1/ Richard only took over the family business because his father

decided to retire early.

→ Had it not been for his father’s early retirement, Richard
wouldn’t have taken over the family business.
2/ We would always take great care when flying at night. (WITS)
→ We used to keep our wits about us when flying at night
3/ There haven’t been such long queues at the cinema since
the release of the last blockbuster.
→ Not since the release of the last blockbuster have there been
such long queues at the cinema
4/ I will only be satisfied if the manager apologises fully.
→ Nothing short of a full apology from the manager will satisfy
me
5/ She was concentrating so hard on her work that she didn’t
notice when I came in. (WRAPPED)
→ She was so wrapped up in her work that she didn’t notice when
I came in
6/ The price of the house has been reduced as much as
possible because the owner needs some money. (BONE)
→ The house has been cut/pared to the bone because the owner
need some money
7/ The permit expires at the end of the month.
→ The permit is not valid at the end of the month
8/ The first sign of the disease is blurred vision. (ONSET)
→ The onset of the disease is blurred vision
9/ Don’t say anything negative about her hair because she’s
very sensitive and might be offended by your remarks.
(OFFENCE)
→ Don’t say anything negative about her hair because she’s very sensitive and
might take offence at your remarks
10/ The new teacher was so nervous that the class
reacted mischievously.
→ The new teacher’s
Nervousness drew a mischievous reaction from the class
ANSWER KEY:
1/ Had it not been for his father’s early retirement,
Richard wouldn’t have taken over the family business.
2/ We always used to have/keep our wits about us when
flying at night.
3/ Not since the release of the last blockbuster have there
been such long queues at the cinema.
4/ Nothing short of a full apology from the manager will satisfy
me. 5/ She was so wrapped up in her work that she didn’t notice
when I came in.
6/ The house has been cut/pared to the bone because the
owner needs some money.
7/ The permit is not valid after the end of the
month. 8/ The onset of the disease is blurred
vision.
9/ Don’t say anything negative about her hair because she’s
very sensitive and might take offence at your remarks.
10/ The new teacher’s nervousness drew (a) mischievous
reaction(s) from the class.
1/ Mr. Foster asked me to write this letter to you.
→ It is at Mr.Foster’s request that I am writing this letter to you
2/ The only thing that prevented the passing of the bill was the death
of the Prime Minister.
→ Were it not to have been for the death of the Prime Minister , the bill
would have been passed through

3/ Jane persuaded the others to agree with her point of view.

→ Jane brought the others round her point of view
4/ The inhabitants were far worse-off twenty years ago than they are
now.
→ The inhabitants are nowhere as badly-off as they were twenty years
ago

5/ They designed the stadium to make hooliganism impossible.

(SUCH)
→ The stadium was designed in such a way to rule out
hooliganism.
6/ My friend took no notice of my advice. (DEAF)
→ My friend turned a deaf ear to my advice
7/ He didn’t think much of the musical show yesterday. (OPINION)
→ He had a low opinion of the musical show yesterday
8/ He was finally able to adjust himself to the new working
conditions. (SWING)
→ He finally got into the swing of the new working conditions
9/ Some airlines cheat people by charging them too much for
tickets. (RIP)
→ Some airlines rip people off by charging them too much for tickets
10/ They believe that the hotel was quite near the beach. (THROW)
→ The hotel is to have been just a stone’s throw away from the beach
ANSWER KEY:
1/ It is at Mr. Foster’s request that I am writing this letter to
you. 2/ Were it not to have been for the death of the Prime
Minister, the bill would have been passed/got through.
3/ Jane brought the others round to her point of view.
4/ The inhabitants are nowhere as badly-off as they were
twenty years ago.
5/ The stadium was designed in such a way (as) to
stamp/rule/iron out hooliganism.
6/ My friend turned a deaf ear to my advice.
7/ He had a low opinion of the musical show yesterday.
8/ He finally got into the swing of the new working conditions.
9/ Some airlines rip people off by charging them too much
for tickets.
10/ The hotel is believed to have been just a stone’s throw
(away) from the beach.
 1/ He was too frightened to admit that he had broken the
window. (OWN)
→ So frightened was he that he couldn’t own up to breaking the
window
2/ I wish he would stop criticising my work. (FAULT)
→ I’d sooner he stopped finding fault at my work
3/ Zoe always makes spontaneous decisions concerning her
travel plans. (ACTS)
→ Zoe always acts on impulse when making her travel plans
4/ He really disappointed me when breaking the promise to help
me out. (TEETH) He really kicked me in the teeth when breaking
the promise to help me out
→
5/ If her father hadn’t retired, she wouldn’t have taken over
his work/ (STEPPED)
→ But for her father’s retirement, she wouldn’t have stepped into
his shoes
6/ His efforts to find a solution didn’t deserve such
savage criticism.
→ He shouldn’t have been savagely criticized for his efforts to
find a solution
7/ People became aware of the damage to the ozone layer
when an enormous hole was discovered over the South Pole.
→ It was the discovery of an enormous hole over the South Pole
that make people aware of the damage to ….
8/ When I grow up, I’m going to be really important. (CAT)
→ When I grow up, I’m going to be a fat cat
9/ I thought very hard but couldn’t remember the answer.
(RACKED)
→ I RACKED MY BRAIN TO REMEMBER THE ANSWER
10/ Alex grimaced as he swallowed the foul-tasting
medicine. (PULLED)
→ Alex
PULLED A FACE AS HE SWALLOWED THE FOUL-TASTING MEDICINE
ANSWER KEY:
1/ So frightened was he that he couldn’t own up to
breaking/having broken the window.
2/ I’d sooner he didn’t find fault with my work.
I’d sooner he stopped finding fault with my work.
3/ Zoe always acts on impulse when she makes her travel
plans.
Zoe always acts on impulse when making her travel plans.
4/ He really kicked me in the teeth when breaking the
promise to help me out.
5/ But for her father’s retirement, she wouldn’t have stepped
into his shoes.
6/ He shouldn’t have been savagely criticised for his efforts to
find a solution.
7/ It was the discovery of an enormous hole over the South
Pole that made people aware of the damage to the ozone layer.
It was the discovery of an enormous hole over the South
Pole that raised people’s awareness of the damage to the ozone
layer.
8/ When I grow up, I’m going to be a fat cat.
9/ I racked my brain(s) to remember the answer.
10/ Alex pulled a face as he swallowed the foul-tasting medicine.
1/ Linda was very nervous, which made her look like a
bashful girl. (CAME)
→ Such was her nervousness that Linda came over as a bashful
girl
2/ As soon as the funds ran out, they had to abandon the
scheme. (PETERED)
→ The instant the funds petered out, they …..
3/ Why did you reveal my plan to Kathy? (BREATHED)
→ I’d rather you hadn’t breathed a word about my plan to Kathy
4/ David was responsible for the family business as soon as
his father retired. (CHARGE)
→ Scarcely has his father retired when David took charge of the
family business

5/ Your encouragement helped to make things less grievous

after such a heavy loss. (CUSHION)
→ It was your encouragement that helped cushion the flow after
such a heavy loss

6/ Tina was crazy about stamps, so she spent lots of money on

them every month.
→ Had it not been for her craze for stamps, Tina wouldn’t have
splashed out on them every month
7/ He tried hard but couldn’t compensate for what he had
done. (AMENDS)
→ Try hard as he might, he couldn’t compensate for what he had
done
8/ Experts think that all dogs evolved from wolves.
(DESCENDED)
→ All dogs are thought to have been descended from wolves by
experts.
9/ We didn’t learn he still managed to live with very little
money as a waiter until later. (EKED)
→ Not until later did we learn he still eked out a miserable living
as a waiter

10/ Nobody is certain if the project will be permitted to

continue. (GO-AHEAD)
→ It’s still touch and go whether the project will be given the go-
ahead or not.
ANSWER KEY:
1/ Such was her nervousness that she came over as a bashful
girl.
2/ The instant the funds petered out, they had to abandon
the scheme.
3/ I’d rather/sooner you hadn’t breathed a word about my plan
to Kathy.
4/ Scarcely had his father retired when took charge/was put
in charge of the family business.
5/ It was your encouragement that helped cushion the blow
after such a heavy loss.
6/ Had it not been for her craze for stamps, Tina wouldn’t
have splashed out on them every month.
7/ Try as he might, he couldn’t make amends for what he had
done. 8/ All dogs are thought to have been descended
from wolves according to experts.
9/ Not until later did we learn he (still) eked out a
(miserable) living/an existence as a waiter.
10/ It’s still touch and go whether the project will be given/will
get the go-ahead or not.
1/ Two men stole the old lady’s handbag.
→ The old lady was robbed of her handbag by two men
2/ “Without the rapid growth in population there would be
fewer food shortages”.
→ He blamed the rapid growth in population for food shortages

3/ Not many of the people in Britain speak a single word of

my language.
→ Hardly any of the people in Britain speak a single word of my
language

4/ I certainly won’t change my mind about resigning.

(QUESTION)
→ There is no question of my changing my mind about resigning
5/ Don’t tell the boss about the scheme. (BREATHE)
→ Don’t breathe a word about the scheme to the boss
6/ I really think my son is going to be a hugely
successful businessman.
→ I have high hope my son being a hugely successful
businessman

7/ I am sure that he missed the eleven o’clock train. (CAN’T)

→ He can’t possibly have caught the eleven o’clock train
8/ My mother insisted on me wearing the dress. (PRESSED)
→ My mother pressed on me wearing the dress
9/ She decided to have five bowls of rice because she was
hungry. (MUNCHIES)
→ Having THE MUNCHIES , She decided to have five bowls of rice
10/ Your empty promises won’t have any effect on her. (ICE)
→ Your empty promises will cut no ice with her het
11/ He is becoming quite famous as an interviewer. (NAME)
→ He is making a name for himself as an interviewer
ANSWER KEY:
1/ The old lady was robbed of her handbag.
2/ He blamed the food shortages on the rapid growth in
population. He blamed the rapid growth in population for the
food shortages.
3/ Hardly anyone/any of the people in Britain speak(s) my
language. 4/ There is no question of my/me changing my mind
about resigning.
My changing my mind about resigning is out of the question.
5/ Don’t breathe a word about our scheme to the boss.
6/ I have high hopes of/for my son being a hugely
successful businessman.
7/ He can’t possibly have caught the eleven o’clock
train. 8/ My mother pressed the dress on me.
9/ Having the munchies, she decided to have five bowls of
rice. 10/ Your empty promises will cut no ice with her.
11/ He is making a name for himself as an interviewer.
1/ He really upset everyone when he told his secret. (PIGEONS)
→ He REALLY PUT THE CAT AMONG PIGEONS WHEN HE TOLD HIS
SECRET
2/ Your attitude will have to change if you want to succeed.
(LEAF)
→ You will HAVE TO TURN OVER A NEW LEAF IF…
3/ You may think you are talented but horses will always show
you are not. (PEG)
→ Talented as you think you are, horses will always bring you down a peg

4/ I avoided mentioning Jack’s demotion as I realised that it

might upset him. (SLEEPING)
→ Realizing that mentioning Jack’s demotion might upset him, I
let sleeping dogs lie

5/ Susan is far superior to me in terms of technical

knowledge. (MATCH)
→ When it comes to technical knowledge , I’m no match for Susan
6/ It is important that we have to get the team to comply with
the rules.
→ It is of the utmost important that we get the team to toe the
line

7/ Winning the prize has made him very conceited. (HEAD)

→ Winning the prize has gone to his head
8/ Prompt action from the police helped to reduce the
number of people killed and injured in the fighting. (SUFFERED)
→ Were it not to have been for prompt action from the police, the
fighting would have suffered heavy casualties

9/ His efforts to find a solution didn’t deserve such

savage criticism.
→ He to find a solution.
10/ He did not succeed in reaching the top of the highest
mountain in this area.
→ In vain did he reach the top of ….
ANSWER KEY:
1/ He really put the cat among the pigeons when he told
them his secret.
2/ You will have to turn over a new leaf if you want to succeed.
3/ No matter how talented you think you are, horses will
always bring/take you down a peg (or two).
4/ Realizing that mentioning Jack’s demotion might upset him, I
let sleeping dogs lie.
5/ When it comes to technical knowledge, I am no match for
Susan. 6/ It is of importance that we have to get the team to
toe the line. 7/ Winning the prize has gone to his head.
8/ Were it not to have been for prompt action from the police,
the fighting would have suffered heavy casualties.
9/ He shouldn’t have been savagely criticised for his efforts to
find a solution.
10/ In vain did he reach the top of the highest mountain in this
area.
1/ It’s possible that the last person to leave didn’t lock the door.
→ The last person to leave might have possibly left the door
unlocked
2/ The response to our appeal was so great that we had to
take on more staff.
→ Such was the response to our appeal that we had to take on
more staff

3/ I will only be satisfied if the manager apologises fully.

→ Nothing short of a full apology from the manager will satisfy
me
4/ It is essential that you tell us everything.
→ It is of the utmost importance that …..
5/ Her arrival was completely unexpected.
→ She took it on herself to come there
6/ It’s much easier than everyone makes out. (NOTHING)
→ It’s nothing as difficult as everyone makes out
7/ This should be returned to the sender of this letter as soon
as possible. (UNDERSIGNED)
→ Please return this letter to the undersigned without delay

8/ The police need to establish the vehicle’s precise speed at

the moment of impact. (FAST) The police need to establish
precisely how fast the vehicle was at the moment of impact
→

9/ Any correspondence from the Canberra office must be dealt

with before other matters. PRIORITY Any.. must take priority
over the other matters
→

10/ Don’t panic about something so trivial. MOUNTAIN

→
Don’t make a mountain out of a mole hill
ANSWER KEY:
1/ The last person to leave might have left the door unlocked.
2/ Such was the (great) response to our appeal that we had to
take on more staff.
3/ Nothing short of a full apology from the manager will satisfy
me. 4/ It is of the utmost importance that we (should) be
kept fully informed.
5/ She took it on herself to come here/there.
6/ It is nothing like as difficult as everyone makes out.
7/ Please return this letter to the undersigned without delay.
8/ The police need to establish precisely how fast the vehicle
was going at the moment of impact.
9/ Any correspondence from the Canberra office must take
priority (be given priority) over other matters.
10/ Don’t make a mountain out of a molehill.
1/ In order to make a profit the new leisure centre needs at
least 2000 visitors a month.
→

2/ John took my place while I was at the dentist’s.

→ John stood in for my place while I was at the dentist’s
3/ I don’t think Patrick has ever been camping.
→ To the best of my knowledge , Patrick has never been camping
4/ Philip’s inability to make decisions dates from his accident.
→ Ever since his accident, Phillip has been unable to make
decisions
5/ Something must be done to solve this problem.
→ Urgent
6/ It is a foregone conclusion that Mark will get the job. SAYING
→ ItB
7/ Being her only niece, Ann is very precious to her. APPLE
→ Being her only niece,
8/ Most people know that becoming an actor is difficult.
COMMON
→ It
9/ In my opinion, computers are more trouble than they’re
worth. HINDRANCE
→ In my opinion,
10/ Fiona said she was against the proposal. EXPRESSED
→ Fiona
ANSWER KEY:
1/ No fewer than 2000 visitors a month must visit the new
leisure centre to make a profit.
2/ John stood in for me while I was at the dentist’s.
3/ To the best of my knowledge, Patrick has never been
camping. 4/ Ever since his accident, Philip has been unable to
make decisions. 5/ Urgent action is necessary/essential to
solve this problem.
6/ It goes without saying that Mark will get the
job. 7/ Being her only niece, Ann is the apple of
her eye.
8/ It is common knowledge that becoming an actor is
difficult. 9/ In my opinion, computers are more of a
hindrance than a help.
10/ Fiona expressed her opposition to / disapproval of the
proposal.
1/ I arrived late because I missed the 10:30 train. (TURNED)
→ If I’d caught the 10:30 train, I would have turned up
2/ In my opinion, these two kinds of music are completely
different from each other. (COMPARISON)
→ In my opinion, there

3/ According to the report, the driver of the car was a

policeman. (BEING)
→ According to the report, the car
4/ “It’s not worth worrying about the past”, I told him. (POINT)
→ I told him that
5/ The author describes his childhood vividly in the
book. (ACCOUNT)
→ The author’s book
6/ This plant often gets attacked by insects. (PRONE)
→ This plant
7/ None of the other team members supported Terry’s
idea. (SUPPORT)
→ Terry’s idea
8/ Mr. Conrad’s son is becoming quite well-known as an
artist. (NAME)
→ Mr. Conrad’s son
9/ Those terrapins which survive their first year may live to
be twenty.
→ Should

10/ Does he know enough English to work as a translator?

→ Is his
ANSWER KEY:
1/ If I’d caught the 10:30 train, I would have turned up on time.
2/ In my opinion, there is no comparison between these two
kinds of music.
3/ According to the report, the car was being driven by a
policeman. 4/ I told him that there was no point in worrying
about the past.
5/ The author’s book gives a vivid account of his
childhood. 6/ This plant is prone to being attacked by
insects.
7/ Terry’s idea met with no support from the other members of
the team.
8/ Mr. Conrad’s son is making a name for himself as an artist.
9/ Should terrapins survive their first year, they may live to
be twenty.
10/ Is his knowledge of English good enough for him to work
as a translator?
1/ We had a long discussion about the problem, but we couldn’t
solve it. (COME)
→ We discussed
2/ The reason why my son has been studying hard is that he
wants to apply for a scholarship. (EYE)
→ My son has been pulling
3/ Mimi knew for sure that her friend was making fun of
her. (SHADOW / LEG)
→
4/ To put it bluntly, we are making no progress with
this rehabilitation scheme. (STANDSTILL)
→ In a
5/ You may be dismissed if you fail to observe the rules. (LINE)
→ Failure
6/ The manufacturing process was delayed by problems no one
had foreseen. (HELD)
→ The manufacturing process
7/ Many species of wildlife are threatened with
extinction. (TEETERING)
→
8/ We would like you to give us a copy of your new
prospectus. (PROCURE)
→ Would you be
9/ Why should anybody be proud of the fact that they
were unemployed? (ON)
→ Why should anybody take
10/ You’ve eaten so much that it is logical you feel sick.
(STANDS)
→ You’ve made
11/ We suppose the new models are about ten thousand
dollars. (VICINITY)
→ The new models
12/ My advice is that you get straight to the point in the
next report. (BUSH)
→
13/ Many people refuse to change because they always seek
the easiest solution. (RESISTANCE)
→ Many people refuse to turn
14/ Fancy you and I meeting in the middle of Africa like this!
(ODD)
→
15/ Redundancy has caused a lot of domestic problems.
→ Many a
16/ Tommy is not a very nice guy as he is so self-absorbed.
(IF / HIMSELF)
→ Tommy
17/ All of a sudden, the thief attacked me and took my purse
away. (DID)
→ In a
18/ The success of that new pop star is only short-lived, and
we won’t even remember her name in a couple of years. (PAN)
→That new pop star into
obscurity in a couple of years.
19/ Jane didn’t get the job because she wasn’t experienced
enough. (DOWN / LACK)
→ Jane’s
20/ Tim liked Mary so much that he was willing to help her
with anything. (FELL)
→ Tim was so enamoured to help her
with anything.
ANSWER KEY:
1/ We discussed the problem at length, but we couldn’t come
up with a solution (to it).
2/ My son has been pulling his socks up with an eye to applying
for a scholarship.
3/ Mimi knew without a shadow of doubt that her friend was
pulling her leg.
4/ In a nutshell, this rehabilitation scheme was at a
standstill. 5/ Failure to toe the line may lead to / result in
your dismissal.
6/ The manufacturing process was held up by/because
of/due to/owing to/ on account of/ as a result of unforeseen
problems.
7/ Many species of wildlife are teetering on the brink/edge
of extinction.
8/ Would be so kind as to procure a copy of your new
prospectus for us?
9/ Why should anybody take pride in the fact that they
went/were on the dole?
10/ You’ve made a pig of yourself, so it stands to reason that
you feel sick.
11/ The new models are supposed to be in the vicinity of
ten thousand dollars.
12/ If I were you, I would not beat around/about the bush in
the next report.
13/ Many people refuse to turn over a new leaf because they
always follow the path of least resistance.
14/ It’s odd that you and I should meet in the middle of Africa
like this!
15/ Many a domestic problem has been caused by redundancy.
16/ Tommy would be a (very) nice guy if he weren’t so full of
himself. 17/ In a flash, the thief did me over and took my purse
away.
18/ That new pop star is a flash in the pan, and her name will
fade/sink/slide/slip into obscurity in a couple of years.
19/ Jane’s failure to get the job was down to her lack of
experience. 20/ Tim was so enamoured of/with Mary that he fell
over himself to help her with anything.
1/ I really don’t like it when you cheated me yesterday. (RIDE)
→ I’d rather
2/ This plant often gets attacked by insects. (PRONE)
→
3/ Only when the storm subsided was it clear just how much
damage had been done. (EXTENT)
→ It was
clear.
4/ This essay shows a slight improvement on the
last. (MARGINALLY)
→
5/ You could be arrested for not giving a breath sample to
the police. (REFUSAL)
→
6/ The negotiations came to an end when the employees
refused to give way. (OFF)
→
7/ The person responsible for the investigation was in
error. (MISTAKE)
→ The person in
8/ The city is called Bath because of the Roman baths that
were there. (OWES)
→ Bath
9/ He was really jealous when he saw his opponent make it
through to the next round. (ADVANCE)
→ He was green
10/ Mr. Brown doesn’t want employees to spend more time
than is necessary on travel. (LIMITS)
→ Mr. Brown has
11/ You must concentrate on your work more. (APPLY)
→
12/ It wasn’t clear to us at the time how serious the problem
was.
→ Little
13/ We must reduce the company’s outgoings. (CHOICE)
→
14/ The tourists were unharmed after the train crash. (WORSE)
→
15/ It’s clear to everyone that he’s excellent at his job.
(DENYING)
→
16/ I did not attend the farewell party last night because I had a
lot of work to deal with. (NECK)
→ If I
17/ I imagine it was tough for you to refuse every beggar that
asked you for money. (TURN)
→ It must
18/ Alice and Charles did not decide to move to a bigger house
until after the birth of their second child.
→ Only when
19/ Don’t make me suffer because of your problems! (ON)
→ Don’t take
20/ It would be easy to make a film adaptation of Danielle
Steel’s latest novel. (ITSELF)
→
ANSWER KEY:
1/ I’d rather you hadn’t taken me for a ride yesterday.
2/ This plant is prone to attack/getting attacked/being attacked
by insects.
3/ It was not until the storm (had) subsided that the extent of
the damage was clear.
4/ This essay is marginally better than the last.
5/ Refusal to give a breath sample to the police could lead
to/result in your arrest.
6/ The negotiations were broken off when the employees
refused to give way.
7/ The person in charge of the investigation made a
mistake. 8/ Bath owes its name to the Roman baths
that were there.
9/ He was green with envy upon seeing his opponent advance to
the next round.
10/ Mr.Brown has set limits to employees’ expenditure on
travel. 11/ You must apply yourself to your work more.
12/ Little did we know/realise at the time how serious the
problem was.
13/ Our only/best choice is to reduce the company’s outgoings.
14/ The tourists were none the worse for their experience in
the train crash.
15/ There’s no denying that he’s excellent at his job.
16/ If I hadn’t been up to my neck in work, I would have
attended the farewell party last night.
17/ It must have been tough/difficult/hard for you to turn
down every beggar that asked you for money.
18/ Only when Alice and Charles had their second child did
they decide to move to a bigger house.
19/ Don’t take it out on me just because you’ve got problems!
20/ Danielle Steel’s latest novel lends itself to being made
into a film.
1/ Tim insisted on being told the complete disaster.
→ Nothing but
2/ He never seems to succeed, even though he works hard.
→ However
3/ Alice is the most generous person I have ever met.
→ I’ve
4/ Thomas never seems to succeed even though he studies
much
→ Much
5/ I never thought that I would win a prize.
→ It had
6/ We won’t get to the airport in less than 30 minutes.
→ It will
7/ This car only cost me five hundred pounds. (PICKED)
→
8/ I tried to talk to Thompson about the problem but he was
too busy. (WORD)
→
9/ If you don’t take care of those trees, they won’t last for long.
→
10/ The best solution was thought of by Jolie. (CAME)
→
ANSWER KEY:
1/ Nothing but the complete / whole disaster would satisfy
Tim. 2/ However hard he works, he never seems to
succeed.
3/ I’ve never met anyone that is more generous than
Alice. 4/ Much as Thomas studies, he never seems to
succeed.
5/ It had never crossed my mind that I’d win a
prize. 6/ It will take at least 30 minutes to get to
the airport. 7/ I picked this car up for only five
hundred pounds.
8/ I tried to have a word with Thompson about the problem but
he was too busy.
9/ Unless you look after those trees, they won’t last for
long. 10/ Jolie came up with the best solution.
1/ A rather nasty problem has appeared.
→ We’ve come
2/ I have called this meeting in order to present the latest
sales figures.
→ My purpose
3/ Mrs. Wilson says she’s sorry she didn’t attend the
meeting yesterday morning.
→ Mrs. Wilson sends
4/ For further information, please send a self-addressed
envelope to the above address.
→ Further information can
5/ It’s almost nine months since I stopped subscribing to
that magazine.
→ I cancelled
6/ He makes sure that he isn’t associated with policies he
disagrees with. DISTANCES
→
7/ Students at the school are not allowed to go into the
Rainbow Disco. BOUNDS
→ Rainbow Disco
8/ She wasn’t speaking seriously. TONGUE
→
9/ We suddenly decided to go far away for the weekend. SPUR
→
10/ It would be easy to make a film adaptation of Danielle
Steel’s latest novel. ITSELF
→ Danielle Steel’s latest novel
ANSWER KEY:
1/ We’ve come up against a rather nasty problem.
2/ My purpose in calling this meeting is to present the latest
sales figures.
3/ Mrs. Wilson sends her apologies for not having attended
/attending the meeting yesterday morning.
4/ Further information can be obtained by sending a self-
addressed envelope to the above address.
5/ I cancelled my subscription to that magazine nine months
ago.
6/ He makes sure (that) he distances himself from policies
he disagrees with.
7/ The Rainbow Disco is out of bounds to students at the
school. 8/ She was speaking with her tongue in her cheek.
9/ We decided on the spur of the moment to go far away at
the weekend.
10/ Danielle Steel’s latest novel lends itself to being made
into a film.
1/ Going to and fro with all the cases is what I can’t stand
about holidays.
→ It’s all
2/ The village shop is now being managed by a national
supermarket chain.
→ A national supermarket chain has taken
3/ This door is an emergency exit and must never be locked for
any reason. (BECAUSE)
→ On
4/ Yolanda’s family persuaded her to enter the competition.
→ Yolanda was talked
5/ So many people were really delighted when the government
lost the election. (JUBILATION)
→
6/ The board had a secret meeting in order to discuss
changes in company policy. (DOORS)
→
7/ Peter was in trouble with his boss because he didn’t finish
an important project by the deadline. (HOT)
→
8/ She told everyone that she had been fired by the
company. (SACK)
→ She let
9/ Should there be a problem, contact us at all costs. (LINE)
→ In the
10/ Although the manager is sluggish, he is a smooth speaker.
(GIFT)
→ Sluggish
11/ Do you think he's been cheating us from the beginning?
(ALL)
→
12/ Congressman Saunders start the argument during a
heated debate on capital punishment. (SALVO)
→
13/ We all wished to be treated equally. (AS)
→
14/ Business has been thriving in the past year. I hope it
will continue. (MAY)
→
15/ She is a quiet woman but her passion is easy to see in her
music. (SHINES)
→
16/ We hope they can forget their differences and get on
with working together. (IRON)
→
17/ She rarely spoke, but her brother could talk a lot. (DONKEY)
→
18/ It’s time for you to start working determinedly and do
some revision. (HEAD)
→
19/ Thanks, a strong cup of coffee in the morning is exactly
what is needed. (DOCTOR)
→
20/ I'm very tired, because of travelling all day yesterday
and having a disturbed night. (WITH)
→
21/ Do you think we should quit or keep going? (PACK)
→
22/ You buy the tickets and I'll pay you back later. (SETTLE)
→
23/ I've been very busy all morning. (FEET)
→
24/ If a child is left alone, he loses his enjoyment of living.
(ZEST)
→
ANSWER KEY:
1/ It’s all toing and froing with all the cases that I can’t stand
about holidays.
2/ A national supermarket chain has taken charge over
the management.
3/ On no account must this door ever be locked because it is
an emergency exit.
4/ Yolanda was talked into entering the competition by her
family. 5/ There was much JUBILATION when the
government lost the election.
6/ The board met behind closed doors in order to discuss
changes in company policy.
7/ Peter was in hot water because he didn’t finish an
important project by the deadline.
8/ She let it be known that she had been given the sack by
the company.
9/ In the event of a problem, drop a line at all costs.
10/ Sluggish as / though the manager is, he has the gift of the
gab. 11/ Do you think he’s been cheating us all along.
12/ Congressman Saunders fired the opening salvo during a
heated debate on capital punishment.
13/ We all wished to be treated as equals.
14/ Business has been thriving in the past year. Long may it
continue to do so.
15/ Business has been thriving in the past year. Long may it
continue to do so.
16/ We hope they can iron out their differences and get on
with working together.
17/ She rarely spoke, but her brother could talk the hind legs
off a donkey.
18/ It’s time you got / put your head down and did some
revision.
19/ Thanks, a strong cup of coffee in the morning is just what
the doctor ordered.
20/ I'm very tired, what with travelling all day yesterday and
having a disturbed night.
21/ Do you think we should pack it in or keep going?
22/ You buy the tickets and I'll settle up with you
later. 23/ I've been rushed off my feet all morning.
24/ If a child is left alone, he loses his zest for life.
1/ Thomas was not given details of the company’s new
projects. DARK
→
2/ In the area, Thailand is much better than all other countries
in football. SHOULDERS
→
3/ I’m afraid our problems are just beginning. ICEBERG
→
4/ The final version of the plan was quite different from the
initial draft. RESEMBLANCE
→
5/ I expected the film to be good, but it wasn’t at all. LIVE
→
6/ You must do something to make sure this doesn’t happen
again. STEPS
→
7/ Even though I admire his courage, I think he is foolish.
→
8/ He sounds as if he has spent all his life abroad. (IMPRESSION)
→ He
9/ His recent behaviour is outrageous. (HIMSELF / ORDINARY)
→ The
10/ My salary is half what I would be in the job I was offered
in January.
→ If
ANSWER KEY:
1/ Thomas was kept in the dark about the company’s new
projects. 2/ Thailand is / stands head and shoulders above all
other countries in football.
3/ These problems of ours are just the tip of the iceberg.
4/ The final version of the plan bore/ had no/ little resemblance
to the final draft.
5/ The film didn’t live up to my expectations at all.
6/ You must take steps to make sure/ ensure (that) this
doesn’t happen again.
7/ Much as I admire his courage, I think he is foolish.
8/ He gives the impression that he has spent all his life abroad.
9/ The way he has recently conducted himself is out of the
ordinary. 10/ If I had taken/ accepted the job I was offered in
January, I would be on twice the salary I am now/ I would be
earning twice as much as I am now.
1/ Polidori, the right-wing politician, is taking advantage of fear
and prejudice. (SEAM)
→
2/ Harry is very knowledgeable about the cultures of
England. (MINE)
→
3/ My father had to rid himself of alcohol to be healthier due to
the doctor’s advice. (WAGON)
→
4/ The children planned to go hiking with full excitement. They
have to delay because of the storm. (SWING)
→ Had
5/ I only realised the full implications of what had happened
until sometime later.
→ It was
6/ It is necessary to free our business from the influence of
the bureaucracy right now. (HAND)
→ We need
7/ I’m in two minds about which place to go on holiday. It’s
difficult to choose. (BETWEEN)
→
8/ You’ve been looking miserable all day. (MOON)
→
9/ His parents allowed him to buy an iPhone 12 after they
had considered it for three weeks. (GO-AHEAD)
→
10/ Tom is forever teasing Daisy for having spoonerism.
(MICKEY)
→ On account
11/ My father was livid with anger when he found that I left his
car with wear and tear. (CEILING)
→ Having
ANSWER KEY:
1/ Polidori, the right-wing politician, is mining a rich seam of
fear and prejudice.
2/ Harry is a MINE of information about/on the cultures of
England. 3/ My father had to be on the WAGON to be healthier
due to the doctor’s advice.
4/ Had it not been for the storm, the children would have gone
with a SWING to go hiking as planned.
5/ It was not until sometime later that I realised the full
implications of what had happened.
6/ We need to free our business from the dead HAND of
bureaucracy.
7/ I’m caught BETWEEN two stools to choose which place to go
on holiday.
8/ You’ve done nothing but MOON around/about all day.
9/ Having mulled it over for three weeks, his parents gave him
the GO-AHEAD to buy an iPhone
10/ On account of her spoonerism, Tom is forever taking
MICKEY out of Daisy.
11/ Having found that I left his car with wear and tear, my
father hit the CEILING.
1/ ‘Because of this new evidence, I have no alternative but to
release you.’, the judge told the accused. (LIGHT)
→
2/ It is important to know the difference between a joke and a
lie. (DRAW)
→
3/ The government recommends a balance of reward and
punishment when dealing with young offenders. (STICK)
→
to young offenders.
4/ Let’s all work together, we’ll finish this job very quickly.
(NEXT)
→ We’ll have
5/ He was really jealous when he saw his brother’s new car.
(GREEN)
→
6/ His friends incited him to keep hitting other boys. (EGGED)
→ He hit the other boys again
7/ Selina first worked for the local radio before landing a job on
a national daily. (TEETH)
→
8/ My father always wanted to work as a doctor in a
rural community. (PRACTICE)
→
9/ I would advise you to wait and see what develops. (CAT)
→
10/ They just sit around, discuss nothing in particular and
just produce a lot of empty talks. (HOT)
→
ANSWER KEY:
1/ ‘In the light of this new evidence, I have no alternative but to
release you.’, the judge told the accused.
2/ It is important to draw a line between a joke and a lie.
3/ The government favours a carrot and stick approach to
young offenders.
4/ We’ll have this job done in next to no time if we all work
together.
5/ He was green with envy when he saw his brother’s new car.
6/ He hit the other boys again and again as his friends egged
him on. 7/ Selina cut her teeth on the local radio before landing
a job on a national daily.
8/ My father always wanted to practice medicine in a rural
community.
9/ I would advise you to wait and see which way the cat jumps.
10/ They just sit around, discuss nothing in particular and just
produce a lot of hot air.
1/ I suppose it’s possible that she didn’t understand my
message. (MAY)
→ It is my
2/ Our car is in the garage for repairs. (BY)
→ We
3/ ‘Why don’t you relax for a while?’ she said to me. (EASY)
→ She suggested
4/ He succeeded in the project, which caused my
amazement. (AMAZED)
→
5/ You could be arrested for not giving a breath sample to
the police. (RESULT)
→
6/ I really like her voice but not her choice of songs. (CHOOSES)
→ Much
7/ Don’t go to lunch until you have typed all these letters.
(HOUR)
→ Don’t forget
8/ If student numbers fall again, we’ll have to cancel the
class. (REDUCTION)
→
9/ I’d prefer a salad to your cooked meal. (YOU)
→ I’d rather
10/ They ran and ran until they were exhausted. (OUT)
→ They went
ANSWER KEY:
1/ It is my supposition that she may not have understood
my message.
2/ We are having our car repaired by the garage.
3/ She suggested that I should take it easy for a
while. 4/ So successful in the project was he that I
was amazed.
5/ Your refusal to give a breath sample to the police could
result in your being arrested.
6/ Much as I like her voice, I don’t like the way she chooses
(her) song.
7/ Don’t forget to type all these letters before lunch
hour. 8/ I’d rather eat / have a salad than eat what you
cook.
10/ They went on running until they were worn out / out of
breath.
1/ She was imprisoned for three months for being rude to the
judge. (EARNED)
→ Her rudeness
2/ Everyone is sure that he will beat his opponent in the next
round. (WIN)
→ In all
3/ Mike is not the only person who is good-looking in that
family. (MONOPOLY)
→
4/ A friend of ours fixed the car for us. (FRIENDS)
→ We had
5/ The police have put barriers around the building because
of a suspected bomb. (CORDONED)
→ In view
6/ I’d discuss the deal with Phil before making a decision. (MIND)
→ I’d have
7/ The adverts look exactly the same as the articles in
this magazine. (DIFFERENCE)
→ It’s impossible
8/ Quang Hai has so much talent that many football clubs
are interested in him. (FOOTBALLER)
→ So
9/ Getting a later train was our only option when we arrived at
the station. (BUT)
→ We arrived at the station only
10/ We weren’t surprised by his success in the contest.
(SUCCEED)
→ It came
ANSWER KEY:
1/ Her rudeness to the judge earned her a three-
month imprisonment.
2/ In all probability, he will win over his opponent in the next
round. 3/ Mike does not have a monopoly on good looks / being
good-looking in that family.
4/ We had one of our friends fix the car.
5/ In view of a suspected bomb, the police have cordoned off
the building.
6/ I’d have a discussion with Phil about the deal before making
up my mind.
7/ It’s impossible to tell the difference between the adverts and
the articles in this magazine.
8/ So talented a footballer is Quang Hai that many football
clubs are interested in him.
9/ We arrived at the station only to find that we could do
nothing but get a later train / to find that we had no choice but
to get a later train.
10/ It came as no surprise to us when he succeeded in the
contest.
1/ Did the football team play any better last weekend ? [ IN ]
→ Was
2/ I need a calculator to arrive at the total [ OUT ]
→
3/ If I am being honest, I have to say that the play wasn't as
good as i expected (SHORT)
→ To
4/ Finding the survivors is our number one priority ( UTMOST )
→
5/ I do not know why France made such an extraordinary
decision. (PROMPTED / SO)
→
6/ She was concentrating so hard on her work that she didn't
notice when i came in ( WRAPPED)
→
7/ Five actors were competing for the leading role in the
play (CONTENTION)
→ There
8/ She began to suffer from irrational fears. (PREY)
→ She
9/ You should always be grateful for what you are given.
(MOUTH)
→
10/ He had nothing to do with the accident. (BLAME)
→ He refused
ANSWER KEY:
1/ Was there any improvement in the way the football team
played? 2/ I need a calculator to figure / work out the total
3/ To be honest (with you), the play fell short of my
expectations. 4/ It is of the utmost importance that we find
the survivors.
5/ I don't know what prompted France to make so extraordinary
a decision.
6/ She was so wrapped up in her work that she didn't notice
when I came in.
7/ There were five actors in contention for the leading role in the
play.
8/ She fell prey to irrational fears.
9/ I shouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth.
10/ He refused to take the blame for the accident.
1/ I firmly believe him to be the rudest person I know (SHADOW)
→ He is
2/ It will be extremely difficult to get your work finished by
the deadline (UPHILL)
→ It will be
3/ The appeal of Shakespeare's plays has certainly lasted
through centuries (TEST)
→
4/ If you want my opinion, he's useless (WORTH)
→
5/ He was exasperated with being criticised in public all the
time (TEETH)
→ He was
6/ The factory is making every possible effort to finish the
orders in time. (FIRING)
→ The factory
→
7/ The mechanic put a lot of effort to repair the engine of my
car (PAINS)
→
8/ Years of heavy working in the coal mine have
undoubtedly undermined my father's health (TOLL)
→
9/ She came to see me when she had nothing to do. (END)
→ Only when
10/ He was finally able to adjust himself to the new
conditions (SWING)
→
ANSWER KEY:
1/ He is without a shadow of doubt the rudest person I know.
2/ It will be an uphill struggle to get your work finished by
the deadline.
3/ The appeal of Shakespeare's plays has stood the test of
time. 4/ For what it’s worth, he’s useless.
5/ He was fed up to the back teeth with being criticised in public
all the time.
6/ The factory is firing on all cylinders to finish the orders in
time. 7/ The mechanic took great pains to repair the engine of
my car.
8/ Years of heavy working in the coal mine have undoubtedly
taken their toll on my father’s health.
9/ Only when she was at a loose end did she come to
see me. 10/ He finally got into the swing of things.
1/ Brian couldn't explain how the stolen computer got into the
boot of his car. LOSS
→
2/ My grandfather had completely forgotten that he phoned me
last night. RECOLLECTION
→
3/ There was absolute quietness after the manager said the
factory would be closing. DROP
→ You could
4/ Susie believes this job interview is really important. STORE
→
5/ Last year, Ralph had a luxurious lifestyle, but since he lost
his job, he has had to make a few changes. (CLOVER)
→
6/ While most writers earn only modest royalties, a lucky few
create bestsellers. STRIKE / NORM
→ A few writers
7/ Mike has a more complex personality than you may
think (DEPTHS)
→
8/ Julie always listen to my complaints sympathetically about
work EAR
→
9/ Don't be upset by what she said HEART
→
10/ Is there enough food for everyone? (ROUND)
→
1/ Brian was at a loss to explain how the stolen computer got
into the boot of his car.
2/ My grandfather didn't have any recollection of phoning me
last night
3/ You could hear a pin drop after the manager said the
factory would be closing.
4/ Susie is setting great store by this job interview.
5/ Last year, he was living in clover, but on being made
redundant, he has had to make a few changes.
6/ A few writers strike it lucky by creating bestsellers, but
earning only modest royalties is the norm.
7/ Mike has greater depths to him than you think.
8/ Julie always lends a sympathetic ear to my complaints about
work. 9/ Don't take what she said to heart.
10/ Do we have enough food to go round?
1/ For a millionaire like him, money is hardly a problem. (NO)
→
2/ The painting certainly stole the show at the art
exhibition. (HOGGED)
→
3/ The manager praised one particular player. SINGLED
→ One particular player
4/ Being inexperienced was a disadvantage to her when she
applied for promotion. COUNTED
→ Her lack
5/ I always enjoy this film, no matter how often I see it. (TIRE)
→ However
6/ Inefficient treatment of customers creates a bad impression
of the company REFLECTS
→ Treating customers with a lack
7/ Tim tried to be like one of his heroes when he was a
young musician MODELLED
→ As
8/ It’s impossible to predict how long it will take to do this
job. TELLING
→
9/ Nobody expected Natalia to resign. CAME
→ Natalia’s
10/ The area was completely devoid of vegetation.
WHATSOEVER
→ There
11/ Members can enter the show without paying when they
show their membership cards. (PRODUCTION)
→ Entry
ANSWER KEY:
1/ For a millionaire like him, money is no object.
2/ The experimental car certainly hogged the limelight at the
motor show.
3/ The painting certainly hogged the limelight at the art
exhibition. 4/ Her lack of experience counted against her when
she applied for promotion.
5/ However often I see it, I never tire of this film.
6/ Treating customers with a lack of efficiency reflects badly
on the company.
7/ As a young musician, Tim modelled himself on one of his
heroes. 8/ There’s no telling how long it will take to do this job.
9/ Natalia’s resignation came as a surprise to
everyone. 10/ There was no vegetation whatsoever
in the area.
11/ Entry to the show is free to members on production of
their membership cards.
1/ It is difficult to know if such questions should be classified as ones
of law or fact. CATEGORISE
→
2/ Journalists report that there were minor clashes with security
forces on Saturday evening. TO
→ There
3/ Sitting there and doing nothing is no longer an option, I’m
afraid. ALTERNATIVE
→ I’m afraid that we something
of
value.
4/ Nobody knows if the idea will become popular. ON / GUESS
→ Whether
5/ The only way to explain the rise of crime rate is that many people
have lost religious belief. PUT
→ The rise of crime rate of
religious belief.
6/ The actress learned her lines after hours of rehearsing. DID
→ Only
7/ Should a place on the course open up, we will contact you
first. OPENING
→ We will contact you first on
the course.
8/ There is a rumour that he has started living in the port of Leith,
near enough to Edinburgh. RESIDENCE
→ Rumour
9/ Foster was determined that Josh should agree to sing with
Celine. ANSWER
→ Foster refused to into
singing
with Celine.
10/ Jim always goes out of his way to include everyone in the
project. POINT
→
ANSWER KEY:
1/ It is difficult to know whether to categorise such questions
as ones of law or fact.
2/ There are reported to have been minor clashes with
security forces on Saturday evening.
3/ I’m afraid that we have no alternative but / other than to
do something of value.
4/ Whether the idea will catch on is anybody's/anyone’s guess.
5/ The rise of crime rate can only be put down to the loss
of religious belief.
6/ Only after hours of rehearsing did the actress learn her lines.
7/ We will contact you first should there be an opening / if there
is an opening / in the case/event of an opening.
8/ Rumour has it that he has taken up residence in the port of
Leith, near enough to Edinburgh.
9/ Foster refused to take no for an answer and talked Josh
into singing with Celine.
10/ Jim always makes a point of including everyone in the
project.
1/ The last time I spoke to James was months ago. ANYTHING
→I months.
2/ Janet thinks the only thing she can do is cancel her skiing
holiday. ALTERNATIVE
→
3/ Non-passengers are strictly forbidden from entering
the departure lounge of the airport.
→ On
4/ Nancy called her family regularly while she was travelling in
Asia. CONTACT
→ Nancy
5/ I’m ever so sorry but I totally forgot about our
meeting. CONFESS
→ I must my mind.
6/ Only students with an access card can enter the
microbiology labs. RESTRICTED
→ Entry
7/ It can be hard to make the right decision about something
when there is not enough time to think. REACH
→ Not having enough time to think may
8/ Everyone is criticising the company for releasing private
data about their clients. CRITICISM
→ The company
9/ Was it your idea to promote the company on social media?
CAME
→
10/ I’m certain that the video will go viral. DOUBT
→ There mind that the
video
will go viral.
ANSWER KEY:
1/ I haven’t said anything to/heard anything from James for
months. 2/ Janet thinks she has no alternative but to cancel her
skiing holiday.
3/ On no account are non-passengers allowed/permitted to
enter the departure lounge of the airport.
4/ Nancy made regular contact with her family while travelling
in Asia.
5/ I must confess that our meeting totally slipped my mind.
6/ Entry to the microbiology labs is restricted to (those)
students with an access card.
7/ Not having enough time to think may make it hard to reach
the right decision.
8/ The company is receiving criticism for/has come under
criticism for/is facing criticism for releasing private data about
their clients. 9/ Was it you who came up with the idea to
promote the company on social media?
10/ There is no doubt in my mind that the video will go viral.
1/ They really loved him, but he seemingly failed to do as
expected. SEEMED
→ Much them down.
2/ Although they were small, such payments were certainly
thought worth collecting. HAVE
→ However
3/ She was so disappointed that all life seemed to drain from
her. GREAT
→ So
4/ Football is so important to Scotland that disappointment
is inevitable. ATTACHES
→ Such
5/ George and Elizabeth were just going to bed when they heard
a knock on the door. POINT
→ George and Elizabeth heard a knock on the door
6/ If you want to be nice and understanding in a conflict you
will need to try much harder. EFFORT
→ Being nice and understanding in a conflict
your part.
7/ Police and other emergency responders were obliged to break
the door down to get into the residence. FORCE
→ Police and other emergency responders
8/ Your ability to make decisions quickly and adapt makes
you a survivor. FEET
→ It
9/ British writers and artists had a lot of problems in the
period mainly because there was no funding. BURDEN
→ It was for British writers
and artists in this period.
10/ He did not look further back, so he didn’t see the
referee waving play on. HAVE
→ Had
11/ He drove away very fast. (BREAKNECK)
→
ANSWER KEY:
1/ Much as they loved him, he SEEMED to let them down.
2/ However small they were, such payments must HAVE
been thought worth collecting.
3/ So GREAT was his disappointment that all life seemed to
drain from her.
4/ Such is the importance that Scotland attaches to football
that disappointment is inevitable.
5/ George and Elizabeth heard a knock on the door when they
were on the POINT of going to bed.
6/ Being nice and understanding in a conflict
will/may/might require/involve/demand much more EFFORT
on your part.
7/ Police and other emergency responders had to force their
way into the residence.
8/ It is your ability to think on your FEET and adapt that makes
you a survivor.
9/ It was lack of funding that was the main BURDEN for
British writers and artists in this period.
10/ Had he looked further back, he would have seen the
referee waving play on.
11/ He drove away at breakneck speed.
1/ Make sure you know what the time is, otherwise you’ll
miss the start of the play. TRACK
→ Make sure you as not to
miss the start of the play.
2/ It didn’t take Steven long to show his true character. MATTER
→ It was
3/ If we take everything into account, the street party was a
great success in the end.
→ All out to be a
great
success in the end.
4/ Everyone was horrified when the new manager dropped
Ripley from the first team and picked Conway instead. LEFT
→ To
5/ The company’s owners are quite radical because they’ve got
rid of a whole layer of managers, and they’ve introduced
flexible working time. DONE
→ The company’s owners are quite radical because not
6/ The police apologised a great deal for having completely
failed to recognise the seriousness of the situation. COMPLETE
→ The police were very
7/ My boss says he has no intention of making anyone
redundant, even though the situation is difficult for the
company right now. DREAM
→ My boss says he off,
even though the situation is difficult for the company right now.
8/ They say New York was a rather aggressive city 20 years ago
but it feels quite friendly these days. SUPPOSED
→ New York
9/ Jenny was the person who really didn’t want to tidy up after
the party. OBJECTED
→ It
10/ The new software isn’t the main point for discussion
tomorrow, but should anyone raise the subject by any chance,
I’ll give my views. HAPPENS
→ The new software isn’t the main point for discussion
tomorrow but if the up by anyone,
I’ll
give my views.

ANSWER KEY:
1/ Make sure you keep TRACK of the time so as not to miss the
start of the play.
2/ It was only/just a MATTER of time before Steven showed his
true character.
3/ All things CONSIDERED, the street party turned out to be a
great success in the end.
4/ To everyone’s horror, Ripley was left out of the first team by
the new manager and he picked Conway instead.
5/ The company’s owners are quite radical because not only
have they DONE away with a whole layer of managers, but
they’ve also introduced flexible working time.
6/ The police were very apologetic about their COMPLETE
failure to recognise the seriousness of the situation.
7/ My boss says he would not/wouldn't DREAM of laying anyone
off, even though the situation is difficult for the company right
now.
8/ New York is supposed to have been a rather aggressive city
20 years ago but it feels quite friendly these days.
9/ It was Jenny who objected to tidying up after the party.
10/ The new software isn’t the main point for discussion
tomorrow but if the subject happens to be brought up by
anyone, I’ll give my views.
1/ Reg accepted responsibility to hand the press a list of
names. (UPON)
→
2/ Electricity is getting very expensive these days. COST /
HIGHER
→ The
3/ Unemployment has risen considerably over the last eighteen
months and the government is under pressure to find a
solution. INCREASE
→ The government is under pressure due
to over the last eighteen months.
4/ The minister's resignation from the government was
caused by the discovery of his role in the financial scandal. LED
→ The discovery of the minister's role in the financial
scandal the government.
5/ Oh, there you are! I didn't even know you had gone
out! UNAWARE
→I fact that you had gone out.
6/ Don't get involved in this, John, it has nothing to do with you.
KEEP
→ This has nothing to do with you so
7/ I really can't understand why he can't finish the project on
time. BAFFLED
→ I am really to finish the project on time.
8/ Mr. Edwards was sacked partly because of his arriving late to
work. CONTRIBUTED
→ Mr. Edwards’ constant from the company.
9/ You can't just suddenly decide to go on a safari. You need to
plan things very carefully.
→ Going on safari isn't a decision you can make
. You need to plan things very carefully.
10/ Cavendish House has long been an eyesore. (BLOT)
→

ANSWER KEY:
1/ Reg took it upon himself to hand the press a list of
names. 2/ The cost of electricity is getting higher and
higher.
3/ The government is under pressure due to an increase
in unemployment over the last eighteen months.
4/ The discovery of the minister’s role in the financial scandal
led to his resignation from the government.
5/ I was unaware of the fact that you had gone out.
6/ This has nothing to do with you so keep out of it, John.
7/ I am really baffled why he is unable to finish the project on
time. 8/ Mr. Edwards’ constant lateness contributed to his being
sacked / dismissal from the company.
9/ Going on safari isn’t a decision you can make on the spur of
the moment. You need to plan things carefully.
10/ Cavendish House has long been an eyesore, a blot on the
landscape.
1/ She wants nothing less than to get that job. It would be a
dream come true. SET
→
2/ If they ever discover your role in the incident, you will go
to prison. LIGHT
→ If your role in the incident
3/ Harry plays tennis much better than I do. NEARLY
→ I am not tennis player as Harry is.
4/ Both candidates for the job are strong. They are both
equally good. HARDLY
→ There is
5/ That child is twice as tall as he was two years ago. DOUBLED
→ That child’s in the last two
years. 6/ As soon as I arrived at the pub, a fight started.
SOONER
→ No
7/ There were very few people who understood what the
professor said in the meeting. VIRTUALLY
→ There
8/ The bank robbers had disappeared completely by the time
the police arrived. SIGN
→ There
ANSWER KEY:
1/ She has set her heart / mind on getting that job.
2/ If your role in the incident ever comes to light, you’ll go to
prison. 3/ I am not nearly as good a tennis player as Harry is.
4/ There is hardly any difference between the two job
candidates. 5/ That child’s height has doubled in the last two
years.
6/ No sooner had I arrived than a fight broke out in the pub.
7/ There was virtually nobody / no one who understood what
the professor said in the meeting.
8/ There was no sign of the robbers when the police arrived.
1/ Give me a call only if you have to buy gas for the car. RUN
→ Unless , don’t call me.
2/ Watch the new secretary carefully this week to make sure
she doesn't make any big mistakes. EYE
→
3/ You shouldn't be surprised at Kevin winning that
tournament. COME
→
4/ There is no doubt at all that the government will win the
election. CONCLUSION
→ It
5/ This is certainly not the last time you will be needed here
on a Sunday. MEANS
→ It is
6/ Whatever happens, don't let anyone into the building
without proper identity.
→ Under
7/ If it wasn't for your arrogance, you would have gotten
your promotion a long time ago.
→ But
8/ I presume you are coming to the party Miriam. READ
→ Can I
ANSWER KEY:
1/ Unless you run out of gas, don’t call me.
2/ Keep an eye on the secretary this week to make sure she
doesn’t make any big mistakes.
3/ It should come as no surprise that Kevin won that
tournament.
4/ It is a foregone conclusion that the government will win
the election.
5/ It is by no means certain that you won’t be needed again
on a Sunday.
6/ Under no circumstances should you let anyone into the
building without proper identity.
7/ But for your arrogance, you would have gotten your
promotion a long time ago.
8/ Can I take it as read that you are coming to the party Minam?
1/ If that bottle of wine is available to be taken because no one
else wants it, I'll have it. (BEGGING)
→
2/ In a blink of an eye, we thought the bus would crash. (SPLIT)
→
3/ I'm looking forward to Sunday, the only thing that I find
unpleasant is the fact that I'll have to sit next to my mother-in-
law. (FLY)
→
4/ Not many people were interested in the scheme. DEAL
→ There
5/ The last time that subject was mentioned was three weeks
ago. NO
→ There for three weeks.
6/ Keith was not allowed to drive for two months. FROM
→ Keith
7/ There have been three murders in the town since Ch
istmas. PLACE
→ Three murders
8/ You can use this ticket as many times as you like in one day.
AS
→ There
9/ 1998 was the last time Ron and Angela came to visit us. HAD
→ We
10/ Nobody knows how the jury will vote. KNOWING
→ There
ANSWER KEY:
1/ If that bottle of wine is going begging, I'll have it.
2/ For / In a split second, we thought the bus would crash.
3/ I'm looking forward to Sunday, the only fly in the ointment
being the fact that I'll have to sit next to my mother-in-law.
4/ There was not a great deal of interest in the scheme.
5/ There has been no mention of that subject for three weeks.
6/ Keith was banned / prohibited / forbidden from driving for two
months.
7/ Three murders have taken place in the town since Christmas.
8/ There is no limit as to how many times you can use this
ticket in one day. (AS TO = CONCERNING)
9/ We have not had a visit from Ron and Angela since
1998. 10/ There is no knowing how the jury will vote.
1/ I had to call three times before I found Barbara. MAKE
→I
2/ There has not been a service in this church for years. TIME
→ The
3/ The newspaper article highly praised the outgoing
minister’s economic policies. PRAISE
→ There
4/ There is a very good chance that Kate will be accepted
by Nottingham University. LIKELIHOOD
→
5/ Malcolm does not think he will be able to attend the
wedding. HAS
→
6/ It is not sure if the conference will take place after all. OPEN
→
7/ Why didn’t you phone to tell us that you were not coming?
MIGHT
→ You
8/ There is no way that Alice will pass her driving test. BOUND
→ Alice
9/ If I were you, I would consult an accountant to advise you on
this. BETTER
→
10/ It is very unlikely that they will show up now. PROSPECT
→ There
ANSWER KEY:
1/ I had to make three calls before I found Barbara.
2/ The last time a service was held in this church was years ago.
3/ There was high praise for the outgoing minister’s
economic policies in the newspaper article.
4/ In all likelihood, Kate will be accepted by Nottingham
University. 5/ Malcolm has doubts / reservations about his being
able to attend the wedding.
6/ It is open to doubt / question / speculation whether
the conference will take place after all.
7/ You might have phoned to tell us that you were not
coming. 8/ Alice is bound to fail her driving test.
9/ You had better consult an accountant to advise you on
this. 10/ There is very little prospect of their / them
showing up now.
1/ It isn’t possible that the dog got out of the garden through
such a small hole. POSSIBLY
→ The dog
2/ We could do nothing about it. THING
→ There
3/ The plans have changed. IN
→ There
4/ The perfect crime does not exist. SUCH
→ There
5/ I think it would be a good idea for us to get a second
opinion. BEST
→ It
6/ You do not have to pay for any of the goods until you have
had one month’s trial. OBLIGATION
→ You
7/ Are you likely to have an answer by six o’clock? LIKELIHOOD
→ Is
8/ They could not tell who had broken in and stolen the
money. TELLING
→
9/ It’s absolutely certain he’ll be there tomorrow. SHADOW
→ Beyond
10/ It’s more than possible that she’ll have forgotten all about
it. CHANCES
→ The
ANSWER KEY:
1/ The dog can’t / couldn’t possibly have got out of the
garden through such a small hole.
2/ There wasn’t a thing we could do about
it. 3/ There has been a change in the
plans.
There have been changes in the plans.
4/ There is no such thing as a perfect crime.
5/ It would / might be best to get a second
opinion. It would / might be best if we got a
second opinion.
6/ You are under no obligation to pay for any of the goods until
you have had one month’s trial.
7/ Is there any likelihood of you / your having an answer by
six o’clock?
8/ There was no telling who had broken in and stolen the
money. 9/ Beyond a shadow of a doubt, he will be there
tomorrow.
10/ The chances are that she will have forgotten all about it.
1/ Honestly, I’m not entirely sure of his abilities. RESERVATIONS
→ To
2/ The scientific world and the religious world bitterly disagree
over the future of cloning. BITTER
→ There
3/ It is unlikely they will ever see eye to eye. CHANCE
→ There
4/ Religious leaders have severely criticised what they see
as tampering with God's work. SEVERE
→ There
5/ We must stop experimenting now before we reach the point
of no return. DUTY
→ It
6/ It seems that scientists need to interfere with nature. BE
→ There
7/ Technology has improved immensely in recent years.
IMMENSE
→ There
8/ With strict supervision, there will be no abuse. THERE
→ If
9/ Support for his point of view has risen dramatically
everywhere. DRAMATIC
→ There
10/ There’s no way we can change our minds now. TURN
→ There’s
11/ He was in trouble with the police a lot when he was
younger, but now he has changed and become a much better
person. REFORMED
→
ANSWER KEY:
1/ To be honest, I have reservations about his abilities.
2/ There is bitter disagreement between the scientific world
and the religious world over the future of cloning.
3/ There is little chance of their / them ever seeing eye to eye.
4/ There has been severe criticism from / by religious leaders of
what they see as tampering with God's work.
5/ It is our duty to stop experimenting now before we reach the
point of no return.
6/ There seems to be a need for scientists to interfere with
nature. 7/ There has been an immense improvement in
technology in recent years.
8/ If there is strict supervision, there will be no abuse.
9/ There has been a dramatic rise in support for his point of
view everywhere.
10/ There’s no way we can turn back now.
11/ He was in trouble with the police a lot when he was
younger, but now he's a reformed character.
1/ What caused his heart attack? BROUGHT
→
2/ Danny finally saw reason when they threatened to fire
him. SENSES
→ Danny by their threat to fire
him. 3/ We were refused entry by three nightclubs. AWAY
→
4/ I think having to earn his own living was quite a shock to
Billy. EARTH
→ Billy by having to earn his
own
living.
5/ I completely emptied the drawers but couldn’t find the
address. INSIDE
→
6/ They refused all offers of help from passing motorists. DOWN
→
7/ This setback seems disastrous now but it may be better for us
in the end. ADVANTAGE
→ We may be able to
8/ Let’s advance the date so we’ll be sure of better weather.
BRING
→
9/ It really put Betty in her place when the boss said she was
the office junior. PEG
→
10/ His story made me cry. DEEPLY
→I
ANSWER KEY:
1/ What brought on his heart attack?
2/ Danny was brought to his senses by their threat to fire
him. 3/ We were turned away by three nightclubs.
4/ Billy was brought down / back to earth (with a bump /
bang) by having to earn his own living.
5/ I turned the drawers inside out but couldn’t find the
address. 6/ They turned down all offers of help from passing
motorists.
7/ We may be able to turn / use this setback to good /
our advantage.
8/ Let’s bring the date forward so we’ll be sure of better
weather. 9/ The boss really took / brought Betty down a peg
(or two) by saying she was the office junior.
10/ I was deeply moved by his story.
1/ Everyone is sure that the Russians will win the gold
medal. HEAVILY
→ The Russians
2/ I don't seem able to make good cakes any more. KNACK
→ I seem good cakes.
3/ Mary did really well in the marathon. ACCOUNT
→ Mary
4/ I decided on the holiday in Spain because it was so
cheap. CLINCHED
→ What really
5/ I think Jack has his own reason for helping you. ULTERIOR
→ I think Jack
6/ Anyone would react like that. PERFECTLY
→ It
7/ Why say it's my fault before you know what happened?
JUMPED
→ Why
8/ You’ll familiarise yourself with this job as you go along. GET
→ You’ll
9/ I got the impression that she was rather depressed last
week. EBB
→
10/ He can go no further with his career at this point. END
→ His
ANSWER KEY:
1/ The Russians are heavily favoured to win the gold medal.
2/ I seem to have lost / be losing the knack of / for making
good cakes.
3/ Mary gave a good account of herself in the marathon.
4/ What really clinched the holiday in Spain for me was the low
cost. 5/ I think Jack has an ulterior motive for helping you.
6/ It is perfectly natural for anyone to react like that.
7/ Why have you jumped to the conclusion that it's my fault
before you know what happened?
8/ You’ll get the hang of this job as you go along.
9/ I got the impression that she was at a low ebb last week.
10/ His career is at / comes to / reaches a dead end at this point.
1/ As it happened, Keith was on the same flight. LUCK
→
2/ He put his foot down and refused to let her go out alone.
HEAR
→
3/ They can’t decide whether to move to Ireland or not. TWO
→
4/ He spoke for a long time about the effects of the new
law. GREAT
→
5/ I really didn’t feel like entertaining all those people. IN
→
6/ Tell him that whenever he needs my car, he can have it. AT
→ Tell him that he needs it.
7/ He tends to exaggerate the importance of his job. IS
→ He
8/ The most important question here today is whether we
accept divorce or not. BURNING
→
9/ If you can put an initial deposit down, we can sign the
contract on the spot. MAKE
→ If you can
10/ I’m only here for a minute; I’m due at the hospital
shortly. FLYING
→ I’m
ANSWER KEY:
1/ As luck would have it, Keith was on the same
flight. 2/ He wouldn’t hear of her going out alone.
3/ They are in / of two minds about moving to Ireland.
4/ He spoke at great length about the effects of the new
law. 5/ I really wasn’t in the mood for entertaining all
those people. 6/ Tell him that my car is at his disposal
whenever he needs it. 7/ He is in the habit of exaggerating
the importance of his job.
8/ The burning question here today is whether we accept
divorce or not.
9/ If you can make a down payment, we can sign the contract on
the spot.
10/ I’m only here on a flying visit; I’m due at the hospital shortly.
1/ This turning is notorious for being impossible to see from
the road. BLIND
→
2/ He’s selling the restaurant as a fully operational business.
GOING
→
3/ Everyone knows he doesn’t see his wife any more. OPEN
→ It
4/ I doubt this move - in many ways it’s good but in other
ways it isn’t. BLESSING
→ I have
5/ At the moment the normal price for two-bedroomed houses
is about £68,000. RATE
→ At the moment
6/ There will be no further doubt once we identify the
fingerprints on the glass. ACID
→ The
7/ He has selfish reasons for keeping that plot of land
unsold. VESTED
→ He has
8/ Thousands of firms could stop trading due to their difficulty
making enough money. BUSINESS
→
9/ This test is dead easy. LOG
→
10/ Like wisps of smoke, memories of his youth in the modern
area which was always crowded and had almost no trees drift
through his mind. JUNGLE
→
ANSWER KEY:
1/ This turning is notorious for being a blind
spot. 2/ He’s selling the restaurant as a going
concern.
3/ It is an open secret that he does not see his wife any more.
4/ I have reservations / doubts about this move - in many ways
it’s a mixed blessing.
5/ At the moment the going rate for two-bedroom houses is
about
£68,000.
6/ The acid test will be when we identify the fingerprints on
the glass.
7/ He has a vested interest in keeping that plot of land
unsold. 8/ Thousands of firms could go out of business.
9/ This test is as easy as falling off a log.
10/ Like wisps of smoke, memories of his youth in the
concrete jungle drifted through his mind.
1/ I definitely do not want you to be the one to break the
news. RATHER
→
2/ What a pity that he adamantly refuses to meet her. ADAMANT
→ If
3/ Whatever you do, get him to a specialist as soon as
possible. BETTER
→ You
4/ Do you ever wonder what it would be like not to have to
work? DID
→ Supposing
5/ We can send letters out to all the shareholders, if at
all necessary. BE
→ If
6/ We must be at the concert hall before seven. ESSENTIAL
→
7/ You were lucky you had your credit card on you. IF
→ What
8/ That’s as may be, but I still do not agree with you. IT
→ Be
9/ Whatever happens, I will get to Scotland this summer. MAY
→
10/ All I can say is that nobody wanted to invite them. IT
→ Suffice
ANSWER KEY:
1/ I would rather you WERE NOT the one to break the news.
2/ If only he WERE NOT so adamant about refusing to meet
her. 3/ You had better get him to a specialist as soon as
possible.
4/ Supposing you did not have to work!
5/ If need be, we can send letters out to all the shareholders.
6/ It is essential that we (should) be at the concert hall
before seven.
7/ What if you had not had your credit card on
you? 8/ Be that as it may, I still do not agree with
you.
9/ Come what may, I will get to Scotland this
summer. 10/ Suffice it to say that nobody wanted to
invite them.
1/ I like anything with chocolate in it. WEAKNESS
→
2/ The moment I met Trevor, I liked him. SHINE
→I
3/ He definitely has something against me for getting that
promotion. BEARS
→ He
4/ June said that she would much rather work at home than at
the office. PREFERENCE
→ June
5/ I rather enjoy a traditional English tea in the late
afternoon. PARTIAL
→
6/ Doug does not feel like playing a round of bridge. MOOD
→
7/ My dream is to own an ocean-going yacht. NOTHING
→ There
8/ Paul didn’t want to go to Malta, so he went to Crete. OPTED
→ than Malta.
9/ I liked his in-laws the moment I met them. INSTANT
→I
10/ A change in the law is long overdue. WAS
→ It’s
ANSWER KEY:
1/ I have a weakness for anything with chocolate
in it. 2/ I took a shine to Trevor the moment I met
him.
3/ He definitely bears a grudge against me for getting
that promotion.
4/ June expressed a / her preference for working at home rather
than at the office.
5/ I am partial to a traditional English tea in the late
afternoon. 6/ Doug is not in the mood for playing a round of
bridge.
7/ There’s nothing I would like more than to own an ocean-
going yacht.
8/ Paul opted for Crete rather than Malta.
9/ I took an instant liking to his in-laws the moment I met
them. 10/ It’s (about / high) time there was a change in the
law.
1/ I really think he’s absolutely marvellous. WORLD
→
2/ She wished she had not brought up the subject. BITTERLY
→
3/ My dad is an ardent fan of Renaissance architecture. PASSION
→
4/ She is fond of animals. SPOT
→
5/ Emily is not very keen on the idea of a treasure hunt. APPEAL
→ The idea
6/ He felt such a fool for saying such a stupid thing. KICKED
→
7/ Neil is fond of ice cream. WEAKNESS
→ Neil
8/ I enjoy the odd Irish coffee. AVERSE
→
9/ Whatever you do, don’t donate all the money to charity.
AWAY
→ You had
10/ He always does whatever his son wants. IN
→
ANSWER KEY:
1/ I really think the world of him.
2/ She bitterly regretted bringing up the subject.
3/ My dad has a passion for Renaissance
architecture. 4/ She has a soft spot for animals.
5/ The idea of treasure hunt does not appeal to Emily.
6/ He could have kicked himself for saying such a stupid
thing. 7/ Ned has a weakness for ice cream.
8/ I am not averse to the odd Irish coffees.
9/ You’d better not give away all the money to
charity. 10/ He is always giving / always gives in to
his son.
1/ There is some general information about our company in
this booklet. IDEA
→ This booklet
2/ We’d better be off now as it’s getting late. ALONG
→ It’s
3/ Bill’s wife never lets him do what he wants. RUN
→ Bill can’t
4/ If only he would stop criticising his friends all the time. DOWN
→
5/ Harry will try to organise everything if you let him. HALF
→ If you
6/ Can you make me ten photocopies of this, please? RUN
→
7/ Gregory promised to come and help us. WORD
→
8/ The wanted man surrendered to the police. GAVE
→
9/ Mary looks exactly like her mother. SPITTING
→ Mary
10/ The police are almost certain that the Bray Brothers
murdered him. STRONGLY
→ The Bray Brothers
ANSWER KEY:
1/ This booklet gives some / a general idea about our company.
2/ It’s getting late so we’d better run along / be running along
now. 3/ Bill can’t run his own life because of his wife.
4/ If only he would stop running his friends down all the time.
5/ If you give Harry half a chance, he will try to
organise everything.
6/ Can you run off ten copies of this for me, please?
7/ Gregory gave his word that he would come and
help us. 8/ The wanted man gave himself up to the
police.
9/ Mary is the spitting image of her mother.
10/ The Bray Brothers are strongly suspected of having
murdered him.
1/ It will be your responsibility to book accommodation for
our visitors. ONUS
→
2/ Don’t miss seeing “The Graduate” when you are in
London. ABSOLUTE
→ Seeing “The Graduate”
3/ He didn’t like our suggestion and didn’t try to hide it. OPENLY
→
4/ Carla seems to learn languages with hardly any effort.
NATURALLY
→ Learning languages
5/ It will be extremely difficult for you to finish this by Friday.
PRESSED
→ You will
6/ Bernie finds it quite easy to run ten miles a day. NOTHING
→
7/ The Board of Directors criticised our new employment
policy. CAME
→ Our
8/ I did it exactly as you told me, sir. ACCORDANCE
→
9/ It’s imperative that you get them on the last flight,
David. WITHOUT
→ You must
10/ I paid much less than the retail price for this. OF
→ I brought the retail
price.
ANSWER KEY:
1/ The onus is on you to book accommodation for our visitors.
2/ Seeing “The Graduate” is an absolute must when you
are in London.
3/ He was openly opposed to / hostile to / towards our
suggestions. 4/ Learning languages seems to come naturally to
Carla.
5/ You will be hard pressed to finish this by
Friday. 6/ Bernie thinks nothing of running ten
miles a day.
7/ Our new employment policy came in for criticism from the
Board of Directors.
8/ I did it in accordance with your instructions, sir.
9/ You must get them on the last flight without fail,
David. 10/ I brought this for a fraction of the retail price.
1/ How did the new editor strike you? WAS
→ What
2/ Buying large quantities of detergent saves money. IN
→
3/ It was his hard work that got him into university. BY
→
4/ A Bloody Mary consists of vodka and tomato
juice. COMBINATION
→ A Bloody Mary
5/ Is it all right if I finish this work tomorrow? OBJECTION
→ Have
6/ I was just going to phone Henry. POINT
→
7/ I was so shocked that I didn’t know what to say. LOSS
→I
8/ I wish his announcement hadn’t been so sudden. OUT
→
9/ I’m really very uncertain about her marrying someone like
that. MIXED
→ I really
10/ Even now I get scared when I think about it. GOOSE
→ I still
ANSWER KEY:
1/ What was your impression of the new
editor? 2/ Buying detergent in bulk saves
money.
3/ He got into university by dint of hard work.
4/ A Bloody Mary is a combination of vodka and tomato juice.
5/ Have you (got) any objection to my / me finishing this
work tomorrow?
6/ I was on the point of phoning Henry.
7/ I was so shocked that I was at a loss for words.
8/ I wish his announcement had not come out of the blue.
9/ I really have mixed feelings about her marrying someone
like that.
10/ I still get goose pimples / bumps when I think about it.
1/ He remained completely calm when the gunman stepped
out in front of them. HAIR
→
2/ I can’t resist musicals, and this one almost moved me to
tears. BROUGHT
→ I am partial
3/ I have a weakness for horror films, but this one petrified
me. WITS
→
4/ I wish she weren’t worried about changing her job. QUALMS
→ If
5/ They were delighted about the birth of their baby
daughter. MOON
→
6/ I think she looked rather annoyed about the whole thing.
SORTS
→ I got
7/ We older children were expected to make our own living.
KEEP
→
8/ The only question is whether the President can use his
extraordinary political skills to cause problems for his
opponents rather than them causing problems for him.
(TABLES)
→
9/ We won't let anyone or anything disturb our happiness. (WAY)
→
10/ Everything is available to take advantage of. (TAKING)
→
11/ He has experienced a lot so he is not shocked. (SEEN)
→
12/ I was never told about conversations between top
management. (PRIVY)
→ I was
ANSWER KEY:
1/ He did not turn a hair when the gunman stepped out in
front of them.
2/ I am partial to musicals, and this one brought a lump to
my throat.
3/ I have a weakness for horror films, but I was frightened out
of my wits by this one.
4/ If only she were not having qualms about changing her job.
5/ They were over the moon about the birth of their baby
daughter. 6/ I got the impression that she was out of sorts
about the whole thing.
7/ We older children were expected to earn our own keep.
8/ The only question is whether the President can use
his extraordinary political skills to turn the tables on his
opponents.
9/ We won't let anyone or anything stand in the way of
our happiness.
10/ Everything is for the taking.
11/ He has seen it all.
12/ I was never privy to conversations between top
management.
1/ If the dollar decides to drop any lower, we’ll be in serious
trouble DECIDE
→
2/ We’ll meet the deadline now that extra staff have been
taken on. FOR
→ Were
3/ Your rush to finish the report meant that there were a lot
of mistakes in it. TAKEN
→ Had so many
mistakes
in the report.
4/ If you didn’t advise him, he’d never make a decision. IT
→ Were
5/ The committee planned the ceremony so meticulously that it
was very successful. PLANNING
→ Had hitch.
6/ You obviously were not thinking straight, otherwise you
wouldn’t have done it. BEEN
→ Had
7/ The judge would have passed a harsher sentence if the
defendant had not confessed immediately. DOWN
→ Had it
8/ If they hadn’t assisted us, we would have been in
trouble. ASSISTANCE
→

Without water.
9/ Your eligibility for the post depends on your
experience. CONDITION
→
10/ With regular watering, the lawn should stay green all
summer. REGULARLY
→ Provided
ANSWER KEY:
1/ Should the dollar decide to drop any lower, we’ll be in
serious trouble.
2/ Were it not for the extra staff that have been taken on, we
wouldn’t meet the deadline.
3/ Had you taken your / more time, there wouldn’t have been
so many mistakes in the report.
4/ Were it not for your advice, he’d never make a decision.
5/ Had it not been for the committee’s meticulous planning,
the ceremony wouldn’t have gone off without a hitch.
6/ Had you been thinking straight, you wouldn’t have done it.
7/ Had it not been for the defendant's immediate confession,
the judge would have handed down a harsher sentence.
8/ Without their assistance, we would have been in deep water.
9/ On condition that you have (enough) experience, you are
eligible for the post.
10/ Provided that the lawn is watered regularly, it should stay
green all summer.
1/ If he doesn’t advertise his products, he won’t be able to
sell them. ONLY
→ His
2/ You’ll lose more weight if you stop taking sugar with your
coffee.
→ Give
3/ We did not get lost because Bernie is an excellent navigator.
→ Thanks
4/ If she had not been careless, we would have got the
account. PREVENTED
→ Her
5/ If Bruce doesn’t change his attitude, he’ll be out of a job.
→ Either
6/ The concert will be held in the open air, unless there’s a
chance of rain. LONG
→ As
7/ We’ll still have to walk to town, even if it’s raining. NOT
→ Whether
8/ You won’t be allowed to run in the race if you don’t agree to
have a blood test. BY
→ Only
9/ There’s a slight chance I'll be late, in which case start
without me. ANY
→ Should
10/ Unless the form has your signature, it is not valid. PUT
→ If
ANSWER KEY:
1/ His only chance / hope of selling his products is to
advertise them.
2/ Give up taking sugar with your coffee and you'll lose more
weight. 3/ Thanks to Bernie's excellent navigation, we did not
get lost.
4/ Her carelessness prevented us from getting the
account. 5/ Either Bruce changes his attitude or he will be
out of a job.
6/ As long as there is no chance of rain, the concert will be
held in the open air.
7/ Whether it’s raining or not, we’ll still have to walk to town.
8/ Only by agreeing to have a blood test will you be allowed to
run in the race.
9/ Should I by any chance be late, start without me.
10/ If you do not put your signature on / to the form, it is not
valid.
1/ The teacher would have marked your essay if he had been
able to read it. LEGIBLE
→ If
2/ If the police hadn’t intervened promptly, there would have
been a riot. AVERTED
→ Thanks
3/ If you hand in your resignation, we’ll have nothing to live on.
→ Give
4/ The problem cannot be solved unless there is
thorough negotiation. KEY
→ Thorough
5/ We couldn’t stay any longer at the hotel because we
had no money. LACK
→ But
6/ If we don’t settle this bill today, we’ll have to pay extra
for interest. ELSE
→ We’d
7/ You can obtain a full refund only if you give a full week’s
notice of cancellation. BY
→ Only
8/ I’m reading the newspaper because there’s nothing else for
me to do. SOMETHING
→ Were
9/ This only happened because you were taken in by his smooth
talk. FALLEN
→ If
10/ Whatever he did, she promised to support him. BEHIND
→ She
ANSWER KEY:
1/ If your essay had been legible, the teacher would have
marked it. 2/ Thanks to the police’s prompt intervention, a riot
was averted.
3/ Give up your job and we'll have nothing to live on.
4/ Thorough negotiation is the key to solving the problem.
5/ But for our lack of money, we could / would have stayed
longer at the hotel.
6/ We’d better settle this bill today, or else we’ll have to pay
extra for interest.
7/ Only by giving a full week's notice of cancellation can you
obtain a full refund.
8/ Were there something else for me to do, I would not be
reading the newspaper.
9/ If you had not fallen for his smooth talk, this would never
have happened.
10/ She promised to stand behind him whatever he did.
1/ If Laura does not pay the money back, she will be tried in
court for fraud. TRIAL
→ Laura she pays the
money
back.
2/ He abandoned his promising career when he got involved
with a group of criminals. FALLEN
→ If , he would have had
a
promising career.
3/ If you paint those letters bright yellow, they will really be very
clear. STAND
→ Those letters
4/ I don’t think I can look after my sister’s children for much
longer. STRAIN
→ I don’t think
5/ We didn’t think Mrs Beeton’s Cookery book would remain
popular, but we were wrong. TEST
→ Mrs Beeton’s Cookery book our
doubts.
6/ The roof will not last another storm if we don’t fix it. UP
→ The roof will we fix it.
7/ We expected Anthony to do better than that. SHORT
→ Anthony’s
8/ If she keeps playing like this, she will become the
champion. STANDS
→ She
9/ I’m afraid we have no rooms available before the end of
the month. FULLY
→ I’m sorry to
10/ I'm not looking forward to telling the shareholders the
bad news. RELISH
→I
ANSWER KEY:
1/ Laura will stand trial for fraud unless she pays the money
back.
2/ If he had not fallen in with a group of criminals, he would
have had a promising career.
3/ Those letters will (really) stand out if you paint them
bright yellow.
4/ I don’t think I can stand the strain of looking after my
sister’s children for much longer.
5/ Mrs Beeton’s Cookery book has stood the test of time
despite / in spite of our doubts.
6/ The storm will not stand up to another storm unless we
fix it. 7/ Anthony’s performance fell short of our
expectations.
8/ She stands a chance of winning the championship if she
keeps playing like this.
9/ I’m sorry to say that / inform you that we’re fully booked
until the end of the month.
10/ I don’t relish the thought / prospect / idea of telling
the shareholders the bad news.
1/ Half of the committee favoured the proposal while the other
half was against it. SHARPLY
→ The committee
2/ I feel very uncomfortable near that man so I keep away
from him. CREEPS
→ That man
3/ You are not allowed near the generator at any time. STRICTLY
→ It
4/ Our holiday was absolutely terrific! WHALE
→ We
5/ I'm sick of looking at that ugly old vase. SIGHT
→ I cannot
6/ He never helps me because he’s too lazy. BONE
→ He
7/ You’d better hurry or you’ll be late. STEP
→ If
8/ They’ve stopped talking to each other again. ON
→ They’re
9/ Military service is not compulsory for girls in Greece. EXEMPT
→ Girls
10/ Few people support the proposed changes. OF
→
ANSWER KEY:
1/ The committee were / was sharply divided on the
proposal. 2/ That man gives me the creeps so I keep
away from him.
3/ It is strictly forbidden (for you) to go near the generator at
any time.
4/ We had a whale of a time on our holiday.
5/ I cannot stand the sight of that ugly old
vase. 6/ He is too bone idle to help me.
7/ If you don’t step on it / step on the gas, you will be
late. 8/ They’re not on speaking terms again.
9/ Girls in Greece are exempt from military
service. Girls are exempt from military service in
Greece.
10/ Few people are in favour of the proposed changes.
1/ I wouldn’t like you to inconvenience yourself on my behalf.
PUT
→ I wouldn’t
2/ I have very little experience of this type of computer. WELL
→I
3/ We should make maximum use of this opportunity to practise
the language. MOST
→ We should
4/ I always know my parents are there when I need them.
COUNT
→ I always
5/ There’s no justification for that accusation and you know
I’m right. WITHOUT
→ That
6/ You’ve got the wrong end of the stick if you think he intends
to help you. UNDER
→ You helping you.
7/ I misunderstood completely when he said that he was a
doctor. STICK
→I
8/ We are in a very difficult situation and will have to do what
the lawyer says. BACKS
→ We
9/ Why don’t you two forget your differences and become
friends again? HATCHET
→ Why don’t
10/ Provided that you talk frankly, I’m willing to listen. SPADE
→ On the
ANSWER KEY:
1/ I wouldn’t like you to put yourself out on my behalf.
2/ I am not very well acquainted with this type of computer.
3/ We should make the most of this opportunity to practise
the language.
4/ I always know I can count on my parents when I need
them. 5/ That accusation is without foundation and you
know I’m right.
6/ You’re under a misapprehension if you think he has any
intention of helping you.
7/ I got (hold of) the wrong end of the stick when he said that
he was a doctor.
8/ We have our backs against the wall and will have to do what
the lawyer says.
9/ Why don't you two bury the hatchet and become friends
again? 10/ On the understanding that you call a spade a spade,
I’m willing to listen.
1/ Older people tend not to want to change fixed habits. SET
→ Older people
2/ Now that he’s divorced, Sam is trying to get his life back
to normal and start afresh. UP
→
3/ Our camping trip turned out to be a series of disasters in
every way. CHAPTER
→ another.
4/ A police officer should always follow the correct procedure
when making an arrest. GO
→
5/ The judge gave him the maximum punishment allowed. BOOK
→
6/ She found it extremely difficult to understand what was
being implied. READING
→ She had great
7/ I wish Bob would follow his brother’s example and help his
mother at home. LEAF
→ I wish
8/ Daniel has promised to speak to his boss about a job for
me. WORD
→
9/ His refusal to answer was a sure sign of his
involvement. VOLUMES
→
10/ Gayle promised to change her ways and spend more
time at home. OVER
→
ANSWER KEY:
1/ Older people tend to be set in their ways.
2/ Now that he’s divorced, Sam is trying to pick up the pieces
and start afresh.
3/ Our camping trip turned out to be a chapter of accidents one
way or another.
4/ A police officer should always go by the book when making
an arrest.
5/ The judge threw the book at him.
6/ She had great difficulty in reading between the lines.
7/ I wish Bob would take a leaf out of his brother's book and
help his mother at home.
8/ Daniel has promised to put in a (good) word with his boss
about a job for me.
9/ His refusal to answer spoke volumes about his involvement.
10/ Gayle promised to turn over a new leaf and spend more
time at home.
1/ The moment I fixed one tap, another started leaking. THAN
→
2/ A short time after he was released from prison, they
arrested him again. WHEN
→ Hardly
3/ That was the first earthquake recorded in that region. BEEN
→ Never
4/ We finally managed to find the cabin after we had walked
five miles. WALK
→ Only to
find the cabin.
5/ She only turned to her ex-husband when she was desperate.
DID
→ Not
6/ She’s a talented linguist and a mathematical genius, too. BUT
→
7/ They could only survive in that heat if they drank a lot of
water. BY
→
8/ I had no idea she could talk so much.
→ Little
9/ It’s not common for us to have the chance of a pleasant
candlelit dinner. WE
→ Seldom
10/ They will only sign the contract if we pay the full amount
now.
→ Not
ANSWER KEY:
1/ No sooner had I fixed one tap than another started leaking.
2/ Hardly had he been released from prison when they arrested
him again.
3/ Never before had there been an earthquake (recorded) in
that region.
4/ Only after a five-mile walk did we manage to find the
cabin. 5/ Not until she was desperate did she turn to her
ex-husband.
6/ Not only is she a talented linguist but also a mathematical
genius. 7/ Only by drinking a lot of water could they survive in
that heat.
8/ Little did I know how much she could talk.
9/ Seldom do we have the chance of a pleasant candlelit dinner.
10/ Not unless we pay the full amount now will they sign
the contract.
1/ It was such a tempting offer that I had to think twice about
it. AN
→ So
2/ If she had blurted out the truth, we would have all
been arrested. TO
→ Were
3/ The welcome we received was so touching that I felt
quite overwhelmed. A
→ Such
4/ If he hadn’t reacted so quickly, we would all have been
killed. QUICK
→ Had
5/ He phrased his remark in such a delicate way that no one
took offence. WAS
→ So
6/ The violence escalated to such a pitch that the riot
police couldn’t contain it. DID
→ To
7/ It’s just as well the law is no longer in force, otherwise we’d
be up to our ears in debt. BE
→ Were
8/ If you do happen to bump into Natalie, give her my best
wishes. CHANCE
→ Should
9/ The committee rarely allows appeals against its decisions.
FEW
→ In
10/ I know there are risks in the plan, but we have no choice.
→ Risky
ANSWER KEY:
1/ So tempting an offer was it that I had to think twice about it.
2/ Were she to have blurted out the truth, we would have all
been arrested.
3/ Such a touching welcome did we receive that I felt
quite overwhelmed.
4/ Had it not been for his quick reaction, we would all have
been killed.
5/ So delicate was the way in which he phrased his remark that
no one took offence.
6/ To such a pitch did the violence escalate that the riot
police couldn’t contain it.
7/ Were the law still to be in force, we would be up to our
ears in debt.
8/ Should you by any chance bump into Natalie, give her my
best wishes.
9/ In few cases does the committee allow appeals against
its decisions.
10/ Risky though the plan is, we have no choice.
1/ They absolutely refuse to reveal his true identity.
→ On
2/ She never thanked us for all we had done for her. POINT
→
3/ Final payment will be made after your finishing the work.
BEEN
→
4/ Despite his efforts, he failed to search for the informant.
→ Try down
the
informant.
5/ Although his fees may seem very expensive, he did some
good work for you. THOUGH
→
6/ They finally got their money back after waiting for two
years. WAIT
→ Only
7/ That’s the last time I trust him with my money. WILL
→ Never
8/ It may sound strange, but I love the smell of petrol. SOUNDS
→ Strange
9/ I’ll make sure everyone turns up on time. SEE
→ I’ll
10/ On no occasion has he not kept his word. BACK
→ He
ANSWER KEY:
1/ On no account will they reveal his true identity.
2/ At no point did she thank us for all we had done for her.
3/ Only after the work has been finished will you receive
final payment.
4/ Try as he might, he failed to track down the informant.
5/ Expensive though his fees may seem, he did some good work
for you.
6/ Only after a two-year wait did they get their money
back. 7/ Never again will I trust him with my money.
8/ Strange though it sounds, I love the smell of
petrol. 9/ I’ll see to it that everyone turns up on
time.
10/ He has never gone back on his word.
1/ She became really unsociable when she married that
millionaire. HEAD
→ It
2/ I really don’t understand what she finds attractive about
Rimini. SEES
→ I really
3/ David didn’t want to go to university but changed his mind
when his friends went. LIGHT
→
4/ We’ll read this paper again if you've got the exam
tomorrow. OVER
→ We’ll
5/ I’ll agree with anything you want to do as long as we’re
back by dusk. ALONG
→ I’ll
6/ No one will help you if you want to start your own business.
GO
→ You’ll
7/ Hardly had we said goodbye to them at the gate when they
were ringing the doorbell again.
→ Hardly
8/ They’ve decided to proceed with their programme of
cutbacks. AHEAD
→ They’ve decided
9/ As they couldn’t prove his guilt, the prisoner was allowed
to go free. EVIDENCE
→ Seeing
10/ Hugh is trying hard, but he will never win his fight
against bankruptcy. LOSING
→ Try
ANSWER KEY:
1/ It went to her head when she married that
millionaire. 2/ I really don't understand what she sees
in Rimini.
3/ David didn’t want to go to university but he saw the light
when his friends went.
4/ We’ll go over this paper again if you’ve got the exam
tomorrow.
5/ I’ll go along with anything you want to do as long as we’re
back by dusk.
6/ You’ll have to go it alone if you want to start your own
business. 7/ Hardly had we seen them off at the gate when
they were ringing the doorbell again.
8/ They’ve decided to go ahead with the programme of
cutbacks.
9/ Seeing that the evidence was circumstantial, the prisoner
was allowed to go free.
10/ Try as he might, Hugh is fighting a losing battle
against bankruptcy.
1/ If everything proceeds as expected, I should get out of the
hospital by early next week. WELL
→
2/ "Let’s not spend useless time thinking about the past," she
said. DWELL
→
3/ He was expressing his feelings of inferiority by being
overly aggressive. ACTING
→
4/ She was really disappointed when she heard he wasn't
coming. FACE
→
5/ Last year's losses seem less serious than this year's. PALE
→
6/ Being the centre of public attention allows you no privacy.
EYE
→ The problem
7/ United beat Liverpool thoroughly in the quarter finals.
SOUNDLY
→ Liverpool
8/ Many people believe, quite wrongly, that all snakes are
poisonous. POPULAR
→ It
9/ Some people earn a fortune buying and selling stamps.
KILLING
→
10/ Ben is incredibly witty when he is in a good mood. SHARP
→ Ben’s
ANSWER KEY:
1/ All being well, I should get out of the hospital by early next
week. 2/ "Let’s not dwell on the past," she said.
3/ He was acting out his feelings of inferiority by being
overly aggressive.
4/ Her face fell when she heard he wasn't coming.
5/ Last year's losses pale by / in comparison with / to this year's.
6/ The trouble with being in the public eye is that you get
no privacy.
7/ Liverpool was soundly defeated by United in the quarter
finals. 8/ It is a popular misconception that all snakes are
poisonous.
9/ Some people make a killing buying and selling
stamps. 10/ Ben’s wit is razor sharp when he is in a
good mood.
1/ Helen’s become very successful since she changed jobs.
WORLD
→ Helen’s
2/ They used to live in a big house with lots of servants, but
they've become less successful since then. WORLD
→
3/ The two countries are about to sign a new trade
agreement. BRINK
→
4/ The favourite horse in the race was winning easily when it
fell. SIGHT
→
5/ He is in social contact with some very influential
people. SHOULDERS
→
6/ Politicians are eager to promote their 'happy family' image
to gain support from voters. FAVOUR
→
7/ Annabelle is definitely the best in the team. WITHOUT
→
8/ The rehearsal went off without any problems in the end.
HITCH
→
9/ Their business failed because it could not raise a little
extra cash. WANT
→
10/ The escaped convicts are still free after three weeks. ON
→
11/ There is absolutely no doubt about his honesty, but there
is about his loyalty. QUESTION
→ By
ANSWER KEY:
1/ Helen’s gone up in the world since she changed jobs.
2/ They used to live in a big house with lots of servants, but
they've come down in the world since then.
3/ The two countries are on the brink of signing a new
trade agreement.
4/ The favourite horse was within / in sight of victory /
winning when it fell.
5/ He rubs shoulders with some very influential people.
6/ Politicians are eager to promote their 'happy family' image
to curry favour with voters.
7/ Annabelle is without question / without doubt / without /
beyond a shadow of a doubt the best in the team.
8/ The rehearsal went off without a hitch in the
end. 9/ Their business failed for want of a little
extra cash.
10/ The escaped convicts are still on the run after three
weeks. 11/ By no means is his honesty in question, but his
loyalty is.
1/ It certainly came as a surprise to us to win first prize. THING
→
2/ I don’t think much of anyone who would cheat a pensioner
out of his money. LOW
→
3/ We’ll only be able to afford a holiday if we are very strict
with our expenses. REIN
→ Only
4/ The documentary made me realise how poor many people
are in other parts of the world. HOME
→
5/ Will you please come to the point and tell me what you
want! BEATING
→ I wish
6/ Andrew rarely says how good he is at things, even though
he’s very talented. TRUMPET
→ Seldom
7/ By agreeing to help him out financially, you’ll only be
causing problems for yourself. GRAVE
→ You’ll
8/ The military parade was just the government showing its
power before the elections. FLEXING
→ The military
9/ Were he to speak in a clearer fashion, I could follow
his argument. THREAD
→ Were
10/ Nicola led me to believe that she would be taking charge of
the arrangements. UNDERSTAND
→ Nicola
11/ Jane is the only member to earn money in her family.
BACON
→ It is only
ANSWER KEY:
1/ The last thing we expected was to win first prize.
2/ I have a low opinion of anyone who would cheat a pensioner
out of his money.
3/ Only if we keep a tight rein on our expenses will we be
able to afford a holiday.
4/ The documentary brought home to me how poor many
people are in other parts of the world.
5/ I wish you would stop beating about / around the bush and
tell me what you want!
6/ Seldom does Andrew blow his own trumpet, even though
he’s very talented.
7/ You’ll only be digging your own grave by agreeing to help him
out financially.
8/ The military parade was just the government flexing its
muscles before the elections.
9/ Were he to speak in a clearer fashion, I would not lose
the thread of his argument.
10/ Nicola gave me to understand that she would be taking
charge of the arrangements.
11/ It is only Jane who brings home the bacon.
1/ She got rid of $2 million in energy stock and bought
computer shares instead. OVERBOARD
→
2/ I waited anxiously as the results were read out. BATED
→
3/ He earns $80,000 a year, compared to my $40,000. AGAINST
→
4/ I was on the horns of a dilemma, for if I didn't take out
another loan—and go deeper into debt—I could not pay off the
debts I already owed. PLACE
→
5/ Farmers are being forced to take serious risks with their
futures. RUSSIAN
→
6/ Airport security was extra tight because of yesterday's
bomb attacks. WAKE
→
7/ Free time is not common for working parents. PREMIUM
→
8/ The dispute continued for months. RUMBLED
→
9/ The flood killed many people. LIVES
→
10/ It’s likely that I'll get lost on the way, but I'll call if that
happens.
→ There’s a good
11/ She'll regret buying that house. RUE
→
12/ Health and safety rules are often disregarded. ROUTINELY
→
13/ The universities have shown hardly any signs of a
willingness to change. FEW
→
14/ I was persuaded to play softball last night. ROPED
→
15/ It was auspicious when they met and fell in
love. CONSTELLATIONS
→
16/ Ruben Carter did time for most of his life. ROT
→
17/ The comedian had the audience laughing endlessly. AISLES
→
18/ Their children will soon be ready to move away from home.
FLEE
→
19/ I don't want everyone knowing about our problems. SUNDRY
→
20/ Money wasn’t taken into account when he offered to
help. EQUATION
→
21/ She tried to feel less guilty by inviting him out for a
meal. CONSCIENCE
→
22/ Chris and Debbie got married last summer. AISLE
→
23/ There are arguments on two opposite opinions. AISLE
→
24/ According to everyone, it was a very useful
meeting. ACCOUNTS
→
25/ She's a liar who is completely bad. BENEATH
→
ANSWER KEY:
1/ She threw / chucked / tossed $2 million in energy
stock overboard and bought computer shares instead.
2/ I waited with bated breath as the results were read
out. 3/ He earns $80,000 a year, as against my
$40,000.
4/ I was (caught) between a rock and a hard place, for if I didn't
take out another loan—and go deeper into debt—I could not
pay off the debts I already owed.
5/ Farmers are being forced to play Russian roulette with their
futures.
6/ Airport security was extra tight in the wake of yesterday's
bomb attacks.
7/ Free time is at a premium for working
parents. 8/ The dispute rumbled on for
months.
9/ The flood claimed / took many lives.
10/ There’s a good chance that I'll get lost on the way, but I'll
call if that happens.
11/ She’ll rue the day that she bought that house.
12/ Health and safety rules are routinely ignored / flouted.
13/ The universities have shown few if any signs of a willingness
to change.
14/ I was roped into playing softball last night.
15/ The constellations aligned when they met and fell in love.
16/ Ruben Carter was left to rot in jail / prison for most of his
life. 17/ The comedian had the audience rolling in the aisles.
18/ Their children will soon be ready to flee the nest.
19/ I don't want all and sundry knowing about our problems.
20/ Money didn’t enter (into) / come into the equation when
he offered to help.
21/ She tried to salve her conscience by inviting him out for a
meal. 22/ Chris and Debbie went / walked down the aisle last
summer.
23/ There are arguments on both sides of the
aisle. 24/ By all accounts, it was a very useful
meeting.
25/ She's a liar who is beneath contempt.
1/ You can’t expect everything to run on an even keel all the
time (SMOOTH)
→
2/ Jones is no longer shy when singing to large audience
(PACKED)
→ Jones grew
3/ We were surprised to see that he got mad at our decision
(RED)
→ To
4/ The standard of her homework is no longer
acceptable. (SCRATCH)
→ Her
5/ They hate each other intensely (SWORN)
→
6/ Quite without preparation, the minister spoke about the
effects the new law would have (IMPROMPTU)
→ The minister
7/ Tom is always punctual (DEAD)
→
8/ I treated him in the same way as he treated me (PAID)
→
9/ If you want, you can leave (LIBERTY)
→ You wish.
10/ The staff didn’t have faith in the director’s crazy ideas
(STOCK)
→
ANSWER KEY:
1/ You have to learn to take the rough with the
smooth. You can’t expect to have a smooth run all
the time.
2/ Jones grew accustomed to singing to packed
houses. 3/ Much to our surprise, he saw red at our
decision.
4/ Her homework is no longer up to
scratch. 5/ They are sworn enemies.
6/ The minister made an impromptu speech about the effects
the new law would have.
7/ Tom is always dead on time.
8/ I paid him back in his own coin.
9/ You are at liberty to leave as you wish.
10/ The staff took no stock in the director’s crazy ideas.
The staff did not take any stock in the director’s crazy ideas.
1/ There were fewer people at the festival than the previous
year. MANY
→ There
2/ She looks more self-assured than she really is. NOT
→ She is
3/ The plan isn’t only impractical, it’s also insane. AS
→ The plan impractical.
4/ It was more of a miscalculation than a serious error. SO
→ It was
5/ There has been a two per cent reduction in the price of
petrol. DOWN
→ The price
6/ Todd is paid half as much as Adam for the same work.
DOUBLE
→ Adam
7/ There is more demand for the product than ever before. HAS
→
8/ Hotel prices in Tokyo are five times higher than here. FIFTH
→
9/ Their meeting lasted longer than I thought it would. EXPECT
→I
10/ I paid a quarter of the price that James paid for
accommodation. FOUR
→
ANSWER KEY:
1/ There were not as many people at the festival as the
previous year.
2/ She is not really as self-assured as she
looks. 3/ The plan is as insane as it is
impractical.
4/ It was not so much a serious error as a miscalculation.
5/ The price of petrol has come / gone down by two per
cent. 6/ Adam is paid double as much as Todd for the
same work.
7/ There has never been such (a) demand for the
product. 8/ Hotel prices here are a fifth of what they
are in Tokyo.
9/ I did not expect their meeting to last as / so long as it
did. 10/ James paid four times as much as I did for
accommodation.
1/ The economic situation is improving at long last. AND
→
2/ As I was waiting, I became increasingly impatient. THE
→ The
3/ I seem to understand less and less of the book as I go into
it. MORE
→ The
4/ The maximum number of visitors allowed per patient at any
one time is two. THAN
→ No
5/ They say you’re happier when you have little money. LESS
→ The say the
6/ At least sixty people in the survey admitted to suffering
from stress. FEWER
→ No
7/ I find teaching preferable to working in an office. SOONER
→
8/ I don’t want you to spend so much time playing on your
computer. SOON
→
9/ The writer said that Victorian factories were rather like
prisons. PARALLEL
→
10/ Absolute zero does not exist. SUCH
→
11/ The Foreign Minister praised the peace-keeping forces’
efforts to maintain calm. PAID
→
12/ The doctor said that the patient’s condition was
seriously deteriorating. BAD
→ According
ANSWER KEY:
1/ The economic situation is getting better and better at long
last. 2/ The longer / more I waited, the more impatient I
became.
3/ The more I go into the book, the less I seem to understand it.
4/ No more than two visitors per patient are allowed at any one
time. 5/ They say the less money you have, the happier you are.
6/ No fewer than sixty people in the survey admitted to
suffering from stress.
7/ I would sooner teach than work in an office.
8/ I would (just) as soon you did not spend so much time
playing on your computer.
9/ The writer drew a parallel between Victorian factories
and prisons.
10/ There is no such thing as absolute zero.
11/ The Foreign Minister paid tribute to the peace-keeping
forces’ efforts to maintain calm.
12/ According to the doctor, the patient’s condition was going
from bad to worse.
1/ You can’t rent those villas for less than a month. MINIMUM
→A
2/ Robin has far more toys than Elliot. LIKE
→ Elliot
3/ At the prison there is one warden for every fifteen
prisoners. OUTNUMBER
→
4/ Larry said the football match was more like a boxing
match. LIKENED
→ Larry
5/ The two cars look the same to me. SEE
→I
6/ Fred is too miserly to buy anyone a drink. OF
→
7/ There’s nothing I like more than a swim before breakfast.
MOST
→
8/ Getting permission to build the garage was far easier than I
had imagined. NEAR
→
9/ I’ve trapped her in at least five lies this week alone. OUT
→ I’ve than five lies this
week alone.
10/ Samantha is not really suited to be a teacher. CUT
→
11/ Everything possible will be done to get the disarmament
talks going again. POWER
→ We shall
12/ It’s my view that he should be sent to prison for the rest of
his life. PUT
→ In
ANSWER KEY:
1/ A month is the minimum you can rent those villas
for. 2/ Elliot has nothing like as many toys as Robin.
3/ At the prison the prisoners outnumber the wardens (by)
fifteen to one.
4/ Larry likened the football match to a boxing
match. 5/ I can't see any difference between the
two cars.
6/ Fred is too much of a miser to buy anyone a
drink. 7/ What I like most is a swim before
breakfast.
8/ Getting permission to build the garage was nowhere
near as difficult as I had imagined.
9/ I’ve caught her out in no fewer than five lies this week
alone. 10/ Samantha is not really cut out to be a teacher.
11/ We shall do everything / all in / within our power to get
the disarmament talks going again.
12/ In my opinion, he should be put behind bars for the rest of
his life.
1/ I noticed Jimmy Jones at the match on Saturday. CAUGHT
→
2/ I really want to reduce my intake of carbohydrates but it’s
so hard. DOWN
→ I wish
3/ It wasn’t as easy to get the host’s attention as I thought;
the room was so packed. EYE
→ It was more
4/ We are spending less on advertising as production costs
increase. CUTTING
→ The more production
5/ To be brief, I have no money. STORY
→
6/ The police came upon the thief just as he was robbing the
store. ACT
→ The police
7/ It is difficult for some children to concentrate when they first
go to school. SPAN
→ Some children
8/ You must know the facts thoroughly if you wish to write
an article about this. FINGERTIPS
→ Unless , how can
you
write an article about this?
9/ The boss is absolutely against giving his employees a pay
rise. STUBBORNLY
→
10/ She is fully familiar with Athens, having been born there.
BACK
→
11/ He is the most talented player in the team.
→ None of the players
ANSWER KEY:
1/ I caught sight of Jimmy Jones at the match on Saturday.
2/ I wish I could cut down on my intake of carbohydrates but it’s
so hard.
3/ It was more difficult to catch the host's eye than I thought;
the room was so packed.
4/ The more production costs increase, the more we are
cutting back on advertising.
5/ To make / cut a long story short, I have no money.
6/ The police caught the thief in the act of robbing the store.
7/ Some children have a short / limited attention span when
they first go to school.
8/ Unless you have all the facts at your fingertips, how can you
write an article about this?
9/ The boss stubbornly refuses to give his employees a pay rise.
10/ She knows Athens like the back of her hand, having been
born there.
11/ None of the players in the team is as talented as him.
1/ Time passes so fast when you are enjoying yourself. TRACK
→ You
2/ Peter took it very hard when he lost his job. PILL
→ It
3/ Everyone at the meeting ignored William’s appeal for
caution. DEAF
→ William’s appeal
4/ This crossword puzzle has me completely beaten. TAIL
→
5/ I thought Jeremy had given up that job. UNDER
→
6/ Neil is thinking about opening his own business. TOYING
→
7/ Everyone will be given a chance to have their say during
the meeting. AIR
→ Everyone
8/ Liverpool were without their best players against Bradford.
FULL
→ Liverpool
9/ Nobody got as much out of life as my grandfather. TO
→ Nobody than
my
grandfather.
10/ The shop had no more candles, so we went to the
supermarket. IN
→ Because
11/ The earth is where human beings live.
→ The earth is the
ANSWER KEY:
1/ You lose track of time when you are enjoying yourself.
2/ It was a bitter pill for Peter to swallow when he lost his
job. 3/ William’s appeal for caution fell on deaf ears at the
meeting. 4/ I can't make head nor tail of this crossword
puzzle.
5/ I was under the impression (that) Jeremy had given up that
job. 6/ Neil is toying with the idea of opening his own business.
7/ Everyone will be given a chance to air their views / opinions
during the meeting.
8/ Liverpool were not at full strength when they played
against Bradford.
9/ Nobody lived life more to the full(est) than my grandfather.
10/ Because the shop had no (more) candles in stock, we went
to the supermarket.
11/ The earth is the home of human beings.
1/ He's seen as something of a dangerously uncontrollable
person by other team members. LOOSE
→
2/ They were made to go through unpleasant difficulties by
the adoption agency. WRINGER
→ They were
3/ I'm allowing you to do what you want on this project. I
hope to see some real innovation. HEAD
→
4/ The new editor will supervise the staff, checking on the
overall policy and tone of the paper. HERD
→
5/ The judge refused to make a change in her ruling. STOOD
→
6/ His remarks on the conditions in our prisons made me think
for a moment. PAUSE
→
7/ Completely new soldiers were trained for six months and
then sent to the war front.
→ Raw
8/ His resignation comes just before Sunday’s elections. EVE
→
9/ The number of patients on a doctor's list was seen as a
good figure to assess how hard they work. PROXY
→
10/ The best-selling aeroplane has been prevented from flying
since March 2019 after two fatal crashes in five months killed
346 people.
→ The best-selling aeroplane has remained
ANSWER KEY:
1/ He's seen as something of a loose cannon by other team
members. 2/ They were put through the wringer by the adoption
agency.
3/ I'm giving you your head on this project. I hope to see some
real innovation.
4/ The new editor will ride herd on the staff, checking on the
overall policy and tone of the paper.
5/ The judge stood firm in her ruling.
6/ His remarks on the conditions in our prisons gave him a
pause for thought.
7/ Raw recruits were trained for six months and then sent to
the war front.
8/ His resignation comes on the eve of Sunday’s elections.
9/ The number of patients on a doctor's list was seen as a
good proxy for assessing how hard they work.
10/ The best-selling aeroplane has remained grounded since
March 2019 after two fatal crashes in five months killed 346
people.
1/ I've been preparing for this debate for weeks so that I am
slightly better than my opponent. EDGE
→
2/ Don't trust Dana — she's a person appearing harmless but
actually dangerous who will try to steal your position if given
the chance. WOLF
→
3/ It doesn’t matter to me when we leave. ODDS
→
4/ Her generosity has no limit. BOUNDS
→
5/ The window display is very important for drawing in passers-
by. PASSING
→
6/ I was a page boy who carried the rings at their wedding.
→ I was a ring
7/ I could only afford that house because of the loan you gave
me. LENT
→ Had
8/ You don't have to come and see the new house if you don't
wish. OBLIGATION
→
9/ You should have seen the boss as soon as you arrived. You
knew he wanted to see you. SUPPOSED
→ boss when
you
arrived.
10/ She is already married and you knew it! I wish you had told
me. MIGHT
→
ANSWER KEY:
1/ I've been preparing for this debate for weeks so that I have
the edge over my opponent.
2/ Don't trust Dana — she's a wolf in sheep's clothing who will
try to steal your position if given the chance.
3/ It makes no odds to me when we
leave. 4/ Her generosity knows no
bounds.
5/ The window display is very important for drawing in passing
trade. 6/ I was a ring bearer at their wedding.
7/ Had you not lent me the money, I wouldn't have been able
to afford the house.
8/ You are under no obligation to come and see the new house if
you don't wish.
9/ You were supposed to see / have seen the boss when you
arrived. 10/ You might have told me she was married.
1/ I went into work for an hour even though I knew it was a
holiday.
→ I need
2/ The headmaster will give a prize to the top student of the
year. AWARDED
→ The top
3/ Police arrested Johnson because they think he was involved in
the robbery. SUSPICION
→ Johnson was detained
4/ You don't need to concern yourself with the new tax laws
till October. EFFECT
→ The new tax laws
5/ She still hasn't really recovered from losing her job in
August. BEING
→ She still really hasn't got
6/ I'm afraid I believed his fake story completely! TAKEN
→ I regret to
7/ This washing machine will give you years of service if you
care for it properly. AFTER
→ Properly will give
you
years of service.
8/ Could you help me tackle a problem with my son? (DEALING)
→ I’d be grateful
9/ The news that the President had quit came as a great
surprise to everyone. ABACK
→ Everyone
10/ Do you mind if I observe you while you draw that
sketch? OBJECTION
→ Do you
ANSWER KEY:
1/ I need not have gone into work but I did anyway.
2/ The top student will be awarded a prize by the headmaster.
3/ Johnson was detained on suspicion of involvement in the
robbery. 4/ The new tax laws don’t take effect till October.
5/ She still really hasn't got over being made redundant in
August. 6/ I regret to say that I was (completely) taken in by his
fake story. 7/ Properly looked after, this washing machine will
give you years of service.
8/ I’d be grateful for your help in dealing with a problem with
my son.
9/ Everyone was taken aback by the President quitting.
10/ Do you have any objection if I observe you while you draw
that sketch?
1/ Janet has never passed any exams, as far as I'm aware.
FORMAL
→ To
2/ None of us was expecting to have a test this morning. BLUE
→ This
3/ The judges gave Joseph the impression that he would win
the competition. BELIEVE
→
4/ Sharon really has no idea of the difficulty of finding a
parking spot.
→ Little
5/ Ken said absolutely nothing because he was afraid of
offending the women. FEAR
→ Ken remained offence
to the women.
6/ Barbara's total dedication to her job has always been
exemplary. HERSELF
→ Barbara in the
most exemplary way.
7/ He doesn't mind at all if Kim records his speech. OBJECTION
→
8/ Nobody really expected Glen to do so well in his Biology
exams. TAKEN
→ Everyone
9/ Nina has run away from home on other occasions.
→ This is
10/ I offered Fred the position but he refused it. DOWN
→ Fred
ANSWER KEY:
1/ To (the best of) my knowledge, Janet has no formal
qualifications. 2/ This morning’s test came out of the blue for all
of us / every one of us.
3/ Joseph was made to believe (that) he would win the
competition. 4/ Little does Sharon know / realise how difficult /
hard it is to find a parking spot.
5/ Ken remained absolutely silent / quiet for fear of causing
offence to the women.
6/ Barbara dedicates herself to her job in the most exemplary
way. 7/ He has no objection to Kim recording his speech.
8/ Everyone was taken aback (by the fact) that Glen did so
well in his Biology exams.
9/ This is not the first time Nina has run away from
home. 10/ Fred was offered the position but turned it
down.
1/ They thought that the music was too loud.
→ As
2/ In spite of all my efforts, I didn't manage to persuade them to
come to the concert.
→ No
3/ The police were forced to release the suspect because
new evidence was produced. LIGHT
→
4/ But for the sea being unusually warm, they never would
have survived.
→ If it killed.
5/ People know more about my novels than the plays I write. AS
→ I’m better
6/ I've been informed that you've been late to the office every
day this week. BROUGHT
→ It has
7/ I apologise but I totally forgot about our dinner
appointment. CONFESS
→ I must mind.
8/ They made him wait for two hours, then eventually let him in.
→ He was eventually
9/ Dylan never pays much attention to what his father
says. NOTICE
→ Dylan doesn’t
10/ I wish Julie would learn to drive.
→ It’s
ANSWER KEY:
1/ As far as they were concerned, the music was too loud.
2/ No matter how hard I tried, I didn't manage to persuade them
to come to the concert.
3/ The police were forced to release the suspect in the light of
new evidence (being) produced.
4/ If it hadn’t been for the sea’s temperature, they would have
been killed.
5/ I’m better known as a novelist than a playwright.
6/ It has been brought to my attention that you've been late to
the office every day this week.
7/ I must confess that our dinner appointment totally slipped
my mind.
8/ He was eventually allowed in after having been kept waiting
for two hours.
9/ Dylan doesn’t ever take much notice of what his father
says. 10/ It’s (high) time Julie learnt to drive.
1/ The house is inaccessible from the main road in winter.
REACH
→ It’s
2/ He crashed the car because he was overtired. CAUSED
→ His
3/ I'm sorry I was not there when he opened his present. LOVE
→ I’d
4/ You would be wise to read it carefully before you sign it. HAD
→
5/ It made me very angry when he wouldn’t speak to me.
REFUSAL
→
6/ We must not be late for the meeting, whatever happens. ARE
→
7/ It hardly ever snows at this time of year. IT
→ For
8/ He did not want to wake anybody up so he tiptoed down the
hall.
→ So
9/ You don’t have to buy a phone card; borrow mine. MY
→ Why buying one?
10/ Extreme hunger prevented them from walking any further.
TOO
→
ANSWER KEY:
1/ It’s impossible to reach the house from the main road in
winter. 2/ His overtiredness caused him to crash the car.
3/ I’d love to have been there when he opened his
present. 4/ You had better read it carefully before you
sign it.
5/ His refusal to speak to me made me angry.
6/ We are not to be late for the meeting, whatever
happens. 7/ For it to snow at this time of year is rare.
8/ So as not to wake anybody up, he tiptoed down the hall.
9/ Why don't you borrow my phone card instead of buying
one? 10/ They were too hungry to walk any further.
1/ The landlord fully intends to carry out his threat to take
the matter to court. EVERY
→
2/ Adam found it very difficult to translate the report accurately.
GREAT
→
3/ The director called an emergency meeting in order to
avert further job losses.
→ With a
4/ Nicole isn’t in the least bit sorry that she gave up her
job. REGRETS
→
5/ It’s impossible to say what frame of mind we’ll find him
in. TELLING
→
6/ It’s highly unlikely that the company will renew
Thompson’s contract. LIKELIHOOD
→
7/ Terry refused to let anyone help her with the washing-up. ON
→
8/ I can’t play tennis every weekend as I used to. MISS
→
9/ In all honesty, I knew nothing about his plans. TELL
→
10/ Doctors said he became ill because he had been exposed
to radiation. RESULT
→
ANSWER KEY:
1/ The landlord has every intention of carrying out his threat
to take the matter to court.
2/ Adam had great difficulty in translating the report accurately.
3/ With a view to averting further job losses, the director called
an emergency meeting.
4/ Nicole has (absolutely) no regrets about giving up her
job. 5/ There’s no telling what frame of mind we’ll find
him in.
6/ There’s little likelihood of the company renewing
Thompson’s contract.
7/ Terry insisted on doing the washing-up
herself. 8/ I miss playing tennis every weekend
as I used to.
9/ To tell (you) the truth, I knew nothing about his plans.
10/ Doctors said he became ill as a result of being exposed to /
his being exposed to / his exposure to radiation.
1/ They said he was a liar and a thief. BEING
→
2/ Kim lost no time in pointing out the errors in the
spreadsheets. QUICK
→
3/ Moira wishes she had not sold her flat in town. HAVING
→
4/ After queuing for two hours, we were told all tickets had
sold out. ONLY
→ We
5/ His doctor’s advice was to drink less. CUT
→ His doctor told
6/ He will be appointed only if all members of the board give
their approval. SUBJECT
→ His of the
board.
7/ Frank always phones first before he comes to visit us.
WITHOUT
→ Frank
8/ The rock fall made it impossible for us to proceed any further
on the mountain road. PREVENTED
→
9/ She fully intends to get her revenge on him for what he did
to her. BACK
→
10/ The expression on her face was one of great anger when he
was rude to her mother. DAGGERS
→ She
ANSWER KEY:
1/ They accused him of being a liar and a thief.
2/ Kim was quick to point out the errors in the
spreadsheets. 3/ Moira regrets having sold her flat in
town.
4/ We queued for two hours only to be told that all tickets had
sold out.
5/ His doctor told him to cut down on his drinking.
6/ His appointment / being appointed is subject to the approval
of all members of the board.
7/ Frank never comes to visit us without phoning first.
8/ The rock fall prevented us from proceeding any further on
the mountain road.
9/ She has every intention of paying him back (in his own coin)
for what he did to her.
10/ She looked daggers at him when he was rude to her mother.
1/ The senator was very honest. IF
→
2/ It's entirely your own fault that you failed the exam. BLAME
→ You have no
3/ Freddy is always quarrelling with his sister. ROWS
→ Freddy
4/ It is touch and go what the students think of their
teachers' ideas. BE
→
5/ Brian is a strong contender for the position. SHORTLIST
→
6/ Your outrageous behaviour has caused problems for the
club. EMBARRASSMENT
→
7/ They seldom stay up late. RARE
→ It
8/ The climbers will try to reach the summit again in the
morning. ANOTHER
→
9/ She said she was in no way responsible for the
damage. DISCLAIMED
→
10/ No one pities her after what she has done. SYMPATHY
→
11/ They accused John of breaking the window. PUT
→
12/ The BBC produces programmes to interest all sorts of
people. CATERED
→ All
13/ We were reluctant to leave our old home. RELUCTANCE
→ It
ANSWER KEY:
1/ The senator was nothing if not honest.
2/ You have no one but yourself to blame for failing the
exam. 3/ Freddy is always having rows with his sister.
4/ It remains to be seen what the students think of their
teachers' ideas.
5/ Brian is on the shortlist for the position.
6/ Your outrageous behaviour has been a source of
embarrassment to the club.
7/ It is rare for them to stay up late.
8/ The climbers will make another attempt to reach the summit
in the morning.
9/ She disclaimed all responsibility for the damage.
10/ No one has any sympathy for her after what she has
done. 11/ They put the blame on John for breaking the
window.
12/ All sorts of people are catered for by the BBC.
13/ It was with reluctance that we left our old
home.
1/ You have the ability to do really well in your career if you
make an effort. MIND
→ You could do really well
2/ A cup of tea is the most refreshing drink of all. MATCH
→ There’s
3/ Why didn’t you take the day off work? BETTER
→ It
4/ Digging in the garden gives me an outlet for my
frustrations. VENT
→ Digging
5/ The TV channel broadcast the whole of the tennis
tournament. EXTENSIVE
→ There
6/ She was allegedly the richest singer in Peru. CLAIMED
→
7/ The boys hurled snowballs at their next-door neighbour.
PELTED
→
8/ Pam didn’t understand the situation and so made a
terrible mistake. STICK
→
9/ The newspaper revealed that the politician was a spy.
EXPOSED
→ The politician
10/ Sheila has become too big to wear this pullover. GROWN
→
ANSWER KEY:
1/ You could do really well in your career if you set your mind
to it. 2/ There’s nothing to match a cup of tea as a refreshing
drink.
3/ It would have been better if you had taken the day off
work. 4/ Digging in the garden allows me to vent my
frustrations.
5/ There was extensive coverage of the tennis
tournament. 6/ They claimed that she was the richest
singer in Peru.
7/ The boys pelted their next-door neighbour with snowballs.
8/ Pam got (hold of) the wrong end of the stick and made a
terrible mistake.
9/ The politician was exposed as a spy by the
newspaper. 10/ Sheila has grown out of this
pullover.
1/ If I had been you, I would have punished him. SHOES
→ If
2/ If Mary were feeling well, she would have come to Tom’s
party. SINCE
→ Mary
3/ Some friends nominated him as a spokesman. FORWARD
→
4/ You’ve been looking miserable all day. MOON
→
5/ There are more than six hospitals in this city. EXCESS
→
6/ A rejection of their offer would have been unwise. ACCEPTED
→ Not
7/ To look at him, you would think he was poor. JUDGING
→ You would think he was poor,
8/ The salesman promised me the cooker would be delivered
today. ASSURANCE
→
9/ How did he explain his lateness? EXPLANATION
→ What
10/ For further information, contact the accommodation
officer. OBTAINED
→ Further
11/ People often mistake me for my elder sister. CONFUSE
→
12/ Sam was really anxious, waiting to see if he had got a
place in the cricket team. TENTERHOOKS
→
13/ He owes his life to that surgeon. INDEBTED
→
ANSWER KEY:
1/ If I had been in your shoes, I would have punished
him. 2/ Mary must be ill since she did not come to
Tom’s party. 3/ Some friends put his name forward
as a spokesman.
4/ You’ve done nothing but moon around all day.
5/ There are in excess of six hospitals in this city.
6/ Not to have accepted their offer would have been
unwise. 7/ You would think he was poor, judging by the
look of him.
8/ The salesman gave me his assurance that the cooker
would be delivered today.
9/ What explanation did he give for his lateness?
10/ Further information can be obtained from the
accommodation officer.
11/ People often confuse me with my elder sister.
12/ Sam was on tenterhooks, waiting to see if he had got a
place in the cricket team.
13/ He is indebted to that surgeon for his life.
1/ She said she was worried about the problem of
pollution. CONCERN
→
2/ Tom’s presence at the party adds to everyone's enjoyment.
SOUL
→
3/ Linda did not agree with me about the closure. SHARE
→
4/ The government's retraining programme proved to
be unsuccessful due to lack of funds. MET
→
5/ The lease on my flat is valid until the end of the year.
RENEWAL
→
6/ I always get your boys mixed up. BETWEEN
→
7/ She wants success more than anything else. OUTWEIGHS
→ Her
8/ There are fewer males than females in our country. IN
→ Males
9/ Mark didn’t get home until just before dawn yesterday.
HOURS
→
10/ The latest developments have made them decide to
postpone their visit. VIEW
→ They have decided
11/ He hated the way the media scrutinised his private life.
CAME
→
12/ The current champion has been beaten in this year’s
tournament. SUFFERED
→
13/ Some services may be running late due to bad
weather. SUBJECT
→
14/ Rhonda’s not very keen on foreign food. CARE
→
15/ Ray’s good work record enabled him to get a
promotion. STRENGTH
→
16/ Travellers may bring as much luggage as they
require. RESTRICTION
→
17/ The government has tried to make the incident seem
less serious. PLAYED
→ of the incident.
18/ We couldn’t understand the film at all. SENSE
→ We could
19/ You won’t be punished provided you admit it was your
mistake. LONG
→ You to your mistake.
ANSWER KEY:
1/ She expressed concern about the problem of
pollution. 2/ Tom is the life and soul of the party.
3/ Linda did not share my opinion about the closure.
4/ The government’s retraining programme met with no
success due to lack of funds.
5/ The lease on my flat does not come up for renewal until the
end of the year.
6/ I can't tell the difference between your
boys. 7/ Her desire for success outweighs
anything else. 8/ Males are in a minority in our
country.
9/ Mark didn’t get home until the early hours yesterday.
10/ They have decided to postpone their visit in view of the
latest developments.
11/ He hated how his private life came under scrutiny from
the media.
12/ The current champion has suffered a defeat in this
year’s tournament.
13/ Some services may be subject to delay due to bad
weather. 14/ Rhonda does not care much for foreign food.
15/ Ray got a promotion on the strength of his good work
record. 16/ There is no restriction on the amount of luggage
travellers may bring.
17/ The government has played down the seriousness of the
incident. 18/ We could make no sense of the film.
19/ You won’t be punished as long as you admit / own up to
your mistake.
1/ Some people find it difficult to express how they feel
clearly. PUT
→ It is
2/ We oppose the bill because it discriminates against
women. GROUNDS
→ We raise
3/ Ellen became famous very quickly as a model. STARDOM
→
4/ It is possible that Mansell will win the championship this year.
→ Mansell is in
5/ The price of prescriptions will increase tomorrow. EFFECT
→
6/ The electricians are on strike but the BBC is still
broadcasting. SPITE
→ The BBC
7/ There’s no doubt shopping around is a good idea. PAYS
→ Without
8/ You should by now be responsible as a parent. TOOK
→ It’s
9/ It only took us a few days to get to Milan. MATTER
→ We arrived
10/ I got totally bored with telesales even though I was quite
good at it. UP
→ In
11/ He admitted that, when looking back, the original launch
had not been large enough. (BENEFIT)
→
12/ These ancient scholars knew a lot about poetry and
painting, as well as maths and astronomy. (STEEPED)
→
ANSWER KEY:
1/ It is difficult for some people to put their feelings into words.
2/ We raise objection(s) to the bill on the grounds that
it discriminates against women.
3/ Ellen shot/rose/zoomed to stardom as a model.
4/ Mansell is in with a chance of being/becoming this
year’s champion.
5/ The price of prescriptions will increase with effect from
tomorrow.
6/ The BBC is still broadcasting in spite of the fact that
the electricians stage/in spite of the electricians staging a strike.
7/ Without a shadow of a doubt, it pays to shop
around. 8/ It’s (high) time you took responsibility as
a parent.
9/ We arrived in Milan in a matter of days.
10/ In spite of being quite good at telesales, I got totally fed
up with it.
11/ He admitted that, with the benefit of hindsight, the
original launch had not been large enough.
12/ These ancient scholars were steeped in poetry and painting,
as well as maths and astronomy.
1/ Her father’s illness made the wedding celebrations less
happy. (CLOUD)
→
2/ The success of their recent product has made investors trust
in the company again. (RESTORED)
→
3/ Unfortunately, coming to this place seems to have confused
me. (ADDLED)
→
4/ As well as the cost, we need to think about how much time
the job will take. (ACCOUNT)
→ Aside
5/ Officials believe that more than one person may be
responsible for the fire. (BLAME)
→ It
6/ I will find out what caused the accident no matter
what. (BOTTOM)
→I or high
water.
7/ An automatic car will make driving much easier. (EFFORT)
→
8/ I really think my son is going to be a hugely
successful businessman. (HIGH)
→
9/ You shouldn’t complain about the service here; it’s not
worth it. (FUSS / JUSTIFICATION)
→ There
10/ That he believes in ghosts is impossible for me to
understand. (COMPREHENSION)
→ His
11/ It seems that businesses in this area are suffering
from financial difficulties. (PINCH)
→ Businesses in this area
12/ As soon as the new law was introduced, a mistake was
realised. (IN)
→ Hardly light.
13/ In my opinion, drug dealers should be severely punished by
the local authorities. (MONEY/CRACK)
→
14/ Basically, his message was very simple. (ESSENCE)
→
ANSWER KEY:
1/ Her father’s illness cast a cloud over the wedding
celebrations.
2/ The success of their recent product has restored
investors’ trust in the company.
3/ Unfortunately, coming to this place seems to have addled
my brain.
4/ Aside from the cost, we need to take account of/take
into account how much time the job will take.
5/ It is believed by officials that more than one person is to
blame for the fire.
6/ I will get to the bottom of what caused the accident, come
hell or high water.
7/ An automatic car will take (much) effort out of driving.
8/ I have high hopes of my son being a hugely
successful businessman.
9/ There is no justification for making a fuss about the
service here.
10/ His belief in ghosts is beyond my
comprehension. 11/ Businesses in this area seem
to be feeling the pinch.
12/ Hardly had the new law been brought in when a mistake
came to light.
13/ For my money, local authorities should crack down on
drug dealers.
14/ In essence, his message was very simple.
1/ I felt certain she was involved in his deception. (PARTY)
→
2/ Phelan is fit again and is likely to win. (RECKONING)
→
3/ Though taken away from its powers, the party remains in
control. (SHORN)
→
4/ They lingered at the bottom of the Football League.
(REACHES)
→
5/ I wrongly think that my parents cope calmly with everything I
do. MISAPPREHENSION
→ I labour stride.
6/ Employees have been told that smoking is forbidden in
the restrooms. NOTICE / BAN
→ It has been
7/ On being told about a trip to the seaside, the children were
most excited. MENTION
→ more
excited.
8/ You didn’t work very hard, that’s why you failed the exam.
NOSE
→ Were grade.
9/ In order to be sure, Linda quickly looked at the paper
before submitting. SATISFACTION / EYE
→
10/ The quality of Britain’s overseas aid programme is the
best. SECOND
→
11/ Cory went to Yukon in the 1970s in the hope of gaining
success and wealth. FORTUNE
→ So
12/ Due to the severity of his crime, the judge imposed a three-
year sentence. HANDED
→ On
13/ Henry always remains brave and calm despite grave
danger. STEEL / TEETH
→
14/ In the end, what matters most is who controls the
spending. STRINGS
→ In the end, it all comes
ANSWER KEY:
1/ I felt certain she was (a) party to his deception.
2/ Phelan is fit again and could come into the reckoning.
3/ Though shorn of its powers, the party remains in
control. 4/ They lingered in the lower reaches of the
Football League.
5/ I labour under the misapprehension that my parents
take everything I do in their stride.
6/ It has been brought to employees’ notice that there is a ban
on smoking in the restrooms.
7/ At the mention of a trip to the seaside, the children couldn’t
have been more excited.
8/ Were you to have kept your nose to the grindstone, you
would have made the grade.
9/ For her own satisfaction, Linda cast/ran her eye over the
paper before submitting.
10/ The quality of Britain’s overseas aid programme is second
to none.
11/ So as to make/amass a fortune, Cory went to Yukon in the
1970s. 12/ On account of the severity of his crime, the judge
handed down a three-year sentence.
13/ Henry has nerves of steel in the teeth of danger.
14/ In the end, it all comes down to who holds/controls the
purse strings.
1/ They were excluded from voting due to being too
young. (VIRTUE)
→
2/ 20 years ago the country was financially unsuccessful.
(CASE)
→
3/ Most people accept that overpopulation can bring about
poverty. ATTRIBUTABLE
→ It is
4/ The two lawyers worked in an atmosphere where neither
trusted the other. MUTUAL
→
5/ The woman was so anxious that she could only go outdoors
if she took tranquilisers. BY
→ Such go
outdoors.
6/ We are holding a series of meetings to make the general
public aware of the facts. ACQUAINT
→ We are holding a series of meetings, the
7/ I think it’s admirable that she’s done so much to foster
their trade. WORTHY
→
8/ For fear of spreading infectious diseases, visitors are
prohibited from importing animal products. LEST
→ Visitors may
9/ I firmly believe that students’ knowledge should be
tested otherwise than in formal examinations. KNOW / OTHER
→ I am
10/ The foot and mouth disease has recently broken out,
destroying the livelihoods of hundreds of farmers. RECENT
→ Hundreds of farmers have
11/ Diana looks extremely healthy now. I expect she’s started
doing aerobics again. PICTURE
→ If
12/ The authorities will only withdraw an advertisement if
a substantial number of people complain about it in
writing. WRITTEN
→ Only if an
advertisement.
ANSWER KEY:
1/ They were excluded from voting by virtue of being too
young. 2/ 20 years ago the country was an economic
basket case.
3/ It is generally accepted that poverty is attributable
to overpopulation.
4/ The two lawyers worked in an atmosphere of mutual distrust.
5/ Such was the woman’s anxiety that only by taking
tranquilisers could she go outdoors.
6/ We are holding a series of meetings, the purpose of which is
to acquaint the general public with the facts.
7/ To have done so much to foster fair trade I think is worthy
of admiration.
8/ Visitors may not import animal products lest they (should)
spread infectious diseases.
9/ I am of the firm belief that what students know should be
tested in ways other/in other ways than formal examinations.
10/ Hundreds of farmers have had their livelihoods destroyed
by the recent outbreak of the foot and mouth disease.
11/ If Diana is a picture of health now, she must have started
doing aerobics again.
12/ Only if a substantial number of people make/lodge a
written complaint will the authorities withdraw an
advertisement.
1/ I only realised the full implications of what had happened
until sometime later. ON
→ It wasn’t
2/ My comments must have offended Mary because she isn’t
being friendly towards me. TAKEN
→ Mary shoulder.
3/ The children are in disgrace for being so badly behaved.
UNDER
→
4/ Every possible effort was made by the police to find the
boy’s parents. STONE
→ The police in their
5/ He indicated quite clearly that he would do anything to obtain
the contract. LENGTHS
→ He gave
6/ Nowadays I consider casual friendships to be far less
important than I used to. STORE
→ Nowadays I don’t
7/ It was impossible to understand her colleagues’ overt
hostility towards her proposal. OPENLY
→ That her colleagues

comprehension. 8/ A real sportsman will never think of crowing

over his opponents’ misfortunes. MIND
→ Exulting
9/ I didn’t have the faintest idea about the quirks of the
antiques business, so I couldn’t give you any advice. KEN
→ Had
10/ The government will review their immigration policy next
April. COME
→ The government’s immigration
11/ A new flu vaccine has been on trial since the beginning of
the year.
→ They
12/ The teacher has terrified his students by using draconian
disciplinary measures. DINT
→ The teacher, heart.
13/ Although it was initially regarded as an underdog, Leicester
became champion of the 2014 – 2015 Premier League. RANK /
CROWNED
→ Initially
14/ No matter how you consider it, a lot of people will be
unhappy when the winner is announced. SINCE
→ Any there
15/ Tom has decided to quit his job and travel around the
world. JACKING
→ Tom has set
16/ The figures have proved rumours about the company’s
failure to be untrue. LIE
→ The figures rocks.
17/ It is urgent that the new principal strictly deal with school
violence at once. LINE
→ The new principal will have to

away. 18/ Donald Trump’s pledge to rip up existing trade deals

with Mexico would substantially damage the US economy.
WHICH / INFLICT
→ Donald Trump has
19/ During pioneer days a lot of land in the United States was
widely available. GRABS
→
20/ Harry was blind drunk, so he wasn’t in a suitable
condition to drive. STATE
→ Harry wasn’t many.
ANSWER KEY:
1/ It wasn’t until sometime later that it dawned on me the
full implications of what had happened.
2/ Mary must have taken offence at my comments because
she is giving me a cold shoulder.
3/ The children are under a cloud because of their bad
behaviour.
4/ The police left no stone unturned in their attempt to find
the boy’s parents.
5/ He gave every indication of going to any lengths to obtain
the contract.
6/ Nowadays I don’t set/lay/put (nearly) as much store by
casual friendships as I used to.
7/ That her colleagues were openly hostile towards her proposal
was beyond comprehension.
8/ Exulting in / over his opponents’ misfortunes is the last thing
on a real sportsman’s mind.
9/ Had the quirks of the antiques business not been beyond
my ken, I could have given you advice.
10/ The government’s immigration policy will come up for
review next April.
11/ They have been testing a new flu vaccine since the
beginning of the year.
12/ The teacher, by dint of draconian disciplinary measures,
has struck terror into his students’ heart.
13/ Initially regarded as a rank outsider, Leiceister was
crowned champion of the 2014 - 2015 Premier League.
14/ Any way you slice it, there will be a lot of unhappy people
when the winner is announced.
15/ Tom has set his heart / sights on jacking in his job and
travelling around the world.
16/ The figures have given the lie to rumours that the company
is on the rocks.
17/ The new principal will have to take / adopt a hard line on
school violence straight away.
18/ Donald Trump has pledged to rip up existing trade deals
with Mexico, which would inflict substantial damage on the US
economy.
19/ During pioneer days a lot of land in the United States was up
for grabs.
20/ He wasn’t in a fit state to drive as he had had one too many.
1/ They decided to advertise their house on the internet. (PUT)
→
2/ Were you able to complete all your work yesterday? (GET)
→ Did you manage
3/ Is it likely that this invention will become popular with the
public? (CATCH)
→
4/ I wrote down his email address on a piece of paper. (NOTE)
→ I made
5/ I was driving home from work when the accident
happened. (TIME)
→
6/ If only I had travelled more when I had the chance. TAKEN
→
7/ Karen had just started her new teaching job when she got
the flu. CAME
→ Karen just after
starting her new teaching job.
8/ It would have been a total catastrophe for her to be
made responsible. PUT
→ If she
9/ Kim doesn't intend to visit her uncle again. HAS
→
10/ The third candidate impressed the panel immediately. MADE
→
11/ This part of the factory can only be entered by
authorised staff. RESTRICTED
→ Access in this part of
the factory.
ANSWER KEY:
1/ They decided to put an advertisement for their house on
the internet.
2/ Did you manage to get through all your work yesterday?
3/ Is it likely that this invention will catch on with the
public? 4/ I made a note of his email address on a piece
of paper.
5/ I was driving home from work at the time of the
accident. 6/ I wish I had taken the chance to travel more.
7/ Karen came down with the flu just after starting her
new teaching job.
8/ If she had been put in charge, there would have been very
serious consequences.
9/ Kim has no intention of visiting her uncle again.
10/ The third candidate made an immediate impression on
the panellists.
11/ Access is restricted to authorised staff in this part of the
factory.
1/ Kids and seniors are much more prone to infection than
others. PICK
→
2/ It's highly unlikely that we'll promote Debbie this
summer. CHANE
→ There’s very
3/ I'd prefer to be given the opportunity to work with
other colleagues. ALLOWED
→ I think it would be better
4/ Please read the user manual with care before you use
this machine. MAKING
→ Before
5/ I'd never thought of asking the hotel manager for advice
about tourist sites. OCCURRED
→ It
6/ The cost of software has gone up a great deal recently.
SHARP
→
7/ It's very difficult for many people to express their feelings.
WORDS
→ is
very difficult for many people.
8/ Helga refuses to pay the dry cleaning bill. INTENTION
→
9/ Your brother must try to accept that he'll never be an
author! TERMS
→
10/ No students must enter the examination room after 10
o'clock, whatever the reason.
→ Under
11/ The accountant called a meeting to discuss the
company's perilous finances. PURPOSE
→ The accountant’s
12/ It may seem strange, but a tomato is technically a fruit.
→ Strange
13/ You'd be in a better position to tackle the exam if you
had studied harder. PREPARED
→ If you'd studied harder,
14/ I felt so relaxed at Tricia's apartment because her
friends greeted me so warmly. EASE
→ Trcia’s friends with the
warmth of their greeting.
15/ Grant completely ignored his elder brother's
recommendation. NOTICE
→
16/ The author said that he'd invented the whole plot
himself. THOUGHT
→ The scriptwriter said that he'd

any help.
17/ She has vowed to support her husband during his trial.
STAND
→
ANSWER KEY:
1/ Kids and seniors pick up infections more easily than others.
2/ There's very little chance of Debbie being promoted
this summer.
3/ I think it would be better to be allowed to work as a team.
4/ Before making use of this machine, please read the user
manual with care.
5/ It had never occurred to me to ask the hotel manager for
advice about tourist sites.
6/ There has been a sharp increase in the price of
software recently.
7/ Putting feelings into words is very difficult for many
people. 8/ Helga has no intention of paying the dry cleaning
bill.
9/ Your brother must come to terms with the fact that he'll
never be an author.
10/ Under no circumstances must students enter the
examination room after 10 o'clock.
11/ The accountant’s purpose for the meeting was to discuss
the company's perilous finances.
12/ Strange though it may seem, a tomato is technically a fruit.
13/ If you'd studied harder, you would be better prepared for the
exam.
14/ Tricia’s friends put me at my ease with the warmth of
their greeting.
15/ Grant took no notice of his elder brother's recommendation.
16/ The scriptwrite said that he’d thought up the plot without
any help.
17/ She has vowed to stand by her husband during his trial.
1/ Do you think Bob's grandmother was offended by what I
said? EXCEPTION
→ my
remarks?
2/ Jen thinks it would be better to get on as quickly as
possible. MUCH
→ Jen would prefer us progress
as we can.
3/ I wish to express my concern over the proposed
layoffs. WORRIED
→ I feel I must say
4/ We were astonished by the announcement as we hadn't
thought we would win an award for the movie. EXPECTED
→ Not
5/ Jones found it difficult to get used to the fact that he'd lost his
job. TERMS
→
6/ Neil was upset that his wife didn't support him in the
argument. BACK
→
7/ The extra cost is annoying, but I'm sure William can solve
our problems. COME
→
8/ Jenny didn't feel like meeting friends on Wednesday. MOOD
→
9/ Don't you think you have to pray? (FEEL)
→
10/ She'd rather you kept it to yourself.
→ She’d prefer anyone.
11/ When he had another look at the manuscript, he was
really impressed by its quality. THROUGH
→ On
12/ He continued his talk, even though everyone looked
bored. DESPITE
→ He kept
13/ Martin was very happy to be selected for the hockey
team. DELIGHT
→ Much
14/ My sister concluded that he should take the teaching job.
CAME
→
15/ Without the umbrella, we would have been soaked. It
→
16/ She'd better give up all hope of promotion. THOUGHTS
→ She should put
17/ What's the point of all this extra furniture? AID
→
18/ Carla thinks it would be better if Tom discovered the
answer for himself. FOUND
→ Carla would
19/ He left the house early, but arrived later than he expected.
OFF
→ Despite late.
20/ Unless this weather really changes overnight, we'll leave at
6am. NO
→ Providing
21/ The desert was completely devoid of trees. WHATSOEVER
→ There
22/ Patrick wanted to guarantee that everything was as it should
be on his wedding day. LEAVE
→ Patrick didn’t
23/ Susan didn't tell Dan about the bill until he'd finished
his dinner. FOR
→
24/ Don't let his relaxed manner fool you. He's an extremely
clever businessman. TAKEN
→
25/ "It's none of your business who I go out with!" Betsy
informed her mother. CONCERN
→ Betsy informed his mother that who his friends were
26/ The jury ruled that the defendant had not murdered his
wife. ACQUITTED
→ The defendant
27/ The jury ruled that the defendant had not murdered his
wife. INNOCENT
→ The jury
28/ The woman admitted that she had been driving while
drunk. PLEADED
→
29/ The police have charged a woman with stealing jewellery
worth over £7,000. BROUGHT
→ theft.
30/ The accountant persuaded nearly 200 people to invest a
total of
£20,000 in non-existent companies. DONE
→ Nearly 200 people
ANSWER KEY:
1/ Do you think Bob's grandmother took exception to my
remarks? 2/ Jen would prefer us to make as much progress as
we can.
3/ I feel I must say how worried I am by the proposed layoffs.
4/ Not having expected an award for the film, we were
completely astonished by the announcement.
5/ Jones found it difficult to come to terms with the fact that he'd
lost his job.
6/ Neil was upset that his wife didn't back him up in the
argument 7/ The extra cost is annoying, but I'm sure William
can come up with a solution to our problems.
8/ Jenny wasn't in the mood for meeting friends on
Wednesday. 9/ Don't you feel the need to pray?
10/ She’d prefer it if you didn’t tell anyone.
11/ On reading through the manuscript, he was really
impressed by its quality.
12/ He kept on talking despite everyone looking bored.
13/ Much to Martin's delight, he was selected for the hockey
team. 14/ My sister came to the conclusion that she should
take the teaching job.
15/ Had it not been for the umbrella, we would have been
soaked. 16/ She should put all thoughts of being promoted out
of her mind. 17/ What is all this furniture in aid of?
18/ Carla would prefer it if Tom found out the answer for
himself. 19/ Despite setting off early he arrived late.
20/ Providing there is no change in the weather overnight,
we'll leave at 6am.
21/ There were no trees whatsoever in the desert.
22/ Patrick didn’t leave anything to chance on his wedding day.
23/ Susan waited for Dan to finish dinner before telling him
about the bill.
24/ Don’t be taken in by his relaxed manner. He's an
extremely clever businessman.
25/ Betsy informed his mother that who his friends were was of
no concern of hers.
26/ The defendant was acquitted of murdering his wife.
27/ The defendant was found innocent of murdering his
wife. 28/ The woman pleaded guilty to drunk driving.
29/ The woman has been brought up on charges of theft.
30/ Nearly 200 people were done out of a total of £20,000 by
the accountant.
1/ I’ve been racking my brains to remember where I’ve seen
that man before. FINGER
→ Try
2/ He looks a lot like his uncle Bill. RESEMBLANCE
→
3/ Don’t get too excited just yet, the final election results
haven’t been confirmed. HOPES
→
4/ The sight of the finish line in the distance motivated the
runners to continue. WONDERS
→ Seeing
5/ They hadn’t planned on buying a new sofa before they
bought it. SPUR
→
6/ I briefly saw John as he walked past the bedroom
window. CAUGHT
→
7/ If anyone finds out what the boss really said in the
meeting, it could cause a big scandal. LIGHT
→
8/ Many workers are finding it difficult to accept losing their jobs
because of the recession. REDUNDANT
→ Many workers are struggling to come
9/ My brother called me unexpectedly on Sunday night. BLUE
→ On Sunday night,
10/ The company didn’t tell us anything about the staff cuts
for several months. DARK
→
11/ His logic proved to be irrefutable. ARGUMENT
→ So refute it.
12/ The band’s not going to play any more, so why don’t we
leave? NOW
→ We might given their
final encore.
13/ Thanks to Bob, we won the match. FOR
→ Had
14/ He promised never to lie again. TRUTH
→ He swore on.
15/ My host family on the exchange trip did everything they
could to make me feel comfortable. STOPS
→ My host family really ease.
16/ She’s forever warning her husband about driving too fast,
but he pays no attention. OFTEN
→ No
17/ She emigrated immediately after gaining her
degree. GRADUATED
→ No
18/ Phil stopped being unrealistic when he lost his job.
BROUGHT
→ The
19/ She got her licence because her father helped her learn
to drive. ASSISTANCE
→ But
20/ I’m not sure but I think Chris was the last person to leave
the office on Friday. KNOWLEDGE
→ To
21/ It wasn’t Susan’s fault that the dog chewed your slipper.
BLAME
→
22/ I don’t think I made a good impression on my new boss
today. FOOT
→ I think my boss and I might
23/ He takes great satisfaction in being a great cook. PRIDES
→
24/ My father persuaded me to learn another foreign
language. TALKED
→ It was
25/ I found the plot of the book too complicated to follow. HEAD
→
26/ He threatened the officers with violence. THREAT
→
27/ Her lateness made the boss angry. BANANAS
→ It was because
28/ She wore headphones in order not to disturb anyone. LEST
→
29/ She is not very good at arranging flowers. FLAIR
→
ANSWER KEY:
1/ Try as I MIGHT/MAY I CAN’T // PUT MY FINGER ON where
I’ve seen that man before.
2/ He BEARS A CLOSE/STRIKING // RESEMBLANCE TO his uncle
Bill.
3/ Don’t GET YOUR HOPES // UP just yet, the final election
results haven’t been confirmed.
4/ Seeing the finish line DID/WORKED WONDERS // FOR THE
RUNNERS’ MOTIVATION levels.
5/ They bought their new sofa ON THE SPUR // OF THE moment.
6/ I CAUGHT A GLIMPSE // OF JOHN as he walked past the
bedroom window.
7/ If what the boss is rumoured to HAVE SAID IN THE MEETING
COMES // TO LIGHT, it could cause a big scandal.
8/ Many workers are struggling to come TO TERMS WITH
// BEING MADE REDUNDANT because of the recession.
9/ On Sunday night, completely OUT OF // THE BLUE, my
brother called me.
10/ We WERE KEPT // IN THE DARK about the staff cuts for
several months.
11/ So LOGICAL WAS HIS ARGUMENT // (THAT) IT WAS
IMPOSSIBLE to refute it.
12/ We might AS WELL LEAVE // NOW THAT THE BAND HAVE
given their final encore.
13/ Had IT NOT BEEN FOR BOB // WE WOULD HAVE lost the
match.
14/ He swore TO TELL THE TRUTH // FROM now on.
15/ My host family really pulled OUT ALL THE STOPS // TO PUT
ME AT ease.
16/ No MATTER HOW OFTEN // SHE WARNS her husband about
driving too fast, he pays no attention.
17/ No SOONER HAD SHE GRADUATED // THAN SHE
MOVED/WENT abroad.
18/ The LOSS OF HIS JOB // BROUGHT PHIL DOWN TO Earth.
19/ But FOR HER FATHER’S ASSISTANCE, // SHE WOULDN’T
HAVE passed her driving test.
20/ To THE BEST // OF MY KNOWLEDGE, Chris was the last
person to leave the office on Friday.
21/ Susan’s NOT TO BLAME // FOR THE DOG CHEWING your
slipper.
22/ I think my boss and I might HAVE GOT/GOTTEN OFF // ON
THE WRONG FOOT today.
23/ He PRIDES HIMSELF // ON HIS ABILITY to cook.
24/ It was MY FATHER WHO TALKED ME // INTO LEARNING
another foreign language.
25/ I COULDN’T MAKE // HEAD NOR TAIL OF the plot of the
book.
26/ He made a threat of violence against the officers.
27/ It was because she was late that her boss WENT BANANAS.
28/ She wore headphones lest she should disturb everyone.
29/ She does not have much of a flair for arranging flowers.
1/ Small children have the ability to be absorbed in imaginary
worlds. LOSE
→
2/ I tried not to get involved in that situation. MIXED
→ I tried to avoid
3/ I had to go to an expert and ask her to advise me. SEEK
→ I was forced
4/ Francis chose computing rather than marketing for his
next course. PREFERENCE
→ Francis opted
5/ There came a time when I completely ran out of patience.
STAGE
→I patience left.
6/ It is likely that she will get very angry when she finds
out. LIABLE
→ fit when she
finds out.
7/ The company avoids employing unqualified staff unless there
is no alternative. RESORT
→ Only
8/ We have taken to going to the cinema on Fridays. HABIT
→
9/ I always enjoy this film, no matter how often I see it. TIRE
→
10/ The organisers planned everything as carefully as they
could possibly have done. UTMOST
→
11/ They still haven't found out what caused the accident.
CAUSE
→ They have was.
12/ I felt vaguely that something was wrong but what was it?
BACK
→
ANSWER KEY:
1/ Small children have the ability to lose themselves in
imaginary worlds.
2/ I tried to avoid getting mixed up in that
situation. 3/ I was forced to seek advice from an
expert.
4/ Francis opted for computing in preference to marketing for
his next course.
5/ I got to / reached a stage where I had no more patience
left. 6/ She is liable to have / throw a fit when she finds out.
7/ Only as a last resort will the company employ unqualified
staff. 8/ We have got into the habit of going to the cinema on
Fridays.
9/ However often I see it, I never tire of this film.
10/ Everything was planned with THE utmost care by the
organisers. 11/ They HAVE YET TO FIND OUT what THE
CAUSE OF the
accident was.
12/ I felt at the back of my mind that something was wrong
but what was it?
1/ A spokesman said that the story was pure
speculation. DISMISSED
→ than
speculation.
2/ The company lent us an apartment as part of the deal. LOAN
→ As part of the deal, we
3/ Coming second didn't make her feel any better because she
only wanted to win. CONSOLATION
→ to her.
4/ I hope that they won't get offended with my remarks. PART
→
5/ There's no way we can agree to this solution. QUESTION
→ This solution concerned.
6/ Fish for breakfast doesn't appeal to everyone. TASTE
→
7/ Once I had make sure there was no reason to be afraid, I
went ahead. FEAR
→ Having
8/ I'd be grateful if you could have a look at these figures. CAST
→
9/ You have said exactly the right thing. NAIL
→
10/ I didn't realise how much she is influenced by her
mother. EXTENT
→
11/ The completion of the work was scheduled for last week.
→ The work
12/ Just thinking about his face makes me laugh. VERY
→
13/ I don't think you mean what you say about helping me.
EARNEST
→
ANSWER KEY:
1/ The story was dismissed AS nothing MORE (OTHER)
than speculation.
2/ As part of the deal, we WERE GIVEN THE LOAN OF an
apartment by the company.
3/ Coning second WAS OF NO CONSOLATION TO HER because
winning was all that MATTERED TO HER.
4/ I hope they will TAKE my remarks IN GOOD PART.
5/ This solution is out of the question as far as we are
concerned. 6/ Fish for breakfast is not to everyone's taste.
7/ Having satisfied myself that there was nothing to fear, I
went ahead.
8/ I'd be grateful if you could cast your eyes over these
figures. 9/ You have hit your nail on the head.
10/ I didn't realise the extent to which she is influenced by
her mother.
11/ The work was to have been completed by the end of last
week. 12/ The very thought of his face makes me laugh.
13/ I don't think you are in earnest about helping me.
1/ This matter needs to be investigated thoroughly. LOOKING
→
2/ Tomatoes these days are ridiculously expensive. NOSE
→
3/ She’s never had a high opinion of her sister-in-law. LOOKED
→
4/ The barman asked all his customers to settle their bills and
leave. UP
→
5/ My mother-in-law doesn’t think much of my achievements.
LOOKS
→
6/ We were wise to use delaying tactics. PAID
→ It
7/ The boss told us he was very pleased with our work. TRIBUTE
→
8/ I shudder whenever I remember those days. BACK
→
9/ Well done on your exam results! SINCERELY
→I
10/ We got a good price when we sold our car. DEAL
→
11/ Frank would do anything to become a full-time writer. JUMP
→
12/ Most people think Mozart was the greatest composer of
all. WIDELY
→
13/ It makes me really angry when Ben gets drunk. BLOOD
→
14/ Somebody with influence must have helped Richard when
he got that promotion. PULLED
→
ANSWER KEY:
1/ This matter needs looking into thoroughly.
2/ You pay through the nose for tomatoes these days.
3/ She’s always looked down her nose at / She’s always looked
down on her sister-in-law.
4/ The barman asked all his customers to pay up and leave.
5/ My mother-in-law looks down on my / looks down her nose at
my achievements.
6/ It paid off for us to use delaying tactics.
It paid off using delaying tactics.
7/ The boss paid tribute to our work.
8/ I shudder whenever I look back on those days.
9/ I sincerely congratulate you on your exam
results. 10/ We got a square deal when we sold
our car.
11/ Frank would jump at the chance / opportunity to
become a full-time writer.
12/ Mozart is widely recognised / thought of / regarded as the
greatest composer
13/ It makes my blood boil when Ben gets drunk.
14/ Somebody must have pulled some / the strings when
Richard got that promotion.
1/ Life should be easy once the business is making money.
PLAIN
→
2/ Tim is determined to become a professional footballer. SET
→
3/ It is Denise’s job to send out the invoices to all customers. IN
→ Denise
4/ I work here so I am allowed to park here. RIGHTS
→
5/ The new equal rights commission seems to be making
great progress. ON
→ bounds.
6/ This new regulation contravenes EU law. LINE
→
7/ John appreciated your spending so much time checking his
report. OF
→
8/ It was exactly ten o’clock when the burglar alarm went
off. STROKE
→
9/ Students who break the school rules will be punished. BY
→
10/ The man the police were hunting disappeared and was
never seen or heard of again. WITHOUT
→
11/ He is totally unaffected by criticism. IMMUNE
→
12/ Considering the defendant's remorse, the judge gave him a
light sentence. VIEW
→
ANSWER KEY:
1/ Life should be plain sailing once the business is making
money.
2/ Tim has set his mind / heart / sights on becoming a
professional footballer.
3/ Denise is in charge of sending out the invoices to all
customers. 4/ I work here so I am within my rights to park
here.
5/ The new equal rights commission seems to be coming on
in / by leaps and bounds.
6/ This new regulation is not in line with EU law.
7/ John was appreciative of your spending so much time
checking his report.
8/ It was on the stroke of ten that the burglar alarm went off.
9/ Students who do not abide / go by the school rules will
be punished.
10/ The man the police were hunting disappeared / vanished
without a trace.
11/ He is totally immune to criticism.
12/ In view of the defendant's remorse, the judge gave him a
light sentence.
1/ I wish he’d come to the point instead of saying the same
thing over and over again. IN
→
2/ I told him quite definitely never to call my daughter again.
FLAT
→
3/ Can I pay you the money I owe? UP
→
4/ They can stay a few days, but I refuse to let them stay
the entire summer again. DRAW
→
5/ He arrived at noon exactly but found no one in the office. DOT
→
6/ I had no choice but to make it clear to him that his job was at
isk. LAID
→
7/ War causes poverty and poverty causes war - the process
just repeats itself. VICIOUS
→
8/ I have no objection to your leaving early, but you’ll have to
make sure the boss agrees. SQUARE
→
9/ Doing this job is like trying to do the impossible. THE
→
10/ The factory workers did not think that the management’s
offer was fair. DEAL
→
ANSWER KEY:
1/ I wish he'd come to the point instead of going round in
circles. 2/ I told him flat never to call my daughter again.
3/ Can I square up with you?
4/ They can stay a few days, but I draw the line at letting them
stay the entire summer again.
5/ He arrived at noon on the dot but found no one in the
office. 6/ I laid it on the line with / to him that his job was at
risk.
7/ War causes poverty and poverty causes war - it’s a vicious
circle. 8/ I have no objection to your leaving early, but you'll
have to square it with the boss.
9/ Doing this job is like trying to square the circle.
10/ The factory workers did not think they had got a square
deal from the management.
1/ We should spend more of our limited resources on
preventing crime. ALLOCATED
→ More
2/ That's so expensive all my previous cars cost far less. LIKE
→ That's so expensive I
3/ I really don’t want you to contact him again. UNDER
→
4/ 'Don't come here alone at night, will you?' said my sister.
OWN
→ My sister tried to discourage
5/ The museum didn't impress me as much as the one I
visited in Paris. NOTHING
→
6/ ‘Where are you thinking of heading to on holiday this
summer?' the travel agent asked Sandra. MIND
→ The travel agent asked Sandra where
7/ The documentary was far less interesting than I
expected. NEARLY
→
8/ If they get enough votes from the judges, which isn't
likely, they'd win the competition. EVENT
→ for them, they'd win
the
competition.
9/ I'm sure you'll get a pay rise soon. LONG
→
10/ She's well-known for her expertise in medical research.
FIELD
→ She's a renowned
11/ They were supposed to publish the report today, but it's
been delayed. DUE
→
12/ His views on transport have been criticised over the last
few weeks. COME
→
13/ Christopher has always admired Joanna as an academic.
HIGHLY
→
14/ I hate it when people don't tell me the truth, so I quit my
job. STAND
→
15/ After contacting a gardening forum, lots of people wrote to
Max suggesting ways of improving his garden. AS
→ After contacting a gardening forum, Max received lots
of his garden could be
improved.
ANSWER KEY:
1/ More of our limited resources should be allocated to
the prevention of crime.
2/ That's so expensive I have never spent anything like that
on a car.
3/ Under no circumstances are you to contact him again.
4/ My sister tried to discourage me from going there (all) on my
own at night.
5/ The museum was nothing like as impressive as the one I
visited in Paris.
6/ The travel agent asked Sandra where she had in mind
for a summer holiday.
7/ The documentary was not nearly as interesting as I expected.
8/ In the unlikely event that enough judges vote for them,
they'd win the competition.
9/ I’m sure it will not be long until you get a pay rise.
10/ She’s a renowned expert in the field of medical research.
11/ Although the report was due to be published today, it's
been delayed.
12/ His views on transport have come under criticism in
recent weeks.
13/ Joanna has always been highly thought of by Christopher as
an academic.
14/ I can't stand not being told the truth, so I quit my job.
15/ After contacting a gardening forum, Max received lots
of suggestions as to how his garden could be improved.
1/ I don’t dislike him on a personal level; I just don’t think he’s
the right man for the job. AGAINST
→ I have
2/ I’m certain Joe researched the topic before the seminar, he
just won’t admit it. READ
→ Joe
3/ My thanks must go to my family, who made all this
possible for me. NONE
→ have been
possible.
4/ I wouldn’t have any second thoughts about throwing away
half of my possessions. TWICE
→ of half of my
possessions.
5/ It’s inevitable that Sarah will pass her driving test if she keeps
taking the exam. MATTER
→
6/ We can meet the targets really quickly. NO
→ The targets
7/ Looking at those lighter clouds, the weather seems to
be improving now. SIGNS
→
8/ The dodo existed peacefully until humans settled in
Mauritius. LED
→
9/ I know I will regret this decision. THAT
→
10/ It will definitely be a close match. GOING
→
11/ I don’t blame you for being upset about the company
going bankrupt. RIGHT
→ You have
12/ Only personnel who have been given authority are
allowed into this area. RESTRICTED
→ Entry personnel.
13/ The presenter is extremely good at asking tough
questions. FLAIR
→
14/ I thought that he was lying about why he was late. TRUTH
→ I suspected
15/ He was disappointed but he recovered quite quickly. GOT
→ time.
16/ We attempted to solve the problem but we failed. ENDED
→ Our
17/ Although it was inconvenient for me, I was happy to give
them a lift home. FACT
→ I was happy to give them a lift home,

inconvenience. 18/ I found it easy to make a decision on which

career was right for me. TROUBLE
→
19/ They would like to implement the recommendations
immediately but will wait if necessary. WITHOUT
→ They’d like to put be.
20/ The change in design didn’t make any difference to the
majority of their customers. CONSEQUENCE
→
21/ Learning new skills had never been a problem for him. COME
→
22/ Please tell the receptionist if you’d rather we didn’t email
you about future classes. TO
→
23/ They expect to repair the damaged roof before winter
comes. OUT
→ The roof should time for
winter. 24/ He studied marketing at university, didn’t he?
RIGHT
→ Am
25/ We can assure our customers that we will take every
possible measure to fix the latest technical issues. TAKES
→ We promise that we will
ANSWER KEY:
1/ I have (got) nothing against him personally, I just don’t think
he’s the right man for the job.
2/ Joe must have read up on the topic before the seminar, he
just won’t admit it.
3/ My thanks must go to my family, without whom none of this
would have been possible.
4/ I wouldn’t think twice (think long and hard) about getting rid
of half of my possessions.
5/ It’s only / just a matter of time before Sarah passes her
driving test.
6/ The targets can be met in no / in next to no time.
7/ Looking at those lighter clouds, the weather shows
signs of improving / improvement now.
8/ The dodo led a peaceful existence until humans settled
in Mauritius.
9/ I knew that I would regret that decision.
10/ It was always going to be a close
match.
11/ You have every right to be upset about the company
going bankrupt.
12/ Entry into this area has been restricted to authorised
personnel. 13/ The presenter has a flair for asking tough
questions.
14/ I suspected him of not telling the truth about why he was
late. 15/ He got over his disappointment in a fairly short time
16/ Our attempt at solving the problem ended in failure.
17/ I was happy to give them a lift home, despite the fact
that it caused me some inconvenience.
18/ I had little / no trouble deciding on what / which was the
right career for me.
19/ They’d like to put the recommendations into practice
without delay but will wait if need be.
20/ The change in design was of no / little consequence to
the majority of their customers.
21/ Learning new skills had always come easily / naturally to
him.
22/ Please tell the receptionist if you’d prefer not to be
emailed about future classes.
23/ The roof should be sorted out in time for
winter. 24/ Am I right in thinking that he studied
marketing?
25/ We promise that we will do all it takes to fix the
latest technical issues.
1/ I’m going to write and complain to the council. COMPLAINT
→ I intend
2/ You said that not many people turned up. ATTENDANCE
→ You suggested that
3/ Lots of people said they thought the dancing was
good. STANDARD
→ Many commented
4/ If the bank refuses to lend us money, we might have to ask
your parents instead. REQUEST
→ If the banks turns
5/ You were not supposed to tell anyone about my news!
SECRET
→ I’d rather
6/ Patrick is going to lose his job if he insists on arriving late
to work. KEEP
→ If up late to work, Patrick is
going to lose his job.
7/ Tom should have admitted his mistake, because the
company usually gives employees another chance. SECOND
→ The company might if he had
admitted his mistake.
8/ It was Jane who came up with the idea for the sales
promotion. BRAINS
→ Jane
9/ It's true that I like to work on tasks by myself. BEING
→ a person who prefers to work alone.
10/ Yesterday I informed my boss in writing that I would be
leaving the company. NOTICE
→ to my boss
yesterday.
11/ The day after I lost my job, I did not feel like getting out
of bed. INCLINATION
→ out of bed the day after losing my
job.
12/ It won't be easy for anyone to take over John's job when
he retires. SHOES
→ When John retires, it will be difficult for anyone
13/ Team spirit no longer exists after one member of a team
makes a mistake. SUCH
→ Once
14/ It may take several months to decide on the location for the
new stadium. MADE
→ It may take several months before
15/ They still haven’t carried out a full assessment of the effects
of these changes. TO
→ The effects of these changes have
16/ My parents are planning to pay someone to repair and
redecorate their house next month. UP
→ My parents are planning to have their
17/ To help us run the exhibition next month, we need at
least six people. REQUIRED
→ No
18/ A common belief is that British people cannot speak
foreign languages very well. WEAK
→ British people
19/ Karen's shyness means that she tries not to speak
about anything personal in front of other people. HERSELF
→ Karen prefers to avoid public, as she
is terribly shy.
20/ Since the director could not speak at the awards
ceremony himself, one of the actors took his place. BEHALF
→ One of the actors made the
director at the awards ceremony.
21/ Jake used his month’s free membership really well by
going to the gym every single day. MOST
→ his month's free membership by
going to the gym every single day.
22/ To reduce the amount of traffic, the government is
proposing that drivers should only use their cars on alternate
days. OTHER
→ To reduce the amount of traffic, the government is
proposing that cars should
23/ Each and every one of our employees has contributed to
the great success of our company. SINGLE
→ The great success of our company is due to the contribution
ANSWER KEY:
1/ I intend to make a written complaint to the
council. I intend to write a complaint letter to the
council.
2/ You suggested that attendance was poor / low.
3/ Many commented on the high standard of dancing.
4/ If the bank turns down our request for a loan, we might have
to ask your parents instead.
5/ I’d rather you had kept my news secret instead of
telling everyone!
6/ If he does keep showing / turning up late to work, Patrick is
going to lose his job.
7/ The company might have given Tom a second chance if he
had admitted his mistake.
8/ Jane was the brains behind the sales promotion.
9/ I admit / confess to being a person who prefers to work
alone. 10/ I handed in my notice to my boss yesterday.
11/ I had /felt no inclination to get out of bed the day after
losing my job.
12/ When John retires, it will be difficult for anyone to step
into / fill his shoes.
13/ Once one member of a team makes a mistake there is no
such thing as team spirit.
14/ It may take several months before a decision is made about
/ on the location for the new stadium.
15/ The effects of these changes have yet to be fully assessed
16/ My parents are planning to have their house done up next
month. 17/ No fewer / less than six people are required to help
us run the exhibition next month.
18/ British people are commonly believed to be weak at / in
speaking foreign languages.
19/ Karen prefers to avoid speaking about herself in public, as
she is terribly shy.
20/ One of the actors made a speech on behalf of the director
at the awards ceremony.
21/ Jake made the most of / got the most out of his month's
free membership by going to the gym every single day.
22/ To reduce the amount of traffic, the government is
proposing that cars should only be used every other day.
23/ The great success of our company is due to the contribution
of every single one of our employees.
1/ I booked theatre seats for us without asking for
permission. LIBERTY
→
2/ Several developers desperately want the two-acre
beachfront property. DESIGNS
→
3/ He promised he’d phone, but I’m not waiting for it. BREATH
→
4/ I refuse to live in the same building as that man. ROOF
→
5/ That fruit is not ready for eating just now. SEASON
→
6/ She caused herself trouble when she made fun of the
boss. GRAVE
→
7/ When he won his first three matches, the other players
realised that he was too strong to be ignored. FORCE
→
8/ She regards the job as a stepping stone for her career in
the media. LAUNCH
→
9/ As it appears, it seems like a bargain, but I bet there are
hidden costs. FACE
→
10/ Unhappy tourists have accused unhelpful travel agents.
FINGER
→
11/ She'll come only if you invite her. UNLESS
→ Not
ANSWER KEY:
1/ I took the liberty of booking theatre seats for us.
2/ Several developers have designs on the two-acre
beachfront property.
3/ He promised he’d phone, but I’m not holding my
breath. 4/ I refuse to live under the same roof as that
man.
5/ That fruit is not in season just now.
6/ She dug her own grave when she made fun of the boss.
7/ When he won his first three matches, the other players
realised that he was a force to be reckoned with.
8/ She regards the job as a launch pad for her career in the
media. 9/ On the face of it, it seems like a bargain, but I bet
there are hidden costs.
10/ Unhappy tourists have pointed the finger at unhelpful
travel agents.
11/ Not unless you invite her will she come.
1/ They ended up like that because they had fallen from a very
great height. MUST
→ to end up like
that!
2/ Those workers struggled to manage on basic wages of
barely more than 100 a week. MEET
→
3/ I can very nearly remember the word. TONGUE
→ The
4/ They will consider age and experience when they decide
the salary. ACCOUNT
→
5/ I shouldn't think that anything will go wrong. ODDS
→
6/ There is no chance that we will reach the summit before it
gets dark. OF
→ We
7/ I’ve only recently begun to understand how important it is
to speak a second language. APPRECIATE
→ Only of speaking
a
second language.
8/ I’ve always said you should avoid making hasty decisions
you’ll regret later. RUSH
→ I’ve always said it’s better
9/ To make the roads safer, the council has promised to
introduce pedestrian crossings near schools. INTERESTS
→ The council has promised that in

to be introduced on roads near schools.

10/ I was absolutely furious when I saw these little children
treated this way. BLOOD
→ It just
ANSWER KEY:
1/ They must have fallen from a very great height to end up
like that!
2/ Those workers struggled to make ends meet on basic wages
of barely more than 100 a week.
3/ The word is on the tip of my tongue.
4/ They will take age and experience into account / take into
account age and experience when they decide the salary.
5/ The odds are that nothing will go wrong.
6/ We stand/have no chance of reaching the summit before it
gets dark.
7/ Only recently have I begun/come/started to appreciate the
importance/value of speaking a second language.
8/ I’ve always said it’s better not to rush into (making) (hasty)
decisions you’ll regret later.
9/ The council has promised that in the interests of
(road/public) safety/interests of making roads safer pedestrian
crossings are (going) to be introduced on roads near schools.
10/ It just made my blood boil when I saw these little children
treated this way.
1/ Except for John, who is still collecting data in Antarctica, we
will all be able to attend the meeting. TO
→ We will all be able to make from
John, who is still collecting data in Antarctica.
2/ It could be a long time before the dolphins swim past, so
while we’re waiting I suggest you relax. MEANTIME
→ We could be waiting for a long time for the dolphins to swim
past, so
3/ The animal rights activist was so persuasive that I felt
obliged to sign the petition. ADD
→ I felt I had an to the petition
because the animal rights activist was so persuasive.
4/ The judge decided it was true that the four men had
smuggled alcohol into the country. GUILTY
→ The four
5/ My brother and I have the same liking for junk food but
he spends more time in the gym. JUST
→ My brother
6/ With only three buttons to push, this new food processor
looks simple, but that’s deceptive. IN
→ With only three buttons to push, this new food processor
7/ The moment I saw the filthy state of the restaurant kitchen,
I no longer felt hungry. SOON
→ I lost
8/ I had expected the snake dish to be much worse than it
actually was. BAD
→ The snake dish was actually nowhere
9/ This isn’t nearly as good as the chicken soup you make.
SECOND
→ This chicken soup doesn’t even come
10/ You don’t realise quite how much fat there is in that pizza.
DEAL
→ There’s
11/ I went to have my own look at the apartment and I couldn’t
understand why my friend wanted us to live in such a
depressing place! SEE
→ Having
12/ She will often panic if there is a problem. TENDENCY
→ She face of a problem.
13/ I was impatient to get home because the holiday was
such a disaster. WAIT
→ The holiday was so
14/ I was hoping not to have to share a tent with anyone else on
the camping trip. TO
→ I was hoping I would on the
camping trip but I had to share.
15/ Make sure you look after your bag in this café as there are
many thieves around. EYE
→ I suggest
16/ With that bad cold you won’t be able to help us so take the
day off work. USE
→ With that bad cold you’ll anyone so
take the day off work.
ANSWER KEY:
1/ We will all be able to make it to the meeting apart / aside
from John, who is still collecting data in Antarctica.
2/ We could be waiting for a long time for the dolphins to swim
past, so in the meantime I recommend you to relax.
3/ I felt I had an obligation to add my name to the petition
because the animal rights activist was so persuasive.
4/ The four men were found guilty of smuggling alcohol into
the country by the judge.
5/ My brother likes junk food just as much as I do but he
spends more time in the gym.
6/ With only three buttons to push, this new food processor
is deceptively simple in (its) appearance.
7/ I lost my appetite as soon as I saw the filthy state of
the restaurant kitchen.
8/ The snake dish was actually nowhere near as bad as I
had expected.
9/ This chicken soup doesn’t even come a close second to the
one you make.
10/ There's a great deal more fat in that pizza than you realise.
11/ Having gone to see the apartment myself, I couldn’t
understand why my friend wanted us to live in such a
depressing place!
12/ She has a tendency to panic in the face of a problem.
13/ The holiday was so disastrous that I could not wait /
could hardly wait to get home.
14/ I was hoping I would get a tent to myself on the camping
trip but I had to share.
15/ I suggest (that) you (should) keep an eye on your bag in this
café as there are many thieves around.
16/ With that bad cold you’ll be of no use to anyone so take the
day off work.
1/ The prisoners have still not been captured. AT
→
2/ I was feeling so down last week that I didn't go out. EBB
→
3/ An experienced politician always has something to say. LOSS
→
4/ I know that it’s true because he told me himself. LIPS
→I so I know that it’s true.
5/ That child was very rude to speak to you like that. CHEEK
→
6/ The waiter was so rude that I will never go to that
restaurant again. FOOT
→
7/ It was hard not to laugh when he sneezed in the middle of
the song. STRAIGHT
→
8/ We can’t continue the project until we get the technical
data. STANDSTILL
→ The
9/ It helped me a lot when Sandie looked after the kids. TURN
→ Sandie
10/ Why can’t Roy accept the fact that he is incompetent? FACE
→
11/ You have to obey the rules in this company if you want to
get on. TOE
→
12/ I had just begun to look through the book when he took it
away. THUMB
→ Hardly
13/ I've never had the courage to tell him what I think of
him. GUTS
→ Never
14/ We will survive this ordeal if we can stay cheerful. CHIN
→ Only if
15/ I cannot accept your dreadful lies any more. STOMACH
→ No
16/ Whatever you do, don't annoy the boss when we ask for a
rise. BACK
→ Under
17/ He was shabbily dressed and a little drunk as well. HEEL
→ Not only drunk.
18/ He was very nearly killed in the accident. TEETH
→ Only
19/ No one called to inquire about the post, either today
or yesterday.
→ Neither today
20/ They didn’t speak to each other at all. WORD
→ Not
21/ They rarely allow visitors after 6.00 pm. CASES
→ In
22/ Mr Johnson should definitely not be blamed for the
accident. WAY
→ In
23/ The earthquake damaged their house so badly that they had
to rebuild it. EXTENT
→ To
ANSWER KEY:
1/ The prisoners are still at large.
2/ I was at such a low ebb last week that I didn't go
out. 3/ An experienced politician is never at a loss
for words. 4/ I heard it from his own lips so I know
that it’s true.
5/ That child had the cheek to speak to you like that.
6/ The waiter was so rude that I will never set foot in that
restaurant again.
7/ It was hard to keep a straight face when he sneezed in
the middle of the song.
8/ The project is at a standstill until we get the technical
data. 9/ Sandie did me a good turn when she looked after
the kids.
10/ Why can’t Roy face up to the fact that he is
incompetent? 11/ You have to toe the line if you want to get
on in this company.
12/ Hardly had I begun to thumb through the book when he took
it away.
13/ Never have I had the guts to tell him what I think of
him. 14/ Only if we keep our chin up will we survive this
ordeal.
15/ No longer can I stomach your dreadful lies.
16/ Under no circumstances must / should you put / get the
boss's back up when we ask for a rise.
17/ Not only was he down at heel, but also a little drunk.
18/ Only by the skin of his teeth did he escape death in
the accident.
19/ Neither today nor yesterday did anyone call to inquire about
the post.
20/ Not a word did they say to each other.
21/ In (very) few cases do they allow visitors after 6.00
pm. 22/ In no way should Mr Johnson be blamed for the
accident.
23/ To such an extent did the earthquake damage their house
that they had to rebuild it.
1/ Julian always spends ages on everything he does. MEAL
→
2/ Not only is he unwell but he owes a great deal of money,
too. DEEP
→
3/ I can't possibly manage on this amount of money. MEET
→
4/ Can you understand this weird message? TAIL
→
5/ I'm sure James didn't take money from his grandmother's
purse. HAVE
→ James
6/ This is the first time I've seen him panic. HEAD
→ before.
7/ Must we really manage with this old furniture? MAKE
→ Do
8/ I've never seen that emerald brooch before. EYES
→ It's the
9/ Everyone applauded when Mr Potts stood up to speak. HAND
→
10/ Frank owes money to a lot of people in this town. DEBT
→ Frank
11/ It's really unlike Joan to make a nasty comment like that.
→ It’s really out
12/ We did nothing yesterday so we must do extra today. LOST
→
13/ David is in so much trouble that he may lose his job. WATER
→
14/ Joe should have kept quiet instead of arguing with dad.
HELD
→ Joe ought
15/ I'll be very happy to see him go after all the trouble
he's caused. BACK
→
16/ The two brothers have been fighting over that piece of land
for years. BONE
→ That
17/ Do you have to be good at maths for this job? HEAD
→
18/ Nobody knows for sure whether he's stupid or just very
lazy. QUESTION
→ It idle.
19/ Local residents fought fiercely with the council. TOOTH
→
20/ She wanted to object, but she kept quiet for the sake of
peace. BIT
→
21/ She was absolutely furious when he lost her gold watch!
BLOOD
→ It
22/ It is open to doubt whether they will find the missing
child within the next 24 hours. KNOW
→ For
23/ They had planned to stay two months in India at first.
INTENTION
→ Their
24/ They became British citizens five years ago. FOR
→
ANSWER KEY:
1/ Julian always makes a meal out of everything he
does. 2/ Not only is he unwell but (he is) in deep
debt, too.
3/ I can’t possibly make ends meet on this amount of
money. 4/ Can you make head (n)or tail of this weird
message?
5/ James can't have taken money from his grandmother's
purse. 6/ I have never seen him lose his head before.
7/ Do we really have to make do with this old furniture?
8/ It’s the first time I've set eyes on that emerald brooch.
9/ Everyone gave Mr Potts a big hand when he stood up to
speak. 10/ Frank is in debt to a lot of people in this town.
11/ It’s really out of character for Joan to make a nasty
comment like that.
12/ We did nothing yesterday so we must make up for lost
time today.
13/ David is in such deep water (that) he may lose his job.
14/ Joe ought to have held his tongue instead of arguing with
dad. 15/ I’ll be delighted / glad / happy to see the back of him,
after all the trouble he's caused.
16/ That piece of land has been a bone of contention between
the two brothers for years.
17/ Do you have to have a (good) head for maths for this
job? 18/ It is open to question whether he's stupid or bone
idle.
19/ Local residents fought tooth and nail with the council.
20/ She wanted to object, but she bit her lip / tongue for the
sake of peace.
21/ It made her blood boil when he lost her gold watch!
22/ For all I / we know, they may not find the missing child
within the next 24 hours.
23/ Their original / initial intention was to stay two months in
India. 24/ They have been British citizens for five years.
1/ She can't decide whether to accept the offer or not. TWO
→ She’s
2/ I felt completely out of place at the reception. FISH
→
3/ This hotel is very much like the one I stayed in last year.
BEARS
→
4/ The project received the unanimous approval of the
committee. FAVOUR
→ The committee
5/ I didn't go to their party because I didn't feel like it. MOOD
→ Had I
6/ If they happen to come early, offer them a drink. CHANCE
→ Should
7/ Now that your situation is the same as mine, I don’t suppose
you think it’s funny. BOAT
→ Now that we
8/ It was Mary who told him about the surprise party. CAT
→
9/ Must you follow me everywhere I go? DOG
→
10/ No, I don’t hate him for what he did. BEAR
→
11/ Why are you trying to mend something that isn’t
broken? MONKEYING
→
12/ They said that John had taken the money, although they had
no proof. BLAME
→
13/ I’m sorry, but I’m not in the mood to discuss this matter
right now. FRAME
→
14/ He saved for over twenty years and finally bought his own
boat. FRUIT
→ Twenty years of and he bought his own
boat. 15/ She sent her husband out to buy Bulgarian
mushrooms, knowing he wouldn’t find any. GOOSE
→
16/ How could I tell him if I haven't caught sight of him for
months? HIDE
→
17/ You'll soon see that the boss is not as unpleasant as he
seems at first. BITE
→ The boss’s ; you’ll soon
see.
18/ In his place, I wouldn't care so much about my
reputation. HOOTS
→ If
19/ If her mother hadn't held her back, she'd have moved
away years ago. WINGS
→ If it
20/ It was too foggy for us to get an aerial view of Paris. EYE
→ If it
21/ He's usually a good boy, unless his brother encourages
him to misbehave. EGG
→ If
22/ Take care or he will deceive you. WOOL
→ He you aren’t careful.
23/ Clap your hands and that dog will run away. TURN
→ That dog
24/ Even if there’s nothing to do, we still have to go to work
on Saturday. WHETHER
→ We still have to go to work
ANSWER KEY:
1/ She’s in two minds (about) whether to accept the offer or
not. 2/ I felt like a fish out of water.
3/ This hotel bears a striking / close / an uncanny resemblance
to the one I stayed in last year.
4/ The committee was / were unanimously in favour of the
project. 5/ Had I been in the mood, I would have gone to their
party.
6/ Should they by any chance come early, offer them a drink.
7/ Now that we are in the same boat, I don’t suppose you think
it’s funny.
8/ It was Mary who let the cat out of the bag about the
surprise party.
9/ Must you dog my footsteps everywhere I go?
10/ No, I bear him no malice / ill will for what he did.
11/ Why are you monkeying around with something that isn’t
broken? 12/ They said (that) John was to blame for taking the
money, although they had no proof.
13/ I’m afraid I’m not in the right frame of mind to discuss this
matter right now.
14/ Twenty years of saving finally bore fruit and he bought his
own boat.
15/ She sent her husband out on a wild goose chase for
Bulgarian mushrooms.
16/ How could I tell him if I haven't seen hide nor hair of him for
months?
17/ The boss’s bark is worse than his bite; you'll soon see.
18/ If I were him, I wouldn't give / care two hoots about my
reputation.
19/ If it hadn't been for her mother, she would have spread her
wings years ago.
20/ If it hadn't been so foggy, we could / would have got a
bird’s eye view of Paris.
21/ If his brother doesn't egg him on, he's usually a good
boy. 22/ He will pull the wool over your eyes if you aren’t
careful.
23/ That dog will turn tail if you clap your hands.
24/ We still have to go to work on Saturday whether or not there
is anything to do.
1/ You must do anything you can to make the negotiations
successful. STOPS
→
2/ When he made friends in the new place, Ron became less shy
and reserved. SHELL
→
3/ Before you start working on the projects, first finish doing the
minor job. DECKS
→
4/ His latest film is not nearly as good as his earlier ones. PATCH
→
5/ Saying something is not the same as doing it. WORLD
→
6/ The police surrounded the entire area and prevented people
from entering it while they dusted for fingerprints. CORDONED
→
7/ Someone undoubtedly told the police that he was going to
rob the bank. TIPPED
→
8/ Had he been a little more penitent, his appeal for mercy
would not have been ignored. DEAF
→
9/ One day Tim is going to get into trouble with the law. FOUL
→
10/ He is the kind of man who will do anything to crush
the competition. LENGTHS
→
11/ Why are you looking so unhappy? FACE
→
12/ You lost the game because you failed to give a good
answer to the question. MARK
→
13/ There were empty lemonade bottles and half-eaten
sandwiches all over his floor. STREWN
→
14/ Cars are no longer being produced as a result of the
strike. STANDSTILL
→
15/ Whenever there is a power cut, we sell a lot of candles.
TRADE
→
16/ A long, lazy holiday would make you feel very much better.
DO
→
ANSWER KEY:
1/ You must pull out all the stops to make the
negotiations successful.
2/ When he made friends in the new place, Ron came out of his
shell. 3/ Before you start working on the projects, first clear the
decks.
4/ His latest film is not a patch on his earlier ones.
5/ There is a world of difference between saying something
and doing it.
6/ The police cordoned off the entire area while they dusted
for fingerprints.
7/ Someone undoubtedly told the police that he was being
tipped to rob the bank.
8/ Had he been a little more penitent, his appeal for mercy
would not have fallen on deaf ears.
9/ One day Tim is going to fall foul of the law.
10/ He is the kind of man who will go to any lengths to crush
the competition.
11/ Why is your face falling?
12/ You lost the game because your answer to the question
wasn’t up to the mark.
13/ His floor was strewn with empty lemonade bottles
and half-eaten sandwiches.
14/ Cars’ production comes to a standstill as a result of the
strike. 15/ Whenever there is a power cut, we who sell candles
do a roaring trade.
16/ A long, lazy holiday would do you a lot of good.
1/ The department was closed down after failing to raise profit
levels. LIQUIDATION
→
2/ There was absolute silence among the workers after they
received news about the factory shutdown. PIN
→ You could of the factory
shutdown. 3/ As well as being an excellent analyst, our latest
recruit is a very good manager. BARGAIN
→ Our latest recruit is an
4/ It is absolutely vital to get this parcel off today or we will
lose the contract. DESPATCHED
→ It is absolutely vital that fail
or we will lose the contract.
5/ It is really bad to become ill during your holiday abroad.
TAKEN
→ There is nothing
6/ Her new novel has earned great write-ups from critics
everywhere. RAVED
→ Critics from far
7/ There is no way such irrelevant tasks will be given to a
competent employee like him. ASSIGNED
→ In no way irrelevant
tasks.
8/ Tina advised starting the project over again from the
beginning to ensure perfection. SCRATCH
→ It was on perfection.
9/ Tim seems very much to enjoy himself at every party we
come to. APPEARANCE
→
10/ One should accept both good and bad things in life
instead of holding fate responsible for anything wrong. BLAME
→ Rather smooth.
11/ It is rumoured that John is planning to take over the
business when his boss retires. DESIGNS
→ Rumour
12/ Jenny tried very hard to improve her performance because
she desired the scholarship most students in her class had.
SOCKS
→ Covetous
13/ The reason why you were ordered to leave your job is that
you did not pay careful attention to the company’s rules. HEED
→ Had you orders.
14/ Passengers should get on the train quickly as soon as it
stops. STANDSTILL
→ The instant
15/ The secretary still does everything her manager orders
even though he constantly criticises her. PICKED
→ Much as she tune.
16/ It won’t harm us to stop caring about risks and jump at
this one-off opportunity. CAUTION
→ We may
17/ Dick was expelled after he had made a terrible mistake.
DOOR
→ Having
18/ That he never pays attention to my pay rise request is
extremely irksome. EAR
→ What extremely
19/ We’ll certainly spend the night here if the rain doesn’t
stop. BOUND / LET
→ In the
20/ The fashion designer decided to add in some ribbons to
make the dress livelier. JAZZ
→ The fashion designer made up
21/ John hints that they have allowed him to join the business
deal. HINT
→ in on the business
venture.
22/ I have noticed that some of my colleagues are offended by
my comments. OFFENCE
→ It has been
23/ It wasn’t until later that I realised why Tim made such
an extraordinary decision. SPURRED
→ Not decision.
24/ We could only realise Mark was a fair-weather friend when
we read his diary. MOMENT
→ Only
25/ The situation was so urgent that the commander asked us
to be ready for action all the time. TOES
→ Such
26/ Mrs. Chun was extremely worried when she was told that
someone had withdrawn a large sum of money from her bank
account. MIND
→ Being
27/ Fans from all over the world were furious because the
film studio had exploited the singer’s death for profit. CASHED
→ The film studio fans from all
over the world.
28/ Ralph only manages to live with very little money now
because he has wasted all his savings on fancy clothing. EKES
→ Squandering
29/ You really didn’t have to be willing to accept the blame for
our whole team. FAR
→ You needn’t can for our
whole team.
30/ When the project was approved, we felt certain that it
would turn out successful. GREEN
→ The project of it.
ANSWER KEY:
1/ The department went into liquidation after failing to raise
profit levels.
2/ You could hear a pin drop among the workers after they
were notified / informed of the factory shutdown.
3/ Our latest recruit is an excellent analyst and a very good
manager into/in the bargain.
4/ It is absolutely vital that this parcel (should) be
despatched without fail or we will lose the contract.
5/ There is nothing worse than being taken ill during your
holiday abroad.
6/ Critics from far and wide have raved about hew new novels.
7/ In no way will a competent employee like him be
assigned such irrelevant tasks.
8/ It was on Tina’s recommendation that the project be
started from scratch to ensure perfection.
9/ Tim gives every appearance of having the time of his life at
every party we come to.
10/ Rather than laying / pinning / putting the blame on fate
for anything wrong, one should take the rough with the smooth.
11/ Rumour has it that John has designs on (taking over)
the business when his boss retires.
12/ Covetous of the scholarship most students in her class
had, Jenny pulled her socks up.
13/ Had you taken heed of the company’s rules, you wouldn’t
have got the marching orders/wouldn’t have been given the
marching orders.
14/ The instant the train is at a standstill / comes to a
standstill, passengers should get on it quickly.
15/ Much as she is constantly picked on by her manager,
the secretary still dances to his tune.
16/ We may as well throw / cast caution to the wind(s) and
jump at this one-off opportunity.
17/ Having made a terrible mistake, Dick was shown the door.
18/ What extremely irks me is that he never lends an ear to my
pay rise request.
19/ In the event that the rain does not let up, we are bound to
spend the night here.
20/ The fashion designer made up his/her mind to add in some
ribbons to jazz the dress up/to jazz up the dress.
21/ John drops/gives the hint that they have cut him in on the
business deal.
22/ It has been brought to my notice / attention that some of
my colleagues take offence at my comments.
23/ Not until later did I realise what spurred Tim to make so
extraordinary a decision.
24/ Only when we read his diary could we realise (that) Mark
was a friend for the moment.
25/ Such was the urgency of the situation that the commander
kept us on our toes all the time.
26/ Being told that someone had withdrawn a large sum of
money from her bank account, Mrs. Chun was/went out of her
mind with worry.
27/ The film studio had cashed in on the singer’s death, which
infuriated fans from all over the world.
28/ Squandering all his savings on fancy clothing, Ralph ekes
out a living / an existence now.
29/ You needn’t have gone so/as far as to carry the can for the
whole team.
30/ The project given the green light, we felt certain that we
would make a success of it.
1/ Sam tried very hard to pay his gambling debts, but he was
unable to get out of such a difficult situation. HEAD
→ However
2/ Looking back, I really believe I did everything I could to stop
her. HINDSIGHT
→ I can honestly say, to stop her.
3/ Since my wife suddenly left me, I have been losing my
mind. WITS
→ Since my wife walked
4/ After being fired from his job, John felt he needed to take
time to think about his situation. STOCK
→ After being given
5/ He’ll be getting promoted soon. LONG
→ It
6/ He reluctantly accepted that he would have to travel
alone. RESIGNED
→ own.
7/ At least they will look after her well at the clinic. HANDS
→ At least she will
8/ James has had a cold since Christmas. OVER
→ James at Christmas.
9/ Their first album was considerably more successful than
their second. NEAR
→ Their second
10/ It was difficult not to smile when he reprimanded us for such
a minor mistake. OFF
→ It was difficult to keep
11/ In all probability I can convince Dave that I’m
right. LIKELIHOOD
→ There’s thinking.
12/ If sales decreased dramatically, the company might
become bankrupt. FALL
→ Were bust.
13/ Although we had small problems with operating the
machine at first, we managed to overcome them. TEETHING
→ Despite over them.
14/ That the coach decided to put me in the first team
was surprisingly unexpected. HOP
→ The coach’s
15/ The sudden end of peace negotiations has raised the
likelihood of another fighting. OFF
→ Peace negotiations offing.
16/ They didn’t ask me anything about my plans for the
summer. QUESTION
→ Not
17/ The children quickly ran towards the playground as soon as
their mother stopped the car. BEELINE
→ Scarcely
18/ There was so much concern about the situation that the
police constantly received a large number of calls. SO
→ The police were deluged there.
19/ When it comes to political view, his comments are
sometimes inappropriate. PALE
→
20/ I hate it that I always have to face my boss’s harsh
criticism when things go wrong. END
→ I object
21/ Despite his poor health, Kevin was determined to
become a doctor. HEART
→ His poor
22/ Police report that the number of road accidents rose sharply
in 2018. SHARP
→ There
23/ Seeing his workers chatting in the cafeteria instead of
carrying out their duties annoys Mr. Dawney. FAT
→ What
24/ The residents were so furious about the council’s new
policy that they decided to protest about it. STAND
→ Such
25/ Peter rushed into the room, looking unhappy and
depressed. MOUNT
→ Into
26/ Robert didn’t want to be expelled, so he claimed that he
knew nothing of the broken window. PROFESSED
→ Not
27/ The government has committed itself to making more
resources available for education. FREE
→ The government has honoured
28/ Quite a lot of my friends hold the view that nature and
nurture are of equal significance. SUBSCRIBE
→ A good
29/ I agreed to help him though I knew it was wrong. LEND
→ Against
30/ Thanks to Sandra’s help, I passed the exams with
little difficulty. OFFICES
→ through the
exams.
31/ It is necessary to inspect the electrical systems regularly
in order to make sure they are safe. INTERESTS
→ It is necessary that the
32/ The local authorities’ decision to come down heavily on
burglars has made the town much safer. TOUGH
→ The local authorities
33/ I was absolutely thrilled when I learned my sweetheart did
not think badly of me. BORE
→ I couldn’t
34/ Britain has a much higher population than Canada
does. DENSELY
→ Canada
35/ The reason why he was attracted to this job is that he
wanted to give people orders. AUTHORITY
→ What
36/ I was shocked that such an ill-equipped school like this could
be considered as being up to national standard. MUSTER
→ It
37/ The suggestion to ban marijuana nationwide came from
the Prime Minister. BE
→ It was force.
38/ Even when things are going really well, it is hard for me
to get along with my manager. TERMS
→ At ,I
39/ The manager was not at work so his secretary confirmed
the deal without being asked to. INITIATIVE
→ In
40/ The principal was very angry because his students did not
realise how damaging their action was to the school’s
reputation. BESIDE / EXTENT
→
ANSWER KEY:
1/ However hard Sam tried to pay his gambling debts, he was in
over his head.
2/ I can honestly say, with hindsight, I couldn’t have done
anything more to stop her.
3/ Since my wife walked out on me, I have been at my wits’ end.
4/ After being given the boot / sack, John felt he needed time
to take stock of his situation.
5/ It won’t be long before he gets promoted.
6/ He resigned himself to having to travel on his
own. 7/ At least she will be in good hands at the
clinic.
8/ James hasn’t got over the cold he caught at Christmas.
9/ Their second album is nowhere near as successful as their
first one.
10/ It was difficult to keep a straight face when he told / ticked
us off about such a minor mistake.
11/ Were there to be a dramatic fall in sales, the company might
go bust.
12/ There’s every likelihood that I can bring Dave round to my
way of thinking.
13/ Despite having teething problems / troubles with operating
the machine at first, we managed to get over them.
14/ The coach’s decision to put me in the first team caught
me on the hop.
15/ Peace negotiations breaking off / broken off, another fighting
is in the offing.
16/ Not a single question did they ask me about my plans for
the summer.
17/ Scarcely had their mother stop the car when the children
made a beeline for the playground.
18/ The police were deluged with calls, so much concern about
the situation was there.
19/ As regards political view, his comments are sometimes
beyond the pale.
20/ I object to being at / on the receiving end of my boss’s
harsh criticism when things go wrong.
21/ His poor health notwithstanding, Kevin set his heart on
becoming a doctor.
22/ There is reported to have been a sharp rise in the number
of road accidents in 2018.
23/ What annoys Mr.Dawney is seeing his workers chewing the
fat in the cafeteria instead of carrying out their duties.
24/ Such was the residents’ fury about the council’s new policy
that they decided to make a stand against it.
25/ Into the room rushed Peter, looking down in the mouth.
26/ Not wanting to be expelled, Robert professed ignorance of
the broken window.
27/ The government has honoured its pledge to free up
more resources for education.
28/ A good many / few of my friends subscribe to the view
that nature and nurture are of equal significance.
29/ Against my better judgement, I agreed to lend him a
(helping) hand.
30/ Through Sandra’s good offices, I breezed / sailed through
the exams.
31/ It is necessary that the electrical systems should be
inspected regularly in the interests of safety.
32/ The local authorities (have) decided to get tough with
burglars, as a result of which the town has become much safer.
33/ I couldn’t have been more thrilled when I learned
my sweetheart bore me no ill will.
34/ Canada is much less densely populated than Britain.
35/ What attracted him to this job is that he wanted to have
authority over others.
36/ It came as a shock to me that such an ill-equipped school
like this could pass muster as being of national standard.
37/ It was the Prime Minister who suggested that a ban on
marijuana nationwide should come into force.
38/ At the best of times, I find it hard to be on good terms with
my manager.
39/ In the absence of the manager, his secretary confirmed the
deal on his / her own initiative.
40/ The principal was beside himself with anger / rage because
his students did not realise the extent to which their action
damaged the school’s reputation.
1/ They were not calmly discussing the issue; it was more
of an argument. DISCUSSION
→ It was not so an
argument
that they were having.
2/ It was annoying that she used my computer without
my permission. LIBERTY
→ She
3/ It is possible that Henry did not mean to upset everyone
by announcing his early retirement. INNOCENCE
→ Helen may
4/ The manager puts a lot of effort into staff training in order to
improve customer satisfaction. BUSINESS
→
5/ It really bothers me when you keep complaining about not
getting a promotion. FUSS
→ I would prefer it being
promoted. 6/ After we had replaced the car tyres, our journey
to the seaside began.
→ The car tyres the seaside.
7/ Unless we discuss the matter with each other, we can never
resolve it.
→ Only when we resolved.
8/ He had very few children, all of whom soon moved out and
left him alone. NEST
→ What
9/ There may be little substance in the book, but I still find
it interesting. LACKING
→ The book, if interesting read to
me. 10/ Janine was clever enough to ask a mechanic to
check the car thoroughly before buying it. FOOL
→ Being by a mechanic before buying
it.
ANSWER KEY:
1/ It was not so much a calm discussion of the issue // as
an argument that they were having.
2/ She took the liberty of using my computer,// which annoyed
me. 3/ Henry may have announced his early
retirement // in all innocence.
4/ The manager makes it his/her business // to train
his/her/the staff in order to improve customer satisfaction.
5/ I would prefer it if you stopped // making a fuss about not
being promoted.
6/ The car tyres having been replaced, // we began to make for
the seaside.
7/ Only when we put our heads together // can the matter
be resolved.
8/ What few children he had // soon flew the nest and left
him alone.
9/ The book, if lacking in substance, // still makes an
interesting read to me.
10/ Being no/nobody’s fool,// Janine had the car
thoroughly checked/checked thoroughly by a mechanic
before buying it.
1/ Alan used to be a healthy man before his retirement from
the stage. SHADOW
→ Ever since self.
2/ I was no longer enthusiastic about the project as soon as I
heard that Mary would also join the team. WORK
→ Upon
3/ Of over 29 million doses distributed by the government, a
third of them have been administered to elderly citizens.
WHICH
→ The government distributes as
4/ Locals who do not wear masks are not allowed to enter the
store. ARMED
→ The store will be off masks.
5/ They report that the suspected Covid-19 patient has
been quarantined until test results arrive. PENDING
→ The suspected Covid-19 patient
6/ She danced with such grace that her performance captivated
the whole audience. RAPTURES
→ So her
performance.
7/ Their house was in poor condition because they failed to
maintain it. RACK
→ With some
8/ Looking back, it was unwise for us to act too soon as there
could be much better offers. GUN
→ We ought retrospect.
9/ The once impoverished region has now played an important
role in world affairs. STAGE
→ What used
10/ Shortly after the arrival of the Pfizer vaccine, local
citizens gathered at vaccination sites in large numbers.
FLOCKED
→ No sooner
ANSWER KEY:
1/ Ever since Alan/he retired from the stage, Alan/he
has been/become a shadow of his former self.
2/ Upon hearing that Mary would also join the team, I could
not/no longer work up any enthusiasm for the project.
3/ The government distributes as many as 29 million doses, a
third of which have been administered to elderly citizens.
4/ The store will be off limits to locals (who are) not armed
with masks.
5/ The suspected Covid-19 patient is reported to have
been quarantined pending test results.
6/ So gracefully did she dance that the whole audience was
in/went into raptures about/over her performance.
7/ With some maintenance, their house would not have gone to
rack and ruin.
8/ We ought not to have jumped the gun as there could be
much better offers, in retrospect.
9/ What used to be an impoverished region has now
taken/occupied centre stage in world affairs.
10/ No sooner had the Pfizer vaccine arrived than local
citizens flocked to vaccination sites.
1/ Finally, we were permitted to carry out the environmental
project. GO-AHEAD
→ At
2/ He was suspected of having killed his dog. CAME / AWAY
→
3/ Everybody made fun of him because he had his hair cut so
short. LAUGHING
→ His
4/ As soon as the fund ran out, our scheme had to be
abandoned. PETERED
→ The instant
5/ The coast was mainly affected by the thunderstorm last
week. BRUNT
→
6/ Jack tried to win the first prize in the National
English Competition last year, but failed. VAIN
→
7/ It was Walter Raleigh who introduced potatoes and tobacco
into England.
→ The English to Walter Raleigh.
8/ If there is no more comment, we will delay this plan until
next Saturday. SHELVED
→ There
9/ Both the girls laughed so much when he told them the
joke. DOUBLED
→ Being laughter.
10/ Although he didn’t revise much, he still performed well
in the end-of-year exam. ACQUITTED
→ Little
11/ We conducted market research to see whether the public
would like our new car. GAUGE
→ We carried
12/ George won’t let you borrow his tape recorder if you
don’t promise to bring it back by Saturday. UNLESS
→ George won’t lend
13/ Peter was in trouble with his boss because he didn’t
finish an important project by the deadline. HOT
→ Missing
14/ What I understand from her words is that it seems Cole and
her parents haven’t been to Japan yet. NEITHER
→ Reading
15/ He worked very hard but he was unable to earn enough for
his living. NOSE
→ Despite meet.
16/ She herself admitted to having given false figures in
the company’s financial records. FIDDLED
→ On
17/ Tom is forever teasing Daisy for having spoonerism. MICKEY
→ On account
18/ Sam did all the illustrations for the book but no
one acknowledged his work. CREDIT
→ For
19/ Had it not been for John, she couldn’t have got the job.
AGENCY
→ Only
20/ Mrs. Black has promised to help me on Monday. SERVICE
→ Mrs. Black has given
ANSWER KEY:
1/ At (long) last, we were given the go-ahead to carry out
the environmental project.
2/ He came under the suspicion of having done away with his
dog. 3/ His short hair made him a laughing stock.
4/ The instant the fund petered out, our scheme had to
be abandoned.
5/ The coast bore the brunt of the thunderstorm last week.
6/ Jack tried in vain to win the first prize in the National
English Competition last year.
7/ The English owed the introduction of potatoes and
tobacco to Walter Raleigh.
8/ There being no more comment, this plan will be shelved until
next Saturday.
9/ Being told (about) the joke, both the girls doubled up
with laughter.
10/ Little revision notwithstanding, he still acquitted himself
well in the end-of-year exam.
11/ We carried out market research to gauge public reaction
about our new car.
12/ George won’t lend his tape recorder to you unless you
promise to bring it back by Saturday.
13/ Missing the deadline for an important project, Peter was in
hot water.
14/ Reading between the lines, it seems neither Cole nor her
parents have been to Japan.
15/ Despite putting his nose to the grindstone, he was
unable to make ends meet.
16/ On her own admission, she had fiddled the books.
17/ On account of her having / her / having spoonerism,
Tom is forever taking the mickey out of Daisy.
18/ For all the illustrations Sam did for the book, he wasn’t given
any credit.
19/ Only through the agency of John could she get the job.
20/ Mrs. Black has given me her word that she will be of service
(to me) on Monday.
1/ Although I am angry about what happened, under
no circumstances would I want anyone to intervene on my
behalf. LAST
→ Although I am angry about what happened, the
2/ There is a rumour that the company lost over $20 million
during the price war. SUSTAINED
→ The company
3/ Alex made regular calls to his parents while travelling
abroad. KEPT
→ by phone while travelling
abroad. 4/ Although Maria hasn't said so, we can be sure that
she will want to come to the party. READ
→ We can
5/ Shall we split the cost of a taxi into town? HALVES
→ Why don’t
6/ Trying to get Roger to come with us is an utter waste of
time. WHATSOEVER
→ There
7/ Pensions have not increased at the same rate as inflation.
PACE
→ Pensions have failed
8/ How do you regard people who exploit the
vulnerability of tourists? ATTITUDE
→ What is advantage of the
vulnerability of tourists?
9/ Dr Jenkins has not kept up with recent
technological developments. TOUCH
→ technology.
10/ I don't mind working hard on occasions. AVERSE
→ work.
11/ The standard of her homework is no longer acceptable.
→ Her homework recently.
12/ If we don't make changes, there will be problems in the
future. LONG
→ There will be problems in we make
changes. 13/ The factory was able to reduce its CO2 emissions
by 50% in the last year. SUCCEEDED
→ The factory back its CO2 emissions by
50% in the last year.
14/ As far as I know, Simon will be here on Thursday. SUPPOSE
→ I’ve
15/ The role played by the PR company in securing the
government contract was never acknowledged officially.
OFFICIAL
→ At no time the role the PR
company played in securing the government contract.
ANSWER KEY:
1/ Although I am angry about what happened, the last thing I
would want is for anyone to intervene on my behalf.
2/ The company is rumoured to have sustained a loss of over
$20 million pounds during the price war.
3/ Alex kept in touch with his parents by phone while
travelling abroad.
4/ We can take it as read that Maria will want to come to the
party. 5/ Why don't we go halves on paying a taxi into town?
6/ There is no point whatsoever in trying to get Roger to come
with us.
7/ Pensions have failed to keep pace with inflation.
8/ What is your attitude towards people who take advantage of
the vulnerability of tourists?
9/ Dr Jenkins is out of touch with developments in
technology. 10/ I am not averse to occasional hard work.
11/ Her homework hasn't been up to scratch recently.
12/ There will be problems in the long run unless we make
changes. 13/ The factory succeeded in cutting back its CO2
emissions by 50% in the last year.
14/ I’ve got no reason to suppose Simon will not be here
on Thursday.
15/ At no time was there any official acknowledgment regarding
the role the PR company played in securing the government
contract.
1/ What Daniel told me was more of an order than a piece of
advice.
→ What Daniel told me was not
2/ Redundancy has caused a lot of domestic problems.
→ Many a
3/ The film didn’t come up to my expectations.
→ The film fell
4/ Screaming fans surrounded the star as soon as he arrived at
the stage door.
→ On
5/ Should they strike the consultant off, she will never work
again.
→ Should she
6/ It’s bad you spent your past years doing trivial things.
ERRANDS
→ You should
7/ We regret not having been able to come to Uncle Tom’s
funeral. RESPECTS
→ We would like
8/ You’ve eaten so much that it’s logical you feel sick. STANDS
→ You have
9/ I suspected him when he started being so helpful. RAT
→I
10/ The handling of the matter has been heavily criticised by
the press. SCORN
→ The press
ANSWER KEY:
1/ What Daniel told me was not so much a piece of advice as
an order.
2/ Many a domestic problem has been caused by
redundancy. 3/ The film fell short of my expectations.
4/ On his arriving / arrival at the stage door, the star
was surrounded by screaming fans.
5/ Should she be struck off, the consultant will never work
again. 6/ You shouldn’t have spent your past years running
errands.
7/ We would like to have been able to come to pay our last
respects to Uncle Tom when he died.
8/ You have eaten so much that it stands to reason you feel
sick. 9/ I smelt a rat when he started being so helpful.
10/ The press has poured scorn on the handling of the matter.
1/ ‘There’s no point in writing it all out in longhand if you can
use a typewriter, isn’t there?’
→ She dissuaded
2/ If the weather is fine, we may go camping at the weekend.
→ Weather
3/ Sally distrusts modern technology strongly.
→ Sally has
4/ When faced with a fierce opponent, even the most
skilled swordsman must be careful.
→ In the to be careful.
5/ Do you think we can stew this kind of meat? LEND
→
6/ The group, considered to be one of the funniest in Canada,
performed so well that its audience laughed a lot at last night’s
concert. ROLLING
→
7/ We can’t possibly imagine how we are going to afford a new
car. REMOTEST
→
8/ He may be inexperienced but he makes up for it by
being enthusiastic. LACKS
→ What
9/ There don’t seem to be many talented athletes at the
moment. PAUCITY
→ We seem to be suffering
10/ Normally, the money is released within about three
months. COURSE
→ In
ANSWER KEY:
1/ She dissuaded me from writing it all out in longhand (and
told me to use a typewriter).
2/ Weather permitting, we may go camping at the
weekend. 3/ Sally has a strong distrust of modern
technology.
4/ In the face of competition from a fierce opponent, even the
most skilled swordsman has to be careful.
5/ Do you think this kind of meat can lend itself to stewing?
6/ As one of the funniest in Canada, the group had its
audiences rolling in the aisles at last night’s concert.
7/ We haven’t the remotest idea how we are going to afford a
new car.
8/ What he lacks in experience, he makes up for it by
being enthusiastic / with his enthusiasm.
9/ We seem to be suffering from a paucity of talented athletes
at the moment.
10/ In the normal course of events, the money is released
within about three months.
1/ The president is the statesman I admire most of all.
→ There is no
2/ It was more of a business arrangement than a marriage.
→ It was not
3/ He was about to give away my secret, but I caught his
attention just in time. EYE
→ Had I out my
secret.
4/ Having three children to look after every day had taken its
toll on Elke. GRIND
→ Elke was worn of three children.
5/ Mary is unlikely to get the job that she has applied
for. PROSPECT
→ There
6/ Don’t say anything negative about her singing because she’s
very sensitive and might be offended by your remarks. OFFENCE
→
7/ It looks nice, but it doesn’t taste as good. EARTH
→ Nice
8/ I hope this story will help us understand what happened.
SHED
→ Hopefully when he tells us his story, it will
9/ She finally admitted that she had stolen the money. OWNED
→ She
10/ The children who are underage are not allowed to go
into the Horace Club. BOUNDS
→ The Horace Club
ANSWER KEY:
1/ There is no (other) statesman I admire more than / as
much as the president.
2/ It was not so much a marriage as a business arrangement.
3/ Had I not caught his eye just in time, he would have blurted
out my secret.
4/ Elke was worn down by the daily grind of taking care of
three children.
5/ There is little prospect of Mary getting the job that she has
applied for.
6/ Don’t say anything negative about her singing because she’s
very sensitive and might take offence at your remarks.
7/ Nice though it looks, it tastes like nothing on earth.
8/ Hopefully when he tells us his story, it will shed light on
what happened.
9/ She finally owned up to stealing / having stolen the money.
10/ The Horace Club is out of bounds to the children who
are underage.
1/ Terry is allergic to pears and that is one way in which he is
similar to his mother. RESPECT
→ after his mother.
2/ Tom comes from Yorkshire, but one couldn't tell from his
accent. TRACE
→
3/ Compared to what we had yesterday, this meal was
great. COMPARISON
→
4/ When the war broke out, many people tried to escape across
the border.
→ At
5/ Margaret is entitled to receive a share of the profits. RIGHT
→
6/ It gave him great pleasure to contemplate the misfortune
that had befallen his rival. GLOATED
→
7/ The young girl died when she was attacked by the panther.
LOST
→
8/ Don't tell anyone about our plans. BREATHE
→
9/ A high standard of customer service is the reason for
the company's success. FOUNDED
→
10/ These events did not benefit Tom. DETRIMENT
→
11/ The commentator criticised particularly the council's
housing policy. SINGLED
→
12/ There was sufficient time for us to feel we had no need
to hurry. NOT
→ With all
13/ Let's not waste any time but get down to the business at
hand. ADO
→
14/ I don't know why, but I don't trust Henry. CONFIDENCE
→
15/ Don't take any notice of Ann; she never tells the
truth. HABITUAL
→
16/ I only know Mr. Garman slightly. ACQUAINTANCE
→ Mr. Garman
17/ In your place, I wouldn't say too many rude things about
him. RUN
→ Were
18/ The election happened at a time of civil unrest. BACKDROP
→ The election took
19/ This latest scandal could easily bring down the
government. DOWNFALL
→
20/ As soon as we had completed our research, we wrote a
report.
→ Upon
21/ We really like having unexpected visitors. DROPPING
→
22/ It costs £7 to get in. ADMISSION
→
23/ I was informed by the hospital that my father is now
unlikely to die. DANGER
→
ANSWER KEY:
1/ Terry is allergic to pears and in that respect he takes after his
mother.
2/ Tom comes from Yorkshire, but he hasn't got a trace of
accent. 3/ In comparison to what we had yesterday, this meal
was great.
4/ At the outbreak of the war, many people tried to escape
across the border.
5/ Margaret has a right to receive a share of the profits.
6/ He gloated over the misfortune that had befallen his rival.
7/ The young girl lost her life when she was attacked by
the panther.
8/ Don't breathe a word of our plans to anyone.
9/ The company's success is founded on a high standard of
customer service.
10/ These events were to Tom's detriment.
11/ The commentator singled out the council's housing policy
for criticism.
12/ With all the time in the world, we did not feel a need to
hurry. 13/ Without further ado, let's get down to the business at
hand.
14/ I don't know why, but I have no confidence in
Henry. 15/ Don't take any notice of Anne, she is a
habitual liar. 16/ Mr. Garman is only a casual
acquaintance of mine.
17/ Were I you, I wouldn't run him down too much.
18/ The election took place against the backdrop of civil unrest.
19/ This latest scandal could easily bring about the downfall of
the government.
20/ Upon completion of our research, we wrote a
report. 21/ We really like people dropping in.
22/ The price of admission is £7.
23/ I was informed by the hospital that my father is now
out of danger.
1/ I won’t change my mind about that problem whatever
happens.
→ Come rain
2/ I must have offended her because she isn’t being
friendly towards me. SHOULDER
→
3/ Initially, I think you develop the plot very convincingly.
UNFOLDS
→
4/ Bad publicity badly affected sales figures. DETRIMENTAL
→ Bad publicity
5/ I’m sure Rachel will become a famous model one day.
→ I think it’s only
6/ Once we had made sure there was no reason to be afraid of,
we went ahead.
→ Having satisfied
7/ The director never makes a mistake, keeping the film
extremely focused in each scene. FOOT
→
8/ I didn’t want to give up while some hope of success
remained. DEFEAT
→ I was loath
9/ Laura’s tendency to interrupt every conversation makes
me furious. SENDS
→ It
10/ This property has been totally neglected and is in
need of complete renovation. DISREPAIR
→ Having completely.
ANSWER KEY:
1/ Come rain or shine, I won’t change my mind about that
problem.
2/ I must have offended her because she is giving me the
cold shoulder.
3/ Initially, I think the plot unfolds unconvincingly.
4/ Bad publicity had a detrimental effect on sales figures.
5/ I think it’s only a matter of time before Rachel becomes a
famous model.
6/ Having satisfied ourselves that there was nothing to fear,
we went ahead.
7/ The director never puts a foot wrong, keeping the film
extremely focused in each scene.
8/ I was loath to admit / concede defeat while there was still
some hope of success.
9/ It sends me round the bend that Laura interrupts
every conversation.
10/ Having fallen into (a state of) disrepair, this property needs
to be renovated completely.
1/ Frankly speaking, I do not think that nature and nurture are
equally significant. SUBSCRIBE
→ To put

significance.
2/ In the area, Thailand used to be much better than all other
countries in football.
→ In the area, Thailand doesn’t

longer. 3/ He hid the truth about the matter because he didn’t

want to lose his high position. CARPET
→ For fear that
4/ He indicated very clearly that he would do anything to obtain
the contract. LENGTHS
→ He gave
5/ I didn’t dare to tell the truth because my father was there.
GUTS
→ Had it
6/ It was not until five years had elapsed that the whole truth
about the murder.
→ Not for
7/ She was surprised when he suddenly asked her to marry
him. TOOK
→ His
8/ He seems to find the way Mimi behaves more a source
of amusement than embarrassment.
→ Far from amused by
it.
9/ After the expedition, I realised that she was not an
efficient researcher. SHAKES
→ It dawned a researcher.
10/ The accused may imagine a plan of killing the witness.
AWAY
→ The accused may conceive
ANSWER KEY:
1/ To put it bluntly, I do not subscribe to the opinion that nature
and nurture are of equal significance.
2/ In the area, Thailand doesn’t stand head and shoulders
above all other countries in football any longer.
3/ For fear that he (should) lose his high position, he swept the
matter under the carpet.
4/ He gave every / clear indication of going to any lengths to
obtain the contract / that he would go to any lengths to obtain
the contract.
5/ Had it not been for my father’s presence, I’d have had the
guts to tell the truth.
6/ Not for another five years did the whole truth about the
murder come out.
7/ His sudden marriage proposal took her aback / took her by
surprise.
8/ Far from being embarrassed by Mimi’s behaviour, he seems
to be amused by it.
9/ It dawned on me after the expedition that she was no great
shakes as a researcher.
10/ The accused may conceive of doing away with the witness.