1.1. SINGULAR AND PLURAL NOUNS

Nouns are made plural by adding

Irregular plurals

Test 1. Write the plural of the following nouns.

1. church – 8. woman – 15. radio —

2. difficulty – 9. deer – 16. ox —

3. mouse – 10. leaf – 17. fish —

4. month – 11. goose – 18. wolf —

5. child – 12. potato – 19. country —

6. roof – 13. foot – 20. tooth —

7. boy – 14. dress – 21. curriculum —

Test 2. Write the plural of the following nouns.

1. nanny – 8. radio – 15. violin —

2. father-in-law – 9. train robbery – 16. wife —

3. headache – 10. painkiller – 17. medium —

4. dictionary – 11. bush – 18. mouse —

5. pincushion – 12. pen-friend – 19. godfather —

6. hold-up – 13. video – 20. wish —

7. hoof – 14. pillowcase – 21. phenomenon —

Test 3. Write the plural of the following nouns.

1. deer – 8. sheep – 15. datum —

2. lady – 9. species – 16. Eskimo —

3. roof – 10. day – 17. leaf —

4. chief – 11. family – 18. life —

5. studio – 12. dish – 19. zero —

6. zoo – 13. paw – 20. buffalo —

7. bus – 14. fork – 21. criterion —

Test 4. Write the plural of the following nouns.

1. trout – 8. baby – 15. vowel —

2. composer – 9. handkerchief – 16. buzz —

3. insect – 10. church – 17. glass —

4. oasis – 11. memo – 18. man —

5. analysis – 12. ball game – 19. goose —

6. bacterium – 13. passer-by – 20. foot —

7. waiter – 14. letdown – 21. volcano —

Test 5. Write the plural of the following nouns.

1. bench – 8. scarf – 15. fruit —

2. celebrity – 9. belief – 16. swine —

3. louse – 10. sheep – 17. activity —

4. bath – 11. half – 18. thief —

5. woman – 12. tomato – 19. kilo —

6. cliff – 13. means – 20. party —

7. play – 14. photo – 21. appendix —

1.2. COUNTABLE AND UNCOUNTABLE NOUNS

Nouns can be countable (those that can be counted) or uncountable (those that can’t be counted). Uncountable nouns take a singular verb. The most common uncountable nouns are:

• Mass nouns: fluids (blood, tea, coffee, milk etc), solids (bread, butter, china, coal, food, fruit, glass, ice, iron, fish [meaning food], etc), gasses (air, oxygen, pollution, smoke, smog, etc), particles (corn, dust, flour, hair, pepper, rice, salt, sand, etc).

• Subjects of study: chemistry, economics, literature, mathematics, physics, etc.

• Languages: Chinese, English, French, etc.

• Games: billiards, chess, golf, soccer, tennis, etc.

• Diseases: flu, measles, mumps, etc.

• Natural phenomena: darkness, hail, heat, rain (but: the rains = season of continuous rain in tropical countries), humidity, thunder, snow, etc.

• Some abstract nouns: accommodation, advice, anger, applause, assistance, behaviour, business, chaos, countryside, courage, damage, dirt, education, evidence, housework, homework, information, intelligence, knowledge, luck, music, news, peace, progress, seaside, shopping, traffic, trouble, truth, wealth, work, etc.

• Collective nouns: baggage, cutlery, furniture, jewellery, luggage, machinery, money, rubbish, stationery, etc.

• Many uncountable nouns can be made countable by adding a partitive: a piece of paper/cake/advice/information/furniture; a slice/loaf of bread; a(n) item/piece of news, etc.

• Some nouns take only a plural verb. These are objects consisting of two parts: garments (pyjamas, trousers, etc), tools (scissors, etc), instruments (binoculars, compasses, spectacles, etc), or nouns such as: arms, ashes, barracks, clothes, congratulations, earnings, (good) looks, outskirts, people, police, premises, riches, stairs, surroundings, wages, etc.

• Group nouns refer to a group of people. These nouns can take either a singular or a plural verb depending on whether we see the group as a whole or as individuals. Such group nouns are: army, audience, class, club, committee, company, council, crew, crowd, headquarters, family, jury, government, press, public, staff, team, etc.

The team was the best. (the team as a group)

The team were all given medals. (each member separately as individuals)

• With expressions of duration, distance or money meaning ‘a whole amount’ we use a singular verb: Two years is long to wait. Three miles is a long way to go. Nine thousand pounds is a high price to pay.

Test 6. Fill in: is or are.

1. Your trousers _____ in the wardrobe.

2. Where______ his scissors?

3. There_____ a lecture on history today.

4. The shopping________ heavy.

5. Where_____ my gloves?

6. This information______ correct.

7. His hair_____ brown.

8. My socks_____ in the drawer.

9. Our furniture_____ very cheap.

10. His accommodation_____ luxurious.

11. Evidence_____ needed before the trial can continue.

12. The news_____ very exciting.

13. Mumps_____ a common illness among children.

14. My glasses_____ on the table.

15. Chinese_____ difficult to learn.

16. Where_____ the kitchen scales?

17. Billiards_____ a popular game.

18. His work_____ very interesting.

19. People_____ starving in some countries.

20. Education_____ the key to his success.

Test 7. Fill in: is or are.

1. Where_____ your trousers?

2. Could you tell me where_____ the scissors?

3. Tonight, there _____ athletics on TV.

4. Money_____ easy to spend and difficult to save.

5. Gloves_____ worn in cold weather.

6. This student’s knowledge_____ amazing.

7. Love_____ reason for much happiness.

8. This bread_____ stale.

9. Your jeans_____ on the chair.

10. His baggage_____ too heavy to carry.

11. Her advice _____ very interesting.

12. Mathematics_____ his favourite subject.

13. Measles_____ a common illness.

14. The glasses_____ on the table.

15. My sister’s hair_____ long.

16. Their bathroom scales_____ quite accurate.

17. Darts _____ a popular game in Britain.

18. This work_____ too hard.

19. People_____ unhappy with the new tax system.

20. The police_____ near.

Test 8. Choose the correct form of the verb.

1. Economics (is/are) his favourite subject.

2. The trousers he bought for her (doesn’t/don’t) fit her.

3. The police (want/wants) to interview men about the robbery.

4. Physics (was/were) my best subject at school.

5. Can I borrow your scissors? Mine (isn’t/aren’t) sharp enough.

6. The news (wasn’t/weren’t) as bad as we expected.

7. Where (does/do) your family live?

8. Four days (isn’t/aren’t) long enough for a good holiday.

9. He can’t find his binoculars. Do you know where (it is/they are)?

10. Do you think the people (is/are) happy with the government?

11. (Does/Do) the police know how the accident happened?

12. She doesn’t like hot weather. Twenty-eight degrees (is/are) too warm for her.

13. The staff at school (is/are) not happy with their new working conditions.

14. Thirty thousand pounds (was/were) stolen in the robbery.

15. Two years (is/are) a long time to be without job.

16. Five miles (is/are) a long way to walk every day.

17. I need more money. Six pounds (is/are) not enough.

18. These species (is/are) very rare.

19. My hair (is/are) dark brown.

20. His watch (need/needs) repairing.

Test 9. Choose the correct form of the verb.

1. All of her belongings (was/were) in a suitcase.

2. Athletics (is/are) very popular nowadays.

3. Aerobics (do/does) people a lot of good.

4. Chocolate (makes/make) you put on weight.

5. Most people (enjoy/enjoys) Easter.

6. The money she makes (is/are) enough for her.

7. The police (is/are) looking for the murderer.

8. His good looks (get/gets) him what he wants.

9. The government (is/are) passing new laws.

10. Her knowledge of English (is/are) very good.

11. Measles, which (is/are) a children’s disease, (is/are) dangerous for adults.

12. The audience (was/were) given free tickets.

13. The economics (is/are) very interesting.

14. His death (was/were) a great shock.

15. Fish (is/are) easy to look after as pets.

16. Radio news (give/gives) us less information than television news.

17. The stairs to the ground floor (was/were) over there.

18. The information (was/were) very helpful.

19. His glass (is/are) on the table.

20. There (is/are) toast on the dish.

2.1. PERSONAL PRONOUNS

Test 1. Fill in the correct personal pronouns.

1. She is very handsome. I envy______.

2. They are not reliable. He doubts ______.

3. I taught her.______ learned it from ______.

4. We asked for his advice.______ advised______ not to come.

5. He dislikes her, and______ hates ______, it’s evident.

6. You should be there on time. I want______ to come on time.

7. She is from England,______ gave me lessons in English.

8. They are our friends. We invited______ to the party.

9. He wrote this letter. I recognized______ by his handwriting.

10. ‘Did you see the snake?’ ‘Yes, I saw______ and ______saw______.’

11. ‘Where’s Tom?’ ‘That’s ______over there.’

12. ‘Where’s my map?’ ‘I left ______on the desk.’

13. Look at that bird. ______always comes to my window.

14. ‘What time is ______?’ ‘______ is four.’

15. ‘Who is that?’ ______‘ ’s me.’

16. Hi, it is so nice to see ______again.

17. ______doesn’t matter.

18. I like when ______’s warm.

19. I find______ difficult to explain anything to him.

20. You are not guilty of ______, are you?

Test 2. Fill in the correct personal pronouns.

1. Who is that woman? Why are you looking at ______?

2. Do you know that man? I work with ______.

3. I’m talking to you. Please listen to ______.

4. These books are interesting. Do you want to look at ______?

5. He likes that camera. He’s going to buy ______.

6. Where are the tickets? I can’t find ______.

7. We’re going out. You can go with ______.

8. I don’t like dogs. I’m afraid of ______.

9. Where is he? I want to talk to ______.

10. These plums are bad. Don’t eat ______.

11. I want those pencils. Please give______ to ______.

12. They want the money. Please give______ to ______.

13. He wants the key. Please give______ to______.

14. He never drinks milk. He doesn’t like ______.

15. I often go to the parties. ______like ______.

16. ‘Where are my glasses?’ ‘______ are on the table.’

17. Where’s Dan? I want to talk to ______.

18. We’re going shopping. Do you want to go with ______?

19. I want to see him but______ doesn’t want to see ______.

20. I don’t know those people. Do you know ______?

2.2. POSSESSIVE PRONOUNS

Test 3. Fill in the correct possessive pronouns.

1. This book belongs to me. This is ______book.

2. The man put______ hand into pocket.

3. The cat ate______ food.

4. She took out______ purse and gave it to me.

5. My husband never wears______ glasses.

6. This is their car. That other car is______ too.

7. May I introduce to you one of______ colleagues?

8. There were a lot of people coming back from ______work.

9. Every season is beautiful in ______own way.

10. They would like a house of______ own.

11. I’ll try______ best, I promise.

12. Each country has______ own customs.

13. He cut______ finger this evening.

14. Lend me______ pen, I’ve lost ______.

15. They’re going to London with some students of ______.

16. This is not my pencil, ______is red.

17. I haven’t got a pen. Can you give me ______?

18. Take off______ coat, please.

19. I saw them. This is______ car.

20. Ann is married.______ husband works in a bank.

Test 4. Fill in the correct possessive pronouns.

1. They have two children but I don’t remember______ names.

2. I often see that man but I don’t know______ name.

3. Pete is a teacher but______ sister is a nurse.

4. Do you like______ job?

5. Do you think that most people are happy in ______jobs?

6. Put on______ hat when you go out.

7. We are going to invite all______ friends to the party.

8. ______favourite sport is tennis. She plays a lot in summer.

9. He didn’t have an umbrella, so she gave him ______.

10. He was very happy because we invited him to stay with us in______ house.

11. You’ll give me your address and I’ll give you ______.

12. I gave him my address and he gave me ______.

13. I saw Liz and Philip with______ son, Bill.

14. He invited Ann with ______parents.

15. We live with ______parents.

16. Oxford is famous for______ university.

17. I can’t find ______ticket.

18. The County of Kent is famous for______ gardens.

19. My sister plays tennis too but______ favourite sport is basketball.

20. Mr and Mrs Brown live in Paris but______ son lives in London.

Test 5. Fill in my, your, his, her, our.

Dear Sally,

Thank you for ______(1) letter. I’m fine and I hope that you and ______(2) parents are fine too. In your letter you ask me who helps me with ______(3) homework. I’ve got a brother, but he never helps me with ______(4) homework. My friend Joan has got a brother too and he always helps her with ______(5) homework, but then she helps him with cleaning ______(6) room. We do a lot of homework because ______(7) Maths teacher and ______(8) English teacher are very strict. ______(9) parents think it is okay to have a lot of homework. They always say, ‘ ______(10) teachers were strict too, and so we learned a lot.’ Well, so what can I do? Joan’s parents say that she needs some free time so that she can play or meet ______(11) friends. Thank you for ______(12) photo. I think you look so sweet.

Bye. I hope to hear from you soon.

Love,

Sarah

2.3. REFLEXIVE PRONOUNS

Test 6. Fill in the correct reflexive pronouns.

1. What will you do with______ this morning?

2. They were whispering among ______.

3. We should seldom speak of ______.

4. I drive the car ______.

5. Did you see the manager ______?

6. I often walk by ______.

7. His grandmother lives by ______.

8. The house______ is not worth much.

9. He has the habit of talking to ______.

10. He cut ______.

11. She told me the news ______.

12. The machine works by ______.

13. He______ told me that story.

14. They are making fools of ______.

15. She stretched______ out on the sofa.

16. She is interested only in ______.

17. She lives by ______.

18. Help______ to coffee.

19. Make______ at home!

20. He______ conducted the interview.

Test 7. Fill in the correct reflexive pronouns.

1. The girl decorated the room ______.

2. The winner looked very proud of ______.

3. She brought up her children by ______.

4. The cat is washing ______.

5. The children enjoyed______ when they visited Disneyland.

6. She was afraid of spiders, so she didn’t go into the room by ______.

7. She decided to do all the cooking ______.

8. He was asked to behave______ at school.

9. He shouted loudly to make______ understood.

10. Cats are very clean animals: they are always washing ______.

11. Doctors advised us that we have to exercise ______regularly in order to keep healthy.

12. In ______your problem is nothing to worry about.

13. She loves looking at______ in the mirror.

14. If you don’t behave ______, I shall put you all to bed early.

15. The music was so loud that I had to shout to make ______heard.

16. The teacher tried to make______ understood but she failed to get the class to understand.

17. We painted the room ______.

18. She was very pleased with ______when she got such a good job.

19. I think I’d go back to France. We really enjoyed______ there.

20. I don’t feel______ today. I don’t know what’s wrong with me.

2.4. DEMONSTRATIVE PRONOUNS

Test 8. Fill in the correct demonstrative pronouns.

1. Which flowers do you want? ______or ______?

2. Excuse me, is______ your bag?

3. They talked about ______and ______.

4. Which shoes do you like most? ______or ______?

5. ______’s why they accepted his proposal.

6. ______is Ann speaking.

7. After______ they decided not to come.

8. ______will do.

9. I’ll take______ books.

10. He’s been waiting______ three weeks.

11. She went to______ doctor and ______, no result.

12. ______day was the worst of his life.

13. I’m tired out.______ ’s why I’m going home early.

14. George likes Mary, but she doesn’t like him. ______’s what annoys him.

15. The engine starts and the light goes on. ______’s when you press the button.

16. ‘They’re getting engaged in April.’ ‘ ______’s marvellous.’

17. ______was the biggest mistake in his life.

18. ‘We’re moving to London.’ ‘ ______’s fantastic!’

19. ______ is what I think.

20. ______will help her to come in time.

Test 9. Fill in the correct demonstrative pronouns.

1. I never forget my holiday in London. ______was the holiday of a lifetime.

2. What are you doing ______ Sunday?

3. Didn’t you just love ______ striped trousers in the shop we just passed?

4. Mmm! ______ is the best cake I’ve ever tasted!

5. Do you see ______ boy over there? He’s my cousin.

6. Hello, ______ is Mr Cook. Can I speak to Mr Brown, please?

7. I can’t go out in ______ coat. It’s too tight.

8. ‘I’ve been accepted by my first choice of university.’ ‘Congratulations. ______ is fantastic!’

9. ______ were the days when we used to dance every night.

10. Don’t you think ______ new electronic diaries that we saw in the shop are really clever?

11. ‘______ belonged to my grandmother,’ said David as he slipped the ring onto Jane’s finger.

12. Don’t you think ______ jeans suit me?

13. ______ biscuits are delicious. Did you make them yourself?

14. ______ records you threw out were my original hits from the seventies!

15. Aren’t ______ girls over there your students?

16. ‘______ bike needs repairing.’ ‘______ is what I was trying to tell you.’

17. What do you think of ______ dress Ann was wearing last night?

18. I don’t go anywhere ______ week.

19. What’s ______ you’re reading?

20. ______ boy over there is my son.

2.5. SOME, ANY, NO, EVERY AND THEIR COMPOUNDS

Test 10. Fill in some, any, no, every.

1. I’ve met ______ people, but I don’t have ______ real friends.

2. ‘Is there ______ petrol in the tank?’ ‘Yes, there must be ______ left.’

3. I’m sorry but there are ______ cookies left.

4. Have you ______ idea what time it is?

5. She had ______ games, but she didn’t have ______ computer games.

6. ‘Have you got ______ matches?’ ‘Yes, I think I’ve got ______ in my pocket.’

7. I can’t talk to you now. I’ve got ______ time.

8. Could you give me ______ examples?

9. I see him at work almost ______ day.

10. Everything was correct. There were ______ mistakes.

11. We get ______ letters from her month.

12. There weren’t ______ potatoes left.

13. There were ______ tomatoes left.

14. Would you like ______ milk?

15. I’d like to ask you for ______ advice.

16. Her car wasn’t ______ better than ours.

17. ______ of the information has already been used.

18. ______ country has a national flag.

19. It hasn’t made ______ difference.

20. ______ child can learn to read and write.

Test 11. Fill in some, any, no, every or their compounds.

1. Is there ______ meat in the fridge?

2. There isn’t ______ fish, either.

3. Can I have ______ coffee, please?

4. Take ______ book you would like to read.

5. She said ______ but I didn’t understand it.

6. He went to the shop but he didn’t buy ______.

7. There is ______ in the box. It’s empty.

8. I can do this job alone. I don’t need ______ to help me.

9. They’ve got ______ cheese but they haven’t got ______ bread.

10. I’m looking for my keys. Has ______ seen them?

11. ______ has taken my camera. I can’t find it.

12. He hasn’t got ______ eggs to make an omelette.

13. I heard a noise. There is ______ in the cupboard.

14. Look! ______ is sitting at the train station, waiting for a train!

15. ______ knows anything about her concert.

16. There was ______ selling tickets near the hall.

17. ______ Is in the room?

18. ______ student has to obey school regulations.

19. ‘Have you got ______ to tell me?’ ‘No, really’.

20. I walk with my friend’s dog ______ Sunday.

Test 12. Fill in some, any, no, every or their compounds.

1. There’s ______ milk in that jug. It’s empty.

2. She wanted ______ stamps but there weren’t ______ in the machine.

3. I’m afraid there isn’t ______ coffee left.

4. Is there ______ here who speaks Italian?

5. I’d like to buy ______ clothes but I haven’t got ______ money.

6. Would you like ______ juice?

7. She put her handbag down ______ and now she can’t find it.

8. Haven’t you got ______ friends in London?

9. We had to walk home because there was ______ bus.

10. Does ______ want a cup of tea?

11. I’ve looked ______ for my passport, but I can’t find it ______.

12. Come and have supper with us if you aren’t doing ______ tonight.

13. Are there ______ letters for me?

14. I’d like to make ______ friends, but I haven’t met _________ young people yet.

15. Jane is getting married to ______ she met on holiday.

16. Tommy is so nice. ______ likes him.

17. I can’t talk to you now. I’ve got ______ time.

18. I don’t know ______ about economics.

19. The accident looked serious but fortunately ______ was injured.

20. I am hungry. I want ______ to eat.

Test 13. Fill in some, any, no, every or their compounds.

1. I did Exercise 1 without ______ help.

2. ‘Would you like ______ more mineral water?’ ‘I don’t want ______ more.’

3. It was a public holiday, so there were ______ shops open.

4. My sister never has ______ trouble learning foreign languages.

5. This evening I’m going out with ______ friends of mine.

6. When we were on holiday, we went to the beach ______ day.

7. Why don’t you ask your father to lend you ______ money? I haven’t got ______.

8. Does ______ want a game of tennis?

9. What’s that smell? Is ______ burning?

10. I asked if ______ wanted an ice-cream, but ______ did, so I just bought one for myself.

11. Did ______ phone me while I was out?

12. Your face looks terribly familiar. I’m sure I have seen you ______ before.

13. She left the room without saying ______.

14. This doesn’t look a very nice restaurant. Can we go ______ else?

15. I have ______ more to say to you. Goodbye.