A Piece of Advice
Explore everyday uses of “piece of,” “bit of,” and “item of”—from friendly advice to luggage and good luck.
Preview
Questions with solutions-
1. Vul het ontbrekende woord in.
“Practice your answers before the interview.”
“Thanks. That's a useful piece of ___.”- advise
- advice
- advices
You need the noun for a suggestion about what someone should do.
Show solution
“Practice your answers before the interview.”
“Thanks. That's a useful piece of advice.”“Advice” is uncountable. To talk about one suggestion, we can say “a piece of advice.”
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2. Kies het juiste antwoord.
What did the speaker take?
I tore a small piece of bread from the loaf.
- A whole loaf.
- Several whole loaves.
- A small part of a loaf.
The bread came from something larger.
Show solution
- A small part of a loaf.
A “piece” can be a part cut or torn from something larger, such as bread or paper.
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3. Kies het juiste antwoord.
How much time does the speaker describe?
We have a bit of time before the bus comes.
- A little time.
- No time at all.
- A lot of time.
The speaker describes a small amount.
Show solution
- A little time.
“A bit of time” means a little time. “A bit of” is common in everyday conversation.
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4. Vul het ontbrekende woord in.
There is one item of ___ in the lost-and-found box: a blue jacket.
- clothes
- a clothing
- clothing
The noun after “item of” is uncountable.
Show solution
There is one item of clothing in the lost-and-found box: a blue jacket.
“Clothing” is uncountable, while “clothes” is plural. An “item of clothing” can be a jacket, a shirt, or a pair of pants.
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5. Vul het ontbrekende woord in.
We bought two ___ for the apartment: a desk and a chair.
- piece of furniture
- pieces of furniture
- pieces of furnitures
We count the pieces, while “furniture” keeps the same form.
Show solution
We bought two pieces of furniture for the apartment: a desk and a chair.
After “two,” use the plural “pieces.” The uncountable noun “furniture” does not take a plural ending.
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6. Vul het ontbrekende woord in.
I found ___ under the table: a gold ring.
- an item of jewelry
- a item of jewelry
- an jewelry
The article comes directly before “item,” not “jewelry.”
Show solution
I found an item of jewelry under the table: a gold ring.
Use “an” before the vowel sound in “item.” Jewelry is uncountable, but an individual ring is “an item of jewelry.”
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7. Vul het ontbrekende woord in.
This piece of equipment ___ useful for recording clear sound.
- are
- be
- is
The sentence describes one piece.
Show solution
This piece of equipment is useful for recording clear sound.
The main noun is the singular word “piece,” so it takes a singular verb: “This piece of equipment is useful.”
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8. Kies het juiste antwoord.
What is the speaker doing?
I could use a bit of help carrying this box.
- Explaining how to carry the box.
- Asking someone to help.
- Saying the box has already been moved.
“I could use” often introduces something the speaker needs.
Show solution
- Asking someone to help.
“I could use a bit of help” is a friendly, indirect request. It sounds softer than “Help me.”
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9. Kies het juiste antwoord.
Does Nina meet the rule if she brings both bags?
The bus rule says, “One item of luggage per person. Backpacks count as luggage.” Nina has a suitcase and a backpack.
- No. Her suitcase and backpack count as two items.
- Yes. A backpack does not count as an item.
- Yes. All bags belonging to one person count as one item.
The rule counts separate bags, not their owners.
Show solution
- No. Her suitcase and backpack count as two items.
“Luggage” can describe all your travel bags together. An “item of luggage” is one separate bag.
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10. Kies het juiste antwoord.
What does the speaker mean?
With a bit of luck, we'll get seats together.
- The speaker has already reserved their seats.
- The speaker knows they cannot sit together.
- The speaker hopes they will sit together.
Getting seats together is possible, but not certain.
Show solution
- The speaker hopes they will sit together.
“With a bit of luck” means something may happen if things go well. It expresses hope, not a promise.
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11. Kies het juiste antwoord.
How much does the speaker claim to know about the trip?
I only have one piece of information about the trip: the train leaves at nine.
- The complete travel plan.
- One detail.
- Nothing at all.
The speaker knows the departure time, but gives no other details.
Show solution
- One detail.
A “piece of information” is one fact or detail. It does not have to be a physical object.
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12. Vul het ontbrekende woord in.
After that long walk, I need ___ rest.
- a bit of
- a bit
- a bit to
Here, “rest” is a noun.
Show solution
After that long walk, I need a bit of rest.
Use “a bit of” before a noun: “a bit of rest.” Before an adjective, use “a bit” without “of”: “a bit tired.”
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13. Kies het juiste antwoord.
What does “an item of evidence” mean here?
Muddy footprints on the kitchen floor are an item of evidence that someone was in the room.
- A complete explanation of everything that happened.
- An idea with nothing to support it.
- A clue that supports an idea.
The footprints help show what may have happened.
Show solution
- A clue that supports an idea.
Evidence helps us judge what happened. One item of evidence can be useful without telling the whole story.
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14. Kies het juiste antwoord.
What effect does “a bit of” have here?
Sam wants to sound calm, although he and his friend have missed the last train. He says, “We're in a bit of trouble.”
- It shows that the problem has ended.
- It makes the problem sound less serious.
- It makes the problem sound more serious.
Sam is trying not to alarm his friend.
Show solution
- It makes the problem sound less serious.
Speakers sometimes use “a bit of” to soften bad news. The actual problem may be bigger than the phrase suggests.
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15. Kies het juiste antwoord.
How did the speaker find the task?
I expected setting up the printer to be difficult, but it was a piece of cake.
- Very easy.
- Very difficult.
- Something to eat.
The task was not difficult as expected.
Show solution
- Very easy.
“A piece of cake” is also a common informal expression meaning “very easy.” Here, it is not about food.