SEMINAR 1

THE NOUN

I. Choose the phrase(s) that best complete the empty spaces:

1. He introduced me to … of the persons present at the exhibition.

a. many b. each c. a large amount d. some

2. In her test paper, she managed to write … correct sentences.

a. many b. a lot of c. several d. a great deal of

3. My best friend was in trouble and asked me to give him … advice.

a. an b. a little c. some d. many

4. I don’t quite agree to the fact that your children eat … chocolate.

a. a lot of b. many c. a large number of d. a great deal of

5. Jane bought … Christmas presents for her family last year.

a. plenty of b. lots of c. few d. a huge amount of

6. If you don’t have … information on the topic, you may consult the

Encyclopaedia Britannica.

a. an b. much c. any d. many

7. There is … money on the table. Is it yours?

a. some b. a few c. a little d. many

8. She always seems to have … homework to do.

a. many b. much c. plenty of d. a

II. In the following fragment, there are some nouns that should be in the plural,

but are not. Change the text where appropriate:

In my youth, there was a time when I really wanted to become a famous TV

presenter. I left for the capital, and, as I didn’t have enough money to stay in a

hotel, I started looking for some cheap lodging. I finally got a place, but it was in a

district on the outskirt of the city. The owner did not live on the premise, so I was

happy that I could practise diction and voice control without disturbing anyone.

The problem was that my neighbours’ son was member of a rock band, and they

used to rehearse in the basement of the building, where the acoustic was excellent.

The noise they made almost shook the foundation, and, unfortunately, did not let

me sleep at all. Consequently, when I went to the Central Television headquarter,

I was extremely tired and far from my best shape. It came as no surprise that

somebody there told me that I didn’t have a good enough look to be famous. So

that was the end of my dream!

III. Correct any errors in the sentences below:

1. My reading glasses is somewhere in the bedroom, but I just can’t find it. 2. In

the south of the country, houses are generally made of stones, but here bricks

represent the first choice. 3. This pair of binoculars have been in this drawer for a

long time. 4. What you have just told me is a really good advice. 5. They had such

a terrible weather that they had to give up the idea of living in a tent and got an

accommodation in the nearest village. 6. He has a great deal of experiences in

dealing with such problems. 7. Although my knowledge in this area are quite

poor, I like antique furnitures. 8. The scissors in grandmother’s sewing box needs

sharpening. 9. I have made great progresses with my researches these days. 10. I

think that the bathroom scales is out of order. It indicates my weight at a different

value every time.

IV. Translate into English :

1. Trebuie să obţinem orice informaţie care ne-ar putea ajuta în încercarea noastră.

2. Am plecat cu prea multe bagaje şi acum trebuie să le car singur. 3. Avem

nevoie de un binoclu şi o busolă pentru excursia de săptămâna viitoare. 4. Mă tem

că nu te pot ajuta. Am puţine cunoştinţe în acest domeniu. 5. Singurul sfat pe care

mi l-a dat a fost să merg mai departe. 6. Poliţia nu a făcut încă nici o arestare în

acest caz. 7. Ştirile pe care le-am primit până acum sunt extrem de interesante. 8.

Unde sunt banii Mariei? Nu sunt în sertarul unde îi ţine de obicei. 9. Care din cele

două bagaje e mai greu: al tău sau al mamei tale? 10. Mi-am spălat salopeta

fiindcă era foarte murdară.

V. Use the appropriate specific partitive in each case:

NATURAL ELEMENTS

1. We had an excellent … of warm weather at the seaside last summer. 2. An

unexpected … of rain prevented us from leaving the supermarket for ten minutes.

3. A … of wind turned Mary’s old umbrella inside out. 4. The children got scared

when a … of lightning lit up the sky. 5. They got even more scared when it was

followed by a loud … of thunder. 6. I don’t feel very well. I must go out for a …

of fresh air. 7. I’ve just felt a … of rain on my nose. I think we should go home.

8. I saw a very interesting insect on a … of grass. 9. There is a problem with my

left eye. I think I’ve got a … of dust in it. 10. This … of land is suitable for a

garden.

HUMAN ACTIVITY

1. I could feel a … of hope in her voice. 2. She is tired because she didn’t get a …

of sleep last night. 3. He was late because, just before he was about to leave, his

wife developed a serious … of nerves. 4. Until they open the new … of motorway,

the traffic will be heavy here. 5. Don’t wait too long! Call me at the slightest … of

trouble! 6. Your idea was a … of genius! And it was a … of luck that you were

able to put it to practice! 7. I have never seen you in such a … of temper before. 8.

During the fire, there was a huge … of smoke hanging over the district. 9. While

he was watching me, he was blowing little … of smoke out of a cigarette. 10. We

were all in … of laughter at his jokes.

FOOD

1. I would like to buy a … of bread, one … of soap and two … of chocolate. 2. All

that he says should be taken with a … of salt. 3. How many … of sugar do you

take in your tea? 4. Put a few … of rice in a bowl. 5. Have at least one … of beef

with the vegetables! 6. Moodily, he was making ramparts with the … of bread on

the table.

VI. Rewrite the following sentences using the words given. The new sentences will

contain common phrases with invariable nouns.

1. They go fishing every Saturday, no matter if it is raining, snowing or bright

sunshine. weathers

2. Although immoral, lying may be necessary sometimes. evil

3. The money they made with their recent show in London is going to the victims

of the earthquake. proceeds

4. Once the models are no longer so good looking, their career comes to an end.

looks

5. He proved that he knew the labour market situation very well. knowledge

6. There is little chance of finding someone who can lend us that money.

odds

7. She hoped that she would feel better after she had slept for some time.

sleep

8. She got on very well with all her workmates. terms

VII. Use the singular or the plural form of the verb to be as required by the

meaning of the collective noun it accompanies:

1. The audience for his play … enormous that night. 2. The crew … on the deck,

except for the second mate. 3. My family … not at home now, so I’m alone. 4.

Tom’s class … made up of hard working pupils. 5. I’m sure we’ll win, because

our team … always good in such situations. 6. The audience … applauding with

frenzy. 7. The committee … quite confused and could not agree on a solution. 8.

… your family small or large? 9. I remember that our class … enjoying every

moment of Mrs. Brown’s lessons. 10. The local school board … trying to raise the

teachers’ salaries.

VIII. Fill in the blanks with the appropriate collective noun:

PEOPLE

1. a(n) … of people

2. a(n) … of workers

3. a(n) … of people in a concert hall

4. a(n) … of sailors on a ship

5. a(n) … of thieves

6. a(n) … of people in a church

7. a(n) … of people at a football match

8. a(n) … of actors

9. a(n) … of trustees

ANIMALS

10. a(n) … of elephants

11. a(n) … of fish

12. a(n) … of lions

13. a(n) … of flies/ bees

14. a(n) … of deer

15. a(n) … of sheep/ goats

16. a(n) … of birds

17. a(n) … of peacocks

18. a(n) … of wolves

19. a(n) … of geese

20. a(n) … of puppies

THINGS IN GENERAL

19. a(n) … of papers/ clothes/ toys/ books

20. a(n) … of flowers

21. a(n) … of cards

22. a(n) … of wood

23. a(n) … of mountains

24. a(n) … of ships

25. a(n) … of stars

26. a(n) … of steps/ stairs

27. a(n) … of grapes/ bananas/ cherries

28. a(n) … of cranes

29. a(n) … of beads

30. a(n) … of events

31. a(n) … of chairs/tables/boxes

IX. Translate into English:

1. Preoţimea se opune unora dintre principiile planificării familale. 2. Fiecare ştire

despre activitatea voastră din străinătate este binevenită. 3. Acustica acestei săli e

foarte bună. Acustica e o ramură a fizicii. 4. Aceste mijloace de a obţine un

paşaport sunt total ilegale. 5. Printre peştii de apă dulce includem somonii,

păstrăvii, crapii şi ţiparii. 6. S-au făcut progrese remarcabile în acest domeniu

științific în ultimii ani. 7. Dă-mi cei doi pantaloni scurţi care trebuie cusuţi. 8. Un

fulger este de obicei urmat de un tunet. 9. Statisticile arată că femeile la volan sunt

mai atente decât bărbaţii. 10. Mi-a văzut cineva tocul de ochelari?

X. Use the singular or the plural form of the nouns below, as required by the

context. Specify, in each case, whether the noun is countable, uncountable or

plural invariable:

1. colour a) Her manner of presenting the events is full of …. b) The

soldiers are saluting the national …. c) He was wearing the

… of his favourite football team.

2. compass a) Give me the …, because I want to draw a circle. b) I think

we have lost our way. We’d better use the …. c) Such

things are beyond the … of the human mind.

3. custom a) It takes time to get used to the local … and traditions. b)

You must declare everything at the …. c) On Sunday

evening, as was his …, he went downtown.

4. damage a) The fire caused serious … to their restaurant. b) In case of

sudden floods, the insurance company will pay the ….

5. ground a) Jack tried to sign up for the army, but was turned down

on medical ….. b) It was difficult to find her on the

extensive …. of the hotel. c) Money is considered to be the

number one … for divorce. d) Why doesn’t anyone take

care of this sports …?

6. minute a) He wanted to see the … of the previous meeting. b)

Could you wait one or two … ?

7. pain a) I don’t think she is in any … now. b) He took great … to

make the evening perfect.

8. scale a) He was practising … on his new piano. b) Weigh the

flour on the kitchen …. c) The … of this fish are very

interesting.

9. spirit a) In the countryside, old women usually believe in …. b) I

tried telling some jokes in order to keep their … up. c) He

promised he would never touch … again.

10. wit a) This journalist is known for his biting …. b) Our boss is

admired for her integrity and quick ….

XI. Correct the mistakes in the following sentences:

1. The storm produced a big damage and everybody was desperate. 2. I’m sure that their

research project will provide important scientific dates in the field. 3. I’m trying to take

photos of these wonderful lightnings. 4. The police has just caught the man suspected of

robbery. 5. The speaker asked the public to take its seats. 6. Economics are not a subject

that I’m really interested in. 7. You’d better put on a brace, or your trousers will fall

down. 8. There were several hundred of people protesting in front of the Parliament.