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Training language with rephrasing or rewriting can have a twofold aim for us: first, we will
practise exactly the kind of grammar tasks that are awaiting for us in our beloved PAU test;
second, it will improve our writing considerably, for example when we are writing our
conclusion in an essay (we have to rephrase opinions and arguments) or in a review, or just
because we force ourselves into writing complex structures so that our language becomes
more varied and richer.
So, here you are.
(This is one of the most frequent types of rephrasing exercises in PAU; they can ask you for
nearly anything, ranging from passives, causatives, modals, tense changes, use of
connectors, and all that jazz)
REPHRASE THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES USING THE WORD GIVEN SO THAT THEY HAVE A SIMILAR
MEANING TO THE GIVEN ONE:
1. . She will ask someone to build a shed for her. BUILT
2. They stayed up all night because they wanted to see the comet. ORDER
3. . Could you explain this to me? MIND
4. . It's possible that she won't ring after all. MAY
5.

. His car is in the garage where they are changing its wheels. HAVING

6. . Tommy's bicycle was stolen. HAD

7. . People say that he was treated unfairly. SAID
8. . It wasn't necessary for you to send us a cheque. NEEDN'T
9. . If you don't remember his number, how can you phone him? UNLESS
10. . Her dad will shorten her jeans. SHORTENED
11. . The day was so wet that I stayed at home. SUCH
12. . Is your friend feeding the dog while you're away? FED
13. . She asked a caterer to prepare the food for the reception. HAD
14. . This is the school I studied at. WHERE
15. . It is not possible that he has spent so much money. CAN'T
16. . You should get some house insurance because you may be burglec CASE
17. . My sister is n hospital where they are taking her appendix out. HAVING
18. A tailor made his new suit. HAD
19. . A naughty boy broke Jim's shop window. HAD

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20. . My friend will ask someone to organise his party. ORGANISED

21. . He's going to ask an accountant to check his receipts. CHECKED
22. . A plumber repaired Mrs Smith's sink. GOT
23. . His finger was shot off in the war. HAD
24. . Did you get your brother to fix your motorbike? HAVE
(This is equally frequent; instead of being given a word, youre asked to finish the sentence;
again, all grammar is likely to show up here)
COMPLETE THE SECOND SENTENCE SO THAT IT HAS A SIMILAR MEANING TO THE FIRST:
25. . He won't help you if you don't ask him.
Unless
26. . Everyone knows that the statement was untrue.
The statement.
27. She's a managing director although she's only seventeen.
Despite the fact
28. The last time he went to Rome was two years ago.
He hasn't
29. When was the last time you went to a museum?
How long ago
30. Even though he's a millionaire, he hates spending money.
In spite of
31. It never seemed likely that the disagreement would be settled.
At no
32. If you park here, you'll be fined 150 .
Dont
33. You'd better confess your crime.
If
34. He was too ill to go to work.
He wasn't
35. You do not often come across someone as well-informed as Julian Assange.
Seldom
36. The film was boring.
I was
37. It's a long time since he heard from his brother.
He hasn't.
38. Although he has been told to stop, he still smokes.
In spite of
39. Ive never ridden a camel before.
It's the
40. Walking for miles is tiring.

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It's
41. We had just sat down to eat when the telephone rang.
No sooner
42. It's too hard for them to climb up the mountain.
It isn't
43. In spite of losing thirty kilos, she's still overweight.
Although.
44. This is the silliest story Ive ever read.
l've never
45. Could you lend me your gloves, please?
Would you mind
46. His remark was irritating.
I
47. . Many people believe that the climate is changing.
It
48. You are not to visit the old part of town on your own, whatever happens.
Under no
49. . You'd better see a doctor.
If
50. Take your medicine, otherwise you won't get better.
If.
51. . Everyone knows that he has been in prison
He.
52. I refuse to work for that company again.
Never
53. She didnt really realise what was about to happen.
Little
54. You won't make any spelling mistakes provided you use a dictionary.
If
55. . They claim that this diamond is the largest in the world.
It
56. He would not have learned the news if he hadn't been listening to the radio.
Had
57. She went home early because she was exhausted.
If
58. She attended the meeting n spite of her illness.
Although
59. He performs so well that the audience hang on his every word.
So
60. They managed to arrive on time, despite the heavy snowstorm.
Even though
61. . Many people say that the new prices are too high.

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The new prices

62. We were not allowed into the country until our visas had been double-checked.
Only
63. This is the first time that television has played such an important role in our lives.
Never
64. It was to be another six months before Sally met him again.
Not
(Sometimes you are not just given the beginning, but also the end of the sentence, and
youre asked to complete it. Its easier, but it also can be the best way to ask you to write
modal verbs)
65. This is the best holiday I ve ever had.
I Ve never had .before.
66. She's never been skiing before.
It's the ............................................................ skiing.
67. When did you move to this house?
How long is it this house?
68. The last time I saw Sally was a year ago.
It's .saw Sally.
69. Despite his youth he can speak three languages.
Although languages.
70. It's months since I saw a good film.
I haven't. months.
71. They arrived too late to meet the princess.
They didn't.. the princess.
72. Do you mind checking this for me?
Could ......................................................... for me?
73. It wasn't necessary for you to buy a ticket.
You needn't ........................................... a ticket.
74. It's not possible that he's Italian!
He Italian!
75. It was wrong of her to tell lies.
She . lies.
76. She is expected to win the competition.
It the competition.
77. People say that he is very talented.
He .......................................................... talented.
78. Ring him now, otherwise it will be too late.
If you.. too late.
79. Vandals destroyed Jack's car.
Jack had ......................................................... vandals.
80. A famous artist has painted her portrait.

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She has .................................................... artist.

81. I Ve never seen such a tall man.
He's ............................................................... seen.
82. Everyone thinks he's a dishonest businessman.
He s regarded ............................................................................. businessman.
83. "Don't tease the dog!" he said to me.
He warned ..................................................... dog.
(Often we can read the target grammar straightforward in the rubric of the exercise. This is
usually the case with reported speech, relative clauses, and modal verbs)
REPHRASE THE FOLLOWING USING REPORTED SCPEECH/REPORT THE FOLLOWING
UTTERANCES.
84. "May I have a piece of cake please?" she said.
85. "Yes, okay. l'll tell him about the accident," he said.
86. "I must have the report by tomorrow," the boss said.
87. "Please, please let me go to the party," Sue asked her mother.
88. "l'll never be naughty again," Ted said to his father.
89. "Stand up straight!" said the sergeant to the soldier
90. "Yes, it was me who robbed the bank," he said.
91. "I didn't come to work because I was II," she said to her boss
92. "Let's play chess," he said.
93. Im sorry I forgot to phone you," he said to her
94. "Don't forget to go to the bank," she said to him.
95. "You should relax more," the doctor said to him.
96. "Mark is always shouting at me, "she said.
97. "Yes, it is a nice dress," he said.
98. "Shall I carry your bag, Tracy?" he said.
99. "No, I certainly won't do your homework Graham,"said Bill.
100.

"You scratched my record," he said to her.

101.

"Leave now or l'll phone the plice," she said to the salesman.

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102.

"Oh alright, l'll lend you my car, Tom," she said.

103.

"It's true, I broke the window," he said.

104.

"l'll phone you as soon as I arrive," she said to me.

105.

"You're right, she is beautiful," she said.

106.

"No, I won't marry you, John," she said.

107.

"If you try to escape, l'll shoot you," he said to the prisoner.

108.

"Why don't we have chicken for dinner?" he said.

109.

"You must sign the contract, Mr Harrison," she said.

110.

"l'll punish you if you do that again!" he said to the boy.

111.

"Would you like me to show you how to use this computer?" she said to me.

112.

"Yes, it is a good idea," he said.

REPHRASE THE FOLLOWING USING THE APPROPRIATE MODAL VERB.

113.

. It's possible that the plae will be late.

114.

It would have been better if you had told them the truth.

115.

. It's not possible that he said that.

116.

. You aren't allowed to smoke in the house.

117.

. Do you think you could type this for me?

118.

. Why don't we go swimming?

119.

. Do you mind if I shut the window?

120.

. There was no reason for her to come that early.

121.

. You nearly caused an accident. Be careful!

122.

. Is it possible for her to win?

REWRITE EACH OF THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES BEGINNING WITH THE WORDS

GIVEN AND USING A PASSIVE CONSTRUCTION.
123. It is alleged that he had no knowledge of the situation.
He ........................................................................................
124.

It is thought that he will be arriving later in the day.

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He .........................................................................................
125.

According to reports, the plice have already arrested a man.

The police ..........................................................................

126.

She was believed to have been using a false passport to enter the country. '

It...........................................................................................
127.

She is not thought to have been involved in the scandal.

It...........................................................................................
128.

It was said that he hadn't been aware of the gravity of the situation.

He .........................................................................................
129.

It is claimed that he knew exactly what was happening.

He..........................................................................................
130.

There were rumours about her having married a rich film star.

She.......................................................................................
JOIN THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES BY MEANS OF A RELATIVE CLAUSE.
131. Jim is the man. He met the Queen last year.
132.

Thats the building. I passed by it.

133.

That's the beach. I used to go swimming there.

134.

Steven lives in Bradford. It is a city in the north of England.

135.

She is the nurse. I gave the flowers to her.

136.

July was the month. My sister was born then

137.

. This is my new coat. I bought it in yesterday's sale

138.

Were the teachers. Your parents pay us for our job.

139.

Theyre the shops. I got these gifts from them.

140.

. This is the factory. My father used to work here.

141.

Thats the chair. I sat on it because I was knackered.

142.

Hes the accountant. You recommended him to me.

143.

Theyre the secretaries. Mr Thin fired them.

144.

Thats the bee. I saw it in the car a while ago but then it seemed to vanish!

145.

That's the man. His wife is a famous actress

146.

America is the country. The best hamburgers are made there

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147.

Hes the boy. I bought this toy for him.

148.

Jo is an actress. She has just finished making her first film

149.

That's the dog. It always barks when you approach it

150.

1666 was the year. A great fire destroyed much of London.

151.

Christmas is the time. People buy each other presents.

152.

Hes the man. I sent the money to him.

153.

These are the sentences. I wrote them under high fever, so sorry about that.

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(A much more interesting kind of rephrasing exercise is that where we are both given a
word to use and part of a sentence to complete. Its sometimes difficult, but its about the
best way to ask for collocations, phrasal expressions and idioms. Grammar can also be the
target, though. All in all, its just a challenging way of forcing students into looking things up
in dictionaries or grammar reference and making them think a bit about how words can be
used)
COMPLETE THE SECOND SENTENCE SO THAT T HAS A SIMILAR MEANING TO THE FIRST SENTENCE,
USING THE WORD GIVEN. DO NOT CHANGE THE WORD GIVEN. USE BETWEEN THREE AND SIX WORDS,
INCLUDING THE WORD GIVEN.
154.

She said she'd come round so l'm sure she's on her way now.

MUST
She said she'd come round so .......................................on her way now.
155.

What a pity he couldn't come.

WISH
I ....................................... come.
156.

I managed to finish the preparations in time.

SUCCEEDED
I ....................................... the preparations in time.
157.

It isn't necessary to cali him as he already knows about it.

HAVE
You ....................................... cali him as he alreadyknows about it.
158.

When he spoke to me he agreed that I wasn't responsible.

FAULT
When he spoke to me he agreed that.
159.

She didn't want to join in with the singing.

TAKE
She didn't want....................................... the singing.
160.

Anya didn't come to the dinner yesterday evening so perhaps she was ill.

MUST
Anya didn't come to the dinner yesterday evening so
161.

She'll probably end up marrying him!

CHANCES
The ....................................... end up marrying him.
162.

What would you have been if you had never studied to be a doctor?

IMAGINE
....................................... to be a doctor, what would you have been?
163.

Might you give up working if you won the lottery?

SUPPOSING
....................................... you give up working?
164.

I didn't realise I could catch malaria so I didn't take any tablets.

HAD
....................................... catch malaria, I would have taken some tablets.
165.

If I had a facelift, what woud you think?

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WERE
....................................... a facelift, what would you think?
166.

If you need any help, do not hesitate to call.

SHOULD
....................................... do not hesitate to cali.
167.

It's possible that getting stuck in traffic made him late.

MIGHT
He ....................................... because he got stuck n traffic.
168.

I won't do the analysis unless you clear up the lab

LONG
l'll ....................................... you clear up the lab.
169.

The money must be repaid if the project s not completed.

BACK
You ....................................... if the project is not completed.
170.

'I have had Botox injections,' the actress admitted.

CONFESSED
The actress....................................... Botox njections.
171.

He said that he hadn't performed surgery for a while.

PRACTICE
He said ....................................... performing surgery.
172.

It would be a good idea to speak to a consultant first.

SUGGEST
I ....................................... to a consultant first.
173.

I only invited you because I thought you wanted to come.

WOULDN'T
I ....................................... I thought you didn't want tocome.
174.

You do realise you may fail your exams!

DANGER
Are you aware that you ....................................... your exams?
175.

She waved until the train could not be seen any more.

SIGHT
She waved until the train ................................
176.

I regret speaking to him like that.

WISH
I .......................... to him like that.
177.

l'm phoning because my son is too il! to talk to you.

BEHALF
l'm phoning ......................... my son, who is ill
178.

She isn't in so I assume she went to the party.

MUST
She ............................... to the party.
179.

She should get him to do more housework.

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HIGH TIME
................................ to do more housework.
180.

I thought you wanted me to invite him.

IMPRESSION I was ......................... you wanted me to invite him.

181.

We need to know how genes determine behaviour.

ROLE
We need to know what .........................................behaviour.
182.

Javier and I are completely different.

COMMON
I ............................... Javier.
183.

Breathing slowly results in you feeling calmer.

MAKE
Breathing slowly ................... calmer.
184.

'You really shouldn't argue about your results,' he said.

ADVISED
He ................... about my results.
185.

Designers have to try not to replicate other people's work.

AVOID
Designers have to ................... other people's work.
186.

She said she wouldn't fund my art course if I didn't work harder.

THREATENED
She ................... my art course f I didn't work harder.
187.

You didn't tell me that the exhibition was finishing today!

NEGLECTED
You ................... the exhibition was finishing today!
188.

We started our journey at o'clock in the morning.

SET
We .................... at o'clock in the morning.
189.

l'm sure her career will be successful.

SUCCESS
l'm sure .................... her career.
190.

l've never climbed Mount Snowdon, but l'm going to have a go.

ATTEMPT
l'm going .................... Mount Snowdon.
191.

He's going to blow the whistle in the next minute.

ABOUT
He .................... the whistle.
192.

I can never remember people's names.

MEMORY
I .................... people's names.
193.

I was very sorry that I hadn't taken the Job.

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REGRETTED
I .................... the job.
194.

Nothing interesting ever happens in my town.

ORDINARY
Nothing .................... ever happens n my town.
195.

He was sacked because he was incompetent.

GROUNDS
He was sacked .................... incompetence.
196.

Travel agents don't always get the best price for their clients n my view.

CONVINCED
l'm not........................................ get the best price for their clients.
197.

I object to hanging around in airports.

WHAT
........................................ hanging around in airports.
198.

I only got my money back after weeks of calling.

MANAGE
Only after weeks of calling ........................................ to get my money back.
199.

A drivers' strike delayed our train.

DUE
Our train ........................................ a drivers' strike.
200.

I find travelling exciting.

WHAT
........................................ travelling.
201.

I resolved the problem by taking an extra suitcase.

WHAT
........................................ an extra suitcase.
202.

It worries me that I don't speak another language well.

WHAT
........................................ I don't speak another language well.
203.

Ive not seen such a fantastic performance before.

NEVER
.................... such a fantastic performance before.
204.

I had only just arrived when he insisted we went out again.

SOONER
.................... he insisted on going out again.
205.

She's never been in greater need of a friend than now.

HARDL
.................... in greater need of a friend.

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206.

They split up and then realised that they did love each other.

ONLY
.................... did they realise that they loved each other.
207.

You must never disturb someone when they are sleepwalking.

CIRCUMSTANCES
.................... disturb someone when they are sleepwalking.
208.

I had only just got on the train when it left!

BARELY
.................... on the train, when it left.
209.

She never doubted that she would be able to meet the challenge.

TIME .................... that she would be able to meet the challenge.

210.

I have hardly ever come across such a strange man.

SELDOM
.................... such a strange man.
211.

They have decided they will publish the book this summer.

PUBLISHED
It has been decided .................... this summer.
212.

They said the principal was resigning in the summer.

BE
The principal .................... in the summer.
213.

The lectures gave the students an insight into modern history.

GIVEN
The .................... modern history by the lectures.
214.

The school ssued a leaflet telling students how to apply.

BY
.................... the school telling students how to apply.
215.

The school is setting the exams in June.

BEING
The exams .................... in June.
216.

People think that bilingual children were disadvantaged in the past.

THOUGHT
Bilingual children .................... in the past.
217.

Nobody notices children who fail at school.

ATTENTION
No .................... children who fail at school.
218.

Everybody should learn how to speak a second language.

TAUGHT
A second language .................... everybody.
219.

It wasn't until I finished going out with him that I realised I missed him.

BROKEN
I realised ..................................... him that I missed him.

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220.

I hadn't seen such a wonderful painting before.

NEVER
..such a wonderful painting.
221.

l'm sorry but we are unable to help.

REGRET
I ..................................... we are unable to help.
222.

I lost my keys so I was late.

IF
I ..................................... I hadn't lost my keys.
223.

She was beginning to change her mind about taking the Job.

SECOND
She was ..................................... the job.
224.

The problem is not my fault.

BLAME
I ..................................... the problem.
225.

The police thought he had been living in Canada.

HAVE
He ..................................... in Canada.
226.

His wallet isn't here so l'm sure it was stolen.

MUST
His wallet.....................................
(Sometimes these exercises can sometimes become a little tricky. But, what can I say, English
teachers find them good fun weird species. Anyway, I think they should be given a shot, so
to speak)
FOR EACH OF THE SENTENCES IN THE FOLLOWING EXERCISES, COMPLETE THE SECOND SENTENCE
WITH THREE TO EIGHT WORDS SO THAT IT HAS A SIMILAR MEANING TO THE FIRST SENTENCE, USING
THE WORD GIVEN. DO NOT CHANGE THE WORD GIVEN.
227.

Petrol is very expensive these days.

COST
The these days.
228.

Over the past year the number of house buyers has risen considerably.

INCREASE
Over the past year there the number of house
buyers.
229.

When the theft was discovered, Mike was immediately dismissed.

LED
The discovery of the theft ............ ............ ............ dismissal.
230.

We only realised what had happened after the accident.

UNAWARE
We after the accident.
231.

They think that Alex caused the problem.

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SUSPECTED
Alexthe problem.
232.

I can't understand why he is unwilling to tell us the truth.

BAFFLED
Ito tell us the truth.
233.

She is a very valuable helper at the shop.

RELIED
She ............ ............ ............ ............ ............ ............ at the shop.
234.

One of the reasons the enterprise failed was that the manager was so inefficient.

CONTRIBUTED
The manager's
235.

Mark's brother suddenly decided to go home by bus.

SPUR
Mark's brother decided ............................................................................ the bus home.
236.

Sandra didn't get any sleep at all last night

WINK
Sandra ...................................................................................................... last night.
237.

The mistake was not discovered until we counted the money.

LIGHT
The mistake only ...................................................................................... counted the money.
238.

I really can't understand why she so desperately needs to be popular.

CRAVING
Her ................................................................................................. I really can't understand.
239.

Ten years ago, this shop's turnover was half of what it is today.

DOUBLED
Over the past ten years this .................................................................................. turnover.
240.

A fight broke out almost immediately at the start of the match.

THAN
No .................................................................................................... a flght broke out.
241.

She asked you to leave only because she wanted you to be safe.

HEART
She only had your ........................................................................................... she asked you to
leave.
242.

It was only with great difficulty that he could understand what they were saying.

VIRTUALLY

It was ........................................................................................................... what they were

saying.
243. When we returned to the shop the manager was nowhere to be seen.
SIGN

When we returned to the shop ................................................................................. manager.

244.
TAKE

It was only at the age of eighteen that Heather started to do ballroom dancing.

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Heather didn't ............................................................................... she was eighteen.

245.

George lost his job six months ago.

OUT
George has ....................................................................................................... six months.
246.

Provided our fuel supply continues, we'll be fine.

RUN
Unless we ........................................................................................... we'll be fine..
247.

Watch my children for me while I'm away, won't you?

EYE
Can you ................................................................................................... I'm away?
248.

He was supposed to telephone yesterday but he didn't have time.

SHOULD
Although he .................................................................................................. round to it.
249.

All those who stay longer than six months have to register with the prlice.

OBLIGATORY
Registration .......................................................................... who stays longer than six
months.
250.

It was in your power to have him arrested for behaving so badly.

COULD
You ............................................................................................................................ bad
behaviour.
251.

It was remiss of you not to tell me to cancel the meeting.

MIGHT
You ...................................................................................................................... off the
meeting.
252.

Given the staffs lack of interest, her attempts to solve the problem were pointless

BOTHERED
Given the staff s lack of interest, she ....................................................... a solution to the
problem.
253.

The cashier did what he was told, so it was unnecessary for the robber to use force.

NEED
The robber .................................................................................. the cashier did what he was
told.
254.

You won't believe how amazing the place is if you don't go and see for yourself.

SEEN

The place has to .............................................................

255.

The first thing that makes an impression on you as you enter is the sheer size of the

place.
STRIKES
The first............................................................................
256.

The restaurant is more like a warehouse than a place for eating and drinking in style.

WINING

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The restaurant is ............................................................

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It extends in all directions for a very long distance.

EYE

The restaurant extends as far ......................................

257.

The place is now making a lot of money.

HANDSOME

The place is......................................................................

258.

Perhaps finding someone to replace her is proving difficult for him.

DIFFICULTY
He appears .......................................................................................................... replace her.
259.

I can't wait for the new theatre to be completed.

FORWARD
I'm .................................................................................................................. the new theatre.
260.

I really wish Pat paid more attention to his warnings.

LITTLE
I bitterly ................................................................................................................... to his
warnings.
261.

They are going to send us the tickets next week.

SENT
I've arranged ...................................................................................................................... next
week.
262.

'I forgot to postpone the appointment,' Robert.

PUT
Robert confessed to ...................................................................................................... the
appointment.
263.

He said it was absolutely untrue that someone had lent him the money.

HAVING
He
categorically ............................................................................................................................
the money.
264.

It's not normal for me to have to start so early.

MAKE
Im not used ............................................................................................................. start.
265.

The workmen think that it will take them until the end of the day to demolish the wall.

FINISHED
The workmen hope to .......................................................................... down by the end of the
day.
266.

Did it really slip your mind to contact us when you arrived there?

TOUCH
Did you honestly ....................................................................... when you arrived there?
267.

He'll be getting promoted soon.

LONG
It won't............................................................ promoted.

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268.

He doesn't stand a very good chance of winning the race on Saturday.

UNLIKELY
In the race on Saturday, he .......................................................................................... first.
269.

When he refuses to work overtime, I'm certain there'll be problems

BOUND
His ............................................................................................................... create problems.
270.

Scientists are very close to discovering a cure for cancer.

VERGE
Scientists .......................................................................................... a cure for cancer.
271.

I have to renew my licence next month.

DUE
My licence ................................................................................................. next month.
272.

Everyone thinks the sale of the house will be complete by the end of the week

EXPECTED
The house ........................................................................................... by the end of the week.