Vocabulary and Grammar Exercises: Phrasal Verbs, Gerunds, Infinitives and Reported Speech

VOCABULARY

1. Complete the sentences with the most appropriate form of the words in brackets, adding suffixes or prefixes.

a. The pop star had plastic surgery. He hoped it would improve his appearance.

b. This food is overcooked – it is burnt.

c. Elena is so competitive. She has to be the best at everything.

d. Don’t touch my arm. It’s very painful.

e. My ex-boyfriend is still in love with me.

f. People often break up (se quebró) after an argument about money.

2. Find the word for the following definition:

• a. Say something while crying: sob
• b. Say something while laughing: chuckle
• c. Authentic: genuine
• d. Something which is false: fake
• e. Stop doing something: give up
• f. Start doing something: take up
• g. Continue doing something: stick to

GRAMMAR

1. Write the verbs in brackets in the correct form.

1.A: I haven’t seen you for weeks! Where have you been?

1.B: I left you a message yesterday. Obviously, you haven’t heard it yet.

2.A: While I was looking through a magazine, I found an interesting article about Machu Picchu.

2.B: Really? It’s a pity you didn’t find the article sooner! I have just returned from Peru!

3.A: You weren’t listening to me. You haven’t heard a word I’ve said!

3.B: I’m sorry, I was thinking about Carla’s party. What were you saying?

2. Finish the following sentences using the appropriate form of the verb: gerund or infinitive.

1. Many people enjoyed reading the new best seller of Julia Navarro.
2. I am tired of working hard all day.
3. She decided not to buy the house.
4. My mother suggested going to the mountain the next weekend.
5. The boy admitted not being the murderer.
6. When do you expect to see the new film of Brad Pitt?
7. We liked going to Port Aventura.
8. I can’t stand seeing my ex-boyfriend, it’s repugnant.

3. Complete the sentences with the verbs below. Use reported speech. Make any necessary changes.

1. “Our flight will arrive at 7 o’clock tonight”, the flight attendant said to the passengers.
   The flight attendant told the passengers that their flight would arrive at 7 o’clock that night.
2. “Return these books now”, the librarian said to me.
   The librarian told me to return those books then.
3. “I broke your favorite glass”, I said to Mum.
   I told Mum that I had broken her favorite glass.
4. “I don’t want to go to bed now”, the child said to his mum.
   The child told his mum that he didn’t want to go to bed then.
5. “Has Bob returned from his holiday?” Jill asked.
   Jill asked if Bob had returned from his holiday.
6. “Don’t drive on this road”, my father told me.
   My father told me not to drive on that road.
7. “Let’s buy John this CD”, she said.
   She suggested that they buy John that CD.