Tricky Synthesis and Transformation Questions

1. Peter has failed his driving test nine times. He does not give up hope. 

Despite the fact that Peter has failed his driving test nine times, he does not give up hope.

OR

Despite having failed his driving test nine times, Peter does not give up hope. 

2. "Did you go to London to watch the Olympics?" James asked his cousin.

James asked his cousin if/whether he had gone to London to watch the Olympics. 

3. Neither Sonny and Cher likes to eat sushi. 

Both Sonny and Cher do not like to eat sushi. 

                              OR 

Both Sonny and Cher dislike eating sushi.

4. Both Lisa and Mary disagree with John’s view on recycling.
   Ans: Neither Lisa nor Mary agrees with John’s view on recycling.

5. If Tim is not attentive during the lesson, he will make many mistakes in his homework.

Ans: 

• Tim will make many mistakes in his homework unless he is attentive during the lesson.  
• Tim will not make many mistakes unless he is inattentive during the lesson. (A little convoluted with the double negatives)
• Tim will make many mistakes in his homework, unless he is attentive during the lesson. (1m - comma is unnecessary) 1m 
• Tim would make many mistakes in his homework unless he is attentive during the lesson.  - 1m 
• Tim will make many mistakes in his homework unless he is attentive during (missing ‘the’) lesson. - 1m

1.         Mr Tan is reserving three seats for the school play.

Three seats ________________________________________________ 

2. Gavin did not know how to fix his spoiled smartphone. He took it to a

           Singtel outlet.

           Not _______________________________________________________  

3.       If you do not remember your dance routine thoroughly, you will need to start all over again.

__________________________________________________ otherwise

            __________________________________________________________.

4.         The Gomez twins do not want to play in the football match. Nathan also

does not want to play in it.

            Neither____________________________________________________ 

5.         Regina is coached by Vanessa. She wants to be a tennis champion.

_____________________________________________________whom

            __________________________________________________________. 

Answer Key 

1.    Three seats for the school play are being reserved by Mr Tan. 

Three seats are being reserved for the school play by Mr Tan.

Three seats are being reserved by Mr Tan for the school play.

Unacceptable:

Three seats are reserved for the school play by Mr Tan.

Three seats is reserved for the school play by Mr Tan.

Three seats have been reserved for the school play by Mr Tan.

Three seats were reserved for the school play by Mr Tan.

2.   Not knowing how to fix his spoiled smartphone, Gavin took it to a Singtel outlet.  

Unacceptable:

Not knowing how to fix his smartphone, Gavin took it to a Singtel outlet. 

Not only did Gavin not know how to fix his spoiled smartphone, but he also took it to a Singtel outlet.

3.    You should remember your dance routine thoroughly, otherwise you will need to start all over again.  

Remember your dance routine thoroughly otherwise you will need to start all over again.

You have to remember your dance routine thoroughly otherwise you will need to start all over again.

You must remember your dance routine thoroughly otherwise you will need to start all over again.

Unacceptable:

Do not forget your dance routine otherwise you will need to start all over again.

You need to remember your dance routine otherwise you will need to start all over again.

You had better remember your dance routine thoroughly otherwise you will need to start all over again.

You should remember your dance routine thoroughly, otherwise you would need to start all over again. 

4.   Neither the Gomez twins nor Nathan wants to play in the football match.

or

Neither Nathan nor the Gomez twins want to play in the football match.  

Unacceptable:

Neither the Gomez twins nor Nathan wanted to play in the football match.

Neither the Gomez twins nor Nathan want to play in the football match.

5.  Regina whom Vanessa coaches wants to be a tennis champion.  

      Regina whom Vanessa is coaching wants to be a tennis champion.

Unacceptable:

Regina whom was coached by Vanessa wants to be a tennis champion.

Regina whom is coached by Vanessa wants to be a tennis champion.

Regina whom wants to be a tennis champion is coached by Vanessa. 

6. Devi completed the jigsaw puzzle within a day as she was enthusiastic about it.

Due to _____________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Both appear acceptable: 

Due to Devi’s enthusiasm about the jigsaw puzzle, she completed it within a day.

Due to Devi’s enthusiasm for the jigsaw puzzle, she completed it within a day.