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Short answers exercise

January 24, 2013 A2pdf

Short answers are normally constructed with subject and auxiliary verb. Other words in the question are usually omitted in short answers.

In affirmative short answers, we use stressed, non-contracted forms.

  • ‘Are you happy?’ ‘Yes, I am.’ (NOT Yes, I’m.)

In negative short answers, we usually use contracted forms.

Examples are given below:

  • were not – weren’t
  • cannot – can’t
  • will not – won’t
  • are not – aren’t

Exercise

Read the questions given below and write appropriate short answers in the space provided against them.

Progress 0 of 10 answered
1"Have you got a light?" "Yes, ..............."
Wrong!
Use the full auxiliary in an affirmative short answer: "I have".
2"Do you know the answer?" "No, ..............."
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
The correct negative short answers are "I don't" and "I do not".
3"Will you give me a hand?" "Yes, ..............."
Wrong!
Use the full auxiliary in an affirmative short answer: "I will".
4"Can you help me with the homework?" "No, ..............."
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
The correct negative short answers are "I can't" and "I cannot".
5"Can I borrow your car?" "No, ..............."
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
The correct negative short answers are "you can't" and "you cannot".
6"Was the film interesting?" "Yes, ..............."
Wrong!
Use the past form of "be" in the short answer: "it was".
7"Does she like flowers?" "Yes, ..............."
Wrong!
Use "does" for a present simple short answer with "she": "she does".
8"Can I use your computer?" "Yes, ..............."
Wrong!
Reply with the same modal and the correct subject: "you can".
9"Should we tell her?" "No, ..............."
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
The correct negative short answers are "we shouldn't" and "we should not".
10"Should I wait?" "No, ..............."
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
The correct negative short answers are "you shouldn't" and "you should not".
Exercise complete
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Answers

  1. “Have you got a light?” “Yes, I have“
  2. “Do you know the answer?” “No, I don’t / I do not“
  3. “Will you give me a hand?” “Yes, I will“
  4. “Can you help me with the homework?” “No, I can’t / I cannot“
  5. “Can I borrow your car?” “No, you can’t / you cannot“
  6. “Was the film interesting?” “Yes, it was“
  7. “Does she like flowers?” “Yes, she does“
  8. “Can I use your computer?” “Yes, you can“
  9. “Should we tell her?” “No, we shouldn’t / we should not“
  10. “Should I wait?” “No, you shouldn’t / you should not“
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