COUNTABLE AND UNCOUNTABLE NOUNS

Miss Irene

1 Underline the most suitable word in each sentence.

1 Different countries have different weather / weathers.

2 All areas of the skin are in fact covered in tiny hair / hairs.

3 We’ve looked at the menu and we’d all like chicken / chickens.

4 Jack is a millionaire and owns a lot of business / businesses.

5 Have you got a copy of the complete work / works of Dante?

6 None of the passengers had insured their baggage / baggages.

7 Students must pass their paper / papers to the front.

8 I’m afraid we can’t find cheap accommodation / accommodations for all of you.

2 Complete each sentence with a/an, some or by leaving the space blank.

1 When the play ended, there was — lengthy applause.

2 I can’t come out tonight. I have.................... homework to do.

3 Sue received......................................... excellent education.

4 The inside is strengthened with........................ steel frame.

5 My friends bought me............... coffee maker for my birthday.

6 David has just bought......................................... new furniture.

7 Let me give you................................ advice.

8 My trousers need pressing. Can you lend me.................... iron?

3 Underline the most suitable word in each sentence.

1 I would love to go on a long journey / travel by train.

2 What’s the latest news? Can I look at your paper / journal?

3 Here’s your ticket. Do you have any luggage / suitcase?

4 Don’t forget to buy a sliced bread / loaf.

5 Why don’t we leave the car in this car park / parking.

6 I can’t come to work today. I have a bad cold /flu.

7 Excuse me sir, but do you have a licence / permission for this gun?

8 Brighton has quite a good beach / seaside.

4 Put one suitable word in each space.

1 I’m looking for accomodation . Do you know anywhere I can stay?

2 Take my.................................................., don’t go out alone after dark.

3 The government plans to improve............................................ by paying teachers more.

4 Can you lend me some...........................................? I want to print out a letter.

5 I need some............................................... about language schools. Can you help me?

6 Richard is unemployed, and he is looking for a.............................................................

7 Could I have some.................................... ? Those apples and oranges look nice.

8 I used to have long............................................, but I had it cut.

9 I can’t do this on my own. Could you give me some................................................... ?

10 If you can’t undo the knot, cut the string with some..........................................

5 Complete each sentence with the most suitable word or phrase.

1 I like your new trousers. Where did you buy B ?

A it В them С them both D them all

2 There is always a very large...................... at the church I go to.

A congregation В audience С spectator D company

3 The local.......................... has agreed to repair the road outside our house.

A government В people С council D jury

4 When the police arrived, we were pleased to see..................................

A him В him or her, С it D them

5 The car turned over, but luckily it didn’t suffer serious..................................................

A damage В injury С damages D injuries

6 Sorry, I’m late, but I had a lot of..................... to do.

A job В work С task D labour

7 Julie bought herself a complete new................ for winter.

A outfit В cloth С clothing D wear

8 I feel like going out tonight. Let’s go to a / an.....................

A dancing В night С club D entertainment

9 Thanks for a great weekend! We really had a / an............................

A fun В enjoyment С hospitality D good time

10 In order to prove Smith is guilty, we must find some........................................

A information В evidence С knowledge D means

6 Choose the most appropriate meaning for each sentence.  

1 You mustn’t lose heart.

a) Don’t have an operation. (b) Don’t give up hope.

2 Where’s my glass?

a) I want a drink, b) I can’t see.

3 Jack has a new post.

a) The postman has delivered a letter, b) He has a different job.

4 All goods must be paid for in advance.

a) Nothing enjoyable in life is free, b) You have to pay for these things first.

5 I’ve joined a new company.

a) I have a new job. b) I have some new friends.

6 This hotel has class.

a) You can study hotel management here, b) It is a good quality hotel.

7 I don’t have the means to help you.

a) I’m not able to help, b) I can’t understand what help you need.

8 I’d like some china.

a) I want to go abroad, b) I need some cups and plates.

9 Do you have any cash?

a) Do you need to pay by card? b) Isn’t there a place to pay in this shop?

10 They have a business in Leeds. a) They have to go there to do a job. b) They own a company there.

7 Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence, using the word given. Do not change the word given. You must use between two and five words, including the word given.

Miss Irene

people 

There are a lot of people on this island.

2 Do you own these things?

your

Are...............................................belongings?

3 The weather was good on our holiday,

had

We................................................................................................................. on our holiday.

4 There were a lot of cars on the road to Manchester,

traffic

There....................................................................................... on the road to Manchester.

5 Gerry is a very strong person, in my opinion,

strength

Gerry.............................................................................................................. in my opinion.

6 There are pieces of paper all over the floor!

litter

There............................................................... all over the floor.

7 Can I park my car here?

allowed

Is......................................................................................................................here?

8 I know these machines are very expensive,

machinery

I know............................................................................................................ very expensive.

8 Complete each sentence with a suitable word from the box.

1 Let me give you a piece of advice.

2 There is an interesting........................... of news in the paper.

3 A......................... of stairs takes you to the top of the house.

4 Could I have another......................... of paper, please?

5 Helen has a lovely.......................... of hair.

6 Do you want another......................... of toast?

7 We bought Mike and Lynn a....................... of cutlery for a

8 The lightning was followed by a........................ of thunder.

9 Complete each sentence with a suitable word from the box.

1 I can’t cut this loaf. Do you have a proper bread knife?

2 I’m afraid that ‘neice’ is a.................... mistake.

3 There’s usually a / an........................ space opposite the cinema.

4 We need a / an............................... box to keep the money in.

5 The tourist board have built a / an.............................. centre near the castle.

6 We decided to put a / an............................. conductor on the roof.

7 Marjorie used to write a / an........................... column in a magazine.

8 These suitcases are very heavy. We must find a / an......................................trolley.

9 I must rush. I’m going to a / an............................ lesson.

10 Julie found her flat through a / an................................... agency.