Key Word Transformation Exercise 4 (with printable PDF)

Complete the second sentence so that the meaning is very similar to the first, using the key word in bold.

Use between two and five words, including the key word. Contractions (I’m, can’t, etc, count as two words)

1. I had never seen such a beautiful garden. THE

It was _______________ I had ever seen.

2. I haven’t had time to phone Sophie yet. ROUND

I haven’t _______________ Sophie yet.

3. The last time she saw Bruce was last week. SINCE

She _______________ last week.

4. I shouldn’t have argued with my best friend. WISH

I _______________ with my best friend. 

5. They think they are better than anyone who didn’t go to university. LOOK

They _______________ anyone who didn’t go to university.

6. It’s possible Gavin was lying about the money. COULD

Gavin _______________ about the money.

7. “Congratulations! You’ve won first prize, Julia!” said Tom. ON

Tom _______________ first prize.

8. You really ought to start studying for your exams. STARTED

It’s _______________ studying for your exams.

Useful Links for Learning and Teaching English in 2025

ANSWERS

1. I had never seen such a beautiful garden. THE

It was THE MOST BEAUTIFUL GARDEN I had ever seen.

2. I haven’t had time to phone Sophie yet. ROUND

I haven’t GOT ROUND TO PHONING Sophie yet.

3. The last time she saw Bruce was last week. SINCE

She HASN’T SEEN BRUCE SINCE last week.

4. I shouldn’t have argued with my best friend. WISH

I WISH I HADN’T ARGUED with my best friend. 

5. They think they are better than anyone who didn’t go to university. LOOK

They LOOK DOWN ON anyone who didn’t go to university.

6. It’s possible Gavin was lying about the money. COULD

Gavin COULD HAVE BEEN LYING about the money.

7. “Congratulations! You’ve won first prize, Julia!” said Tom. ON

Tom CONGRATULATED JULIA ON WINNING first prize.

8. You really ought to start studying for your exams. STARTED

It’s TIME YOU STARTED studying for your exams. (or: IT’S HIGH TIME YOU STARTED)



Would you like some more practice?

FCE Word Transformation Exercises

Exercise 1
Exercise 2
Exercise 3
Complete list

Whether you are taking exams or not, this kind of exercise will boost your English skills. It gets you to express the same concept in a different way and as a result you become more agile with the language – better agility leads to greater fluency!