SEMINAR 1

THE NOUN

I.

Choose the phrase(s) that best complete the empty spaces:

1. He introduced me to of the persons present at the exhibition.
a. many b. each c. a large amount d. some
2. In her test paper, she managed to write correct sentences.
a. many b. a lot of c. several d. a great deal of
3. My best friend was in trouble and asked me to give him advice.
a. an b. a little c. some d. many
4. I dont quite agree to the fact that your children eat chocolate.
a. a lot of b. many c. a large number of d. a great deal of
5. Jane bought Christmas presents for her family last year.
a. plenty of b. lots of c. few d. a huge amount of
6. If you dont have information on the topic, you may consult the
Encyclopaedia Britannica.
a. an b. much c. any d. many
7. There is money on the table. Is it yours?
a. some b. a few c. a little d. many
8. She always seems to have homework to do.
a. many b. much c. plenty of d. a

II.

In the following fragment, there are some nouns that should be in the plural,
but are not. Change the text where appropriate:
In my youth, there was a time when I really wanted to become a famous TV
presenter. I left for the capital, and, as I didnt have enough money to stay in a
hotel, I started looking for some cheap lodging. I finally got a place, but it was in a
district on the outskirt of the city. The owner did not live on the premise, so I was

happy that I could practise diction and voice control without disturbing anyone.
The problem was that my neighbours son was member of a rock band, and they
used to rehearse in the basement of the building, where the acoustic was excellent.
The noise they made almost shook the foundation, and, unfortunately, did not let
me sleep at all. Consequently, when I went to the Central Television headquarter, I
was extremely tired and far from my best shape. It came as no surprise that
somebody there told me that I didnt have a good enough look to be famous. So
that was the end of my dream!

III.

Correct any errors in the sentences below:

1. My reading glasses is somewhere in the bedroom, but I just cant find it. 2. In
the south of the country, houses are generally made of stones, but here bricks
represent the first choice. 3. This pair of binoculars have been in this drawer for a
long time. 4. What you have just told me is a really good advice. 5. They had such
a terrible weather that they had to give up the idea of living in a tent and got an
accommodation in the nearest village. 6. He has a great deal of experiences in
dealing with such problems. 7. Although my knowledge in this area are quite poor,
I like antique furnitures. 8. The scissors in grandmothers sewing box needs
sharpening. 9. I have made great progresses with my researches these days. 10. I
think that the bathroom scales is out of order. It indicates my weight at a different
value every time.

IV.

Translate into English :

1. Trebuie s obinem orice informaie care ne-ar putea ajuta n ncercarea noastr.
2. Am plecat cu prea multe bagaje i acum trebuie s le car singur. 3. Avem nevoie
de un binoclu i o busol pentru excursia de sptmna viitoare. 4. M tem c nu
te pot ajuta. Am puine cunotine n acest domeniu. 5. Singurul sfat pe care mi l-a
dat a fost s merg mai departe. 6. Poliia nu a fcut nc nici o arestare n acest
caz. 7. tirile pe care le-am primit pn acum sunt extrem de interesante. 8. Unde

sunt banii Mariei? Nu sunt n sertarul unde i ine de obicei. 9. Care din cele dou
bagaje e mai greu: al tu sau al mamei tale? 10. Mi-am splat salopeta fiindc era
foarte murdar.

V.

Use the appropriate specific partitive in each case:

NATURAL ELEMENTS
1. We had an excellent of warm weather at the seaside last summer. 2. An
unexpected of rain prevented us from leaving the supermarket for ten minutes.
3. A of wind turned Marys old umbrella inside out. 4. The children got scared
when a of lightning lit up the sky. 5. They got even more scared when it was
followed by a loud of thunder. 6. I dont feel very well. I must go out for a
of fresh air. 7. Ive just felt a of rain on my nose. I think we should go home. 8.
I saw a very interesting insect on a of grass. 9. There is a problem with my left
eye. I think Ive got a of dust in it. 10. This of land is suitable for a garden.
HUMAN ACTIVITY
1. I could feel a of hope in her voice. 2. She is tired because she didnt get a
of sleep last night. 3. He was late because, just before he was about to leave, his
wife developed a serious of nerves. 4. Until they open the new of motorway,
the traffic will be heavy here. 5. Dont wait too long! Call me at the slightest of
trouble! 6. Your idea was a of genius! And it was a of luck that you were
able to put it to practice! 7. I have never seen you in such a of temper before. 8.
During the fire, there was a huge of smoke hanging over the district. 9. While
he was watching me, he was blowing little of smoke out of a cigarette. 10. We
were all in of laughter at his jokes.
FOOD
1. I would like to buy a of bread, one of soap and two of chocolate. 2. All
that he says should be taken with a of salt. 3. How many of sugar do you
take in your tea? 4. Put a few of rice in a bowl. 5. Have at least one of beef

with the vegetables! 6. Moodily, he was making ramparts with the of bread on
the table.

VI.

Rewrite the following sentences using the words given. The new sentences will
contain common phrases with invariable nouns.
1. They go fishing every Saturday, no matter if it is raining, snowing or bright
sunshine.

weathers

2. Although immoral, lying may be necessary sometimes.

evil

3. The money they made with their recent show in London is going to the victims
of the earthquake.

proceeds

4. Once the models are no longer so good looking, their career comes to an end.
looks
5. He proved that he knew the labour market situation very well.

knowledge

6. There is little chance of finding someone who can lend us that money.
odds
7. She hoped that she would feel better after she had slept for some time.
sleep
8. She got on very well with all her workmates.

VII.

terms

Use the singular or the plural form of the verb to be as required by the
meaning of the collective noun it accompanies:
1. The audience for his play enormous that night. 2. The crew on the deck,
except for the second mate. 3. My family not at home now, so Im alone. 4.
Toms class made up of hard working pupils. 5. Im sure well win, because our
team always good in such situations. 6. The audience applauding with
frenzy. 7. The committee quite confused and could not agree on a solution. 8.
your family small or large? 9. I remember that our class enjoying every
moment of Mrs. Browns lessons. 10. The local school board trying to raise the
teachers salaries.

VIII. Fill in the blanks with the appropriate collective noun:

PEOPLE
1. a(n) of people
2. a(n) of workers
3. a(n) of people in a concert hall
4. a(n) of sailors on a ship
5. a(n) of thieves
6. a(n) of people in a church
7. a(n) of people at a football match
8. a(n) of actors
9. a(n) of trustees
ANIMALS
10. a(n) of elephants
11. a(n) of fish
12. a(n) of lions
13. a(n) of flies/ bees
14. a(n) of deer
15. a(n) of sheep/ goats
16. a(n) of birds
17. a(n) of peacocks
18. a(n) of wolves
19. a(n) of geese
20. a(n) of puppies
THINGS IN GENERAL
19. a(n) of papers/ clothes/ toys/ books
20. a(n) of flowers
21. a(n) of cards
22. a(n) of wood

23. a(n) of mountains

24. a(n) of ships
25. a(n) of stars
26. a(n) of steps/ stairs
27. a(n) of grapes/ bananas/ cherries
28. a(n) of cranes
29. a(n) of beads
30. a(n) of events
31. a(n) of chairs/tables/boxes

IX.

Translate into English:

1. Preoimea se opune unora dintre principiile planificrii familale. 2. Fiecare tire
despre activitatea voastr din strintate este binevenit. 3. Acustica acestei sli e
foarte bun. Acustica e o ramur a fizicii. 4. Aceste mijloace de a obine un
paaport sunt total ilegale. 5. Printre petii de ap dulce includem somonii,
pstrvii, crapii i iparii. 6. S-au fcut progrese remarcabile n acest domeniu
tiinific n ultimii ani. 7. D-mi cei doi pantaloni scuri care trebuie cusui. 8. Un
fulger este de obicei urmat de un tunet. 9. Statisticile arat c femeile la volan sunt
mai atente dect brbaii. 10. Mi-a vzut cineva tocul de ochelari?

X.

Use the singular or the plural form of the nouns below, as required by the
context. Specify, in each case, whether the noun is countable, uncountable or
plural invariable:
1. colour

a) Her manner of presenting the events is full of . b) The

soldiers are saluting the national . c) He was wearing the

2. compass

of his favourite football team.

a) Give me the , because I want to draw a circle. b) I think
we have lost our way. Wed better

3. custom

use the . c) Such

things are beyond the of the human mind.

a) It takes time to get used to the local and traditions. b)

You must declare everything at the .

c) On Sunday

4. damage

evening, as was his , he went downtown.

a) The fire caused serious to their restaurant. b) In case of

5. ground

sudden floods, the insurance company will pay the .

a) Jack tried to sign up for the army, but was turned down on
medical .. b) It was difficult to find her on the extensive
. of the hotel. c) Money is considered to be the number
one for divorce. d) Why doesnt anyone take care of this

6. minute

sports ?
a) He wanted to see the of the previous meeting. b)

7. pain

Could you wait one or two ?

a) I dont think she is in any now. b) He took great to

8. scale

make the evening perfect.

a) He was practising on his new piano. b) Weigh the flour

9. spirit

on the kitchen . c) The of this fish are very interesting.

a) In the countryside, old women usually believe in . b) I
tried telling some jokes in order to keep their up. c) He

10. wit

promised he would never touch again.

a) This journalist is known for his biting . b) Our boss is
admired for her integrity and quick .

XI.

Correct the mistakes in the following sentences:

1. The storm produced a big damage and everybody was desperate. 2. Im sure that their
research project will provide important scientific dates in the field. 3. Im trying to take
photos of these wonderful lightnings. 4. The police has just caught the man suspected of
robbery. 5. The speaker asked the public to take its seats. 6. Economics are not a subject
that Im really interested in. 7. Youd better put on a brace, or your trousers will fall
down. 8. There were several hundred of people protesting in front of the Parliament.