English Exercises: Vocabulary, Grammar, and Reading
1. Complete the sentences with the words below:
reluctant works out asset leaps award setback out of place balance harsh on the ball
– The new player is an asset to our team. He’s going to help us win many games.
– Eric was on the ball again after his injury.
– Why does the coach have to be so harsh and yell at the team?
– Losing the game was a setback, but I know we can overcome it.
– He’s leaps ahead when it comes to the rules of this game. He knows everything!
– My sister works out at least five times a week. She is very athletic.
2. Match the words in A to the words in B and complete the sentences:
A:
out in on under ahead
B:
of bounds good shape our own pressure of the game
Completed sentences:
– The team didn’t get the point because they threw the ball out of bounds.
– Roy can’t run for ten minutes without getting tired. He isn’t in good shape.
– We can’t lift this on our own. We need help.
– You need a holiday to relax. You’ve been under pressure.
– Some athletes watch their old matches to help them stay ahead of the game.
3. Complete the dialogue with one word in each gap:
A: You look upset. Is something on your mind?
B: Beth and I fell out a few days ago. We had a terrible point.
A: I’m sorry. I’m sure you’ll make up soon and everything will be OK.
B: I don’t know. I think she wants to leave.
A: No way! You and Beth were meant for each other.
4. Replace the words in bold with the correct words from A and the prepositions from B:
He bent over backwards to make her happy.
I hate feeling like I’m left out.
I finally opened up and felt much better.
He reminded me that I had never actually agreed to go to the party. He pointed out that he had never actually agreed to go to the party.
1. Rewrite the sentences without changing their meaning:
The woman took me in her car. Her son is my new student. (relative clause)
– The woman, whose son is my new student, took me in her car.
– If the alarm clock had rung, we wouldn’t have been late to work.
– After we had seen the new play, we went for a drink.
– Eric was awarded the prize for his excellent performance.
– If the players weren’t so slow, they would win.
– Bob is thought to become the new president.
– Did you have your teeth checked by the dentist yesterday?
– Have you seen the sweater that I lent you last week?
– When are you going to have your motorbike repaired?
– He is the boy whom my daughter used to go out with.
2. Now, for the second part:
– The last time I saw the lady whose son was kidnapped, she didn’t look so bad.
– If such a tragedy had happened to me, I would have never recovered from it.
– It seems the boy was found in the forest a week later.
– But nothing could be done for him. He was already dead.
– The police, who tried to do everything they could, were really sad with the outcome.
– They are still looking for the possible murderer and trying to understand the reason for such a crime.
– Anyway, I don’t think the lady would feel any better…
– Even if they found the murderer.
True or False Statements:
– The history of rom-coms begins long before Shakespeare. (F – False)
Evidence: “Although the term ‘rom-com’ may not have been coined until much later, the concept can be traced all the way back to Shakespeare’s time.”
– In the first rom-coms in Hollywood, you couldn’t hear the characters speak. (T – True)
– Evidence: “In the 1920s, silent films such as Girl Shy and Sherlock Jr. inspired by Shakespeare’s rom-coms, made it to the big screen.”
Even after the success of It Happened One Night, rom-coms still weren’t that popular. (F – False)
– Evidence: “It Happened One Night became the first film ever to win Oscars in all top five award categories… After that, rom-coms became bigger than ever.”
– The writer thinks today’s rom-coms are not afraid to show every possible kind of love story. (T – True)
Evidence: “While early rom-coms only showed men and women falling in love in classic, traditional scenarios, today’s rom-coms aren’t afraid to show every possible kind of love story.”
Find words or expressions that mean:
Favourite → “best” (Paragraph 1)
Enjoyed → “indulged in” (Paragraph 1)
Created → “coined” (Paragraph 1)
Easy to see → “noticeable” (Paragraph 4)
Should Schools Go Back to Books and Handwriting Instead of Computers?
In recent years, some countries have chosen to return to traditional books and handwriting in schools, believing that digital tools are not helping students learn effectively. While this approach has some benefits, I think a balanced method is the best solution.
On one hand, using books and handwriting improves students’ concentration and memory. Writing by hand helps with spelling and creativity, while printed books reduce screen time and distractions. Additionally, not all students have access to computers at home, so relying too much on digital tools could create inequality.
On the other hand, technology is essential in today’s world. Computers help students access vast information, improve research skills, and prepare them for future jobs. Instead of removing digital tools completely, schools should teach students how to use them responsibly while maintaining traditional learning methods.
In conclusion, a combination of both books and technology is the best way to provide students with a well-rounded education.