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Basic Imperatives: Commands and Instructions: correct answers

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Basics: Imperatives - Commands and Instructions

This challenge contains 12 questions at easy difficulty covering Basics: Imperatives - Commands and Instructions. Test your knowledge with a mix of question formats!

Try the quiz to check your knowledge!

EasyA1 | Elementary | BeginnersA1Imperative moodEnglish Grammar Basics

Correct answers

Question 1

Complete the tour guide's frantic warning to the curious museum visitor. Select the grammatically correct phrase.

Whatever you do, ___ that shiny red button!

The correct answer is don't press.

To form a negative command or warning, we use Do not (or the contraction Don't) followed by the base form of the verb. "Not press" is missing the auxiliary verb "do", and "doesn't" is only used for third-person singular subjects in the indicative mood, not imperatives!

Question 2

Select the best words to finish the college senior's ultimate survival advice for a terrified freshman.

___ the syllabus before emailing the professor with a question.

The correct answer is Always read.

When giving strong advice or rules, we often put adverbs of frequency like always or never right before the imperative (base form) verb.

Question 3

You are house-sitting for a very spoiled golden retriever named Barnaby. Select ALL the instructions left by his owner that use correct imperatives.

The correct answers are Always rub Barnaby's belly before bedtime. and Please give him exactly three treats after his walk.

You can soften an imperative or emphasize a routine by placing words like always, never, or please right before the base verb. "Never to wake" incorrectly uses the infinitive "to wake" instead of the base verb "wake." "Always gives" incorrectly uses the third-person singular "-s" ending instead of the base verb "give."

Question 4

Complete the IT support chat log to help a panicked student restart their frozen laptop. Choose the best option for each blank.
Okay, take a deep breath. _________________________ the power button for ten seconds.
Now, _________________________ for the screen to go completely black.
Whatever you do, _________________________; your essay is automatically saved to the cloud!

The correct answers are Press, let's wait, and don't panic.

We use the base verb "Press" for direct instructions. "Let's" (a contraction of "let us") is used to suggest an action that includes both the speaker and the listener. "Don't" is the correct way to form a negative imperative.

Question 5

Help the panicked roommate complete the emergency cooking instructions by choosing the correct word for each blank.

For a great sandwich, always slice the bread carefully. For your own safety, please don't put the metal fork in the microwave! To finish the masterpiece, simply add a huge piece of cheese.

For a great sandwich, always slice the bread carefully.

Imperatives (commands and instructions) always use the base form of the verb, even after adverbs like "always."

For your own safety, please don't put the metal fork in the microwave!

To form a negative imperative, we use "do not" or "don't" followed by the base verb.

To finish the masterpiece, simply add a huge piece of cheese.

Once again, use the base form of the verb ("add") to give an instruction.

Question 6

Help Chef Gordon complete the recipe steps for his famous "Volcano Chili" before the kitchen catches fire! Select the correct verb form for each gap.
First, _________________________ the onions finely and toss them into the hot pan.
Please, _________________________ your eyes after handling those ghost peppers!
Finally, _________________________ the pot continuously for ten minutes to prevent burning.

The correct answers are chop, don't touch, and stir.

Imperatives are used to give commands, directions, or instructions. We use the base form of the verb (like "chop" and "stir") with no subject. To make a negative command, use "do not" or "don't" before the base verb.

Question 7

Help the panicked chef complete the recipe instructions before the food burns! Choose the correct word to fill in the blank.

First, ___ the garlic and onions until they are golden brown.

The correct answer is sauté.

When giving instructions (like in a recipe) or commands, we use the imperative form of the verb. The imperative is simply the base form of the verb without a subject (e.g., "sauté", "chop", "stir").

Question 8

Help the chaotic chef fix their "midnight snack" recipe blog! Select ALL the sentences that use the correct imperative form for giving instructions.

The correct answers are Chop the onions into tiny pieces. and Add a pinch of salt to the boiling water.

To give commands or instructions, we use the imperative mood. The imperative is formed using the base form of the verb without a subject (e.g., "Chop", "Add"). Verbs ending with "-ing" or "-s" are incorrect for direct commands.

Question 9

Fill in the blanks in this rather questionable "Wilderness Survival Guide" for hikers. Select the correct word or phrase for each gap.
If you see a bear on the trail, _________________________ perfectly still.
_________________________ away, because bears love a good foot race and they always win.
Instead, _________________________ to the bear in a calm, soothing voice about your college major.

The correct answers are stay, Do not run, and speak.

When giving advice or instructions (even silly ones!), use the imperative mood. This requires the base form of the verb ("stay", "speak") and "do not" or "don't" for negative instructions.

Question 10

Choose the correct words to complete the instructions for the terrified pet sitter.

At exactly 6 AM, promptly feed His Majesty, the cat. If he meows loudly, just give him a little chin scratch. Most importantly, please do not look him directly in the eyes!

At exactly 6 AM, promptly feed His Majesty, the cat.

When giving instructions, we drop the subject (you) and use the base form of the verb (feed).

If he meows loudly, just give him a little chin scratch.

Even in a conditional sentence (If...), the instruction part uses the base form of the verb.

Most importantly, please do not look him directly in the eyes!

To tell someone NOT to do something, we use "do not" (or "don't") before the base verb. "Does not" is incorrect because the invisible subject of an imperative is always "you".

Question 11

Complete the survivor's urgent note by choosing the correct verb for each gap in the town's survival rules.

When you see a zombie, always run in the opposite direction! At night, strictly lock all the doors and windows. Whatever you do, absolutely never feed the zombies!

When you see a zombie, always run in the opposite direction!

Instructions and commands use the base form of the verb (run). There is no need to add "-s" or "-ing".

At night, strictly lock all the doors and windows.

Even with an adverb like "strictly" in front, the imperative verb stays in its base form.

Whatever you do, absolutely never feed the zombies!

Negative commands using "never" still require the base form of the verb (feed).

Question 12

Read the warning signs for an eccentric billionaire's private petting zoo. Select ALL the rules that use grammatically correct negative imperatives.

The correct answers are Do not feed the ostriches your jewelry. and Don't stare directly into the eyes of the lemur.

To make a negative command, we use Do not or the contraction Don't followed immediately by the base form of the verb. "Not tap" is missing the auxiliary verb "do," and "Doesn't" is only used for third-person singular subjects in the present tense, not for imperatives.

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