FCE Key Word Transformations

For questions 1-6, complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence, using the word given. Do not change the word given. You must use between two and five words, including the word given.

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1. [first=" George couldn't ski or skate." word="UNABLE" beginning="Besides " answer="being unable to ski" ending=" , George couldn't skate either."]

2. [first=" I won't be able to get to work if George doesn't give me a lift." word="UNLESS" beginning="" answer="Unless George gives" ending=" me a lift, I won't be able to get to work."]

3. [first=" It's a pity I can't speak French." word="WISH" beginning="I " answer="wish I could" ending=" speak French."]

4. [first=" Who takes care of all these animals?" word="LOOKS" beginning="Who " answer="looks after" ending=" all these animals?"]

5. [first=" Chris realised only then that he had lost his money." word="DID" beginning="Only " answer="then did Chris realise" ending=" that he had lost his money."]

6. [first=" I haven't seen Sarah since Monday." word="TIME" beginning="The " answer="last time I saw" ending=" Sarah was on Monday."]

 

 

 

 

ANSWER KEYS

ANSWERS 1: BEING UNABLE TO SKI 
EXPLANATION
BESIDES + GERUND (PREPOSITION) - in addition to somebody/something; apart from somebody/something.
More Examples:
Besides work as a teacher, she also writes novels in her spare time. X 
Besides working as a teacher, she also writes novels in her spare time. V BESIDES + GERUND

 

ANSWERS 2: UNLESS GEORGE GIVES 
FIRST CONDITIONAL
FUTURE SIMPLE + IF NOT + PRESENT SIMPLE => UNLESS + PRESENT SIMPLE + FUTURE SIMPLE
More Examples:
He won't pass the exam unless he doesn't work harder. X UNLESS must be followed by an affirmative verb!
Unless he passes the exam, what will he do? X UNLESS is not used in most questions!
If he doesn't pass the exam, what will he do? V We use IF NOT in questions!

 

ANSWERS 3: WISH I COULD 
UNREAL PAST
WISH + PRONOUN + MODAL VERB (PAST SIMPLE) - This pattern is used to express regrets or wishes about the present (or future).
More Examples:
He wishes he would go home. X WISH and WOULD must have a different subject!
He wishes he went go home. V 

 

ANSWERS 4: LOOKS AFTER
PHRASAL VERB
LOOK AFTER - to be responsible for or to take care of somebody/something.
Other Phrasal Verbs:
LOOK FOR => to try to find something that you have lost. 
LOOK UP => if a situation is looking up, it is improving.
LOOK FORWARD TO => to be excited and pleased about something that is going to happen.

 

ANSWERS 5: THEN DID CHRIS REALISE  
INVERSION
When we begin a sentence with a negative adverb or adverbial phrase, we sometimes have to change the usual word order of subject and verb often using an auxiliary verb. We use inversion after (under no circumstances, seldom, never, nowhere, not only etc.)
Similar Conversions
She little knew about my real problem. => Little did she know about my real problem. INVERSION => after LITTLE with a negative meaning
You shouldn't trust Mike on any account. => On no account should you trust Mike. INVERSION => after ON NO ACCOUNT

 

ANSWERS 6: LAST TIME I SAW  
EXPLANATION
PRESENT PERFECT => PAST SIMPLE 
Similar Conversions
When did you leave university? => How long ago did you leave university? WHEN + PAST SIMPLE => HOW LONG AGO + PAST SIMPLE
When did you leave university? => How long is it since you left university? WHEN + PAST SIMPLE => HOW LONG IS IT SINCE + PAST SIMPLE
When did you begin playing football? => How long have you been playing football? PAST SIMPLE => PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

 

 

 

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