Exercise 1
Which is correct?
1) a Can you explain this word to me?
b Can you explain me this word?
2) a I got angry with Mark. Afterwards, I apologised to him.
b I got angry with Mark. Afterwards I apologised him.
3) a A won't be able to help you. There's no point in asking to her.
b A won't be able to help you. There's no point in asking her.
4) a I need somebody to explain me what I have to do.
b I need somebody to explain to me what I have to do.
5) a They didn't understand the system, so I explained it to them.
b They didn't understand the system, so I explained it them.
6) a I like to sit on the beach and listen to the sound of the sea.
b I like to sit on the beach and listen the sound of the sea.
7) a I asked them to describe me exactly what happened.
b I asked them to describe to me exactly what happened.
8) a We'd better phone the restaurant to reserve a table.
b We'd better phone to the restaurant to reserve a table.
9) a It was a difficult question. I couldn't answer to it.
b It was a difficult question. I couldn't answer it.
10) a I explained everybody the reasons for decision.
b I explained to everybody the reasons for decision.
11) a I thanked everybody for all the help they had given me.
b I thanked to everybody for all the help they had given me.
12) a friend texted to me to let me know she was going to be late.
b friend texted me to let me know she was going to be late.
Show answers
1)
1 a
2 a
3 b
4 b
5 a
6 a
7 b
8 a
9 b
10 b
11 a
12 b
Exercise 2
Complete the sentences. Use these verbs + the correct preposition:
explain laugh listen look point reply speak throw throw
1) I look stupid with this haircut. Everybody will ________ me.
2) I don’t understand this. Can you ________ it ________ me?
3) Sue and Kevin had an argument and now they're refusing to ________ each other.
4) Be careful with those scissors! Don't ________ them ________ me!
5) I'm not sure where we are. I'll have to ________ the map.
6) Please ________ me! I’ve got something important to tell you.
7) Don't ________ stones ________ the birds! it's cruel.
8) If you don't want that sandwich, ________ it ________ the birds. They'll eat it.
9) I tried to contact Tina, but she didn’t ________ emails.
Show answers
2)
1 laugh at
2 explain
3 speak to
4 point (them) at
5 look at
6 listen to
7 throw (stones) at
8 throw (it) to
9 reply to
Exercise 3
Put in to or at.
1) They apologised ________ me for what happened.
2) I glanced ________ watch to see what time it was.
3) Please don’t shout ________ me! Try to calm down.
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) What's so funny? What are you laughing ________?
7) Could I have a look ________ your magazine, please?
8) I’m lonely. I need somebody to talk ________
9) She was so angry she threw a book ________ the wall.
10) The woman sitting opposite me on the train kept staring ________ me.
11) Can I speak ________ you a moment? There's something I want to ask you.
Show answers
3)
1 to
2 at
3 at
4 to
5 to
6 at
7 at
8 to
9 at
10 at
11 to
IELTS Practice Tests Online
