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All A1 questions for βThis or It? - A1 Grammarβ, each with the correct answer and a short explanation. Try the interactive exercises above, then check your answers here.
1. Look at _____ photo! I took it on holiday last summer. Is it not beautiful?
Answer: this
Use 'this' when pointing to something near you for the first time.
2. I watched a great film last night. _____ was about a young woman who travels around the world alone.
Answer: It
The film was already mentioned. Use 'it' to refer back to something already known.
3. Hello, _____ is Marco from the sales team. I am calling about the meeting tomorrow.
Keep practising with related reading and grammar units at your level.
Answer: this
Use 'this is' to say who you are on the phone.
4. She gave me a book for my birthday. _____ is exactly the one I wanted. I am so happy.
Answer: It
The book was already mentioned. Use 'it' to refer back to it.
5. Try _____ cake! I made it this morning. Tell me what you think.
Answer: this
Use 'this' when offering something close to you to someone for the first time.
6. I have a new bicycle. _____ is red and very fast. I ride it to work every day.
Answer: It
The bicycle was already mentioned. Use 'it' to continue talking about it.
7. Everyone, _____ is my sister, Clara. She is visiting me from Madrid this weekend.
Answer: this
Use 'this is' to introduce a person to others.
8. I love _____ song. What is it called? I want to add it to my playlist.
Answer: this
Use 'this' when pointing to something near you, like a song playing right now.
9. We visited a museum yesterday. _____ had an amazing exhibition about ancient Egypt.
Answer: It
The museum was already mentioned. Use 'it' to refer back to it.
10. Can you see _____ building over there? _____ was built over 500 years ago.
Answer: this, It
First mention: 'this building' (pointing to it). Second mention: 'it' (already known).
11. I bought a new coffee machine. _____ makes the best espresso I have ever had. You should get one.
Answer: It
The coffee machine was already mentioned. Use 'it' to refer back to it.
1. A: Who is that woman? B: Oh, ___ is my neighbour, Mrs Patel. She is very kind.
Answer: this
Use 'this is' to introduce or identify a person.
2. I have a new laptop. ___ is much faster than my old one.
Answer: It
The laptop was already mentioned. Use 'it' to refer back to it.
3. Taste ___ soup! I made it with fresh tomatoes from the garden.
Answer: this
Use 'this' when pointing to something near you for the first time.
4. I read an article about climate change yesterday. ___ was very interesting.
Answer: It
The article was already mentioned. Use 'it' to refer back to it.
5. Hi, ___ is James. I am calling about my appointment tomorrow.
Answer: this
Use 'this is' to say who you are on the phone.
6. She showed me her new flat last week. ___ is in the city centre and very modern.
Answer: It
The flat was already mentioned. Use 'it' to refer back to it.
7. Look at ___ dog! ___ is so tiny and fluffy.
Answer: this / It
First mention: 'this dog' (pointing to it). Second mention: 'It' (already known).
8. I have been to a new cafΓ© in the city centre. ___ has great coffee and amazing cakes.
Answer: It
The cafΓ© was already mentioned. Use 'it' to refer back to it.
9. Come and look at ___ view from the window. Is it not incredible?
Answer: this
Use 'this' when pointing to something near you for the first time.
10. We had a meeting this morning. ___ lasted three hours. I am exhausted.
Answer: It
The meeting was already mentioned. Use 'it' to refer back to it.
1. Yesterday my friend gave me a book about the life of Frida Kahlo. _____ is one of the most famous artists in history.<br> I started reading the book last night and I love _____. The writing is simple and very engaging.<br> The book has a lot of photos of her paintings. _____ is my favourite one right here. The colours are incredible.<br> Frida Kahlo had a very difficult life, but _____ made her art even more powerful. She painted over 140 pictures.
Answer: It, it, This, it
This: introducing something new or pointing to it. It: referring back to something already mentioned.
1. friend / this / my / is / Sara
Answer: This is my friend Sara.
Use 'this is' to introduce a person.
2. a / I / bought / yesterday / jacket / new / it / is / blue
Answer: I bought a new jacket yesterday. It is blue.
First sentence introduces the jacket. Second sentence uses 'it' to refer back.
3. restaurant / look / this / at / great / is / it / ?
Answer: Look at this restaurant. Is it great?
First mention: 'this restaurant' (pointing). Second mention: 'it' (already known).
4. is / James / hello / this / calling
Answer: Hello this is James calling.
Use 'this is' to identify yourself on the phone.
5. song / I / this / love / is / called / what / it / ?
Answer: I love this song. What is it called?
First mention: 'this song' (pointing to the song playing now). Second mention: 'it'.
6. saw / I / a / film / last / was / it / week / fantastic
Answer: I saw a film last week. It was fantastic.
The film was mentioned first. Use 'it' to refer back to it.
7. my / this / new / is / phone / very / it / fast / is
Answer: This is my new phone. It is very fast.
First mention: 'this is my new phone' (introducing it). Second mention: 'it'.
8. photo / this / at / look / took / I / it / yesterday
Answer: Look at this photo. I took it yesterday.
First mention: 'this photo' (pointing to it). Second mention: 'it' (already known).
9. colleague / is / David / my / this
Answer: This is my colleague David.
Use 'this is' to introduce a person to others.
10. a / he / has / dog / very / it / funny / is
Answer: He has a dog. It is very funny.
The dog was already mentioned. Use 'it' to refer back to it.
1. You are an English conversation tutor doing a structured speaking drill with an A1 student. The grammar focus is: (1) use 'this' to point to something near you or introduce it for the first time, (2) use 'this is' to introduce a person or identify yourself on the phone, (3) use 'it' to refer back to something already mentioned, (4) never use 'this' to refer back to something already mentioned, (5) weather, time, and distance always use 'it', never 'this'. STRUCTURE: Ask exactly 6 questions, one at a time. Wait for the student's full answer before continuing. QUESTIONS TO ASK (in this order): 1. 'Tell me about something you bought recently. First introduce it with this, then describe it with it. For example: This is my new bag. It is very big and I use it every day.' (target: This is my new phone. It is fast and I love it.) 2. 'Imagine you are introducing three people to me. Use this is for each one.' (target: This is my friend Ana. This is my colleague Marco. This is my sister.) 3. 'I will say a sentence with this. You continue the description using it. Ready? This is my new laptop. / This is a great book. / This is my cat.' (target: It is very fast. / It is about a detective. / It is called Luna.) 4. 'Imagine you are on the phone. Introduce yourself and say why you are calling. Use this is.' (target: Hello, this is Maria. I am calling about the job.) 5. 'Tell me about a film or series you watched recently. Use this or it correctly. Introduce it first, then describe it.' (target: This is a great series I found last week. It is called The Bear. It is about a chef in Chicago.) 6. 'Tell me about your favourite place in your city. Introduce it with this is, then describe it with it.' (target: This is a small market near my house. It is open every Saturday. It has amazing food.) FEEDBACK RULES: - If the student uses 'this' to refer back to something already mentioned (e.g. 'I have a cat. This is very cute.'), recast: 'It is very cute! What is its name?' - If the student uses 'it is' to introduce someone (e.g. 'It is my friend Tom'), recast: 'This is your friend Tom! Nice to meet him.' - If the student uses 'this is' for weather (e.g. 'This is raining'), recast: 'It is raining! Do you have an umbrella?' - Do NOT explain the grammar rule. Only model the correct form in your reply. - After all 6 questions, give one warm sentence of feedback and say goodbye.
1. Question 1