Exercises

128.1 Complete the second sentence so that it has the same meaning as the first.

1. What caused the explosion? What was the cause _of the explosion? _

2. We're trying to solve the problem. We're trying to find a solution ---.

3. Sue gets on well with her brother. Sue has a good relationship ---.

4. Prices have gone up a lot. There has been a big increase ---.

5. I don't know how to answer your question. I can't think of an answer ---.

6. I don't think that a new road is necessary. I don't think there is any need ---.

7. The number of people without jobs fell last month. Last month there was a fall ---.

8. Nobody wants to buy shoes like these any more. There is no demand ---.

9. In what way is your job different from mine? What is the difference ---?

128.2 Complete the sentences using one of the following nouns + the correct preposition.

cause connection invitation map reason damage contact key pictures reply

1. On the wall there were some pictures and a _map of_ the world.

2. Thank you for the --- your party next week.

3. Since she left home two years ago, she has had little --- her family.

4. I can't open this door. Have you got a --- the other door?

5. The --- the fire at the hotel last night is still unknown.

6. I wrote to Jim last week, but I still haven't received a --- my letter.

7. The two companies are completely independent. There is no --- them.

8. Jane showed me some old --- the city as it looked 100 years ago.

9. Carol has decided to give up her job. I don't know her --- doing this.

10. It wasn't a bad accident. The --- the car wasn't serious.

128.3 Complete the sentences with the correct preposition.

1. There are some differences _between_ British and American English.

2. Everything can be explained. There's a reason --- everything.

3. If I give you the camera, can you take a photograph --- me?

4. Money isn't the solution --- every problem.

5. There has been an increase --- the amount of traffic using this road.

6. When I opened the envelope, I was delighted to find a cheque --- 500 pounds.

7. The advantage --- having a car is that you don't have to rely on public transport.

8. There are many advantages --- being able to speak a foreign language.

9. When Paul left home, his attitude --- his parents seemed to change.

10. Bill and I used to be good friends but I don't have much contact --- him now.

11. There has been a sharp rise --- the cost of living in the past few years.

12. I'm sorry I haven't written to you for so long. The reason --- this is that I've been ill.

13. What was Emma's reaction --- the news?

14. Ken showed me a photograph --- the house where he lived as a child.

15. The company has rejected the workers' demands --- a rise pay.

16. What was the answer --- question 3 in the test?

17. The fact that Jane was offered a job has no connection --- the fact that her cousin is the managing director.

UNIT 129 Adjective + preposition (1)

A. It was nice of you to...

nice/kind/good/generous/polite/silly/stupid etc. OF somebody (to do something):

* Thank you. It was very nice/kind of you to help me.

* It is stupid of her to go out without a coat in such cold weather.

but (be) nice/kind/good/generous/polite/friendly/cruel etc. TO somebody:

* They have always been very nice/kind to me. (not 'with me')

* Why were you so unfriendly to Tessa?

B. Adjective + about/with

angry/annoyed/furious ABOUT something

angry/annoyed/furious WITH somebody FOR doing something

* It's stupid to get angry about things that don't matter.

* Are you annoyed with me for being late?

excited/worried/upset/nervous/happy etc. ABOUT something:

* Are you excited about going on holiday next week?

* Carol is upset about not being invited to the party.

delighted/pleased/satisfied/disappointed WITH something:

* I was delighted with the present you gave me.

* Were you disappointed with your exam results? ]

C. Adjective + at/by/with

surprised/shocked/amazed/astonished AT/BY something:

* Everybody was surprised at (or by) the news.

* I hope you weren't shocked by (or at) what I said.

impressed WITH/BY somebody/something:

* I'm very impressed with (or by) her English. It's very good.

fed up/bored WITH something:

* I don't enjoy my job any more. I'm fed up with it./I'm bored with it.]

D. sorry about/for

sorry ABOUT something:

* I'm sorry a out t e noise last night. We were having a party.

but usually sorry FOR doing something:

* I'm sorry for shouting at you yesterday.

You can also say 'I'm sorry I (did something)':

* I'm sorry I shouted at you yesterday.

We say 'to feel/to be sorry FOR somebody':

* I feel sorry for George. He has a lot of problems.]