Exercises

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

1. There were lots of tourists in the city centre. The city centre was crowded _with tourists._

2. There was a lot of furniture in the room. The room was full ---.

3. I don't like sport very much. I'm not very keen ---.

4. We haven't got enough time. We're a bit short ---.

5. I'm not a very good tennis player. I'm not very good ---.

6. Catherine's husband is Russian. Catherine is married ---.

7. I don't trust Robert. I'm suspicious ---.

8. My problem is not the same as yours. My problem is different ---.

130.2 Complete the sentences with one of the following adjectives + the correct preposition:

afraid different interested proud responsible similar sure

1. I think she's arriving this evening but I'm not _sure of_ that.

2. Your camera is --- mine but it isn't exactly the same.

3. Don't worry. I'll look after you. There's nothing to be ---.

4. 'Do you want to watch the news on television? ' 'No, I'm not --- the news.'

5. The editor is the person who is --- what appears in a newspaper.

6. Mrs Davis is a very keen gardener. She's very --- her garden and loves showing it to visitors.

7. I was surprised when I met her for the first time. She was --- what I expected.

130.3 Put in the correct preposition.

1. The letter I wrote was full _of_ mistakes.

2. My home town is not especially interesting. It's not famous --- anything.

3. Kate is very fond --- her younger brother.

4. I don't like going up ladders. I'm afraid --- heights.

5. You look bored. You don't seem 'interested --- what I'm saying.

6. Did you know that Liz is engaged --- a friend of mine?

7. I'm not ashamed --- what I did. In fact I'm quite proud --- it.

8. I suggested we should all go out for a meal but nobody else was keen --- the idea.

9. These days everybody is aware --- the dangers of smoking.

10. The station platform was crowded --- people waiting for the train.

11. She's much more successful than I am. Sometimes I feel a bit jealous --- her.

12. I'm tired --- doing the same thing every day. I need a change.

13. Do you know anyone who might be interested --- buying an old car?

14. We've got plenty to eat. The fridge is full --- food.

15. She is a very honest person. I don't think she is capable --- telling a lie.

16. I'm not surprised she changed her mind at the last moment. That's typical --- her.

17. Our house is similar --- yours. Perhaps yours is a bit larger.

18. John has no money of his own. He's totally dependent --- his parents.

130.4 Write sentences about yourself. Are you good at these things or not? Use:

brilliant very good quite good not very good hopeless

1. (repairing things) _I'm not very good at repairing things._

2. (telling jokes) ---.

3. (mathematics) ---.

4. (remembering names) ---.

UNIT 131 Verb + preposition (1) at and to

A. Verb + at

look/have a look/stare/glance (etc.) AT...:

* Why are you looking at me like that?

laugh/smile AT...:

* I look stupid with this haircut. Everybody will laugh at me.

aim/point (something) AT..., shoot/fire (a gun) AT... (='in the direction of'):

* Don't point that knife at me. It's dangerous.

* We saw some people with guns shooting at birds.

B. Verb + to

talk/speak TO (somebody) ('with' is also possible but less usual):

* Who was that man you were talking to?

* Can I speak to Jane, please?

listen TO...:

* We spent the evening listening to music. (not 'listening music')

write (a letter) TO...:

* Sorry I haven't written to you for such a long time.

but phone/telephone somebody (no preposition):

* Did you phone your father yesterday? (not 'phone to your father')

invite (somebody) TO (a party/a wedding etc.):

* They only invited a few people to their wedding.

C. Some verbs can be followed by at or to, with a difference of meaning. For example:

shout AT somebody (when you are angry):

* She got very angry and started shouting at me.

shout TO somebody (so that they can bear you):

* She shouted to me from the other side of the street.

throw something AT somebody/something (in order to bit them):

* Somebody threw an egg at the minister.

throw something TO somebody (for somebody to catch):

* Judy shouted 'Catch! ' and threw the keys to me from the window.

D. Explain/describe/apologize

We say explain something (TO somebody):

* Can you explain this word to me? (not 'explain me this word')

also: 'explain (to somebody) that/what/how/why...':

* I explained to them what I wanted them to do. (not 'I explained them')

Describe is similar:

* Let me describe to you what I saw.

Note that we say 'apologize TO somebody (for...)':

* He apologized to me. (not 'He apologized me')

but 'thank somebody (for something)', 'ask somebody (for something)':

* He asked me for money. (not 'He asked to me')