Exercises C2 : Complex reformulations in English (answers)

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.

→ See the course : Complex reformulations in English : complete course

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.

1. The government's ___ (to intervene) in the crisis was met with widespread criticism from opposition leaders.
2. Her ___ (to acknowledge) of the problem marked a significant turning point in the negotiations.
3. The ___ (fragile) of the peace agreement became apparent within weeks of its signing.
4. A profound ___ (to transform) of social norms had taken place over the preceding decade.

Correction

1. The government's intervention in the crisis was met with widespread criticism from opposition leaders.
2. Her acknowledgement of the problem marked a significant turning point in the negotiations.
3. The fragility of the peace agreement became apparent within weeks of its signing.
4. 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.

1. She had never witnessed such devastation in her life. [Use negative inversion with 'Never']
2. He spoke very rarely about his past, and when he did, it was with great reluctance. [Use inversion with 'Rarely']
3. The city was completely destroyed by the flood. [Reformulate using a figurative expression to convey total destruction]
4. They had not finished the report, and they had not informed their manager either. [Use inversion with 'Not only']

Correction

1. Never in her life had she witnessed such devastation.
2. Rarely did he speak about his past, and when he did, it was with great reluctance.
3. The flood swallowed the city whole, leaving nothing but a graveyard of ruins in its wake.
4. 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.

1. Never she had seen such a breathtaking display of rhetorical mastery in all her years as a literary critic.
2. The decide of the committee to postpone the vote sent shockwaves through the political establishment.
3. Hardly the conference had begun when the first objections were raised by delegates from the southern coalition.
4. His words were a very sharp knife that hurt her feelings deeply and left a permanent mark.

Correction

1. Never had she seen such a breathtaking display of rhetorical mastery in all her years as a literary critic.
2. The decision of the committee to postpone the vote sent shockwaves through the political establishment.
3. Hardly had the conference begun when the first objections were raised by delegates from the southern coalition.
4. His words were a razor-sharp blade that cut through her composure, leaving an indelible wound.