Problem
Pikachu presented the details of his training plan’s _____ to Professor Oak.
(A) executive
(B) executes
(C) executively
(D) execution
Explanation
The possessive “plan’s” must be followed by a noun. Only execution (D) means “the act of carrying out.” The others (executive = an officer, executes = verb, executively = adverb) do not fit.
Problem
The Gym Leader urged his Pokémon to gain _____ of the rare Mega Stone.
(A) possess
(B) possession
(C) possessing
(D) possessively
Explanation
The verb “gain” requires a noun as its object. Only possession (B) means “ownership.”
Problem
The trainer avoids _____ about his new Pokémon’s abilities, since each one is skilled in a different type.
(A) general
(B) generalists
(C) general
(D) generalizing
Explanation
After “avoid,” a gerund (verb + ing) is needed. Generalizing (D) means “making broad statements.”
Problem
The Poké Ball company takes great care in developing materials that meet the _____ standards of its customers.
(A) industriousness
(B) industry
(C) industrial
(D) industrially
Explanation
The blank comes before “standards,” so we need an adjective. Industrial (C) means “relating to industry.”
Problem
The Silph Co. has strong sales due to its _____ priced Poké Balls.
(A) competition
(B) competitive
(C) competed
(D) competitively
Explanation
We need an adverb to modify “priced.” Competitively (D) correctly means “priced in a competitive way.”
Problem
The hardness of the Steel-type Pokémon’s armor is evidence of enough _____ to endure very high temperatures.
(A) strength
(B) strong
(C) strongly
(D) strengthen
Explanation
The pattern is “enough + noun + to …,” so a noun is required. Only strength (A) fits.
Problem
The beautiful, elegant and _____ Primarina sings move the audience deeply.
(A) charm
(B) charmed
(C) charming
(D) charmingly
Explanation
We already have adjectives “beautiful, elegant and ….” The missing word must also be an adjective. Charming (C) fits perfectly.
Problem
Pallet Town Gym _____ for over 13 years before it began to win big tournaments in Kanto.
(A) operates
(B) operating
(C) has operated
(D) had been operating
Explanation
The phrase for over 13 years shows duration, and the action happened before another past event (began to win). Therefore, the past perfect progressive is needed.
✔ Correct: had been operating
Problem
The Pokémon Company made _____ greater sales in Unova a priority after its brand became better known there.
(A) establish
(B) to establish
(C) established
(D) establishing
Explanation
In the pattern made + object + complement, a gerund is required. Establishing greater sales works as the object.
✔ Correct: establishing
Problem
As the film Pokémon: Rise of Pikachu _____, the studio made intense promotional efforts.
(A) will be released
(B) releases
(C) was being released
(D) has been released
Explanation
The main verb made is past tense. The subordinate clause must use a past progressive passive: was being released.
✔ Correct: was being released
Problem
Ash enjoys training on weekends as a way to exercise and _____ friendships with his Pokémon.
(A) build
(B) builds
(C) building
(D) built
Explanation
After to exercise and, the parallel form must be another base verb.
✔ Correct: build
Problem
Shoppers passing by the Poké Mart _____ to its exciting window displays.
(A) draw
(B) drawing
(C) drew
(D) are drawn
Explanation
The shoppers are the logical objects of draw. Passive voice is correct: are drawn.
✔ Correct: are drawn
Problem
An important battle strategy _____ by June if the Gym Leaders complete discussions by May.
(A) was made
(B) makes
(C) is making
(D) will have been made
Explanation
The if-clause uses present tense to show a future condition. The main clause must be future perfect passive: will have been made.
✔ Correct: will have been made
Problem
The Poké Mart chain _____ to the level of a major retailer after several of its items became immensely popular.
(A) raises
(B) was raised
(C) raising
(D) will be raised
Explanation
The subject is the object of raise. With past reference (became), past passive is correct.
✔ Correct: was raised
Problem
The Pokémon News Network now specializes in online content after _____ its magazine division to another company.
(A) sell
(B) selling
(C) sold
(D) to sell
Explanation
Here, after is a preposition. It must be followed by a gerund.
✔ Correct: selling
Problem
If the Pokémon Company had increased Poké Ball prices by even 1.5 percent, profits _____ significantly.
(A) grow
(B) grew
(C) have grown
(D) would have grown
Explanation
This is a past unreal conditional. The if-clause takes past perfect (had increased), and the result clause uses would have + past participle.
✔ Correct: would have grown
Problem
Professor Kukui’s job focuses on _____ research ideas that can be made into useful battle techniques.
(A) to review
(B) reviewed
(C) reviewing
(D) reviews
Explanation
After focuses on, a gerund is needed as the object of the preposition.
✔ Correct: reviewing
Problem
Pokémon research firms know that _____ trainers’ data privacy is the key to maintaining their trust.
(A) keep
(B) kept
(C) keeping
(D) to keep
Explanation
In the that-clause, the subject must be a noun. The gerund keeping works as the subject.
✔ Correct: keeping
Problem
Passengers _____ help to depart the S.S. Anne should ask a sailor for assistance.
(A) require
(B) required
(C) requiring
(D) requires
Explanation
The phrase modifies Passengers. The active present participle requiring is correct.
✔ Correct: requiring
Problem
Ash always _____ battle opportunities that other trainers ignore or let pass by.
(A) create
(B) creates
(C) creating
(D) created
Explanation
The subject Ash is singular, and the adverb always signals a repeated action in present tense.
✔ Correct: creates
Problem
As the Poké Mart market in Galar grew, shops specializing in items and repairs _____ to better serve trainers.
(A) increase
(B) increases
(C) increased
(D) increasing
Explanation
The As-clause verb (grew) is past tense, so the main clause must also use past tense.
✔ Correct: increased
Problem
One of the challenges at Cerulean Gym _____ creating battle strategies that reflect what the trainers want in a match.
(A) is
(B) are
(C) being
(D) be
Explanation
The subject One is singular, so the verb must also be singular.
✔ Correct: is
Problem
The maintenance team at Silph Co. is responsible for _____ all the Poké Ball machines to the arena before the annual tournament.
(A) bring
(B) brought
(C) bringing
(D) brings
Explanation
After responsible for, a gerund is required.
✔ Correct: bringing
Problem
Employees who are exceptional performers at Silph Co. receive _____ gratitude through formal letters, along with large yearly bonuses.
(A) his
(B) its
(C) their
(D) it’s
Explanation
The verb receive takes the noun gratitude as its object. The blank must be a possessive pronoun modifying gratitude. Since the company (Silph Co.) is singular, the correct pronoun is its.
✔ Correct: its
Problem
Ash is team leader, so _____ is responsible for explaining the battle rules to the new trainers.
(A) he
(B) him
(C) his
(D) himself
Explanation
After so, a new clause begins. The blank must be a subject pronoun referring to Ash.
✔ Correct: he
Problem
The success of the new Poké Ball was surprising to the research group because _____ had not been marketed heavily prior to its release.
(A) they
(B) their
(C) them
(D) it
Explanation
The verb phrase had not been marketed is passive, so the pronoun refers to the subject (the new Poké Ball), not the research group.
✔ Correct: it
Problem
Professor Rowan’s lab supports _____ best researchers with generous budgets and an adequate number of assistants.
(A) he
(B) him
(C) its
(D) whose
Explanation
The blank modifies best researchers and must show possession. The singular lab is referred to by the possessive pronoun its.
✔ Correct: its
Problem
Junior Gym Leaders regularly attend seminars given by Elite Four members to increase _____ battle management skills.
(A) their
(B) them
(C) theirs
(D) they
Explanation
The blank modifies battle management skills, showing possession. The antecedent is plural (Gym Leaders), so the correct pronoun is their.
✔ Correct: their
Problem
The Pokémon Center manager always smiles when she greets trainers to start _____ on a wonderful healing experience.
(A) their
(B) theirs
(C) they
(D) them
Explanation
The verb start is transitive here, so the object pronoun is needed. It refers back to trainers.
✔ Correct: them
Problem
Professor Juniper places great emphasis _____ encouraging young trainers to attend Pokémon conferences related to their fields of study.
(A) in
(B) at
(C) on
(D) of
Explanation
The phrase place emphasis on … means “to stress or highlight.”
✔ Correct: on
Problem
Pokémon Center staff are trained to e-mail trainers within 12 hours with answers _____ any questions they might have about items.
(A) for
(B) to
(C) at
(D) with
Explanation
The fixed phrase is answers to questions.
✔ Correct: to
Problem
Full-time Pokémon Center employees are eligible _____ at least 12 days of paid vacation per year.
(A) in
(B) at
(C) for
(D) of
Explanation
Eligible for … is the correct expression to show entitlement.
✔ Correct: for
Problem
Machamp Energy Drink has an image that hints _____ strength, stamina, and professional success in battle.
(A) to
(B) for
(C) at
(D) on
Explanation
Hint at … means “to suggest or imply.”
✔ Correct: at
Problem
Silph Co.’s business is concerned _____ creating Pokégear that is affordable for trainers with small budgets.
(A) in
(B) at
(C) to
(D) with
Explanation
Be concerned with … means “to be related to.”
✔ Correct: with
Problem
Most of the meeting’s discussion centered _____ making Gyms more pleasant places to train Pokémon.
(A) in
(B) at
(C) for
(D) on
Explanation
Center on … means “to focus on.”
✔ Correct: on
Problem
Berry pots around the Pokémon Lab are refilled _____ various times during the morning.
(A) in
(B) on
(C) at
(D) for
Explanation
For specific times, the preposition at is used.
✔ Correct: at
Problem
Pokémon Bank informs its trainers _____ all the potential risks and benefits of particular investment options for their Battle Points.
(A) of
(B) at
(C) in
(D) for
Explanation
The idiom is inform A of B (“to notify A about B”).
✔ Correct: of
Problem
The Pewter City Pokémon Center provides care _____ what could normally be expected at a countryside clinic.
(A) at
(B) on
(C) beyond
(D) with
Explanation
The preposition beyond expresses “more than.”
✔ Correct: beyond
Problem
Trainers finishing their battle shifts must get their Pokégear checked _____ told otherwise by the Gym Leader.
(A) if
(B) unless
(C) until
(D) since
Explanation
Unless told otherwise means “if not told differently.”
✔ Correct: unless
Problem
New Pokémon trainers are welcomed to the League at a special luncheon _____ dinner.
(A) and
(B) or
(C) nor
(D) for
Explanation
The sentence contrasts two options (luncheon vs. dinner).
✔ Correct: or
Problem
Silph Co. plans _____ the building temperature being set one degree lower during winter to save on heating costs.
(A) at
(B) on
(C) for
(D) in
Explanation
The idiom is plan on …ing (“to intend to do”).
✔ Correct: on