Expressing the Same Meaning in Different Ways
About this practice test
Practise B2 Use of English through constrained sentence rewrites. Build accuracy with preserved published pilot content.
What you’ll practice
Grammar and vocabulary
Choose forms and words that work together.
Meaning in context
Follow meaning across sentences and texts.
Accurate expression
Use natural phrases and sentence patterns.
What to expect:
10 questions with explanations to review after submission.
Study the questions and tasks
Work through the material below, or start the interactive practice above to complete an attempt. Try the exercises before opening any answer or transcript sections, then use them to review your work.
- Practice level
- B2. Try this level if you can follow the instructions and understand most of the language; choose an earlier level if you need more support.
- Question formats
- Sentence transformation
How to approach this practice
Read the complete context. Check both the meaning and the grammar, including word forms, collocations and links between sentences.
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Question 1 · Sentence transformation
Rewrite or complete the second sentence as instructed, keeping the same meaning unless the task asks you to change it.
Complete the second sentence so that it has the same meaning. Use the given word unchanged. I started working here five years ago and still work here. I ___ five years.
Check answers and explanations
- Accepted answers
- have worked here for / have been working here for
Use a present-perfect form for a situation continuing now and for before its duration.
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Question 2 · Sentence transformation
Rewrite or complete the second sentence as instructed, keeping the same meaning unless the task asks you to change it.
Complete the second sentence so that it has the same meaning. Use the given word unchanged. Someone has stolen my bicycle. My bicycle ___.
Check answers and explanations
- Accepted answers
- has been stolen
The present-perfect passive has been stolen keeps the focus on the bicycle and preserves the completed event.
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Question 3 · Sentence transformation
Rewrite or complete the second sentence as instructed, keeping the same meaning unless the task asks you to change it.
Complete the second sentence so that it has the same meaning. Use the given word unchanged. The box was so heavy that I could not lift it. The box was ___ lift.
Check answers and explanations
- Accepted answers
- too heavy for me to
Too heavy for me to lift expresses the same inability caused by the box’s weight.
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Question 4 · Sentence transformation
Rewrite or complete the second sentence as instructed, keeping the same meaning unless the task asks you to change it.
Complete the second sentence so that it has the same meaning. Use the given word unchanged. You will miss the train if you do not leave now. You will miss the train ___ now.
Check answers and explanations
- Accepted answers
- unless you leave
Unless means if not; unless you leave preserves the original condition.
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Question 5 · Sentence transformation
Rewrite or complete the second sentence as instructed, keeping the same meaning unless the task asks you to change it.
Complete the second sentence so that it has the same meaning. Use the given word unchanged. I regret not taking your advice. I wish ___ your advice.
Check answers and explanations
- Accepted answers
- I had taken
Wish plus the past perfect expresses regret about an action that did not happen.
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Question 6 · Sentence transformation
Rewrite or complete the second sentence as instructed, keeping the same meaning unless the task asks you to change it.
Complete the second sentence so that it has the same meaning. Use the given word unchanged. It is not necessary for you to attend the meeting. You ___ the meeting.
Check answers and explanations
- Accepted answers
- do not have to attend / don't have to attend
Do not have to expresses lack of necessity, matching it is not necessary.
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Question 7 · Sentence transformation
Rewrite or complete the second sentence as instructed, keeping the same meaning unless the task asks you to change it.
Complete the second sentence so that it has the same meaning. Use the given word unchanged. They cancelled the match because it was raining heavily. The match was ___ the heavy rain.
Check answers and explanations
- Accepted answers
- cancelled due to / canceled due to
The passive preserves the event; due to plus a noun phrase gives the cause. Both spelling variants are accepted.
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Question 8 · Sentence transformation
Rewrite or complete the second sentence as instructed, keeping the same meaning unless the task asks you to change it.
Complete the second sentence so that it has the same meaning. Use the given word unchanged. This is the first time I have spoken to the director. I ___ to the director before.
Check answers and explanations
- Accepted answers
- have never spoken
Have never spoken before states that there were no earlier occasions, matching the first-time statement.
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Question 9 · Sentence transformation
Rewrite or complete the second sentence as instructed, keeping the same meaning unless the task asks you to change it.
Complete the second sentence so that it has the same meaning. Use the given word unchanged. The last time we met was in June. We ___ June.
Check answers and explanations
- Accepted answers
- have not met since / haven't met since
A negative present-perfect form with since identifies the last starting point of the period without a meeting.
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Question 10 · Sentence transformation
Rewrite or complete the second sentence as instructed, keeping the same meaning unless the task asks you to change it.
Complete the second sentence so that it has the same meaning. Use the given word unchanged. The journey took longer than we expected. The journey was ___ we expected.
Check answers and explanations
- Accepted answers
- not as short as / not so short as
Not as short as and not so short as reverse the adjective while keeping the comparison in duration.
What to review next
Explain why each answer fits the meaning and structure. Record useful phrases and write a new example using each pattern you found difficult.
A focused practice result shows how you did on these tasks. Use several activities across skills to decide what to study next; one practice score does not certify an overall CEFR level.