PASSIVES
- There are two sentences in each part. Fill in the blanks in the second sentence so that it may mean the same as the first one. The first one has been done as an example.
(a) Rupa is publishing a biography of Mary Kom.
A biography of Mary Kom is being published by Rupa.
(b) Someone has forgotten these boxes.
These boxes have been forgotten.
(c) The government has issued a warning against the spread of gastroenteritis.
A warning against the spread of gastroenteritis has been issued by the government.
(d) All I can remember is that my son woke us up.
All I can remember is that we were woken up by my son.
(e) He brought a torch in order to enable us to see in the dark.
A torch was brought by him in order to enable us to see in the dark.
(f) They should have given us this information ages ago.
This information should have been given to us ages ago.
(g) The windows are really dirty: nobody has cleaned them for weeks.
The windows are really dirty: they haven’t been cleaned for weeks.
(h) If it hadn’t rained so much, we would have finished the job on time.
If it hadn’t rained so much, the job would have been finished on time.
(i) I don’t like someone telling me what to do.
I don’t like being told what to do.
(j) We can’t take the car: the people at the garage are repairing it.
We can’t take the car: it is being repaired at the garage.
- Read the text given below. Then rewrite it by putting the verbs in bold into the passive and making any other changes that are necessary. Use ‘by + doer’ of the action only where required. The beginning has been provided.
A fire almost completely destroyed the Royal Hotel last night. By the time someone called the fire brigade, the hotel was already blazing. Ambulances took fifteen people, suffering from severe burns, to hospital. They say that seven of them are in a critical condition. People think that a discarded cigarette started the fire.
The Royal Hotel was almost completely destroyed by a fire last night. By the time the fire brigade was called, the hotel was already blazing. Fifteen people, suffering from severe burns, were taken to hospital by ambulances. It is said that seven of them are in a critical condition. It is thought that the fire was started by a discarded cigarette.
- Read the newspaper article given below. It is incomplete. Put the verbs in brackets into the correct tense and form. Some of the verbs should be in the passive and some in the active. One has been done as an example.
Animals on the Roads
More cars and lorries are being driven on our roads every year and as a result of this, more and more wild animals are being killed by vehicles. Roads often cross the routes that are taken by the animals when they are migrating, breeding or feeding. Every spring many thousands of toads are killed as they make their way to the traditional breeding ponds. All over the world, animals are victims of the road and their dead remains can often be seen lying on the roadside. Many badgers and hedgehogs are hit by cars at night as they move around in search of food. Rabbits sometimes seem to be hypnotised by the headlights of cars and are not able to move quickly out of the way. Birds are sometimes hit too as they fly low over roads.
- Read the incomplete conversation between Sonia and Mehak. Complete it in a suitable way.
Mehak : So how was the holiday?
Sonia: Oh, it was fantastic. Everything was organised so well. As soon as we arrived at the airport, we were taken to the hotel. All the rooms had been cleaned and fresh flowers had been placed on the tables.
Mehak : Oh, how lovely! And what about the food?
Sonia: It was excellent. It was prepared in the hotel kitchen that was spotlessly clean. Even biscuits were served to us every morning with our bed tea.
Mehak : That sounds good. I must say, I’d like my meals ware to be prepared for
me for a couple of weeks. And what about the surrounding area? Was that nice?
Sonia: Oh, beautiful. There were trips every day and we were shown all the local sights. There was so much history to see. You’d love it there. Honestly!
SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT
- Fill in the blanks with suitable words to produce a meaningful passage. One has been done for you as an example.
I met Anita while I was working in London as a waitress. She used to come in with a notebook and sit in the window and write away. We used to talk about what it was like when we were students and how great it was not to have exams anymore. I had such a surprise when the other day I saw her on T.V. She was interviewing celebrities of international fame.
- Read the following instructions being given by a teacher. There is one error in each line. Underline the error and write the correction in the space provided. One has been done as an example.
The bus leave the school at 9:00 a.m. and leaves
we arrives at the study centre arrive
before lunch. Lunch are to be served is
at 12:30 sharp. So make sure you and your friend is are
there in time. When lunch finish, it will finishes
be activity time. If the weathers is fine we weather is
can stays on the beach for the stay
whole afternoon. Each one of you are is
expected to keep a record of what you finds find
and submit it when we gets back. get
- Read the following letter Sheela wrote to her aunt. Then fill in the blanks with one suitable word each. One has been done as an example.
Dear aunt
Thanks for your letter. It was nice to hear from you. And yes, I shall like to come and see you in Spain if I have enough money when summer holidays start. I will try and come there, if that is okay with you. Otherwise, I’ll come over in the autumn because I will have enough money by October, provided, of course, that I still have my job. Seriously, lots of people in our company are being fired and it could happen to me next. If I had been sensible, I would have left this job ages ago.
It sounds like the weather’s been really good over there. It has been terrible here. We are expecting it to be better soon. If it continues to be miserable even at the weekend, we will take a trip to the hills.
SENTENCE STRUCTURE
- Rearrange the following words to make meaningful sentences. One has been done for you.
(a) I/waiting/was/my flight/Kartik/I/for/when/met
I was waiting for my flight when I met Kartik.
(b) by/gentleman/a psychiatrist/a thorough/Kartik/profession/is
Kartik is a thorough gentleman by profession.
(c) Godlike figure/profession/is/when/he/it/to his/comes/a
He is a Godlike figure when it comes to his profession.
(d) who are/many/depressed/people/become/work/out of
Many people who are out of work become depressed.
(e) calling/they/him/to/rush/help/for
They are calling him for help.
(f) dealing with/obvious/way of/that/a unique/them/has/is/he/it
It is obvious that he has a unique way of dealing with them.
(g) is/so selflessly/work/the/that he/can/amazing/fact
The fact that he works so selflessly is amazing.
- Read the following conversation and complete it in any suitable way.
Naina : Aashna, I’m delighted to hear that you’ve decided to accept the post of a junior manager.
Aashna: Yes, I just hope that everything goes well.
Naina : Oh, I’m sure it will. Is there anything in particular that worries you
Aashna: Well, yes. I’m not sure how the staff will react. After all, I am much younger than most of them.
Naina : Oh, I wouldn’t worry too much about that. I expect that they may be surprised at first but they’ll soon accept the fact that you are their new manager.
Aashna: How do I handle all this?
Naina : It’s important that you look confident even if you don’t feel confident. They will soon understand the reason that you were chosen because you’re good.
Aashna : Well I hope you’re right
- Complete the following sentences. One has been done as an example.
(a) I’m sorry I wasn’t here earlier but I came as soon as I could .
(b) I decided to travel by train rather than by air so that I could enjoy the scenery.
(c) She kept on dancing although she was tired.
(d) She behaves pleasantly and cordially as long as you agree with her.
(e) I’ll come with you as long as we leave now.
(f) I won’t believe you until you show me proof .
(g) I had forgotten my ATM password; therefore, I couldn’t withdraw money.
(h) Though he is helpful I sometimes find him very irritating.
(i) We will sign the agreement in writing if all the terms are agreed upon .
- Combine the following pairs of sentences into a complex sentence each.
(a) The worst is that we’ll miss the train. This can happen.
The worst that can happen is that we’ll miss the train.
(b) We shouldn’t be discouraged by difficulties. Our teacher says it.
We shouldn’t be discouraged by difficulties, as our teacher says.
(c) It was nice to see those old friends. I had spent my childhood with them.
It was nice to see those old friends with whom I had spent my childhood.
(d) I’ve read both the reports. I agree with neither of them.
I’ve read both the reports, but I agree with neither of them.
(e) The workers have decided to strike work. They are not satisfied with their salary structure.
The workers have decided to strike work because they are not satisfied…
(f) The only thing is to give her a chance to appear at the interview. I can do that.
The only thing I can do is to give her a chance to appear…
(g) The management teams are all saying the same thing. I trust none of them.
All the management teams are saying the same thing, but I trust none…
(h) Her brothers have set up a business together. The youngest one is a friend of mine.
Her brothers, the youngest of whom is a friend of mine, have set up…
(i) The only thing is to withdraw money from my bank. I need to do it.
The only thing I need to do is to withdraw money from my bank.
(j) Everything has been a failure. I’ve done it.
Everything I’ve done has been a failure.
NARRATION
- Write the following in reported speech. One has been done as an example.
(a) ‘Where do you think we should advertise?’ (He asked me)
He asked me where I thought we (they) should advertise.
(b) ‘Must we stay here all evening?’ (She asked her father)
She asked her father if they had to stay there all evening.
(c) ‘Where did you buy that hat?’ (He wanted to know)
He wanted to know where I had bought that hat.
(d) ‘Don’t make any noise during the performance. (They instructed us)
They instructed us not to make any noise during the performance.
(e) ‘What have you done with the students’ records?’ (She asked me)
She asked me what I had done with the students’ records.
(f) ‘Were you teaching music when you were in Bengaluru?’ (They asked)
They asked if I had been teaching music when I was in Bengaluru.
(g) ‘Have you been eating properly?’ (The doctor asked me)
The doctor asked me if I had been eating properly.
(h) ‘Will you send me the report when it’s finished?’ (She asked me)
She asked me if I would send her the report when it was finished.
(i) How is Esther getting on in the class? (She often asks me)
She often asks me how Esther is getting on in the class.
(j) ‘Can’t you keep your voices down a bit?’ (She asked us)
She asked us if we couldn’t keep our voices down a bit.
(k) ‘Are you going to the audition for the play?’ (He asked her)
He asked her whether she was going to the audition.
(l) ‘What are we doing about the publicity for the event?’ (She wondered)
She wondered what they were doing about the publicity.
(m) ‘Shall I call her over for dinner?’ (She’s been wondering)
She’s been wondering whether she should call her over for dinner.
- Read the dialogues given below and complete the paragraphs that follow each. Use the reporting verbs given in the box. One has been done as an example.
decide, complain, accuse, advise, persuade, apologise, offer, remind, warn, order, request, exclaim, enquire
Dialogue 1
Farha: What’s wrong with you? You look rather dejected.
Somia: I’m very unhappy about the extra work I have to do.
Farha: I’m free at the moment. I’ll help you with some of it. I think you should take leave and rest for a few days.
Somia: Good God! I think I should resign!
Farha: You should not do so. Remember this is just the beginning of your career.
Somia: I have decided that I must quit this job.
Farha : I’m not going to discuss it with you. I think it’s a waste of time.
Farha enquired of Somia what was wrong with her for she looked rather dejected. Somia complained that she was very unhappy about the extra work she had to do. Farha, who was free at that moment, offered to help her with some of it and advised her to take leave and rest for a few days. Somia exclaimed that she thought she should resign. Farha persuaded her not to do so and reminded her that it was just the beginning of her career. Somia was adamant. She decided that she must quit that job. Farha felt quite helpless and refused to discuss the matter with her. She thought talking about it was a waste of time.
Dialogue 2
Arjun: I’ve lost my Maths book. Can you lend me yours?
Pranav : I’m sorry, for I need it to do my homework.
Arjun: You fool! I lost my book because of you. Now I’m taking yours.
Pranav : Don’t touch my book! You must not enter my room again or there will be trouble.
Arjun: Oh no! Is there no justice?
Arjun told Pranav that he had lost his Maths book and requested him to lend his.
Pranav refused, saying he needed it. Arjun accused him of being responsible.
Pranav ordered him not to touch his book and warned that there would be trouble.
Arjun exclaimed in despair.
- Choose the most suitable item from the box and complete the sentences using reported speech.
You’re going to have a fantastic week I haven’t finished it yet
I’ve only just had dinner I don’t want to see you anymore
I missed the last bus You’ll have to have an operation
We’re doing all we can to solve the case I won’t increase taxes
(a) I offered him something to eat, but he said that he had only just had dinner.
(b) She got home at 2 a.m. and told her parents that she had missed the last bus.
(c) A police spokesman said that they were doing all they could to solve the case.
(d) In a TV interview, the Finance Minister promised that he wouldn’t increase taxes.
(e) She asked him to get out and told him that she didn’t want to see him anymore.
(f) My horoscope was wrong; it said that I was going to have a fantastic week.
(g) When I asked for my book back, she said that she hadn’t finished it yet.
(h) I was horrified when the doctor told me that I would have to have an operation.
MODALS
- Complete the following letter using the correct form of ‘should’, ‘ought to’, ‘must’, ‘need’ or ‘have to’. One has been done as an example.
Dear Son,
I was glad to read your letter and the fact that your friends are coming over. I think you should/ought to offer to receive them at the airport. Besides, tell them that they need not pay to stay in a hotel. They can stay with us. You should/must drive them around the city if possible or else arrange for a good cab service.
We’re enjoying our stay here. We’ve been staying in the guest house for the last two weeks. So, we need not cook our meals. Your dad’s a little tired because of continuous strenuous work. But it’s his own fault. He should not/ought not to work late nights.
Why must Poodle be chained all day? You should take him for a walk in the evening. And yes, you must not bathe him in the evening. He’ll fall ill.
Minnie’s wedding has been postponed, so I need not return early. You should not worry about us. We will be back by the end of this month.
Take care.
With love,
Ma
- Write each of the following pairs of sentences as one sentence using ‘need’, ‘should’, ‘should not’, ‘will’, ‘ought to’, ‘must’, ‘must not’ or ‘have to’. One has been done as an example.
(a) You were not working when I came in. I am displeased.
You should have been working when I came in.
(b) Everyone gets up early but Parul does not. Her classes are in the evening.
Parul does not have to get up early because her classes are in the evening.
(c) The meeting is at 9 o’clock. I am supposed to attend it.
I must attend the meeting at 9 o’clock.
(d) Safety regulations are for employees. It’s for their own safety.
Employees must follow safety regulations for their own safety.
(e) Students wear uniforms to school. It is compulsory.
Students must wear uniforms to school.
(f) It is your friend’s birthday. Give her a birthday gift.
You should give your friend a birthday gift.
(g) This is a library. Please maintain silence.
You must maintain silence in the library.
(h) Tina is too young. She needs your help to cross the road.
You must help Tina cross the road.
(i) The lawn has been watered. Do not walk on the grass.
You must not walk on the grass.
(j) I may fail in one of my exams. It’s worth taking all of them again.
If I fail in any one of my exams, I ought to take all of them again.
(k) Patients in hospitals need rest. Do not make a noise.
You must not make a noise; patients in hospitals need rest.
TENSES
- Fill each gap with one suitable word. One has been done for you.
(a) I was walking through the park yesterday when I heard suddenly one loud scream after another. I am sure, even now, that they were screams but when I reached the spot I saw absolutely nothing. I felt I had been imagining the sounds all along.
(b) My flatmate is a very difficult person to live with. He leaves his things lying all over the place. He never puts anything away. He has been such a nuisance the past week. He never talks to anyone and behaves according to his own will. For the last two days I have been thinking of changing my flat.
- Read the following dialogues and complete them using the words in brackets appropriately.
Dialogue 1 [Anand (A) and Bharat (B) are talking]
A: Where have you been, Bharat?
B: I was talking to Samridh on the phone. He says he has been trying to phone us all day.
A: Well, I have been in the office most of the day but I did not hear the phone.
B: That’s strange. But anyway, he received a phone call from Saurabh’s mother. Saurabh has been in some kind of accident.
A: Oh! dear, has he broken any bones?
B: I’m not sure how badly he has been hurt but I think we should go and see him tonight.
Dialogue 2 [Mohit (M) and Pranav (P) are talking]
M: Hello! I haven’t seen you for ages.
P: It must be about two years since we last met.
What have you been doing nowadays?
M: I have been doing all sorts of things.
Life has been very busy lately. I have started a new job at the sailing centre.
P: Really! Doing what?
M: Well, I am teaching beginners’ courses to school groups this term but when those finish, I’ll be teaching more advanced groups on holiday courses.
P: That sounds great. What about your old job at the tourist office?
M: Well, I worked there for ten years and I quite enjoyed it. And what about you?
P: Well, I’m still at the Grand Hotel. I have been working there for fifteen years now. But I have had a promotion, so that’s good. They have given me the job of Deputy General Manager.
M: Oh! that’s good news.
P: Yes, it has made me feel much better about work. Besides, a month ago I passed my beginner’s course exams in French and German. Did you know I have been attending Spanish language classes in the evenings?
M: So you do! What a good idea!
- Use the verbs in brackets appropriately to fill in the blanks in the following sentences.
(a) I expect they will be tired when you see them because they will have been working all day.
(b) I think they will have finished building the house by the time the winter sets in and then we will move in in the New Year.
(c) A: Can you post this letter for me on your way to work?
B: I’m sorry but I won’t walk past the post box this morning because Rohini is giving me a lift to work.
(d) Have you decided what you are going to do this weekend?
- Read the following conversation. Complete it by writing the correct form of the verbs in the brackets following each blank.
Anita: Meghna, we need to complete the project at hand. Do you think I can come over to your place right after work?
Meghna: I don’t think that’ll work out. Why don’t you come around 5 o’clock?
The children will have gone to play by then, so it will be nice and peaceful.
Anita: Are they at school right now?
Meghna: Yes. They will be hungry when they get home because they have been working and running around all morning at school. You should ring up your husband and inform him of the change.
Anita: I can’t phone him now. He has not reached home yet. He usually gets back at about half past eight.
Meghna: You could try coming around 9 o’clock. The children will have gone to sleep by the time you come and we will work on the project.
Anita: Everyone’s home at that time. I expect they will be hungry because they will have been working all day.
Meghna: How about the weekend then? Have you decided what you are going to do this weekend?
Anita: I am not going out anywhere because my cousin is coming over.