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. Preenche o espaço em branco.
“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. Escolhe a resposta correta.
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. Escolhe a resposta correta.
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. Preenche o espaço em branco.
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. Preenche o espaço em branco.
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. Preenche o espaço em branco.
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. Preenche o espaço em branco.
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. Escolhe a resposta correta.
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. Escolhe a resposta correta.
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. Escolhe a resposta correta.
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. Escolhe a resposta correta.
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. Preenche o espaço em branco.
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. Escolhe a resposta correta.
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. Escolhe a resposta correta.
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. Escolhe a resposta correta.
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.