Cambridge Proficiency (CPE) Use of English sentence transformations- speculating language

Cambridge Proficiency (CPE) Use of English sentence transformations- speculating
language

Complete the 2nd sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence, using the
word given. Do not change the word given. You must use between three and eight
words, including the word given.

1. I have no doubt that the butler did it.
HAVE

The butler _________________________________________________________ it.

2. He can’t have said that. Just to start with, the grammar is all wrong.
NO

There ______________________________________________________________ that
he actually said that. Just to start with, the grammar is all wrong.

3. I’m certain he’s driving here right now.
BE

He ____________________________________________________ here right now.

4. Maybe John was ignoring you deliberately.
HAVE

John ___________________________________________________ you deliberately.

5. It doesn’t look like the right key.
APPEAR

This ____________________________________________________ the right key.

6. I get the impression that he’s a bit under the weather.
TO

He _______________________________________________ a bit under the weather.

7. We can’t be sure but it is likely that they will go bankrupt.
CHANCES

It’s not __________________________________________ that they will go bankrupt.

8. Perhaps your boss didn’t send you that anonymous Valentine’s card. But then again,

maybe he did.

HAVE

Written by Alex Case for UsingEnglish.com © 2020

p. 1

Your boss __________________________________________________________ that
anonymous Valentine’s card. But then again, maybe he did.

9. It could conceivably work this time, even though it didn’t any of the other times.
SLIGHT

There _____________________________________________________ working this
time, even though it didn’t any of the other times.

10. He must arrive soon, because he only lives ten minutes away.
GET

He is ___________________________________ to only living ten minutes away.

11. It seems unreasonable to suppose that this is the only surviving example in the wild.
NO

We ____________________ suppose that this is the only surviving example in the wild.

12. How likely is it that ABC RFC will win both the cup and the league?
CHANCES

What __________________________________winning both the cup and the league?

13. Samantha thinks there is no chance of a return to high inflation.
PROSPECT

Samantha doesn’t __________________________________ a return to high inflation.

14. The manager said he was extremely confident that his team could cope with the

challenges ahead.

EVERY

The manager said he _________________________________________________ ability
to cope with the challenges ahead.

15. The estate agent said that he no longer thought that there would be bids at that price.
HOPE

The estate agent said he ________________________________ being bids at that price.

Written by Alex Case for UsingEnglish.com © 2020

p. 2

Suggested answers
1. must (1 mark) have done (1 mark)
2. is no (1 mark) chance/ possibility (1 mark)
3. must (1 mark) be driving (1 mark)
4. may/ might (1 mark) have been ignoring (1 mark)
5. (key) does not appear (1 mark) to be (1 mark)
6. seems (1 mark) to be (1 mark)
7. certain but (1 mark) the chances are (1 mark)
8. may not/ might not (1 mark) have sent you (1 mark)
9. is a slight (1 mark) chance of it OR possibility of it(1 mark)
10. is bound to (1 mark) get here soon due (1 mark)
11. have no (1 mark) reason to (1 mark)
12. are the chances (1 mark) of ABC RFC (1 mark)
13. see any (1 mark) prospect of (1 mark)
14. had every confidence (1 mark) in his team’s (1 mark)
15. had lost hope (1 mark) of there (1 mark)

Written by Alex Case for UsingEnglish.com © 2020

p. 3