Q1. How do we use ‘a number of’ and ‘the number of’ correctly?

A. We use plural verbs with ‘a number of’ and singular verbs with ‘the number of’. For example,
A number of refugees have been turned back at the border.
The number of books in the library has risen to over five million.
A number of shoppers have complained about the price increases.
The number of pupils in school with reading difficulties has fallen this year.

Q2. Which is correct ‘used to’ or ‘use to’?

A.‘Used to’ is used when we talk of a past habit in the positive sense and also in some perfect tense forms. For example,

I used to be an introvert during my college days.
Riya used to walk for 2 hours everyday to go to work.
Have you gotten used to your new apartment?
‘Use to’ is used for asking questions and making negative sentences.
We did not use to speak to each other two years ago.
He did not use to act well in his earlier films.
Did you use to be a studious student?

Q3. What is the difference between ‘I had a car’ and ‘I have had a car’?

A.Both sentences are correct but mean differently and ought to be followed by an appropriate time frame to make complete sense.

In the past tense, the former sentence could be something like -
I had a car two years ago.
I had a car till last Sunday.
These mean that you do not have a car now.

In the present perfect tense, the second sentence may somewhat be completed like

I have had a car since the last two years.
I have had a car since 2015.
I have had a car for three years.
I have had a car since the past few years.
I have had no meals today.

The first four sentences mentioned above mean that you still have a car and trying to imply that it is related to the present - that you have either gotten comfortable with a car or just being ostentatious.
The last statement denotes that the day is not over and you had not eaten anything so far, perhaps meaning that you are hungry.

Q4.Is the phrase ‘are been used’ correct? What are some of the ways to use it?

A.’ Are been’ usage is wrong English. You either use ‘has been’ or ‘have been’ or ‘are being’ - all of them in passive voice. E.g.

This laptop has been used.
These computers have been used.
These computers are being used by our employees.

Q5. Why is that when you appear for a job interview you ‘give an interview’, but when you appear for an exam you ’take an exam’?

A.Collocations are an element of English, wherein certain verbs and nouns go hand in hand. This comes with loads of reading. Thus we have:
give an interview, give a chance, give a hug, give permission, give priority to etc. and take an exam, take a cab, take a chance, take a liking to, take a dislike to, take a guess etc.

Q6. Which sentence is correct and how – ‘I have lived in this house since 1999’ or ‘I have been living in this house since 1999’?

A.Both sentences are correct.
The first sentence is in Present perfect tense wherein when either of the prepositions ‘since’, ‘for’ or ‘in’ is introduced, it implies that you are still living there.
The second one is in Present perfect continuous tense which always shows that an action is still ongoing.

Q7. Is this sentence grammatically correct ‘I lay in bed watching TV’?

A. Yes, it is grammatically correct. ‘Lay’ is the second form of ‘lie’. The latter’s third form is ‘lain’. So, your sentence indicates something in the past. Other examples of this meaning are:

She has lain on the beach for hours.
I lie in bed reading for at least 5 minutes before going to sleep.

There is another meaning of ‘lay’ - to place somebody or something in a horizontal position. Its second and third forms both would be ‘laid’. Some examples would be:

I lay my mattress every night.
‘Please lay this carpet on the floor’
The nurse laid my grandmother on a bed.

That said, if you are tech-savvy, a memorist, have a clear accent and are able to focus on the computer screen for 3 hours, you are an ideal candidate for the Pearson test.
Note that if you are planning for Canadian immigration, IELTS or CELPIP has to taken, whereas for Australian skilled immigration, it has to be either IELTS or PTE Academic.

Q8.How do I get 8 bands in the Speaking test?

A. Firstly, converse in English as often as possible. Initially, record yourself and listen to how you sound. A few 'umm’s is fine but too many is not a good sign at all. Thirdly, work on a range of synonyms and vocabulary to describe varied things, places, emotions and personalities. I definitely recommend improving your pronunciation and accent too. Notwithstanding the fact that you do not have to put up an accent, appropriate stress on the right syllables and words does ameliorate your speech. You need not be veracious, just speak eloquently. In a nutshell, if you think and speak in English consistently, your speech becomes more fluent and effortless.

Q.9.Which sentence is correct, ‘I used to work in a bookshop’ or ‘I would work in a bookshop’?

A. Both are correct. ‘Used to’ and ‘would’ can be used interchangeably in many cases to indicate past habits. But there are varied forms of ‘use to’.
E.g:

We used to have a good time together.
I used to walk long distances just to save money during my college days.
I would walk long distances just to save money during my college days.
She did not use to cook before her marriage.
She would not cook before her marriage.
Roger has gotten used to travelling in crowded trains.
Did you use to score good marks at school?
Would you score good marks at school?
We are getting used to our new neighbourhood.