Fill in the blanks.
1. There was ………………………… anything in the box.
Correct!
Wrong!
Hardly means scarcely.
2. There lay ……………………………… books on the table.
Correct!
Wrong!
A few indicates a small number; few means almost none.
3. ………………………………. the thunderstorm approaching, we rushed indoors.
Correct!
Wrong!
4. ……………………………. on tip-toe, he reached for the apple.
Correct!
Wrong!
5. Would you mind ……………………………. the door?
Correct!
Wrong!
An ing form is used after would you mind.
6. You ……………………………… attend the meeting.
Correct!
Wrong!
The modal auxiliary need is followed by an infinitive without to.
7. You had better ………………………….. a doctor.
Correct!
Wrong!
The bare infinitive is used after had better.
8. You don’t need …………………………….. all questions.
Correct!
Wrong!
When need is an ordinary verb, it is followed by a to-infinitive.
9. Beethoven is ……………………………… than most other composers.
Correct!
Wrong!
10. I prefer watching TV …………………………… reading books.
Correct!
Wrong!
Prefer is followed by the preposition to.
11. He is ………………………………. of my four children.
Correct!
Wrong!
12. The older we grow, ………………………………. we become.
Correct!
Wrong!
The + comparative is used in both clauses in this structure.
Answers
- There was hardly anything in the box.
- There lay a few books on the table.
- Seeing the thunderstorm approaching, we rushed indoors.
- Standing on tip-toe, he reached for the apple.
- Would you mind closing the door?
- You needn’t attend the meeting.
- You had better consult a doctor.
- You don’t need to answer all questions.
- Beethoven is greater than most other composers.
- I prefer watching TV to reading books.
- He is the youngest of my four children.
- The older we grow, the wiser we become.
