Complete the sentences below using the correct alternative from those marked A, B, C, or D.
1. When I came into ________ cottage, the family ________ sitting round the table playing draughts. Draughts ________ their favourite game. They like to play ________ in the evenings.
the Holley's, were, are, it Holleys, was, are, them the Holleys', were, is, it Holleys's, was, is, them
2. When he was going through a narrow passage between two ________ , he heard ________ . These were his neighbours, two ________ girls.
merrys-go-round, laugh, twenty-years old merry-go-rounds, a laugh, twenty-year old merry-goes-round, laughter, twenty-years old merry-goes-rounds, a laughter, twenty-year old
3. They decided to open a season. Though it was a fashionable party and the walls were decorated with ________ and ________ , the majority of the guests ________ wearing jeans and T-shirts.
lilies-of-the-valley, forget-me-nots, were lily-of-the-valleys, forget-me-nots, were lilies-of-the-valley, forgets-me-not, was lilies-of-the-valleys, forgets-me-nots, was
4. The ________ wife was wearing a plain white dress with a string of pearls that cost more than my ________ salary.
governor's-general, two years' governor-general's, two years' governor-general, two years governor's-general's, two-year
5. He pulled off his gloves and put ________ onto the dressing table. She noticed that ________ brand new. So was his hat.
it, it was it, they were them, it was them, they were
6. He conducted a lot of ________ into ________ but ________ a failure.
researches, hay fevers, they were research, hay fever, it was researches, hay fever, it was . research, hay fevers, they were
7. The proceeds of the campaign ________ been spent on the construction of the Children's Care Centre. Roadworks ________ being held there to build a new ________ crossing.
has, are, pedestrian's have, are, pedestrian has, is, pedestrians have, is, pedestrians'
8. Look, Mary is playing with the scissors! Take ________ away from her, ________ may cut into her fingers.
it, it them, it it, they them, they
9. Here ________ the pocket money my uncle has sent me today. ________ will be enough to settle all my debts.
are, It is, They is, It are, They
10. The criteria ________ too vague. If there were a sharper ________ to make our choice, I would be happy.
is, criterion are, criterion is, criteria are, criteria
11. The latest news from the Middle East countries ________ disturbing. A close-up camera showed a man running somewhere. His face was bruised and his clothes ________ torn.
was, was were, were was, were were, was
12. The premises ________ big enough, but the inspection took them a lot of ________ , and they had to drive home at ________ .
was, time, dusks were, times, a dusk was, times, dusk were, time, dusk
13. The price for ________ has increased by ten ________ in the last quarter. Lodgings ________ very expensive nowadays.
an accommodation, per cent, is accommodation, per cent, are accommodations, per cents, is accommodation, per cents, are
14. That species of birds ________ migrant and ________ found in Africa in winter. Our surroundings ________ too severe for such birds and they leave ________ early in September.
is, is, are, them are, are, are, them is, is, is, it are, are, is, it
15. The crossroads at our supermarket ________ a dangerous place. The traffic lights will help both pedestrians and drivers to avoid accidents. The police ________ to set ________ here.
are, needs, them is, need, them are, needs, it is, need, it
16. Measles ________ a dangerous disease and a lot of children catch ________ at an early age.
is, them is, it are, them arc, it
17. This ________ the most effective means of production and ________ can be adjusted to your business in ________ time.
is, it, two month's are, they, a two-months is, they, two-month is, it, two months'
18. The Azores ________ are dark blue species that require ________ cultivation in temperate regions.