Escape Campus
Back to syllabus
Lesson 31
Module 08 · Grammar in Use
A2+

Exam Skills —Open Cloze: Everyday Services

Reading & Writing Part 5 (open cloze) · grammar words · everyday services

60 min Exam skills · Open cloze grammar words

A2 Key parts in this lesson

Writing 1GrammarStrategy

Why this lesson now? Applies Module 08 grammar work to Writing 1.

Your level · You are here

  1. A0/A1Beginner
  2. A1/A2Elementary
  3. A2/B1Pre-Intermediate
  4. B1/B1+Intermediate
  5. B2Upper-Intermediate
  6. C1Advanced
  7. C2Proficiency

Get ready · 01

5 min

Get talking

activity
Name the gap

'I've lived here ____ 2019.' What single word goes in the gap, and what type of word is it (preposition)?

discussion
Services brainstorm

In 30 seconds, list as many everyday services as you can: bank, post office, hairdresser…

reflection
Timing check

In the exam you have 6 gaps to fill. How many minutes is it sensible to spend?

Grammar for the Exam · 02

8–10 min

Open cloze: the six grammar-word families

Grammar Bank: Open cloze: the six grammar-word familiesJumps straight to this rule — full explanation, examples & practice
Quick rule

Only ONE word fits each gap. Ask: is it an article, preposition, pronoun, auxiliary, linker or quantifier?

How it works
  1. 1In this task you read a short text with six gaps and write exactly one word in each gap.
  2. 2The missing words are always small grammar words, never topic vocabulary.
  3. 3There are six families to check: articles (a/an/the), prepositions (at/in/on/for), pronouns (it/them/who), auxiliaries (do/have/be), linkers (because/so/but) and quantifiers (some/any/much).
  4. 4Read the whole sentence before you decide, because the answer often depends on a word later in the sentence.
Examples

  • Preposition: 'The bank is open ____ 9am ____ 5pm.' → from / to

  • Pronoun: 'I took my shoes to the shop ____ mended them.' → who

  • Auxiliary: 'I ____ been waiting for twenty minutes.' → have

  • Linker: 'The garage was closed, ____ I came back the next day.' → so

Question 1.The hairdresser's is open ____ Monday to Saturday.

Question 2.I need ____ new battery for my watch.

Question 3.She ____ never been to that garage before.

Question 4.The post office was closed, ____ I went to the shop instead.

Question 5.Is there ____ cash machine near here?

Question 6.The mechanic ____ repaired my car yet.

Answer all items, then check.

Quick check 1.What kind of word is always missing in the open-cloze task?

Answer all items, then check.

Exam Vocabulary · 03

5–7 min

Words & phrases to own

Open Vocabulary BankTap any word below to jump straight to its entry
1

to book an appointment

to arrange a time for a service

Use it

Have you booked an appointment recently? For what?

2

to top up

to add more money or credit to something

Use it

Say one thing you sometimes top up.

3

a receipt

a paper that proves you paid for something

Use it

Do you always keep your receipts?

4

to be out of order

not working

Use it

Tell your partner about a machine that was out of order.

5

a queue

a line of people waiting

Use it

Where do you often have to queue?

6

to renew

to make something valid for longer

Use it

Name one document people need to renew.

Matching

What to do

Match each everyday-services word with its meaning.

Tap an item on the left, then tap its match on the right.

Answer all items, then check.
Use it now

Activation · Personalise · Recycle

Use each service word in a full sentence about your own life.

Ask your partner
Task 1

Ask your partner

  • When did you last book an appointment?
  • Where did you last have to queue?
Usebook an appointmentqueue
Complete it
Task 2

"I usually top up my…"top up

Your opinion
Task 3

Tell your partner about a time a machine was out of order. What did you do?

Give your answer + one reason.

Useout of order
Quick write
Task 4

Write two sentences about renewing a document and keeping a receipt.

Userenewreceipt

Pronunciation for Speaking · 04

3–4 min

Weak forms of small grammar words

Say it like this

Prepositions and auxiliaries (at, for, has, was) are usually said quickly and quietly in a sentence.

  • • I've been waiting for ages.
  • • It's open from nine to five.
  • • She has already paid.
  • • There's a queue at the counter.

Reading Skills · 05

8–10 min

Open cloze — At the post office

Read along — listen to the text

Tap play to listen. Replay as many times as you need.

Yesterday I went [[1]] the post office to send a parcel to my sister. There [[2]] a long queue, so I waited about fifteen minutes. When it was my turn, the woman [[3]] the counter asked me what was inside the parcel. I told her it [[4]] some books and a small gift. She weighed it and said it would cost six pounds. I didn't have [[5]] cash, so I paid with my card. She gave me a receipt and told me the parcel would arrive [[6]] three days.

Question 1.Why did the writer go to the post office?

Question 2.How long did the writer wait?

Question 3.What was inside the parcel?

Question 4.How did the writer pay?

Question 5.When will the parcel arrive?

Answer all items, then check.

Listening Skills · 06

8–10 min

At the bank

Listening audio

Tap play to listen. Replay as many times as you need.

Show transcript

Clerk:Good morning, how can I help you?

Ben:Hi, I'd like to open a new account, please.

Clerk:No problem. Do you have any identification with you?

Ben:Yes, here's my passport and a letter with my address on it.

Clerk:Perfect. It usually takes about twenty minutes to set up.

Ben:That's fine, I'm not in a hurry today.

Clerk:Great. Your new card will arrive by post in about a week.

Ben:Thanks. Is there a fee for the account?

Clerk:No, this account is completely free.

Question 1.What does Ben want to do?

Question 2.What identification does Ben bring?

Question 3.How long will it take to set up?

Question 4.When will Ben's card arrive?

Question 5.How much does the account cost?

Answer all items, then check.

Question 1.What does Ben say when the clerk mentions the twenty minutes?

Answer all items, then check.

Exam Strategy · 07

5 min

Open cloze — everyday services texts

Strategy

Read the whole sentence first. Write ONE word only. Check your finished text makes sense.

Task

Complete a six-gap text about an everyday service with one grammar word per gap.

Example

I ____ never been to that garage. → look for an auxiliary that pairs with been → have.

Writing Task · 08

5 min

Put it in writing

Sentence transformation
Type a short answer (1–3 words)

Q1.Gap 1 — type ONE word.

Q2.Gap 2 — type ONE word.

Q3.Gap 3 — type ONE word.

Q4.Gap 4 — type ONE word.

Q5.Gap 5 — type ONE word.

Q6.Gap 6 — type ONE word.

Answer all items, then check.
Writing Part 2Write an article
≈100 words

Write a short message (25–35 words) to a neighbour asking them to collect a parcel for you while you are away.

Your writing draft

0 words Saved
Show model answer & examiner comment

Hi Sam, I'm away this weekend and I'm expecting a parcel. Could you collect it from the post office for me? I'll leave the slip on your doorstep. Thanks a lot! Ella

EX

Examiner comment

Reward range, organisation and style. Penalise lists, off-topic or under-length answers.
Mark scheme extract
5All content points covered; consistent style; range of structures; minor errors only.
3Content mostly covered; mostly suitable style; some range; errors don't stop the reader understanding.
1Limited content; intrusive errors; very basic structures; under-length.

Speaking Task · 09

10–15 min

Make it a real conversation

Open Expressions BankConversation phrases and functional language from across the course

Talk about a service you use often (bank, hairdresser, garage, post office). Say how often you go and describe your last visit.

Useful phrases

Optional · Teacher-led

Teacher Activities

Extra timed practice for open cloze under real exam pressure. ~18 min total

Homework · 10

Take-home

Take it home

Self-study — everything you need is included below. All four skills are covered so you keep the spiral going between lessons; pick the order that suits you.

GrammarLanguage

Open cloze practice — complete the six gaps in a new services text.

Your response

0 words Saved

Materials included

Text

I took my car to the garage [[1]] Monday because it made a strange noise. The mechanic said it [[2]] the brakes and it would take two days to fix. I didn't have [[3]] car for the weekend, [[4]] I borrowed my brother's bike. When I collected the car, the mechanic [[5]] already tested it. It cost less than I expected, [[6]] I was very happy.

Attempt the task first, then check your answers.

WritingProductive

Write a note to a friend asking them to renew your library book while you are on holiday (25–35 words).

Your response

0 words Saved

Attempt the task first, then check your answers.

VocabularyLanguage

Vocabulary review — write one sentence with each: book an appointment, top up, out of order, queue, renew.

Your response

0 words Saved

Recap · 11

2–3 min

What you've learned

  • Open cloze gaps are always small grammar words: articles, prepositions, pronouns, auxiliaries, linkers, quantifiers.
  • Read the whole sentence — sometimes the whole text — before choosing an answer.
  • Write ONE word per gap and check the finished text makes sense.
  • Everyday-services vocabulary (queue, receipt, appointment) recycles across reading, listening and writing.
  • Timing target: about one minute per gap, then a final check.
Extra Practice

Need more practice?

Optional · your lesson progress stays the same

Future plans and conditions

Practise this exam skill

Checking your writing

Practise this exam skill

Fix the common mistake

Practise this exam skill

All Extra Practice
Lesson 30All lessonsLesson 32 →