Chapter 14: Noun Clauses

TRUE/FALSE
The two sentences have the same meaning. Mark T or F.
1. I wonder if she's going to give us another chance.
Whether or not she's going to give us another chance isn't certain.

2. How she answered was inappropriate.

I don't think that she answered inappropriately.

3. I'm frustrated that he hasn't replied to my e-mail.

It's frustrating that he hasn't replied to my e-mail.

4. That there are still no reported errors after several reviews is reassuring.
The fact that there are still no reported errors after several reviews is reassuring.

5. I'm uncertain about where we're meeting.

Whether we're meeting or not is unclear to me.

6. That we were going to lose was obvious to us.

We weren't certain that we were going to lose.

7. He doesn't know whether he wants to continue taking Spanish or not.

He can't decide if he wants to continue taking Spanish.

MULTIPLE CHOICE
Choose the correct word or words to complete each sentence. If no extra word is needed, choose
X.
1. __________ he works is considered the financial center of the city.
a. Why
c. Where
b. That
d. What
2. I'm not sure if it's true, but people are saying __________ she is going to transfer to another school
next term.
a. what
c. where
b. that
d. how
3. I am not sure __________ or not you can take 18 credits in a term.

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a. whether
b. if
4. Does anyone know __________ turn it is?
a. that
b. who

c. why
d. how

c. whose
d. whether

5. I wonder __________ Gary decided to resign from his job.

a. whose
c. where
b. what
d. why
6. The fact __________ Walter came in first is surprising.
a. that
c. why
b. what
d. if
7. You should consider the question of __________ to submit your application.
a. if
c. that
b. when
d. what
8. That she stole from us __________ still makes me sad.
a. she
c. what
b. it
d. X
9. __________ was once assumed that the computer would render paper obsolete.
a. What
c. It
b. That
d. He
10. It __________ that the effects of global warming will cause significant changes in sea levels.
a. were believed
c. believes
b. is believed
d. is believing
11. I couldn't remember __________ the start time was, so we came early.
a. that
c. what
b. why
d. X
12. I really doubt __________ he said because he has lied so many times in the past.
a. that
c. why
b. what
d. how
13. __________ she came back after all these years is a mystery to me.
a. Where
c. What
b. Why
d. X
14. I'm not sure __________ I can tell you or not.
a. if
c. how
b. why
d. where

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15. Julia didn't know what __________ about her poor grades.
a. to do
c. could do
b. she could
d. do
16. It is important __________ to elect a group leader immediately.
a. for
c. you
b. you are
d. for you
17. Do you hear that now? I wonder if someone __________ on the door.
a. knocked
c. is going to knock
b. is knocking
d. to knock
18. The problem was that I __________ the requirements, so I wasn't able to help you until I found them.
a. didn't know
c. won't know
b. don't know
d. to know
19. It amazes me that you __________ three languages. Not many people are trilingual.
a. are speaking
c. to speak
b. can speak
d. had spoken
Choose the correct response to complete each conversation.
20. A: That match could have gone either way. We were very lucky.
B: I know. ___________________________________
a. I wasn't sure that we would win.
b. It was obvious that we were going to win.
c. I don't know if we're going to win.
21. A: ___________________________________
B: I know. He's very busy. We'll just have to hope for the best.
a. It's great that he has time to help us.
b. I think that he has time to help us.
c. I doubt that he has time to help us.
22. A: Mr. Bly didn't realize how serious the losses were until the quarterly report came out in June.
B: I know. ___________________________________
a. He told us about the losses in May.
b. It's a good thing the losses weren't serious.
c. However, he now understands.
23. A: ___________________________________
B: We should all start looking for new jobs now.
a. It's doubtful that our division will close.
b. We know that the division will remain open for at least another two years.
c. The fact is that our division will close in under a year.

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24. A: We're lucky the storm missed us last night. Nothing happened in our area.
B: Yes. Everyone was worried ___________________________________.
a. that the power might go out.
c. why the power went out.
b. how the power went out.
25. A: Could you give me Robert's address?
B: I'm afraid I can't. I don't know ___________________________________
a. whose address this is.
c. why he lives there.
b. where he lives.
COMPLETION
Read the sentences. Complete the second sentence with an infinitive in place of the noun clause.
1. She didn't understand what she should ask.
She didn't understand _____________________________________.

2. It is essential that you not arrive late tomorrow.

It is essential ______________________________ late tomorrow.

3. It's necessary that you buy your ticket early.

It's necessary ______________________________ your ticket early.

4. I don't know how I can make myself stand out.

I don't know_________________________ myself stand out.

5. She couldn't decide when she might visit us at home.

She couldn't decide _________________________ us at home.

Complete the sentences with the correct word from the box.
whose

whether

what

that

why

6. I don't have any idea ____________________ notebook this is. There's no name in it.

7. I think someone took your jacket by accident, so I think ____________________ you will get it back.

8. This error message doesn't say ____________________ the problem was, but the computer is going to
shut down automatically now.

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9. As per your request, I'm going to fill out the additional form now. I would just like to know
____________________ you'd like me to do it.

10. Oleg doesn't remember ____________________ he saw your car in the parking lot or not.

SHORT ANSWER
Correct the errors in the sentences. Each sentence contains one error.
1. Jake understood it what the problem was with his solution.
.

2. I still wonder what didn't he tell us about the police investigation.

3. The fact what you contributed your time and effort shows that you care.

4. Alison couldn't decide if to ask for extra help or not.

5. They recommended that we didn't withdraw money from the account for at least a year.

Combine each pair of sentences to make one complete sentence. Use that clauses, if/whether
clauses and wh- clauses.
6. The concert would sell out. Everyone believed it.
Everyone __________________________________________________

7. When are you coming? You need to tell us.

You need to __________________________________________________

8. Do your parents like your friends? It's important.

Whether __________________________________________________

9. Why didn't Yuji come? I don't know.

I don't know__________________________________________________

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10. What did you say? I didn't hear it.

I didn't hear__________________________________________________

ESSAY
Write an essay using one of these topics.
1. Write two paragraphs about what it means to have a happy life. In the first paragraph, describe the
general characteristics of a happy life. Include examples of specific individuals to support your
opinion. In the second paragraph, discuss whether it is possible for everyone to have a happy life.
Include details or examples.

2. Think about a country you know well. Writers, artists, and architects have the ability to capture the
essence or spirit of their country and its people. Choose a writer, artist, or architect who depicts a
country well, and write two paragraphs about his or her work. In the first paragraph, describe the
character of the country the individual is from. Include details about its culture, pace of life, and
people's attitudes. In the second paragraph, describe the individual's work. Include details about why it
captures the essence or spirit of the country.

3. Write two paragraphs about an event from the past 10 years that people will remember 100 years from
now. The event can be from politics, the arts, science, or any other field. In the first paragraph,
describe the event. Include details about how people reacted to it at the time it happened. In the second
paragraph, explain why this event will be remembered 100 years from now. Include details about why
it is significant for future generations.

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Chapter 14: Answer Key

TRUE/FALSE
1. T
2. F
3. T
4. T
5. F
6. F
7. T

MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. C
2. B
3. A
4. C
5. D
6. A
7. B
8. D
9. C
10. B
11. C
12. B
13. B
14. A
15. A
16. D
17. B
18. A
19. B
20. A
21. C
22. C
23. C
24. A
25. B

COMPLETION
1. what to ask
2. for you not to arrive
3. for you to buy
4. how to make
5. when to visit
6. whose
7. that

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8. what
9. why
10. whether

SHORT ANSWER

1. Jake understood what the problem was with his solution

2. I still wonder what he didn't tell us about the police investigation.
3. The fact that you contributed your time and effort shows that you care.
4. Alison couldn't decide whether to ask for extra help or not.
5. They recommended that we not withdraw money from the account for at least a year.
6. Everyone believed that the concert would sell out.
7. You need to tell us when you are coming.
8. Whether your parents like your friends is important.
10. I didn't hear what you said.

ESSAY
1. Answers will vary.
2. Answers will vary.
3. Answers will vary.

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