Half the students failed (in) the English examination. 有一半学生英语考试没及格。
2. make an examination (of) (对……)进行检查。如：
He made an examination of the room. 他检查了房间。
They made a thorough examination of the airplane after the accident. 发生事故后，他们彻底检查了这架飞机。
3. on examination 经过调查(查看)后。如：
On examination I found the goods of poor quality. 一检查我就找出了这些质量低劣的货物。
The metal looked like gold, but on closer examination was found to be brass. 那金属像金子，但仔细看原来是黄铜。
4. pass an examination 考试及格，通过考试。如：
Did he pass the maths examination? 他的数学考试及格了吗?
None of the students passed the examination. 没有一个人通过考试。
5. set (sb) an examination (给某人)出考题。如：
Who set the examination? 谁出的考题?
Our teacher set us a difficult examination in English. 老师给我们出了很难的英语试题。
6. take [sit, sit for] an examination 参加考试。如：
Of those who took the exam, only thirty percent passed. 参加考试的人中间，只有百分之三十的人通过了。
We have to sit (for) a history exam next week. 下周我们要参加历史考试。
注：“参加考试”通常不用 take part in an examination, 另外比较：
sit for an examination 参加考试，参考
enter for an examination 报名参加考试，报考
7. under examination 在检查中，在审查中。如：
The prisoner was still under examination. 囚犯仍受审。
