2006 Grammar (Thanks to Agnes)

Section B: Grammar & Usage (30 Marks)
I. Complete the following passage by filling in each blank with the correct tense of the verb given in brackets. Write your answer in the spaces provided on the right-hand side. (10 marks)

The other day I (1) was enjoying (enjoy) a pleasant ride on the top deck of a tram when it suddenly (2) stopped (stop). (3) Looking (Look) through the front window, I could see a whole line of trams ahead. Some impatient passengers (4) were getting (get) out onto the street, grumbling and arguing among themselves. Others, like me, (5) sat (sit) and and waited for the repair crew (6) to arrive (arrive). Later I (7) learned (learn) that a signboard (8) had fallen (fall) down and (9) hit (hit) the overhead cable, so that the electricity supply(10) was cut (cut) off. We (11) were delayed (delay) only a short time because the repairmen soon (12) arrived (arrive) and the cable (13) was mended (mend) quickly. Then the trams (14) set (set) off again, rocking gently along the tram lines, just as they (15) had done (do) for the past 100 years. I (16) was (be) surprised to see how many trams could gather together in such a short time. They (17) are (be) still a popular form of transport today and although they (18) have been criticized (criticize) for being old-fashioned, I believe they (19) will continue (continue) to serve the public for many years (20) to come (come)

II. Rewrite each of the following sentences without changing the meaning.
You need to follow the instructions given in brackets. (10 marks)

Example: ‘Let's go out for a walk', he said. (Begin with 'He suggested')
He suggested going out for a walk.

1. My father is always busy with his work. My mother is busy, too.(Combine, using ‘as…as’)
ans: My father is as busy as my mother.

2. Joseph was very hungry, but he ate very little. (Begin with ‘Although’)
ans: Although Joseph was very hungry, he ate very little.

3. Where will you be staying in London? (Begin with ‘Please let me know)
ans: Please let me know where you will be staying in London.

4. She asked him whether he worked in the main office or branch office. (Rewrite in question form)
ans: 'Do you work in the main office or branch office?' she asked him.

5. That car looks very small. I don't think it can carry the seven of us.(Combine and use ‘too’ in your sentence)
ans: That car is too small to carry seven of us.

III Complete the following passage by using the correct form of the word given in brackets. Write your answers in the spaces provided on the right-hand side of the page. (5 marks)

Henry’s first day as a salesman was very trying. He left home earlyin the morning feeling confident. With what he had learnt in the (1) training (train) course, he was sure that (2) success(succeed) was guaranteed. However, real life (3) situations (situate) are sometimes quite (4)different (differ) from what one learns in the classroom...........