Module on Cloze Passage(3)

module pmr and spm cloze passage exercises Prepared by guru-guru cemerlang bahasa inggeris Daerah alor gajah

PN. FADZILLAH ABDUL GHANi SMK NANING FA PN. ROSLINA BT ABU BAKAR – SMK SERI PENGKALAN TN. HJ. JASNI BIN ABDUL RAHMAN – SMK LUBOK CHINA TN. HJ. AB GHANI BIN HARON – SMK RAHMAT TN. HJ. MOHD AKHIR BIN ABD WAHAB – SMK SULTAN ALAUDDIN

CONTENTS ADJECTIVES ADVERBS ARTICLES COMPARISONS INFINITIVE + ‘TO’ PREPOSITION PRONOUNS TENSES SUBJECT-VERB-AGREEMENT WH-QUESTIONS RATIONAL CLOZE PASSAGE EXERCISES

ADJECTIVES

An adjective modifies a noun or a pronoun by describing, identifying, or quantifying words. Adjectives describe or give information about nouns.

The form of adjectives does not change; it does not matter if the noun being modified is male or female, singular or plural, subject or object. Some adjectives give us factual information about the noun - age, size, colour, etc.

An adjective often precedes the noun or the pronoun which it modifies. We add adjective to identify a person or thing, or describe them in more detail. Look at the following examples:

her new car a kind person car-shaped balloon hideous wall paper. dark sea. dark and dank coal mine irritating music. mahogany chair large, green rain boots.

Some adjectives can be used to give your opinion about something. They are words like good, pretty, right, wrong, funny, light, happy, sad, full, soft, hard and etc. Look at the following examples: Lisa is a pretty girl. Carina is a clever and hardworking girl. Adjectives also can be used to describe size. They are words like big, small, little, long, tall, short, same as and etc. For example: "The tall man is my uncle." "That short woman is a lawyer". Adjectives can be used to describe shape. They are words like round, circular, triangular, rectangular, square, oval and etc. For example: "It is a square box." "Those are square boxes." There are adjectives that can be used to describe colour. They are words like blue, red, green, brown, yellow, black, white and etc. For example: "That is my blue bag." "Those are my red pens".

Position of Adjectives Descriptive adjectives used in this way belong to eight main types. The table below summarises the types and the usual order in which they appear if more than one adjective is placed before a noun. The general rule for the position of each type adjective, these are:Position

1st*

2nd*

3rd

4th

5th

6th

7th

8th

Opinion

Size

Age

Shape

Colour

Material

Origin

Purpose

Nice

Small

Old

Square

Black

Plastic

British

Racing

Ugly

Big

New

Circular

Blue

Cotton

American Running

Adjectives describing the main characteristics of a person or thing are often grouped together before the noun they describe. Look at the following examples: a beautiful young woman a small round table Two or three descriptive adjectives are often used together in this way; note that placing more than three adjectives before a noun would start to sound unnatural. Look at the following examples: a beautiful wooden table sounds fine, but a structure like: a beautiful large round carved wooden table For example, if you wanted to use an adjective referring to size and an adjective referring to shape, you would put the size adjective first. Look at the following example: a large round table Similarly, an age adjective would normally be placed before an origin adjective. Look at the following example: a young Italian woman An opinion adjective would occur before a shape or colour adjective, and a shape or colour adjective would occur before a material adjective. Look at the following example: a beautiful green silk dress

If two colour adjectives are used, and is placed between them. Look at the following example: She was wearing a long black and gold dress. If three colour adjectives occur, a comma (,) is placed after the first and the last two are linked with and. Look at the following example: The table was covered by a large red, white and blue sheet. As a general rule, the adjective which is closest to the noun is the most closely linked to the meaning of the noun. It describes a feature which is the most permanent about it, compared to adjectives which express a variable characteristic, such as an opinion. Look at the following example: an expensive/cheap/beautiful black leather handbag (the ‘leather-ness’ of the bag is a more essential characteristic than ‘cost’ or ‘appearance’.) If more than one adjective occurs which expresses an opinion or describes a general quality, then the adjective with a more general meaning, for example, nice, bad usually precedes the one with a more specific meaning like comfortable, clean. Look at the following example: a lovely soft blanket If two adjectives with similar meanings are used, the shorter one often comes first. Look at the following example: a soft comfortable pillow The conjunction but is sometimes placed between two adjectives which describe contrasting qualities. Look at the following example: a difficult but rewarding job The conjunction and is generally used to link adjectives in this position, occurring before the last adjective used. Look at the following examples: The room was small and dirty. Jim felt cold, wet and hungry. Adjectives expressing opinion are often placed last. Look at the following example: Sheila was young, tall and beautiful. To imply a contrast between adjectives, the conjunction but is sometimes used. Look at the following example: The flat was small but comfortable.

ARTICLES There are two types of articles indefinite a and an or definite the. Their proper use is complex especially when you get into the advanced use of English. Quite often you have to work by what sounds right, which can be frustrating for a learner. We usually use no article to talk about things in general - the doesn't mean all.

For example:

"Books are expensive." = (All books are expensive.) "The books are expensive." = (Not all books are expensive, just the ones I'm talking about.)

Indefinite articles - a and an (determiners) A and an are the indefinite articles. They refer to something not specifically known to the person you are communicating with. A and an are used before nouns that introduce something or someone you have not mentioned before:For "I saw an elephant this morning." example: "I ate a banana for lunch." A and an are also used when talking about your profession For "I am an English teacher." example: "I am a builder." Note!

You use a when the noun you are referring to begins with a consonant (b, c, d, f, g, h, j, k, l, m, n, p, q, r, s, t, v, w, x, y or z), for example, "a city" and "a factory" You use an when the noun you are referring to begins with a vowel (a, e, i, o, u) Pronunciation changes this rule. If the next word begins with a consonant sound when we say it, for example, "university" then we use a. If the next word begins with a vowel sound when we say it, for example "hour" then we use an. We say "university" with a "y" sound at the beginning as though it were spelt "youniversity". So, "a university" IS correct.

We say "hour" with a silent h as though it were spelt "our". So, "an hour" IS correct. Here are the rules for when to use "A, An or The": a = indefinite article (not a specific object, one of a number of the same objects) with consonants She has a dog. I work in a factory. •

an = indefinite article (not a specific object, one of a number of the same objects) with vowels (a,e,i,o,u) Can I have an apple? She is an English teacher •

•

the = definite article (a specific object that both the person speaking and the

listener know) The car over there is fast. The teacher is very good, isn't he?

The first time you speak of something use "a or an", the next time you repeat that object use "the". I live in a house. The house is quite old and has four bedrooms. •

ADVERB. An adverb is a part of speech that describes or modifies a verb, an adjective, another adverb, clause, or sentence. Adverbs answer the questions "How?", "When?", "Where?", "Why?", "In what way?", "How much?", "How often?", "Under what condition", "To what degree?" The easiest adverbs to recognize are those that end in -ly. Some adjectives end with -ly also but remember that adjectives can modify only nouns and pronouns. Adverbs modify everyting else. An adverb can be placed anywhere in a sentence.

Adverbs as modifiers (adverbs in adverbial functions) An adverb modifies a verb He walked quickly. ('quickly' modifies verb 'walked') I accepted new task willingly. ('willingly' modifies verb 'accepted') Mike snored melodically. ('melodically' modifies verb 'snored')

An adverb modifies an adjective They were really unhappy. ('really' modifies adjective 'unhappy') My brother is completely fearless. ('completely' modifies adjective 'fearless') I know she is very careful. ('very' modifies adjective 'careful')

An adverb modifies an adverb He is almost always hungry. ('almost' modifies adverb 'hungry') John plays tennis very well. ('very' modifies adverb 'well') You never can work too carefully. ('too' modifies adverb 'carefully')

An adverb modifies a clause Perhaps you are correct, but not at first glance. ('perhaps' modifies clause 'you are correct') Surely he will be on time, but I hope not. ('surely' modifies clause 'he will be on time')

An adverb modifies a sentence Suddenly, she went home. ('suddenly' modifies a whole sentence) Finally, he will be on time. ('finally' modifies a whole sentence) Today, we can take a vacation.('today' modifies a whole sentence)

Adverb Formation Adverbs that end in -ly are formed by adding -ly to an adjective, a present participle, or a past participle.

- from an adjective careful - carefully beautiful - beautiful fitting - fittingly

- from a present participle

willing - willingly glowing - glowingly surprising - surprisingly

- from a past participle assured - assuredly affected - affectedly surprised - surprisedly

When adjective ends in -able or -ible, the adverb is formed by replacing final -e with -y horrible - horribly terrible - terribly

When adjective ends in -y, the adverb is formed by replacing final -y with -ily happy - happily lucky - luckily

When adjective ends in -ic, the adverb is formed by replacing final -ic with -ically economic - economically ironic - ironically

Adverbs Position

Adverbs can be placed anywhere in a sentence.

At the front (prior to the subject) Today we will study adverbs. Lately, I have had lots of phone calls.

At the center of the sentence (between the subject and the verb) He seldom goes to movies. I hardly noticed her.

At the end of the sentence I learn English slowly. I study adverbs now

Adverbs as intensifiers Adverbs can be used as amplifiers, down toners, or emphasizers. - as emphasizers. I really likes him. I literally wrecked my car. - as amplifiers They completely abandoned the city. I absolutely refuse to leave.

- as down toners

I somewhat like this movie. Peter almost quit that job. Adverbs can be classified by their functions. Adverb lists that follow each category are only partial ones. Adverbs of manner - answer the question How? I watch them closely. I play well. I walk carefully. List: cheerfully, fast, quicly, slowly, inadequately, healthy Adverbs of time - answer the question When? He has not played chess recently. I arrive late for most appointments. Lately, I have had many sleepless nights. List: early, never, now, often, soon, then, today, tomorrow

Adverbs of place (location, direction) - answer the question Where? I walked downstairs. Have you ever gone there? I will meet you outside. List: above, away, below, down, here, inside, there, up

Adverbs of degree - answer the question How much?

He is totally prepared for his birthday. I am too tired to play tennis tonight. He is completely tired from the journey. List: almost, entirely, little, much, rather, very, too Adverbs of frequency - answer the question How often? He rarely goes by himself. She constantly finishes her job first. always, never, usually, frequently, sometimes, occasionally Comparison of adverbs. Like adjectives, adverbs have three forms of comparison: positive, comparative, and superlative. Positive degree expresses the quality without comparison. Comparative degree compares two verbs, adjectives, or adverbs. Superlative degree compares three or more verbs, adjectives or adverbs. Adverb comparison Most adverbs are compared by using another adverb. More or less are used to express the comparative degree. Most or least are used to express the superlative degree. dance gracefully (or horribly). I dance more gracefully (or more horribly). I dance most gracefully ( or most horribly).

Suffix comparison Some adverbs are compared using a suffix –er for the comparative forms and –est for the superlative forms. I will arrive soon (or fast). I will arrive sooner (or faster). I will arrive soonest (or fastest). Irregular comparison There are also a number of adverbs compared irregularly. These must be remembered. Here are some of them. POSITIVE COMPARATIVE SUPERLATIVE bad/badly

worse

worst

far

farther/further

farthest/furthest

late/lately

later

latest

little

less

least

much

more

most

well

better

best

Beyond comparison Some adverbs are never compared. They express qualities unsuitable for comparison. Here are some of them: again, almost, before, ever, never, here, there, now, then, there, thus, too, twice, very. Note The three most common adverbs used in English Language are: not, very, too

CONJUNCTIONS

A conjunction is a word that like words, phrases or clauses. There are three types of conjunctions : coordinating conjunctions, correlative conjunctions and subordinating conjunctions. COORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS Coordinating conjunctions may join single words or they may join groups of words but they must always join similar elements. F

A

N

B

O

Y

S

for

and

nor

but

or

yet

so

Remember, when using a conjunction to join two sentences, use a coma before the conjunction. Examples and sentences: Conjunction And

What is linked

Sentences

Noun phrase + noun phrase

We have tickets for the symphony and the opera.

But

Sentence + sentence

The orchestra rehearses on Tuesday, but the chorus rehearses on Wednesday.

Or

Verb + verb

Have you seen or heard the drama by Faridah Merican?

So

Sentence + sentence

I wanted to sit in the front of the balcony, so I ordered my tickets early.

CORRELATIVE CONJUNCTIONS Correlative conjunctions also connect sentence elements of the same kind. However, unlike coordinating conjunctions, correlative conjunctions are always used in pairs.

Both…and

Not only…but also

Either…or

Neither..nor

Whether…or

Examples and sentences: Conjunction

What is linked

Sentences

Both…and

Subject + subject

Both my sister and my brother play the piano.

Either…or

Noun + noun

Tonight’s menu is either western or Italian.

Neither..nor

Subject + subject

Neither Lisa nor Ebby will be able to join us in the meeting.

SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS Subordinating conjunctions, the largest class of conjunctions, connect subordinate clauses to a main clause. These conjunctions are adverbs used as conjunctions. TIME

CAUSE + EFFECT

OPPOSITION

CONDITION

After

Because

Although

If

Before

Since

Even though

Unless

When

Now that

Whereas

Only if

While

As

While

Whether or not

Since

In order that

though

Even if

until

so

In case (that)

Examples and sentences: CONJUNCTIONS

SENTENCES

after

We are going out to eat after we finish our discussion.

since

Since we don’t have much money, we walk to school.

while

While I was waiting for my laundry, I did my assignment.

because

I admire her paintings because she uses colours so brilliantly.

Gerunds (-ing) When a verb ends in -ing, it may be a gerund or a present participle. It is important to understand that they are not the same. When we use a verb in -ing form more like a noun, it is usually a gerund: •

Fishing is fun.

When we use a verb in -ing form more like a verb or an adjective, it is usually a present participle: • •

Anthony is fishing. I have a boring teacher.

Gerunds are sometimes called "verbal nouns". In this lesson, we look at how we use gerunds.

• • • • •

Gerunds as Subject, Object or Complement Gerunds after Prepositions Gerunds after Certain Verbs Gerunds in Passive Sense Gerunds Quiz

Gerunds as Subject, Object or Complement Try to think of gerunds as verbs in noun form. Like nouns, gerunds can be the subject, object or complement of a sentence: • • •

Smoking costs a lot of money. I don't like writing. My favourite occupation is reading.

But, like a verb, a gerund can also have an object itself. In this case, the whole expression [gerund + object] can be the subject, object or complement of the sentence. • • •

Smoking cigarettes costs a lot of money. I don't like writing letters. My favourite occupation is reading detective stories.

Like nouns, we can use gerunds with adjectives (including articles and other determiners): • • • •

pointless questioning a settling of debts the making of Titanic his drinking of alcohol

But when we use a gerund with an article, it does not usually take a direct object: • • •

a settling of debts (not a settling debts) Making "Titanic" was expensive. The making of "Titanic" was expensive.

Tips: Do you see the difference in these two sentences? In one, "reading" is a gerund (noun). In the other "reading" is a present participle (verb). • •

My favourite occupation is reading. My favourite niece is reading.

Reading as gerund (noun)

Main Verb

Complement

My favourite occupation

is

reading.

My favourite occupation

is

football.

reading as present participle (verb)

Auxiliary Verb

Main Verb

My favourite niece

is

reading.

My favourite niece

has

finished.

Gerunds after Prepositions This is a good rule. It has no exceptions! If we want to use a verb after a preposition, it must be a gerund. It is impossible to use an infinitive after a preposition. So for example, we say: • • • • •

I will call you after arriving at the office. Please have a drink before leaving. I am looking forward to meeting you. Do you object to working late? Tara always dreams about going on holiday.

Notice that you could replace all the above gerunds with "real" nouns: • • • • •

I will call you after my arrival at the office. Please have a drink before your departure. I am looking forward to our lunch. Do you object to this job? Tara always dreams about holidays

Tips: The above rule has no exceptions! So why is "to" followed by "driving" in 1 and by "drive" in 2? 1. I am used to driving on the left. 2. I used to drive on the left.

to as preposition

Preposition

I am used

to

driving on the left.

I am used

to

animals.

to as infinitive

Infinitive

I used

to drive

on the left

I used

to smoke.

Gerunds after Certain Verbs We sometimes use one verb after another verb. Often the second verb is in the infinitive form, for example: •

I want to eat.

But sometimes the second verb must be in gerund form, for example: •

I dislike eating.

This depends on the first verb. Here is a list of verbs that are usually followed by a verb in gerund form: •

admit, appreciate, avoid, carry on, consider, defer, delay, deny, detest, dislike, endure, enjoy, escape, excuse, face, feel like, finish, forgive, give up, can't help, imagine, involve, leave off, mention, mind, miss, postpone, practise, put off, report, resent, risk, can't stand, suggest, understand

Look at these examples: • • • •

She is considering having a holiday. Do you feel like going out? I can't help falling in love with you. I can't stand not seeing you.

Tips: Some verbs can be followed by the gerund form or the infinitive form without a big change in meaning: begin, continue, hate, intend, like, love, prefer, propose, start • • • •

I like to play tennis. I like playing tennis. It started to rain. It started raining.

Gerunds in Passive Sense We often use a gerund after the verbs need, require and want. In this case, the gerund has a passive sense. •

I have three shirts that need washing. (need to be washed)

•

This letter requires signing. (needs to be signed)

•

The house wants repainting. (needs to be repainted)

The expression "something wants doing" is not normally used in American English.

INFINITIVES An infinitive may exist with or without the word "to". For example, following modal verbs (can, may, must, ... ). Infinitives with the word "to" can function as either the SUBJECT or the OBJECT of a verb. 2.1 INFINITIVES AS THE SUBJECT OF THE SENTENCE To read a good book is my favorite form of relaxation. To win means everything to him. To speak a foreign language well requires practice.

2.2 INFINITIVES AS THE OBJECT OF THE VERB

Most people like to win. I don't want to go. We don't need to fight like this.

2.2.1 Verb + Infinitive Here are some verbs that are followed by an infinitive. (These verbs can be followed by any infinitive. The infinitives used in these sentences are only examples.) We can't afford to remain outside the market. Should we agree to buy from them? It appears to be a mistake. I will arrange to talk with them as soon as possible. I asked to see the manager about it. I beg to differ with you, sir. Would you care to try a California wine? They claim to make the best potato chips in the world. We will never consent to allow your name to be put on our product. Finally, I decided to do it myself. I demand to know who is responsible for this! He deserves to get a promotion. She expects to hire an apprentice. Do not fail to let us know your decision. If you have trouble, don't hesitate to call us for help. We hope to begin by next week. I intend to go home early. He learned to speak English as a child. You managed to overlook something. Did you mean to put my report in the waste basket? I need to talk to an expert. They offered to buy the rest from us. We plan to expand our product range. Are you prepared to explain this disaster? I don’t pretend to know all the answers. I promise to do my best. He refuses to answer my calls. He seems to be the one who is in charge. We had to struggle to open the window. Do you swear to keep this a secret? They threatened to sue us if we didn't pay their fee. No one volunteered to clean up after the picnic. I cannot wait to see the expression on his face when he hears the news. I want to find the right person for this job. I do not wish to be a part of your scheme.

2.2.2 Verb + Pronoun/Noun + Infinitive Here are some verbs plus an indirect object followed by an infinitive. (These verbs can be followed by any infinitive. The infinitives used in these sentences are only examples.)

I would advise you to say nothing about this. Will you allow me to use your telephone? She asked me to help her with her car. He begged me to let him come along. The weather caused us to take a later flight. He challenged me to find an error in his figures. We must convince them to investigate the situation. I dare you to tell him what you told me. I encouraged her to continue with the task. He expects you to finish on time. I forbid you to use that tone of voice with me. They forced him to reveal his source. We should hire someone to run our photocopying operation. I instructed them to wait for us here. I invited John to take part in our discussion. I need you to tell me what is going on here. My boss ordered me to go to London last week. We permitted them to talk to our client. He persuaded her to listen to his problem. He reminded me to bring an umbrella. This situation requires us to be very cautious. The experience taught me to buckle my seat belt. He told me to take two aspirins and go to bed. She urged me to take the job. I want you to wash my car. He warned me not to drive too fast around here.

THE INFINITIVE OTHER FORMS The infinitive can have the following forms: • • • •

The perfect infinitive The continuous infinitive The perfect continuous infinitive The passive infinitive

NOTE: as with the present infinitive, there are situations where the to is omitted, e.g. after most modal auxiliaries. The perfect infinitive: to have + past participle, e.g. to have broken, to have seen, to have saved.

This form is most commonly found in Type 3 conditional sentences, using the conditional perfect, e.g. If I had known you were coming I would have baked a cake. Examples: • • •

Someone must have broken the window and climbed in. I would like to have seen the Taj Mahal when I was in India. He pretended to have seen the film.

If I'd seen the ball I would have caught it. The continuous infinitive: •

to be + present participle, e.g.to be swimming, to be joking, to be waiting Examples: • •

I'd really like to be swimming in a nice cool pool right now. You must be joking!

I happened to be waiting for the bus when the accident happened. The perfect continuous infinitive: •

to have been + present participle Examples: to have been crying to have been waiting to have been painting

• •

The woman seemed to have been crying. You must have been waiting for hours!

He pretended to have been painting all day. The passive infinitive: •

to be + past participle, e.g. to be given, to be shut, to be opened Examples: • •

I am expecting to be given a pay-rise next month. These doors should be shut.

•

This window ought to be opened

PREPOSITIONS Prepositions are short words (on, in, to) that usually stand in front of nouns (sometimes also in front of gerund verbs). Prepositions – Time English

Usage

Example



on



days of the week



on Monday



in



months / seasons



in August / in winter



time of day



in the morning



year



in 2006



in an hour

after a certain period of time (when?) 

English at



Usage

Example



for night



at night



for weekend



at the weekend



a certain point of time (when?)



at half past nine

sin



from a certain point of time (past till now)



since 1980



for



over a certain period of time (past till now)



for 2 years



ago 

a certain time in the past



2 years ago



bef

earlier than a certain point of



before 2004



telling the time



ten to six (5:50)

pas 

telling the time



ten past six (6:10)



ce

ore

time to

 



t to / till / until



marking the beginning and end of a period of time



from Monday to/till Friday



till / until



in the sense of how long something is going to last



He is on holiday until Friday.



by



in the sense of at the latest



I will be back by 6 o’clock.



up to a certain time



By 11 o'clock, I had read five



pages.

Prepositions – Place (Position and Direction) English 

in

Usage room, building, street, town, country 

Example 

in the kitchen, in London



in the book



book, paper etc.



in the car, in a taxi



car, taxi



in the picture, in the world



picture, world

English at



Usage

Example



meaning next to, by an object



at the door, at the station



for table



at the table



for events



at a concert, at the party

place where you are to do  something typical (watch a film, study, work) 

on





by, next to, beside



attached



the picture on the wall



for a place with a river



London lies on the Thames.



being on a surface



on the table



for a certain side (left, right)



on the left



for a floor in a house



on the first floor



for public transport



on the bus, on a plane



for television, radio



on TV, on the radio

left or right of somebody or something





unde  on the ground, lower than (or r covered by) something else





lower than something else but above ground

the bag is under the table



the fish are below the surface

over



covered by something else



put a jacket over your shirt



meaning more than



over 16 years of age



walk over the bridge



climb over the wall

getting to the other side (also across) 

overcoming an obstacle

abov  higher than something else, but  not directly over it

a path above the lake

e

acros  getting to the other side (also over)



walk across the bridge

s



swim across the lake



drive through the tunnel







getting to the other side

throu  something with limits on top, gh bottom and the sides 









Jane is standing by / next to / beside the car.

belo w



at the cinema, at school, at work

to



movement to person or building 

go to the cinema



movement to a place or country 

go to London / Ireland

English

Usage

Example



for bed



go to bed

enter a room / a building



go into the kitchen / the house



into





towa rds



movement in the direction of something (but not directly to it)



go 5 steps towards the house



onto



movement to the top of something



jump onto the table



from 



a flower from the garden

in the sense of where from

Other important Prepositions English 

Usage

Example

fr



who gave it



a present from Jane

of



who/what does it belong to



a page of the book



what does it show



the picture of a palace

om 



by 

who made it



a book by Mark Twain



on 

walking or riding on horseback



on foot, on horseback



get on the bus



get in the car

entering a public transport vehicle 



in



entering a car / Taxi



of



leaving a public transport vehicle 

get off the train

ou 

leaving a car / Taxi



get out of the taxi

by 

rise or fall of something



prices have risen by 10 percent

f 

t of 

travelling (other than walking or  horseriding) 

by car, by bus

English  

out

Usage

Example

at



for age



she learned Russian at 45

ab



for topics, meaning what about



we were talking about you

SUBJECT VERB AGREEMENT The subject and the verb must agree in number: both must be singular or both must be plural. Students have problems with subject verb agreement when the verb is a form of be or have, or when the verb is in present tense. Rules for subject verb agreement 1. When words like the following are used as subjects, they take singular verb. Everybody Everyone Everything

Anybody Anyone Anything

Somebody Someone Something

Nobody No one Nothing

Each Either Neither

Everybody knows the answer. Nobody speaks German here. Somebody was in the room.

2. When every and each come before a singular subject joined by and, the verb is singular. Every man and woman has the right to vote. Each student and teacher was aware of the difficulty.

3. Prepositional phrases that come between the subject and the verb do not change the number of the subject. The teacher as well as the students was working on the problem. The mother together with her children is waiting. Some examples of prepositional phrases that function like that are: As well as In addition to Together with Along with Except

4. When the verb comes before the subject as in there or here sentences, it agrees with the subject that immediately follows the verb. There is a tree in the garden. There are many trees in the garden. There is a pine tree and some oaks in the garden.

There goes the cat. There seems to be a relationship. There arise problems. There arises a problem.

5. “Introductory it” is always singular. It is my sister who works in the hospital. It is my cats which cause the trouble.

6. Subjects joined by and take a plural verb (except for number 2). My sister and brother live in Berlin. Both the teacher and the student were surprised.

7. Several, many, both, few are plural words and take a plural verb. Both are happy with the grades they got. Many were lost on the way. Few have done their homework.

8. Some nouns are always plural and always take a plural verb.

• • •

Trousers, pants, slacks, shorts, briefs, jeans Glasses, sunglasses Scissors, pliers, tweezers

My jeans are old. This year shorts are in fashion. Where are my scissors?

9. Some words such as none, any, all, more, most, some, majority, half may take either singular or plural verbs depending on the meaning. All the money has been spent. All of the students know the answer.

10. When subjects are joined by words such as neither, either, not only the verb must agree with the closer subject. Either the man or his wife knows the answer. Either the man or his friends know the answer. Either the children or the man knows the answer.

11. Collective nouns are usually singular when regarded as a unit. My family lives in Ankara. Our team has won every game this year.

Sometimes when the members are seen as functioning independently, these collective nouns may be plural. My family have a lot of money. (members of my family) Our team are working hard to win every game they play. (team members)

Some collective nouns in this group are:

Family, team, crew, class, government, committee

12. Some nouns have the same singular and plural form. They take singular or plural verb depending on the meaning. This species of monkeys lives only in India. There are many species of monkeys. Some nouns in this group are: Species, series, deer, fish, sheep

13. Expressions stating amount of time, money, weight, volume are plural in form but take a singular verb as in: Three weeks is a long time. Two hundred dollars is a lot of money.

14. Some nouns look plural with –s but they take a singular verb. Sciences

Abstract nouns

Diseases

Physics Mathematics Statistics Economics

News Politics Ethics

Measles Mumps

Mathematics is found difficult by many students. Statistics requires complicated methods.

15. Generic references with the require plural verb. The rich are not always happy. The young like to listen to loud music. The old hate loud music. The English are distant and the French are humorous.

16. Note the use of foreign plurals. Singular Analysis Thesis Crisis Basis Parenthesis

Plural Analyses Theses Crises Bases Parentheses

Curriculum Memorandum Datum Bacterium Medium

Curricula Memoranda Data Bacteria Media

Criterion Phenomenon

Criteria Phenomena

Stimulus Radius Syllabus

Stimuli Radii Syllabi

17. Don’t forget that some common English words have irregular plurals. Plural Child Person

Singular Children People

18. A relative pronoun takes a singular or plural verb depending on which noun it modifies. Lisa is one of the students who have passed with an A. (Many students passed with an A, Lisa is one of them.) Lisa is the only one of my students who has passed with an A. (Only Lisa passed with an A.)

PRONOUN

Pronoun: a word which is used to take the place of a noun. 

A pronoun can be used to do any of the “jobs” which a noun can do in a sentence

Antecedent: word(s) which the pronoun replaces. Kinds of Pronouns: Personal: Most commonly used pronouns. • • • • • •

I, me, my, mine you, your, yours he, him, his, she, her, hers, it, its we us, our, ours you, your, yours they, them, their, theirs

Interrogative: Used to ask questions • • • • •

who whose whom which what

Demonstrative: Used to point things out or call attention. • • • •

this that these those

Indefinite: Do not have antecedents • • • • •

another, anybody, anyone, anything each, either, everybody, everyone, everything little, much, neither, nobody, no one both, few, many, others, several all, any, more, most, none, some

Reflexive/Intensive: Ends in –self or -selves • • •

himself myself yourself

Reciprocal: • •

each other one another

SUBJECT PRONOUN Notes: 1. The written lesson is below. 2. Links to quizzes, tests, etc. are to the left.

A verb is an action word. run sit eat sink swim study The main form of a verb is called the infinitive. In English, infinitives include the word "to." to run to sit to eat to sink to swim to study The infinitive is the pure form of a verb. The infinitive is like a lump of clay that can be molded to match the subject of the sentence it is used in: I speak you speak he/she speaks we speak you-all* speak

they speak Note: The above forms are called conjugations of the infinitive "to speak."

Regarding the form "you-all" -- this usage is not considered to be standard English. In standard English, the same word is used for both the singular you and the plural you. That is, each of the following is correct: You have a tail light out, ma'am. You (kids) have soccer practice at four. In the first sentence, "you" refers to the singular "ma'am." In the second sentence, "you" refers to the plural "kids." To avoid confusion between you (singular) and you (plural), we will employ the non-standard English usage "you-all" to indicate you (plural). This will be very beneficial to y'all, particularly at the beginning of your studies.

CLOZE PASSAGE EXERCISES 1 - 19

PRACTICE 1 Question 1 – 8 are based on the following text. Malaysia is a beautiful and interesting country. It has a multiracial population of over 25 million people. The various races are able to ……1…… in peace and harmony. Malaysians enjoy a diversity ……2…… cultures and traditions. They ……3…… many religious and cultural festivals throughout the year. There is a wide range of food offered here. Hence, it is not surprising that Malaysia …….4…… a paradise for those who love food. One can get anything ……5…… traditional food to international cuisine. Shopping is another attraction. Those ……6…… like shopping can go to open-air markets or shopping complexes. The best time to enjoy discounts and specials offers is during the annual Mega Sale. As for transportation, it is convenient and affordable to get around the country. Therefore, tourists will be able to visit the ……7…… interesting places here. One can ……8…… tropical rainforests, hill resorts, beach resorts or historical sites. In short, Malaysia definitely has a lot to offer. 1 A live

5 A

in

B lives

B with

C lived

C from

D living

D

for

2 A at

6 A which

B of

B whose

C along

C whom

D between

D who

3 A celebrating

7 A some

B celebrated

B many

C celebrates

C much

D celebrate

D few

4 A is

8 A explore

B are

B explores

C was

C explored

D were

D exploring

PRACTICE 2 Question 1 – 8 are based on the following text. Many people enjoy camping as a recreation. It …..1….. quite an experience to spend a night in a tent with only basic supplies. If the weather ……2……, you can sleep outdoors with the sky above as the roof. .…3…… time with Mother Nature is a good way to release stress. If you have never gone camping, you …….4…… want to try it out as a weekend getaway. Besides the tent, remember to pack a first aid kit and medicine ……5…… you might need. Most importantly, you must not forget to ……6…… enough food and clean water. Suitable campsites can be found by the beaches, rivers, waterfalls or even private camping grounds. Set up your tent when you reach the campsite. ……7……, organise the things that you have carried along with you. At night, you would want to build a fire to keep yourself warm. So look around …8…… firewood. Now you should be ready for a weekend of fun and adventure.

1 A

is

5 A what

B

are

B

when

C

was

C

which

D

were

D

where

2 A

permit

6 A bring

B

permits

B brings

C

permitted

C brought

D

permitting

D bringing

3 A

Spent

B

Spend

B However

C

Spends

C Finally

D

Spending

D Then

4 A

can

7 A Meanwhile

8 A

off

B

may

B

for

C

need

C

by

D

must

D

at

PRACTICE 3 Questions 1 – 8 are based on the following text. It is surprising how many foreigners would like to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Situated 50 minutes away from Kuala Lumpur ……….(1) a little village that has homestay programme. This programme allows visitors to stay here and experience what it is like to ……….(2) in a kampong. This village is run ……….(3) the locals and since its opening, many have come here. They often say how ……….(4) they love this place. It is also for city folks, especially ……….(5) who want to get away from it all – to bask in the serenity, to hear the birds chirp and to breathe in the ……….(6) morning air. One of the things that visitors do is to sit on the floor and eat like the locals ……….(7) it is clear that they are very uncomfortable. Visitors leave the place with utmost ……….(8) and they often come back to revisit the place. This place is a treasure.

1.

A is

B are

C was

2.

A stay

B stays

C staying

3.

A up

B to

C by

4.

A much

B many

C little

5.

A this

B that

C these

6.

A freezing

B fresh

C fiery

7.

A since

8.

A satisfy

B while B satisfying

C because C satisfaction

D were

D from

D those

D although D satisfied

PRACTICE 4 Question 1 – 10 are based on the following text. During the last holidays I went to Johor to visit my uncle. While I was there I ………….(1) to watch a Kuda Kepang dance. It was the first time I had attended a Kuda Kepang dance ………….(2) and I was excited. Before the dance, prayers ………….(3) offered to the Spirit of the Horse. The dance began with the performers forming a circle in the ………….(4) of the field. They rode on wooden horses that were ………….(5) with bright colours. The dancers held the Kuda Kepang and moved …………. (6) with nimble steps as they swayed to the music. The master ………….(7) and guided the steps of the dancers. ………….(8) the dance progressed, the beat of the music got faster and so did the dancers’ movements. After the dance ………….(9) uncle explained that this dance was very popular in Johor. It was often performed ………….(10) festivals and weddings. He said that the Kuda Kepang dance originated form Java in Indonesia.

1.

A. go

B. go

C. went

D. going

2.

A. perform

B. performer

C. performing

D. performance

3.

A. was

B. were

C. be

D. being

4.

A. side

B. area

C. middle

D. compound

5.

A. seen

B. made

C. joined

D. painted

6.

A. behind

B. around

C. within

D. between

7.

A. sing

B. sung

C. sang

D. singing

8.

A. As

B. If

C. So

D. For

9.

A. its

B. my

C. his

D. their

10.

A. with

B. about

C. along

D. during

PRACTICE 5 Question 1 – 8 are based on the following text. School holidays are a time for enjoyment and relaxation. Parents need to plan where to………….(1) their children for a break, after months of studies. School holidays …………(2) perfect for parents to spend quality time with their children. Careful planning may be …………(3) key to a good holiday. Not everyone in the family …………(4) the same interests and needs. Therefore, planning …………(5) consulting every member of the family is vital. This is to prevent any unhappiness and grumbling …………(6) could spoil the holiday. A good holiday, …………(7), need not be a long distance trip. Even an outing to the shopping mall is a holiday, if it is planned properly. There are also …………(8) theme parks and nature parks. Nearby waterfalls, hot springs and beaches are also popular holiday destinations.

1

A take

B took

C takes

D taken

2

A is

B are

C has

D have

3

A a

B an

C the

4

A has

B had

C have

D having

5

A so

B or

C but

D and

6

A this

B that

C these

D those

7

A however

B whatever

C whenever

D moreover

8

A more

B most

C much

D many

PRACTICE 6 Questions 1 – 8 are based on the following text. Yesterday was Jerry’s birthday. As he was an only child, his parents took ……….(1) and a friend of his to the skateboard wall. Jerry was so happy ……….(2) he wanted to do this for a long time now. When they arrived, they had to wear ……….(3) gear – a kind of helmet, knee and elbow pads. They already knew ……….(4) to skateboard and when they were all checked up, they ……….(5) their places on top of the wall. They got ready and then they were ……….(6)! They moved smoothly and swiftly! As they slid from ……….(7) end to the other, they felt the rush of the wind, and ……….(8) joy was almost too much for them to bear. When they completed their run, they let out a loud “Yeah”. That says it all!

1

A he

B his

C him

D them

2

A so

B or

C then

D as

3

A protect

B protection

C protective

4

A how

B when

C where

D which

5

A take

B took

C taken

D taking

6

A in

B of

C off

7

A one

B next

C each

8

A an

B the

C that

D for

D this

PRACTICE 7 Questions 1 – 8 are based on the following text. Is there such a thing as toys for girls and toys for boys? Have you ever ............. (1) that when we were growing …………(2), our parents or the adults chose the toys that …………(3) played with? I remember that when I was young, I loved …………(4) play with matchbox cars from Lego and spent …………(5) of my time in the sand box in the playground. …………(6) adults would tell me, “You are a girl, you …………(7) go inside and play with your dolls.” Sure, I loved my dolls, …………(8) I also loved the games the boys played.

1.

A. notice

B. notices

C. noticed

D. noticing

2.

A. up

B. on

C. at

D. in

3.

A. he

B. she

C. we

D. they

4.

A. to

B. in

C. as

5.

A. lot

B. few

C. more

6.

A. The

B. We

C. You

7.

A. never

B. ought

C. would

D. should

8.

A. as

B. so

C. but

D. since

D. most

PRACTICE 8 Questions 1 – 7 are based on the following passage. A woman came out of her house and saw three old men with long white beards sitting in her front yard. She did not recognize them but insisted on inviting them into her house. One of the men __1__ up and said to her, “We do not go into a house together. I am Love. These are my friends, Wealth and Success.” Then he said to __2__ woman, “Go in and discuss with your husband which one of us you would like to invite into your house.” After much __3__, the husband finally decided that they should invite Love in so that they could have their house filled with love. When Love started __4__ into the house, the other two men also got up and followed him. Surprised, the woman asked, “I only invited Love in, __5__ are you coming in as well?” The men replied together, “If you had invited Wealth __6__ Success in, the two of us would have stayed out but ____ you invited Love, where he goes, we will follow. Wherever there is Love, there is always Wealth and Success.” 1

2

3

A

stand

B

5

A

why

stood

B

when

C

stands

C

what

D

standing

A

a

A

and

B

an

B

but

C

the

C

or

A

approval

A

since

B

discussion

B

although

C

calculation

C

therefore

D

determination

D

despite

6

7

4

A

walk

B

walks

C

walked

D

walking

PRACTICE 9 Questions 1 - 7 are based on the following passage. Herbs have become part and parcel of modern life. They are plants whose leaves, flowers or seeds are used in medicine, to add taste to food, or for __1__ pleasant smell. Some cultures simply cannot do without such herbs __2__ their food. In Thailand, lemon grass and lime leaves are used in almost every dish. In Malaysia and Indonesia, local herbs are __3__ raw. The use of herbs in these countries __4__ the taste of the food. As an example, mint leaves are used to enhance the taste in ‘laksa’, a popular local noodle dish. The highly aromatic curry leaf is __5__ essential item in Indian and Malay curries. This culinary herb is used for __6__ curries. It is seldom eaten. Some people believe that the consumption of curry leaves is good for one’s health. Many of these herbs have __7__ their way into the diets of people because of their nutritional and health values. There are many more waiting to be explored. (Adapted from Going Places Magazine, April 2005) 1

A

they

B

5

A

a

their

B

an

C

them

C

the

D

theirs

2

3

4

A

on

B

6

A

flavouring

at

B

flavoured

C

in

C

flavours

D

by

D

flavour

A

eat

A

find

B

ate

B

finds

C

eaten

C

found

D

eating

D

finding

A

assists

B

develops

C

discovers

D

enriches

7

PRACTICE 10 Questions 1 - 7 are based on the following passage. These days, the telephone has become an essential item in most homes. However, it can also be the most annoying object, especially when it rings just as you are about to leave your home. Most people usually ….1…. back inside to answer it. Is it really necessary to answer the phone in this age of the answering machine and voice mail? After all, you can simply call someone back ….2…. a more convenient time. So why are people ….3…. to rush in to grab the phone before it stops ringing? The answer is simple. Our ….4…. to a ringing phone is one of the few things in life that we have absolutely no control over. The constant ringing ….5…., at times, interrupt special moments,

such as when families dine, play or read together. The issue of answering the phone during ….6…. times can have drastic effects on family life. Richard Carlson offers this tip, ‘Ask yourself, “Is ….7…. the phone at this moment going to make my life easier, or is it going to add stress to my day?” 1

A rush

B rushes

C rushed

D rushing

2

A at

B in

C on

D for

3

A excited

B tempted

C convinced

D persuaded

4

A response

B respond

C impulse

D answer

5

A can

B will

C must

D should

6

A this

B that

C these

D those

7

A answer

B answers

C answered

D answering

PRACTICE 11 Questions 1 - 7 are based on the following passage. Time has become a precious item. The phrase ‘If only I had more time’ can be …1… everywhere. All over the world people are working longer hours and …2… to squeeze more into each day. Technology …3… is speeding things up. With laptops and mobile phones with hands-free kit, one can multitask. Most people want a slower pace of life but enthusiastically sign …4… for emailing, messaging services, evening classes and, ironically, time-management classes. The end result is a lack of quality time to spend with …5… ones.

The idea of enjoying oneself, doing absolutely nothing, has become terrifying to people. In the past, the rich had …6… of time to do nothing. Now the reverse is true. If you have time to kill, it is a sign of low status. The rich are buying more time by employing housemaids, child-minders and gardeners to …7… them at home. In this way they can work all the time. Why are we putting stress on ourselves by working more and more?

1

A hear

B heard

C hearing

D is heard

2

A try

B tries

C tried

D trying

3

A really

B actually

C unusually

D extremely

4

A in

B up

C off

D out

5

A his

B her

C our

D their

6

A lots

B many

C much

D enough

7

A institute

B substitute

C reconstitute

PRACTICE 12 Questions 1 – 10 are based on the following passage. One day a professor at a college was discussing the dangers of alcohol with his class. He presented a demonstration ..........(1) follows. He ……….(2) two beakers on his desk. He filled one with water and the ……….(3) with clear alcohol. ……….(4) each beaker he dropped an earthworm. In the beaker which ……….(5) water, the worm wriggled energetically. In the beaker which contained alcohol, ……….(6), the worm wriggled once ……….(7) twice. Then it died. “What ……….(8) you conclude from this demonstration?” the professor asked the students. He was ……….(9) the students had understood the demonstration. A student at the back of the class raised his hand. “If you drink alcohol, ..........(10) won’t have worms,” he answered. 1.

A. so

B. as

C. for

D. like

2.

A. sit

B. set

C. sat

D. seat

3.

A. one

B. two

C. other

D. another

4.

A. On

B. Into

C. With

D. From

5.

A. contain

B. contains

C. contained

D. containing

6.

A. besides

B. because

C. however

D. therefore

7.

A. or

B. but

C. and

D. hence

8.

A. does

B. must

C. may

D. Can

9.

A. sure

B. right

10.

A. I

B. it

C. correct C. he

D. accurate D. you

PRACTICE 13 Questions 1 – 10 are based on the following passage. I could not believe my eyes when I walked into the living room of my house yesterday. I saw ……….(1) brother Kasim lying face down on the floor. I tried to rouse him ……….(2) I could not. He was unconscious. Fearing the worst, I ……….(3) for his pulse carefully and found his heart beat. He was still alive. I searched ……….(4) cuts and bruises on his body but there were none. It was as if he had fallen ……….(5) on the floor. I looked around. Kasim’s school bag was on ……….(6) floor. Books spilt out of it and one of the straps was ……….(7). A chair lay overturned on the floor. ……….(8) had happened here, I wondered. Strangely, I felt calm and ……….(9) not panic. I noted that all the windows ……….(10) shut. I had opened the door with a key when I had entered. This proved that no one had broken in.

1.

A. I

B. my

C. me

D. mine

2.

A. but

B. or

C. so

D. and

3.

A. feel

B. felt

C. feels

4.

A. of

B. to

C. by

5.

A. sleep

B. slept

C. asleep

D. to feel D. for D. Sleeping

6.

A. a

B. an

C. the

D. –

7.

A. break

B. broke

C. breaks

D. broken

8.

A. What

B. How

C. Which

D. Where

9.

A. do

B. did

C. does

10.

A. has

B. was

C. were

D. doesn’t D. have

PRACTICE 14 Questions 1 – 8 are based on the following passage. Is there such a thing as toys for girls and toys for boys? Have you ever ............. (1) that when we were growing …………(2), our parents or the adults chose the toys that …………(3) played with? I remember that when I was young, I loved …………(4) play with matchbox cars from Lego and spent …………(5) of my time in the sand box in the playground. …………(6) adults would tell me, “You are a girl, you …………(7) go inside and play with your dolls.” Sure, I loved my dolls, …………(8) I also loved the games the boys played. 1.

A. notice

B. notices

C. noticed

D. noticing

2.

A. up

B. on

C. at

D. in

3.

A. he

B. she

C. we

D. they

4.

A. to

B. in

C. as

5.

A. lot

B. few

C. more

D. most

6.

A. The

B. We

C. You

7.

A. never

B. ought

C. would

D. should

8.

A. as

B. so

C. but

D. since

PRACTICE 15 Questions 1 – 10 are based on the following passage. There are many illnesses that we can succumb to. So we have to take good care of our health to ……….(1) these illnesses. The common illnesses that inflict people are diabetes, cancer and osteoporosis. In the case of people suffering ……….(2) diabetes, the sugar in the blood is abnormally high. Diabetes can cause many ……….(3). As for cancer, it is a complex disease and much is still ……….(4) about it. Cancer is one of the main causes of death these days. Osteoporosis occurs when the bones become more fragile. This usually happens with age. ……….(5), weakening of bone can begin much earlier. One in two women over fifty will have an osteoporosis-related fracture. Some ……….(6) start having this problem in their fifties. Another health problem is related to the eyes. A normal healthy eye is ……….(7) by a fluid which has pressure just like blood. Glaucoma, the damage in the optic nerve which carries images from the eye to the brain is related to this type of pressure. 1.

A prevented

B prevent

C prevents

2.

A from

B off

C at

3.

A complicate

B complicates

C complications

4.

A known

B unknown

C knowing

D preventing

D complicated

5.

A Although

B Therefore

C However

6.

A shall

B ought

C might

D should

7.

A covered

B closed

C restricted

D protected

PRACTICE 16 Questions 1 – 10 are based on the following passage. The elephants ……….(1) our jungles are of the same species as other Asian elephants found throughout ……….(2) tropical rainforests of mainland Southeast Asia. Past records show that in Malaysia, elephants were abundant that we ……….(3) able to export them to Jawa for work. The population ……….(4), began to dwindle as many were killed for their ivory tusks. As more and more of the jungles ……….(5) being cleared for logging, agriculture ……….(6) human settlements, elephants were being squeezed into ever-decreasing pockets of habitats. There is ……….(7) concern in the Department of Wildlife and National Parks to protect this endangered species. 1.

A inhibit

B inhibiting

C inhibits

D inhibited

2.

A the

B in

C at

D with

3.

A are

B was

C is

D were

4.

A although

B because

C however

D but

5.

A is

B are

C was

D were

6.

A and

B but

C by

D at

7.

A growing

B grow

C grows

D grew

PRACTICE 17 Questions 1 – 10 are based on the following passage. Despite its ban in 1983, boric acid, a ……….(1) preservative widely used in food preparation, still gets into our body because of some ……….(2) traders. Traces of boric acid are often found in noodles, dumplings, cakes and soya bean products. It is also commonly used in ………(3) preservation such as in the preserving of fish and prawns for export. According to a local consumer association, less than a teaspoon of this ……….(4) preservative is enough to kill a child. Once inside our bloodstream, it attacks the liver and brain. In severe cases, the ……….(5) person will drift into a coma and eventually die if medical assistance is not provided early enough. To ensure that the use of boric acid is not ……….(6), more effective measures must be taken in the enforcement of its ban. ……….(7) fines should be imposed on the culprits and their licences should also be withdrawn. These measures would surely deter other offenders from engaging in this unethical act. 1.

A raw

B toxic

C tasty

D common

2.

A hopeful

B inexperienced

C irresponsibleD stingy

3.

A seafood

B edible

C animal

4.

A fatal

B lethal

C corrosive

5.

A sick

B affected

C victimised

D unfortunate

6.

A abused

B harmful

C careless

D overlooked

7.

A Heavy

B Strict

C Expensive

D vegetable

PRACTICE 18 Questions 1 – 10 are based on the following passage. It is important to know English well for several reasons. Students should take this subject ……….(1). English, an international language, is used ……….(2) in the business world. A lot of ……….(3) is carried out in English. Knowing English is useful if we want to travel to other countries. People who want to do business overseas must know English. As the world gets ………. (4) through rapid transport and technology, English increases in importance. English is the main language used by Internet websites. We need to know English ………. (5) to use the Internet as a source of information. Many books ……….(6) in the market are in English. Of course, many have ……….(7) translated into other languages. However, it is better to read them in the original language. 1.

A critically

B importantly

C gravely

D seriously

2.

A widely

B wide

C wider

D widest

3.

A communicate

B communicating

C communicated

D communication

4.

A small

B smaller

C smallest

5.

A so that

B in order

C such that

6.

A sell

B sells

C sold

7.

A be

B to be

C being

D though

D been

PRACTICE 19 Questions A – E are based on the following passage. She was walking back to 1………. (her/hers) house when she heard the sound of a car behind her. It sounded familiar. Wasn’t it 2………. (her/hers)? Why was 3………. (her/hers) car not in 4………. (it/its/it’s) usual place under the tree? She turned around. It was indeed 5………. (her/hers) car. But there were two men driving it. Who were they? ‘Stop!’ she shouted. ‘That’s 6………. (my/mine) car!’ ‘No, it isn’t,’ they laughed. ‘It’s 7……….(our/ours).’ How could it be 8………. (their/theirs), she wondered. It had 9 ………. (her/hers) license plates. It was 10 ………. (her/hers) car. The men had stolen it.

A. Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb in brackets.

a. When Mary …………..(see) the advertisement of the job in the papers, she ………… (decide) to apply for it. She …………(send) the application last week but she ………………………(not receive) a reply yet. She …………..(hope) to hear from them soon. b. She ………..(come) home late one night. She …………..(pass) my house at exactly ten o’clock. I asked myself. ‘What …………(happen) to her car? Did anyone ……….(steal) it? I ………...(keep) asking myself until I ………(fall) asleep.

c. My roommates and I …………(is/are) going to the cinema tonight. The movie …………(start/starts) at eight and will probably end at ten-thirty. I …………(hope/hopes) to catch a bus home and Susan may come with me.

‘It ………..(is/are) dark where we …………(live/lives),’ Susan said to me. ‘Will we be safe?’ ‘The police …………(is/are) on duty every night,’ I assured her. ‘When will I …………(feel/feels) safe?’ she sighed. ‘I …………(am/is/are) not as afraid as Susan …………(am/is/are). The government …………(has/have) promised to fix some street lights soon. My father …………(hope/hopes) it will be tomorrow. I don’t think it will happen that soon. Twenty kilometres …………(is/are) too long a stretch for lights to be fixed so quickly.’

B. Choose the correct form – simple present or simple past. It had been hot that evening until the rain had fallen. Nadia 1……………(steps/stepped) into her cool new villa and 2…………… (slumps/slumped) into a large chair. She 3…………… (kicks/kicked) off her sandals and 4…………… (drops/dropped) her head into her hands. Then she 5…………… (hears/heard) a cough. There 6…………… (is/was) someone in the house! ‘7……………(Is/Was) there someone there?’ she asked. ‘8…………… (Show/Showed) yourself, whoever you 9…………… (are/were).’ Her only answer 10………. (is/was) dead silence.

E. Read the passage and choose the correct words in the brackets given. In the city of Kuala Lumpur, there is a road named Jalan Yap Ah Loy. The road is named after the man who 1…………(develops/developed) Kuala Lumpur from a small town to a major city in the late 1800s. born in the Guangdong province of China on March 14, 1837, Yap Ah Loy 2…………(leaves/left) for Malacca to work at a tin mine. With some money 3………… (saves/saved), he moved to Selangor and 4…………(starts/started) his own small business. The business flourished and he eventually 5………….(becomes/became) the Kapitan of Sungai Ujong. In 1868, as the Kapitan of Kuala Lumpur, he 6…………(sees/saw) the potential of the town and began to develop it into a city. Sadly, all his efforts

7……….(was/were) destroyed in the Selangor Civil War during the period 1869 to 1873. Despite this setback, Kapitan Yap Ah Loy never 8……….(gives/gave) up on his dreams of building Kuala Lumpur into a major city. He 9……….(steps/stepped) up efforts to rebuild and in 1880, Kuala Lumpur was officially 10…………(declares/declared) the state capital of Selangor. His notable achievements 11…………(includes/included) infrastructural developments, the first Chinese school, a prison and a tapioca mill in Jalan Petaling. Some local people believed that Jalan Petaling 12……….(is/was) still called Chee Cheong Gai (Tapioca Mill Road in Chinese) because Yap’s mill was located there. After serving seventeen years as the Kapitan, Yap 13…………(dies/died) of bronchitis at the age of forty-eight.

MODULE FOR LOWER ENGLISH PROFICIENCY

A. FORM AND FUNCTION OF ADJECTIVES FORM 1. Adjectives are invariable: They do not change their form depending on the gender or number of the noun. A hot potato

Some hot potatoes

2. To emphasise or strengthen the meaning of an adjective use 'very' or 'really': A very hot potato

Some really hot potatoes.

(BUT see also Modifiers/Adverbs) 3. Position of adjectives: a) Usually in front of a noun: A beautiful girl. b) After verbs like "to be", "to seem" , "to look", "to taste": • • •

The girl is beautiful. You look tired. This meat tastes funny.

c) After the noun: in some fixed expressions: • • •

The Princess Royal The President elect a court martial

The adjectives involved, present, concerned: I want to see the people involved/concerned (= the people who have something to do with the matter) 2. Here is a list of the people present (= the people who were in the building or at the meeting) 1.

Be careful! When these adjectives are used before the noun they have a different meaning:

• • •

An involved discussion = detailed, complex A concerned father = worried, anxious The present situation = current, happening now

FUNCTION Adjectives tell us more about a noun. They can: Describe feelings or qualities: He is a lonely man They are honest people Give nationality or origin: Pierre is French This clock is German Our house is Victorian Tell more about a thing's characteristics: A wooden table. The knife is sharp. Tell us about age: He's a young man My coat is very old Tell us about size and measurement: John is a tall man. This is a very long film. Tell us about colour: Paul wore a red shirt. The sunset was crimson and gold.

Tell us about material/what something is made of:

It was a wooden table She wore a cotton dress Tell us about shape: A rectangular box A square envelope Express a judgement or a value: A fantastic film Grammar is boring.

ORDER

Where a number of adjectives are used together, the order depends on the function of the adjective. The usual order is:

Value/opinion, Size, Age/Temperature, Shape, Colour, Origin, Material Value/opinion

delicious, lovely, charming

Size

small, huge, tiny

Age/Temperature old, hot, young Shape

round, square, rectangular

Colour

red, blonde, black

Origin

Swedish, Victorian, Chinese

Material

plastic, wooden, silver

Examples: • • •

a lovely old red post-box some small round plastic tables some charming small silver ornaments

B. COMPARISON OF ADJECTIVES

FORMING THE COMPARATIVE AND SUPERLATIVE Number of syllables one syllable tall

Comparative + -er taller

Superlative + -est tallest

One syllable with the spelling consonant + single vowel + consonant: double the final consonant: fat fatter fattest big bigger biggest sad sadder saddest

Number of syllables Comparative Superlative two syllables + -er OR more + adj + -est OR most + adj ending in: -y, -ly, -ow ending in: -le, -er or -ure these common adjectives - handsome, polite, pleasant, common, quiet happy happier/ more happy happiest/ most happy yellow yellower/ more yellow yellowest/ most yellow simple simpler/ more simple simplest/ most simple tender tenderer/ more tender tenderest/ most tender

If you are not sure, use MORE + OR MOST + Note: Adjectives ending in '-y' like happy, pretty, busy, sunny, lucky etc:. replace the -y with -ier or -iest in the comparative and superlative form busy busier busiest Number of syllables Comparative three syllables or more more + adj important more important

Superlative most + adj most important

expensive

most expensive

more expensive

Examples: a. A cat is fast, a tiger is faster but a cheetah is the fastest b. A car is heavy, a truck is heavier, but a train is the heaviest

c. A park bench is comfortable, a restaurant chair is more comfortable, but a sofa is the most comfortable

IRREGULAR COMPARATIVES AND SUPERLATIVES These adjectives have completely irregular comparative and superlative forms: Adjective good bad little much far

Comparative better worse less more further / farther

Superlative best worst least most furthest / farthest

THE + SUPERLATIVE 'the' is placed before the superlative: For example: • • •

He is the richest man in the world. That is the biggest crocodile I have ever seen. She is the tallest girl in her class.

COMPARATIVE + THAN To compare the difference between two people, things or events. Examples: • • • •

Mt. Everest is higher than Mt. Blanc. Thailand is sunnier than Norway. A car is more expensive than a bicycle. Albert is more intelligent than Arthur.

AS + ADJECTIVE + AS To compare people, places, events or things, when there is no difference, use as + adjective + as: •

Peter is 24 years old. John is 24 years old. Peter is as old as John.

More examples: • •

Moscow is as cold as St. Petersburg in the winter. Ramona is as happy as Raphael.

• •

Einstein is as famous as Darwin. A tiger is as dangerous as a lion.

NOT AS + ADJECTIVE + AS Difference can also be shown by using not so/as ...as: • • • •

Mont Blanc is not as high as Mount Everest Norway is not as sunny as Thailand A bicycle is not as expensive as a car Arthur is not as intelligent as Albert

COMPARISONS OF QUANTITY To show difference: more, less, fewer + than To show no difference: as much as , as many as, as few as, as little as Examples: With countable nouns: more / fewer • • • • •

Eloise has more children than Chantal. Chantal has fewer children than Eloise. There are fewer dogs in Cardiff than in Bristol I have visited fewer countries than my friend has. He has read fewer books than she has.

With uncountable nouns: more / less • • • • •

Eloise has more money than Chantal. Chantal has less money than Eloise. I spend less time on homework than you do. Cats drink less water than dogs. This new dictionary gives more information than the old one.

So, the rule is: MORE + nouns that are countable or uncountable FEWER + countable nouns LESS + uncountable nouns

To show no difference: as much as , as many as, as few as, as little as •

as many as / as few as + countable nouns

•

as much as / as little as + uncountable nouns

Examples: With countable nouns: • • • • • •

They have as many children as us. We have as many customers as them. Tom has as few books as Jane. There are as few houses in his village as in mine. You know as many people as I do. I have visited the States as many times as he has.

With uncountable nouns: • • • • •

PRACTICE 1

John eats as much food as Peter. Jim has as little food as Sam. You've heard as much news as I have. He's had as much success as his brother has. They've got as little water as we have.

Adjective Opposites First, underline the adjective in each sentence below. Then, write the opposite of the adjective in the blank next to the sentence. Example: The radio was very loud. __soft___________ 1. The children were all happy. _________________ 2. The towels were wet. _________________ 3. Joey picked apples from the tallest tree. _________________ 4. The young man bought a newspaper. _________________ 5. Betty drank a glass of warm milk. _________________ 6. It is a windy day. _________________ 7. The books were on the top shelf. _________________ 8. Frankie's bedroom is messy. _________________ 9. Do you like thick milkshakes? _________________ 10. Aunt Margaret drives an old car. _________________ 11. Please put the sharp knives in the drawer. _________________ 12. Kelly is the fastest swimmer on our team. _________________ 13. Mitch has long hair on his head. _________________ 14. I cannot believe how dark this room is. _________________ 15. I had fresh bread with jelly for breakfast. _________________

ANSWER KEY Adjective Opposites

First, underline the adjective in each sentence below. Then, write the opposite of the adjective in the blank next to the sentence. Example: The radio was very loud. __soft___________ Answers may vary slightly in the opposites column. 1. The children were all happy. sad 2. The towels were wet. dry 3. Joey picked apples from the tallest tree. shortest 4. The young man bought a newspaper. old 5. Betty drank a glass of warm milk. cool 6. It is a windy day. calm 7. The books were on the top shelf. bottom 8. Frankie's bedroom is messy. neat 9. Do you like thick milkshakes? thin 10. Aunt Margaret drives an old car. new 11. Please put the sharp knives in the drawer. dull 12. Kelly is the fastest swimmer on our team. slowest 13. Mitch has long hair on his head. short 14. I cannot believe how dark this room is. light 15. I had fresh bread with jelly for breakfast. stale

PRACTICE 2

Adjective or Adverb? Adjectives describe nouns. Adverbs describe verbs. The yellow basket was full of toys. The word yellow describes the basket. Since basket is a noun, the word yellow is an adjective. She quickly typed an e-mail. The word quickly describes how she typed. Since typed is a verb, the word quickly is an adverb. Directions: Circle the correct words in parenthesis below. 1. The fat duck ate a fish. The word fat describes ( the duck / the fish ). Duck is a ( noun / verb ). Fat is an ( adjective / adverb ). 2. The boy yells louder than anyone else. The word louder describes ( how the boy yells / the boy ). The word yells is a ( noun / verb ). Louder is an ( adjective / adverb ). 3. We ate the hot soup. The word hot describes (the soup / how we ate the soup ). The word soup is a ( noun / verb ). Hot is an ( adjective / adverb ). 4. Grandpa walked slowly to the garage. The word slowly describes (grandpa / how grandpa walked ). The word walked is a ( noun / verb ). Slowly is an ( adjective / adverb ). 5. Marla patiently waited her turn. The word patiently describes (how Marla waited / Marla ). The word waited is a ( noun / verb ). Patiently is an ( adjective / adverb ).

ADVERBS An adverb is a word that describes an action verb. An adverb can describe how an action happens.

example: Jason quickly read the book. How did Jason read? Quickly. An adverb can describe when an action happens. example: We went to the store yesterday? When did we go? Yesterday. An adverb can describe where an action happens. example: He put the paper here. Where did he put the paper? Here.

PRACTICE 3 Directions: An action verb is underlined in each sentence. Circle

the adverb that describes the verb. 1. I carefully glued the last piece onto the model. 2. Francis played on the beach yesterday. 3. I will visit my friend tomorrow. 4. George, will you come here? 5. They swam lazily in the pool. 6. Neil slowly placed a card on the card house. 7. They cheerfully sing songs. 8. Nathan stamped his feet angrily. 9. My father snored loudly on the couch. 10. Sam accidentally slipped on the ice. 11. Yesterday, they played a game. 12. The truck grumbled loudly. 13. We will go to the concert soon. 14. The boy waited patiently for the computer to load. 15. Kayla finally arrived at the park. 16. My mother nicely reminded me to do my homework. 17. The kitten walked there. 18. I usually lock the car door. 19. My dog always barks. 20. Peter neatly wrote a shopping list. 21. I carefully glued the last piece onto the model. 22. Francis played on the beach yesterday. 23. I will visit my friend tomorrow. 24. George, will you come here? 25. They swam lazily in the pool. 26. Neil slowly placed a card on the card house. 27. They cheerfully sing songs.

28. Nathan stamped his feet angrily. 29. My father snored loudly on the couch. 30. Sam accidentally slipped on the ice. 31. Yesterday, they played a game. 32. The truck grumbled loudly. 33. We will go to the concert soon. 34. The boy waited patiently for the computer to load. 35. Kayla finally arrived at the park. 36. My mother nicely reminded me to do my homework. 37. The kitten walked there. 38. I usually lock the car door. 39. My dog always barks. 40. Peter neatly wrote a shopping list.

ADVERBS Adverbs : How, When and Where

Adverbs tell how, when, or where an action happens. Examples: Mr. Star neatly painted his house. The adverb neatly describes how Mr. Star painted. Beth usually goes to the store on Saturday. The adverb usually describes when Beth goes to the store. Kathy went inside the blue house. The adverb inside describes where Kathy went. Directions: Read each sentence. Decide whether the underlined adverb is describing when, where, or how an action happens. Write how, when, or where on each line. 1. Jeremy quickly ate his lunch. ________________ 2. Kaylee often reads books about vampires. ________________ 3. Olivia immediately came to the rescue. ________________ 4. When will you come here to visit us? ________________ 5. Marcus slowly walked to the barber shop. ________________ 6. Sometimes Martin goes to the museum. ________________ 7. Please speak clearly. ________________

PRACTICE 4

Directions: Read each sentence. Decide whether the underlined adverb is describing when, where, or how an action happens. Write how, when, or where on each line. 1. Jeremy quickly ate his lunch. how 2. Kaylee often reads books about vampires. when 3. Olivia immediately came to the rescue. when 4. When will you come here to visit us? where 5. Marcus slowly walked to the barber shop. how 6. Sometimes Martin goes to the museum. when 7. Please speak clearly. How

ADVERBS An adverb is a word that describes an action verb.

playfully carefully sincerely slowly happily quickly patiently loudly quietly safely Directions: Fill in the blank lines with the adverb that best fits each sentence. Use the adverbs in the word box above. 1.) Sarah skipped ____________down the street to see her friend. 2.) The team ran ______________ towards the finish line to win the race. 3.) The librarian told the kids to read their books ________________. 4.) The cat chased the ball around _________________. 5.) Dan waited _______________ for his turn to hit the puck. 6.) The turtle walked ____________ and couldn’t keep up with the rabbit. 7.) Sharon chose the answers for her test ______________ so she would pass. 8.) Mike saw there were no cars coming so he could cross the street _______________. 9.) The kids shouted __________________ as they played in gym class. 10.) We say the pledge of allegiance ________________ because we love our country.

ADVERBS Adverbs can tell how, when, or where an action takes place. Many adverbs that tell how an action takes place end wit the letters -ly.

Circle the adverb in each sentence. One sentence will have two adverbs. Can you find it? 1. I want that game badly. 2. They cried loudly. 3. Sloths move slowly. 4. They eventually found the restaurant. 5. The children squealed cheerfully at the park. 6. Their mother thoughtfully and carefully devised a plan. 7. The car sped quickly through the neighborhood. 8. You have performed poorly on the project. 9. We rarely see a comet.

EXERCISES

PRACTICE High Crime Rates Due to the high crime rate in the city today, many people prefer to stay at home. They __(1)__ watch television or surf the Net or listen to music. They fear __(2)__ their home after dark. This mean that city people are getting __(3)__ lonely. But man is a social creature. We need companionship to __(4)__.. Close __(5)__ is normally achieved through family, marriage and friendship. It is in the family that we find __(6)__ first deep companionship. In the family, we are bonded __(7)__ our parents and siblings as well. We may also find __(8)__ relationships within our extended family, for instance, with and uncle or grandparents. Most family relationships are time-bound. 1.

A B C D

as well as neither either both

2.

A B C D

left leave leaves to leave

3.

A B C D

increases increased increasing increasingly

4.

A B C D

survive survived survival surviving

5.

A B C D

companion companionable companionship companionably

6.

A B C D

my our ours their

7.

A B C D

at to off from

8.

A B C D

love loves loved loving

PREPOSITIONS A Preposition is placed before a noun or pronoun to show the relation between this noun or pronoun and some other word in the sentence. Examples : -Put his book on the table. Give this book to him. Note - The noun or prooun placed after the preposition is called its Object In the above sentences, the noun " table " is the object of the preposition " on " ; and the pronoun " him " is the object of the preposition " to ". The following list contains some other examples of the preposition : -( a ) A lamp is hung above my head. ( b ) He sailed across the sea. ( c ) He returned after many days ( d ) He is not at home just now. ( e ) He stands before the door ( f ) The dog ran behind its master. ( g ) He stood below me in the class ( h ) I sat beside him. ( i ) There is nothing in the room besides a table. ( j ) You must be back by four o'clock. ( k ) He does this sum for his calssmate. ( l ) He came from school. ( m ) Go into the garden. ( n ) He sent me a box of books ( p ) He sat under the tree. ( q ) He killed the bird with a stone.

RATIONAL CLOZE Practice 1 What is your reaction when someone does something to hurt you? ....................(1) you forgive the person? Or do you pent ............................(2) all the hurt and anger inside? Unforgiveness is not a good thing to have in our heart. It has been .......................(3) that unforgiveness can cause physical ailments. This may appear as a surprise to many, ........................(4) it is true. Imagine someone has hurt you and you happen to see the person. If you haven't forgiven that person, your ..............................(5) reaction will be to get angry. ......................(6) will raise your blood pressure. Getting angry frequently will also raise your chances of ...........................(7) heart attack. Psychologically, getting angry will ruin your outlook in life and destroy your peace ..............................(8) mind. This may lead to anxiety, sleeplessness and a host of other ailments that are interconnected with each other.

Practice 1 1.

A Did B Do C Does

2.

A B C D

down out up across

3.

A B C D

prove proves proven proving

4.

A and B but C or

5.

A B C D

second last first final

6.

A B C D

Joy Peace Kindness Anger

7.

A a B an C the

8.

A B C D

of by with along

Practice 2 There are a lot of islands located in the north west of Peninsular Malaysia. There ..........................(1) an archipelago of islands called the Isles of Langkawi. The 104 islands which are part of this group have been .........................(2) legendary. ........................(3) to folklore, the name 'Langkawi' originates from the ancient words 'lang' and 'kawi' which when combined ..........................(4) 'brown eagle'. True to .........................(5) name, one can commonly see brown eagles soaring on high encircling airspace of chain of islands. These magnificient birds of prey look like the rulers of .............................(6) skies. Often, eagles nest ..............................(7) the highest rocky peaks along the coastlines of the islands and mountains. They build their nests to teach their young to ............................(8). A mother eagle teaches its young to fly by

repeatedly kicking it out of the nest and catching it before it touches the ground until the eaglet learns to flap its own wings and fly.

1.

A B C D

are is was were

2.

A calling B calls C called

3.

A B C D

Listen Told As According

4.

A B C D

meaning meant means mean

5.

A B C D

your their our its

6.

A an B the C a

7.

A on B at C in

8.

A B C D

run swim fly hop

Practice 3 Good morning to the Principal, teachers, and my fellow students. my speech today is ..............................(1) 'Using Plants to Beautify Our School'. When we look at our natural surroundings, we can see that it is mostly the plants that .............................(2) life and beauty to a place. So, ......................(3) don't we tap into this natural beauty in order to make our school environment more conducive to learning? The first thng we can do is increase the number and variety of potted plants in .............................(4) school. It is best if each class takes the time and effort to do this - .........................(5) as a class project or as an extracurricular activity. The ...............................(6) thing we can do is conduct regular 'gotong-royong' or cleaning up sessions to properly maintain the readily existing plants in our school. There is already too much for the school gardeners to handle and perhaps we can lend ...........................(7) a hand in the less streneous activities. We can weed and water the plants near our classrooms and even sculpt plants according ............................(8) our own creative designs using wire moulds. I hope you will share my excitement in this endeavour. Thank you for listening.

.

1.

A named B nicknamed C titled

2.

A B C D

give gave giving given

3.

A B C D

when how who why

4.

A their B my

C D A B C

our his may be perhaps such

6.

A B C D

first sixth third second

7.

A B C D

her us them ourselves

8.

A to B by C with

5.

Each question in the text below refers to a numbered blank. For each question, fill in the blank with a suitable answer. Choose the answer from the list of words given below. Write your answers in the space provided. Some words may be used more than once. Last weekend I visited Haris. He just moved into his new house in Taman Orkid. He took me around his house. The____________ _ (1) of the house is very attractive. He showed me his bedroom. He has a big and spacious bedroom. His bed is made of_____________ (2) teakwood. He has a small cupboard. He___________ (3) and keeps his clothes in it. In one_____________ (4) of his room sits a marble table, where he does his homework. The_____________ (5) of the table is smooth and nice to touch. Haris has a huge collection of Enid Blyton story books. I could hardly_______________ (6) the number of books. They were neatly_______________ (7) on a shelf at another_______________(8) of the room.

THE END