📘 Unit 1: Subject–Verb Agreement (SVA)

(SPM / B2–C1 level)

🔑 What is a Subject?

👉 The subject is the doer of the action in a sentence.

It tells us who or what the sentence is about.

 In “The boy runs fast.” → The boy is the subject.

 In “My parents are teachers.” → My parents is the subject.
 In “Honesty is important.” → Honesty is the subject.

💡 Tip for students:

Ask yourself — “Who/What is doing or being in this sentence?” → That’s the subject.

🟢 Rule 1: Singular vs. Plural

Explanation:

 Singular subject → singular verb (adds –s).

 Plural subject → plural verb (no –s).
 Watch out for long noun phrases — find the real subject!

Examples:

 The boy (singular subject) in the red shirt plays football every evening.
 The boys (plural subject) who live nearby play football every evening.

Practice: Choose the correct verb.

1. The student with the highest marks (deserve / deserves) the award.
2. The teachers in this school (encourage / encourages) students to read widely.
3. The girl who sits next to me (like / likes) to draw during lessons.
4. The cars parked outside the hall (belong / belongs) to the teachers.
5. The student who always helps others (is / are) admired by his classmates.
6. The opinions expressed in his essay (reflect / reflects) his deep thinking.
7. The athlete who won three medals (train / trains) very hard.
8. The boys who usually skip class (was / were) caught yesterday.
9. The advice given by our parents (remain / remains) valuable.
10. The documents required for registration (is / are) on the desk.
🟢 Rule 2: Everyone / Each / Somebody / Anybody → Singular

Explanation:
These words look like they refer to many people, but grammatically they are singular.

Examples:

 Everyone in the hall was silent.

 Each of the answers is correct.

Practice: Choose the correct verb.

1. Everyone in the debating team (has / have) prepared well.

2. Each of the suggestions (is / are) useful for improving the project.
3. Somebody in the group (was / were) making too much noise.
4. Each of the students who came late (was / were) asked to explain.
5. Everybody in the audience (clap / claps) when the show ends.
6. Anyone who disagrees (is / are) free to voice their opinion.
7. Each of the solutions offered by the experts (seem / seems) reasonable.
8. Everyone at the conference (agree / agrees) that change is necessary.
9. Each of the boys in the team (know / knows) his responsibility.
10. Nobody in the committee (was / were) willing to take the blame.

🟢 Rule 3: Either…or / Neither…nor → Verb agrees with the nearest subject

Explanation:
The verb must agree with the subject closest to it.

Examples:

 Either the teachers or the principal is responsible.

 Neither the principal nor the teachers are ready.

Practice: Choose the correct verb.

1. Either the teachers or the principal (is / are) attending the ceremony.
2. Neither the manager nor his assistants (was / were) aware of the issue.
3. Either my friends or my brother (is / are) borrowing the car tonight.
4. Neither the players nor the coach (was / were) satisfied with the result.
5. Either the shop assistants or the manager (was / were) lying.
6. Neither the actors nor the director (is / are) willing to comment.
7. Either the committee members or the chairperson (has / have) to make the decision.
8. Neither the teacher nor the students (seem / seems) interested in the topic.
9. Either my sisters or my cousin (is / are) coming to visit me tomorrow.
10. Neither the parents nor the children (was / were) ready to leave the hall.
🟢 Rule 4: Subjects with and

✨ Simple Explanation

1. Most of the time:

When two different people or things are joined by and, the subject is plural → use plural
verb.
o Ali and Ahmad are best friends.
o The teacher and the students discuss the project.
2. One idea / one thing together:
Sometimes two words joined by and mean one single thing/idea → use singular verb.
o Fish and chips is my favourite food. (one dish)
o Time and tide waits for no man. (fixed saying)
o Bread and butter is her daily breakfast.
3. Tricky case (same person with two roles):
If the subject refers to the same person/thing, the verb is singular.
o The owner and manager was present. (one person with two titles)

💡 SPM tip: If unsure, ask:

 Are there two different people/things? → Use plural verb.

 Are the two words one thing/idea/person? → Use singular verb.

📝 Practice (B2–C1 level, clearer)

Choose the correct verb.

1. My father and my mother (is / are) waiting outside.

2. Rice and curry (is / are) a common Malaysian meal.
3. The singer and the actor (is / are) arriving together. (two different people)
4. The singer and actor (is / are) arriving soon. (same person)
5. Knowledge and experience (is / are) necessary for this job.
6. Fish and rice (is / are) his favourite lunch.
7. The chairman and the secretary (was / were) both present. (two people)
8. The chairman and secretary (was / were) present. (if same person → singular)
9. Bread and butter (is / are) not enough for breakfast.
10. The teacher and his students (is / are) preparing for the debate.
🟢 Rule 5: Ignore words between Subject & Verb

Explanation:
Focus only on the real subject. Ignore phrases in between.

Examples:

 The pile of dirty clothes was left on the floor.

 The students, together with their teacher, are waiting.

Practice: Choose the correct verb.

1. The quality of the products (has / have) improved over the years.
2. The books on the shelf (is / are) dusty.
3. The group of friends (was / were) planning a trip.
4. The results of the experiment (seem / seems) surprising.
5. The teacher, along with the students, (was / were) punished.
6. The bouquet of roses (was / were) given to her.
7. The noise of the machines (disturb / disturbs) us.
8. The variety of dishes (was / were) impressive.
9. The documents in the file (need / needs) to be updated.
10. The class, together with (and) their mentor, (was / were) at the seminar.

🟢 Rule 6: Collective Nouns

1. Default to SINGULAR for group nouns when you mean the group as one unit:
committee, team, jury, government, family, class, company, management, audience
→ use singular verb and singular pronoun (its).
o The committee has reached its decision.
2. ALWAYS PLURAL (no singular form):
police, people, cattle, poultry, belongings, scissors (tools)
→ use plural verb.
o The police have arrested two suspects.
o (Singular is police officer, not a police.)
3. If you want to emphasise individuals, rewrite to make it obviously plural:
o ❌ The committee have announced their plan. (mixed and risky)
o ✅ The committee members have announced their plan. (clear plural)
o ✅ The committee has announced its plan. (clear singular)
4. Be consistent with pronouns.
If you choose a singular verb, use its (not their) after collective nouns.
o The team is confident about its chances.

SPM tip: When in doubt, pick singular for collective nouns, except the “always plural” list above. If
you need plural, rewrite with members of / the members.
Practice (B2–C1 level): Choose the correct verb

1. The committee, after months of public consultation, (has / have) reached its conclusion.
2. The team, despite a string of injuries, (is / are) still on track to defend its title.
3. The family that owns the café (is / are) expanding its business to two neighbouring towns.
4. The government, together with several agencies, (is / are) reviewing its climate strategy.
5. The audience, which had waited for over an hour, (was / were) beginning to lose its patience.
6. The police (has / have) identified several key witnesses to the incident.
7. The people of the island (is / are) known for their resilience and hospitality.
8. A herd of cattle (is / are) being moved to higher ground before the storm.
9. The jury (has / have) returned its verdict after three days of deliberation.
10. The company’s senior management (is / are) unveiling its new sustainability targets
tomorrow.

📘 Unit 2: Word Transformation

🟢 Rule 1: Verb → Noun

Explanation:

 A verb = action word.

 A noun = person, place, thing, idea.
 Many verbs can change to nouns using endings like -tion, -sion, -ment, -ance, -al, -er/or.
 Some words are tricky because the noun and verb look similar.

Examples:

 achieve → achievement
 decide → decision
 move → movement
 perform → performance
 teach → teacher
 advise (verb) → advice (noun, ⚠ no plural -s)
 practise (verb, BrE) → practice (noun, BrE)
 patient (adj/noun) → patience (noun: ability to wait calmly)

Practice: Fill in with the correct noun.

1. Her biggest _achievement__ (achieve) was winning the national prize.

2. Good _leader__ (lead) is important in every organisation.
3. His sudden _appearance__ (appear) shocked everyone.
4. The __performance_ (perform) last night was impressive.
5. You need a lot of __patience_ (patient) when dealing with young children.
6. The _decision__ (decide) was announced by the principal.
7. Our __movement_ (move) to a new house was stressful.
8. He received an award for his _invention__ (invent).
9. The _argument__ (argue) between the neighbours became heated.
10. The _teacher__ (teach) explained the topic clearly.

🟢 Rule 2: Verb → Adjective

Explanation:

 Adjectives describe nouns.

 Often formed from verbs with endings like -ive, -ing, -ed, -ful, -less, -able/ible.

Examples:

 excite → excited - adjective for people/animals (who feel something)

exciting - things/situations/events (that cause the feeling).
 create → creative
 hope → hopeful / hopeless
 rely → reliable
Practice:

1. The film was really _exciting__ (excite).

2. He is a very _creative__ (create) designer.
3. She is really _excited__ (excite) to start her new job.
4. The students were _confused__ (confuse) by the instructions.
5. She is a _reliable__ (rely) friend who always helps me.
6. It was an _amazing__ (amaze) performance by the choir.
7. The food was _tasty/tasteful__ (taste) and everyone enjoyed it.
8. They felt _disappointed__ (disappoint) when they lost the match.
9. The mountain view is _breathable/breathtaking__ (breathe).
10. A _careless__ (care) mistake caused the accident.
11. He is _fearful/fearless__ (fear) of speaking in public.

🟢 Rule 3: Adjective → Adverb

✨ Explanation
adverb describe verbs and adjectives.

 Most adverbs are formed by adding -ly to adjectives.

o quick → quickly
o happy → happily
o careful → carefully
o beautiful → beautifully

 But some adverbs do NOT end in -ly.

👉 These are often irregular forms.

Examples:

 fast → He runs fast.

 hard → She works hard every day.
 late → The bus arrived late.
 early → We reached school early.
 straight → Go straight to the office.
 long → I haven’t seen her for long.
 well (from “good”) → She speaks English well.

💡 SPM tip: Be careful —

 hard ≠ hardly (different meaning: hardly = almost not)

 late ≠ lately (different meaning: lately = recently)

Practice:

1. She spoke __confidently_ (confident) during the debate.

2. He ran _quickly__ (quick) to catch the bus.
3. The children played _happily__ (happy) in the park.
 4. Please listen ___ (carefully) to the instructions.
5. The teacher explained the answer ___ (clearly).
6. The audience clapped ___ (loudly) after the performance.
7. They answered the questions ___ (politely).
8. She writes ___ (neatly) in her exercise book.
9. He looked at me ___ (seriously).
10. The soldier fought ___ (bravely) until the end.

11. He works very ___ (hard / hardly) to support his family.

12. The train arrived ___ (late / lately) because of heavy rain.
13. She sings ___ (good / well) for her age.
14. We arrived ___ (early / earlierly) to get good seats.
15. Please go ___ (straight / straightly) to the hall.

🟢 Rule 4: Negative Forms (Prefixes)

Explanation:
 Prefixes change meaning:
o un-, dis-, in-, im-, ir-, il- = not
o mis- = wrongly
Examples:
 possible → impossible
 happy → unhappy
 legal → illegal
 regular → irregular
 understand → misunderstand

Practice:

1. The answer was __incorrect_ (correct).

2. She felt _unhappy__ (happy) after the argument.
3. It is _impossible__ (possible) to finish the work in one day.
4. That rule is ___ (unfair) to poor students.
5. Smoking in public places is ___ (illegal).
6. He completely ___ (misunderstands) the question.
7. His handwriting is _unreadable__ (readable).
8. She is __impatient_ (patient) when dealing with children.
9. The news report was _inaccurate__ (accurate).
10. It is __impolite_ (polite) to interrupt someone while speaking.

🟢 Rule 5: Word Families in Context (Mixed Practice)

Explanation:
One root word can appear in different forms depending on grammar: noun, verb, adjective, adverb.

Practice: Fill in with the correct form.

 1. His _confidence__ (confident) made him a good speaker.
2. She smiled __happily_ (happy) when she received the gift.
3. The _decision__ (decide) was difficult but necessary.
4. He is an _honest__ (honest) person, so you can trust him.
5. They acted ___ (carelessly) and caused an accident.
6. The new policy will bring ___ (improvement) to the system.
7. It was an ___ (amazing) journey through the mountains.
8. We should always treat others ___ (kindly).
9. The ___ (invention) changed the way people communicate.
10. The students listened ___ (attentively) to the teacher.

🟢 Rule 6: Confusing Word Pairs

Explanation:
Some words look or sound similar but have different meanings/uses.

Examples Table:

 advise (verb) / advice (noun) → He advised me to study. / She gave me good advice.
 practise (verb, BrE) / practice (noun, BrE) → She practises piano. / She has piano practice.
 patient (adj/noun) / patience (noun) → He is a patient. / She has patience.
 accept (verb) / acceptance (noun) → She accepted the offer. / Her acceptance was surprising.
 effect (noun) / affect (verb) → The effect was clear. / It affected him.
 lose (verb) / loose (adj) → Don’t lose your key. / My shoes are loose.
 rise (verb, no object) / raise (verb + object) → The sun rises. / She raised her hand.
 complement / compliment → The scarf complements her dress. / He gave her a compliment.
 personal (adj) / personnel (noun) → A personal story. / The company personnel are skilled.
 stationary (adj: not moving) / stationery (noun: writing materials) → The car was stationary. /
The shop sells stationery.

Practice: Choose the correct word.

1. The teacher gave me good ___ (advice / advise) before the exam.
2. He promised to ___ (advice / advise) me on which subjects to take.
3. She has been a ___ (patient / patience) in this hospital for two weeks.
4. Teachers need a lot of ___ (patient / patience) when dealing with young learners.
5. The haze can seriously ___ (effect / affect) people with asthma.
6. The new policy had a positive ___ (effect / affect) on the company.
7. Don’t ___ (lose / loose) your wallet in the crowd.
8. These jeans are too ___ (lose / loose) for me.
9. The manager praised the company ___ (personnel / personal) for their hard work.
 10. He received many ___ (compliments / complements) on his presentation.

✅ Answer Keys with Explanations

Unit 1: Subject–Verb Agreement

Rule 1

1. deserves ✔ (student = singular).

2. encourage ✔ (teachers = plural).
3. likes ✔ (girl = singular).
4. belong ✔ (cars = plural).
5. is ✔ (student = singular).
6. reflect ✔ (opinions = plural).
7. trains ✔ (athlete = singular).
8. were ✔ (boys = plural, past).
9. remains ✔ (advice = uncountable singular).
10. are ✔ (documents = plural).

Rule 2

1. has ✔ (everyone = singular).

2. is ✔ (each = singular).
3. was ✔ (somebody = singular).
4. was ✔ (each = singular).
5. claps ✔ (everybody = singular).
6. is ✔ (anyone = singular).
7. seems ✔ (each = singular).
8. agrees ✔ (everyone = singular).
9. knows ✔ (each = singular).
10. was ✔ (nobody = singular).

Rule 3

1. is ✔ (principal = singular, nearest).

2. were ✔ (assistants = plural, nearest).
3. is ✔ (brother = singular, nearest).
4. was ✔ (coach = singular, nearest).
5. was ✔ (manager = singular, nearest).
6. is ✔ (director = singular, nearest).
7. has ✔ (chairperson = singular, nearest).
8. seem ✔ (students = plural, nearest).
9. is ✔ (cousin = singular, nearest).
10. were ✔ (children = plural, nearest).

Rule 4
 1. are ✔ (two parents = plural).
2. is ✔ (one dish).
3. are ✔ (two people).
4. is ✔ (same person = singular).
5. are ✔ (two qualities = plural).
6. is ✔ (one dish).
7. were ✔ (two people).
8. was ✔ (same person).
9. is ✔ (one dish).
10. are ✔ (teacher + students = plural).

Rule 5

1. has ✔ (quality = singular).

2. are ✔ (books = plural).
3. was ✔ (group = singular).
4. seem ✔ (results = plural).
5. was ✔ (teacher = singular, main subject).
6. was ✔ (bouquet = singular).
7. disturbs ✔ (noise = singular).
8. was ✔ (variety = singular).
9. need ✔ (documents = plural).
10. was ✔ (class = singular unit).

Rule 6

1. has ✔ (committee = one unit).

2. is ✔ (team = one unit).
3. is ✔ (family = one unit).
4. is ✔ (government = one unit).
5. was ✔ (audience = one unit).
6. have ✔ (police = always plural).
7. are ✔ (people = plural).
8. is ✔ (herd = one group).
9. has ✔ (jury = one unit).
10. is ✔ (management = one unit).

Unit 2: Word Transformation

Rule 1

1. achievement ✔ (noun from achieve).

 2. leadership ✔ (noun from lead).
3. appearance ✔ (noun from appear).
4. performance ✔ (noun from perform).
5. patience ✔ (noun from patient quality).
6. decision ✔ (noun from decide).
7. move/movement ✔ (both correct).
8. invention ✔ (noun from invent).
9. argument ✔ (noun from argue).
10. teacher ✔ (person noun).

Rule 2

1. exciting ✔ (film causes feeling).

2. creative ✔ (adjective for person).
3. excited ✔ (describes her feeling).
4. confused ✔ (students feel it).
5. reliable ✔ (adjective for person).
6. amazing ✔ (describes performance).
7. tasty ✔ (describes food).
8. disappointed ✔ (their feeling).
9. breathtaking ✔ (view causes feeling).
10. careless ✔ (adjective for mistake).
11. afraid/fearful ✔ (describes feeling).

Rule 3

1. confidently ✔ (how she spoke).

2. quickly ✔ (how he ran).
3. happily ✔ (how they played).
4. carefully ✔ (how to listen).
5. clearly ✔ (how teacher explained).
6. loudly ✔ (how they clapped).
7. politely ✔ (how they answered).
8. neatly ✔ (how she writes).
9. seriously ✔ (how he looked).
10. bravely ✔ (how soldier fought).
11. hard ✔ (works hard, not hardly).
12. late ✔ (train arrived late).
13. well ✔ (sings well, not good).
14. early ✔ (arrived early).
15. straight ✔ (go straight).

Rule 4

1. incorrect ✔ (prefix un-/in-).

2. unhappy ✔ (prefix un-).
3. impossible ✔ (prefix im-).
4. unfair ✔ (prefix un-).
5. illegal ✔ (prefix il-).
6. misunderstood ✔ (prefix mis-).
7. unreadable/illegible ✔ (both correct).
8. impatient ✔ (prefix im-).
9. inaccurate ✔ (prefix in-).
10. impolite ✔ (prefix im-).

Rule 5

1. confidence ✔ (noun).
2. happily ✔ (adverb).
3. decision ✔ (noun).
 4. honest ✔ (adjective).
5. carelessly ✔ (adverb).
6. improvement ✔ (noun).
7. amazing ✔ (adjective).
8. kindly ✔ (adverb).
9. invention ✔ (noun).
10. attentively ✔ (adverb).

Rule 6

1. advice ✔ (noun).
2. advise ✔ (verb).
3. patient ✔ (sick person).
4. patience ✔ (quality).
5. affect ✔ (verb).
6. effect ✔ (noun).
7. lose ✔ (verb = misplace).
8. loose ✔ (adjective = not tight).
9. personnel ✔ (staff).
10. compliments ✔ (praise).
📘 Unit 3: Words Followed by Root Verbs
(SPM / B2–C1 level)

👉 These words are always followed by the root verb (simplest form, no to, no -s, no -ed).

✅ You must study harder.

❌ You must to study harder.

🟢 Rule 1: Modal Verbs

(can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will, would)
Examples:

 She can play the guitar.

 You must work hard.

Practice:

1. We can ___ English quite fluently now.

2. He will ___ you as soon as he arrives.
3. You must ___ your seatbelt in the car.
4. They could ___ earlier, but they chose not to.
5. She should ___ the truth to her parents.
6. I might ___ you again later tonight.
7. You shall ___ the results tomorrow morning.
8. He would ___ with us if he had the time.
9. You may ___ now if you are ready.
10. The students must ___ the school rules.

Options:
(call, tell, speak, obey, join, receive, leave, help, wear, listen)

🟢 Rule 2: Had Better

👉 had better + root verb = strong advice / warning (like “must” but less formal).
 If you don’t do it → something bad might happen.
Examples:
 You had better study tonight. (If not, you might fail.)
 He had better not be late. (If late, there will be trouble.)
💡 Think of it as: “It’s best if you do this… or else.”
Examples:

 You had better revise for your exam.

 He had better not be late.

Practice:

1. You had better ___ for the test tomorrow.

2. She had better not ___ about this matter again.
3. They had better ___ before the shop closes.
4. He had better not ___ in that tone.
5. We had better ___ some extra food for the trip.
6. You had better not ___ this chance.
7. He had better ___ the report today.
8. They had better not ___ with strangers online.
9. You had better ___ carefully to the teacher.
10. She had better ___ before it’s too late.

Options:
(speak, listen, apologise, discuss, waste, interact, prepare, finish, study, leave)

🟢 Rule 3: Would Rather

👉 would rather + root verb = preference (what you like more).
 Shows a choice between two things.
Examples:
 I would rather stay at home than go out. (I prefer staying.)
 She would rather not talk now. (She prefers to avoid it.)
💡 Think of it as: “I prefer to…”

Practice:

1. I would rather ___ at home than go out in this weather.

2. He would rather ___ football than basketball.
3. She would rather not ___ about it now.
4. We would rather ___ outside than wait here.
5. They would rather ___ quietly in the back.
6. I would rather not ___ my opinion on this.
7. She would rather ___ than take the bus.
8. He would rather ___ early and avoid traffic.
9. We would rather ___ a taxi than walk in the rain.
10. They would rather not ___ us today.

Options:
(sit, disturb, walk, stay, leave, share, play, speak, take, go)
🟢 Rule 4: Make / Let / Help
👉 These verbs are always followed by a root verb (without to).

 make = force someone to do something

o The teacher made us stay after class. (We didn’t have a choice)
 let = allow someone to do something
o My parents let me go out with friends. (They gave permission)
 help = assist someone to do something
o She helped me carry the bag. (She gave me support)

Practice:

1. The teacher made us ___ after class as punishment.

2. My parents let me ___ out with friends.
3. She helped me ___ the heavy box.
4. They made the children ___ the whole room.
5. He let his son ___ the car for practice.
6. She made me ___ the answer three times.
7. We helped them ___ the problem quickly.
8. The coach made us ___ five extra laps.
9. The guard let us ___ through the side gate.
10. He helped me ___ the slides for the presentation.

Options:
(clean, run, stay, carry, drive, prepare, enter, go, solve, answer)

🟢 Rule 5: Expressions (Do Nothing But, Cannot But, Why

Not)
👉 These special phrases are always followed by a root verb.

 do nothing but = only do one thing

o He did nothing but complain. (That’s all he did)
 cannot but = cannot help / must do it
o I cannot but agree with you. (I have no choice, I must agree)
 why not = suggestion
o Why not ask the teacher? (It’s a good idea)

Practice:

1. He did nothing but ___ about the food.

2. She cannot but ___ his honesty.
3. They did nothing but ___ during the meeting.
4. I cannot but ___ that you are right.
5. Why not ___ the teacher for help?
6. She did nothing but ___ after hearing the news.
7. We cannot but ___ their decision.
 8. Why not ___ us for dinner?
9. He did nothing but ___ all afternoon.
10. I cannot but ___ what the future holds.

Options:
(respect, complain, admire, agree, ask, join, argue, cry, sleep, wonder)

✅ Answer Key – Unit 3: Words Followed by

Root Verbs
🟢 Rule 1: Modal Verbs
1. speak ✔ (root verb after can).
2. help ✔ (will + root verb).
3. wear ✔ (must + root verb).
4. leave ✔ (could + root verb, past possibility).
5. tell ✔ (should + root verb = advice).
6. call ✔ (might + root verb = possibility).
7. receive ✔ (shall + root verb = formal future).
8. join ✔ (would + root verb = preference).
9. go / leave ✔ (may + root verb = permission).
10. obey ✔ (must + root verb = obligation).

🟢 Rule 2: Had Better

1. study ✔ (strong advice for test).
2. discuss ✔ (negative form = had better not + root verb).
3. leave ✔ (before the shop closes).
4. speak ✔ (tone → speaking rudely).
5. prepare ✔ (get food ready).
6. waste ✔ (negative warning).
7. finish ✔ (report deadline).
8. interact ✔ (negative warning online).
9. listen ✔ (advice to listen carefully).
10. apologise ✔ (before it’s too late).

🟢 Rule 3: Would Rather

1. stay ✔ (root verb for preference at home).
2. play ✔ (football vs basketball).
3. speak ✔ (not speak about it).
4. sit ✔ (waiting outside).
5. go ✔ (move quietly in back).
 6. share ✔ (not share opinion).
7. walk ✔ (walk vs take the bus).
8. leave ✔ (leave early to avoid traffic).
9. take ✔ (taxi vs walking).
10. disturb ✔ (would rather not disturb).

🟢 Rule 4: Make / Let / Help

1. stay ✔ (made us stay after class).
2. go ✔ (parents let me go out).
3. carry ✔ (helped me carry).
4. clean ✔ (made the children clean).
5. drive ✔ (let his son drive).
6. answer ✔ (made me answer).
7. solve ✔ (helped them solve).
8. run ✔ (coach made us run).
9. enter ✔ (guard let us enter).
10. prepare ✔ (helped me prepare).

🟢 Rule 5: Expressions
1. complain ✔ (did nothing but complain).
2. admire ✔ (cannot but admire).
3. argue ✔ (did nothing but argue).
4. agree ✔ (cannot but agree = strongly agree).
5. ask ✔ (why not ask).
6. cry ✔ (did nothing but cry).
7. respect ✔ (cannot but respect = obliged to respect).
8. join ✔ (why not join).
9. sleep ✔ (did nothing but sleep). ⚠️From options given earlier, “accept” was listed
instead of “sleep”. Should correct → add “sleep” to the options.
10. wonder ✔ (cannot but wonder = inevitably wonder).

SPM Paper 1 Part 2

(Mock Practice – Units 1–4)
Last month, our school organised a three-day leadership camp at a training centre in Janda
Baik. The programme was designed (1) __________ students develop confidence, teamwork,
and problem-solving skills. On the first day, the trainer reminded us that everyone (2)
__________ responsible for his or her own participation, so no one should simply rely on
others.
One of the highlights was the outdoor survival challenge. The coach made us (3) __________
across the river using only ropes and teamwork. At first, many students were reluctant (4)
__________ in front of everyone, but the supportive atmosphere encouraged them to try. By
the end of the task, even the shyest participants were happy (5) __________ their progress.

During the debate workshop, the teacher let us (6) __________ our own topics and practise in
groups. The trainer emphasised that we must (7) __________ every opportunity to speak
confidently, because practice is the only way to improve. He also explained how (8)
__________ body language and facial expressions could strengthen our arguments.

Some students were surprised (9) __________ how much they had improved in just a few
days. Apart from workshops, we also had reflection sessions in the evening. The participants
promised (10) __________ harder and apply what they had learnt to their school activities.

Questions
Choose the best answer A, B, C or D to fill in each blank.

1. A. help 2. A. are 3. A. cross

B. helping B. is B. crossed
C. to help C. were C. to cross
D. helped D. be D. crossing
4. A. speak 5. A. see 6. A. choose
B. spoke B. to see B. to choose
C. to speak C. seeing C. choosing
D. speaking D. seen D. chosen
7. A. take 8. A. use 9. A. to discover
B. takes B. used B. discovering
C. to take C. to use C. discovered
D. taking D. using D. discover
10. A. do
B. doing
C. to do
D. done