Exercises on Sentence transformations

SENTENCE TRANSFORMATIONS
Exercise 1: Complete the second sentence so that it expresses the same meaning as the original one.
1. I started working for the company a year ago.
I have been …………………………………………………………………………………………………...
2. It is one hundred years since the birth of D.H Lawrence, the famous novelist.
D.H Lawrence ……………………………..…………………………………………………………………
3. How long have Catherine and Henry been engaged?
When…………………………………………………………………………………………………………?
4. I last saw him when I was a student.
I haven’t……………………………………………….………………………………………………………
5. It is ages since Alan visited his parents.
Alan hasn’t…………………………………………………..…………………………………………………
6. We will not see each other again before I go.
This will be the last time …………………………….......................................................................................
7. The train left before he got to the station.
By the time ……………………………............................................................................................................
8. The school was founded ten years ago.
It is ten years……. ………………...................................................................................................................
9. She hadn’t had a relapse for six months.
It was .................................................................................................................................................................
10. I haven’t forgone a meal for two years.
The last time .....................................................................................................................................................
11 No-one has challenged his authority before.
This is the first time ……………………………...............................................................................................
12. I was surprised at how easy he was to talk to.
I hadn’t expected ................................................................................................................................................
13. It’s almost nine months since I stopped subscribing to that magazine.
I cancelled ………………………………...........................................................................................................
14. My decision to get up and dance coincided with the band’s decision to stop playing.
When ...................................................................................................................................................................
15. After seeing the film for himself, my father has stopped criticising it.
Since ....................................................................................................................................................................
16. John hasn’t done any revision since spring term.
The last time ........................................................................................................................................................

Exercise 2: Complete the second sentence, using the word given at the end of the first sentence so that it remains the same meaning as the first one.
1. She hasn’t decided what career to follow yet. STILL
She _________________________________________________________________ what career to follow.
2. They haven’t talked to each other for two years. SINCE
It’s ________________________________________________________________________ to each other.
3. She has never heard such a ridiculous lie. MOST
It’s the _______________________________________________________________________ever heard.
4. How long is it since he quit school? AGO
How long _______________________________________________________________________ school?
5. She started writing novels four years ago. BEEN
She __________________________________________________________________________ four years.
6. They have never been to a Chinese restaurant before. FIRST
It’s the _____________________________________________________________ to a Chinese restaurant.
7. She hasn’t been out for months. TIME
The last ______________________________________________________________________ months ago.
8. How long is it since you found that job? AGO
How __________________________________________________________________________ that job?
9. She took up stamp collecting ten years ago. BEEN
She ___________________________________________________________________________ ten years.
10. The guests didn’t start dancing until the newly weds had arrived. BEFORE
The guests waited until the newly weds________________________________________________ dancing.
11. The teacher meant to give us a quiz but she forgot it. GOING
The teacher __________________________________________________________ a quiz but she forgot it.
12. My mother always read bedtime stories to me when I was little. READ
My mother ________________________________________________________ to me when I was young.
13. My brother always told lies when he was little. USED TO
My brother______________________________________________________________ when he was little.
14. She didn’t wake up early, but now she does. USED
She ______________________________________________________________________________ early.
15. I don’t think I’ll ever find it easy to accept insults. USED
I don’t think I’ll ever _______________________________________________________________ insults.
16. She rarely wears jeans. USED
She ______________________________________________________________________________ jeans.
17. He hasn’t been to school for four days. ABSENT
He __________________________________________________________________ school for four days.
18. She keeps interrupting every conversation I have. BREAKING
She ______________________________________________________________ every conversation I have.
19. Most boys are good at math. BRILLIANT
Most boys _________________________________________________________________________ math.
20. Mini skirts are fashionable this year. ARE
Mini skirts _____________________________________________________________________ this year.
21. I know that blonde little girl. ACQUAINTED
I ___________________________________________________________________ that blonde little girl.

Exercise 3: Reported Speech.
1. “Why didn’t I get a computer before? “ thought the office manager.
The office manager wondered………………………………….………………………………………………
2. “ You stole my best cassette, Amanda!” said William.
William accused…………………………………..……………………………………………………………
3. “ You damaged my bicycle, John!” said Magaret.
Magaret accused ……………………………..…………………………………………………………………
4. “You’d better not lend him any more money, Elizabeth,” said John.
John advised………………………………….…………………………………………………………………
5. Helen wanted to know the name of Shirley’s hairdresser’s.
Helen said, “Shirley, where…………………………….……………………………………………………?”
6. Why don’t you meet to discuss the pay offer?
I suggest you …………………………………………………..………………………………………………
7. “How old is your little boy?” said the nurse to Mrs Bingley.
The nurse asked Mrs Bingley…………………………..………………………………………………………
8. “ Never borrow money from friends” my father said.
My father told me………………………………………………………………………………………………
9. “Where is the station car-park?” Mrs Smith asked
Mrs. Smith asked……………………………………………….………………………………………………
10. “You’d better go to