Question 17:

We regret ______ passengers that all flights have been cancelled due to bad weather.

• a) informing

• b) having informed

• c) to inform

• d) to informing

Explanation: The verb "regret" can be followed by an infinitive or a gerund, with different meanings.

• Regret + gerund (-ing): This means to have a past regret about something you have done. (e.g., "I regret buying that car.")

• Regret + to + infinitive: This is a formal expression used to say you are sorry to have to tell someone some bad news. (e.g., "We regret to inform you that your application was unsuccessful.")

In this sentence, the speaker is delivering bad news to the passengers. Therefore, the correct form is the infinitive.

The correct answer is c) to inform.

Question 18:

Matthew's determination ______ against all the odds is an inspiration to us all.

• a) to succeed

• b) succeeding

• c) to be succeed

• d) his succeeding

Explanation: The noun "determination" is typically followed by an infinitive to describe what someone is determined to do. "Determination to do something" is the standard phrase.

The correct answer is a) to succeed.

Question 19:

Danielle was relieved ______ that she had passed her exams with flying colours!

• a) finding out

• b) to find out

• c) to finding out

• d) find out

Explanation: The structure "be + adjective + to + infinitive" is used to express the reason for an emotion. For example, "I was happy to see you." "Relieved" is an adjective, and the reason for her relief is "to find out."

The correct answer is b) to find out.