Focus on Words

e.g. So exciting was the soap opera, that I forgot to do my English homework.
So much did she love John that she would not give him up.
• With the construction such ... that. Used with the verb be and a noun, it means so
much or so great:
e.g. Such was the popularity of the soap opera, that the streets were deserted
whenever it was on.
All these structures are rather literary, which means they are more likely to appear
in books.
2. Choose the correct option.
1. In no circumstances would I accept/I would accept this!
2. Nowhere else you will fi nd/will you fi nd such nice people!
3. Only in the USA I have seen /have I seen such high building!
4. Not only he is handsome but is he also rich/ is he handsome but is he also rich/but
is he handsome but he is also rich!
5. No sooner had I thrown him out that he tried/I had thrown him out than he tried to
come in again!
6. Rarely will you see him in the library/you will see him in the library!
7. Never in my life will I talk to her again/I will talk to her again!
8. On no account must you repeat this/you must repeat this!
3. Rewrite the sentences using inversion.
1. I had hardly begun to apologize when the door closed.
2. I have seldom heard such a talented singer.
3. If John had known that she liked curry, he would have brought her to an Indian
restaurant.
4. The artist rarely paid any attention to his agent’s advice.
5. He had never felt so depressed.
6. The shop can in no way be held responsible for customers’ lost property.
7. The couple had no sooner arrived than the priest started the ceremony.
8. Tom only understood the meaning of the comment when he saw his wife’s face.
9. She never at any time said that she was allergic to cats.
10. The restaurant cannot accept animals under any circumstances.
Text comprehension
4. a. Put these sentences in the correct order to make a conversation.
1. Oh, I see. And what about Thursday? Are you working then?
2. Are you very busy next week?
3. Would you like to have Chinese, Indian or Italian food?
4. Would you like to come for a meal with me next Wednesday or Thursday?
5. Let’s have Chinese.
6. No, I’m not. That would be great.
7. I’m quite busy. Why?
8. Yes, I’d love to, but I can’t on Wednesday. I’m working that evening.
b. Write the conversation in reported speech.
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