Use of English - Keyword Transformation
C2
Cambridge English C2 Exam
For questions 1-6, complete the second sentence so it has a similar meaning to the first one, using the word given. You must use between 3 and 8 words including the word given. Do NOT use contractions.
Keyword Transformation #458
BEFORE
The committee had never encountered such fierce opposition to one of its proposals before the consultation began.
............ encountered such fierce opposition to one of its proposals before the consultation began.
Use between 3 and 8 words.
Do not use contractions.
AFTER
The director only realised how serious the budget shortfall was after the auditors had submitted their final report.
Only ............ their final report did the director realise how serious the budget shortfall was.
Use between 3 and 8 words.
Do not use contractions.
UNTIL
The research team did not appreciate the scale of the breakthrough until the results were replicated independently.
Not ............ did the research team appreciate the scale of the breakthrough.
Use between 3 and 8 words.
Do not use contractions.
HARDLY
We had hardly sat down to discuss the merger when the chief executive announced her resignation.
............ to discuss the merger when the chief executive announced her resignation.
Use between 3 and 8 words.
Do not use contractions.
IF
The museum may lend the manuscript to the gallery, but only if strict security measures are introduced.
Only ............ may the museum lend the manuscript to the gallery.
Use between 3 and 8 words.
Do not use contractions.
SCARCELY
She had scarcely finished outlining the proposal when several board members began to raise objections.
............ the proposal when several board members began to raise objections.
Use between 3 and 8 words.
Do not use contractions.
About Use of English Keyword Transformation — Cambridge English C2
In this Cambridge English C2 Use of English Key Word Transformation exercise you complete a second sentence so that it means the same as the first, using the key word given. There are 6 questions.
You must not change the key word, and your answer usually uses between two and five words. It tests grammar and vocabulary together, including tenses, passives, reported speech and fixed phrases.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many questions are in this C2 Key Word Transformation exercise?
There are 6 questions, and each one gives you a key word you must use without changing it.
Can I change the key word?
No. The key word must appear in your answer exactly as given — you cannot change its form.
How many words should my answer have?
Keep the meaning identical and stay within the word limit (commonly between two and five words, including the key word).
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What to do
In this part, there are six unconnected sentences. For each one, you complete a new sentence that has a similar meaning.
Utilize the WORD given in capital letters for each sentence, which you must not change.
Don't worry if your alternative answer is correct. In the actual exam, examiners review each solution individually and award extra points if necessary. For convenience, in this app contractions are not allowed, although they are in the real exam.
Find chunks of text that are the same in both sentences and delete them. That helps you to focus on what you actually need to be transforming.
Make sure that the two sentences mean the same thing. For example, if the sentence to transform has names in it, the answer will have to have them too.
Because of the scoring system, it’s possible to get 50% in this section without getting any of the questions 100% correct.
So it’s worth answering every question! Even incomplete answers can get points.
For convenience, in this app, the whole answer must be correct.
Strategy
- Read the sentence carefully and think about its exact meaning.
- Check your tenses – if the first sentence is in the past tense, the second should be, too!
- Contractions (e.g. haven’t) count as two words.
- Try to keep the same meaning – If the first sentence says ‘Tom said…’ then don’t write ‘He said...’ in the second sentence. (Write ‘Tom said’.)