SENTENCE REWRITING

Ex 1: Write a new sentence as similar as possible in meaning to the original sentence, using the
word given. You must use between three and eight words, including the word given. Do not
change the word given.
1. The personnel officer promised him that she wouldn’t tell anyone that he had been in the prison.
(WORD)
→The personnel officer ____________________________ tell anyone that he had been in the prison.
2. The project received unanimous approval of the committee. (FAVOUR)
→The whole committee _____________________________________
3. She is not upset; she is only pretending. (ACT)
→She is not upset; she _____________________________________
4. They share a lot of hobbies and interests. (COMMON)
→They have _____________________________________
5. My bank manager and I get on together very well. (TERMS)
→I am _____________________________________ my bank manager.
6. Margaret was offered a place on the course but couldn’t accept because she was ill. (TURN)
→Margaret was offered a place on the course _____________________________________ was ill.
7. Many species of wildlife are threatened with extinction. (VERGE)
→Many species of wildlife are _____________________________________ extinction.
8. I was scared to tell him what I really thought. (COURAGE)
→I didn’t _____________________________________ him what I really thought.
9. Teachers think that hard work is good for you. (HARM)
→Teachers think that work _____________________________________.
10. The numbers of cars on the roads must be reduced. (DOWN)
→We must _____________________________________ of cars on the roads.
11. The concert was not as good as he had hoped. (EXPECTATIONS)
→The concert _____________________________________.
12. I knew I had met him before, but I can’t remember his name. (TONGUE)
→I knew I had met him before, but his name is _____________________________________.
13. It’s not my habit to get up quite so early as this. (USED)
→I _____________________________________ quite so early like this.
14. The final version of the plan was quite different form the initial draft. (RESEMBLANCE)
→The final version of the plan _____________________________________ the initial draft.
15. “If you don’t apologize immediately, I’m leaving”, she told him. (THREATENED)
→She _____________________________________ didn’t apologize immediately.
16. There isn’t enough space in this room for a big cupboard. (TAKE)
→A big cupboard would _____________________________________ in this room.
17. Could I stay with you for the weekend? (PUT)
→Could you _____________________________________ the weekend?
18. The service given by the bank has improved recently. (IMPROVEMENTS)
→The bank _____________________________________ to its service recently.
19. I hardly think she will agree to give you a pay rise. (LIKELIHOOD)
→There _____________________________________ her giving you a pay rise.
20. My brother is not feeling terribly well. (UNDER)
→My brother is _____________________________________.
21. His irresponsible attitude is endangering his career as a doctor. (JEOPARDY)
→His irresponsible attitude is _____________________________________.
22. Claire suddenly realized what a blunder she had made. (DAWNED)
→It suddenly _____________________________________ blunder she had made.
23. Collecting stamps is Peter’s great passion. (CRAZY)
→Peter _____________________________________ stamps.
24. Don’t run away with the idea that this job is easy. (CONCLUSION)
→Don’t _____________________________________ that this job is easy.
25. Graham spends all his time doing research. (DEVOTED)
→Graham _____________________________________ research.
26. You must accept the fact that she has left you. (RESIGN)
→You must _____________________________________ she has left you.
27. They arrived at the station with only a minute to spare. (NICK)
→They arrived at the _____________________________________.
28. In the area, Thailand is much better than all other countries in football. (SHOULDERS)
→In the area, Thailand is _____________________________________ other countries in football.
29. Did you see Alice at the party last night? (CATCH)
→Did you _____________________________________ the party last night?
30. He is becoming quite famous as an interviewer. (NAME)
→He is _____________________________________ as an interviewer.
31. Tim looks nothing like his father. (TAKE)
→Tim doesn’t _____________________________________ all.
32. He watched videos all day. (ENTIRE)
→He _____________________________________ videos.
33. I never thought of going by train. (OCCURRED)
→It never _____________________________________ I could go by train.
34. The cause of the explosion is still unknown. (CAUSED)
→What _____________________________________ unknown.
35. The Prime Minister resigned because of his sudden illness. (RESULTED)
→The Prime Minister’s _____________________________________ illness.
36. A huge investment has been put into the field of hydro-electricity. (INVEST)
→They _____________________________________ the field of hydro-electricity.
37. They speak English in a high proficiency. (PROFICIENTLY)
→They _____________________________________.
38. The team certainly do not intend to give up at this stage. (QUESTION)
→ There’s __________________________________________ at this stage.
39. Her son insisted on going with her to the hospital. (ACCOMPANY)
→ He was adamant _____________________________________ to the hospital.
40. Nowadays parents and their children seem to have more in common than they used to do.
(NARROWING)
→ The generation ___________________________________________ days.
41. Mr Brandt says he would much rather go to the opera than be taken out for dinner.
(PREFERENCE)
→ Mr Brandt has _____________________________________ to the opera, rather than out for dinner.
42. Mary became totally engrossed in her novel and forgot to cook the dinner. (ABSORBING)
→ Mary ____________________________________________ to cook the dinner.
43. Many companies were immediately affected by the new regulations. (EFFECT)
→ The new regulations _____________________________________ many companies.
44. Being her only niece, Mary is very precious to her. (APPLE)
→ Being her only niece, Mary _____________________________________.
45. I used to be familiar with every corner of this school. (HAND)
→ I used to _____________________________________ my hand.
46. John and she arrived in Ho Chi Minh City at the same time. (COINCIDED)
→ John’s arrival in Ho Chi Minh City _____________________________________.
47. Your empty promises won’t have any effect on her. (ICE)
→ Your empty promises _____________________________________.
48. You can walk to the station easily from the hotel. (WITHIN)
→ The station is _____________________________________ the hotel.
49. I haven’t realized yet what winning this race means. (SUNK)
→ I _____________________________________ won this race.
50. His action was incomprehensible to his parents. (LOSS)
→ His parents _____________________________________ understand his action.
Ex 2: Finish each of the following sentences in such a way that it means the same as the sentence
printed before it.
1. She didn’t cry when the story ended in tragedy.
→Not a ________________________________________________________
2. Scientists have tried very hard to find a cure for this disease
→Enormous ____________________________________________________
3. I never thought of asking for his help
→The thought ___________________________________________________
4. As there are no more questions, we think we can end the meeting
→There ________________________________________________________
5. My brother works better when he is pressed for time.
→The less ______________________________________________________
6. It was his lack of confidence that surprised me.
→What ________________________________________________________
7. He got over his operation very quickly.
→He made a ____________________________________________________
8. Everybody was honored by the boss with the exception of one clerk.
→All but _______________________________________________________
9. The writer’s writing style contrasted sharply with his spoken language.
→There ________________________________________________________
10. The gun going off was the signal for everyone to panic.
→As soon as ____________________________________________________
11. Everyone was surprised that the singer had very little money when he died.
→That_____________________________________________________________
12. I don’t really like her even though I admire her achievement.
→Much_____________________________________________________________
13. When they told the Minister about the strike, he was very angry.
→On_______________________________________________________________
14. The patient recovered more rapidly than expected.
→The patient_________________________________________________________
15. Keeping calm is the secret of passing your driving test.
→As long as_________________________________________________________
16. The soldiers entered the castle while it was dark.
→Under ____________________________________________________________
17. This patient’s condition in rather worrying if you look at his medical history.
→Given_____________________________________________________________
18. A child of his age is too young to be deceitful.
→So young __________________________________________________________
19. Paul smashed a window and damaged the television too.
→Not only___________________________________________________________
20. He was sorry he hadn’t said goodbye to her at the airport.
→He regretted ________________________________________________________
21. They failed to find out a solution to the problem.
→They didn’t _________________________________________________________
22. Absolute secrecy was crucial to the success of the mission.
→Without ____________________________________________________________
23. Immediately after his arrival home a water-heater exploded.
→Hardly _____________________________________________________________
24. Rita doesn’t realize how serious her husband’s operation is going to be.
→Little ______________________________________________________________
25. Tim insisted on being told the complete story.
→Nothing ____________________________________________________________
26. I don’t really like her, even though I admire her achievements.
→Much ______________________________________________________________
27. We must do something about the problem even if it costs a lot.
→Costly ______________________________________________________________
28. The only way you can become a good athlete is to train hard every day.
→Only _______________________________________________________________
29. He speaks more persuasively than his brother.
→He is ______________________________________________________________
30. He was sentenced to six months in prison for his part in the robbery.
→He received _________________________________________________________
31. You think that fat people are allays jolly, but you are wrong.
→Contrary ____________________________________________________________
32. His second attempt on the world record was successful.
→ He broke ___________________________________________________________
33. I applied for the job but was turned down.
→My application _______________________________________________________
34. There are more people out of work in this country than ever before.
→Never ______________________________________________________________
35. He’ll settle down. Then his performance will improve.
→Once _______________________________________________________________
36. The result of the match was never in doubt.
→At no _______________________________________________________________
37. The students’ riotous behavior should have been severely punished.
→The students deserved __________________________________________________
38. I was astonished by her confidence.
→What _______________________________________________________________
39. Someone told me my flight was cancelled when I got to the airport.
→Arriving ____________________________________________________________
40. Whoever did that must have been a very brave person.
→Only _______________________________________________________________
41. I’d like to visit Singapore more than any other countries in the world.
→Singapore ___________________________________________________________
42. She listens more sympathetically than anyone else I know.
→She is a _____________________________________________________________
43. People no longer smoke so many cigarettes as they used to.
→The smoking _________________________________________________________
44. Alternative medicine is a complete mystery to some people.
→Some people _________________________________________________________
45. You may be disqualified if you don’t obey the regulations.
→Failure _____________________________________________________________
46. Driving at that speed is dangerous whether you are an experienced driver or not.
→However ___________________________________________________________
47. The play is so popular that the theater is likely to be full every night.
→Such ______________________________________________________________
48. Working independently is sometimes a great advantage, I reckon.
→I think _____________________________________________________________
49. To get the best result, you should work as hard as you can.
→You should _________________________________________________________
50. It was surprising the storm caused little damage in the area.
→The storm __________________________________________________________
KEY
Ex 1: Write a new sentence as similar as possible in meaning to the original sentence, using the
word given. You must use between three and eight words, including the word given. Do not
change the word given.
1. The personnel officer gave him her word that she wouldn’t tell anyone that he had been in the prison.
2. The whole committee was/were in favor of the project.
3. She is not upset; she is only putting on an act.
4. They have a lot of hobbies and interest in common.
5. I am on very good terms with my bank manager.
6. Margaret was offered a place on the course but had to turn down because …
7. Many species of wildlife are on the verge of extinction.
8. I didn’t have enough courage to tell him what I really thought.
9. Teachers think that work does/causes you no harm.
10. We must cut down on the number of cars on the roads.
11. The concert failed to come/live up to his expectations.
12. I knew I had met him before, but his name is on the tip of my tongue.
13. I am not used to getting up quite so early like this.
14. The final version of the plan bore no/little resemblance to the initial draft.
15. She threatened to leave if he didn’t apologize immediately.
16. A big cupboard would take up too much space in this room.
17. Could you put me up for the weekend?
18. The bank has made improvements to its service recently.
19. There is little likelihood of her giving you a pay rise.
20. My brother is under the weather.
21. His irresponsible attitude is putting his career as a doctor in jeopardy.
22. It suddenly dawned on Clair what a blunder she had made.
23. Peter is crazy about collecting stamps.
24. Don’t come to/draw a conclusion that this job is easy.
25. Graham has devoted all his time to doing research.
26. You must resign yourself to the fact that she has left you.
27. They arrived at the station in the nick of time.
28. In the area, Thailand is head and shoulders above all other countries in football.
29. Did you catch sight of Alice at the party last night?
30. He is making a name for himself as an interviewer.
31. Tim doesn’t take after his father at all.
32. He spent the entire day watching videos.
33. It never occurred to me that I could go by train.
34. What caused the explosion is still unknown.
35. The Prime Minister’s resignation resulted from his sudden illness.
36. They invest a big fund/ sum of money in the field of hydro-electricity.
37. They speak English very proficiently.
38. There’s no question of the team giving up at this stage.
39. He was adamant that he should accompany her to the hospital.
40. The generation gap appears/seems to be narrowing these days.
41. Mr. Brandt has expressed a preference for going/being taken to the opera, rather than out for dinner.
42. Mary found her novel so absorbing (that) she forgot to cook the dinner
43. The new regulations had an immediate effect on many companies.
44. Being her only niece, Mary is the apple of her eye.
45. I used to know this school like the back of my hand.
46. John’s arrival in Ho Chi Minh City coincided with hers.
47. Your empty promises will cut no ice with her.
48. The station is within (easy) walking distance of the hotel.
49. I haven’t sunk in yet that I (have) won this race.
50. His parents were at a loss when they tried to understand his action.
Ex 2: Finish each of the following sentences in such a way that it means the same as the sentence
printed before it.
1. Not a tear did she shed when the story ended in tragedy.
2. Enormous efforts have been made by scientists to find a cure for this disease
3. The thought of asking for his help never occurred to me/crossed my mind
4. There being no more questions, we think we can end the meeting
5. The less time my brother has, the better he works
6. What surprised me was his lack of confidence.
7. He made a very quick recovery from his operation.
8. All but one clerk was honored by the boss.
9. There was a sharp contrast between the writer’s writing style and his spoken language.
10. As soon as the gun went off, everyone started to panic.
11. That the singer had little money (left) when he died surprised everybody.
12. Much as I admire her achievement, I don’t really like her.
13. On being told about the strike, the Minister was very angry.
14. The patient made a more rapid recovery than expected.
15. As long as you keep calm, you’ll pass the driving test.
16. Under the cover of darkness, the soldiers entered the castle.
17. Given his medical history, this patient’s condition is rather worrying.
18. So young is a child of his age to be deceitful.
19. Not only did Paul smash a window, but he also damaged the television.
20. He regretted not saying goodbye to her at the airport.
21. They didn’t succeed in finding out a solution to the problem.
22. Without absolute secrecy, the mission wouldn’t have succeeded.
23. Hardly had he arrived home when a water-heater exploded.
24. Little does Rita realize how serious her husband’s operation is going to be.
25. Nothing but the complete story would satisfy Tim.
26. Much as I admire her achievement, I don’t really like her.
27. Costly as/though it may be, we must do something about the problem.
28. Only by training hard every day can you become a good athlete.
29. He is a more persuasive speaker than his brother.
30. He received a six month sentence for his part in the robbery.
31. Contrary to what you think, fat people aren’t always jolly.
32. He broke the work record at/on his second attempt.
33. My application for the job was turned down.
34. Never have there been more people out of work in this country.
35. Once he settles/ has settled down, his performance will improve.
36. At no time was the result of the match in doubt.
37. The students deserved severe punishment for their riotous behavior.
38. What astonished me was her confidence.
39. Arriving at the airport, someone told me my flight was cancelled.
40. Only a very brave person could have done that.
41. Singapore is the country I’d like to visit most.
42. She is a person who listens more sympathetically than anyone else I know.
43. The smoking of cigarettes is no longer as popular as it used to be.
44. Some people are strange to alternative medicine.
45. Failure to obey the regulations may cause your disqualification.
46. However experienced a driver you are, driving at that speed is dangerous.
47. Such is the popularity of the play that the theater is likely to be full every night.
48. I think it sometimes a great advantage working independently.
49. You should work the best you can to get the best result.
50. The storm surprisingly caused little damage in the area.