Gerund or infinitive: Verb patterns – English Grammar Test for B2
Grammar » Grammar Test for B2 » Gerund or infinitive: Verb patterns – English Grammar Test for B2
Passage: “Learning to Change Habits”
Changing habits is never easy, but it often starts with a decision. Many people decide to start eating better, to exercise more, or to stop wasting time online, but very few continue long enough to see results. Psychologists say that the key to success lies in enjoying the process rather than simply focusing on the goal. If you don’t enjoy doing something, you’ll soon stop trying.
Take, for example, someone who decides to learn a language. They might begin by studying grammar books every day, but if they don’t enjoy learning, it quickly becomes a chore. Experts recommend finding fun ways to study — like watching movies or listening to songs — instead of forcing yourself to memorize endless word lists.
Another important point is to avoid setting unrealistic goals. Instead of saying, “I’ll never eat sweets again,” say, “I’ll try to eat fewer sweets.” Small, achievable goals motivate us to keep going. When you start seeing progress, you begin to believe you can really change.
Finally, remember to reward yourself for every small victory. Even something simple, like treating yourself to a nice coffee after a good workout, helps your brain connect effort with pleasure. Change doesn’t happen overnight, but by enjoying taking small steps, you make it easier to keep improving every day.
1 What does the author say is the first step to changing habits?
(a) Making a decision
(b) Setting a big goal
(c) Asking for advice
2 According to the passage, why do many people fail to change habits?
(a) They forget their goals
(b) They don’t enjoy the process
(c) They don’t have time
3 What is the key idea of the second paragraph?
(a) Language learning is easy
(b) Grammar is the most important part of learning
(c) You should enjoy learning to stay motivated
4 What is recommended instead of memorizing word lists?
(a) Watching movies and listening to songs
(b) Writing essays
(c) Reading only textbooks
5 In line 4, the verb “doing” refers to what activity?
(a) Stopping something
(b) Enjoying the process
(c) Avoiding mistakes
6 Why should we set small, realistic goals?
(a) They are easier to achieve
(b) They don’t require effort
(c) They make us avoid trying
7 What happens when people start seeing progress?
(a) They give up
(b) They believe they can change
(c) They stop working
8 What should you do after a small success?
(a) Ignore it
(b) Reward yourself
(c) Start over
9 The word “chore” in paragraph 2 means:
(a) enjoyable activity
(b) boring task
(c) goal
10 What does “keep going” mean in the text?
(a) Continue making effort
(b) Start over again
(c) Stop working
11 According to the passage, what helps your brain connect effort with pleasure?
(a) Working longer hours
(b) Treating yourself after success
(c) Ignoring mistakes
12 What is the writer’s attitude toward changing habits?
(a) It’s impossible
(b) It’s difficult but possible
(c) It happens instantly
13 Which verb pattern expresses a general purpose or intention?
(a) V-ing
(b) to + infinitive
(c) bare infinitive
14 “Decide to start” is an example of:
(a) verb + infinitive
(b) verb + gerund
(c) verb + preposition
15 “Enjoy doing” is an example of:
(a) verb + infinitive
(b) verb + gerund
(c) verb + object + infinitive
16 “Stop trying” means:
(a) to quit making effort
(b) to begin working harder
(c) to start a new habit
17 The structure “avoid setting unrealistic goals” means:
(a) Don’t set goals that are impossible
(b) Always set big goals
(c) Try not to make any plans
18 What kind of goals should we set?
(a) Unrealistic ones
(b) Smaller, achievable ones
(c) Long-term only
19 The phrase “seeing progress” functions as:
(a) noun phrase using a gerund
(b) adjective phrase
(c) infinitive of purpose
20 Which of these verbs is followed by a gerund in the passage?
(a) decide
(b) enjoy
(c) want
21 Which verb from the passage is followed by an infinitive?
(a) avoid
(b) stop
(c) try
22 In the phrase “remember to reward,” what does the infinitive express?
(a) Obligation
(b) Future intention
(c) Past memory
23 What part of speech is “treating” in “treating yourself to a coffee”?
(a) Noun
(b) Gerund
(c) Infinitive
24 What’s the meaning of “by enjoying taking small steps”?
(a) You should rush progress
(b) Small progress makes change sustainable
(c) You should not enjoy learning
25 Why does the author recommend treating yourself after success?
(a) It motivates you to continue
(b) It wastes time
(c) It distracts you from goals
26 What can make change easier according to the text?
(a) Punishing yourself
(b) Enjoying the process
(c) Ignoring progress
27 The verb “avoid” is always followed by:
(a) a gerund
(b) an infinitive
(c) a noun only
28 Which of these is not mentioned as a verb pattern in the passage?
(a) Remember to do
(b) Look forward to doing
(c) Want doing
29 The general tone of the passage is:
(a) Encouraging and practical
(b) Critical and negative
(c) Academic and strict
30 What is the main message of the passage?
(a) Changing habits takes time and enjoyment
(b) People should stop setting goals
(c) Habits cannot be changed easily
Answer
1 (a) – Change begins with a decision.
2 (b) – People fail because they don’t enjoy the process.
3 (c) – Enjoyment keeps motivation.
4 (a) – Movies and songs make learning enjoyable.
5 (b) – “Doing” refers to the action you perform and enjoy.
6 (a) – Realistic goals are easier to reach.
7 (b) – Seeing progress builds belief in success.
8 (b) – Rewarding yourself reinforces motivation.
9 (b) – “Chore” = boring or routine task.
10 (a) – “Keep going” = continue making effort.
11 (b) – Small rewards help connect effort with pleasure.
12 (b) – It’s difficult but achievable with the right mindset.
13 (b) – To + infinitive expresses intention or purpose.
14 (a) – Decide to start → verb + infinitive.
15 (b) – Enjoy doing → verb + gerund.
16 (a) – Means to give up trying.
17 (a) – Advises against unrealistic goals.
18 (b) – The author recommends small, achievable goals.
19 (a) – “Seeing progress” acts as a gerund phrase (noun).
20 (b) – Enjoy is followed by a gerund.
21 (c) – Try → to + infinitive (to make an effort).
22 (b) – Remember to do = remember before performing an action.
23 (b) – Treating is a gerund functioning as a noun.
24 (b) – Small progress keeps change sustainable.
25 (a) – Rewards motivate continued effort.
26 (b) – Enjoying the process helps maintain habits.
27 (a) – Avoid → V-ing.
28 (c) – Want doing is incorrect in standard English.
29 (a) – The tone is supportive and motivating.
30 (a) – Main idea: habit change takes patience and enjoyment.