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In these exercises you have a sentence followed by a new one that you’ll have to complete so that it means the same as

the original sentence. Think of what tenses and structures you must use to do the exercise. To help you they have been

sorted into groups of similar sentences. Look at the examples before you start

Group one: sentence transformation with Past and Perfect Tenses

I haven’t played tennis for a long time

It’s a long time _since I played __tennis

1. The last time it rained was a month ago.

It.........................................................................................a month

2. She has never been on night duty before.

It’s the first ………………………………………………….. on night duty

3. Jack started playing the drums five hours ago.

Jack ………………………………………………….. five hours.

4. I bought this tape recorder in September.

I have ……………………………………………………September.

5. I first met John at University two years ago.

I ‘ve ………………………………………. two years.

6. My neighbours have been married for ten years.

My neighbours …………………………… ten years ago.

7. I last went to the cinema two weeks ago.

I …………………………………………………to the cinema for two weeks

8. When did you start learning English?

How long …………………………………………………English?

9. Michael learned how to sing when he was small.

Michael has .....................................................................................since he was small.

10. When did it start snowing?

How long .............................................................................snowing?

11. It’s a long time since I saw them.

I ...............................................................................................a long time ago.

12. She stopped playing volleyball when she broke her wrist.

She hasn’t ........................................................................................... she broke her wrist

13. I’ve never eaten this before.

It’s the first time ............................................................................this.

14. They bought their house five years ago.

They have ..................................................................................... for five years

15. Gina is still in London.

Gina hasn’t ............................................................................. ........London yet

16. Jack met Ian in 1988

Jack and Ian ...............................................................................each other since 1988

17. He started repairing the television at two o’clock and he is still doing it.

He hasn’t .........................................................................................the television yet.

18. When did you take up golf?

How long ...............................................................................playing golf?

19. It’s ages since I went to a disco.

I ......................................................................to a disco for ages.

20. How long has he been in Italy?

When ...........................................................................Italy?

21. They arrived half an hour ago.

They .....................................................................half an hour.

22. When did Jim go out?

How .....................................................................out?

Group two: Sentence transformation with modal verbs

1. Parking is forbidden here

You .....................................................................park here

2. Was it necessary to wear a uniform in your old school?

Did ..................................................................... wear a uniform in your old school?

3. I want you to do your homework immediately. You can facebook your friends later.

You .....................................................................your homework immediately...

4. What do you want me to do Mum?

What .....................................................................do Mum?

5. It’s dangerous to touch these wires!

You .....................................................................touch these wires.

6. I don’t think it’s necessary to bring a tent.

We ..................................................................... bring a tent.

7. Of course I know how to drive a car!

Of course I .....................................................................drive a car.

8. The exhibition is free of charge.

You .....................................................................to see the exhibition

9. Mum hasn’t given me permission to come to the party, I’m sorry.

I ..................................................................... come to the party, I’m sorry

10. It was impossible for me to reach the mountain top as I was too tired

I .....................................................................reach the mountain top as I was too tired

11. I always went skiing at weekends.

I .....................................................................go skiing at weekends.

12. I want you to keep this secret!

You .....................................................................tell anybody!

13. I hate it when I’m obliged to stay up late.

I hate .....................................................................stay up late

14. Would it be possible for me to borrow €10?

.....................................................................lend me €10?