English Grammar Drills - Mark Lester 2009
16 Final Review
Part 3 Sentences
Use the following exercises to test your comprehension of all the lessons in this book.
Exercise 16.1 (Chapter 1: Proper and common nouns)
The following pairs of nouns contain one uncapitalized proper noun and a related common noun. Put the two nouns in the correct columns and capitalize the proper noun.
Proper noun Common noun
movie, star wars Star Wars movie
1. soccer player, david villa
2. airplane, boeing
3. burger king, restaurant
4. nation, canada
5. erie, lake
6. simba, lion
7. company, disney
8. wuthering heights, book
9. london, city
10. schwinn, bicycle
Exercise 16.2 (Chapter 1: Noncount nouns)
All of the underlined nouns in the following sentences are in the plural. Some plurals are correctly used with count nouns. However, many plurals are incorrectly used with noncount nouns. Draw a line through each incorrectly used noncount noun and write the corrected form above it. If the plural is correctly used with a count noun, write OK above the noun.
1. Traveling through spaces takes a lot of times.
2. The teacher’s knowledges of electricities is immense.
3. Did you put peppers on those pizzas?
4. The baseball team had bloods on their uniforms.
5. Astronauts need oxygens in their spacecraft.
6. What hopes do they have of succeeding?
7. The basketball team lost their luggages at the airport.
8. Our government is investigating the power of winds for energies.
9. My mother and father cannot eat cheeses or milks.
10. Police officers enforce justices.
Exercise 16.3 (Chapter 1: Plural and possessives of nouns)
Fill in the following chart with all of the forms for each noun.
Singular Possessive only Plural only Plural and possessive
wife wife’s wives wives’
1. boy
2. boss
3. friend
4. plane
5. city
6. deer
7. company
8. thief
9. mouse
10. beach
Exercise 16.4 (Chapter 3: Using indefinite and definite articles)
In each blank space, use an indefinite article (a or some), or the definite article the if the noun is defined by modifiers.
There is a cat on top of your car.
1. The presidential candidates debated ... interesting issues last night.
2. The presidential candidates debated ... issue of inflation last night.
3. She tried to learn ... Spanish vocabulary in class.
4. She tried to learn ... Spanish vocabulary that she was assigned.
5. There is ... way to avoid traffic.
6. What is ... shorter way to get to his house?
7. His cousin adopted ... dog.
8. His cousin adopted ... dog that you saw at the shelter.
9. Would you like ... apples?
10. We would like to hear ... joke you think is so funny.
Exercise 16.5 (Chapter 3: Using indefinite articles)
Fill in the blanks with the indefinite articles a, an, or some as appropriate.
Would you turn a light on?
1. I need ... accounting textbook for class tomorrow.
2. There was ... confusion in the airport.
3. The boss needs ... answer from you.
4. Be careful, there is ... wasp in the house.
5. I heard that you had ... good time.
6. That is ... ugly dress in the store.
7. I borrowed ... tools for my project.
8. That radio needs ... antenna.
9. There was ... pit in that cherry.
10. Do you need ... water?
Exercise 16.6 (Chapter 3: Using indefinite and definite articles)
Use the appropriate article in the blank spaces in the following sentences. If the sentence is making a generalization, put a 0 in the blank space to show that no article is used.
— olives are usually too salty for me.
1. ... cats are curious animals.
2. My boss hates ... meetings.
3. At the airport, her son watched ... planes from New York land.
4. ... oranges are their favorite fruit.
5. He sat on the couch to read ... travel guide he had ordered.
6. Without ... rain, ... crops will not grow.
7. ... punctuality is valued in that office.
8. In this city, ... parks are always planted with flowers.
9. ... sandals like that give me ... blisters.
10. ... hurricanes always seem to strike in September.
Exercise 16.7 (Chapter 4: Noun phrases)
Underline all the noun phrases in the following sentences. Show that your answer is correct by writing the appropriate third-person pronoun under the noun phrase that you have underlined.
1. I asked the new worker you hired to come to my office.
2. The car that he wrecked is in the workshop.
3. Where is the laptop that I ordered?
4. My mother and her friends went to the movies.
5. The mascot of that university is a tiger.
6. Our office manager ordered the most expensive copy machine.
7. All players, trainers, and coaches must register at the field.
8. Their wildlife organization protects animals on the endangered species list.
9. I am not used to driving a car that runs on ethanol.
10. My aunt reads to all the little girls in her neighborhood.
Exercise 16.8 (Chapter 4: Adjective clauses)
The adjective clauses in the following sentences have been underlined. Replace the word(s) in parentheses with the appropriate relative pronoun (who, whom, or whose).
1. That teacher, (teacher) we nominated for an award last year, is moving to a new school.
2. The teacher (teacher’s) students are best prepared for exams will get an award.
3. Give your statistics to Mr. Walker, (Mr. Walker) is a teacher of economics.
4. The Tigers, (Tigers’) fans are the loudest in the league, often win home games.
5. His mother, (his mother) we sang to last night, just celebrated her birthday.
6. Jane, (Jane) is the first doctor in her family, started her own practice.
7. I took that stray dog, (dog’s) leg was injured, to the veterinarian.
8. The catering company, (catering company’s) chefs studied in France, will be handling the reception.
9. He complained to his boss, (boss) always gets results.
10. The CEO, (CEO) addressed his comments directly to the board members, finished his speech early.
Exercise 16.9 (Chapter 4: Adjective clauses and relative pronouns)
All of the following sentences contain at least one adjective clause with the relative pronoun deleted. Underline the adjective clause and restore an appropriate relative pronoun.
1. That poem you memorized for class is inspiring.
2. The clothes hung on the clothesline have blown away.
3. Dorothy went to the store again to buy the butter you forgot to pick up.
4. The man you met is usually more polite.
5. She bought the store she had managed for such a long time.
6. The shoppers he interviewed all preferred the new product.
7. Bob wrecked the car he rented in Las Vegas.
8. The wren you heard singing flew off.
9. I’m voting for the candidate you saw at the convention.
10. His cat caught the mouse you were trying to catch last week.
Exercise 16.10 (Chapter 4: Noun phrases)
Write the appropriate third-person pronoun above the underlined noun phrase. Use he/she or him/her for persons whose gender is not specified.
1. The soccer players had a team meeting to discuss the loss.
2. The menu from the Chinese restaurant down the street lists many spicy chicken dishes.
3. The history professor from Trent University is also a talented opera singer.
4. Inspiration is important to an artist.
5. Some of the highest mountain peaks on earth are in the Himalayas.
6. Harry and Tom are my father’s best friends.
7. Last Monday, the electrical workers went on strike.
8. Aunt Sally is my father’s sister who lives in Canada.
9. What do you call that strange-looking plant from Peru?
10. She was astounded at the losses projected in the company’s annual report.
Exercise 16.11 (Chapter 5: Possessive pronouns)
Select the proper form of the two italicized possessive pronouns by underlining the correct form.
Mary needs to see her/hers accountant about a tax matter.
1. The book that you are reading is her/hers.
2. I’ll wait for you to finish your/yours coffee.
3. Is that dog your/yours?
4. The Wilsons lost their/theirs way in the woods when they were camping.
5. Did Nancy speak to her/hers sister yesterday?
6. They put their/theirs money to good use.
7. His home survived the hurricane. Did their/theirs?
8. Is that umbrella your/yours or mine?
9. She tore her/hers dress on that nail sticking out.
10. Your/Yours is a well-behaved child!
Exercise 16.12 (Chapter 5: Reflexive pronouns)
Fill in the blank with the appropriate reflexive pronoun. Confirm your answer by underlining the pronoun’s antecedent. If the antecedent is understood, insert you.
He tends to repeat ... .
He tends to repeat himself.
1. If you won’t go to the reception with me, I’ll just go ... .
2. They had to move their offices ... .
3. Joe built the treehouse ... .
4. You can let ... in if you want.
5. The students ... conducted the debate.
6. May asked James to solve the problem ... .
7. That computer seemed to fix ...!
8. She didn’t want to let ... become depressed.
9. Ask ... if you want to live like that.
10. We sewed the quilt ... .
Exercise 16.13 (Chapter 6: Gerunds)
The base or dictionary form of verbs is listed in the first column. Opposite each verb, write the gerund (present participle) form of the verb. All of the words follow normal spelling rules.
Base form Gerund (present participle)
advertise advertising
1. arrange
2. arrive
3. attach
4. bathe
5. belong
6. lift
7. meet
8. touch
9. warn
10. wash
Exercise 16.14 (Chapter 6: Gerund phrases)
Underline the gerund phrases in the following sentences. Confirm your answers by replacing the gerund phrase with it.
1. Building a snowman is a fun winter pastime.
2. She found running a large company to be a challenge.
3. Singing in the shower is his favorite hobby.
4. The students discovered that finishing the exam took all afternoon.
5. Completing the project by Friday is their goal.
6. Seeing three movies in one day was tiring.
7. Flying south for the winter is what most North American birds do.
8. In that recipe, melting the cheese takes a long time.
9. Shivering in the stadium during the football game is not my idea of a good time.
10. The boss does not enjoy speaking to large groups of people.
Exercise 16.15 (Chapter 6: Infinitive phrases)
Underline the infinitive phrases in the following sentences. Confirm your answers by replacing the infinitive phrase with it.
1. To sing at the Metropolitan Opera is her dream.
2. To convince the judge is your only option.
3. Tom’s only goal is to elect John president.
4. To postpone the meeting now would be dangerous.
5. To sort the dirty clothes is your first task.
6. They decided to purchase their new car by the end of the month.
7. To stand up to the boss takes nerve.
8. The new law aims to prevent more road accidents.
9. Sandra refused to talk to her doctor.
10. To sleep is one thing, to sleep well is another.
Exercise 16.16 (Chapter 7: That-clauses)
Underline the that clauses in the following sentences. Confirm your answer by substituting the pronoun it for the that clause.
1. That Paul would inherit the family fortune came as a horrible shock to Louise.
2. They contended that the accident wasn’t their fault.
3. The plan was that we would call you when we got there.
4. The driver told us that he was out of gas.
5. That they were so late was really rude to the hosts.
6. The doctor told me that my ankle was severely sprained but not broken.
7. Their main complaint was that the restaurant closed too early.
8. Sally hated that Harry’s ties were so out of style.
9. That the movie wasn’t very good came as no surprise.
10. The problem is that it is getting so late.
Exercise 16.17 (Chapter 7: Wh-clauses)
Underline the wh- clauses in the following sentences. Confirm your answers by replacing the noun clause with it.
1. I don’t care about what he said.
2. Forgive me for what I am about to say.
3. Where they went is none of my business.
4. Did you ever notice how babies first start crawling?
5. Can you tell me how much dinner actually cost?
6. Which one we will finally pick is still up in the air.
7. I will accept whatever position they offer me.
8. Did you learn which flight they are on?
9. What shocked us the most was how much prices have gone up lately.
10. Who you know is sometimes more important than what you know.
Exercise 16.18 (Chapter 7: Wh-clauses)
Many of the sentences below contain wh- clauses that incorrectly use information question word order. Cross out these incorrect wh- clauses and write the corrected form in the space provided. If the wh- clause is correct, write OK.
1. We should investigate what was that loud noise.
2. I really liked what have they done to their apartment.
3. They understood how much were we willing to pay.
4. I wonder where should we park the car.
5. How long will it take remains to be seen.
6. Can you translate what did they just said?
7. Do you know why are the streets so empty?
8. I didn’t want to ask what did she mean.
9. I certainly sympathize with how are you feeling.
10. They will prepare whatever would you like to eat.
Exercise 16.19 (Chapter 8: Present tense)
Replace incorrect base-form verbs with third-person singular present-tense verbs. Confirm your answers by replacing the subject noun phrase with the appropriate third-person pronoun. If the sentence does not require a third-person singular present-tense verb, write OK.
1. The box in the hall take up a lot of space.
2. What you just said about their plans convince me that they are right.
3. Packing for trips make everyone crabby.
4. The shopping center actually own the entire parking lot.
5. What they said naturally engage our complete attention.
6. The announcer on the news look like my cousin Fred.
7. The size of the crowds at rock concerts make me uncomfortable.
8. Knowing what to do in an emergency help me feel more secure.
9. My roommate always play her iPod too loud.
10. A trip to the outer islands cost nearly a hundred dollars per person.
Exercise 16.20 (Chapter 8: Present tense)
Write the third-person singular form of the base-form verbs in the first column.
Base form Third-person singular form
please pleases
1. postpone
2. concentrate
3. develop
4. try
5. multiply
6. boss
7. tax
8. mark
9. nod
10. match
Exercise 16.21 (Chapter 8: Past tense)
Write the past-tense form of the following base-form verbs.
Base Past tense
imply implied
1. enlarge
2. rope
3. trim
4. reply
5. ship
6. ban
7. envy
8. cause
9. miss
10. pray
Exercise 16.22 (Chapter 8: Present participle)
Write the present participle form of the following base-form verbs.
Base form Present participle
range ranging
1. take
2. arrive
3. bet
4. knit
5. study
6. cut
7. leave
8. perspire
9. please
10. win
Exercise 16.23 (Chapter 8: Past and present perfect)
Select either the past-tense or the present perfect form in the following sentences.
1. They performed/have performed that piece last week.
2. I flew/have flown more than 100,000 miles this year alone.
3. The owners painted/have painted the house in 2003.
4. She directed/has directed a number of independent films.
5. Last week the kids divided/have divided the yard into three sections.
6. I urged/have urged him to be more careful many times.
7. He limped/has limped into the meeting this morning.
8. We examined/have examined this issue repeatedly.
9. They moved/have moved to Chicago ten years ago.
10. They lived/have lived there ever since.
Exercise 16.24 (Chapter 9: Past and past perfect tenses)
In the following sentences, the verbs in italics are all in the base form. The verbs are used to describe two past-time events, one of which precedes the other. Change the verb whose action takes place first into the past perfect form. Change the other verb whose action takes place later into the past-tense form. Remember that the two events can occur in either order.
I call all my friends after I hear the news.
I called all my friends after I had heard the news.
1. Before I get two miles, I get a ticket.
2. As soon as I receive the checks, I deposit them in the bank.
3. I just step into the shower when the phone ring.
4. We have to purchase new furniture after we move to Dallas.
5. After I explain the joke to the kids, they think it was pretty funny.
6. We go for a swim as soon as we reach the beach.
7. He lock the barn door after the horse be stolen.
8. They retain a lawyer before they draw up the contract.
9. Naturally, I unplug the lamp before I start to rewire it.
10. As soon as it stop snowing, we shovel the driveway.
Exercise 16.25 (Chapter 10: Transitive and intransitive verbs)
The verbs in the following sentences are in italics. If the verb is intransitive, write vi above it. If it is transitive, write vt above it. If the verb is intransitive, confirm your answer by deleting all the material that follows the verb.
1. The lake froze earlier than usual this year.
2. I froze my fingers getting the ice off the windshield.
3. The water was running all night long.
4. Senator Blather spoke at great length.
5. The orchestra was practicing in the music room.
6. The orchestra was practicing their new piece.
7. The orchestra was practicing for their performance.
8. I answered the questionnaire.
9. I answered as honestly as I could.
10. I answered whatever questions were put to me.
Exercise 16.26 (Chapter 10: Separable and inseparable verbs)
Label the italicized phrasal verbs as Sep (for separable) or Insep (for inseparable). If the verb is separable, confirm your answer by moving the adverb to a position immediately after the object.
1. He turned down the offer.
2. He turned through the pages of the book.
3. He leaned against the table.
4. They printed out the final report on Friday.
5. The company hired back the furloughed employees.
6. She always laughed at his lame jokes.
7. They leaned into the wind.
8. She dressed up the girls in their best clothes.
9. You must register at the counter.
10. I looked over today’s receipts carefully.
Exercise 16.27 (Chapter 11: Indirect and direct objects)
Underline and label the indirect and direct objects in the following sentences. Confirm your answers by using the to/for paraphrase for the indirect object.
1. She teaches Chinese students English as a second language in Oakland.
2. Please order me a black coffee to go.
3. She showed them her engagement ring.
4. I made my students a traditional Korean meal.
5. Hand me that brush, will you?
6. He told us a really funny story.
7. Save us some dessert.
8. Let’s give the people working in the kitchen a big hand.
9. We mailed the kids their Christmas presents.
10. I reserved them a table at the restaurant.
Exercise 16.28 (Chapter 11: Bring and take)
Decide whether bring or take is more appropriate in the following sentences and underline the correct choice.
Can you bring/take me to the airport?
1. Would you bring/take me some tea?
2. What book have you brought/took?
3. The bus will bring/take you to the ferry.
4. Bring/take a coat if you’re going outside.
5. April showers bring/take May flowers.
6. The employees brought/took their new boss to the airport.
7. My uncle brought/took the family photo album.
8. The tour guide will bring/take you through the castle grounds.
9. Anderson brought/took the report to the governor.
10. The governor would like Anderson to bring/take the report to him.
Exercise 16.29 (Chapter 11: To-phrase + that-clause)
Many of the following sentences incorrectly use objects where they should use to phrases instead. If the sentence is incorrect, replace the object with a to phrase. If the sentence is correct as it is, write OK above the object.
1. I suggested my friends that we should have dinner together.
2. We explained them that the job had to be postponed for a few days.
3. We told them that the job had to be postponed for a few days.
4. Let me prove you that you are mistaken.
5. The boss acknowledged us that he had not allowed enough time.
6. Henry showed us that there was a much simpler solution to the problem.
7. Henry proved us that there was a much simpler solution to the problem.
8. They announced everyone that they were getting married.
9. She reported us that the committee had approved our recommendations.
10. I confessed Mary that I had completely forgotten our meeting.
Exercise 16.30 (Chapter 12: Single-word adverbs)
Underline the single-word adverbs in the following sentences. Confirm your identification by deleting the adverb.
1. I just saw the downtown bus.
2. Mary wants some cake too.
3. My mother usually sings in the church choir.
4. The twins always fight at school, and their father is angry about it.
5. The spy prudently lowered his voice.
6. The phone rang persistently for several hours.
7. Her nervous boyfriend almost forgot to shake her father’s hand.
8. In January, the snow falls gently.
9. Can we go now?
10. The wolf howled frighteningly.
Exercise 16.31 (Chapter 12: Single-word adverbs)
Change the adjective in the underlined phrase into a single-word adverb. Then rephrase the sentence using the adverb in place of the underlined phrase.
1. He sledded down the mountain in a reckless manner.
2. The winter sun shined on the snow in a brilliant manner.
3. The teacher lectured to the students in an angry manner.
4. The drama team rehearsed in a dutiful manner.
5. They paid their restaurant bill in an immediate manner.
6. Father sighed in a moody manner.
7. The candidate walked to the stage in a hesitant manner.
8. After the presentation, the boss discussed the project in an enthusiastic manner.
9. The police officers questioned the guard in a suspicious manner.
10. The church choir sang the hymns in a joyful manner.
Exercise 16.32 (Chapter 12: Single-word adverbs)
In the right column, write the -ly adverb form of the adjective in the left column.
Adjective Adverb
loose loosely
1. dirty ...
2. pretty
3. bare
4. fine
5. speedy
6. due
7. safe
8. messy
9. noisy
10. separate
Exercise 16.33 (Chapter 13: Yes-no questions)
Turn the following statements into yes-no questions by first using the do insertion rule to form an emphatic do statement.
He shut the window.
Emphatic do statement: He did shut the window.
Yes-no question: Did he shut the window?
1. She graded the exams.
2. Tom drove the truck.
3. The Adams family lived in Toronto.
4. The athletes lost weight.
5. We laughed until we cried.
6. The snow came down in heavy drifts.
7. The president toured the warehouse.
8. Daniel forgot his homework again.
9. The boxers fought ten rounds.
10. The dog buried his bone.
Exercise 16.34 (Chapter 14: Passive)
See how fast you can convert the following passive sentences to their active forms.
The manuscript was examined by an expert from the university.
An expert from the university examined the manuscript.
1. Her wedding dress was sewn by her grandmother.
2. The lecture was given by Dr. Peterson of Texas A&M University.
3. During the summer, the exams were corrected by our teacher.
4. The Montreal flight was piloted by Tom’s brother.
5. Last Saturday, the guitar was played by Cindy to a rapt audience.
6. The house was inspected by the city for termites.
7. The mouse was eaten by a barn owl.
8. In Friday’s game, five touchdowns were scored by the Vikings.
9. The Olympic athletes were honored by their home country.
10. The computer was repaired by a certified technician.
Exercise 16.35 (Chapter 15: Direct and indirect quotation)
Convert the following direct quotations to indirect quotations.
Sue said, “I am worried about meeting my deadline.”
Sue said that she was worried about meeting her deadline.
1. “I’m running late for work,” he said.
2. The conductor said, “The audience talked during the entire symphony.”
3. We said, “The children have been doing extra chores this week.”
4. Charles said, “We can’t come to your party because my wife is sick.”
5. The doctor said, “I need to look at your prescription again.”
6. Ralph said, “I demand an explanation for what Harry did.”
7. My mother said, “I liked playing soccer when I was your age.”
8. The plumber said, “We will install the new sink this week.”
9. Louise said, “I am having minor surgery Tuesday.”
10. They said, “We were laughing at what the kids were doing.”