English Today

English Usage - Test 1- Advanced - Answer Key

A.  Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence. Use the word given and other words to complete each sentence.  You must use between two and five words. Do not change the word given. The first one has been done for you.

 

1.  They thought the way he jumped the fence was amazing.

(amazed)

They were amazed at the way he jumped the fence.

2. It’s not my decision – it’s yours. (up)

It’s -------up to you to------------------------------- decide.

3. These tests have to be corrected. (need)

These ------tests need to be--------------------------- corrected.

4. He complained about his noisy neighbours. (complaint)

He -----------made a complaint about--------------------------------- his noisy neighbours.

5. Mr Smith is the owner of this house. (belongs)

This ------house belongs to------------------------------------ Mr Smith.

6. He was too scared to enter the haunted house. (bold)

He -------wasn't bold enough--------------------------- to enter the haunted house.

7. They made him admit to his guilt. (was)

He ------was made to admit (to)---------------------------------- his guilt.

8. She paid £5,000 for her new car. (cost)

Her -----new car cost------------------------------ her £5,000.

9. He finds it difficult to address large audiences. (has)

He ------has difficulty (in) addressing------------------------------ large audiences.

10. The station clock showed midnight. (according)

It----was midnight according to-------------------------------the station clock.

11. The Whites arrived here two hours ago. (been)

The Whites -------have been here for------------------------- two hours.

12. Barry finished his homework before the film started. (had)

By the time the film ------started, Barry had finished--------------------------- his homework.

13. She hadn’t expected to get so many presents. (such)

She hadn’t expected to get -----such a lot of-------------------- presents.

14. His decision to marry did not meet with his father’s approval. (approve)

His father ------did not approve of-------------------------------- his decision to marry.

15. It’s too cold for us to go swimming. (warm)

It --------isn't warm enough------------------------- for us to go swimming.

(15 marks)

 

B. Fill in the correct  particle. The first one has been done for you.

1. By stealing, Mark brought  about  his dismissal from work.  

2. The music brings -back-------- happy memories.

3. The author will bring ----out----- his new novel soon.

4. We managed to bring him -------round----- by splashing his face with water.

5. The meeting has been brought ---forward----- to tomorrow evening.

6. She was eventually brought ---round------ to my point of view.

7. They had to call--off------ the football match because of the weather.

8. My boss is calling ---on------- us tonight at 8 o’clock.

9. All men over 18 will be called --up----- to fight in the war.

10. This situation calls -for-------- immediate action.

(10 marks)

 

C. Fill in the correct preposition. The first one has been done for you.

1. Dave was very bad at maths and always failed the tests.

2. Sally was very bad --to---- her brother.

3. Dad can’t come to the phone. He’s busy ---with---- cooking.

4. The film is based --on------- a true story.

5. You can’t blame me ---for---- the accident; I wasn’t even there!

6. She always puts the blame --on---- me for things I haven’t done.

7. There will be an extra charge --for---- delivering the goods to your home.

8. The suspect has been arrested and charged --with----- robbery.

9. It’s very important nowadays to care ---about---- our environment.

10. Sarah was fond of Peter and cared ---for---- him very much.

11. You should take care --of----- your teeth.

12. Jane was clever -at---- history and always received the highest marks.

13. It was very clever --of---- you to find the answer.

14. The patient was complaining --of---- a pain in his chest.

15.The secretary was always complaining ---about--- having too much work.

(15 marks)

 

D. For questions 1-15, read the text below and choose the word which best fits each space. There is an example at the beginning (0).

1. Passengers travelling ( travelling/going/waiting/wanting) on a flight from Washington to London were in 1) ---for----- (for / at / on / with) a very long wait.  They had 2) --already---- (still/already/however/yet) been waiting eight uncomfortable hours for takeoff, only to be 3) -told-- (said/told/mentioned/announced) that the flight was 4) ---delayed-- (late/retarded/delayed/behind) even further.  The cabin crew advised passengers to take pillows and blankets from the overhead lockers in 5) --order--- (case/order/time/turn) to sleep inside the airport terminal.

Many passengers 6) -lost---- (mislaid/wasted/missed/lost) their tempers and fights broke. 7) -out---- (up/off/out/down). People shouted and 8) --demanded--- (asked/applied/demanded/took) information. A member of the staff panicked  and called airport security guards. A 9) -few---- (few/number/couple/little) lucky passengers were put on alternative flights. 10) -although----- (although/even/in spite/despite) about 100 others spent the next day in the airport.  Many people missed connecting flight and 11) -would--- (should/would/could/had) be delayed for several days.

First-class passengers were 12) --more---- (still/many/more/much) fortunate. They were put 13) -up---- (up/off/out/about) in luxury hotels and provided with food and drink. Other passengers had to be content with vouchers for a meal, as the airline staff were not able to find hotels with 14) -enough---- (much/enough/too/a lot) free rooms to accommodate them. One woman carried a silver horseshoe for 15) ---luck-- (fortune/chance/luck/probability). As she said: “ It didn’t work this time!”

(15 marks)

SOURCE : Round-Up 6 by Virginia Evans

English Usage - Test 1 - Advanced

A.  Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence. Use the word given and other words to complete each sentence.  You must use between two and five words. Do not change the word given. The first one has been done for you.

 

1.  They thought the way he jumped the fence was amazing.

(amazed)

They were amazed at the way he jumped the fence.

2. It’s not my decision – it’s yours. (up)

It’s -------------------------------------- decide.

3. These tests have to be corrected. (need)

These --------------------------------- corrected.

4. He complained about his noisy neighbours. (complaint)

He -------------------------------------------- his noisy neighbours.

5. Mr Smith is the owner of this house. (belongs)

This ------------------------------------------ Mr Smith.

6. He was too scared to enter the haunted house. (bold)

He ---------------------------------- to enter the haunted house.

7. They made him admit to his guilt. (was)

He ---------------------------------------- his guilt.

8. She paid £5,000 for her new car. (cost)

Her ----------------------------------- her £5,000.

9. He finds it difficult to address large audiences. (has)

He ------------------------------------ large audiences.

10. The station clock showed midnight. (according)

It-----------------------------------the station clock.

11. The Whites arrived here two hours ago. (been)

The Whites -------------------------------- two hours.

12. Barry finished his homework before the film started. (had)

By the time the film --------------------------------- his homework.

13. She hadn’t expected to get so many presents. (such)

She hadn’t expected to get ------------------------- presents.

14. His decision to marry did not meet with his father’s approval. (approve)

His father -------------------------------------- his decision to marry.

15. It’s too cold for us to go swimming. (warm)

It --------------------------------- for us to go swimming.

(15 marks)

 

B. Fill in the correct  particle. The first one has been done for you.

1. By stealing, Mark brought  about  his dismissal from work.  

2. The music brings --------- happy memories.

3. The author will bring --------- his new novel soon.

4. We managed to bring him ------------ by splashing his face with water.

5. The meeting has been brought -------- to tomorrow evening.

6. She was eventually brought --------- to my point of view.

7. They had to call-------- the football match because of the weather.

8. My boss is calling ---------- us tonight at 8 o’clock.

9. All men over 18 will be called ------- to fight in the war.

10. This situation calls --------- immediate action.

(10 marks)

 

C. Fill in the correct preposition. The first one has been done for you.

1. Dave was very bad at maths and always failed the tests.

2. Sally was very bad ------ her brother.

3. Dad can’t come to the phone. He’s busy ------- cooking.

4. The film is based --------- a true story.

5. You can’t blame me ------- the accident; I wasn’t even there!

6. She always puts the blame ------ me for things I haven’t done.

7. There will be an extra charge ------ delivering the goods to your home.

8. The suspect has been arrested and charged ------- robbery.

9. It’s very important nowadays to care ------- our environment.

10. Sarah was fond of Peter and cared ------- him very much.

11. You should take care ------- your teeth.

12. Jane was clever ----- history and always received the highest marks.

13. It was very clever ------ you to find the answer.

14. The patient was complaining ------ a pain in his chest.

15.The secretary was always complaining ------ having too much work.

(15 marks)

D. For questions 1-15, read the text below and choose the word which best fits each space. There is an example at the beginning (0).

1. Passengers travelling ( travelling/going/waiting/wanting) on a flight from Washington to London were in 1) -------- (for / at / on / with) a very long wait.  They had 2) ------ (still/already/however/yet) been waiting eight uncomfortable hours for takeoff, only to be 3) --- (said/told/mentioned/announced) that the flight was 4) ----- (late/retarded/delayed/behind) even further.  The cabin crew advised passengers to take pillows and blankets from the overhead lockers in 5) ----- (case/order/time/turn) to sleep inside the airport terminal.

Many passengers 6) ----- (mislaid/wasted/missed/lost) their tempers and fights broke. 7) ----- (up/off/out/down). People shouted and 8) ----- (asked/applied/demanded/took) information. A member of the staff panicked  and called airport security guards. A 9) ----- (few/number/couple/little) lucky passengers were put on alternative flights. 10) ------ (although/even/in spite/despite) about 100 others spent the next day in the airport.  Many people missed connecting flight and 11) ---- (should/would/could/had) be delayed for several days.

First-class passengers were 12) ------ (still/many/more/much) fortunate. They were put 13) ----- (up/off/out/about) in luxury hotels and provided with food and drink. Other passengers had to be content with vouchers for a meal, as the airline staff were not able to find hotels with 14) ----- (much/enough/too/a lot) free rooms to accommodate them. One woman carried a silver horseshoe for 15) ----- (fortune/chance/luck/probability). As she said: “ It didn’t work this time!”

(15 marks)

SOURCE : Round-Up 6 by Virginia Evans

Vocabulary - Ways of Moving

To stumble = to hit your foot against something

The child stumbled over a stone and fell.

To stagger = to walk unsteadily as if drunk

He has been drinking. That's why he is staggering across the room.

To creep = to move quietly / secretely

I'll leave the door open. Just creep in so as not to wake the baby.

The cat crept towards the bird and caught it.

To dash = walk in a hurry, almost run

We're late. Let's just dash to work.

To slip out = move quietly or quickly without attracting attention

She slipped out of the room without being seen.

To jog = to walk very quickly or run

As she wants to keep fit, she jogs 20 minutes every day.

To limp = to walk slowly and with difficulty because one leg is hurt or injured

I've hurt my leg. That's why I've been limping for two days now.

To crawl =

1.  move slowly along the ground as snakes do

2. move on the hands and knees like a baby

The thief crawled along the garden and broke into the house.

All babies crawl before they walk.

To trudge = walk heavily, often because of an obstacle

They trudged through deep snow for hours before arriving at the nearest village.

I was so tired that I had to trudge all the way home.

To lurch =

1. move suddenly forward or sideways, usually beacause you can't control your movements

2. to stop with a sudden uncontrolled movement

The drunken man was lurching and staggering across the street.

I was so scared that I lurched across the park.

To stroll = to walk leisurely

We have been strolling allong the beach all morning

To march = walk quickly with firm, regular steps as in a parade

The soldiers marched along the street to celebrate the National Day.

 

Prepositions of Time

 

IN	ON	AT	NO PREPOSITION
months	days of the week	specific time	today
years	dates	the weekend	yesterday
seasons	my birthday	night	tomorrow
the morning	Christmas Eve	midnight	last week
the evening	Chirstmas Day	the same time	last month
the afternoon	New Year’s Eve	the moment	last year
	New Year’s Day	the age of	last Monday etc
	Easter Day
	on+name+day

 

IGCSE Past Exam Papers -0510/41-Extended-June 2010-Answer Key

Photo Credit - Desert Nomads

 

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IGCSE Past Exam Papers -0510/41-Extended-June 2010

 

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The answer key will be posted tomorrow.

 

 

IGCSE Reading Comprehension Practice - Sculpture

A. Read the following text carefully

IGCSE Reading Tip

Remember,  IGCSE examiners do not expect you to understand every single word of the text. But you must be able to get the general meaning and some details. In Exercise 2 of the Reading & Writing paper you will have to read a longer text than in Exercise 1 and some questions may require longer answers. You don't have to use complete sentences but your answers must be accurate and to the point. DO NOT repeat the words of the questions and use only the space provided.

Artemis - Sphynx  (Cyprus Archaeological  Museum)

Appreciation of sculpture depends upon the ability to respond to form in three dimensions. That is perhaps why sculpture has been described as the most difficult of all arts; certainly, it is more difficult than the arts which involve appreciation of flat forms, shape in only two dimensions. Many more people are "form- blind" than colour- blind . The child learning to see, first distinguishes only two-dimensional shape; it cannot judge distances, depths. Later, for its personal safety and practical needs, it has to develop - partly by means of touch - the ability to judge roughly three-dimensional distances. But having satisfied the requirements of practical necessity, most people go no further. Though they may attain considerable accuracy in the perception of flat form, they do not make the further intellectual and emotional effort needed to comprehend form in its full spatial existence.

This is what the sculptor must do. He must strive continually to think of, and use, form in its full spatial completeness. He gets the solid shape, as it were, inside his head - he thinks of it, whatever its size, as if he were holding it completely enclosed in the hollow of his hand. He mentally visualises a complex form from all round itself; he knows while he looks at one side what the other side is like. He identifies himself with its centre of gravity, its mass, its weight and realises its volume, as the space that the shape displaces in the air.

The sensitive observer of sculpture must also learn to feel shape simply as shape, not as description or reminiscence. He must, for example, perceive an egg as a single, simple solid shape, quite apart from its significance as food, or from the literary idea that it will become a bird. And so with solids such as a shell, a nut, a plum, a pear, a tadpole, a mushroom, a mountain peak, a kidney, a carrot, a tree-trunk, a bird, a bud, a lark, a ladybird, a bulrush, a bone. From these he can go on to appreciate more complex form or combinations of several forms.

Excerpt from Henry Moore's The Sculptor Speaks

B. Answer the questions

1. Why has sculpture been described as the most difficult of arts?

2. What does the writer mean when he says that "many more people are form-blind than colour-blind"?

3. What effort is needed in order to understand sculpture fully?

4. In not more than 20 words explain what a sculptor must continually do.

**************************************************************************************************************************

ANSWERS

 

1. Because it requires the ability to perceive form in three dimensions.

2. Most people are unable to perceive three-dimensional form although they can perceive colours.

3. The effort to conceive sculpture existing in space.

4. He must be able to think of form and use it as something making a whole in space.

Modals - Answer Key

Modals - Practice - Review

 

 

A. First write a synonym, then write the meaning of the verbs in bold type

ability (present / future) , ability(past) , possibility, deduction, permission, request, offer, suggestion, advice, criticism, absence of obligation / necessity, prohibition

Example: He can't speak German. ____He is not able to (ability - present)_________

1. He might be in his office. - He could be in his office (possibility)

2. You may go home now. - You can go home now. (permission)

3. Could you lend me £5 ? - Would you / Can you lend me £5? (request)

4. Shall we dance? - Let's dance. (suggestion)

5. You ought to take more exercise. - You should take more exercise. (advice)

6. She shouldn't have told you that. - She ought not to have told you that. (criticism)

7. You don't have to apologise. - You needn't / don't need to apologise. (absence of necessity)

8. I couldn't find my socks. - I wasn't able to find my socks. (past ability-negative))

9. She must have left her bag on the train. -  I think / it's probable that she left her bag on the train. (deduction)

10. I'll carry your bag if you like. - Shall I / Would you like me to carry your bag? (offer)

11. You mustn't make any noise. - You aren't allowed to / It's forbidden to make noise. (prohibition)

12. His car needs washing. - His car has to be washed. / He has to wash his car. (obligation / necessity)

13. We can go to the beach if you like. - Why don't we go to the beach? (suggestion)

 

B. Rephrase the following situations using an appropriate modal verb as in the example.

Example:

It's not possible that he's finished already - He can't have finished already

1. It wasn't necessary for you to give him a present. You  needn't have given him a present--------------------------------.

2. I advise you to stop eating chocolate. ---You should / ought to stop eating chocolate.---------------------------------------------------.

3. I insist that you do your homework. ---You must do your homework----------------------------------------------------.

4. It was wrong of him to kick the dog. ---He shouldn't have kicked the dog--------------------------------------------------.

5. It's possible that she's already phoned him. ---She may / might could have already phoned him------------------------------------------.

6. I'll take the dog out if you like. -------Shall I / Would you like me to take the dog out?----------------------------------------------------.

7. Will you let me speak to John, please? ---Can I / May I speak to John, please?------------------------------------------------?

8. Let's go to a restaurant. ----Shall we go to a restaurant?---------------------------------------------------------------

9. It's possible that he is lying. ---He may / might / could be lying-----------------------------------------------------------

10. He wasn't able to write until he was eight. ---He couldn't write until he was eight-----------------------------------------

11. You are not allowed to talk during the test. ---You mustn't talk during the test------------------------------------------

12. It would be a good idea for me to give up smoking. ---I should / ought to give up smoking-------------------------------

13. I'm sure he's gone home. ----He must have gone home------------------------------------------------------------

14. It isn't right to speak to your mother like that! - You shouldn't speak to your mother like that!

SOURCE: Round-Up 5 by Virginia Evans

Modals - Practice - Review

Grammar Reference 1

Grammar Reference 2

 

A. First write a synonym, then write the meaning of the verbs in bold type

ability (present / future) , ability(past) , possibility, deduction, permission, request, offer, suggestion, advice, criticism, absence of obligation / necessity, prohibition

Example: He can't speak German. ____He is not able to (ability - present)_________

1. He might be in his office.

2. You may go home now.

3. Could you lend me £5 ?

4. Shall we dance?

5. You ought to take more exercise.

6. She shouldn't have told you that.

7. You don't have to apologise.

8. I couldn't find my socks.

9. She must have left her bag on the train.

10. I'll carry your bag if you like.

11. You mustn't make any noise.

12. His car needs washing.

13. We can go to the beach if you like.

B. Rephrase the following situations using an appropriate modal verb as in the example.

Example:

It's not possible that he's finished already - He can't have finished already

1. It wasn't necessary for you to give him a present. You ------------------------------------.

2. I advise you to stop eating chocolate. ------------------------------------------------------.

3. I insist that you do your homework. -------------------------------------------------------.

4. It was wrong of him to kick the dog. -----------------------------------------------------.

5. It's possible that she's already phoned him. ---------------------------------------------.

6. I'll take the dog out if you like. -----------------------------------------------------------.

7. Will you let me speak to John, please? ---------------------------------------------------?

8. Let's go to a restaurant. -------------------------------------------------------------------

9. It's possible that he is lying. --------------------------------------------------------------

10. He wasn't able to write until he was eight. --------------------------------------------

11. You are not allowed to talk during the test. ---------------------------------------------

12. It would be a good idea for me to give up smoking. ----------------------------------

13. I'm sure he's gone home. ----------------------------------------------------------------

14. It isn't right to speak to your mother like that!

SOURCE: Round-Up 5 by Virginia Evans

The answer key will be posted tomorrow.

Modals, Semi-Modals and Modal Perfect

A. Modals

MODAL	USE	EXAMPLES
Can	1. ability in the present or future 2. informal request 3. informal permission	1. She can sing and dance. 2.  Can you call me at 5:00? 3.  You can go out and play now.
Could	1. past tense of can 2. possibility 3. polite request 4. suggestion	1.  He could speak four languages by the time he was 12. 2. Your books could be on your desk. 3. Could you please fill in this form for me? 4. We could meet outside the cinema, if you like.
May	1. possibility in the future 2. formal request only after I or We 3. formal permission 4. formally refuse permission	1. I may call you later today. 2. May I go out, please? / May we leave earlier today? 3.  You may sit down now. 4.  You may not leave the school.
Might	1. possibility in the future (slightly less possible than may) 2. negative possibility 3. past tense of may	1. I might hang out with my friends at the weekend. 2.  She might not be able to help you. 3.  I didn’t call him because I thought he might be busy at work.
Must	1. necessity 2.  almost certainty 3. obligation 4. strong recommendation	1. I must go now, it’s late. 2.  She’s been studying  all day. She must be tired. 3. You must take care of your pet. 4. You must read this book. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.
Mustn’t	Prohibition (not allowed)	You mustn’t  smoke in public places.
Should / ought to	1. give advice 2. ask for advice (should) 3. prediction	1. You should / ought to study harder. 2.  Should I reply to these emails today? 3. They should be / ought to be here soon.
Will	1. polite request 2. future prediction 3. on-the-spot decision about a future action 4. offer to do something 5. promise	1. Will you help me with my homework, please? 2. It will rain tomorrow 3.  I’ll call you tomorrow. 4.  Will you marry me? 5.  Don’t worry. I’ll water your plants while you are away, I promise.

Would	nformal request 2. repeated past action 3. past tense of will	1. Would you please sign this form? 2.  When grandpa was younger, he would go swimming every day. 3.  He promised he would call me every day.
Shall	Polite offer or request only  after I or We	Shall we dance? Shall I help with the cooking?
Needn’t	Lack of necessity	You needn’t get up early tomorrow, it’s a holiday.

 

B. Semi-Modals

Semi-Modal	Use	Examples
Be able to	1. general ability (similar to can) 2. specific ability in the past (managed to do something)	1.  He is able to join us tonight. / I  won’t be able to have lunch with you tomorrow. 2. Despite the stormy weather, we were able to cross the river safely.
Have to	Obligation / necessity (similar to must)	I have to go now, it’s late She had to work late last night You’ll have to come back again tomorrow.
Don’t have to	Lack of necessity (similar to needn’t / don’t need to)	I don’t have to work late on Saturdays.

 

C. Modal Perfect

Modal Perfect	Use	Examples
May / might have done	Uncertainty about what happened in the past	She was very tired when I saw her. She might have gone to sleep.
Should / ought to have done	1. obligation or expectation not completed in the past 2. advice not taken in the past	1. He should /  ought to have finished work by now. 2.  She didn’t pass her exam. She should  / ought to have studied harder.
Shouldn’t  have done	Criticism (it was the wrong thing to do)	You shouldn’t have eaten so much chocolate.
Could have done	1. uncertainty about what happened in the past (similar to may/might have done) 2. possibility about a past action which didn’t happen	1.  He could have left work earlier. 2.  I could have gone to the concert last night, but I finally decided to stay at home.
Can’t / couldn’t have done NOT mustn’t have done	Certainty that something did not happen in the past	He can’t / couldn’t have met you. He was asleep.
Must have done	Certainty that something happened in the past	She was very pale when I saw her yesterday. She must have caught a cold.
Would have done	Wishing we had done something in the past but didn’t do it	I would have arrived on time but I missed the bus.