Q&A - PSLE English

[bebe]

slmkhoo:

bebe:

By the time the police arrived at the crime scene, all the valuables

(a) were stolen
(b) has been stolen
(c) have been stolen
(d) had been stolen.

Teacher's answer is (b). Why can't it be (c) or (d)?

The correct answer is (d). 'Arrived' is past, and the stealing happened before that, so it should be 'had been'.

Thanks for affirming! I will ask my girl to clarify with teacher again.

[Blur Baby]

slmkhoo:

Blur Baby:

Hi, I have a question on synthesis and transformation.



There was an accident on the expressway. It caused a massive jam.

___________ resulted in _________


Thank you.

An accident on the expressway resulted in a massive jam. (I think using 'the accident' should also be OK.)

Ok thank you!

[S-H]

Hi, pls help me on this synthesis qtn, thks!


"Did you steal Ali’s wallet? " the teacher asked John.

The teacher asked ___________________________.

[cmm]

The teacher asked John if he had stolen Ali’s wallet.

[S-H]

cmm:

The teacher asked John if he had stolen Ali's wallet.

Why it is not: The teacher asked John if he stole Ali's wallet. Because I thought present tense changed to past tense while past tense then changed to past perfect tense. :?

[cmm]

S-H:

cmm:

The teacher asked John if he had stolen Ali's wallet.

Why it is not: The teacher asked John if he stole Ali's wallet. Because I thought present tense changed to past tense while past tense then changed to past perfect tense. :?

This sentence is in past perfect tense. You can read it up here http://esl.fis.edu/grammar/rules/pastperf.htm.

[guchengyouzi]

cmm:

S-H:

[quote=\"cmm\"]The teacher asked John if he had stolen Ali's wallet.

Why it is not: The teacher asked John if he stole Ali's wallet. Because I thought present tense changed to past tense while past tense then changed to past perfect tense. :?

This sentence is in past perfect tense. You can read it up here http://esl.fis.edu/grammar/rules/pastperf.htm.[/quote]Very educative indeed.
Such nuances are not commonly used in Singapore daily speech

[guchengyouzi]

jetsetter:

Blur Baby:

Can someone please help me with this question?


Alison is one of the girls who (like/likes) traveling overseas frequently to see new places.

My answer is likes but the book answer is like.

Thank you.

hi,

“like\" is correct

Subject is \"girls\" (plural) so must agree with verb \"like\".

Ask child to rephrase to locate Subject:
Of the girls who like travelling overseas frequently to see new places, Alison is one.

Relative pronoun \"who\" is defining the \"girls\", not \"Alison\".

wou...
very tricky
this is a good lesson :lovesite:

[guchengyouzi]

jetsetter:

Jade:

Hi All,


Another question to clarify:

The rules (were) laid down many years ago. You must obey them.

Options: were/are/have been/will be

Why is it 'were' and not 'have been' since the rules are still applicable and must be obeyed?

Thanks much!

Btw Jetsetter, thanks for the analogy of 主角 and 配角. :love:

haha, I watched too much dramas. :oops:

it is not whether the rules are applicable till this date, but whether the Action of \"laying down\" the rules is still happening here and now. The Action of laying down rules is over and done with. Therefore \"were\" is correct;)

For the sake discussion
is it ok to use 'had been'
The rules (had been) laid down many years ago. You must obey them.

[guchengyouzi]

slmkhoo:

marstolive:

Hi can someone provide me the answer for the following synthesis.


Jerry asked , \" Lisa, were you at the library yesterday?
Jerry asked ...........................................................
Thanks in advance

Jerry asked Lisa if she had been at the library the day before.

As an option, can it be written as
Jerry asked Lisa whether she was at the library the day before.