Additional key exercises

Question 1

sembri stanco.

Sì, ho giocato a basketball

Answer 1

You look tired

Yes, I’ve been playing basketball (= focus on the activity, not the result)

Question 2

é quasi un anno che non vado al cinema

Answer 2

It has been (more formal) /It’s (informal) nearly a year since I last went to the cinema

Question 3

Eravamo tutti sorpresi quando Jess e Nick si sono sposati lo scorso anno.

Si conoscevano soltanto da qualche settimana

Answer 3

We were all surprised when Jess and Nick got married last year

They had only known each other (for) a few weeks

Only = mid position

Question 4

E non hai un lavoro da allora?

Answer 4

And you haven’t had a job since then?

• You haven’t had a job since then? →

“And … ?” continuation

In your sentence, the speaker is continuing from something that was just said. “And you haven’t had a job since then?” works like:

So, let me get this straight — you haven’t had a job since then?

expresses surprise or disbelief about what the speaker just learned.

Haven’t you had a job since then? → a genuine yes/no question, often expecting the answer Yes, I have.

Question 5

chi ha inventato la bicicletta?

Answer 5

Who invented the bicycle?

Question 6

Hai mai sentito di AC? Lei era una scrittrice morta nel 1976. Ha scritto più di 70 romanzi di detective

Answer 6

Have you heard of AC? She was a writer who died in 1976. She wrote (= because she died, so you can’t use present perfect) more than 70 detective novels.

Question 7

You and Joe are sitting in a room with a window open. It’s getting cold. You decide to close the window. You stand up and walk towards it

Che stai facendo?
Sto andando a chiudere la finestra

Answer 7

what are you doing?
I’m going to close the window

Question 8

Sei libero domani pomeriggio?
No, domani lavoro

Answer 8

Are you free tomorrow afternoon?
No, I’m working

Question 9

Spero tu ti diverta

Answer 9

I hope you have a nice time

Question 10

alcuni miei amici verranno a stare da me prossima settimana

Answer 10

Some friends of mine are coming to stay with me next week

Question 11

d’accordo. Verrà anche l’agente 307?

Answer 11

Ok. is Agent 307 coming too?
Ok. Is Agent 307 going to come too?
Ok. Will agent 307 be coming too? (in this case future continous is used to ask politely about plans and arrangements)

Question 12

Dobbiamo fare qualcosa prima che sia troppo tardi

Answer 12

We must do something before it is too late

Question 13

Mi dispiace che tu abbia deciso di lasciare l’azienda. Mi mancherai quando te ne sarai andato

Answer 13

I’m sorry you’ve decided to leave the company. I’ll miss you/’m going to miss you when you go/you’ve gone

Question 14

Cosa stai pianificando di fare quando avrai finito il tuo corso al college?

Answer 14

What are you planning to do when you finish/you’‘ve finished your course at college?

Question 15

mi dispiace di essere in ritardo.
Non fa nulla. Non ho aspettato per molto

Answer 15

I’m sorry I’m late

that’s OK. I haven’t been waiting (for) long

Question 16

sto iniziando a pensare di tornare a casa

Answer 16

I’m beginning to think about coming home

Question 17

sto da una famiglia qui. Domani visiteremo alcune persone che conoscono che stanno costruendo uno casa vicino un lago. Non è ancora finita, ma sarà interessante vedere com’è.
In ogni caso, questo è tutto per ora. Mi farò risentire presto.

Answer 17

I’m staying with a family here. Tomorrow we are visiting some people they know who are building/ have been building a house by a lake. It isn’t finished yet, but it will be interesting to see what’s like.
Anyway, that’s all for now. I’ll be in touch/I’ll get in touch (more formal and pro-active) again soon.

Question 18

Non avevi bisogno di andare a casa così presto

Answer 18

You needn’t have gone home so early

Question 19

potrebbero stare guardando la TV

Answer 19

They may/might be watching TV

Question 20

Doveva star aspettando qualcuno (you think that)

Answer 20

She must have been waiting for somebody

Question 21

Penso di avere visto Ben in città stamattina.

No, non puoi averlo visto questa mattina. Lui era in vacanza

Answer 21

I think I saw Ben in town this morning.

No, you can’t/cound’t have seen him this morning. He was on holiday

Question 22

L’ho visto l’ultima volta anni fa. Potrei non riconoscerlo/non lo riconoscerei se lo vedessi ora

Answer 22

I last saw him years ago.
I might now / wouldn’t recognise him If I saw him now

Not “couldn’t” because It usually refers to past ability (e.g., I couldn’t recognise him yesterday in the photo).

Question 23

Dopo essere stato arrestato, sono stato portato alla stazione di polizia

Answer 23

After being/having been arrested/ I was arrested, I was taken to the police station

After + -ing form = to indicate that an action happened before something else/
at the same time of another (with while/when)/
to explain something or to say why somebody does something (-ing/having-done if the action is completed before something else)

Question 24

è stato segnalato che due persone sono rimaste ferite in un incidente questa mattina (2 ways)

Answer 24

It is reported that 2 people have been injured in an accident this morning

Two people are reported to have been injured in an accident this morning

have been injured = because p. perfect is preferred since the action happened recently, the result is relevant now (people may still be injured).

Question 25

la tua auto è ancora in vendita? No, l'ho venduta

Answer 25

is your car still for sale? No, I've sold it preferred to "I sold it" because the sale is a recent past action with present relevance (the car is no longer for sale now). BE strongly favors the present perfect (have/has + past participle) when there’s a link between the past event and the present situation.

Question 26

un non specificato numero di quadri si ritengono essere stati distrutti

Answer 26

A number of paintings are believed to have been destroyed

Question 27

La strada è stata bloccata per un ora dopo l'incidente, ed il traffico è stato deviato

Answer 27

The road was blocked for an hour after the accident, and the traffic was diverted was blocked/was diverted = because it happend in a time in the past that is finished and it's no more relevant now

Question 28

Mi piace pensare attentamente sulle cose prima di prendere una decisione

Answer 28

I like to think carefully about things before making a decision to think (not thinking) = because you don't enjoy the ACTIVITY, but it's a PREFERENCE/ HABIT/ TENDENCY

Question 29

Sembra che gli abbia persi sembrava si stesse divertendo

Answer 29

I seem to have lost them (formal - writing) she seemed to be enjoying herself

Question 30

Ho paura di toccarlo

Answer 30

I'm afraid to touch it a) afraid TO DO (afraid to + verb) Means someone is too scared to take an action. Focus = the action itself. Example: She is afraid to jump off the diving board. (= She doesn’t do it because she’s scared.) b) afraid OF DOING (afraid of + -ing verb) Means someone is worried about the possible result of an action. Focus = the consequence. Example: She is afraid of jumping off the diving board. (= She worries it might be dangerous or painful.)

Question 31

avevo paura di perdere il treno

Answer 31

I was afraid of missing the train a) afraid TO DO (afraid to + verb) Means someone is too scared to take an action. Focus = the action itself. Example: She is afraid to jump off the diving board. (= She doesn’t do it because she’s scared.) b) afraid OF DOING (afraid of + -ing verb) Means someone is worried about the possible result of an action. Focus = the consequence. Example: She is afraid of jumping off the diving board. (= She worries it might be dangerous or painful.)

Question 32

Preferirei (rather) che qualcun altro lo facesse

Answer 32

I would rather somebody else did it Because if you're talking about someone else you use the past simple (= I would rather someone else did st). This rule doesn't apply to "prefer": "I would prefer someone else to do it"

Question 33

Mi sarebbe piaciuto uscire con te

Answer 33

a) I would like to have gone out with you Structure: would like to have + past participle Emphasizes the completed action in the past (the going out itself didn’t happen). More formal / less common in everyday speech. Example: I would like to have gone out with you last night, but I had to work. b) I would have liked to go out with you Structure: would have liked + infinitive Emphasizes the desire itself in the past, not the action. Sounds more natural and is more common in conversation. Example: I would have liked to go out with you, but I was too tired.

Question 34

è difficile per le persone trovare un lavoro/da lavorare

Answer 34

It's hard/difficult for people to find work (in general) It's hard/difficult for people to find a job (employment)

Question 35

La maggior parte dei negozi in centro città sono aperti di domenica

Answer 35

Most of the shops in the city centre are open on Sundays Most shops → general statement, no “of.” Most shops close at 9 p.m. Most of the shops → refers to a specific group of shops already mentioned. I visited the mall. Most of the shops were closed. on Sundays → refers to a habitual/regular occurrence. It means every Sunday in general. on Sunday → refers to a specific Sunday (a particular date). It means this coming Sunday, or one Sunday you’re talking about.

Question 36

Sto aspettando che Sarah chiami da tutta la mattina

Answer 36

I've been waiting all morning/ the whole morning for sarah to call whole = complete, entire = We use whole mostly with singular nouns. We use THE/my/a etc. before whole all day = the whole day

Question 37

Quanto tempo è passato dalla morte di Joe? Sono passati due anni da quando Joe è morto

Answer 37

How long is it since/ has it been since Joe died? It’s been 2 years since Joe died.

Question 38

Siamo arrivati al cinema appena in tempo per l'inizio dl film/ per vedere l'inizio del film

Answer 38

We got to the cinema just in time FOR the beginning of the film/ just in time TO SEE the beginning of the film

Question 39

Odio guidare nella nebbia. Non si vede niente

Answer 39

I hate driving in fog. You can't see anything ( in fog = if you're talking in general, not a specific fog - in the fog = a particular real world istance) I hated to drive in the fog yesterday

Question 40

La tecnologia si è sviluppata a grande velocità

Answer 40

Technology has developed at great speed AT + ADJ + NOUN “The proposal was accepted at face value.” “He looked at utter confusion.”

Question 41

l'incendio è durato diversi giorni

Answer 41

The fire lasted several days the fire lasted for several days We can often leave out "for", except in negative sentences They haven't had a holiday FOR ten years

Question 42

che c'è scritto in quella lettera?

Answer 42

What's written IN that letter?

Question 43

gli interruttori principali dell'elettricità e del gas sono sul muro nel retro della larga credenza nello studio

Answer 43

The electricity and gas main switches are on the wall at/in the back of the large cupboard in the study objects --> inside/enclosed part: IN = (inside, at its rear) AT = (more general, focus only on the back position)

Question 44

I lavori erano tutti di degli artisti russi poco conosciuti

Answer 44

The works were all by little-Known Russian artists

Question 45

Non ho incontrato/ ho perso Kate per 5 minuti

Answer 45

I missed Kate by five minutes

Question 46

Ho incontrato un sacco di persone gentili durante la mia permanenza a NY

Answer 46

I met a lot of nice people DURING MY STAY in NY

Question 47

Avevamo i posti nella fila frontale

Answer 47

We had seats IN the front row it's not "at the front row" because you are in a ROW, and for rows you use IN

Question 48

Come è stata la tua gita in spiaggia? Hai passato una bella giornata?

Answer 48

How was your trip TO the beach? Did you have a good day?

Question 49

Abbiamo fatto un giro/gita/tour per la città

Answer 49

We went ON A TRIP ROUND the city

Question 50

non gioco a scacchi da tanto tempo

Answer 50

I haven't played chess for ages/ for a long time

Question 51

mio padre è morto prima che nascessi. Non l'ho mai incontrato

Answer 51

My father died before I was born, I've never met him

Question 52

hai avuto qualche difficoltà a trovare il libro che volevi? (make also a more formal version to say it)

Answer 52

Did you have trouble finding the book you wanted? Did you experience any difficulty IN finding the book you wanted? (more formal)

Question 53

Non leggevo tanto, ma ora lo faccio

Answer 53

I didn't use to read much, but I do now

Question 54

volevamo andare al concerto, ma non siamo riusciti a prendere i biglietti ( make alos a more formal version to say it)

Answer 54

We wanted to go to the concert, but we couldn't get tickets ..., but we WEREN'T ABLE to get THE tickets

Question 55

come si chiamano? Come gli chiami?

Answer 55

What are they called? What do you call them?

Question 56

Non ti posso aiutare a trovare un lavoro. Ne devi trovare uno da te

Answer 56

I can't help you to get/ get a job. You have to find one yourself

Question 57

Sarah non era abituata a lavorare di notte

Answer 57

Sarah wasn't used to working nights

Question 58

Devi lavorare molte ore nel tuo lavoro, vero?

Answer 58

You have to work long hours in your job, don't you? Question tag of "have to" = do you have to... --> don't you?

Question 59

Non sono abituato ad aver detto cosa fare/farmi dire cosa fare

Answer 59

I'm not used to being told what to do

Question 60

Quanto tempo spendi ad andare e tornare da lavoro ogni giorno?

Answer 60

How much time do you spend going to and back from work every day?

Question 61

la mia casa è facile da raggiungere da qui

Answer 61

My house is easy to get to from here

Question 62

questo libro è pubblicato dalla Cambridge UniversityPress

Answer 62

This book is published by Cambridge University Press

Question 63

negozio di scarpe

Answer 63

shoe shop noun + noun the first noun (shoe) is like an adj. It tells us what kind of thing/person/idea etc. s/st is.

Question 64

il mio ufficio è al decimo piano di un edificio a/di dodici piani

Answer 64

My office is on the tenth floor of a TWELVE-STOREY BUILDING number of floors + Storey (as a suffix) + building

Question 65

devo caricare il mio telefono Il mio telefono ha bisogno di ricaricarsi

Answer 65

1) I need to charge my phone 2) My phone needs charging 1) s/st need to do st 2) s/st needs doing st

Question 66

un guidatore di autobus una lavatrice un cappello di una donna una cappello da donna

Answer 66

a) a bus driver: noun (thing) + noun = the first noun tells us what kind/type of thing/person/idea etc. b) a washing machine: verb (-ing) + noun = the first verb tells us the use/purpose of the thing/person/idea etc. c) a woman's hat: noun (person/animal) + possessive + noun = the first noun tells us the ownership or association with a specific person/animal d) a women's hat: noun (person/animal plural) + possessive + noun = it has the same function of noun (thing) + noun but it's used for people/animals

Question 67

Hai ancora il giornale di ieri? Non ho letto il giornale di oggi, ma leggero quello di domani Ci sarai al meeting di Lunedì mattina?

Answer 67

Do you still have yesterday's newspaper? Time word + 's (Monday's, Tomorrow's etc.) I haven't read today's newspaper, but I'll read tomorrow's Are you goint to come to Monday morning meeting? you don't use possessive with time words + part of the day (tomorrow morning, Monday evening etc.)

Question 68

Ho preso una vacanza di tre settimane

Answer 68

I've got A three-WEEK holiday (more casual) I've got three WEEKS' holiday (more formal)

Question 69

l'auto dei genitori di Ben

Answer 69

Ben's parents' car

Question 70

La scorsa notte ho dormito solo un'ora

Answer 70

Last night I only had an hour's sleep

Question 71

si è divertita

Answer 71

she had fun - she enjoyed herself

Question 72

possiamo prenderci cura di noi stessi

Answer 72

We can take care of ourselves

Question 73

entrare/farti avanti da solo Gli ho dato le chiavi così che possano entrare da soli

Answer 73

let yourself in I gave them the keys so they could let themselves in

Question 74

ammalarsi

Answer 74

Get/fall ill → you become sick naturally, usually not your direct fault. I fell ill after catching a cold. (fall = formal) Make yourself ill → you cause your own sickness, usually through your actions or choices. If you keep eating so much junk food, you’ll make yourself ill.

Question 75

ci siamo chiusi fuori

Answer 75

We have locked ourselves out

Question 76

Ci siamo presentati l'uno con l'altro

Answer 76

We introduced ourselves to each other

Question 77

Hai comprato del pane? No, non ne ho comprato

Answer 77

Have you bought any bread? No, I haven't bought any (bread)

Question 78

Sarah è stata nella maggior parte dei Paesi europei

Answer 78

Sarah has been to most European countries

Question 79

a volte litighiamo, ma andiamo d'accordo la maggior parte del tempo

Answer 79

We argue sometimes, but get on well most of the time

Question 80

le prime tre domande

Answer 80

the first three questions

Question 81

Queste mele non sono mature abbastanza per essere mangiate

Answer 81

These apples are not ripe enough to eat/to be eaten (more formal) enough/too...for s/st Joe doesn't have enough experience for the job enough/too...to do st Joe has enough experience to do the job

Question 82

La primavera è un periodo molto indaffarato per me

Answer 82

spring is a very busy time for me

Question 83

No, è il più affilato che ho

Answer 83

No, it's the sharpest I have (more formal) No, It's the sharpest one I have (more casual)

Question 84

Sono andato in giro a piedi per la città tutto il mattino

Answer 84

I walked around/round the town all morning

Question 85

La luna gira intorno alla terra ogni 27 giorni

Answer 85

The moon goes round the Earth every 27 days

Question 86

Guardi sempre la TV di sera?

Answer 86

Do you ALWAYS watch TV in the EVENINGS?

Question 87

Se non avessimo preso lo stesso treno, non ci saremmo mai incontrati

Answer 87

if we hadn't taken the same train, we would NEVER have met adverbs in mid position in sentences with multiple modal/auxiliary verbs go AFTER the FIRST modal/auxiliary only would never have met 1 mid 2 3

Question 88

Potevi sentire il rumore addirittura dall'altra strada/dalla strada successiva

Answer 88

You could hear the noise EVEN from the next street You could EVEN hear the noise from the next street (= even --> mid position)

Question 89

Tom mi ha mostrato delle foto di come era la città 30 anni fa

Answer 89

Tom showed me some photos of the city AS it was 30 years ago AS (in this case) = in the same way as, in the same condition as (30 years ago) AS + subject + verb

Question 90

Questo tè è terribile. Sa di acqua/ha lo stesso sapore dell'acqua Ho lasciato tutto come era

Answer 90

This tea is awful. It tastes LIKE water a) Like = similar to, the same as (water) like (preposition) + noun/pronoun/-ing b) Like = in the same way as, in the same condition as like + subject + verb I left everything LIKE it was (or as it was)

Question 91

Ha mangiato come se non avesse mangiato da una settimana

Answer 91

He ate as if he hadn't eaten for a week a) as if = like (in this case) = as though = to say how somebody/something looks, sounds or feels (= come se) as if + subject + verb That house looks as if it's going to fall down b) to say how somebody does st He ran like he was running for his life c) sometimes we use as if + past when we are talking about the present (= as though) because the situation is not real (in the same way as if/wish) I don't like him. He talks (present) as if he knew (past) everything if the unrealistic idea/situation is in the past you have to go back to a more remote past (past simple --> past perfect) He ate (past simple) as if he hadn't eaten (past perfect) for a week

Question 92

Non ci metterò molto. Sarò di ritorno entro le 5

Answer 92

I won't be long. I'll be back by 5 by + a point in time in the future = not later than...(on or before a future moment)

Question 93

Puoi andare a sciare sulle montagne qui vicini

Answer 93

You can go skiing in the mountains near here in the mountains = within a mountainous region, surrounded by mountains on the mountain(s) = on the surface of one or more specific mountain(s), usually higher up or doing an activity there in the mountain = only if literally inside of it (caves, tunnels etc.)

Question 94

c'è un'altra entrata sul retro

Answer 94

There's another entrance at the back

Question 95

Il Rio delle amazzoni fluisce nell'Oceano Atlantico

Answer 95

The Amazon (River) flows INTO the Atlantic Ocean

Question 96

Ti è piaciuta la tua visita allo zoo?

Answer 96

Did you enjoy your visit TO the zoo?

Question 97

di chi è questa borsa?

Answer 97

Whose bag is this? (best option) Whose is this bag? Whose is this?

Question 98

The plan ha changed but nobody knows the reason __ this

Answer 98

FOR The reason for this

Question 99

Quale pensi sia la migliore soluzione a questo problema

Answer 99

What do you think is the best solution TO this problem What do you think the best solution TO this problem would be a SOLUTION TO a problem/ a KEY TO a door/ an ANSWER TO a question/ a REPLY TO a letter/ a REACTION TO st

Question 100

sei ancora turbato/disturbato/seccato per quello che ho ti ho detto ieri?

Answer 100

ABOUT/ AT/ BY Are you still upset about/at/by what I said to you yesterday? 1) angry/ furious/ upset etc. a) ABOUT st b) WITH someone FOR doing st 2) surprised/amazed/ upset etc. AT/ BY st

Question 101

Mi dispiace per l'odore in questa stanza. Ho appena finito di pitturarla

Answer 101

I'm sorry ABOUT the smell in this room. I've just finished painting it a) sorry ABOUT a situation or something that happened b) sorry ABOUT something you did or caused (+ Noun)

Question 102

non voglio incontrare Tom questa notte. Dovrò pensare ad una scusa

Answer 102

I don't want to meet Tom tonight. I'll have to think OF an excuse (= invent/come up with an excuse) think OF st = produce an idea/solution/excuse etc. - an idea/solution/excuse etc. comes to your mind think ABOUT st = consider it, concentrate your mind on it

Question 103

Non abbiamo soldi. Cosa faremo? Non ti preoccupare. Penserò a qualcosa

Answer 103

We have no money. What are we going to do? Don't worry. I'll think of something (= I'll come up with a solution or idea) think OF st = produce an idea/solution/excuse etc. - an idea/solution/excuse etc. comes to your mind think ABOUT st = consider it, concentrate your mind on it

Question 104

Non puoi darmi la colpa per il cattivo tempo

Answer 104

You can't blame me for the bad weather I'm not to blame for the bad weather You can't blame the bad weather on me a) blame somebody/something FOR / somebody is to blame FOR b) blame (a problem etc.) ON someone/something

Question 105

La polizia sospettava che il mio amico avesse rubato un'auto

Answer 105

The police suspected my friend of stealing a car (informal) The police suspected my friend of having stolen a car (more formal) The police suspected (that) my friend had stolen a car (formal and best alternative for documents)

Question 106

Le cose costano poco qui. Puoi vivere/sopravvivere con veramente pochi soldi

Answer 106

Things are cheap here. You can live on very little money

Question 107

Mi stava sorridendo

Answer 107

He was smiling AT me

Question 108

Lui è era abbastanza scioccato da quello che ho detto

Answer 108

He was rather schocked AT/BY what I said

Question 109

Non è bene lamentarsi di un problema se non sei pronto a fare niente per migliorarlo/risolverlo

Answer 109

It's not good complaining about a problem If you're not prepared to do anything about it

Question 110

Ho un altro incontro, ma penso che posso evitarlo

Answer 110

I have another meeting, but I think I can get out of it get out of something that you arranged to do = avoid doing it

Question 111

a volte risulta meno costoso mangiare in un ristorante che cucinare a casa

Answer 111

Sometimes it turns out/ works out cheaper to eat in a restaurant than to cook at home turn out = The result is that eating in a restaurant ends up being cheaper. Emphasizes the unexpected or final result. work out = he calculation, planning, or figuring out leads to a certain result. “It works out cheaper” → After calculating or considering all costs, eating in a restaurant is cheaper. Emphasizes the process or reasoning behind the result.

Question 112

Dovrei fermare l'auto qui? No, vai un po' avanti

Answer 112

Shall I stop the car here? No, drive on/ go on/ carry on a bit further

Question 113

Ho appena fatto la pausa caffè, ed ora devo riprendere/ continuare con il mio lavoro

Answer 113

I've just had a coffee break, and now I must get on/ carry on with my work

Question 114

La camera è una casino/ è disordinata. Farei meglio a riordinarla

Answer 114

The room is a mess. I'd better tidy up/ tidy it up

Question 115

Ben stava imparando a suonare la chitarra, ma l'ha trovato difficile e alla fine ha smesso

Answer 115

Ben was learning to play the guitar, but he found it hard and in the end he gave up 1. He found it hard” (simple past) This is the normal and most natural choice here. The story is told in the past, and both actions (“found it hard” and “gave up”) happen in sequence. English doesn’t need the past perfect unless there’s a clear reason to show one action happened before another. 📘 So this version simply tells the story in order: He was learning → he found it hard → he gave up. 2. “He had found it hard” (past perfect) This version is also grammatically correct, but the focus changes slightly. Past perfect (“had found”) shows something that happened before another past action. So it suggests that by the time he gave up, he had already been struggling. 📘 Example (more reflective, storytelling tone): “Ben had been learning to play the guitar, but he had found it hard, and by the end he gave up.” This is fine in a longer narrative where you’re describing background and then a later action.

Question 116

Ha piovuto tutto il giorno. Speriamo che si schiarisca/ migliori questo pomeriggio

Answer 116

It has been raining all morning. Let's hope it clears up this afternoon hope --> it's followed by a present simple when you talk about the future (same rule applies to "pray" and "trust")

Question 117

Qui ci sono i soldi che mi hai chiesto di prestarti. Grazie. Ti ripagherò appena posso

Answer 117

Here's the money you asked me to lend you. Thanks. I'll pay you back/ pay it back as soon as I can

Question 118

Ci siamo tutti sentiti delusi da lui abbastanza/piuttosto malamente

Answer 118

We all felt he had let us down rather badly

Question 119

faremmo meglio a rimetterci a lavoro/ a continuare con il lavoro

Answer 119

We had better get on with (the) work

Question 120

We don't have a lot of money, but we have enough to __ (manage - phrasal verb)

Answer 120

get by To be able to live or deal with a situation with difficulty, usually by having just enough of something you need, such as money My French isn't good, but it's enough to get by

Question 121

I've __ weight. My clothes don't fit me any more (get heavier)

Answer 121

put on put on weight = get heavier

Question 122

Why did you decide not to apply for the job? What ___? (discourage / make someone not want something)

Answer 122

put somebody off (doing) something = discourage / make someone not want something The smell of the food put me off eating. Her rude attitude really put me off.

Question 123

Sarah has just phoned to say that she'll be late. She's been __ (delay)

Answer 123

held up = to delay Don't wait for me. I don't want to hold you up Plans to build a new factory have been held up because of financial problems

Question 124

We are still discussing the contract. There are still a couple of things to __ (understand/ solve)

Answer 124

work out/ sort out work out = understand, think about a problem and find an answer sort out = find a solution to

Question 125

My alarm clock __ in the middle of the night (sound)

Answer 125

went off = make an alarm sound

Question 126

Sarah ha perso il passaporto di nuovo. Questa è la seconda volta che succede

Answer 126

Sarah has lost her passaport. This is the second time this has happened you say: It's THE FIRST/ SECOND ETC. TIME something HAS HAPPENED how much/ how many/ how many times (for completed actions) --> present perfect how long (for something that is still happening) --> present perfect continuous

Question 127

Da quanto conosci Jane? Da molto tempo. Da quando eravamo a scuola

Answer 127

How long have you known Jane? A long time. Since we were at school Have known --> NOT have you been knowing, because it's a stative verb (so it doesn't support continuous forms)

Question 128

Ha smesso di piovere per un po', ma ora sta piovendo di nuovo

Answer 128

It stopped raining for a while, but now it's raining again It stopped (not it has stopped): present simple = Used when we’re describing completed actions and often mention when it happened or imply a clear past time (Focuses on a finished event in the past.) present perfect = Used when the result or effect of the action is relevant now (Connects the past with the present.) “It stopped raining for a while, but now it’s raining again.” The stopping is completely over — the rain stopped, but then started again. The event “it stopped raining” is finished and no longer relevant to the present situation, because it’s raining again now. So we use past simple to mark that the “stopping” is a completed event in the past. ✅ The logic: Event 1 (past): It stopped raining. Event 2 (present): It’s raining again. → The stopping happened and ended — it’s no longer true now.

Question 129

Jane ha vinto la lotteria. Le ho suggerito di comprarsi un'auto con i soldi che ha vinto

Answer 129

Jane won the lottery. I suggested... a) that she buy a car with the money she won = Subjunctive form (most formal) - buy (bare infinitive) b) that she should buy a car with the money she won = Should + base verb (slightly less formal, common in BE) c) that I suggested buying a car. = Gerund form d) I suggested to she bought a car (statement: reported speech)

Question 130

è tardi. è ora per noi di andare a casa

Answer 130

It's late. It's time... a) (for us) to go home It's time (for somebody) to do something b) we went home It's time somebody did something (meaning is present) BUT also It's time somebody did something = they should have already done it or started it - we often use this structure to criticise or complain: This situation can't continue. It's time you did something about it

Question 131

Perché Amy non era all'incontro ieri? Potrebbe non averlo saputo

Answer 131

Why wasn't Amy at the meeting yesterday? She may/ might not have known about it

Question 132

Non puoi fermare le persone dal fare quello che vogliono

Answer 132

You can't stop people... a) from doing what they want b) doing what they want

Question 133

Meglio che vada. Ho promesso che non avrei fatto tardi

Answer 133

I'd better go now I promised... a) not to be late b) I wouldn't be late (= report a future action from a past point in time --> will becomes would) c) I won't be late (= for things that are still true or imminent)

Question 134

Io so che ho chiuso la porta a chiave. Ricordo chiaramente di averla chiusa a chiave

Answer 134

I know I locked the door. I clearly remember locking it remember + gerdun (-ing) This is when you remember something that has happened in the past. You have a memory of it, like being able to see a movie of it in your head.

Question 135

Il sentiero era ghiacciato, quindi abbiamo camminato con molta attenzione. Avevamo paura di cadere

Answer 135

The path was icy, so we walked very carefully. We were afraid of falling afraid/ scared/ frightened/ terrified a) OF st/ st happening = event I'm afraid of spiders I'm afraid of being bitten b) TO do st = action People are afraid to walk here at night

Question 136

Ci sono milioni di stelle nello spazio

Answer 136

There are millions of stars in space space = space in the universe the space = a continuous area or expanse which is free, available, or unoccupied. I tried to park my car, but the space was too small

Question 137

Quando è stata inventata la macchina fotografica?

Answer 137

When was the camera invented? When you want to say when something was invented/ created you always use the singular (not "were the cameras")

Question 138

Il corso non è andato bene. Nessuno degli studenti era felice

Answer 138

The course didn't go well. None of the students were happy you can use None: a) none without a noun = How much money do you have? None (= no money) b) none of + uncountable = This mone is all of yours. None of it is mine c) none of + plural --> the verb can be singular or plural None of the students were happy / None of the students was happy You CANNOT say "no-one of"

Question 139

Ho chiesto a due persone come raggiungere la stazione, ma nessuno di loro lo sapeva

Answer 139

I asked two people how to get to the station, but neither of them knew in this case you use "neither of" instead of "none of" because they are only two, so it's more precise to use "neither"

Question 140

Non mi piacciono le storie che hanno finali tristi

Answer 140

I don't like stories... a) that have unhappy endings b) which have unhappy endings You can use both because this is "defining clause" a) It tells you which person or thing (or what kind of person or thing) the speaker means b) We do NOT use commas c) you can use "that" d) you can leave out who/which/that when it's the object e) we do not often use "whom" f) you can use whose, where and when

Question 141

Anna mi ha parlato del suo nuovo lavoro, che le sta piacendo molto

Answer 141

Anna told me about her new job, which she's enjoying a lot you can use only "which" here because this is a "non-defining clause" a) The relative clause doesn't tell us which person or thing the speaker means. We already know which person or thing is meant. The r.c. give us extra information about the person or thing. b) we use commas c) you cannot use "that" d) you cannot leave out "who" or "which" e) you can use "whom" for people when it's the object f) you can use whose, where and when

Question 142

Sarah non ci ha potuti incontrare, il che è stato un peccato

Answer 142

Sarah couldn't meet us, which was a shame which = the fact that... in this case: which = the fact that she couldn't meet us

Question 143

L'inglese di Maria è eccellente. Lei parla un inglese perfetto/ parla inglese perfettamente

Answer 143

Maria's English is excellent. She speaks perfect English/ English perfectly a) adjective (tell us about a noun) + noun --> She speaks perfect English b) verb + noun + adverb (tell us about a verb - how somebody does st or how st happens) --> She speaks English perfectly

Question 144

A Ben piace camminare. Lui cammina ogni mattina per andare a lavoro

Answer 144

Ben likes walking. 1) He walks to work every morning standard word order = verb + obj + place + time I like taking - my kids - to the zoo - at the weekend 2) Every morning he walks to work adverb position (at the beginning of a sentence) a) Time and Sequence Adverbs (today, yesterday, soon, then, afterwards, later, finally, suddenly) - they are interchangeably with the last part in a sentence: ✅Eventually, it was all over. ✅It was all over, eventually. b) Frequency Adverbs (for emphasis) (sometimes, often, occasionally, usually, normally) - Always is not normally used at the beginning in BE - "Never", "seldom", and "rarely" can't go at the beginning except in a very emphatic sentence: Sometimes I forget my keys. Rarely have I seen such determination in a young athlete c) Connecting / Linking Adverbs (however, therefore, moreover, nevertheless, still, yet) ✅ However, we decided to continue. d) Comment/Attitude Adverbs (fortunately, unfortunately, luckily, obviously, clearly, honestly, frankly, surprisingly, seriously) ✅ Fortunately, nobody was hurt. e) Place/Direction Adverbs (here, there, nearby, away, back, outside, inside) ✅ Here comes the bus.

Question 145

Cos'è quel rumore? Sembra come un bambino che piange

Answer 145

What's that noise? It sounds like a baby crying like = similar to, the same as a) It can be used as a PREPOSITION. So it's followed by a NOUN, PRONOUN OR -ING what a beautiful house! It's like A PALACE (It's not a palace, but it's like one) It's like WALKING on ice I hate weather like THIS b) it can be used as "FOR EXAMPLE" = SUCH AS I enjoy water sports, LIKE/SUCH AS surfing, scuba diving and water-skiing c) it can be used before SUBJECT + VERB = in the same way as, in the same condition as I left everything LIKE IT WAS d) expression = like I said

Question 146

Loro sono molto gentile con me. Mi trattano come se fossi il loro stesso figlio.

Answer 146

They are very kind to me. They treat me as if I was/ were their own son as (similarity): a) = in the same way as, in the same condition as --> BEFORE SUBJECT + VERB I left everything AS IT WAS b) AS USUAL/ AS ALWAYS AS ALWAYS/AS USUAL, Nick was the first to complain c) THE SAME AS... Your phone is THE SAME AS mine d) other meanings: - after do: You can DO AS YOU LIKE (= do what you like) They DID AS THEY PROMISED (= They did what they promised) - AS YOU KNOW/AS I SAID/ AS I EXPECTED/ AS I THOUGHT ETC. AS YOU KNOW, It's Emma's birthday next week (= you know this already) as I said = LIKE I SAID (the only case) e) "as" can also be a PREPOSITION (+ noun/pronoun/-ing) but it has a diffferent meaning than "like" = in the position of, in the form of etc. AS A TAXI DRIVER, I spend most of my working life in a car (= I'm a taxi driver, it''s my job) I'M LIKE A TAXI DRIVER for my family (= I'm not a taxi driver, but I'm like one) London is fine AS A PLACE TO VISIT, but I wouldn't like to live there Many words can be used AS VERBS OR NOUNS

Question 147

Ciao! Ci vediamo Venerdì mattina

Answer 147

Bye! I'll see you on Friday morning/ Friday morning You can often leave out "on" before days, except when you're talking about specific dates (ex. on New Year's Day)