Vocabulary
Change
Grammar
Writing
Russian Roulette
100
Replace the adjectives and adverbs with words from the list below so that the meaning is the same. marginally / massive / easily (1) There has been a dramatic increase in obesity among children. (2) People in Canada are slightly healthier than Americans. (3) The U.S. is by far the laziest country.
(1) There has been a massive increase in obesity among children. (2) People in Canada are marginally healthier than Americans. (3) The U.S. is easily the laziest country.
100
Which phrases mean that something will happen soon? That it will happen for sure? That it is planned? is due to / is sure to / is set to / is about to / is bound to / is certain to / is to / on the point of / on the verge of / on the brink of
soon: is about to, on the point of, on the verge of, on the brink of; for sure: is sure to, is bound to, is certain to; planned: is due to, is set to, is to
100
Write the two sentences as one sentence with a comparative. (1) I don't sing much anymore, but I used to sing a lot. (2) My mother had thought that I would be upset, but I was absolutely devastated. (3) Last year, I was traveling to Hong Kong every week, but now I'm not going there anymore.
(1) I sing more than I used to. (2) I was more upset than my mother had thought. (3) I'm traveling to Hong Kong less than I was last year.
100
What is the purpose of economical writing?
Get the most information into the smallest amount of space!
100
There has been an increase in the Hispanic population in the U.S. equal to what?
The population of Venezuela.
200
Name the type of solution that is presented. (1) People around the globe are involved. (2) This solves the problem for the time being. (3) No violence occurs as a result of this solution. (4) Both parties are happy with the solution. (5) It solves only part of the issue.
global solution; interim solution; diplomatic solution; mutually agreeable solution; partial solution
200
Match the sentences. This had powerful consequences / This was a direct consequence / This caused / This gave rise / This had an impact / on the quality of healthcare. / for Americans. / spending to increase. / of global warming. / to higher prices.
This had powerful consequences for American. This was a direct consequence of global warming. This causes spending to increase. This gave rise to higher prices. This had an impact on the quality of healthcare.
200
Rewrite the sentences using a passive reporting verb with "it": (1) Scientists say that global warming is causing the sea level to rise. (2) The statistics have shown that being bilingual reduces the chances of getting Alzheimer's. (3) People believed that blood was the cause of disease.
(1) It is said that global warming is causing the sea level to rise. (2) It has been shown that being bilingual reduces the chances of getting Alzheimer's. (3) It was believed that blood was the cause of disease.
200
What are three tools that we can use to write economically?
two-word phrases, compound/complex sentences, information-rich verbs
200
What is corn used for? Name 5 things.
Diapers, soda, chips, batteries, candy
300
Name the verb and the noun for the person that go with each event: burglary, busking, robbery, graffiti, mugging, vandalism, pick-pocketing
burgle, burglar; busk, busker; rob, robber; write graffiti, graffiti artist; mug, mugger; vandalize, vandal; pick-pocket, pick-pocket
300
Complete the sentences with an expression using "get" or "become". (1) It's starting to rain; come in so you don't...; (2) I didn't like my teacher at first, but I'm...; (3) I forgot my keys; I ...; (4) After writing Harry Potter, JK Rowling...; (5) I'll let you know when a position ...
get wet; getting used to her; got locked out; became famous; becomes available
300
Rewrite the sentences so that the sentence is in the passive. Do NOT use "it". (1) Scientists say that global warming is causing the sea level to rise. (2) The statistics have shown that being bilingual reduces the chances of getting Alzheimer's. (3) People believed that blood was the cause of disease.
Global warming is said to be causing the sea level to rise. Being bilingual has been shown to reduce the chances of getting Alzheimer's. Blood was believed to be the cause of disease.
300
Shorten these sentences, but keep the information conveyed the same. (1) Chicago, which is known as "The Windy City" is home to both the Chicago Cubs and the Chicago White Sox, two baseball teams that are well-loved by Chicagoans. (2) The place which we know as "the city of lights," Paris is most famous for it's Eiffel Tower, which inspires awe in all who see it.
(1) Chicago, or "The Windy City," hosts two well-loved baseball teams: the Cubs and the White Sox. (2) "The City of Lights," Paris is most famous for it's awe-inspiring Eiffel Tower.
300
How can fast food solve the obesity crisis in the US?
Provide healthier, but quick and inexpensive, food options for low-income Americans who already frequent these establishments.
400
Describe the Zocalo. Use the following phrases: surrounded, focal, just off, lined
The zocalo is surrounded by shops. The focal point is the church. Just off the zocalo, you can find the walking street. The zocalo is lined with restaurants and shops.
400
Complete the sentences with a verb below. stemmed / triggered / was caused / had an influence / generated (1) Her anxiety _____ from a lack of self-confidence. (2) His voice _____ the avalanche. (3) The results _____ by the program were unbelievable. (4) Nsync ____ on my childhood. (5) The landslide _____ the heavy rains.
stemmed; triggered; generated; had an influence; was caused
400
Re-write the sentence as two sentences. (1) I'm healthier than I was. (2) She arrived earlier than I had expected. (3) I read less than I did. (4) I'm learning more than I was. (5) She decided to risk more than she had been in the past.
(1) I was unhealthy. Now I am more healthy. (2) I had expected her to arrive later. She arrived earlier. (3) I read less now. I read more in the past. (4) I'm learning more now. I was learning less then. (5) She decided to risk more. She had been risking less in the past.
400
Shorten the paragraph to two sentences, but keep the information the same. Golden retrievers are the most popular breed of dogs in the US. They are favored because they are friendly with all members of the family. Over 10 million people own golden retrievers. They are a recognizable symbol of the USA.
The most popular breed of dogs in the US, golden retrievers are favored for being family-friendly. Owned by over 10 million, retrievers are a recognizable symbol of the USA.
400
What is Kevin's Law? What is it's goal?
It is a law named after Kevin, a child who died as a result of E. Coli contaminated beef. The goal of the law is to give the USDA the power to shut down food companies that repeatedly fail food safety inspections.
500
Rewrite the second sentence so that it has the same meaning as the first. (1) The school needs redecoration. The school needs to... (2) We need to buy more balloons. We are in need... (3) The library needs to be reorganized. It needs... (4) There is no need to run. There is no need for ... (5) We need to consider the proposal more. The proposal needs more...
(1) be redecorated; (2) of more balloons; (3) reorganization; (4) running; (5) consideration
500
Complete the sentences using a word below and other words as necessary to complete the sentences. verge / likely / unlikely / due / sure (1) It ____ that there will be a fire in the classroom. (2) They are _____ a nervous breakdown. (3) If you touch the flame, you're _____ get burned. (4) Russia _____ host the Winter Olympics this January. (5) It _____ to rain in July.
is unlikely; on the verge of; sure to; is due to; is likely
500
Rewrite the sentences in two ways so that they are expressed in the impersonal passive. (1) Some say that a new party is emerging. (2) Many believed that the end of the world was near. (3) Some have mentioned that the climate is changing.
(1) It is said that a new party is emerging. A new party is said to be emerging. (2) It was believed that the end of the world was near. The end of the world was believed to be near. (3) It has been mentioned that the climate is changing. The climate has been mentioned to be changing.
500
Shorten this paragraph to 35 words. Keep the meaning the same. The Ganges River is a symbol of India. It is the holiest place on Earth, according to Hindu theology. It is disgustingly polluted. It has over 2,000 times the amount of bacteria that is healthy for humans. The people of India continue to bathe in its waters and celebrate its powers of healing.
Representing India, he Ganges River is the holiest Hindu place on Earth. It is also disgustingly polluted (over 2,000 times the healthy limit of bacteria). Indians bathe in and celebrate the Ganges' healing powers.
500
Why do some people believe that the "all-natural" and "organic" food movement is not a realistic solution to the obesity crisis in the US?
Because this high quality food is too expensive for the majority of Americans, especially those who are in need of it most.
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