Exercises

1. Gap-filling

Fill the gaps with a phrase using the verb given in the correct tense.

Tom and Brad [1] be programmers. They [2] make a text editor since May. Now, they [3] work on tests for
a find and replace function. It’s a complicated problem, so it [4] take at least two hours to complete. The next task [5] be coding. They [6] work in a pair, so while one [7] write code, the other [8] design the thing to code. At the beginning of coding, Tom [9] be "coder", and Brad - "thinker". To be fair, they [10] swap after an hour.

Click here to check suggested answers.
[1] are
[2] have been making
[3] are working
[4] will take
[5] will be OR is going to be
[6] work
[7] is writing OR writes
[8] is designing OR designs
[9] will be
[10] are going to swap OR will swap

2. Word explanation

Explain the following phrases from the text. Click on the phrase to get suggested explanation.

chronicled

recorded in/by time, arranged by time

methodology

way of doing something, a sequence of defined actions followed to complete a task

to be cordoned off

to be separated from, to be excluded from

to be relegated

to drop to a lower division (football), to be degraded, moved to a lower level of something

to cackle with glee

to laugh, giggle uncontrollably, to be happy

emboldened

emphasized

to deflect the ire

to change the object of anger


3. Noun - verb - adjective - adverb

Fill in the table in order given above:

noun verb adjective adverb
revolution
suggest
prevented
automatically
individualism

Click here to check answers.
noun verb adjective adverb
revolution revolutionize OR revolt revolutionary OR revolting revolutionarily OR revoltingly
suggestionsuggest suggestive suggestively
preventionprevent prevented preventively
automaton OR automataautomate automatic OR automated automatically
individualismindividual individualized individually


4. Sentence transformation.

Finish the sentences, keeping the meaning of the sentence given above:

We have to write tests before coding this part.
[1] Tests .

It’s a shame that I didn't test this program properly.
[2] I wish .

We have to verify this solution before applying it.
[3] Verification .

"Do you want to swap places on our workstation, Jim?" - Pete asked.
[4] Pete asked Jim if .

But for Mike, the whole project would be a failure.
[5] If Mike wasn't .

Click here to check answers.
a) Test have to be written before coding this part.
b) I wish I had tested this program properly.
c) Verification of this solution is needed/must be done/is obligatory before applying it.
d) Pete asked Jim if he wanted to swap on their workstation.
e) If Mike wasn't there, the whole project would be a failure.


5. Phrasal verbs

Complete the verbs with the given prepositions: into, to, out, back, from.
You can use each preposition only twice.

[1] refer

[2] log

[3] bump

[4] prevent

[5] stand

[6] adhere

[7] find

[8] look

[9] get

[10] come

Click here to check answers.
[1] refer to
[2] log into
[3] bump into
[4] prevent from
[5] stand out
[6] adhere to
[7] find out
[8] look back
[9] get back
[10] come from


6. Word test

Referring to the text, choose the correct word or phrase, in order to complete the sentences. Discuss the correct and incorrect answers.

1. XP is one of the software design ... .
a) methodologies Methodology is an even broader term than a method. Methodology may be a description of a process or it may consist of some basic ideas and concepts. It's not an algorithm, just a set of practices. XP is not so general that it could be called a methodology.
b) technique We need to use the plural form.
c) techniques CORRECT Techniques ("I have studied analysis and design techniques...(XP) is the most radical...") It's the consequence of methods and knowledge about some specific area. A technique is a systematically described procedure used to accomplish some task.
d) methods Design methods is a very broad topic. Their is to discover some truths about the production process in order to achieve better solutions. It’s an established/habitual set of practices, usually in the form of ordered procedures.

2. Testing had a low ... for a long time.
a) priority CORRECT Testing was the last part of the project ("It has typically had a low priority...").
b) importance It has a high importance
c) preceding It makes no sense.
d) quality It differs, so we can't say that.

3) Testing was ... part of project in the past.
a) a bad It often had a high quality.
b) an unwanted Testing has always played a part in program development.
c) a relegated CORRECT It was the last part ( "Testing has traditionally been relegated to the last part of a project").
d) an unnecessary Programmers have always had to test their programs, so testing cannot be unwanted or unnecessary.

4) Projects were getting more ... over time.
a) good Not at all. More complex systems have many errors.
b) complex CORRECT It's in the text ("We've seen the results of having these tests built into the language: people have been able to write more complex systems...").
c) important Programs are always important, I think.
d) silly If they are more complex, they are not silly.

5) When I manage to break someone else's program, I am ... .
a) cackling with glee CORRECT It's in the text ("...and cackling with glee whenever they broke something...").
b) nervous No, the person is happy.
c) silly No, the person is happy.
d) sorry No, the person is happy.