These exercises are designed to consolidate your mastery of complex reformulation techniques covered in the course, including inversion, nominalization, and figurative language at C2 level.
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Exercice 1 — Nominalization in Practice
Complete each sentence by filling in the blank with the correct nominalized form of the verb or adjective given in brackets.
- The government's ___ (to intervene) in the crisis was met with widespread criticism from opposition leaders.
- Her ___ (to acknowledge) of the problem marked a significant turning point in the negotiations.
- The ___ (fragile) of the peace agreement became apparent within weeks of its signing.
- A profound ___ (to transform) of social norms had taken place over the preceding decade.
Correction
- The government's intervention in the crisis was met with widespread criticism from opposition leaders.
- Her acknowledgement of the problem marked a significant turning point in the negotiations.
- The fragility of the peace agreement became apparent within weeks of its signing.
- A profound transformation of social norms had taken place over the preceding decade.
Exercice 2 — Inversion and Figurative Reformulation
Rewrite each sentence using the literary technique indicated in brackets (inversion or figurative language) to produce a more powerful, C2-level expression. Write the full transformed sentence.
- She had never witnessed such devastation in her life. [Use negative inversion with 'Never']
- He spoke very rarely about his past, and when he did, it was with great reluctance. [Use inversion with 'Rarely']
- The city was completely destroyed by the flood. [Reformulate using a figurative expression to convey total destruction]
- They had not finished the report, and they had not informed their manager either. [Use inversion with 'Not only']
Correction
- Never in her life had she witnessed such devastation.
- Rarely did he speak about his past, and when he did, it was with great reluctance.
- The flood swallowed the city whole, leaving nothing but a graveyard of ruins in its wake.
- Not only had they not finished the report, but they had also failed to inform their manager.
Exercice 3 — Spot and Correct the Reformulation Errors
Each sentence below contains an error in inversion, nominalization, or figurative language. Identify the error and rewrite the full sentence correctly.
- Never she had seen such a breathtaking display of rhetorical mastery in all her years as a literary critic.
- The decide of the committee to postpone the vote sent shockwaves through the political establishment.
- Hardly the conference had begun when the first objections were raised by delegates from the southern coalition.
- His words were a very sharp knife that hurt her feelings deeply and left a permanent mark.
Correction
- Never had she seen such a breathtaking display of rhetorical mastery in all her years as a literary critic.
- The decision of the committee to postpone the vote sent shockwaves through the political establishment.
- Hardly had the conference begun when the first objections were raised by delegates from the southern coalition.
- His words were a razor-sharp blade that cut through her composure, leaving an indelible wound.
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