WRITING PRACTICE – 1.

1
1. KEY WORD TRANSFORMATION
1. These low-lying areas are constantly threatened by flooding. (being)
There is a………………………………………………………………………………………………....flooded.
2. Under no circumstances should you phone the police. (last)
The………………………………………………………………………………….............................the police.
3. The ship certainly won’t dock before 11.30. (possibility)
There………………………………………………………………………………………………...before 11.30.
4. Neither of them knows the facts, I imagine. (whether)
I………………………………………………………………………………………………………..….the facts.
5. Interest rates have fallen again this year. (drop)
There……………………………………………………………………………………………...again this year.
6. It is not certain that Jones will get the job. (open)
It is ……………………………………………………………………………………………………….. the job.
7. My daughter has been healthier since she gave up smoking. (improvement)
There………………………………………………………………………………since she gave up smoking.
8. The number of students entering university has gone up this year. (in)
There……………………………………………………………..the number of students entering university.
9. This new record is certain to sell a lot of copies. (doubt)
Beyond a …………………………………………………………………………………....sell a lot of copies.
10. The chances are that the whole thing will have been forgotten by next term. (all)
In…………………………………………………………………………………………forgotten by next term.
2. WORD FORMATION
A POPULATION IN NEED
The (0) unimaginable severity of the winter has imposed hardship on the IMAGINE
population and the threat of (1)………………… faces thousands of families, who STARVE
are unfortunately already suffering from (2)……..…………..wars and depression. END
The (3)…………………….. of any responsible government means there is no one ABSENT
to assume control and put rescue plans into (4)……………………… There is also OPERATE
a chronic lack of information to guide (5)………………..…international organisations POWER
as to where they should concentrare their efforts. Much (6)………………..…has been PRESS
put on the UN to find a(n) (7)……………….solution to this urgent problem, and they, SATISFY
once again, have come under criticism for their apparent (8)………………………..to ABLE
act fast enough. Every moment the delay (9) ……………………. the lives of the local DANGER
people, the (10)………………………..of whom simply cannot look after themselves. MAJOR

3. GUIDED CLOZE TEST: FILL IN

GOOD NEWS IS NO NEWS
Everyone knows that news consists (0) of a selective focus (1) …………… the more important and unusual
occurrences of the day, yet people are (2) ……………..misled into mistaking it (3) ………..a true and
balanced perception of reality. Press and television journalists realise the problem but cannot envisage an
effective solution. After all, they argue, nobody (4) ………… to be told that a million passengers enter and
live the main London railway termini (5) …………. day. If, (6) ……………. the other hand, (7) ……………..
is a strike or a fire in a signal box as a result of (8) …………..trains are cancelled or delayed, that is news.
Editors have to (9) ………………. newspaper, and most British readers are not interested (10) …………..
the success of Tanzania’s sisal crop, or the marital bliss of British couples. If, (11) ……………., one couple
decided to (12) ……………. their feelings with arsenic or hatchets, that would be news! We can
sympathise, but it leaves us with a puzzling consequence of an obvious premise: that. sonce only the
exceptional and (13) ……………interesting are worth reporting, the world presented to us appears to be
a bizarred, violent place, with television pictures to illustrate it, even though not all reality is pictorial. The
(14) ……………. of television is biased towards the visible and what moves, and this can lead to distortion
by generalising the misconduct of a minority of society, whereas in (15)……….. the majority act with
uneventful restraint.
0. in/ at/ of/ on
1. for/ to / on/ at 6. to/ on/ at/ in 11. although/ however/ desipte/ so
2. easy/ ease/ easily/ eased 7. it/ there/ happens/ because 12. express/ say/ tell/ state
3. in/ for/ at/ on 8. that/ there/ which/ it 13. an/ some/ all/ the
4. must/ needs/ have/ should 9. read/ edit/ develop/ sell 14. way/ medium/ means/ method
5. every/ all/ whole/ during 10. for/ to/ on/ in 15. true/ actual/ reality/ opposte

4. GAP FILLING
PLASTICS
In our eyes, the desirability of a material or object is inextricably linked to its availability. If it is plentiful and
therefore cheap, it becomes unattractive. It is (0) this simple human truth that has brought (1)………..…..
a reversal in the perception of plastics in the twentieth century. As the industrial uses (2)
…………………grown, the appreciation of plastics (3) …………… materials having intrinsic beauty has
decreased.
Bakelite, a material discovered by L. H. Baekeland, typifies the changing attitude of the public
(4)………………plastics. In the early (5) …………….. of its development, it was made (6) ………………….
decorative objects and was used as a moulded substitute for onyx and marble. (7)……………………
demand grew, it was produced in greater quantities, became cheaper and began to be used tor light-
fittings, telephones and ashtrays, thus losing any pretensions to stylishness it (8)……………….had. The
same attitude applies to all plastics nowadays, to the (9)……………. that “plasticky” has become a
derogatory term even though many plastics are very expensive. Fluorocarbons in particular perform well
in situations (10)…………… no other material, (11)……………..the cost, would be able to survive.
Because of this change (12)…………………attitude, plastics are rarely used (13)……………..purely
aesthetic purposes. Although some beautiful products are still made, the sad (14) ……………..is that
plastics are now usually chosen for the simple (15)……………….that production is not feasible in any other
material.
 WRITING PRACTICE – 1. 2
1. KEY WORD TRANSFORMATION
1. The latest model of this computer sells for £1,000. (at)
The latest model …………………………………………………………………………………………£1,000.
2. Water makes up seventy percent of the earth’s surface. (is)
Seventy percent ……………………………………………………………………………………………water.
3. Jackson’s parents wrote to the university in the hope that they would get a grant. (with)
Jackson’s parents wrote …………………………………………………………………………………a grant.
4. She sympathises greatly with people who can’t find a job. (for)
She……………………………………………………………………………………………who can’t find a job.
5. Julian’s proud of his stamp collection. (in)
Julian…………………………………………………………………………………………….stamp collection.
6. We ought to have dropped in on Muriel when we were in town. (visit)
We ought to have …………………………………………………………………………………………in town.
7. The witness entered the court accompanied by two plain-clothes detectives. (of)
The witness entered the court ………………………………………………………………………detectives.
8. The number of people using the Internet has gone up rapidly. (rapid)
There………………………………………………………………………………of people using the Internet.
9. Amanda always turns shy when there are adults around. (in)
Amanda always……………………………………………………………………………………………adults.
10. I’m afraid that no one knows the access code except Mark. (with)
I’m afraid that………………………………………………………………………….knows the access code.
11. He said I should concentrate on more important matters. (turn)
He said I ought ……………………………………………………………………………..important matters.
12. The arms scandal totally destroyed the Democratic Party. (to)
The Democratic Party………………………………………………………………………the arms scandal.
13. I would not say no to a free weekend in that hotel. (up)
I would not………………………………………………………………………………………….in that hotel.
14. The local council has chosen to ignore the illegal building that is going on. (eye)
The local council has chosen to ……………………………………………………………that is going on.
15. George has decided to change his ways and get to work earlier. (new)
George has decided………………………………………………………………………get to work earlier.
16. This song reminds me of my trip to the South of France. (brings)
This song…………………………………………………………………………………the South of France.
17. The press revealed the truth after a long period of speculation. (open)
The press…………………………………………………………………after a long period of speculation.
18. The jury found the accused man guilty. (verdict)
The jury……………………………………………………………………………………..the accused man.
19. She ignored all her old friends when she became famous. (turned)
She……………………………………………………………………………….when she became famous.
20. Jason and I shared the driving. (took)
Jason and I……………………………………………………………………………………………….driving.
21. I simply could not tell her the truth. (have)
I simply …………………………………………………………………………………………tell her the truth.
22. Why did you decide to do such a stupid thing? (head)
Why did you………………………………………………………………………………..such a stupid thing?
23. I’m sure that once he’s learned the system, he’ll perform well. (own)
I’m sure that………………………………………………………………….…once he’s learned the system.
24. With your qualifications you certainly don’t have to be forced into a decision, Sandy. (options)
With your qualifications…………………………………………………………………………………, Sandy.
25. Now it’s up to you to do something about the situation. (court)
Now…………………………………………………………………………….something about the situation.
26. If necessary, I’ll testify in court. (comes)
If…………………………………………………………………………………………………….…….in court.
27. Can you tell us the moment you decide, so that we can act accordingly? (made)
Can you tell us the moment………………………………………………………....we can act accordingly?
28. He’s the clumsiest person in the world when it comes to mending anything. (fingers)
He’s …………………………………………………………………………………………..mending anything.

2. GUIDED CLOZE TEST: FILL IN

It was a (1)………………. beautiful view from the balcony, but it was a bitterly cold morning. Mary was still
sound asleep and was lying perfectly still in her bed. I, on the other hand, had been (2)…………….awake
for hours wondering what the next step should be. It was (3)…………….. important that I contact Hamish,
even though I was fully aware of the dangers involved. To be perfectly honest, I was not sure if they were
watching him, but I had to take the chance. It would be far worse if I did nothing. Admittedly, I was scared
(4)……………. of what might happen to him, and was (5)……………. indebted to him for having saved my
skin on the last mission, but the newly discovered plot to disrupt the summit conference had to be reported
to headquarters in London at once. The (6)………………..truth of the matter was that I had no choice.

1. A. strongly B. breathtakingly C. doggedly D. vitally

2. A. wide B. newly C. deeply D. plainly
3. A. strongly B. heavily C. vitally D. fully
4. A. clear B. stiff C. conscious D. cold
5. A. very B. blindly C. bitterly D. deeply
6. A. plain B. blind C. cold D. ulterior

3. M. C. Q CLOZE TEST
The manager cleared his throat and stood before the team.
“I’m not going to (1)……………….. about the bush, lads. There’s a lot of work to be done if we want to win
this game. I know you’re (2)…………. the floor with the opposition in the last few matches, and I
congratulate you on that, but we aren’t home and (3)…………….yet, I can assure you. The opposition
haven’t (4)…………… in the sponge, and they don’t look like doing do either, so the fight’s not over. Now,
in the second half, watch Diaz closely – he’s their most dangerous player. Just keep possession until you
see an opening and then go for it.”
He stood back and (5)…………….his brow with a large, coloured handkerchief.
“All right, that’s all I have to say. Now go out there and do your best. And (6)………………clear of trouble.”

1. A. steer B. sweep C. beat D. run

2. A. swept B. washed C. mopped D. wiped
3. A. dry B. beaten C. swept D. washed
4. A. thrown B. swept C. cleared D. polished
5. A. polished B. swept C. cleared D. mopped
6. A. go B. steer C. sweep D. beat

4. GAPPED SENTENCES (WITH COMMON WORD)

SET A
1. He was called to …………………… for financial mismanagement.
They didn’t come on…………………………. of the bad weather.
We gave a good………….. of ourselves in the Inter-School Soccer Tournament.
2. He lost his ……………. when he heard the police coming and ran away.
Matters came to a(n)…………….. when she discovered he had told her a pack of lies.
It went right over my ……………. when he started talking about genetics.
3. Mary’s new husband found……………..in the eyes of all the family.
Can you please do me a(n) …………….. this afternoon?
Most of us came down in ……………………. of Finland for the conference.
4. She was dressed from…………………….to toe in black.
There’s no need to shout at the ……………of your voice like that!
Bob is on…………… of the situation, so you can stop worrying.
5. Once I found my……………….., I really enjoyed the job.
When the river overflowed we had three………………… of water in our sitting room.
I’ve been on my…………………. all day so I’m not going to do any cooking tonight.
6. The soldiers ………………. to attention when the general approached.
You……………… to the conclusion that he was guilty without considering the evidence.
He did it wrong because he…………………… the gun and didn’t wait for instructions.
7. It’s so easy to……………….track of time when you’re enjoying yourself.
She used to be good at composing crosswords but she’s beginning to……………..the hang of it.
Hurry up, or we’ll …………….out on all the free food at the gallery’s opening.
8. Jordan……………….his throat nervously and began to speak.
Our little talk ………………… the air so we’re the best of friends again.
Jack’s evidence ………………….up the mystery of how the poison got into the coffee.
9. This is a(n)…………….superior brand of coffee, Madam.
We talked …………….into the night about old times and old friends.
People came from……………. and wide to see the exhibition.
10. Professor Lawson’s lectures are as…………….as dust, aren’t they?
He just drove off and left me high and ……………….. in the middle of the forest.
We’ve got the loan from the bank so we’re home and…………..with our new business.
11. I’d rather be my………….boss than work for someone else.
The children have been on their………………..all day.
He’s a quite little man but he really came into his…………….during the crisis.
12. It’s a classic 1965 Jaguar and I had to pay through the……………for it.
Billy’s girlfriend turned her…………up at the dinner I cooked so he needn’t bring her again.
I’ve had this cold for over a week and my……………is still blocked.

SET B (guided)

1. I play tennis now and again to ……………my hand in.  put

I can’t ……………track of how many jobs Tommy’s had.  keep
How do you manage to …………… your chin up when life is so unkind to you?  hold

2. Do you believe there’s a great…………….behind the creation of the universe?  plan

Did he meet her by ……………..or accident?  charge
The aeroplane’s unique…………..enables it to fly.  design

3. The…………….is that he’s left the country.  talk

Can I have a……………..with you about tomorrow’s meeting?  promise
He said he’d help us and he’s a man of his………………..  word

4. I only go up to London on ………………..occasions.  rare

I’ll have my steak cooked …………………, please.  raw
He paid a small fortune for an extremely……………stamp.  scarce

5. We’re having roast………………..for our Christmas dinner.  turkey

She sent me on a wild……………..chase just to get me out of the house.  goose
Selling such a profitable business is like killing the……….that lays the golden egg.  hen

6. There was no need to………….her head off just because she was ten minutes late.  bite
I really had to …………my lip when the doctor put a tight bandage on my ankle.  cut
The air conditioner has broken down so we’ll have to………the bullet till they get it fixed.  take