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These Key Word Transformation exercises help you practice rewriting sentences using a given key word without changing it. This type of exercise is common in English exams and tests your grammar accuracy and paraphrasing skills.
Key Word Transformation Exercise
Key Word Transformation Exercises B1 – Set 1
Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence.
Use the key word given. Do not change the key word.
You must use between 2 and 5 words, including the key word.
- She started learning English three years ago.
BEEN
She has __________ English for three years. - 2. It’s too cold to go swimming today.
ENOUGH
It isn’t __________ to go swimming today. - I last saw him two weeks ago.
FOR
I haven’t __________ two weeks. - The test was so difficult that nobody passed it.
SUCH
It was __________ test that nobody passed it. - I’m sure this bag belongs to Anna.
MUST
This bag __________ Anna. - He didn’t apologize, so she got angry.
IF
She wouldn’t have got angry __________ apologized. - People say that this building is over 200 years old.
SAID
This building __________ over 200 years old. - I prefer staying at home to going out at night.
RATHER
I __________ at home than go out at night. - They cancelled the match because of the rain.
DUE
The match was cancelled __________ the rain. - It took her two hours to finish the report.
TOOK
She __________ finish the report.
1. been learning
2. warm enough
3. seen him for
4. such a difficult
5. must belong to
6. if he had
7. is said to be
8. would rather stay
9. due to
10. took two hours to
2. warm enough
3. seen him for
4. such a difficult
5. must belong to
6. if he had
7. is said to be
8. would rather stay
9. due to
10. took two hours to
Here Is Another KWT Exercise
Strategies and Tips for Key Word Transformation Exercises
- Read the first sentence carefully and identify the main grammar structure (tense, voice, conditional, comparison, etc.).
- Focus on the key word and think of common structures or collocations it is used in.
- Do not change the key word in any way — the answer will always include it exactly as given.
- Count your words. Make sure your answer uses between 2 and 5 words, including the key word.
- Check meaning, not just grammar. The second sentence must have the same meaning as the first.
- Watch out for fixed expressions (e.g. would rather, due to, is said to be).
- Read the completed sentence again to check tense agreement, articles, and prepositions.
💡 Tip: If your answer works grammatically but changes the meaning, it is not correct.
