Exercise 1
Write these sentences in another way, beginning as shown. Use the underlined word each time.
1 It is expected that the strike will end soon. The strike …………………….
2 It is expected that the weather will be good tomorrow.
The weather is …………………….
3 It is believed that the thieves got in through a window in the roof.
The thieves …………………….
4 It is reported that many people are homeless aft er the floods.
Many people …………………….
5 It is thought that the prisoner escaped by climbing over a wall.
The prisoner …………………….
6 It is alleged that the man was driving at 110 miles an hour.
The man …………………….
7 It is reported that the building has been badly damaged by the fire.
The building …………………….
8 a It is said that the company is losing a lot of money.
The company …………………….
b It is believed that the company lost a lot of money last year.
The company …………………….
c It is expect ed that the company will make a loss this year.
The company …………………….
Answers
1
1 The strike is expected to end soon
2 The weather is expected to be good tomorrow.
3 The thieves are believed to have got in through a window in the roof.
4 Many people are reported to be homeless after the floods.
5 The prisoner is thought to have escaped by climbing over a wall.
6 The man is alleged to have been driving at 110 miles an hour.
7 The building is reported to have been badly damaged by the fire.
8 a The company is said to be losing a lot of money.
b The company is believed to have lost a lot of money last year.
c The company is expected to make a loss this year.
Exercise 2
There are a lot of rumours about Alan. Here are some of the things people say about him:
1 Alan speaks ten languages.
2 He knows a lot of famous people.
3 He is very rich.
4 He has twelve children.
5 He was an actor when he was younger.
Nobody is sure whether these things are true. Write sentences about Alan using supposed to.
1 Alan …………………….
2 He …………………….
3 …………………….
4 …………………….
5 …………………….
Answers
2
1 Alan is supposed to speak ten languages.
2 He is supposed to know a lot of famous people.
3 He is supposed to be very rich.
4 He is supposed to have twelve children.
5 He is supposed to have been an actor when he was younger.
Exercise 3
Complete the sentences using supposed to be + the following:
on a diet a flower my friend a joke a secret working
1 How is it that everybody seems to know about the plan? It …………………….
2 You shouldn’t criticise me all the time. You …………………….
3 I shouldn’t be eating this cake really. I …………………….
4 I’m sorry for what I said. I was trying to be funny. It …………………….
5 What’s this drawing? Is it a tree? Or maybe it …………………….
6 You shouldn’t be reading the paper now. You …………………….
Answers
3
1 It’s / It is supposed to be a secret
2 You’re / You are supposed to be my friend.
3 I’m / I am supposed to be on a diet.
4 It was supposed to be a joke.
5 Or maybe it’s / it is supposed to be a flower.
6 You’re / You are supposed to be working.
Exercise 4
Write sentences with supposed to + the following verbs:
block depart park phone start
Use the negative (not supposed to) where necessary.
1 You ……………………. here. It’s private parking only.
2 We ……………………. work at 8.15, but we rarely do anything before 8.30.
3 Oh, I ……………………. Helen last night, but I completely forgot.
4 This door is a fire exit. You ……………………. it.
5 My flight ……………………. at 11.30, but it was an hour late.
Answers
4
1 You’re not supposed to park here.
2 ‘re / are supposed to start
3 was supposed to phone
4 aren’t / ‘re not / are not supposed to block
5 was supposed to depart
