Say, tell, speak, talk

Test 8. Say or tell? Choose the correct variant.

1. George couldn’t help me. He (said/told) me to ask Kate.

2. Kate (said/told) she had many pets at home.

3. Ann (said/told) goodbye to me and left.

4. Sam (said/told) me that Robert didn’t like porridge.

5. I asked him to (say/tell) the truth.

6. Don’t just stand there! (Say/Tell) something!

7. I (said/told) Jim not to shout.

8. Mother (said/told) her son to go to the dentist.

9. (Say/Tell) us about your holiday, please. Did you have a nice time?

10. My cousin (said/told) he could ski well.

11. She (said/told) us her knowledge of French was good.

12. I wonder where Sue is. She (said/told) she would be here at 8 o’clock.

13. Jack (said/told) me that he was fed up with his job.

14. The doctor (said/told) that I should rest for at least a week.

15. Don’t (say/tell) anybody what I (said/told). It’s a secret just between us.

16. ‘Did she (say/tell) you what had happened? ’ ‘No, she didn’t (say/tell) anything to me.’

17. Please listen to me! I’ve got something important to (say/tell) you.

18. Fred (said/told) me that you were ill.

19. What did you (say/tell) the police?

20. He (said/told) he had just heard the news.

Test 9. Fill in a suitable form of a verb from the list: say, tell, speak, talk. You can use some verbs more than once.

1. Tom ___ ‘This is great! ’

2. She ___ that she might be late.

3. He ___ us the answer.

4. I’m going to ___ something to the neighbours about the noise.

5. She ___ us about her travels around North.

6. ___ us about Africa.

7. I’m going to ___ something about my trip to Africa.

8. The clock ___ it’s five past ten.

9. The newspaper ___ there’s been a hijacking.

10. People ___ he’s a bit crasy.

11. ___ me what you need.

12. It’s impossible to ___ the twins apart.

13. ___ we do this, what would happen?

14. Have you ___ anything to in your defense?

15. She ___ them that she might be late.

16. The policeman ___ me to go with him.

17. I ___ you the reason why I was out late.

18. I’ve never ___ a lie in my whole life.

19. Let’s ___ about the problem.

20. She often ___ about her days as a student.

21. The lecturer is going to ___ about the modern art.

22. Let’s just ___ he doesn’t always ___ the truth.

23. The label ___ it was produced in America.

24. He ___ me to close the door.

25. ‘Close the door, ’ he ___.

26. If you have something to ___, say it now.

27. ___ her how to do it.

28. The letter ___ we’ve won first prize.

29. I didn’t do it – somebody’s been ___ tales.

30. She ___ goodbye to her parents.

Test 10. Read the text and add the word which best fits each space: talk, give, say, turn down, persuade, tell, discuss, deny, refuse, convince.

A Friend In Need I can’t ___ (1) when I first realised that Billy was in trouble with the police. He had often ___ (2) to me about his problems and, as his friend, I had ___ (3) him the best advice I could. I also ___ (4) I’d let him come and stay with me but he ___ (5) my offer. I tried to ___ (6) him to stop spending so much money at his club and to sit down and ___ (7) his problems with me but he ___ (8) me to mind my own business. It was difficult to ___ (9) to him after this but I was ___ (10) he was getting into deeper trouble all the time. He had often ___ (11) having anything to do with the local gangs. But then the police came round and asked me to ___ (12) them information about Billy and I couldn’t ___ (13), though I avoided ___ (14) them anything that might do him harm. They asked me to ___ (15) them more details but I managed to convince them that I had (16) the truth.

11.5. PHRASAL VERBS

Test 11. Phrasal verb to come: fill in the correct prepositions or adverbs.

1. It was some time before he came ___ after being knocked out.

2. He came ___ to my way of thinking after a good deal of argument.

3. It’s no use trying to keep this secret; it’s sure to come ___ in the end.

4. The question of salary increases will come ___ at the next general meeting.

5. Those rust marks will come ___ if you rub them with lemon.

6. Seeing me from across the room, she came ___ me.

7. He came ___ a fortune last year. (He inherited it).

8. Wait till prices come ___ again before you buy.

9. Come ___. It’s far too cold to wait here any longer.

10. The handle of the tea-pot came ___ in my hand as I was washing it.

11. I came ___ a vase exactly like yours in an antique shop.

12. I’m at home all day. Come ___ whenever you have time.

13. The expected answer came ___.

14. Has she come ___ the book yet?

15. Come ___ the taxi’s waiting for us.

16. They are coming ___ Sunday.

17. I came ___ to the country cottage in the morning.

18. The button has come ___.

19. He has come ___ the property.

20. The buds are coming ___ now.

Test 12. Phrasal verb to go: fill in the correct prepositions or adverbs.

1. I had to wait for permission from the Council before I could go ___ with my plans.

2. The guard dog went ___ the intruder and knocked him down.

3. He had a sandwich and a cup of tea, then he went ___ working.

4. I went ___ the proposal very carefully with my solicitor and didn’t accept the order.

5. The gun went ___ by accident and wounded him in the leg.

6. Wearing black for mourning went ___ many years ago.

7. She went ___ a beauty contest and got a prize.

8. The price of tomatoes usually goes ___ in summer in England.

9. If there isn’t enough soup to go ___ just put some hot water in it.

10. The early colonists of America went ___ many hardships.

11. You can’t go ___ ___ your promise now; we are depending on you.

12. I’ve changed my mind about marrying him; I simply can’t go ___ ___ it.

13. The plane crashed and went ___ in flames.

14. I refused to go ___ now. I’m going forward.

15. They have gone ___ all the calculations again but they still can’t find the mistake.

16. The party went ___ very well; we all enjoyed ourselves.

17. Mary went ___ in such a hurry that she left her passport behind.

18. Why don’t you go ___ ___ stamp collecting if you want to have a quiet hobby?

19. Her weight went ___ to 70 kilos when she stopped playing tennis.

20. Don’t go ___ food if you want to economize. Just drink less.

Test 13. Phrasal verb to give: fill in the correct prepositions or adverbs.

1. She won $300 and gave it all ___.

2. Riding is getting too expensive; I’ll have to give it ___.

3. He gave ___ all the books he had borrowed.

4. After two days of freedom, the escaped prisoner gave himself ___ to the police.

5. Your secret is safe with me. I won’t give you ___. (betray you).

6. He didn’t want to go to the cinema but they begged him so hard that he gave ___.

7. After his third attempt he gave ___ trying to pass the driving test.

8. The names of the winners were given ___ on the radio.

9. If you want to save money, give ___ eating in expensive restaurants.

10. There was a man giving ___ leaflets outside the church.

11. Don’t give ___ the ending of the story, it will spoil it.

12. What wouldn’t I give ___ a cool drink!

13. The news was given ___ that the political leader had died.

14. Ann gave ___ her college course and left the town.

15. I hope that the holiday will give me ___ my good spirits.

16. Give your examination papers ___ to the teacher when you finish.

17. You would never give ___ your friend’s secret, would you?

18. The liquid gave ___ a strong smell.

19. When are you going to give him ___ his camera?

20. Don’t forget to give ___ your exercise-book.

Test 14. Phrasal verb to put: fill in the correct prepositions or adverbs.

1. Put ___ the clock, it is twenty minutes fast.

2. I’ll put ___ my visit till you can go with me.

3. She had invited me to dinner but had to put me ___ as she was taken ill.

4. Put ___ the light. It’s getting quite light again.

5. That vase is very valuable. Put it ___ before you drop it.

6. He was very much put ___ when she rang off angrily during their conversation.

7. I wish you would put ___ the dishes instead of leaving them on the table.

8. He is not really angry. He’s only putting it ___.

9. The boy is hyperactive. I put it ___ ___ wrong diet.

10. Here’s a crash helmet. Put it ___.

11. I don’t know how you put ___ ___ the noise; it would drive me mad.

12. If you can’t find a room in a hotel, I could always put you ___.

13. The shortage of eggs has put ___ their price considerably.

14. The government put ___ the rebellion with great severity.

15. This clock is always slow; I put it ___ ten minutes every day.

16. He put ___ his name for the excursion.

17. Can you put ___ impractical people?

18. Automation puts ___ profits.

19. Then he put ___ the water to boil and brought out my laundry bucket.

20. He put ___ a whole week of work on that article.

Test 15. Phrasal verb to take: fill in the correct prepositions or adverbs.

1. I couldn’t take ___ the lecture. It is out of my capacity.

2. When he offered me only $3, I was too taken ___ to say a word.

3. She took ___ riding because she wanted to lose some weight.

4. He takes ___ his mother; he has blue eyes and fair hair too.

5. I am sorry I called you a liar. I take it ___.

6. He took ___ going for a walk every night before he went to bed.

7. I wish we could sell the piano; it takes ___ too much space here.

8. You’d better take ___ your coat if you’re too hot.

9. We took ___ each other the first time we met and have been friends ever since.

10. When his father died, Tom took ___ his business.

11. I saw in the water only an old tree. I took it ___ the Lock Ness Monster.

12. People often take me ___ my sister. We look alike.

13. He always takes ___ his false teeth before he goes to bed.

14. I took ___ Tom at chess and beat him.

15. Even a child wouldn’t be taken ___ by such an obvious lie.

16. The policeman took ___ the number of the stolen car.

17. If she takes ___ the job of director, she’ll have to work harder.

18. She makes a little extra money by taking ___ paying guests in summer.

19. He took ___ sister to the concert.

20. Try to take the chairman ___ after the meeting to discover what he thinks.

11.6. CONFUSING WORDS

Test 16. Choose the correct word in each of the following sentences.

1. I thought you said you (were going to/should) give up smoking.

2. Our new neighbours invited me in for a cup of tea. I must say they seem a very (nice/sympathetic) couple.

3. Was it Bell who (invented/discovered) the telephone?

4. I wonder if I might have a (recipe/receipt) for the things I’ve bought.

5. Oh, Jan, could you (remember/remind) me to phone the dentist this afternoon?

6. I wonder if you’d mind (bringing/fetching) John from next door? He’s wanted on the phone.

7. What (more/else) did you do in Spain, apart from swimming and sun-bathing?

8. I’ve just bought a record of Beethoven’s Fifth symphony (conducted/directed) by Karajan.

9. When we moved into our new flat I had to sell my (grand/wind) piano.

10. We’ll have to change the curtains, darling. They don’t (pass/match) the new suite.

11. A (classical/classic) example of actors and actresses playing love scenes was when Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor were filming ‘Anthony and Cleopatra’.

12. Many people nowadays are changing from large cars to small ones because they are far more (economic/economical).

13. If you try long enough then you’ll (eventually/possibly) succeed.

14. Miss Bright’s really (effective/efficient), isn’t she?

15. 1066 is one of the most (historical/historic) moments in British history.

16. I can’t read David’s handwriting at all; it’s quite (eligible/illegible).

17. The Centre Party has been (consequential/consistent) in its policy of opposing nuclear power.

18. The new price increases will take (affect/effect) on April 1st.

19. If animals have to be killed for food, then it should be done as (humanly/humanely) as possible.

20. Did you have (an opportunity/possibility) to visit the Louvre when you were in Paris?

Test 17. Choose the correct word in each of the following sentences.

1. There is a very good (Technological/Technical) College not far from where I live.

2. Did you know that Peter had arranged the party (specially/especially) for you?

3. I couldn’t care less one way or the other. I’m completely (uninterested/disinterested).

4. I hear that Manchester United beat Liverpool two – (nil/nought) in the last Cup match.

5. There is a very strong (possibility/opportunity) that man will land on the planet Mars.

6. South Wales was once a flourishing coal-mining area, but today there are hundreds of (misused/disused) coal mines scattered throughout the valleys.

7. My uncle has just got a divorce, which is very strange since he is a marriage guidance (councillor/counsellor).

8. I’m afraid the boot is full. There is no (room/space) for any more suitcases.

9. It’s much too hot. Let’s go and sit in the (shadow/ shade) for a while.

10. I’ll see you next week – (eventually/possibly) on Friday.

11. The tennis match was held up for ten minutes when the (umpire/referee) fainted.

12. Any idea what the present Government’s (politics/policy) is on defence?

13. They climbed up the steep stone (stairs/steps) leading to the old church.

14. I hope he has got a good (solicitor/barrister) to represent him in court.

15. What did you think of the (critic/write-up) we got in the paper this morning?

16. His (financial/economic) worries were solved when he suddenly won $25, 000.

17. During the war, Vera Lynn’s songs contributed greatly to the (morals/morale) of the troops.

18. My flat is just around the corner from my office, which is (convenient/comfortable) for me.

19. The house I have just bought is close to shops, schools and other local (amenities/facilities).

20. Do you think the new tax changes will (affect/effect) you very much?