EXERCISES ON SENTENCE TRANSFORMATIONS Teacher: Đỗ Thúc Công SENTENCE TRANSFORMATIONS Exercise 1: Complete the second sentence so that it expresses the same meaning as the original one. 1. I started working for the company a year ago. I have been ………………………………………………………………………………………………… 2. It is one hundred years since the birth of D.H Lawrence, the famous novelist. D.H Lawrence …………………………… ………………………………………………………………… 3. How long have Catherine and Henry been engaged? When…………………………………………………………………………………………………………? 4. I last saw him when I was a student. I haven’t……………………………………………….……………………………………………………… 5. It is ages since Alan visited his parents. Alan hasn’t………………………………………………… ………………………………………………… 6. We will not see each other again before I go. This will be the last time …………………………… 7. The train left before he got to the station. By the time …………………………… 8. The school was founded ten years ago. It is ten years……. ……………… 9. She hadn’t had a relapse for six months. It was 10. I haven’t forgone a meal for two years. The last time 11 No-one has challenged his authority before. This is the first time …………………………… 12. I was surprised at how easy he was to talk to. I hadn’t expected 13. It’s almost nine months since I stopped subscribing to that magazine. I cancelled ……………………………… 14. My decision to get up and dance coincided with the band’s decision to stop playing. When 15. After seeing the film for himself, my father has stopped criticising it. Since 16. John hasn’t done any revision since spring term. The last time Exercise 2: Complete the second sentence, using the word given at the end of the first sentence so that it remains the same meaning as the first one. 1. She hasn’t decided what career to follow yet. STILL She _________________________________________________________________ what career to follow. 2. They haven’t talked to each other for two years. SINCE It’s ________________________________________________________________________ to each other. 3. She has never heard such a ridiculous lie. MOST It’s the _______________________________________________________________________ever heard. 4. How long is it since he quit school? AGO How long _______________________________________________________________________ school? 5. She started writing novels four years ago. BEEN She __________________________________________________________________________ four years. 6. They have never been to a Chinese restaurant before. FIRST It’s the _____________________________________________________________ to a Chinese restaurant. 7. She hasn’t been out for months. TIME The last ______________________________________________________________________ months ago. 8. How long is it since you found that job? AGO How __________________________________________________________________________ that job? 9. She took up stamp collecting ten years ago. BEEN She ___________________________________________________________________________ ten years. EXERCISES ON SENTENCE TRANSFORMATIONS Teacher: Đỗ Thúc Công 10. The guests didn’t start dancing until the newly weds had arrived. BEFORE The guests waited until the newly weds________________________________________________ dancing. 11. The teacher meant to give us a quiz but she forgot it. GOING The teacher __________________________________________________________ a quiz but she forgot it. 12. My mother always read bedtime stories to me when I was little. READ My mother ________________________________________________________ to me when I was young. 13. My brother always told lies when he was little. USED TO My brother______________________________________________________________ when he was little. 14. She didn’t wake up early, but now she does. USED She ______________________________________________________________________________ early. 15. I don’t think I’ll ever find it easy to accept insults. USED I don’t think I’ll ever _______________________________________________________________ insults. 16. She rarely wears jeans. USED She ______________________________________________________________________________ jeans. 17. He hasn’t been to school for four days. ABSENT He __________________________________________________________________ school for four days. 18. She keeps interrupting every conversation I have. BREAKING She ______________________________________________________________ every conversation I have. 19. Most boys are good at math. BRILLIANT Most boys _________________________________________________________________________ math. 20. Mini skirts are fashionable this year. ARE Mini skirts _____________________________________________________________________ this year. 21. I know that blonde little girl. ACQUAINTED I ___________________________________________________________________ that blonde little girl. Exercise 3: Reported Speech. 1. “Why didn’t I get a computer before? “ thought the office manager. The office manager wondered………………………………….……………………………………………… 2. “ You stole my best cassette, Amanda!” said William. William accused………………………………… …………………………………………………………… 3. “ You damaged my bicycle, John!” said Magaret. Magaret accused …………………………… ………………………………………………………………… 4. “You’d better not lend him any more money, Elizabeth,” said John. John advised………………………………….………………………………………………………………… 5. Helen wanted to know the name of Shirley’s hairdresser’s. Helen said, “Shirley, where…………………………….……………………………………………………?” 6. Why don’t you meet to discuss the pay offer? I suggest you ………………………………………………… ……………………………………………… 7. “How old is your little boy?” said the nurse to Mrs Bingley. The nurse asked Mrs Bingley………………………… ……………………………………………………… 8. “ Never borrow money from friends” my father said. My father told me……………………………………………………………………………………………… 9. “Where is the station car-park?” Mrs Smith asked Mrs. Smith asked……………………………………………….……………………………………………… 10. “You’d better go to the doctor if you’ve got a pain in your back, Anna,” Henray said. Henry suggested…………………………… ………………………………………………………………… 11. You have done really well to pass your driving test so quickly. She congratulated 12. ‘I’m sorry I didn’t ring you to say I’d be late.’ He apologised 13. ‘I never told anyone about your scheme,’ he said. He denied 14. ‘If Brian doesn’t train harder, I won’t select him for the team.’ said the manager. The manager threatened EXERCISES ON SENTENCE TRANSFORMATIONS Teacher: Đỗ Thúc Công 15. The doctor advised me to rest. The doctor suggested 16. He told me my request was unreasonable. He said, “You can hardly 17. He warned them against using the mountain road. “I wouldn’t 18. “I admit that I forgot to turn on the alarm system,” said Robert. Robert confessed to ……………………………… Exercise 4: Conditional Sentences. 1. Susan felt sick because she ate four cream cakes. If Susan………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 2. Maria did not apply for the job in the library and regrets now. Maria wishes………………………………… ……………………………………………………………… 3. Without his treatment, the patient would have died. If he …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 4. It’s a pity I didn’t take my doctor’s advice. I wish……………………………………………………… ………………………………………………… 5. The accident happed because the train driver ignored a warning light. If the train driver………………………………………… …………………………………………………… 6. We got lost because we did not have a map. If we……………………………………………………….…………………………………………………… 7. He was sorry he had not said goodbye to her at the airport. He regretted…………………………………………………………………………………………………… 8. Mrs. Taylor does not like living in such a small house. Mrs. Taylor wishes………………………………………….………………………………………………… 9. Mr. Mills lost his job because he was late every day. If Mr. Mills…………………………………………………………….……………………………………… 10. In the unlikely event of a fire, please do not use the lift. Should 11. It was his own fault that he lost the job. He was late for work every morning. If 12. If you should get caught doing this. You will go to prison. Were 13. If we don’t hear from you within seven days, the order will be cancelled. Unless 14. If you didn’t contribute generously, we couldn’t continue our work. But for 15. All that stood between John and a gold medal was Jim’s greater speed. But for 16. The students regretted that they had missed the lecture. The students regretted not 17. If you missed the programme you can’t really judge. Unless 18. Robert is sorry now that he didn’t accept the job. Robert now wishes 19. Experts think that all dogs evolved from wolves. All dogs are 20. Richard only took over the family business because his father decided to retire early. But for his 21. She is now leading a normal life as a result of all the support she received from social workers. If she 22. If I have plenty of warning, I’ll willingly baby-sit for you. Provided you 23. I was exasperated when the appointment was cancelled once again. EXERCISES ON SENTENCE TRANSFORMATIONS Teacher: Đỗ Thúc Công Imagine 24. The only reason the party was a success was that a famous film star attended. Had it not 25. If Cathy hadn’t been so mean, we’d have had a really good time. But 26. I can’t imagine myself ever singing in public. I would 27. I wish I’d paid more attention to his warnings. I regret 28. It is a shame he had to leave before the end of the show. I wish 29. Your car might break down on the rough mountain road, so take plenty of spare parts. In case…………………………………………………………….…………………………………………… Exercise 5: Passive Voice or active voice Complete the second sentence so that it stays the same meaning as the first one. 1. My suit needs to be cleaned before the interview. I must……………………………………………….………………………………………………………… 2. He is said to have been in the French Foreign Legion. People………………………………………………………………….……………………………………… 3. The keepers feed the lions at 3p.m every day. The lions……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 4. Turn off all the switches before leaving the workshop. All the switches must…………………………………………… …………………………………………… 5. The police made the youth empty his pockets. The youth………………………………………… ………………………………………………………… 6. People say that the president wanted to be a film star. The president is 7. It’s impossible for them to have found him in that jungle. He 8. The thinking is that he has been targeted to succeed the president. He is 9. They never made us do anything we didn’t want to do. We 10. Nothing was done about it. Nobody 11. We couldn’t make the machine work. The machine 12. The hurricane blew the roof off the house. The house 13. It is said that he escaped to a neutral country. He 14. Oil was slowly coating the edge of the shore. The edge of the shore 15. If the work is finished by lunchtime you can go home. Get 16. Their teacher is making them study hard. They are 17. The brochure gives hardly any useful information. Precious 18. The government shouldn’t let this situation get worse. This state 19. The completion of the work was scheduled for last week. The work was to 21. Most newsagents these days have ice-cream available all summer. EXERCISES ON SENTENCE TRANSFORMATIONS Teacher: Đỗ Thúc Công Ice-cream can 22. I took my car to the garage last Saturday and they resprayed it. I had 23. The collision didn’t damage my car much. Not a great 24. The critics were very impressed by her performance. Her performance made 25. I have frequently made stupid mistakes like that. Many’s 26. The manager wrote a long ungrammatical report. The report 27. Edward eventually organised himself and started work. Edward eventually got his ……………………………… 28. The government have been reviewing their immigration policy for some time. The government’s 29. A new flu vaccine has been on trial since the beginning of the year. They 30. His behaviour is beginning to annoy me more and more. I am beggining to 31. It is impossible to accept your explanation without a thorough investigation. Your explanation EXERCISE 6: It is + adj …. 1. Roses can’t possibly grow in such poor ground. It is impossible……………………………………………… ……………………………………………… 2. Handicapped people find shopping in supermarkets difficult. It is difficult…………………………………………………………………………………………………… 3. It is pointless to have that old typewrites repaired. That old typewriter is not………………………………… ………………………………………………… 4. It is hardly likely that he took poison. He is 5. It’s difficult to answer her question adequately. Hers is 6. If we wait long enough we’ll get what we want. It’s just 7. Trudy was quite relieved when she found out the truth. It was something 8. Didn’t you realise that he was only pretending? Didn’t it ? 9. They’ll soon find out what she’s been doing. It won’t 10. Mr. Foster asked me to write this letter to you. It is at 11. This device has the capacity to detect potential engine failure. It Exercise 7: Clauses 1. This furniture is so old that it is not worth keeping. This is………………………………………………………………….……………………………………… 2. The bread is so steal we can’t eat it. The bread is not……………………………………… ……………………………………………………… 3. Although he didn’t speak Dutch, Bob decided to settle in Amsterdam. In spite ………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 4. In spite of his age, Mr. Benson runs seven miles before breakfast. Although……………………………………………………… ……………………………………………… EXERCISES ON SENTENCE TRANSFORMATIONS Teacher: Đỗ Thúc Công 5. The bridge was so low the bus couldn’t do under it. It was………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………… 6. That was a silly thing to say! What………………………………………………………………………………….……………………… 7. I admit he’s clever, but I don’t think he’ll solve this problem. However 8. He managed to complete the sculpture although his eyesight was failing. Despite 9. Although it rained torrentially all day, we all enjoyed the excursion. Despite 10. However friendly he seems, he’s not to be trusted. Friendly 11. Although he was very tired, he agreed to play tennis. Tired 12. My slow progress was due to bad teaching. As a result 13. One runner was too exhausted to complete the last lap of the race. One runner was so 14. Melissa’s father was very busy, but he still played with her. Busy 15. In spite of the forecast it stayed fine. Although rain 16. Provided your handwriting is legible the examiner will accept your answer. So long as the examiner 17. You can use it as long as you like, and it won’t wear out. No matter 18. Although Judy was severely disabled she participated in many sports. Despite her 19. Their dog was so fierced that nobody would visit them. They had 20. Even though I admire his courage, I think he is foolish. Much 21. The house was so badly damaged in the fire that it couldn’t be repaired. The house was too 22. Although Christopher was the stronger of the two, his attacker soon overpowered him. Despite his 23. No matter how hard I tried I couldn’t open the door. Try Exercise 8: Inversion 1. If you want to save your eyesight, we must operate immediately. Only by 2. This is the first time that I have seen an eclipse of the sun. Never 3. The manager is not to be disturbed. On no account 4. I write to him almost everyday. Hardly 5. I only recognised him when he came into the light. Not until 6. There aren’t many other books which explain this problem so well. In few other books 7. The two sides never looked likely to reach an agreement. At no time 8. The truth only came out on the publication of the general’s personal diaries. EXERCISES ON SENTENCE TRANSFORMATIONS Teacher: Đỗ Thúc Công Only when 9. He insisted on a full apology. Nothing but 10. They had to wait for twelve hours before their flight left. Only after a 11. It was only when I left home that I realised how much my father meant to me. Not until 12. I didn’t realise who he was until later. Only later 13. Nobody expected her to lose, but she did. Against Exercise 9: Comparision 1. No situation is more depressing than being unemployed. Being 2. We should spend as little money as possible. The less 3. Nobody in the world can run as fast as Fleetfoot. Fleetfoot 4. It was more of an argument than a discussion. It was not so 5. I have never seen such beautiful pictures before. These pictures 6. He is more a lecturer than a teacher. He is not so 7. Customs officials are stopping more travellers than usual this week. An increased 8. She listens more sympathetically than anyone else I know. She is a 9. Skyscrapers in the USA are on average taller than anywhere else in the world. The average 10. That dress has only the slightest mark on it. I can barely 11. They were just as good as we had expected. They certainly lived 12. As he grew older, he became more and more forgetful. The 13. If anyone succeeds in solving the problem, it will probably be him. He is the most 14. As I listened to the music on repeated occasions, my request for the composer increased. The more . ………………………………………………… 5. The accident happed because the train driver ignored a warning light. If the train driver………………………………………… …………………………………………………… 6. We got lost because we did not have a map. If we……………………………………………………….…………………………………………………… 7 Robert. Robert confessed to ……………………………… Exercise 4: Conditional Sentences. 1. Susan felt sick because she ate four cream cakes. If Susan………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 2. Maria did not. small house. Mrs. Taylor wishes………………………………………….………………………………………………… 9. Mr. Mills lost his job because he was late every day. If Mr. Mills…………………………………………………………….……………………………………… 10. In the unlikely