Step plus final study

Structure of STEP PLUS Assessment :

 
Module No. of Questions Time(Min)

Reading 16 15

Listening 16 15

Grammar 26 15

Speaking 13 7

Total 71 52

 
Grammar :
 
You will get the following types of grammar questions
 
[Link] Speech
[Link] and Infintives
[Link]
[Link]
[Link]
[Link] Sentences
[Link]
 
Listening :
 
You will get the following types of listening questions
 
1. Long conversation
2. Understanding Questions
3. Short Conversations
4. Describing Pictures
 
Reading Comprehension :
 
* 8 comprehensions will be there. Each comprehension will contain 2 questions. As suggested,go
through the questions first then answer.

Communication :- preposition

I am excited about adding to our accessories line.

I hope that Bernard approves of licensing our name.

I am interested in selling gloves and hats.

You are right but are you completely opposed to developing seasonal items.

That’s a good point Lsabelle has talked about creating a line of sunglasses.

They get tired of wearing same sunglasses everyday.

Let us plan on talking to Bernard and Lsabell about this tomorrow.

Grammar
VERBS AND ADJECTIVES FOLLOWED BY PREPOSITIONS
Some verbs and adjectives can be followed by certain prepositions.
Henry objects to going.
Karen is afraid of flying.

These are examples of verb + preposition combinations.

apologize for object to

approve of plan on
complain about talk about
concentrate on think about
insist on worry about
These are examples of adjective + preposition combinations.

be afraid of be nervous about

be excited about be opposed to
be good at be responsible for
be happy about be sorry about
be interested in be tired of
Gerunds
Verbs and adjectives plus prepositions must be followed by an object. Often, the object is a gerund. A
gerund can be used like a noun. It can be either a subject or an object. Here, it is the object of the
preposition. Form a gerund by adding -ing to the end of a verb.

She plans on leaving.

Joe approved of hiring Kate.
Mary was tired of waiting.
Sam will be good at playing the piano.

Prepositions – Time

English Usage Example

on days of the week on Monday

 in months / seasons in August / in winter

time of day in the morning
year in 2006
after a certain period of time in an hour
 English Usage Example

(when?)

 at for night at night

for weekend at the weekend
a certain point of time (when?) at half past nine

 si from a certain point of time (past since 1980

nce till now)

fo over a certain period of time (past for 2 years

r till now)

ag a certain time in the past 2 years ago

o

be earlier than a certain point of time before 2004

fore

 to telling the time ten to six (5:50)

pa telling the time ten past six (6:10)

st

to  marking the beginning and end of from Monday to/till Friday
/ till / until a period of time

till  in the sense of how long He is on holiday until Friday.

/ until something is going to last

by in the sense of at the latest I will be back by 6 o’clock.

up to a certain time By 11 o'clock, I had read five
pages.

Prepositions – Place (Position and Direction)

English Usage Example

 in room, building, street, town, in the kitchen, in London

country in the book
book, paper etc. in the car, in a taxi
car, taxi in the picture, in the world
picture, world

 at meaning next to, by an object at the door, at the station

for table at the table
 English Usage Example

for events at a concert, at the party

place where you are to do at the cinema, at school, at work
something typical (watch a film, study,
work)

 on attached the picture on the wall

for a place with a river London lies on the Thames.
being on a surface on the table
for a certain side (left, right) on the left
for a floor in a house on the first floor
for public transport on the bus, on a plane
for television, radio on TV, on the radio

 by, left or right of somebody or Jane is standing by / next to /

next to, something beside the car.
beside

und on the ground, lower than (or the bag is under the table
er covered by) something else

belo lower than something else but the fish are below the surface
w above ground

over covered by something else put a jacket over your shirt

meaning more than over 16 years of age
getting to the other side (also walk over the bridge
across) climb over the wall
overcoming an obstacle

abo higher than something else, but a path above the lake
ve not directly over it

acro getting to the other side (also walk across the bridge
ss over) swim across the lake
getting to the other side

thro something with limits on top, drive through the tunnel

ugh bottom and the sides

 to movement to person or building go to the cinema

movement to a place or country go to London / Ireland
for bed go to bed

into enter a room / a building go into the kitchen / the house

 English Usage Example

tow movement in the direction of go 5 steps towards the house

ards something (but not directly to it)

onto movement to the top of jump onto the table

something

 fro in the sense of where from a flower from the garden

m

Other important Prepositions

English Usage Example

fr who gave it a present from Jane

om

of who/what does it belong to a page of the book

what does it show the picture of a palace

 b who made it a book by Mark Twain

y

 o walking or riding on on foot, on horseback

n horseback get on the bus
entering a public transport
vehicle

in entering a car  / Taxi get in the car

of leaving a public transport get off the train

f vehicle

 o leaving a car  / Taxi get out of the taxi

ut of

 b rise or fall of something prices have risen by 10 percent

y travelling (other than walking by car, by bus
or horseriding)

at for age she learned Russian at 45

ab for topics, meaning what we were talking about you

out about
 Prepositions "On," "At," and "In"
A preposition is a word that links a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase to some other
part of the sentence.

Prepositions can be tricky for English learners. There is no definite rule or formula
for choosing a preposition. In the beginning stage of learning the language, you
should try to identify a preposition when reading or listening in English and
recognize its usage.

 to the office
 at the desk
 on the table
 in an hour
 about myself
A preposition is used to show direction, location, or time, or to introduce an object.

Here are a few common prepositions and examples.

On

Used to express a surface of something:

 I put an egg on the kitchen table.

 The paper is on my desk.
Used to specify days and dates:

 The garbage truck comes on Wednesdays.

 I was born on the 14th day of June in 1988.
Used to indicate a device or machine, such as a phone or computer:

 He is on the phone right now.

 She has been on the computer since this morning.
 My favorite movie will be on TV tonight.
Used to indicate a part of the body:

 The stick hit me on my shoulder.

 He kissed me on my cheek.
 I wear a ring on my finger.
Used to indicate the state of something:
 Everything in this store is on sale.
 The building is on fire.

At

Used to point out specific time:

 I will meet you at 12 p.m.

 The bus will stop here at 5:45 p.m.
Used to indicate a place:

 There is a party at the club house.

 There were hundreds of people at the park.
 We saw a baseball game at the stadium.
Used to indicate an email address:

 Please email me at abc@[Link].

Used to indicate an activity:

 He laughed at my acting.
 I am good at drawing a portrait.

In

Used for unspecific times during a day, month, season, year:

 She always reads newspapers in the morning.

 In the summer, we have a rainy season for three weeks.
 The new semester will start in March.
Used to indicate a location or place:

 She looked me directly in the eyes.

 I am currently staying in a hotel.
 My hometown is Los Angeles, which is in California.
Used to indicate a shape, color, or size:

 This painting is mostly in blue.

 The students stood in a circle.
 This jacket comes in four different sizes.
Used to express while doing something:
 In preparing for the final report, we revised the tone three times.
 A catch phrase needs to be impressive in marketing a product.
Used to indicate a belief, opinion, interest, or feeling:

 I believe in the next life.

 We are not interested in gambling.

[Quiz 22.1]

Identify all prepositions in the following sentences.

After flying for many hours, we finally got off the airplane. We walked out the exit
and went to the baggage claim area. There were hundreds of different bags on the
conveyer belt. I almost picked up the wrong one because it looked like mine.

[Quiz 22.2]

Choose a correct preposition in the sentence.

1) I want to lose 5 kilogram                      (on, at, in) one month.

2) Could you get me this pants                      (on, at, in) a larger size?
3) She seems to be interested                      (on, at, in) Psychology.
4) I will come to pick you up                      (on, at, in) 2 pm tomorrow.
5) This class will be held                      (on, at, in) Mondays.

View Answers
[22.1]
After flying for many hours, we finally got off the airplane. We walked out the exit
and went to the baggage claim area. There were hundreds of different bags on the
conveyer belt. I almost picked up the wrong one because it looked like mine.

[22.2]
1) in
2) in
3) in
4) at
5) on

DIFFERENT VIEWS
Use these expressions to introduce a view that is different from one that has already been mentioned
or discussed. All three of these expressions are followed by a clause. Separate the expression and the
clause with a comma.
 On the other hand, ...
Then again, ...
Even so, ...
Then again, we could go by train.

Use these expressions to ask someone to consider another view of a situation. They are both complete
sentences.
Look at it this way.
Look at it from this angle.

Use these expressions to emphasize the long-term effect of a situation. These two expressions are
followed by a clause. Separate the expression and the clause with a comma.
But in the long run, ...
But down the road, ...
But in the long run, it might be a bad idea.

But down the road, The office space might be better

On the other hand we could just expand the space.

Then again we will probabaly hire only three or four more people.

Look at it this way moving to new building would take so much time and energy.

Even so, everyone would still need office space for the rest of the week.

Then again, may be some of us could work at home everyday.

Look at it his way, we email each other even when we are in the same building.

Grammar Explanations

The modals "may," "could," and "might" express

possibility in the present with about 30% to
70% certainty.
"Should" expresses possibility with about 75%
to 85% certainty.
"Must" expresses possibility with about 95%
certainty.

The modals "may" and "might" express

possibility in the future with about 30% to 70%
certainty.
"Should" expresses possibility with about 75%
to 85% certainty.
Note that "must" is not used as a modal of
possibility in the future.

Modals can also show the possibility of

something not being true. "Must not," "can't,"
and "could not (couldn't)" show that someone is
very sure that something is not true. "Might not"
and "may not" show that someone is only
guessing that something is not true.
 The first speaker believes it is not possible that
Jeff is prepared. "Can't" and "couldn't" have the
same meaning. The second speaker is guessing
that Jeff is not prepared. "Might not" and "may
not" have the same meaning. "Must not" is used
when it is clear that something is not true,
based on the present situation: "Jeff looks
nervous. He must not be prepared."

The speaker is guessing that Jeff will not be

prepared tomorrow. "Might not" and "may not"
have the same meaning. Note: "Can't,"
"couldn't," "shouldn't," and "must not" are not
used in the future.

Note the form of the short answers. Typically,

the modal is used along with the subject to form
the short answer.

Now practice the grammar you've learned. Go

on to the exercises below.

Jeff is not here he might be on vacation.

HE must be on vacation

He should be on vacation.

He may be on vacation.

He could be on vacation.

Jeff may be here tomorrow/Jeff should be here tomorrow.

Modals can also show the possibility of something not being true. "Must not," "can't," and "could not
(couldn't)" show that someone is very sure that something is not true. "Might not" and "may not" show
that someone is only guessing that something is not true.

Jeff can’t be prepared for meeting.

He might not be prepared for the meeting.

He might not be prepared tomorrow.

Is Jeff is coming for [Link] Jeff come for meeting tomorrow.

HE might not / He should as answere

MATCHING
Match a degree of possibility on the right with a modal on the left.

b 1. Mike should have a solution of his own by a near certainty in the

now. present
 b strong possibility in the
present
a 2. Carmen knows that Mike must be in a difficult
situation.
c strong possibility in the
future

3. Carmen's suggestions might be the best ones d weak to medium

d
for Mike and the company. possibility in the present

e weak to medium
possibility in the future
d 4. A large buyer could allow Accelerated to
expand now.

c 5. A $10 million bank loan should be enough

capital for Accelerated to expand next year.

e 6. Carmen might be available on Friday, but she

thinks she has another appointment.

FILL-IN
Complete each sentence with one of the modals of possibility you've just learned.

might not
Even though Carmen is confident of her ideas, Mike  (not, 50% certainty)
1.
choose one of them.

Mike doesn't know if it will be easy to get money for the project. He thinks it  (50%
2. might
certainty) be a little bit difficult.

Mike says he can find the right buyer and get $50 million for Accelerated English. But
3. couldn't
he  (not, 95% certainty) really be serious about that figure.

If the marketing department launches a new advertising campaign, there's a good

4. Should
chance of success. Sales growth  (80% certainty) increase significantly.

"When Anita and Jeff hear the two options, maybe they won't like either one. Do you
5. think they will propose a third option?"
could
"They  (50% certainty) ."

If Mike sells Accelerated to another company, his employees  (not, 50% certainty)
might not
6. might not
be able to keep their jobs.

must
Mike knows he can save the company. There  (95% certainty) be a way for
7.
him to convince the others not to sell.

MATCHING
1. Mike should have a solution of his own by now.
2. Carmen knows that Mike must be in a difficult situation.
3. Carmen's suggestions might be the best ones for Mike and the company.
4. A large buyer could allow Accelerated to expand now.
5. A $10 million bank loan should be enough capital for Accelerated to expand next
year.
6. Carmen might be available on Friday, but she thinks she has another appointment.
FILL-IN
1. Even though Carmen is confident of her ideas, Mike might not choose one of them.
2. Mike doesn't know if it will be easy to get money for the project. He thinks it might
be a little bit difficult.
3. Mike says he can find the right buyer and get $50 million for Accelerated English. But
he couldn't really be serious about that figure.
4. If the marketing department launches a new advertising campaign, there's a good
chance of success. Sales growth Should increase significantly.
5. "When Anita and Jeff hear the two options, maybe they won't like either one. Do you
think they will propose a third option?"
"They could."
6. If Mike sells Accelerated to another company, his employees might not be able to
keep their jobs.
7. Mike knows he can save the company. There must be a way for him to convince the
others not to sell.

MODALS OF POSSIBILITY

  Present Future
Positive S + may + V (base S + may + V
Statements might form) might (base
could form)
Speaker is 30-70% Speaker is 30-70%
sure. sure.
S + should + V (base S + should +V
form) (base
Speaker is 75-85% form)
sure. Speaker is 75-85%
sure.
S + must + V (base  
form)
Speaker is 95% sure.
Negative S+ may+not+V S+ may+not+V
Statements might (base might (base
form) form)
Speaker is guessing. Speaker is guessing.
S+ could+not+V  
should (base
form)
must
Speaker is very sure.
Short S+ may
Answers might
could
 should
must

1. Mike, Steve here. I'm calling about the sale of Accelerated. I should be in my office all
afternoon, so call me back.
Will Steve be in his office all afternoon?
probably
maybe
probably not

2. Hi, there, it's me again. I've tried to reach Jeff several times, but there's no answer. Oh,
I know! He must be in New York with Aunt Patty.
According to Anita, is Jeff in New York?
almost certainly
maybe
probably not

3. Mike, it's 3:30 and I need to talk to you. Your secretary said that you are in a meeting
and that you might call me when you're finished. Please, Mike, don't make any decisions
until you talk to me.
Will Mike call Anita after the meeting is finished?
almost certainly
maybe
probably not

4. Mike, it's me. I forgot that I scheduled a hair appointment for tonight. I may need to
reschedule our meeting for tomorrow.
Will Anita need to reschedule her meeting with Mike for tomorrow?
almost certainly
maybe
probably not

5. Mike, where are you? Listen, I think that it shouldn't be too difficult to boost our sales
growth rate by 5 percent just by launching a new advertising campaign. Call me back.
Does Steve believe that launching a new advertising campaign would boost sales?
probably not
maybe not
probably

6. Hi, Mike. Jeff just called me back. He's still in New York with Aunt Patty, and then he has
to go to a conference. He says he might not be back until next week.
Will Jeff be back this week?
almost certainly
maybe not
very unlikely

I am not sure we may make a large profit.

We could improve our customer service or launch a new advertising campaign.

QUESTIONS:-

1> In this assignment Carmen presented mike with a couple of options

on how to help accelerated English? What do you think Mike should
do? Why?

Sample Ans

I think Mike should focus on internal growth and launch a new advertising campaign.
He might have to seek funding, but at least he still have control of the company. In
my opinion selling the company could be a bad strategy. The new Owner might not
want to let Mike stay with accelerated English.

I think Mike should focus on marketing strategy and internal growth by adding few
resources. Also he can hire good consultant to boost the Company. I believe selling
company is not a good option he should try some changes in the management and he
can get better result.

2> Did you ever have a big decision at work or at home?what was the decision about?

How did you feel it?how did you decide what the best option was?

Sample:-

Once I had to decide whether to stay in San Francisco or move to Boston for better paying job.

I thought about going, but I could not make up my mind.I was really excited about moving to a
new [Link] the other hand I was nervous about leaving the job that I knew I liked.

3> What would you do if you were Beckett Mayes the CEO of Universal [Link]
you recoomand merge why or why not?

If I were Beckett Mayes I would not merge with Accelerated English. I think management is
making too many demands. I would look for another company to acquire. If Accelerated
English were more profitable I might have different opinion.

If I were Beckett Mayes I would not merge with Accelerated English. I think their management is
making too many demands.

4> Have you ever see someone from other culture give a presentation? If you have
did you nitice any similarity? Or the differences from the presentation style in your
country?IF you have not what advise you would give to foreigner coming to your
country for presentation?
Sample

I once saw a German giving presentation. I was surprised by his detailed lengthy presentation. it
was too boring I would recommend if a German is coming to my country for presentation he
should cover the presentation with outline and it should content only important things.

I once saw an Italian giving a presentation and I was surprised by how much he moves his arms
and body.

5> What advice would you give to people who are going to visit your city?For instanc
what should they bring? What places they should see? Where should they eat?
What other advice you can give them?

If you ever visit Mumbai, You should visit in summer or winter because there is heavy rain in rainy
season and communication totally stopped. You cannot roam there. Also I would recommend you
to eat Italian food because you may not like Indian customs.

Sample

If you ever visit san Francisco, You should definitely bring some warm clothes with you.

People often expect California to be warm and sunny, but California can be cold and rainy,
especially in the winter.

6> Did you ever have a big decision at work or at home?what was the decision about?

How did you feel it?how did you decide what the best option was?

Sample:-

Once I had to decide whether to stay in San Francisco or move to Boston for better paying job.

7> Designer brand name goods are very popular. Some of these products are very
[Link] do you think of this situation?

Ans Sample

When I visited Japan. I saw many people with Yves SL bags. I was surprised to see so
many YSL bags because they are very expensive. When I asked my Japanese friend
about it, She said people like high end goods because they are fashionable and high
quality. Even if it costs more, it is worth it to get the best style and quality.

When I visited UK, I saw many people with iPhones. I was surprised to see so many
iPhones as they are very expensive. When I asked my British friend she said people like
expensive phones because they are fashionable and high quality. Even if it costs more
but it looks stylish.
I thought about going, but I could not make up my mind.I was really excited about moving to a
new [Link] the other hand I was nervous about leaving the job that I knew I liked.

8> How do you feel about the situation at accelerated English?

It seems me to that Mike and Anita are not really listening to each other. Jeff is in a very difficult situation too.
It looks like this situation could damage the company’s position.

The situation is not good at accelerated English. It seems to me that Mike and Anita are not listening to each other.
Their views are not matching which could jeopardize the company’s situation. Jeff is also not in a good situation.

9>What options do you have in your life? Use either or and neither nor to describe?

Ans sample

I have a boyfriend and we are trying to decide what to do. We can either get married or stay single.
Neither my boyfriend nor me want to take wrong decision. He and I are both busy at our jobs. If our
company sends a different city. It will be a problem.

I have two options with this company either I can stay in Bangalore or I can travel to UK. Both options
have some merits and demerits because if I going to UK my wife has to leave the job and my son has
to leave the school which they are used to it. Neither I want make a wrong decision nor I have to
disturb my family life.

9> Describe the problem in your life. What is the cause of the problem? What is
the effect?

Sample Ans :- I am the manager of a resource laboratory. My problem is that my boss wants
me to start visiting customers because I can explain the details of the products. I understand
his position and I begun to visit customers. Due to my absence there have been some
problems in my lab. Since my bos told me to travel I cannot solve the problem.

I am the lead of the Data Storage team in an IT firm. My boss has asked me to lead the team
but He has recruited non experienced engineers in my team. This is causing a lot of problems,
daily I have to solve my team’s unsolved problems and escalated issues. I have
recommended to arrange training for team as soon as possible or It will create bad
impression at management about my team.
10> Talk about your companies markets? What is your biggest market?
Compare that market to other markets?

Sample Ans :- My company’s two biggest markets for electronic appliances are in Japan and
Germany.
Our market share in Germany is slightly larger than Japan, but we are increasing market
share faster in Japan. The most profitable market for the appliances is the United states. We
hope to enter that market this summer.

My company’s two biggest markets for software are in United states and United Kingdom. Our
market share in United states is larger than United Kingdom, but we are increasing market
share faster in UK than other. The most profitable market for the software is United states.
Now are launching our company’s offices in Europe and other part of the world to grow our
business

11>What do you think is most important when presenting information to others?

Sample Ans
The most important thing when presenting information is to be clear and concise. If you give
people too much information, they might miss the crucial pieces. The presenter should decide
what is important and focus on that.

The most important thing when presenting information is to be clear and concise. If the
information is too much descriptive then there may be chances of missing important and
critical things, so always presents information in the form of bullets and give highlight on the
most important parts.

12> What do you think will happen at Accelerated English? Will there be a merger with
Universal language? IF two companies so merge what will happen to employees.
Sample Ans:-

I think that two companies won’t merge. Mike is too worried about losing his position.
In addition he is worried that Universal Language will downsize the company. I don’t
think that negotiations will go smoothly.

I think that two companies can merge but Mike has to compromise with the highest
post.
Generally when two companies merge they change the entire decision makers like CEO
and other higher management staff and Mike is worried too much for his position at
Accelerated.

13> Have there been a lot of changes in your job? Describe them.
Sample ans:-

There have been a considerable amount of changes in my job this year.

I got a new boss. As a result I have had to get used to a new style of working. My boss
and I had a great deal of trouble communicating at first.
Things are better now. In comparison, everything at home is great.

There have been considerable amount of changes in my job this year.

Previously we use to work in normal shift but now our management has asked us to
work in 24*7 shifts. This is causing a lot of problems to all of us as we were not use to it?
Things are better after two months as we have adapted to work in different shifts.