This document provides examples of grammar questions and explanations of the concepts tested in the questions. It includes multiple choice questions related to topics like subject-verb agreement, verb tenses, pronouns, and parts of speech. The document also provides examples of sentence transformations, with notes on the grammatical rules tested in each. The goal is to help students prepare for an exam on English grammar and language concepts.

1. Let’s do your final recap!
Best wishes for SA2 EL paper 2
2013

2. Grammar MCQ
6. Peter, together with his classmates, _____
going to watch the musical together next month.
1. is
2. are
3. was
4. were
Note: SVA: singular noun matches singular
verb. Plural noun matches plural verb.
Ignore whatever that is encased in a pair of
commas.

3. Grammar MCQ
6. Peter, together with his classmates, _____
going to watch the musical together next month.
1. is
2. are
3. was
4. were
Note: SVA: singular noun matches singular
verb. Plural noun matches plural verb.
Ignore whatever that is encased in a pair of
commas.
1

4. Grammar MCQ
7. The angry customer told the cashier, “I think
you have _______ me the wrong change.”
1. give
2. gave
3. given
4. giving
Note: the verb following words like
has/have/had need to be in the participle
form. In this case, give/gave/given.

5. Grammar MCQ
7. The angry customer told the cashier, “I think
you have _______ me the wrong change.”
1. give
2. gave
3. given
4. giving
Note: the verb following words like
has/have/had need to be in the participle
form. In this case, give/gave/given.
3

6. Grammar MCQ
8. Due to the flood, all water activities _____
until further notice.
1. will postpone
2. are postponing
3. will be postponed
4. has been postponed
Note: To express future events. There are 2
common forms… either “will be …” or
“going to …”

7. Grammar MCQ
8. Due to the flood, all water activities _____
until further notice.
1. will postpone
2. are postponing
3. will be postponed
4. has been postponed
Note: To express future events. There are 2
common forms… either “will be …” or
“going to …”
3

8. Grammar MCQ
9. The clown was about to ____ the balls high in
the air when the guest-of-honour walked into the
foyer.
1. juggle
2. juggled
3. juggles
4. juggling
Note: Infinite ‘To’ rule: the basic form of
the verb. *there is no need for a gerund
here.

9. Grammar MCQ
9. The clown was about to ____ the balls high in
the air when the guest-of-honour walked into the
foyer.
1. juggle
2. juggled
3. juggles
4. juggling
Note: Infinite ‘To’ rule: the basic form of
the verb. *there is no need for a gerund
here.
1

10. Grammar MCQ
10. _____ the relentless efforts of the fire-
fighters, there were many casualties.
1. Despite
2. Because
3. Although
4. Therefore
Note: Despite is most appropriate as there
were many casualties even though there
were efforts by the fire-fighters trying to
stop it from happening.

11. Grammar MCQ
10. _____ the relentless efforts of the fire-
fighters, there were many casualties.
1. Despite
2. Because
3. Although
4. Therefore
Note: Despite is most appropriate as there
were many casualties even though there
were efforts by the fire-fighters trying to
stop it from happening.
1

12. Grammar MCQ
11. Mr Jason Tan was greatly _____ with the
quality of last year’s recruits.
1. impress
2. impressed
3. impresses
4. impressing
Note: Adjective needed here. Eg. Amazed,
worried, impressed, etc.

13. Grammar MCQ
11. Mr Jason Tan was greatly _____ with the
quality of last year’s recruits.
1. impress
2. impressed
3. impresses
4. impressing
Note: Adjective needed here. Eg.
Amazed, worried, impressed, etc.
2

14. Grammar MCQ
12. While listening to the boring speaker during
the talk last Friday, I _____ asleep.
1. fall
2. fell
3. falls
4. falling
Note: A common use of the continuous
tense and past tense. The longer event will
be in the continuous tense while the
interrupting event will be in the past tense.

15. Grammar MCQ
12. While listening to the boring speaker during
the talk last Friday, I _____ asleep.
1. fall
2. fell
3. falls
4. falling
Note: A common use of the continuous
tense and past tense. The longer event will
be in the continuous tense while the
interrupting event will be in the past tense.
2

16. Comprehension Skills
 Did you use TAPS & annotate the
passage correctly?
 T- Tenses
 A- Did you answer fully? SVA?
 P- punctuation
 S- Spelling
 Did you draw arrows, summarise and
use inference skills to comprehend the
passage well?
 Do not quote from the passage unless a
quotation is required. Eg. Which

17. 71) How long did the Rogers expect their
voyage to last?
(on the surface type of question)
 Past tense needed. (did)
 Let’s prepare the answer stem…
 The Rogers expected their voyage to
last for ….
 The Rogers expected their voyage to
last for four months.

18. 72) What caused the Rogers to be driven into
unchartered waters? (Thinking type of question)
 Past tense needed.
 Let’s prepare the answer stem…
 They were driven into the
unchartered waters because of …
 They were driven into the
unchartered waters because of
strong winds.
Consider this answer: What’s wrong

19. 73) What does the word ‘land’ in line 6 refer to?
 Present tense needed. (does)
 Let’s prepare the answer stem…
 It refers to …
 It refers to a remote island off the
northern coast of Australia.
Consider this answer: What’s wrong
with it?
 It refers to a remote island.

20. 74) Explain fully how the Rogers felt when they first
landed on the island and a week later. (Look and search
type of question) – Before and after / Comparison needed
 Past tense needed.
 Details needed. Before and after
 Let’s prepare the answer stem…
 The Rogers felt confident when they
first landed. A week later, they felt
worried.
Consider this answer: What’s wrong
with it?
 They felt worried that no one would

21. 75) How did the Rogers realise that the island was
deserted?
 Past tense needed.
 Details needed (2 part answer)
 Let’s prepare the answer stem…
 Rogers realised that the island was
deserted because…
Consider these answers: Which is the
best? Why?
 Rogers realised that the island was
deserted because they searched but
could not find anyone.

22. 76) What did the Rogers do in order to survive on the
island?
 Past tense needed.
 Details needed (2 part answer)
 Let’s prepare the answer stem…
 The Rogers caught fish from a stream
and drank water from it too.
Consider this answer: What’s wrong
with it?
 The Rogers caught fish from a stream.
 The Rogers drank water from a

23. 77) Was the raft built by the Rogers safe to use? Give a
reason for your answer.
 Past tense needed.
 Yes/ no type of question. Remember
to answer using complete sentences.
 No, it was not. The raft was sinking
after a while.
Consider this answer: What’s wrong
with it?
 No. The raft was sinking after a while.
 Note: No. (This is not a complete

24. 78) From Paragraph 4, give two reasons why the
Rogers would lose their lives if they did not return to
shore in time.
 Past tense needed.
 Remember to give 2 not just 1 reason.
 They would either be eaten by sharks
or drown.

25. 79) Which three-word phrase in paragraph 5 has a
similar meaning to ‘give up completely’?
 Present tense needed.
 A quotation type of question.
 Let’s prepare the answer stem…
 The phrase is “….”.
 The phrase is “abandon all hope”.
Consider this answer: What’s wrong
with it?
 The phrase is “about to abandon all

26. 80) What did Tim Rogers do to get the attention of a
rescue boat successfully?
 Past tense needed.
 Tim Rogers fired a flare into the sky.
Consider these answers: What’s wrong
with them?
 Tim Rogers use the oars to hit hard on
the side of the boat and fire a flare
into the sky.
 Tim Rogers shouted at the top of their

27. Synthesis
1) My father is not free to speak to you. My mother
is not free to speak to you.
Neither of ______________________.
Neither of my parents is free to speak to you.
Note: Note that ‘Neither of’ and ‘Neither…nor’ are
different question types.
The former needs a collective noun. The latter needs
you to note SVA and rule of proximity.

28. Synthesis
2) We brought our umbrellas with us. It was raining
heavily yesterday.
Since _____________________________________.
Since it was raining heavily yesterday, we brought our
umbrellas with us.
Note: Check for logical sequence.
Ask yourself if there is a need to transform the word
‘yesterday’ to ‘the previous day’ here?

29. Synthesis
3) All the pens in this pencil holder do not have any ink
left.
None of the pens _________________________.
None of the pens in this pencil holder has any ink left.
Note: SVA
‘none’ is singular.
None of the pens in this pencil holder have any ink left
(x)

30. Synthesis
4) Sam was so enthusiastic during the game that he
was chosen as the captain of the team.
Due to ___________________________________.
Due to his enthusiasm during the game, Sam was chosen
as the captain of the team.
Note: A change of word class is needed here.
Enthusiastic (adjective) to enthusiasm (noun)
 Common is needed to separate the main clause from
the supporting clause.

31. Synthesis
5) “We will be revising for our examinations in this
library,” said the twins.
The twins said that ___________________________.
The twins said that they would be revising for their
examinations in that library.
Note: Direct speech to indirect speech. Change the
following: pronouns, modals, tenses, time and place.

32. Synthesis (AFL)
1) James is very excited. James will be going to
Australia for the first time.
_____________________________ as
__________________________________________
James is very excited
as he will be going to Australia for the first time.
Note: Use a appropriate pronoun.

33. Synthesis (AFL)
Jane is elated. Jane will be flying her own plane
soon.
_____________________________ as
__________________________________________
Jane is elated
as she will be flying her own plane soon.
Note: Use a appropriate pronoun.

34. Synthesis
2) Judy will not be late for work. Judy needs to leave
the house early.
___________________________________so
that____________________________________.
Judy needs to leave the house early
So that she will not be late for work.
Note: Check for logical sequence.
Use the appropriate pronoun.
Do not repeat the name.

35. Synthesis
Rosie needs to complete her work at the office. Rosie will
be promoted.
___________________________________so
that____________________________________.
Rosie needs to complete her work at the office
so that she will be promoted.
Note: Check for logical sequence.
Use the appropriate pronoun.
Do not repeat the name.

36. Synthesis
3) Uncle wants to paint the room red. Uncle’s
daughter’s favourite colour is red.
Since________________________________.
Since her daughter’s favourite colour is red, Uncle
wants to paint the room red.
Note: Check for logical sequence.
Use the appropriate pronoun.
Capitalisation for proper noun. i.e. Mother.

37. Synthesis
4) The sports shoes were on sale. I did not buy the
sports shoes.
Although___________________________________.
Although the sports shoes were on sale, I did not buy
them.
Note: Punctuation rule: When connector is in front, use a
comma.
Need to use the suitable pronoun.

38. Synthesis
The meeting with the manager was cancelled. The
workers decided to meet by themselves.
Although___________________________________.
Although the meeting with the manager was cancelled,
the workers decided to meet by themselves.
Note: Punctuation rule: When connector is in front, use a
comma.
Need to use the suitable pronoun.

39. Synthesis
5) Jane enjoys playing with her guitar. Mary enjoys
playing with her guitar too.
________________________________and___________
________________________________________.
Jane and Mary enjoy playing their guitars.
Note: grammar note: Subject verb agreement (SVA)
conjunction ‘AND’ suggests plurality. Need to drop the
word ‘too’. The possessive pronouns need to be changed
accordingly.

40. Synthesis
5) Jane enjoys playing with her guitar. Mary enjoys
playing with her guitar too.
________________________________and___________
________________________________________.
Jane and Mary enjoy playing their guitars.
Note: grammar note: Subject verb agreement (SVA)
conjunction ‘AND’ suggests plurality. Need to drop the
word ‘too’. The possessive pronouns need to be changed
accordingly.

41. Synthesis
Ben likes to drink tea. Bella likes to drink tea too.
________________________________and___________
________________________________________.
Ben and Bella like to drink tea.
Note: grammar note: Subject verb agreement (SVA)
conjunction ‘AND’ suggests plurality. Need to drop the
word ‘too’. The possessive pronouns need to be changed
accordingly.

42. Synthesis
1) Mr Tan asked the girls if they needed more time to
complete their assignments.
_____________________________ Mr Tan asked the
girls.
“Do you need more time to complete your
assignments?” Mr Tan asked the girls.
Note: Indirect to direct : reversal of tenses.
Check if you can use your answer to get back to the given
indirect speech.

43. Synthesis
2) All of the cables in the box do not fit the socket
of the new electronic device.
None of __________________________________.
None of the cables fits the socket of the new
electronic device.
Note: SVA

44. Synthesis
3) William is visually handicapped. He paints
beautifully.
Despite his ________________________________.
Despite his visual handicap, William paints
beautifully.
Note: Change of adjective to a noun phrase.

45. Synthesis
4) You are not to enter the computer room under any
circumstances.
Under___________________________________.
Under no circumstances are you to enter the computer
room.
Note: need to preserve the meaning of the given
sentence. No need to change the tenses for this type of
transformation, unlike direct to indirect speech or vice
versa.

46. Synthesis
5) It was only after going through the jewellery in the
safe that they realised the necklace was missing.
Only after________________________________.
Only after going through the jewellery in the safe
did/that they realise that the necklace was missing.
Note: grammar note: after ‘did’, use a infinite form of the
verb.

47. Synthesis (AFL)
1) Mr Tan asked the girls if they needed more time to
complete their assignments.
_____________________________ Mr Tan asked the
girls.
“Do you need more time to complete your
assignments?” Mr Tan asked the girls.
Note: Indirect to direct : reversal of tenses.
Check if you can use your answer to get back to the given
indirect speech.

48. Synthesis (AFL)
Mrs Lee asked the class if she had made the
announcement the day before.
_____________________________ Mrs Lee asked the
class.
“Did I make the announcement yesterday?” Mrs Lee
asked the class.
Note: Indirect to direct : reversal of tenses.
Check if you can use your answer to get back to the given
indirect speech.

49. Synthesis
2) All of the cables in the box do not fit the socket
of the new electronic device.
None of __________________________________.
None of the cables fits the socket of the new
electronic device.
Note: SVA

50. Synthesis
All of the pens in the box do not have any ink left.
None of __________________________________.
None of the pens has any ink left.
Note: SVA

51. Synthesis
3) William is visually handicapped. He paints
beautifully.
Despite his ________________________________.
Despite his visual handicap, William paints
beautifully.
Note: Change of adjective to a noun phrase.

52. Synthesis
Sam is determined. He loses the game.
Despite his ________________________________.
Despite his determination, Sam loses the game.
Note: Change of adjective to a noun phrase.

53. Synthesis
Tim is strong and smart. He loses the match.
Despite his ________________________________.
Despite his strength and smartness, Tim loses the
match.
Note: Change of adjective to a noun phrase.

54. Synthesis
4) You are not to enter the computer room under any
circumstances.
Under___________________________________.
Under no circumstances are you to enter the computer
room.
Note: need to preserve the meaning of the given
sentence. No need to change the tenses for this type of
transformation, unlike direct to indirect speech or vice
versa.

55. Synthesis
You are not to play with fire under any circumstances.
Under___________________________________.
Under no circumstances are you to play with fire.
Note: need to preserve the meaning of the given
sentence. No need to change the tenses for this type of
transformation, unlike direct to indirect speech or vice
versa.

56. Synthesis
5) It was only after going through the jewellery in the
safe that they realised the necklace was missing.
Only after________________________________.
Only after going through the jewellery in the safe
did/that they realise that the necklace was missing.
Note: grammar note: after ‘did’, use a infinite form of the
verb.

57. Synthesis
It was only after counting the number of bags that
we realised Sue’s bag was missing.
Only after________________________________.
Only after counting the number of bags did/that we
realise that Sue’s bag was missing.
Note: grammar note: after ‘did’, use a infinite form
of the verb.

58. Synthesis
1) James is very excited. James will be going to
Australia for the first time.
_____________________________ as
__________________________________________
James is very excited
as he will be going to Australia for the first time.
Note: Use a appropriate pronoun.

59. Synthesis
2) Judy will not be late for work. Judy needs to leave
the house early.
___________________________________so
that____________________________________.
Judy needs to leave the house early
So that she will not be late for work.
Note: Check for logical sequence.
Use the appropriate pronoun.
Do not repeat the name.

60. Synthesis
3) Mother was near the market. Mother decided to
buy some vegetables home.
Since________________________________.
Since Mother was near the market, she decided to
buy some vegetables home.
Note: Check for logical sequence.
Use the appropriate pronoun.
Capitalisation for proper noun. i.e. Mother.

61. Synthesis
4) The sports shoes were on sale. I did not buy the
sports shoes.
Although___________________________________.
Although the sports shoes were on sale, I did not buy
them.
Note: Punctuation rule: When connector is in front, use a
comma.
Need to use the suitable pronoun.

62. Synthesis
5) Jane enjoys playing with her guitar. Mary enjoys
playing with her guitar too.
________________________________and___________
________________________________________.
Jane and Mary enjoy playing their guitars.
Note: grammar note: Subject verb agreement (SVA)
conjunction ‘AND’ suggests plurality. Need to drop the
word ‘too’. The possessive pronouns need to be changed
accordingly.

63. Synthesis (AFL)
1) James is very excited. James will be going to
Australia for the first time.
_____________________________ as
__________________________________________
James is very excited
as he will be going to Australia for the first time.
Note: Use a appropriate pronoun.

64. Synthesis (AFL)
Jane is elated. Jane will be flying her own plane
soon.
_____________________________ as
__________________________________________
Jane is elated
as she will be flying her own plane soon.
Note: Use a appropriate pronoun.

65. Synthesis
2) Judy will not be late for work. Judy needs to leave
the house early.
___________________________________so
that____________________________________.
Judy needs to leave the house early
So that she will not be late for work.
Note: Check for logical sequence.
Use the appropriate pronoun.
Do not repeat the name.

66. Synthesis
Rosie needs to complete her work at the office. Rosie will
be promoted.
___________________________________so
that____________________________________.
Rosie needs to complete her work at the office
so that she will be promoted.
Note: Check for logical sequence.
Use the appropriate pronoun.
Do not repeat the name.

67. Synthesis
3) Uncle wants to paint the room red. Uncle’s
daughter’s favourite colour is red.
Since________________________________.
Since her daughter’s favourite colour is red, Uncle
wants to paint the room red.
Note: Check for logical sequence.
Use the appropriate pronoun.
Capitalisation for proper noun. i.e. Mother.

68. Synthesis
4) The sports shoes were on sale. I did not buy the
sports shoes.
Although___________________________________.
Although the sports shoes were on sale, I did not buy
them.
Note: Punctuation rule: When connector is in front, use a
comma.
Need to use the suitable pronoun.

69. Synthesis
The meeting with the manager was cancelled. The
workers decided to meet by themselves.
Although___________________________________.
Although the meeting with the manager was cancelled,
the workers decided to meet by themselves.
Note: Punctuation rule: When connector is in front, use a
comma.
Need to use the suitable pronoun.

70. Synthesis
5) Jane enjoys playing with her guitar. Mary enjoys
playing with her guitar too.
________________________________and___________
________________________________________.
Jane and Mary enjoy playing their guitars.
Note: grammar note: Subject verb agreement (SVA)
conjunction ‘AND’ suggests plurality. Need to drop the
word ‘too’. The possessive pronouns need to be changed
accordingly.

71. Synthesis
5) Jane enjoys playing with her guitar. Mary enjoys
playing with her guitar too.
________________________________and___________
________________________________________.
Jane and Mary enjoy playing their guitars.
Note: grammar note: Subject verb agreement (SVA)
conjunction ‘AND’ suggests plurality. Need to drop the
word ‘too’. The possessive pronouns need to be changed
accordingly.

72. Synthesis
Ben likes to drink tea. Bella likes to drink tea too.
________________________________and___________
________________________________________.
Ben and Bella like to drink tea.
Note: grammar note: Subject verb agreement (SVA)
conjunction ‘AND’ suggests plurality. Need to drop the
word ‘too’. The possessive pronouns need to be changed
accordingly.