CAMBRIDGE ENGLISH examinations / PROFICIENCY EXAM / CPE / USE OF ENGLISH / 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 three and eight words, including the word given.
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1. [first=" The whole truth didn't come out until after Obama's resignation." word="THAT" beginning="It " answer="wasn't until after Obama's resignation that#was not until after Obama's resignation that" ending=" the whole truth came out."]
2. [first=" We weren't at all surprised when we heard that Peter had been dismissed." word="HEAR" beginning="It came " answer="as no surprise to us to hear about" ending=" Peter's dismissal."]
3. [first=" The castle had been extensively restored and looked as good as new." word="UNDERGONE" beginning="The castle " answer="had undergone extensive restoration" ending=" and looked as good as new."]
4. [first=" Many people believe that all plants are green, but they're wrong." word="POPULAR" beginning="Contrary " answer="to popular belief not all" ending=" plants are green."]
5. [first=" Things went wrong at once after his departure." word="HAD" beginning="Hardly " answer="had he departed when#had he departed before" ending=" things went wrong."]
6. [first=" In spite of all my efforts, I couldn't persuade Joe to come to the pub." word="HOW" beginning="No matter " answer="how hard I tried, I could not talk#how hard I tried, I couldn't talk" ending=" Joe into coming to the pub."]
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ANSWER KEYS
EMPHASIS | IT WASN'T UNTIL ... THAT ... |
To create extra focus on time adjuncts, we can front them using a phrase 'it was not until': It wasn't until I did my homework that I could go out. |
PHRASE | COME AS A SURPRISE TO SOMEBODY |
To make someone feel surprised: The news will come as no surprise to her friends. |
VERB | UNDERGO SOMETHING |
To experience something, especially a change or something unpleasant: My father underwent major surgery a few weeks ago. |
IDIOM | CONTRARY TO POPULAR BELIEF |
Something that you say before you make a statement that is the opposite of what most people believe : Contrary to popular belief, women cause fewer road accidents than men. |
INVERSION | HARDLY HAD ... WHEN/BEFORE ... |
If the second event occurs immediately after the first, we can express that idea using the structure: Hardly had she reached the bus stop when the bus came. |
CONCESSION | NO MATTER + HOW + ADJECTIVE + SUBJECT + VERB |
Used to emphasize that something is always true, or that someone must do something: No matter how nice he may be, I don't like him. |