SENTENCE TRANSFORMATION 17 EXERCISES

Sentence transformation, 17
January 23, 2007
For questions 31 – 40, complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the
first sentence, using the word given. Do not change the word given. You must use between two
and five words, including the word given. There is an example at the beginning (0).
Example:
0 They published this book in England.
came
This book …..came from…. England.
31.- Can you understand what this paper means?
sense
Can you …………………………… this paper?
32.- It wasn’t necessary to meet me at the airport yesterday.
needn’t
You ……………………… me at the airport yesterday.
33.-It was unkind of you to talk to her like that.
not
You ……………………………… to her like that.
34.-I saw the film although I strongly dislike thrillers.
spite
I saw the film in …………………… of thrillers.
35.-It’s not possible to play tennis because of the rain.
makes
The rain ………………………………. to play tennis.
36.-I’ve never tasted such good food before.
ever


It is the ………………….. tasted.
37.-Do your parents allow you to watch TV late at night?
let

Do your parents ……………………. TV late at night?
38.-“Did you write a note for Anna?” I asked my mother.
she
I asked my mother ………………………. a note for Anna.
39.-He gave me the money first, and then he left.
after
He left …………………………………….. the money.
40.-I don’t find it difficult to get up early any more.
used
I ………………………………………. up early.
Sentence transformation, 16
January 23, 2007
For questions 31-40, complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first
sentence, using the word given. Do not change the word given. You must use between two and
five words, including the word given. There is an example at the beginning (0).
Example:
0 Mr Jones needn’t go if he doesn’t want to.
obliged
Mr Jones …is not obliged to go ….if he doesn’t want to.
31 He really likes correcting her English.
pleasure
He ……………………….. correcting her English.
32 It’s not necessary to take a lot of luggage when going on holiday.
much


You ……………………… luggage when going on holiday.
33 Perhaps he hasn’t received the doctor’s results yet.
may
He …………………….. the doctor’s results yet.

34 All I want you to do is to look after my dog.
care
All I want you to do is to ………………….. my dog.
35 She was not certain about the trip.
decide
She …………………………….. about the trip.
36 He locked the gate so that the dog wouldn’t escape.
prevent
He locked the gate …………………….. escaping.
37 They did not like to pay extra taxes.
objected
They ……………………………………………. extra taxes.
38 The day was so nice that we went on a picnic.
such
It was ………………………. that we went on a picnic.
39 The only person I didn’t see was Jane.
except
I …………………………………………….. Jane.
40 She decided to visit her friend and tell her the news.
drop
She decided to ………………… her friend and tell her the news.


Sentence transformation, 15
January 21, 2007
For questions 31 – 40, complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the
first sentence, using the word given. Do not change the word given. You must use between two
and five words, including the word given. There is an example at the beginning (0).
Example:
o They worked very little last week.

hardly
They ….hardly worked….at all last week.
31 We have to reduce our expenses.
cut
We have to ………………………………………….. our expenses.
32 “Can you please explain this to me?” she asked the teacher.
if
She asked the teacher …………………………………… to her.
33 Perhaps he’s working late.
may
He ………………………………………. late.
34 Nobody ever told me about it.
never
I ………………………………………………. about it.
35 “I’ll pick him up from the airport,” she said.
offered
She …………………….. from the airport.
36 I was so shocked that I couldn’t react.
wasn’t
I …………………………………………………………………… react.


37 People say Greek is a difficult language to learn.
said
Greek …………………………. difficult language to learn.
38 The police have investigated the crime.
by
The crime ………………………………………………………… the police.
39 Without your help, I would never have managed.
you

If ………………………………………. , I would never have managed.
40 The manager made the employees stay late.
made
The employees …………………………… by the manager.

Sentence transformation, 14
January 21, 2007
For questions 31-40, complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first
sentence, using the word given. Do not change the word given. You must use between two and
five words, including the word given. There is an example at the beginning
Example:
Mr Jones needn’t go if he doesn’t want to.
obliged
Mr Jones is not obliged to go if he doesn’t want to.
31 He knows everything about flowers.
expert
He ……………………………… flowers.
32 If you are not old enough you cannot watch certain films.
age


If you ……………………………….. you cannot watch certain films.
33 I regret that I gave him the money.
lent
If only …………………………………………. him the money.
34 It was such a boring movie that we left.
so
The movie ………………………………………….. that we left.
35 People say that the pyramids are worth visiting.
supposed

The pyramids ………………………………………. worth visiting.
36 John cannot possibly borrow the car tonight.
question
It’s …………………………… for John to borrow the car tonight.
37 Could I continue what I was doing?
get
Could I …………………………… what I was doing?
38 Mary is slower at doing things than Jill.
fast
Mary is …………………………….. Jill at doing things.
39 I can’t make up my mind about the colour.
decide
I …………………………………….. the colour.
40 There are times when you have to do things by yourself.
own
There are times when you have to do things ……………….


Sentence transformation, 13
January 20, 2007
For questions 31 – 40, complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the
first sentence, using the word given. Do not change the word given. You must use between two
and five words, including the word given. There is an example at the beginning (0).
Example:
o Everybody has left the building
one
There’s …no one left in…. the building.
31 You were late, so you missed the match.
wouldn’t
If you hadn’t ……………………………………….. missed the match.

32 I am sorry I forgot your birthday.
wish
I ………………………………………………. your birthday.
33 The burglar managed to escape without punishment.
get
The burglar managed to ……………. punishment.
34 He failed the test because he did not study enough.
attributed
His failure in the test ………………….. not studying enough.
35 I wonder if you can lend me something to wear tonight.
mind
Would ………………….. something to wear tonight?
36 We can’t decide where to go on holidays.
decision
We can’t ……………………. where to go on holidays.


37 Can you take me to the station by car?
give
Can you …………………………………. to the station?
38 You will miss the bus if you don’t hurry up.
unless
You will miss the bus ……………………………………………………….
39 It is likely that they have already left.
may
They …………………….. left.
40 How much is the bus fare from London to Cambridge?
cost
How much ………………. from London to Cambridge by bus?

Sentence transformation, 12
January 19, 2007
For questions 31-40, complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first
sentence, using the word given. Do not change the word given. You must use between two and
five words, including the word given. There is an example at the beginning (0)
Example:
o Mr Jones needn’t go if he doesn’t want to.
obliged
Mr Jones is not obliged to go if he doesn’t want to.
31 Sally has not come to school because she has been sick.
absent
Sally …………………………. school because she has been sick.
32 It is often difficult to find an answer to a problem.
solution


Finding ……………………………… a problem is often difficult.
33 I was lucky you let me stay with you for the night.
put
I was lucky you …………………………………. for the night.
34 I advised him to stop smoking.
suggested
I …………………………….. stop smoking.
35 They are going to do up my room.
have
I’m going ……………………………. decorated.
36 Jane doesn’t often see Mike.
seldom
Jane ……………………………. Mike.
37 I can understand this quite well

easy
It’s ……………………………………….. understand this.
38 My mother doesn’t like us to stay out late.
approve
My mother doesn’t ……………………………… out late.
39 Mary is employed by IBM, isn’t she?
works
Mary ……………………………………… she?
40 They could not understand what she said.
difficulty
They ……………………………………. what she said.


Sentence transformation, 11
January 18, 2007
For questions 31 – 40, complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the
first sentence, using the word given. Do not change the word given. You must use between two
and five words, including the word given. There is an example at the beginning (0).
Example:
o Pat says she’s going to stop smoking next week.
give
Pat says she’s … going to give up… smoking next week.
31 There is no sugar left.
run
We have ………………………………. sugar.
32 ‘New World’ Advertising is considering your application.
is
Your application ……………………. ‘New World’ Advertising.
33 The shelf was so high that he couldn’t reach it.
enough

The shelf was not ………………… reach.
34 I’ve never seen such a bad film.
ever
It’s the …………………….. seen.
35 “Don’t open it!” he said.
warned
He ………………………….. open it.
36 She has never told me lies before.
first
It’s …………………………………….. told me lies.


“I didn’t start the fire!” he said.
denied
He ………………………… the fire.
38 Study hard because you may write a test tomorrow.
case
Study hard ……………….. a test tomorrow.
39 I’m sure he took the cheque-book with him.
must
He ……………………….. the cheque-book with him.
40 What a pity! don’t know how to dance.
wish
I ……………………………. how to dance.

Sentence transformation, 10
January 17, 2007
For questions 31-40, complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first
sentence, using the word given. Do not change the word given. You must use between two and
five words, including the word given. There is an example at the beginning (0).

Example:
0 Mr Jones needn’t go if he doesn’t want to.
obliged
o Mr Jones is not obliged to go if he doesn’t want to.
31 We would rather stop than continue in this manner.
prefer
We …………………………….. than to continue in this manner.
32 Mother told Tom that he had to go to bed early.
must


‘You to ……………………………………bed early,’ Mother told Tom.
33 I last saw her at the end of May.
since
I ……………………………………….the end of May.
34 I’ll never be able to persuade her to agree with the idea.
bring
I’ll never ………………………………… to the idea.
35 She could not understand how they were related.
connection
She could not understand …………………… to her.
36 I don’t think I can afford to buy this dress.
have
I don’t think I ………………. money to buy this dress.
37 He is helping his mother so that they can finish quickly.
order
He is helping his mother ……………………….. quickly.
38 I found my old diary by chance.
came
I ………….. my old diary by chance.

39 He was very rude when he spoke to the old man.
politely
He …………………………… the old man.
40 She caught the early bus so that she would not be late for work.
avoid
She caught the early bus ……………………………. late for work.


Sentence Transformation, 9
January 17, 2007
For questions 31 ·40, complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first
sentence, using the word given. Do not change the word given. You must use between two and
five words, including the word given. There is an example at the beginning (0).
Example:
a The last time I had a dental appointment was six months ago.
since
It’s ……been six months since…. I had a dental appointment.
31 He was not reprimanded, even though he behaved rudely in class.
despite
He was not reprimanded …………………………….. in class.
32 ‘Whose mistake is this?’
blame
Who……………………… this?
. 33 I prefer ordering food than cooking it.
rather
I …………………………….. cook it.
34 The government should do something about unemployment immediately.
time
It’s ………………………………. something about unemployment.
35 I’m sure she wasn’t the one who stole the money.

can’t
She ……………………………….. the one who stole the money.
36 It would be a good idea to tidy the desk before starting work.
you
If I ………………………….. the desk before starting work.


37 Your hair needs cutting.
should
You ……………………………… cut.
38 I can’t tolerate this kind of behaviour any longer.
put
I can’t …………………………… this kind of behaviour any longer
39 The dessert was better than the main course.
wasn’t
The main course ……………………………. the dessert.
40 “Well done! You’ve got the job you applied for,” she said to him.
congratulated
She …………………………………. the job he had applied for.
Sentence Transformation, 8
January 16, 2007
For questions 31-40, complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first
sentence, using the word given. Do not change the word given. You must use beetween two
and five words, including the word given. There is an example at the beginning (0).
Example:
0 Mr Jones needn’t go if he doesn’t want to.
obliged
Mr Jones is not obliged to go if he doesn’t want to.
31 The football match was postponed due to the rain.
put

The football match was _____________ due to the rain.
32 There was no one here except John.
apart
There was no one here _____________ John.


33 You will have to pay at least £500 to get that watch.
impossible
You’ll find it ____________ that watch for less than £500.
34 I don’t want to eat this now.
rather
I _____________________ eat this now.
35 ‘Shall I turn on the light?’ Sue asked Jill.
wanted
Sue asked Jill _____________ the light turned on.
36 Mother walked in quietly so as to avoid waking the baby. order
Mother walked in quietly ____________ the baby.
37 It’s possible that she didn’t understand what I had said.
might
She ________________what I had said.
38 I couldn’t concentrate fully because of the loud music.
difficult
The loud music ____________ fully.
39 The tea is too hot to drink.
enough
The tea ________________ to drink.
40 She is certain to have heard about it on the news.
must
She ________________ about it on the news.

Sentence transformation, 7
January 11, 2007
Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence, using
phrasal verbs and other words in your answer. Do not change the word given. You must use
between two and five words, including the word given. There is an example at the beginning
(0).
0 Terrorists tried to destroy the bridge using dynamite.
blow
Terrorists tried to blow up the bridge.
1 He went to Spain to try to speak Spanish better.
brush
He went to Spain ________________ Spanish
2 Is she Australian?
come
___________________Australia?
3 Ask Paul to do it. You can rely on him.
let
Ask Paul to do it. He __________________
4 It’s a very formal dinner party.
dress
We are expected ___________for the dinner party.
5 An ankle injury prevented her from taking part in the race.
drop
She had to _______the race because of an ankle injury.
6 It was nearly midnight when John arrived.
turn
John _______________until nearly midnight.
7 I’m not very confident of passing my driving test.
get

I don’t ________________my driving test


8 The meeting went on until 11.30
break
The meeting _______________ until 11.30
9 Unless business improves soon, we’ll be bankrupt by the

end of the year.

pick
If business _______soon, we’ll be bankrupt by the end of the year.
10 The last time my rent rose was three years ago.
put
They haven’t _______________ for three years.
11 You will support me at the meeting, won’t you?
back
You will _______________at the meeting, won’t you?
12 This form must be completed before you leave.
fill
You ____________this form before you leave.
13 I don’t think I’ll go out on Saturday.
stay
I think _______________ on Saturday.
14 Unless it stops raining soon, we’ll have to cancel the
clear
If it _______________soon we’ll have to cancel the picnic.
15 I don’t smoke as many cigarettes as I used to.
cut
I’ve managed to _________cigarettes I smoke.

picnic.


Sentence Transformation, 6
January 11, 2007
Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence, using the
word given. Do not change the word given. You must use between two and five words,
including the word given. There is an example at the beginning (0).
0 ‘What’s the date today?’ Michael asked
know
Michael wanted to know what the date was today
1 Their wedding takes place on Saturday.
married
They ____________________ on Saturday.
2 Would you like some more sauce with your meat?
enough
Have _________________with your meat?
3 How likely is she to win the race?
chances
What___________________the race?
4 He wished he had gone to university.
regretted
He ______________gone to university.
5 Paul had difficulty in starting the car.
difficult
Paul ________________the car.
6 Take a jumper with you because it might get cold later on.
case
Take a jumper with you__cold later on.

7 How much did that jacket cost?
pay
How much _______________that jacket?
8 The only question I had wrong was question seven.
except


I had __________________question seven
9 I don’t think I’ll go to Jane’s party on Saturday.
doubt
I ____________to Jane’s party on Saturday.
10 It was very kind of them to help us.
grateful
We ____________________for their help.
11 My uncle had never been abroad before.
trip
It was ___________________abroad.
12 This is the best food I’ve ever eaten.
better
I’ve _______________________this

Sentence Transformation, 5
January 11, 2007
Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence, using the
word given. Do not change the word given. You must use between two and five words,
including the word given. There is an example at the beginning (0).
0 Paul likes music
interested
Paul is interested in music
1 Do you want a sandwich?

care
_________________________a sandwich?
2 Is this pen yours?
belong
Does _______________________you?
3 David was too ill to go camping with us.
enough
David_____________________to go camping with us.


4 You can’t vote unless you are over eighteen.
must
You____________________to vote
5 I think we should go home now.
time
It _________________home now.
6 I certainly won’t go there again!
last
That ________________________I go there!
7 I regret not getting married.
wish
I _________________________ married.
8 He found it hard to start the car.
difficulty
He _______________________ the car.
9 Why wouldn’t she give you her telephone number?
refuse
Why_____________give you her telephone number?
10 John and I last quarrelled over a week ago.
fallen

John and I _______________ for over a week.
11 I doubt very much that you saw Carla at the party as

she’s in Scotland at the moment.

can’t
You _________________________Carla at the party as she’s in Scotland at the moment
12 After nearly an hour the coach had still not arrived.
sign
After nearly an hour _______________of the coach.


Sentence transformation, 4
January 11, 2007
Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence, using the
word given. Do not change the word given. You must use between two and five words,
including the word given. There is an example at the begining (0).
0 ‘Will you lend me five pounds?’ he asked
borrow
He asked to borrow / if he could borrow five pounds.
1 We started eating when all the guests had arrived.
until
We __________________all the guests had arrived.
2 I should very much like to play the guitar.
wish
I ______________play the guitar
3 The pop star left by the back exit so as to avoid meeting
order
The pop start left by the back exit __________the press
4 Our driving laws and theirs are not the same.

different
Our driving laws _________________theirs
5 Sally hasn’t contacted me for over six weeks.
heard
I ____________________over six weeks ago
6 ‘You really must stay the night,’ he said to us
insisted
He ______________________the night
7 They make 2,000 cars a week at that factory.
turns
That factory___________2,000 cars a week.
8 He was punished for his bad behaviour.
badly
If he __________, he wouldn’t have been punished.

the press.


9 Speaking personally, I don’t care whether she comes with

us or not.

matter
It ___________whether she comes with us or not.
10 I don’t really want to go out tonight.
prefer
I______________________go out tonight.
11 ‘Would you like to play tennis on Friday?’ Emily asked

Nick.

felt
Emily asked Nick __________tennis on Friday
12 As soon as he came in, he switched on the television.
immediately
He came in ___________the television

Sentence transformation, 3
January 11, 2007
Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence, using the
word given. Do not change the word given. You must use between two and five words,
including the word given.
1 We hired a private nurse to look after my mother when

she broke her leg.

care
We hired a private nurse ____________________my mother when she broke her leg.
2 He’s only now beginning to recover from his illness.
get
It’s taken him until _____________________his illness.
3 David lives quite near the station.
far
David _______________ the station
4 The programme was so boring that he fell aseep.
such
It______________________________________________that he fell asleep.


5 My parents don’t like us smoking at home.

approve
My parents ________________smoking at home
6 We couldn’t drive home because of heavy snow.
prevented
Heavy snow _______________ home
7 Peter wishes now that he hadn’t sold his flat.
regrets
Peter_______________________________his flat.
8 They say that caviare tastes nice.
supposed
Caviare _______________________nice
9 It was nearly midnight before everyone left.
time
By______________________it was nearly midnight.
10 She doesn’t find this course very interesting.
bored
She _______________________this course
11 Did Angela say why she arrived late?
reason
Did Angela_______________late?
12 She couldn’t concentrate because the room was so hot
difficult
The heat in the room_____________to concentrate.


Sentence Transformation, 2
January 11, 2007
Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence, using the
word given. Do not change the word given. You must use between two and five words ,
including the word given.

1 We were surprised to see Pamela at the party.
expect
We____________________to see Pamela at the party.
2 Everyone has heard about the canals in Amsterdam
famous
Amsterdam __________________________canals
3 If you pay no attention to him, he’ll soon go away.
notice
If you____________________him, he’ll soon go away.
4 John Lennon was forty when he died.
age
John Lennon _______________________forty.
5 You can stay with my sister if you’re ever in Brighton.
put
My sister will _____________if you’re ever in Brighton.
6 She didn’t say goodbye when she left.
without
She _________________________ goodbye.
7 ‘I’m sorry I’m late,’ he said.
apologized
He_______________________late.
8 It’s possible that they didn’t get the message in time.
might
They __________________the message in time.
9 I haven’t smoked for six years.
gave


Six years______________________smoking
10 It was wrong of you to steal those apples from Mrs

Brown’s garden.

should
You___________those apples from Mrs Brown’s garden.
11 It’s a four-hour journey from Swansea to London.
travel
It___________________from Swansea to London.
12 I don’t really want to leave yet.
rather
I __________________________leave yet.

Sentence Transformation, 1
January 11, 2007
For Questions 31-40, complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the
first sentence, using the word given. Do not change the word given. You must use between
two and five words, including the word given.
31 Why are you interested in taking up a new hobby?
want
Why …………………………………………… up a new hobby?
32 ‘Have you seen my gloves anywhere, Eric?’ asked Mrs

Noble.

seen
Mrs Noble asked Eric …………………………………………… her gloves anywhere.
33 Suzanne was too excited to sleep.
that
Suzanne was …………………………………………… not sleep.
34 Robert has not had a job for two years.

out
Robert has …………………………………………… for two years.
35 ‘I will complete the work only if you pay me £500 extra,’

said Frank.

not
‘I will …………………………………………… you pay me £500 extra,’ said Frank.