UNIVERSITA’ DEGLI STUDI DI URBINO “CARLO BO”
Facoltà di Lingue e Letterature Straniere
Corso di Laurea in Lingue e Cultura per l’Impresa
FIRST YEAR ENGLISH 04/09/07
Grammar Section
IMPORTANT: write all your answers on the blank answer sheet provided, and not on this question sheet.
A. Gap Filling
Fill in each of the gaps in the passage below with one suitable word.
Why do they (1) ___ on the left in Britain and on the right in other countries? The reason (2) ___ this (3) ___ back to the days when people travelled (4) ___ horse. (5) ___ people are right-handed, and (6) ___ the left is the natural side to ride (7) ___ if you are on horseback and need (8) ___ right hand to (9) ___ a sword in case of trouble. So why (10) ___ the rest of the world ride on the left (11) ___ ? Because of Napoleon Bonaparte. He insisted (12) ___ his armies should march on the right, and as he marched (13) ___ Europe, he imposed this rule (14) ___ he went. In the (15) ___ century Adolf Hitler did the (16) ___ . The question suggests that (17) ___ the British drive on the left, but in fact, (18) ___ of 178 countries in the world, there are about 50 that drive on the left, (19) ___ Japan. (20) ___ , most of them are former British colonies.
B. Verb Tenses.
Put each of the verbs in brackets into a suitable form, adjusting word order where necessary.
1. It (rain) all day today. I wish it (stop)!
2. I can’t find the tickets. They must (fall) out of my pocket.
3. Sorry for waking you up last night! If I (know) you were in bed, I (not phone) you.
4. Ok, see you at eight o’clock! When you arrive, I probably (sit) at a table near the window.
5. It’s getting late! It’s time we (start) moving.
6. She (sleep) in front of the TV when John returned.
7. My car always (break) down! This is the second time it (happen) this week.
C. Reported Speech
Put the following sentences into Reported Speech, beginning each one as suggested.
1. “Do you think the others will be there by the time we arrive?”
She asked me…
2. “Have you been working very hard recently?”
The doctor asked me…
3. “Where will you be staying during your visit?”
The immigration official asked them…
4. “I tried to phone you several times, but I wasn’t able to get through.”
He told me…
5. “Don’t leave it on the table.”
He told me… Segue
D. Passive
Put the following sentences into the Passive voice. Do not mention the agent.
1. He doesn’t like people keeping him waiting.
2. They’ve given me two weeks to decide.
3. I think they should have offered Jill the job.
4. They believe she is living in Germany.
5. Somebody is using the computer at the moment.
E. Relative clauses
Complete each sentence with a suitable relative pronoun. If it can be omitted, put it in brackets.
1. What was the name of the person ___ phoned you.?
2. They give their children everything ___ they want.
3. This school is for people ___ first language is not English.
4. Sharon’s father, ___ is now retired, used to be a doctor.
5. Kate offered to lend me her car, ___ was very kind of her.
F. Gerund or Infinitive?
Put each verb in brackets into the correct form.
1. It was a lovely day, so I suggested (go) for a walk.
2. Would you mind (turn) down the volume, please?
3. She wasn’t used to (get) up so early in the morning.
4. Her parents wouldn’t let her (go) out on her own.
5. We stopped (buy) some beer on our way home.
6. He remembers (be) in hospital when he was six.
7. She couldn’t help (laugh) during the ceremony.
8. I’d rather (stay) at home this evening.
9. Please stop (make) so much noise!
10. I never used (read) newspapers when I was younger.
Answer Key
A.
1. drive
2. for
3. goes
4. by
5. most (or many)
6. so
7. your
8. your
9. hold (or use/draw)
10. didn’t
11. too (or also)
12. that
13. through (or across)
14. wherever (or everywhere)
15. twentieth
16. same
17. only
18. out
19. including
20. However
B.
1. has been raining (or has rained), would stop
2. have fallen
3. had known, would not have phoned
4. will/shall probably be sitting
5. started
6. was sleeping
7. is always breaking, has happened
C.
1. …if I thought the others would be there by the time we arrived.
2. …if I had been working very hard recently.
3. …where they would be staying during their visit.
4. …he had tried (or he tried) to phone me several times, but he hadn’t been (or wasn’t) able to get through.
5. …not to leave it on the table.
D.
1. He doesn’t like being kept waiting.
2. I’ve been given two weeks to decide.
3. I think Jill should have been offered the job.
4. She is believed to be living in Germany (or It is believed that she is living in Germany).
5. The computer is being used at the moment.
E.
1. who/that
2. (that)
3. whose
4. who
5. which
F.
1. going
2. turning
3. getting
4. go
5. to buy
6. being
7. laughing
8. stay
9. making
10. to read