PET Writing Part 1 practice

Dear PET students,

Here you have over 60 sentences to rewrite so that you can practice for Writing Part 1. You can also find them in a Word document here, together with the Answer Key. Obviously, you have to try to rewrite them yourselves before looking at the answer key!

I have also added extra sentences at the end of this blog entry.

Have a nice Easter,

 Josué

VERB TENSES

1. They came to live in New York two years ago.

They have _____________________ New York for two years.

2. My last job was in 2007.

I have been _____________________ 2007.

3. When I was a child, we would go to the park every afternoon.

When I was a child, we _____________________ to go to the park every afternoon.

4. I haven’t seen Brandon for ages.

It’s been a long time _____________________ saw Brandon.

5. They were still playing tennis after three hours.

They _____________________ tennis for three hours.

6. What a shame he wasn’t able to come.

I wish he _____________________ to come.

7. I haven’t eaten paella for 2 years.

The last time _____________________ was two years ago.

8. Children don’t play board games anymore.

Children used _____________________ board games.

MODAL VERBS

9. Smoking is forbidden in hospitals.

You _____________________ in hospitals.

10. It isn’t necessary to bring skis as they are included in the package.

You do _____________________ bring skis as they are included in the package.

11. I thought I could park here.

I thought parking _____________________ here.

12. Perhaps we will go on a pilgrimage next month.

We _____________________ a pilgrimage next month.

13. She could read when she was three.

She _____________________ to read when she was three.

14. Atletico de Madrid could win the Spanish league this year.

It is _____________________ Atletico de Madrid will win the Spanish league this year.

15. I think Tom needs to see a doctor. His cough is terrible.

With that terrible cough, Tom ought _____________________ a doctor.

16. He couldn’t find me at the park.

He wasn’t able _____________________ me at the park.

17. She let her son go to the concert.

She allowed _____________________ go to the concert.

18. She has probably found a new job.

It is _____________________ she has found a new job.

19. You must not drink in here.

_____________________ allowed in here.

PASSIVE VOICE

20. The president of the USA made an important announcement yesterday.

An important announcement _____________________ the president of the USA yesterday.

21. Somebody should tell him.

He needs _____________________ by somebody.

22. They believe the Holy Grail is in Valencia.

The Holy Grail is _____________________ in Valencia.

23. They couldn’t find the other driver.

The other driver could _____________________.

24. People expect that the President will resign.

The President is _____________________ resign.

25. If you don’t work hard enough, you will be fired.

Your boss will _____________________ unless you work hard enough.

CONDITIONAL SENTENCES

26. I didn’t understand what he was saying because I hadn’t read his book.

If I had read his book I _____________________ what he was saying.

27. You should take the train instead of the bus.

If I _____________________, I would take the train instead of the bus.

28. If our tickets don’t arrive, we won’t be able to go.

We won’t be able to go unless _____________________.

29. Your friend will miss the train if he doesn’t come before ten.

a) If your friend _____________________ ten, he will miss the train.

b) _____________________ before ten, your friend will miss the train.

REPORTED SPEECH

30. ‘Luke, I am your father,’ said Darth Vader.

Darth Vader _____________________ he was his father.

31. ‘Don’t cheat in the exam,’ said the teacher.

The teacher told the students _____________________ in the exam.

32. ‘Can I open the window, Susan?’ asked Tom.

Tom asked Susan _____________________ open the window.

33. ‘Open the window, please, Susan’ asked Tom.

Tom asked Susan _____________________ open the window.

34. ‘Why don’t we play computer games?’ said Michael.

 Michael suggested _____________________ computer games.

35. ‘Are you coming to the party tomorrow?’ she said.

She asked him if he was coming to the party _____________________.

36. Tom said, ‘I will be playing tennis when you arrive.’

Tom said _____________________ playing tennis when I arrived.

37. ‘What time do the banks close today?’ Jonah asked me.

Jonah asked me what time _____________________ that day.

COMPARATIVE AND SUPERLATIVE STRUCTURES

38. I think the book is better than the movie.

I prefer the book _____________________ the movie.

39. Albert’s drawing isn’t as good as Gerald’s.

Gerald’s drawing is _____________________ Albert’s.

40. Huesca is less exciting than Valencia.

a) Huesca is not _____________________ Valencia.

b) Valencia is _____________________ Huesca.

41. He couldn't reach the cup because it was too high.

The cup wasn’t _____________________ for him to reach.

42. All the other girls in my family are shorter than me.

I am the _____________________ in my family.

43. I couldn’t go in because I wasn’t old enough.

I was too _____________________ to go in.

44. There is no better swimmer in class than Michael.

Michael is _____________________ swimmer in class.

45. The tickets are too expensive for me.

I don’t have _____________________ to pay for the tickets.

OTHER STRUCTURES AND EXPRESSIONS

46. They paid for dinner because they wanted to apologise for their behaviour.

a) They paid for dinner in _____________________ apologise for their behaviour.

b) They paid for dinner so _____________________ apologise for their behaviour.

c) They paid for dinner as _____________________ their behaviour.

47. Although the weather was horrible, we went skiing.

a) In spite _____________________ weather, we went skiing.

b) __________________________ weather, we went skiing.

48. Despite being sick, she went to work.

Although __________________________, she went to work.

49. Can I open the window?

Do you __________________________ open the window?

50. If only you didn’t live so far away.

I __________________________ you didn’t live so far away.

51. She wasn’t responsible for the accident.

The accident __________________________ fault.

52. He didn’t want to join the celebrations.

He didn’t want to take __________________________ the celebrations.

53. Don’t let me forget to call Jack.

__________________________ me to call Jack.

54. I don’t agree with the new law.

I’m __________________________ the new law.

55. I’m in favour of the new law.

I __________________________ with the new law.

56. Can you look after the kids this afternoon?

Can you take __________________________ the kids this afternoon?

57. I didn’t mean to break the vase.

I didn’t break the vase on __________________________.

58. Jack says it’s Jenny’s responsibility.

According to Jack, Jenny __________________________.

59. I was so bored by the movie that I left.

The movie was __________________________ that I left.

60. Can you describe your bedroom to me?

What is your __________________________?

EXTRA PRACTICE:

61. I fell asleep at the cinema because the movie was really boring.

The movie was __________________________ I fell asleep at the cinema.

62. Kevin and Gary are the same age.

Gary is __________________________ as Kevin.

63. Francis and Jordan's relationship was successful.

Francis and Jordan's relationship __________________________ out.

64. Could I borrow your calculator? Mine is broken.

Could I borrow your calculator? Mine __________________________ work.

65. I don't know.

I __________________________ idea.

I don't __________________________ clue.

66. I'm not sure whether it will rain.

I'm not sure __________________________ it will rain or not.

67. I can' go to the cinema with you. I don't have any more money.

I can't go to the cinema with you. I've __________________________ of money.