Exercises B1 : using the gerund in English (answers)

These exercises are designed to help you practise the gerund — the -ing verb form used as a noun — as introduced in the course. Work through each activity to build confidence and accuracy.

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Exercice 1 — Fill in the Blanks: Using the Gerund

Complete each sentence by writing the correct gerund form of the verb given in brackets. Write the full sentence in your answer.

1. ___ (swim) every morning is a great way to stay fit.
2. She has always enjoyed ___ (read) novels before bed.
3. ___ (cook) for a large family can be quite challenging.
4. He gave up ___ (smoke) after he turned thirty.

Correction

1. Swimming every morning is a great way to stay fit.
2. She has always enjoyed reading novels before bed.
3. Cooking for a large family can be quite challenging.
4. He gave up smoking after he turned thirty.

Exercice 2 — Spot and Correct the Errors

Each sentence below contains an error related to the use of the gerund. Identify the mistake and rewrite the full sentence correctly.

1. To swim in the lake is one of her favourite hobbies, and she does it every weekend.
2. They avoided to drive through the city centre during rush hour.
3. Run in the park every evening helped him reduce his stress levels.
4. She is really good at to organise events for large groups of people.

Correction

1. Swimming in the lake is one of her favourite hobbies, and she does it every weekend.
2. They avoided driving through the city centre during rush hour.
3. Running in the park every evening helped him reduce his stress levels.
4. She is really good at organising events for large groups of people.

Exercice 3 — Multiple Choice: Gerund or Not?

Choose the option that correctly completes each sentence. Only one answer is correct.

1. My brother is passionate about ___ foreign languages in his spare time.
2. ___ a new language takes a lot of time and consistent effort.
3. Would you mind ___ the window? It is getting quite cold in here.
4. One of the benefits of ___ regularly is that it improves your memory.

Correction

1. The correct answer is b): My brother is passionate about learning foreign languages in his spare time.
2. The correct answer is c): Mastering a new language takes a lot of time and consistent effort.
3. The correct answer is d): Would you mind closing the window? It is getting quite cold in here.
4. The correct answer is b): One of the benefits of reading regularly is that it improves your memory.