(a) Fill in each of the numbered blanks with the correct form of the word given in brackets. Do not copy the passage, but write in correct serial order the word or phrase appropriate to the blank space. Example: (0) We were not (allow) to talk during the lecture. Answer: allowed. The children (1) ………. (sit) in a neat circle and (2) ……… (begin) (3) ………. (copy) their multiplication tables. Most (4) ……… (scratch) in the dirt with sticks they had (5) ……….. (bring) for that purpose. The more fortunate (6) ………. (has) slate boards that they (7) ………. (write) on with sticks (8) ………. (dip) in a mixture of mud and water. (b) Fill in the blanks with appropriate words: 1. He congratulated me ………….. my great achievement. 2. The poor man is afflicted ……….. arthritis. 3. She is blind ……….. the faults of her husband. 4. The boss had many complaints ……….. Shyam. 5. You must prepare ……….. the examination. 6. She is not aware ……….. the danger. 7. Ravi was accurate ……….. his calculations. 8. They hid the money ……….. the carpet. (c) Join the following sentences to make one complete sentence without using and, but or so. 1. The minister was wise. The king did not trust him. 2. We reached the port. The storm came on. 3. One should not borrow money. One should not lend money. 4. She will win the prize. She deserves it. (d) Re-write the following sentences according to the instructions given after each. Make other changes that may be necessary, but do not change the meaning of each sentence. 1. This horse is better trained than yours. (Begin : ……………) 2. The children will sit out in the garden, if the weather is cool. (Begin : The children won’t……….. ) 3. The thief ran so fast that the police could not catch him. (Rewrite using: too) 4. Her attitude often annoys me. (Rewrite using : annoyance…………. ) 5. The child disappeared as soon as the bus stopped. (Begin : Hardly………… ) 6. There is no success without effort. (Begin : Whenever…………. ) 7. “Please teach me to cycle” she asked her brother. (Rewrite in indirect form………. ) 8. The peasants regarded him as a thief and called him a villain. (End : ……………… the peasants)