Exercises
Posts in Think and Speak tagged ‘Exercises’
Compose two sentences for each of these nouns, one where it is the subject of the verb and (if possible) one where it is the object.
Use each word below in two sentences, first as the subject of a verb, and then as the object of a verb. It doesn’t have to be the same verb: some verbs can’t be paired with an object (e.g. arrive, happen), so watch out for these.
Show by means of sentences whether these verbs can be used both in active and also in passive constructions.
In the sentence ‘John repairs clocks’ John is the cause of the repairs; we say that this sentence is in the active voice. But in the sentence ‘The clock has been repaired’ the clock is not the cause of the repair; we call this a passive sentence. For each verb below, try to write one active sentence and one passive sentence. For which verbs is this awkward or not possible?
Suggest words for a small amount of something, such as water, salt or scandal.
For each word below, suggest words which might be used for a small amount of it, such as a drop of water. Some likely words have been given underneath. Don’t be satisfied with the first word you think of; a ‘drop’ of whisky is not the most elegant answer.
Complete these traditional comparisons, from pies to Punch.
English has a number of traditional comparisons in the form ‘As ... as ...’. They include ‘As easy as pie’, meaning ‘very easy’. Complete the proverbial comparisons below with a suitable word. We have given some suggestions underneath; you may be able to think of others.