Writing Exercise

5 “I think the whole idea’s ridiculous,” he said.. 9 “You should have waited for us,” the team leader said to John.. 38 We left quietly, so that we couldn’t disturb the children.. 44 I’m

Writing exercise

1) I only made that terrible mistake because I wasn’t thinking

If……… 2) We had planned to visit grandmother, so we left early in the morning

We were……… 3) Someone rang the alarm as soon as the burglars left the building

No

sooner……… 4) As television programmes become more popular, they seem to get worse

The more……… 5) “I think the whole idea’s ridiculous,” he said

He dismissed……… 6) The authorities will prosecute anyone they find trespassing on this land

Anyone found……… 7) I prefer going out for a meal to staying at home

I’d rather……… 8) It would have been a super weekend if it hadn’t been for the weather

But……… 9) “You should have waited for us,” the team leader said to John

The team leader

criticized………

10) It’s impossible that he didn’t get my letter  He

might………

11) The last time it snowed here was six years ago

It……… 12) I only realized what I had missed when they told me about it later

Only

when……… 13) There weren’t nearly as many people there as I had expected

There were far……… 14) When the Minister was asked about the strike, he declined to comment

On……… 15) There was no need for you to have gone to all that trouble

You……… 16) Please don’t say things like that  I wish……… 17) Although she was busy, she managed to find the time to proofread for me

Busy……… 18) I would prefer you to do computer science

I’d rather……… 19) He didn’t get his visa until last Monday

It was……… 20) They continued that I was to blame

They persisted……… 21) Vietnamese coffee is considered to be one of the best in the world

Vietnamese coffee……… 22) If you ask me well in advance I’ll be willing to work over time

Provided

you………

23) “I never use bad language,” she said

She denied……… 24) This is the best essay I have ever written

Never……… 25) I assumed that she would learn how to take shorthand after this course

I took it ……… 26) I am terribly sorry, I thought you were a friend of Anna’s

I took……… 27) They had to wait for twelve hours before their flight left

Only after

a………

28) Their teacher is making them study hard

They are……… 29) They were just as good as we had expected

They certainly

lived………

30) Even though I admire his courage, I think he is foolish

Much……… 31) Would you mind not smoking in here?

I’d rather……… 32) No matter how hard I tried I couldn’t open the door

Try……… 33) The critics were very impressed by her performance

Her performance

made………

34) When is the council going to something about the city’s traffic problems?

It’s high time

something………

35) I didn’t realize who he was until later

Only

later………

36) The value of sterling has fallen considerably in the past week

There has……… 37) I won’t make any difference if it rains we’ll still go

We’ll still go……… 38) We left quietly, so that we couldn’t disturb the children

So

as……… 39) I would do anything for you  There’s……… 40) Given fair warning, I could have avoided date

If you had told me……… 41) “Let’s go for a walk in the park,” said Andrew

Andrew suggested

that………

42) His second attempt on the world record was successful

He broke……… 43) Helen can play the piano better than Elizabeth

Elizabeth……… 44) I’m sure he didn’t know that his brother was seriously ill

He couldn’t possibly ……… 45) What particularly impressed me was her excellent command if English

I……… 46) She didn’t say a word as she left the room

She left the

room………

47) The result of the match was never in doubt

At no time……… 48) This will be the orchestra’s first performance outside London

This will be the first

time………

49) I applied for the job but was turn down

My ……… 50) The Prime Minister was determined to remain in office

The Prime Minister had

no………

51) He said, “I wish I knew the answer.”

He said that……… 52) The refugees continued to feel unsafe until they had crossed the border

Not until……… 53) If you want my advice, I would forget about buying a new house

If I……… 54) “I don’t love you any more,” said Eric to his girlfriend

Eric told his girlfriend that……… 55) “I must see the manager!” he cried

He insisted……… ……… 56) Arthur said he was sorry he had hurt her feelings

Arthur apologized……… 57) I had better get back to work

It’s……… 58) The last time it rained was a fortnight ago

It……… 59) The noise next door did not stop until after midnight

It was not……… 60) The car was so rusty that it couldn’t be repaired

The car was

too………

61) He never has enough money

He’s always……… 62) Yogurt is supposed to be good for you

Yogurt is supposed to

do………

63) Although the play received good notices, not many people went to see it

Despite……… 64) My father speaks very little English

My father speaks hardly

………

65) He said he was not guilty of stealing the car

He

denied……… 66) I’m sorry now that I asked her to stay

Now I wish……… 67) They couldn’t trace who had supplied the information in the first place

The source……… 68) There is always trouble when he comes to visit us

Whenever……… 69) Is there the only way to reach the city centre?

Isn’t there

………

70) He never suspected that the money had been stolen

At no

time………

71) I have never seen such a mess in my life!

Never in……… 72) Is it essential to meet your aunt at the station?

Does your aunt……… 73) Their dog was so fierce that nobody would visit them

They

had………

74) That dress has only the slightest mark on it

I can barely……… 75) He insisted on a full apology  Nothing but……… 76) He remembered, and so did she

He didn’t ……… 77) My decision to get up and dance coincided with the band’s decision to stop playing

The moment……… 78) The doctor advised me to rest

The doctor

suggested………

79) I don’t know the first thing about aeronautics

I am……… 80) The students’ riotous behaviour should have been severely punished

The student deserved……… 81) There are more people out of work in this country than ever before

Never……… 82) The chances are that the whole thing will have been forgotten by next term

In all……… 83) “Please don’t drive so fast!” Ann begged her boyfriend

Ann pleaded……… 84) Despite his ungainly air he is remarkably agile

Although……… 85) She is proud of being such a good cook

She prides……… 86) My protests were ignored  Nobody……… 87) I’m sure he took your briefcase by mistake

I’m sure he didn’t……… 88) We only deliver goods after receiving the money

Only after the money……… 89) You pay £20 a month for a period of one year

You pay in twelve successive……… 90) He’ll settle down Then his performance will improve

Once……… 91) It is said that he escaped to a neutral country

He……… 92) The truth only came out on the publication of the general’s personal diaries

Only when……… 93) Oil was slowly coating the edge of the shore

The edge of the shore……… 94) In spite of the forecast it stayed fine

Although rain……… 95) We’d prefer you not to smoke  We’d rather……… 96) You really should be able to dress yourself by now!

It’s high……… 97) Provided your handwriting is legible the examiner will accept your answer

So long as the examiner……… 98) Without his help we would all have died

If it……… 99) He forgot about the gun until he got home

Not until……… 100) May I borrow your pen?  Would you mind……… 101) “I’d take a taxi if I were you,” said Peter

Peter

suggested………

102) My boyfriend is very short-tempered

My brother loses……… 103) You can use it as long as you like, and it won’t wear out

No

matter……… 104) If the work is finished by lunchtime you can go home

Get……… 105) Although Judy was severely disable she participated in many sports

Despite

her………

106) It’s such a pity your sister can’t come as well

If

only……… 107) The house seemed to have been occupied for several months

It

looked……… 108) These new machines have put an end to queuing

Before these……… 109) He was so tired he fell asleep before the end of the film

He was

too………

110) Though my house was cheaper than Norman’s, it’s bigger and more attractive

Norman’s house may……… 111) Everyone heard about the accident before I did

I was the……… 112) “If you must go out tonight, at least finish your homework first!” said Anne’s father

Anne’s father said that

if………

113) The instructions say you just add boiling water to the soup powder

The soup

powder………

114) Many people were severely critical of the proposals for the new motorway.

There was……… 115) For a teacher of her experience and ability, discipline was not a problem

For such……… 116) There was no precedent for the King’s resignation

Never……… 117) The police were informed of the identity of the murdered man

The identity……… 118) The fate of the two climbers is unknown  It is a mystery……… 119) He was suspended foe two matches for swearing at the referee

Swearing at the referee

earned………

120) Although he was not guilty they executed him

In spite……… 121) People who haven’t been abroad shouldn’t criticize foreign customs

Nobody

who………

122) The only way to eliminate world terrorism is by united opposition

Only by……… 123) If she hadn’t insisted on kissing everyone goodbye she would have caught the train

Is it hadn’t

………

124) The fisherman’s life was one of great poverty

Throughout……… 125) Someone has suggested abolishing income tax

It ……… 126) I do not enjoy cooking for five hungry children

Cooking ……… 127) My parents find fault with everything I do  No matter……… 128) I certainly don’t intend to reply to that rude letter from Edward

I have……… 129) Simon had not expected that he would feel so weak after the operation

The operation left ………

The end