
WHAT IS THE SENTENCE TRANSFORMATION EXERCISE?
Part 4: transformations (rephrasing) in PDF B2 USE OF ENGLISH PART 4
In this part of the exam you have six sentences to complete. You need to read the first sentence in each question. From this you need to look at the second sentence and think about what information is missing. You must then complete the second sentence so that it has the same meaning as the first with 2-5 words (NO MORE). Another thing to understand is that you are provided with a word that you must use in exactly the same form (if it is TOLD, you cannot use tell, telling or any variation of the word. ONLY TOLD). Each of the questions is worth 2 points and the points are based on lexical (vocabulary) or structural (grammatical) points. What they assess in this part of the exam are as follows:
HOW DO YOU DO IT EFFECTIVELY?
Try the Deleting Technique. You take the sentence transformation, for example:
You’ll have a great time no matter where you go
REGARDLESS You’ll have a great time ________ where you go
YOU MUST CONSIDER WHAT IS THE SAME IN BOTH SENTENCES AND THEN DELETE WHAT IS THE SAME IN THE FIRST SENTENCE
You’ll have a great time no matter where you go
REGARDLESS You’ll have a great time ________ where you go
YOU ARE LEFT WITH NO MATTER AND ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS THINK OF THE SYNONYM FOR IT.
Answer: regardless of
PASSIVE SENTENCE TRANSFORMATIONS
Rephrasing with the passives is simple, it can be changing the active into the passive or forming the impersonal passive or causative passive, but without changing the meaning of the sentence.
What is the impersonal passive?
The impersonal passive is basically a way of expressing general opinions. We use it to talk about belief, rumours and common opinions. See the link for more details HERE
PRACTICE EXERCISES:
Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first, using the word given. Do not change the word given, you must use 2-5 words including the word given.
- It is said that people spend too much time using screens.
TO
People _______________ too much time using screens.
2. It is thought that professional footballers need to follow a strict diet.
HAVE
Professional footballers _______________ to stick to a strict diet.
3. It is widely known that most people eat too much junk-food.
KNOWN
Most people _______________ too much junk-food.
4. It is believed that we should eat 5 pieces of fruit and veg a day.
NEED
We _______________ to eat 5 pieces of fruit and veg a day.
5. It is generally said that most people don’t get enough exercise.
NOT
Most people _______________ exercise enough.
6. It is often stated that Usain Bolt is the fastest man who ever lived.
HAVE
Usain Bolt _______________ been the fastest man to ever live.