CPE Key Word Transformations

For questions 1-6, complete the second 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. You can use the "?" button to get a clue but by
doing so you will lose points.
1) She knew nothing about the party that they were planning.
DARK
She was
the party that they were planning.
2) Our team has won the football championship for the second year running.
SUCCESSION
For the second year
by a local team.
3) You must never leave the workplace without letting the team leader know.
ACCOUNT
On
without letting the team leader know.
4) If you don't know what you're doing, you shouldn't dismantle the laptop.
APART
Don't
you know what you're doing.
5) I was shocked by the cheeky response that the girl gave to her mother.
ABACK
I was
the cheeky response that the girl gave to her mother.
6) Simon is rumoured to be about to become a Sky News presenter.
VERGE
Rumour has
becoming a Sky News presenter.
 ANSWERS

1
(KEPT) IN THE DARK ABOUT
IDIOM IN THE DARK ABOUT SOMETHING
Knowing nothing about something:
Workers were kept in the dark about the plans to sell the company.

2
IN SUCCESSION, THE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP HAS BEEN WON
PHRASE + PASSIVE VOICE IN SUCCESSION + SUBJECT + HAS BEEN +
(PRESENT PERFECT) PAST PARTICIPLE
IN SUCCESSION => in a series:
Gary has won the tournament three times in succession.

3
NO ACCOUNT SHOULD (MUST/MAY) YOU LEAVE THE WORKPLACE
INVERSION ON NO ACCOUNT + AUXILIARY + SUBJECT + VERB
Used to emphasize something - not for any reason:
On no account should the office be left unlocked.

4
TAKE THE LAPTOP APART UNLESS
PHRASAL VERB + UNLESS TAKE THE LAPTOP APART + UNLESS
TAKE STH APART => to separate an object into pieces:
My wife's watch stopped, so I took it apart.

5
TAKEN ABACK BY
PHRASAL VERB BE + TAKEN ABACK + BY
To be very surprised about something:
Ann was somewhat taken aback by his directness.

6
IT THAT SIMON IS ON THE VERGE OF
PHRASE + IDIOM RUMOUR HAS IT THAT + BE ON THE VERGE OF
RUMOUR HAS IT => people say:
Rumour has it that she was murdered.
CPE Key Word Transformations

For questions 1-6, complete the second 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. You can use the "?" button to get a clue but by
doing so you will lose points.
1) My two cousins don't trust each other at all.
COMPLETE
There's
my two cousins.
2) Her exclusion from party conventions stems from her scandalous behaviour.
SINCE
She
her scandalous behaviour.
3) I don't understand the reason for Mark's sudden resignation last week.
WHY
I don't understand
last week.
4) We have taken umbrellas as we're afraid the weather may get worse.
SHOULD
We have taken umbrellas
get worse
5) We don't expect that the missing passengers have survived.
HOPE
We don't hold
the missing passengers.
6) We shouldn't exaggerate the importance of finishing on time.
EMPHASIS
We shouldn't
finishing on time
 ANSWERS

1
COMPLETE LACK OF TRUST BETWEEN
PHRASE LACK OF + TRUST BETWEEN
LACK OF => the state of not having something or not having enough of something:
The show was cancelled because of lack of support.

2
HAS BEEN EXCLUDED FROM PARTY CONVENTIONS SINCE
PASSIVE VOICE (PRESENT PERFECT) + (VERB + HAS BEEN EXCLUDED
PREPOSITION) + SINCE FROM + SINCE
EXCLUDE SB FROM STH => To prevent somebody/something from entering a place or
taking part in something:
The committee has to decide whether to exclude her from the competition.

3
(THE REASON) WHY MARK RESIGNED SO SUDDENLY
PHRASE THE REASON WHY + SUBJECT + VERB
Cause or an explanation for something that has happened or that somebody has done:
I'd like to know the reason why she's so late.

4
LEST THE WEATHER SHOULD
CONJUNCTION LEST + SHOULD
In order to prevent something from happening:
John turned the radio down lest he should miss the phone ringing.

5
OUT MUCH HOPE FOR
PHRASAL VERB HOLD OUT + HOPE
To think that something is likely to happen or succeed:
She doesn't hold out much hope that they'll come.

6
PUT/PLACE/LAY (TOO) MUCH EMPHASIS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF
PHRASE PUT EMPHASIS ON SOMETHING
To give special attention or importance:
The course puts emphasis on practical work.