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LECCION 38 - PAGINA 4
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About blank filling |
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One part in the CPE "Reading and Use of
English" paper requires you to complete blanks with a suitable
word or phrase. Like other test exercises in this exam, this is
in effect a test of grammar.
In order to complete what is needed, however, you must employ
the reading skills practised in other units in this course, and
read every word in the item, since it will contain all the clues
you need.
You will usually find TWO types of items: |
ITEM # 1: Single
sentence |
The first item is the single sentence with a
blank. Study this example: |
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Remember that 'Not only ..."
is always followed by an inversion construction when it
begins a sentence e.g.
Not only was
I wet and lonely, but I was lost, too.
Not only did
she bring Paul, but she brought all her family,
too. |
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Since the second half of the sentence
is negative with 'not. . . either', the verb in
the first half will almost certainly be negative, too. |
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The subject in the second half is 'he',
so the subject in the first half will almost certainly
be 'he'. |
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The tense in the second half is the
Simple Past, so the tense in the first half will
almost certainly be the Simple Past. |
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In the second half, 'her second
name' gives a clue or pointer to 'her first name'
needed in the first half. |
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Such reasoning above therefore
suggests that the first half of the sentence should read:
Not only
did he not know
her first name, ...
Or perhaps, by the same kind of reasoning:
Not only
could he not
remember her first name, ... |
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ITEM # 2: Simple
dialogue exchange |
The second type of item is a simple dialogue
exchange, with a blank in one half. Study this example: |
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The have and the 've
... already' tell you that the tense needed is
Present Perfect. |
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The verb 'have' in the
question suggests that the main verb needed in the
answer is also 'have' i.e. 'have had',
not 'have drunk/consumed
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The phrase 'another cup of tea'
tells you that the second speaker must have had at least
one already, and possibly more. Therefore the speaker
has probably had 'enough' or 'plenty' or 'more
than enough', since he says 'No, thank you'. |
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Such reasoning above suggests that
the sentence should read:
I've had
enough
already.
I've had more
than enough already.
Or perhaps, by the same kind of reasoning:
I've had
plenty
already.
I've had one
already. |
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On the next page you will be able to practise
both items explained above. |
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LECCION 38 - PAGINA 4
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