxford and Cambridge had been hampered by βtepidβ feedbackβ. Hampered means:
A. encouraged
B. measured
C. hindered
D. ignored
5. Tepid feedback most likely means feedback that was:
A. extremely enthusiastic
B. relatively unenthusiastic
C. completely negative
D. highly controversial
6. βUniversities have tailored their campuses to suit hands-on learning.β Tailored means:
A. closed
B. expanded
C. adapted or designed specifically
D. financially supported
7. βThe value of higher education is questioned more aggressively than it ever has been.β The phrase higher education refers primarily to:
A. secondary schools
B. universities and colleges
C. professional workplaces
D. postgraduate employers
8. A graduate prospect is best understood as:
A. a student who has just entered university
B. a university professor
C. a person's likely opportunities after graduation
D. an application for university admission
Part B β Grammar
9. Choose the correct form:
βSt Andrews ______ the top spot in the 2027 guide.β
A. has taken
B. have taken
C. taking
D. had taking
10. Which sentence correctly uses the present perfect?
A. Imperial climbed three places last year.
B. Imperial has climbed three places last year.
C. Imperial has climbed three places since last year.
D. Imperial is climbed three places since last year.
11. In βOxford fell from fourth to fifth placeβ, from fourth to fifth place indicates:
A. cause
B. movement/change
C. comparison
D. possession
12. Identify the grammatical function of βafter a strong performance across all league table metricsβ:
A. subject
B. direct object
C. adverbial phrase of reason/time
D. relative clause
13. Choose the best completion:
βThe university ______ strong performance across several measures.β
A. has demonstrated
B. has demonstrate
C. demonstrated has
D. demonstrating
14. Which sentence has the closest meaning to:
βOxford and Cambridge had been hampered by tepid feedback from their undergraduates.β
A. Oxford and Cambridge had been helped by enthusiastic students.
B. Oxford and Cambridge had been negatively affected by relatively unenthusiastic student feedback.
C. Oxford and Cambridge had received no feedback from students.
D. Oxford and Cambridge had prevented students from giving feedback.
15. What does βwhich it has topped for the past four consecutive yearsβ refer to?
A. Imperial's undergraduate experience
B. Imperial's research quality
C. Imperial's graduate prospects ranking
D. the overall university ranking
16. Why is βhas toppedβ used rather than βtoppedβ in the previous sentence?
A. The action happened at a specific time in the distant past.
B. The situation began in the past and continues to the present.
C. The action will happen in the future.
D. The sentence describes a hypothetical situation.
Part C β Prepositions & Collocations
Choose the correct answer.
17. St Andrews was ranked ______ the top university.
A. as
B. at
C. for
D. by
18. Imperial climbed three places ______ the rankings.
A. on
B. at
C. in
D. to
19. The university has been strong ______ research quality.
A. in
B. on
C. at
D. by
20. Universities are struggling ______ their own finances.
A. at
B. with
C. by
D. on
21. The article refers ______ the importance of preparing students for future careers.
A. about
B. with
C. to
D. on
Part D β Sentence Transformation
Rewrite each sentence using the word in brackets. Do not change the meaning.
22. Imperial rose three places in the rankings.
(CLIMBED)
β Imperial __________________________ three places in the rankings.
23. Student feedback negatively affected Oxford and Cambridge's performance.
(HAMPERED)
β Oxford and Cambridge's performance __________________________ student feedback.
24. St Andrews performed very well in all the measures used by the league table.
(ACROSS)
β St Andrews performed very well __________________________.
25. Imperial has been at the top of the graduate prospects ranking for four years without interruption.
(CONSECUTIVE)
β Imperial has topped the graduate prospects ranking for __________________________.
Part E β Advanced Vocabulary
Choose the word that best fits the meaning of the passage.
26. If something is βsector-leadingβ, it is:
A. the cheapest in its sector
B. among the strongest or most advanced in its sector
C. the newest institution in its sector
D. financially dependent on its sector
27. A βdemanding entry tariffβ refers to:
A. high admission requirements
B. expensive tuition fees
C. difficult university examinations
D. government taxation
28. In βthe sweet spot of quality research-led teaching that is well-received by studentsβ, sweet spot means:
A. an ideal balance or particularly successful combination
B. a location on campus
C. a popular academic subject
D. a financial advantage
29. Someone described as an βindependent, critical thinkerβ is someone who:
A. accepts information without questioning it
B. thinks for themselves and evaluates information carefully
C. avoids academic discussions
D. always disagrees with other people
30. The phrase βat largeβ in βthe higher education sector at largeβ means:
A. financially successful
B. in general / as a whole
C. extremely large
D. internationally famous
Answer Key
Q Answer Q Answer
1 B 16 B
2 C 17 A
3 A 18 C
4 C 19 A
5 B 20 B
6 C 21 C
7 B 22 climbed
8 C 23 was hampered by
9 A 24 across all the measures used by the league table
10 C 25 four consecutive years
11 B 26 B
12 C 27 A
13 A 28 A
14 B 29 B
15 C 30 B
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