Partial Translation of Sentences – How to overcome the most difficult task in E8?
Translating fragments of sentences is one of the so-called open tasks in the eighth-grade exam. You receive a sentence in English, in which a fragment is missing. This missing fragment is provided in parentheses in Polish. Your task is to translate it into English so that the entire sentence is grammatically correct, logical, and natural.
⚠️ Important: You can usually enter a maximum of 3 or 4 words in the gap (always check the instructions!). Contractions like don’t or I’m are usually counted as one word.
💡 How does it look in practice? (Examples)
Example 1:
I (am interested in) learning foreign languages.
Your thought: How is „interesować się”? It is be interested in. Since the subject is I, the verb „to be” must take the form am.
Correct answer: am interested in
Example 2:
If it rains tomorrow, we (will not go) to the park.
Your thought: This is the First Conditional. Since the first part is in the present tense (rains), in the second I need to use the future tense will in the negative.
Correct answer: will not go / won’t go
🎯 3-Step approach to the task
- Read the ENTIRE sentence: Do not translate only what is in parentheses. The words before and after the gap are crucial! They may dictate a specific tense, preposition, or verb form (e.g., the ending -ing).
- Translate in your head and match: Think about what structure fits the context. Is it past tense? Do you need plural?
- Count the words: Always make sure that your answer fits within the word limit allowed in the instructions!
☠️ Beware of traps! (Most common mistakes)
1. Language calques (literal translation from Polish)
English has its own structure. Do not translate word for word!
- (I am 14 years old) and I like to play football.
❌ I have 14 years
✅ I am 14 years old / I am 14 - (I agree) with you.
❌ I am agree
✅ I agree
2. Missing articles (a, an, the) and prepositions (in, on, at)
In Polish, we do not use articles, but in English they are mandatory before singular countable nouns!
- He is (a good doctor).
❌ good doctor
✅ a good doctor - I am waiting (for my) brother.
❌ for my (error if there is no word brother after the gap!) -> Always look at what is after the gap! If after the gap is brother, the correct answer is wait for my.
3. Forgetting the „-s” ending in Present Simple
This is the most common reason for losing points! Remember that for the subjects he, she, it the verb in the present tense must have an ending.
- My sister (watches) TV every evening.
❌ watch
✅ watches
Ready for a real challenge?
Theory is just the beginning. To master this task perfectly, you need to solve dozens of examples and develop the right reflex. We have prepared amazing, interactive exercises for you that will immediately check your answers and explain your mistakes!
Go to exercises – Translation E8 🚀