40 Key Word Transformations Ex. | C1 Advanced (CAE)
The important thing in key word transformations is that you keep the meaning the same – EXACTLY the same. So it’s important that you read through the first sentence and your second sentence to ensure you have kept the meaning the same.
Look at the key word. What type of word is it? What usually follows it, e.g. an infinitive, a preposition, or could it be part of a phrasal verb?- Think about the other words that need to change in the new word order, e.g. an adjective may become a noun or vice versa.
- Your answer may include words or expressions not used in the first sentence, but these must express exactly the same idea.
- Remember that contracted words count as two words, e.g. won’t = will not.
Because of the scoring system, it’s possible to get 50% in this section without getting any of the questions 100% correct. So it’s worth answering every question! Even incomplete answers can get points
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40 Key Word Transformation: Exercises
Complete the sentence so that it has a similar meaning. Do not change the word given. You must use between two and six words, including the word given.
Brian was really interested in North American history in his school days.
Brian had an interest in (INTEREST) North American history in his school days.
Darius soon recovered after the operation on his knee and was able to rejoin the team.
After the operation on his knee, Darius (MADE) and was able to rejoin the team.
I always hated pasta when I was a child but now I cook it regularly.
I (USE) pasta when I was a child but now I cook it regularly.
It was a mistake not to write the telephone number down.
I should (POINT) writing down the telephone number.
If Marc hadn´t taken up politics, he might have become a famous art historian.
If Marc hadn’t taken up politics, he might have (NAME) himself as an art historian.
This holiday is withing our price range, provided we don’t go to the expensive restaurants in the tourist centre.
We (AFFORD) as we avoid the expensive restaurants in the tourist centre.
Yesterday I informed my boss in writing that I would be leaving the company.
I (NOTICE) to my boss yesterday.
Complete the sentence so that it has a similar meaning. Do not change the word given. You must use between two and six words, including the word given.
Brian was really interested in North American history in his school days.
Brian had an interest in (INTEREST) North American history in his school days.
It’s very unlikely that martin will win the 100 metres, as he’s out of training.
Martin has almost (CHANCE) the 100 metres, as he’s out of training.
Most of the children ignored what the teacher had told them.
Few of the children (NOTICE) what the teacher had told them.
The company is unable to guarantee an allocated car-parking space to all employees.
The company’s employees shouldn´t (COUNT) allocated a car-parking space.
He no longer thinks he can find a job before the end of the year.
He has given (HOPE) a job before the end of the year.
I’m sure Jemma is going to become a famous model one day.
I think it’s only (MATTER) Jemma becomes a famous model.
I think learning to use a typewriter is a waste of time.
I can´t (POINT) how to use a typewriter.
Brian was really interested in North American history in his school days.
Brian had an interest in (INTEREST) North American history in his school days.
The company has a good reputation in the local area.
The company (HIGHLY) of in the local area.
Nadia’s friend arrived just as she was about to leave the restaurant.
Nadia was (POINT) the restaurant when her friend arrived.
I don’t expect the company to make a profit this year, given the economic climate.
Given the economic climate, (SURPRISED) the company made a profit this year.
Barbara´s parents were certain that she would be a great tennis player.
Barbara’s parents were (DOUBT) that she would be a great tennis player.
My grandfather had completely forgotten that he phoned me last night.
My grandfather didn’t (RECOLLECTION) phoning me last night.
Pay claims must be submitted before the end of the month.
You have (PUT) your pay claims before the end of the month.
Brian was really interested in North American history in his school days.
Brian had an interest in (INTEREST) North American history in his school days.
Given that he has no experience, will Glyn be able to do this job?
Will Glyn’s (AFFECT) ability to do this job?
At no time did we think that Pedro might be planning to leave the country.
It (OCCURED) that Pedro might be planning to leave the country.
I’m sure we went the wrong way at the last junction.
We must (TAKEN) at the junction.
We wanted to continue our mountain trek but the weather was too bad.
We (LIKE) on with our mountain trek but the weather was too bad.
No changes will be made to this project.
This project will (AHEAD) to plan.
Simon really ought to make a decision about his future.
It’s high time Simon (MIND) about his future.
Brian was really interested in North American history in his school days.
Brian had an interest in (INTEREST) North American history in his school days.
Phoebe was surprised to be offered a place on the course.
The offer of a place on the course (CAME) Phoebe.
I can´t deny that I was embarrassed to be given the award.
There’s (NO) embarrassment at being given the award.
I think Anita must have gone on a diet recently because she’s quite slim now.
It looks as (HAS) dieting because she’s quite slim now.
Delia said that she would no longer tolerate her colleagues being rude.
‘I am not willing (PUT) from my colleagues any longer, ‘ said Delia.
It’s difficult to know what my reaction would have been in that situation.
I’m not (HOW) in that situation.
Do you mind if I come over to see you later?
Do you (OBJECTION) coming over to see you later?
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C1 Advanced (CAE) Use of English Part 4: Tips & Strategy
C1 Advanced (CAE) Use of English: Part 4 question type here is called key word transformation.
You have to complete the second sentence, using the key word.
Strategy
- Read the sentence carefully and think about its exact meaning.
- Check your tenses – if the first sentence is in the past tense, the second should be, too!
- Contractions (e.g. haven’t) count as two words.
- Try to keep the same meaning – If the first sentence says ‘Tom said…’ then don’t write ‘He said…’ in the second sentence. (Write ‘Tom said’.)
- Write between two and six words, including the word given.
Tips
Find things that are the same in both sentences and delete them. That helps you to focus on what you actually need to be transforming.
Make absolutely sure that the two sentences mean the same thing. For example, if the sentence to transform has names in it, the answer will have to have them too.