The ability to rewrite sentences so that they have the same meaning as the original is often required for many English ESL EFL Exams such as
Cambridge's First Certificate,
CAE and Proficiency. This skill can also help you prepare for the
TOEFL examination (Test of English as a Foreign Language). It is also an important skill which can help you improve your understanding of similar English expressions and vocabulary.
Rewrite the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first. Use no more than 5 words. See answer key at the bottom of the page.
=================================================================================
1. You must never take your helmet off while you are riding a motorcycle.
Helmets must be worn __________ when riding a motorcycle.
=================================================================================
2. They wanted to apologize for their behavior: that's why they paid for dinner.
They paid for dinner __________ for their behavior.
=================================================================================
3. It isn't necessary to bring skis as they are included in the package.
You _________ bring skis as they are included in the package.
=================================================================================
4. I thought parking was allowed here.
I _________ that parking was allowed here.
=================================================================================
5. Tom said, "I will be playing tennis when you arrive."
Tom said __________ tennis when I arrived.
=================================================================================
6. When I was a child, we would go to the local park every Saturday afternoon.
When I was a child, _________ the park every Saturday.
=================================================================================
7. His daughter continued to cry until he could not be seen any longer.
She continued to cry until he ___________ .
=================================================================================
8. I'm afraid that car is just too expensive.
That car is ___________ .
=================================================================================
9. They moved to this suburb in 1997.
They ___________ in this suburb since 1997.
=================================================================================
10. One other thing before I forget - Jack is coming to visit next weekend.
______________ , Jack is coming to visit next weekend.
===================================================
4. was under the impression
===================================================================================
Sentence Transformation Quiz 2
1. This will be my student's first performance in Canada.
This will be the first time ____________
2. This course will take us six months to complete.
In six months time ____________
3. There will be someone to meet you on arrival.
4. The number of people who understand his ideas exceed his expectations.
5. The money didn't arrive for a month.
6. The last time I saw him was in 2001.
7. She'll have to make her presentation at the end of his speech.
The moment he ____________
8. Sharon will finish her exams. Then she will have more free time.
9. Quite a few DVDs are missing from the shelves.
Several people ____________
10. Peter wasn't always so moody.
Peter didn't ____________
=====================================================================================
ANSWER KEY
1. This will be my student's first performance in Canada.
This will be the first time my student has performed in Canada.
2. This course will take us six months to complete.
In six months time we will have completed this course.
3. There will be someone to meet you on arrival.
When you arrive someone will be there.
4. The number of people who understand his ideas exceed his expectations.
More people understand him than he expects.
5. The money didn't arrive for a month.
It was a month before the money arrived.
6. The last time I saw him was in 2001.
I haven't seen him since 2001.
7. She'll have to make her presentation at the end of his speech.
The moment he finishes she'll have to make her presentation.
8. Sharon will finish her exams. Then she will have more free time.
Once Sharon has finished her exams she will have more free time.
9. Quite a few DVDs are missing from the shelves.
Several people have not returned (their) DVDs.
10. Peter wasn't always so moody.
Peter didn't use to be so moody.