Past Tenses Review - Key Word Transformation Exercise

This  is a key word transformation exercise for practicing the English Past Tenses. 

Read the given sentences and rewrite them using the words in brackets. 

Answers:

1. I intended to send the postcard yesterday, but I couldn't.  (going)
I was going to send the postcard yesterday, but I couldn't.

2. We used to talk until the wee hours after dinner on Saturdays.  (would)
We would talk until the wee hours after dinner on Saturdays.

3. John had the irritating habit of chewing gum in class. (always)
John was always chewing gum in class.

4. Lindsay wasn't always as kind as that. She changed a lot after she had her first child.  (be)
 Lindsay didn't use to be as kind as that. She changed a lot after she had her first child.

5. I felt so sad about the deterioration in Paul's condition. (worse)
I felt so sad that Paul was getting worse.

6. I was very keen on cooking in those days. (use)
I used to be very keen on cooking in those days.

7. I don't know if you want to come to the theatre with me tonight.  (wondering)
I was wondering if you would like to come to the theatre with me tonight.

8. I had to go past Mary's office so I decided to drop in. (passing)
I was passing Mary's office, so I decided to drop in.

9. Jerry had the accident before we got to his apartment. (by the time)
By the time we got to Jerry's apartment, he had had the accident.

10. What did you do at the moment of the crash? (when)
What did you do when the crash occurred?

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Formal and Informal English Phrases - Quiz

This quiz focuses on certain phrases which could be used in either formal, informal, or neutral situations.

You will be given a context (the situation where the phrases could be used) and a selection of three phrases. 

Read the questions paying especial attention to when you are expected to use the phrase and click on it. Click on "REVIEW" at the end of the quiz to see how you did.

(Please, wait a few secs until the quiz loads...)

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Violence Escalates in Syria - Video News + Quiz on Adjectives & Nouns

At least six people were killed yesterday during an attack at a mosque in the southern city of Deraa. It's estimated that  more than 30 people have reported death during confrontations with security forces since Friday. 

This is a video reporting the events that took place yesterday. 

You will find a quiz which focuses on adjectives and nouns as used in the video. You can read the full transcript and check your answers here.

(please wait a few secs until the quiz loads)

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Worksheet: Focus on Prepositions Quiz_Japan Radiation Alert

This free printable worsheet focuses on the use of prepositions in the News Article:

Japan Radiation Alert: Vegetables, Dairy, and Tap Water Contaminated  

(It is for classroom or private use only)

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Japan Radiation Alert: Vegetables, Dairy, and Tap Water Contaminated

In this lesson you will find a report on Japan's radiation alert  and a quiz focusing on the use of prepositions.


Japan Radiation Alert: Vegetables, Dairy, and Tap Water Contaminated 

Radioctivity tests were carried out in food yesterday, and some vegetables, milk, and water have been found to be contaminated.

 Japanese authorities declared water supply in Tokyo is also contaminated.  The level of radiation found in water does not affect adults, but  is unfit for babies, who are especially vunerable to radiation.  Officials recommend babies should not drink tap water.

The tests also showed that the radioactivity levels  in green leafy vegetables produced in the Fukishima region has considerably increased.  The authorities have ordered the population not to eat a list of about 11 vegetables.

As a preventive measure, some types of food produced in Japan will no longer be exported abroad.  U.S. officials announced dairy produced in Japan will be blocked.  This will surely hurt Japan’s economy.

"Focus on Prepositions" Quiz:

Select the most appropriate preposition for each blank. (Some might need to be repeated more than once)

 Free Printable Worksheet of this Activity

Sources:

The Independant

BBC

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How Earthquakes Happen: Video w/Subtitles+ Interactive Activity + Worksheet

This short video  explains  how earthquakes happen in a simple way. 

It was produced by  the National Geographic

and it's subtitled.


Following the video, you will find an interactive activity, and a printable worksheet with the same activity.

Put the following phrases in order to form sentences. (The sentences to be formed are all part of the video)

(Check the answers in the embedded file below.)

Printable Worksheet









A list with related vocabulary and an open cloze activity here.

A list of resources of "Earthquake online activities and printable worksheets"

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FCE Open Cloze : Exercise 2

First Certificate Multiple Choice Cloze Exercise 2

Tips: 

• Read the text for general understanding.

• The word must make sense in the context of the text as a whole.

• Decide which type of word each gap needs, e.g. preposition, reltive, conjunction, verb, adverb, etc.

Alert!!  See question 13--> It is CONSIDERATION (singular) and not considerations (plural). Thanks!

Answers:

(1) from (2) which  (3) who (4) upon (5) is (6) and  (7) this (8) the  (9) what (10) in   (11) taken  (12) of  (13) this (14) at  (15) if

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FCE Vocabulary Open Cloze on Body and Clothes Description

This is an open cloze exercise dealing with vocabulary 


related to body/appearance and clothes description.




Have a look at some of  the words you will find in the article:

Adjectives: unshaven,  greasy, old-fashioned, patched, double,flabby,frayed

Nouns: face-lift,  chin, lapels, stains,  plastic surgery, pimples, face-lift,  wig

As you read the article, (or after you've completed the exercise) pay attention to what the adjectives describe: either body, genearl appearance, or clothes. (Remember you can double-click on any word to get a definition from answer.com)  Good luck!

 Answers:

  (1) pimples  (2) bags  (3) greasy  (4) frayed  (5) face-lift  (6) creame  (8) patched

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Adjectives Followed by the Preposition "Of" - Quiz 2

In this lesson we are going to focus on those adjectives followed by the preposition "of". 

There are a lot of them, but these are among the most commonly used ones.

afraid     capable     full      proud      jealous      ashamed      terrified      tired   guilty         aware     suspicious      short

Quiz: Fill in the blanks with the corresponding adjective. 

(Remember they are all followed by the preposition "of", so you will have to write the adjective plus  of)

Example:  Shania is ________ spiders 
               Shania is afraid of spiders.



Please wait a few secs until the quiz loads ...

Answers

1)tired of        2)ashamed of    3)suspicious of   4)jealous of   5)terrified of   6)full of

7)capable of   8) short of       9)guilty of        10)afraid of    11)proud of     12)aware of



Adjectives Plus Prepositions Quiz 1

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FCE Key Word Transformation Exercise 2

             

First Certificate Key Word Transformation Practice: Exercise 2

Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence, using the word in brackets. Use between two and five words.

Answers

1.  This is the first time you have seen this play, isn't it?

2.  It doesn't matter which one you choose.

3.  Peter said that going there by myself wasn't a good idea.

4.  It's three days since the dog was fed.

5.  Students must be responsible for their own rooms.

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Open Cloze Exercise on Japan's Earthquake and Tsunami 2011

 This is an open cloze exercise based on a news article about Japan's Tsunami.

• The words you will need to complete the gaps with are:

aftershocks: small quakes after a main shock

epicenter: the point on the Earth's surface directly above an earthquake

offshore: away from or at a distance from the coast

shaken : past participle of "shake" => to move backwards and forwards or up and down in quick, short movements, or to make something or someone do this.

slam  to (cause to) move against a hard surface with force and usually a loud noise.

spawn to cause something new, or many new things, to grow or start suddenly.

stretch: to spread over a large area or distance.

sweep away :to remove and/or take in a particular direction, especially in a fast and powerful way.

death toll: the number of people who die because of an event such as a war or an accident.  

tremors : a slight earthquake.

widespread:  existing or happening in many places and/or among many people.

• Now select the most appropriate word for each gap.

Answers:

1. spawned
2. slammed
3. sweeping  away
4. widespread
5. toll
6. fears
7. offshore
8. aftershocks
10. stretch
11. shaken
12. tremors
11. epicenter

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Adjectives Plus Prepositions AT, FOR, ON, FOR, and OF

Adjective + Preposition Quiz 1

Adjectives plus AT, FOR, ON, FOR, and OF

DEPENDENT          TYPICAL           GOOD                                            FAMOUS           ACCUSTOMED

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FCE Multiple Choice Cloze 2

This is a Cambridge Exam Practice for the FCE Paper Use of English: "Multiple Choice Cloze 2"

Read the text below and decide which answer (A, B, C, or D) best fits each space and type it in the blank.

Answers

(1) set up (2) unhospitable (3) region (4) endured (5) severe (6) (7) by (8) (9) prevent (10) furious (11) keep (12) outside (13)teach (14) get (15) trace

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