VB035/05
Adapted from Mann, Malcolm and Steve Taylore-Knowles. Destination B2. Macmillan. 2013.
Ambiguous sentences
1) Creating ambiguous sentences is a common problem. Look at the following examples, identify the issue and try to
correct it.
I’ve killed multiple bees with scissors by cutting them in half while flying.
I saw her duck.
The landlord painted all the walls with cracks.
Republicans Grill IRS Chief Over Lost Emails. (a newspaper headline)
Look at the duck with one eye.
Police help dog bite victim.
Book stays in London.
Free whales.
2) Look at the following sentences. How many possible meanings does it have?
I saw a man on a hill with a telescope.
Verbs and prepositions
VB035/05
Adapted from Mann, Malcolm and Steve Taylore-Knowles. Destination B2. Macmillan. 2013.
Formal Letter Exercise
The following is an informal letter requesting an informational interview at a law firm. Change it so it sounds more
formal (and the applicant actually has a chance of seeing the desired person!). You can – and should – rewrite words,
phrases and even full sentences.
Hi Ms. Goldstein!
1) My buddy, Filoména Šebestová, who previously worked for your Law Firm as an Office Clerk, told me I
should contact you for a nice info interview. Filoména said you’re an awesome business law attorney who’s
going to help me a lot about understanding the field.
2) Now I’m in the process of exploring different professional law schools. Would it be ok to schedule a 20-25
minute informational meeting with you? Why I want to see you is to gather additional information that will
better assist me with my career decisions.
3) I’d really love to be a business law attorney, such as yourself. Your background and experience in business
law will be great for me as I pursue my career in law.
4) I’m now an undergraduate student at Ivy League University majoring in Criminal Justice.
5) I’ll call you by telephone on June 9th to see if we can schedule a meeting. Thanks for your attention, and I
hope we can spend some productive time together pretty soon!
Have a nice day,
Přemysl Vomáčka