Unit 132. Verb + preposition 1. To and at

You ask somebody to explain things that you don't understand. Write questions beginning Can you explain ... ?
Key.3   Can you explain this question to me? / Can you explain it to me?
4   Can you explain the problem tome? / Can you explain it to me?
5   Can you explain to me how this machine works?
6   Can you explain to me what I have to do?

1    (I don't understand this word.)
     Can you explain this word to me?                        
2    (I don't understand what you mean.)
      Can explain to me what you mean?                     
3    (I don't understand this question.)
     Can you explain ___________________________
4    (I don't understand the problem.)
     Can _______________________________________
5    (I don't understand how this machine works.)
      ____________________________________________
6    (I don't understand what I have to do.)
      ____________________________________________

Put in to where necessary. If the sentence is already complete, leave the space empty.
Key.3    to
4    -
5    to
6    to
7    -
8    -
9    to
10  -

1    I know who she is, but I've never spoken     to     her.
2    Why didn't you answer      -      my letter?
3    I like to listen _______ the radio while I'm having breakfast.
4    We'd better phone _______ the restaurant to reserve a table.
5    'Did Mike apologise _______ you?'   'Yes, he said he was very sorry.'
6    I explained _______ everybody the reasons for my decision.
7    I thanked _______ everybody for all the help they had given me.
8    Ask me what you like, and I'll try and answer _______ your questions.
9    Mike described _______ me exactly what happened.
10  Karen won't be able to help you, so there's no point in asking _______ her.

Complete the sentences. Use the following verbs (in the correct form) + the correct preposition:
Key.3   speaking to
4   point them at
5   glanced at
6   listen to
7   throw stones at
8   throw it to

explain       glance       laugh        listen       point       speak        throw       throw

1    I look stupid with this haircut. Everybody will     laught at    me.
2    I don't understand this. Can you     explain    it    to    me?
3    Sue and Kevin had an argument and now they're not __________________ one another.
4    Be careful with those scissors! Don't __________________ them __________________ me!
5    I __________________ my watch to see what the time was.
6    Please __________________ me! I've got something important to tell you.
7    Don't __________________ stones __________________ the birds! It's cruel.
8    If you don't want that sandwich, __________________ it __________________ the birds. They'll eat it.

Put in to or at.
Key.2   at
3   at
4   to
5   to
6   at
7   at
8   to
9   at
10 at
11 to

1    I wrote    to    the hotel complaining about the poor service we had received.
2    Look _____ these flowers. Aren't they pretty?
3    Please don't shout _____ me! Try to calm down.
4    I saw Sue as I was cycling along the road. I shouted _____ her, but she didn't hear me.
5    Don't listen _____ what he says. He doesn't know what he's talking about.
6    What's so funny? What are you laughing _____?
7    Do you think I could have a look _____ your magazine, please?
8    I'm a bit lonely. I need somebody to talk _____.
9    She was so angry she threw a book _____ the wall.
10  The woman sitting opposite me on the train kept staring _____ me.
11  Can I speak _____ you a moment? There's something I want to ask you.