Ellipsis & Substitution Exercises PDFSet 1: One & Ones — Nominal Substitution & Ellipsis
20 questions·12 min·Answers included·Explanations included
Preview: Questions
Fill in the blank with the correct option.
1.'Which jacket do you prefer?' 'I like the black ___.'
a) itb) onec) onesd) jacket
2.These shoes are too small. I need bigger ___.
a) onesb) themc) oned) shoes
3.'Have you seen my phone?' 'Yes, ___ is on the table.'
a) oneb) itc) the oned) that
4.I don't have a pen. Could you lend me ___?
a) itb) thatc) onesd) one
5.'Do you want a biscuit?' 'No thanks, I've already had ___.'
a) oneb) onesc) somed) it
... and 15 more questions in the PDF
Preview: Answers
1.one
2.ones
3.it
4.one
5.one
... and 15 more answers in the PDF
Preview: Explanations
1."one"(b)
We use 'one' to replace a singular countable noun ('jacket') after an adjective. 'The black one' = 'the black jacket'. We don't repeat the noun.
2."ones"(a)
We use 'ones' to replace a plural countable noun ('shoes'). 'Bigger ones' = 'bigger shoes'.
3."it"(b)
When referring to a specific, already-identified item (your phone), we use 'it' — not 'one'. 'One' is for an unspecified member of a category, while 'it' refers back to the exact item mentioned.
4."one"(d)
Here we need any pen, not a specific one. 'One' = 'a pen' (unspecified). Compare: 'Could you lend me it?' would mean a specific pen already mentioned.
5."one"(a)
'One' replaces 'a biscuit' — a single, unspecified item from the category. The question offers 'a biscuit' (singular), so 'one' directly matches.
... and 15 more explanations in the PDF
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