English Grammar in Use

EXERCISES
131.1 Complete the sentences. Choose one of the following verbs (in the correct form) + the correct preposition:
explain invite laugh listen point glance speak throw throw write
1. I look stupid with this haircut. Everybody will _laugh at_ me.
2. I don't understand what this means. Can you _explain_ it _to_ me?
3. I --- my watch to see what the time was.
4. We've been --- the party but unfortunately we can't go.
5. Please --- me! I've got something important to tell you.
6. Don't --- stones --- the birds! It's cruel.
7. If you don't want to eat that sandwich, --- it --- the birds. They'll eat it.
8. Sally and Kevin had an argument and now they're not --- one another.
9. I --- Joanna last week but she hasn't replied to my letter yet.
10. Be careful with those scissors! Don't --- them --- me!
131.2 Put in to or at where necessary.
1. They only invited a few people _to_ their wedding.
2. Look --- these flowers. Aren't they pretty?
3. Please don't shout --- me! Be nice to me!
4. I saw Sue as I was cycling along the road. I shouted --- her but she didn't hear me.
5. Don't listen --- what he says. He doesn't know what he's talking about.
6. Can I speak --- you for a moment? There's something I want to ask you.
7. Do you think I could have a look --- your newspaper, please?
8. I'm a bit lonely. I need somebody to talk ---.
9. She was so angry she threw a chair --- me.
10. The woman sitting opposite me on the train kept staring --- me.
131.3 You ask somebody to explain some things that you don't understand. Write sentences using explain (something) to me or explain to me (how/what ... etc.).
1. (I don't understand this word.) _Can you explain this word to me?_
2. (I don't understand what you mean.) _Can you explain to me what you mean?_
3. (I don't understand this question.) Can you explain ---.
4. (I don't understand the system.) Can ---.
5. (I don't understand how this machine works.) ---.
6. (I don't understand what your problem is.) ---.
131.4 Put in to where necessary. If the sentence is already complete, leave an empty space (-)
1. I know who she is but I've never spoken _to_ her.
2. George won't be able to help you, so there's no point in asking (-) him.
3. I like to listen --- the radio while I'm having breakfast.
4. We'd better phone --- the restaurant to reserve a table.
5. I apologized --- Bridget for the misunderstanding.
6. Don't forget to write --- me while you're away.
7. I thanked --- everybody for all the help they had given me.
8. I explained --- everybody what they had to do.
9. Mike described --- me how the accident happened.
10. I'd like to ask --- you some questions.