Gerund or Infinitive: Rules, Examples & Exercises

Understanding the Choice Between Gerunds and Infinitives: Navigating the Nuances of English Grammar.

Introduction

Should we say "I enjoy reading" or "I enjoy to read"? Is it correct to write "She stopped talking" or "She stopped to talk"? Interestingly, the last two sentences are both grammatically correct, but they do not mean the same thing.

Choosing between a gerund and an infinitive is one of the most challenging areas of English grammar. The difficulty arises because English does not have one rule that applies in every situation. Sometimes the word before the verb decides the form. Sometimes the structure of the sentence decides it. At other times, using a gerund instead of an infinitive changes the meaning completely.

This lesson explains:

•     what gerunds, to-infinitives and bare infinitives are;

•     the situations in which each form is used;

•     verbs followed by gerunds or infinitives;

•     verbs that take both forms with a change in meaning;

•     important constructions such as used to, be used to, stop doing and stop to do;

•     common errors made by students; and

•     graded practice exercises with answers.

What Is a Gerund?

A gerund is the -ing form of a verb used as a noun.

Consider these examples:

•     Reading improves our vocabulary.

•     I enjoy reading.

•     Her favourite activity is painting.

•     He left without saying goodbye.

The words reading, painting and saying come from verbs, but in these sentences they perform functions normally performed by nouns. They are therefore gerunds.

Functions of a Gerund

Function	Example	Explanation
Subject	Swimming is good exercise.	The activity is the subject.
Object of a verb	I enjoy swimming.	It is the object of enjoy.
Subject complement	My hobby is swimming.	It identifies the subject hobby.
Object of a preposition	She is good at swimming.	It follows the preposition at.

Guide to Choosing Between Gerunds and Infinitives: Use these 5 steps to decide: consider prepositions, purpose, modals, control by the first verb, and potential meaning changes.

Gerund or Present Participle?

Both forms end in -ing, but their functions are different.

Sentence	Function of the -ing form
Swimming is good exercise.	Gerund: it names an activity.
I enjoy swimming.	Gerund: it is the object of enjoy.
She is swimming.	Present participle: it forms the present continuous tense.
The swimming child waved at us.	Present participle: it describes the child.

The safest way to identify a gerund is to examine its function. If the -ing form names an action or activity and performs the work of a noun, it is a gerund.

What Is an Infinitive?

An infinitive is the basic form of a verb. It may be used with or without to.

The To-Infinitive

The to-infinitive has the structure:

KEY RULE: to + base form of the verb

Examples:

•     to read

•     to write

•     to speak

•     to understand

In sentences:

•     I want to read this book.

•     She decided to study harder.

•     We hope to meet you soon.

•     He went to the library to borrow a book.

The Bare Infinitive

A bare infinitive is the base form of a verb without to.

Examples:

•     You should work hard.

•     Let him speak.

•     The teacher made us rewrite the answers.

•     You had better leave now.

How Do We Decide Between a Gerund and an Infinitive?

Use te following questions as a practical decision method.

1. Is There a Preposition Before the Verb?

If there is a preposition immediately before the verb, normally use a gerund.

•     She is interested in learning French.

•     He left without speaking to me.

•     They succeeded by working together.

•     I am tired of waiting.

•     We talked about visiting Jaipur.

The governing pattern is:

KEY RULE: preposition + gerund

2. Does the Action Express a Purpose?

Use a to-infinitive to explain why somebody does something.

•     I went to the market to buy vegetables.

•     She called me to discuss the problem.

•     He studies hard to secure good marks.

•     We use a thermometer to measure temperature.

The infinitive answers the question "Why?"

3. Is There a Modal Verb?

Use the bare infinitive after a modal verb.

•     You must obey the rules.

•     We should respect our elders.

•     She can solve the problem.

•     They might arrive late.

•     You need not worry.

4. Does the First Verb Require a Fixed Pattern?

Many English verbs determine the form that follows them.

•     I enjoy reading.

•     I want to read.

•     She avoided answering.

•     She refused to answer.

These patterns must be learnt through repeated use.

5. Can Both Forms Be Used?

Some verbs accept both forms.

•     It started raining.

•     It started to rain.

With some verbs, the meaning remains almost unchanged. With others, choosing a gerund or infinitive changes the meaning significantly.

Highlighting key points about the use of gerunds in a study session at the library.

When Do We Use a Gerund?

1. As the Subject of a Sentence

A gerund is commonly used when a general activity is the subject.

•     Reading develops the mind.

•     Walking is good for health.

•     Helping others gives us happiness.

•     Learning a language requires patience.

A to-infinitive can also be used as a subject, especially in formal or literary statements:

•     To forgive is divine.

•     To make mistakes is human.

In ordinary English, however, a gerund often sounds more natural when discussing an activity in general.

2. After Certain Verbs

The following verbs are normally followed by a gerund.

Verb	Example
admit	He admitted breaking the window.
avoid	Avoid making unnecessary noise.
consider	We are considering moving to Delhi.
delay	Do not delay submitting the form.
deny	She denied taking the money.
dislike	I dislike waiting in long queues.
enjoy	They enjoy playing chess.
finish	Please finish writing the letter.
imagine	Can you imagine living on the Moon?
keep	He kept asking questions.
mention	She mentioned meeting you.
mind	Would you mind closing the window?
miss	I miss talking to my old friends.
postpone	They postponed holding the meeting.
practise	Practise speaking English every day.
recommend	I recommend reading this book.
risk	You risk losing everything.
suggest	She suggested taking a taxi.

3. After Prepositions

•     He is fond of reading.

•     She is good at drawing.

•     I am interested in learning Spanish.

•     They left without informing us.

•     We thanked her for helping us.

•     After finishing the work, he went home.

Common combinations include:

•     afraid of doing

•     interested in doing

•     good at doing

•     tired of doing

•     worried about doing

•     responsible for doing

•     capable of doing

•     insist on doing

•     think about doing

•     succeed in doing

•     apologise for doing

•     prevent somebody from doing

"Illustrating 'To': Balancing Past Memories and Future Duties Through Language."

4. When "To" Is a Preposition

The word to is not always an infinitive marker. In certain expressions, it is a preposition and must therefore be followed by a gerund.

Expression	Example
look forward to	I look forward to meeting you.
be used to	She is used to waking up early.
get used to	You will get used to living here.
object to	He objected to paying the fee.
admit to	She admitted to telling a lie.
be committed to	We are committed to helping the poor.
devote oneself to	He devoted himself to teaching children.

Compare:

•     I want to learn English. Here, to learn is an infinitive.

•     I am committed to learning English. Here, to is a preposition.

5. After Fixed Expressions

Use a gerund after these expressions:

Cannot help

•     I cannot help laughing.

•     She could not help crying.

It is no use/It is no good

•     It is no use arguing with him.

•     It is no good worrying about the past.

Be worth

•     This book is worth reading.

•     The place is worth visiting.

Have difficulty or trouble

•     She had difficulty understanding the question.

•     I have trouble remembering names.

Spend or waste time

•     He spends hours watching television.

•     Do not waste time complaining.

Be busy

•     Mother is busy preparing dinner.

•     They were busy decorating the hall.

How about/What about

•     How about going for a walk?

•     What about inviting Rohan?

There is no point in

•     There is no point in blaming one another.

6. After "Go" for Recreational Activities

We frequently use go + gerund for leisure activities:

•     go swimming

•     go shopping

•     go fishing

•     go jogging

•     go sightseeing

•     go camping

•     go cycling

Examples:

•     We went shopping yesterday.

•     They are going camping during the holidays.

When Do We Use a To-Infinitive?

1. After Certain Verbs

Verb	Example
agree	She agreed to help me.
afford	We cannot afford to waste time.
attempt	He attempted to escape.
choose	She chose to remain silent.
decide	They decided to leave early.
expect	We expect to receive the results soon.
fail	He failed to notice the warning.
hope	I hope to see you again.
learn	She is learning to drive.
manage	He managed to solve the puzzle.
offer	I offered to carry her bag.
plan	We plan to visit Kashmir.
pretend	The child pretended to be asleep.
promise	He promised to return the money.
refuse	She refused to answer.
seem	He seems to understand the matter.
want	I want to speak to the principal.
wish	She wishes to continue her studies.
would like	I would like to order some tea.

2. To Express Purpose

•     He went out to buy milk.

•     She opened the box to examine its contents.

•     I called you to invite you to the function.

•     We exercise to remain healthy.

We can also use in order to or so as to:

•     He whispered in order not to disturb the baby.

•     She left early so as to catch the first bus.

3. After Adjectives

•     I am happy to help you.

•     She was surprised to see me.

•     This chapter is difficult to understand.

•     He is eager to participate.

•     We are ready to begin.

•     I am sorry to hear about your illness.

4. After Question Words

•     I do not know what to say.

•     Please tell me where to go.

•     She explained how to operate the machine.

•     We cannot decide which book to buy.

•     Do you know when to begin?

We do not normally use why + to-infinitive. Instead, we say:

•     Why should we do it?

•     Why do it?

•     Why not do it?

5. After "Too" and "Enough"

Too + adjective + to-infinitive

•     The tea is too hot to drink.

•     He is too weak to walk.

•     The question was too difficult to answer.

Adjective + enough + to-infinitive

•     She is old enough to travel alone.

•     He was brave enough to admit his mistake.

•     The room is large enough to accommodate everyone.

Enough + noun + to-infinitive

•     We have enough food to feed everyone.

•     She has enough experience to handle the situation.

6. After "The First", "The Last", "The Only" and Superlatives

•     Riya was the first student to arrive.

•     He was the last person to leave.

•     She is the only person to understand me.

•     This is the best place to relax.

•     He was the youngest player to win the award.

7. After Certain Nouns

•     I have some work to complete.

•     She made a promise to return.

•     It is time to leave.

•     He has no reason to complain.

•     We need a place to stay.

Verb + Object + To-Infinitive

Certain verbs are followed by an object and then a to-infinitive.

KEY RULE: verb + person/object + to-infinitive

Verb	Example
advise	The doctor advised me to rest.
allow	They allowed us to enter.
ask	She asked me to wait.
encourage	The teacher encouraged us to participate.
expect	I expect you to behave properly.
invite	They invited me to attend the programme.
order	The officer ordered the soldiers to march.
persuade	She persuaded him to apply.
remind	Please remind me to call him.
teach	My father taught me to swim.
tell	The teacher told us to remain quiet.
want	I want you to complete the work.
warn	They warned us not to touch the wire.

Advise, Allow, Permit and Recommend

Some verbs can take a gerund when no person is mentioned, but an object + to-infinitive when a person is mentioned.

•     The doctor advised resting for two days.

•     The doctor advised me to rest for two days.

•     The museum does not allow taking photographs.

•     The museum does not allow visitors to take photographs.

With recommend, prefer these standard structures:

•     I recommend reading this book.

•     I recommend that you read this book.

Do not write: I recommend you to read this book.

With suggest, use a gerund or a that-clause:

•     She suggested taking a taxi.

•     She suggested that we take a taxi.

Do not write: She suggested us to take a taxi.

When Do We Use a Bare Infinitive?

1. After Modal Verbs

•     You must complete the assignment.

•     She can speak three languages.

•     We should respect the rules.

2. After "Let" and "Make"

•     Let me explain.

•     They let the children play outside.

•     The teacher made us rewrite the answers.

•     The joke made everyone laugh.

In the passive voice, make takes a to-infinitive:

•     We were made to rewrite the answers.

•     He was made to apologise.

3. After "Had Better" and "Would Rather"

•     You had better leave now.

•     We had better inform the police.

•     I would rather stay at home.

•     She would rather walk than take a bus.

4. After "Why Not"

•     Why not ask the teacher?

•     Why not take a break?

5. After "Help"

Both forms are acceptable after help:

•     She helped me complete the project.

•     She helped me to complete the project.

6. After Verbs of Perception

After see, hear, watch, notice and feel, an object may be followed by a bare infinitive.

•     I saw him cross the road.

•     We heard the baby cry.

•     She watched the bird fly away.

The bare infinitive usually presents the action as complete. The -ing form presents the action as being in progress.

•     I saw him cross the road. I saw the complete action.

•     I saw him crossing the road. I saw the action while it was happening.

In the passive, use a to-infinitive:

•     He was seen to cross the road.

•     The baby was heard to cry.

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Advanced Gerund and Infinitive Forms

Form	Example
Simple gerund	He enjoys teaching.
Passive gerund	He dislikes being criticised.
Perfect gerund	She admitted having made a mistake.
Simple infinitive	She hopes to win.
Passive infinitive	She expects to be selected.
Perfect infinitive	He seems to have forgotten.
Continuous infinitive	She appears to be sleeping.

These forms help us express time and voice accurately:

•     Nobody likes being ignored.

•     He denied having stolen the money.

•     She hopes to be invited.

•     They appear to have completed the work.

•     The children seem to be enjoying themselves.

Common Errors to Avoid

Incorrect	Correct
I enjoy to read.	I enjoy reading.
She suggested me to go.	She suggested going./She suggested that I go.
I look forward to meet you.	I look forward to meeting you.
He made me to apologise.	He made me apologise.
They let us to enter.	They let us enter.
She is used to wake early.	She is used to waking early.
He used to waking early.	He used to wake early.
This film is worth to watch.	This film is worth watching.
He prevented me to enter.	He prevented me from entering.
I want that you help me.	I want you to help me.

Mastering Time and Voice with Gerunds and Infinitives: A Guide with Rules, Examples, and Exercises.

Quick Revision Chart

Situation	Correct form	Example
After a preposition	Gerund	interested in learning
General activity as subject	Gerund	Reading is useful.
After enjoy, avoid, finish, suggest	Gerund	enjoy reading
To express purpose	To-infinitive	went out to buy milk
After decide, hope, want, promise	To-infinitive	decided to leave
After an adjective	To-infinitive	happy to help
After modal verbs	Bare infinitive	must work
After let and active make	Bare infinitive	made him wait
After passive make	To-infinitive	was made to wait
After look forward to	Gerund	look forward to meeting
Past habit with used to	Bare infinitive	used to play
Accustomed to with be used to	Gerund	used to working

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 Gerund or Infinitive: 95 Graded Practice Questions

Easy-to-advanced exercises, complete answer key, and brief explanations

Exercise 1: Choose the Correct Form

LEVEL 1 - EASY | Questions 1-20 | One mark each

Choose the correct alternative to complete each sentence.

1.    I enjoy ______ historical novels. (to read / reading)

2.    She decided ______ the truth. (telling / to tell)

3.    He is interested in ______ French. (learning / to learn)

4.    They promised ______ on time. (arriving / to arrive)

5.    Avoid ______ unnecessary mistakes. (making / to make)

6.    The child was too tired ______. (walking / to walk)

7.    He left without ______ goodbye. (saying / to say)

8.    Let me ______ your mobile phone. (to use / use)

9.    The teacher made us ______ the composition. (rewrite / to rewrite)

10. I hope ______ you soon. (meeting / to meet)

11. She suggested ______ a taxi. (taking / to take)

12. We look forward to ______ you. (seeing / see)

13. I cannot afford ______ a new car. (buying / to buy)

14. Would you mind ______ the door? (opening / to open)

15. Rahul agreed ______ me. (helping / to help)

16. This monument is worth ______. (visiting / to visit)

17. They prevented us from ______ the building. (entering / to enter)

18. The student was made ______ for his behaviour. (apologise / to apologise)

19. You had better ______ now. (leave / to leave)

20. She went to the library ______ a reference book. (borrowing / to borrow)

Exercise 2: Complete with a Gerund or Infinitive

LEVEL 2 - EASY TO INTERMEDIATE | Questions 21-40 | One mark each

Use the correct form of the verb given in brackets.

21. You risk ______ everything if you act carelessly. (lose)

22. He failed ______ the warning sign. (notice)

23. The baby kept ______. (cry)

24. She refused ______ my question. (answer)

25. Have you finished ______ the report? (write)

26. He managed ______ the locked door. (open)

27. We are considering ______ to another city. (move)

28. I offered ______ the old woman's bag. (carry)

29. You should practise ______ English. (speak)

30. They postponed ______ the final decision. (make)

31. She seems ______ the problem. (understand)

32. I miss ______ with my grandparents. (live)

33. Can you imagine ______ without electricity? (live)

34. My sister is learning ______. (drive)

35. He denied ______ the confidential document. (take)

36. We expect ______ before evening. (arrive)

37. The boy admitted ______ the vase. (break)

38. They plan ______ Darjeeling next summer. (visit)

39. I could not help ______ at the joke. (laugh)

40. She chose ______ silent. (remain)

Exercise 3: Choose the Form That Matches the Meaning

LEVEL 3 - INTERMEDIATE | Questions 41-55 | One mark each

Complete each sentence according to its intended meaning. Pay special attention to remember, stop, try, regret, mean, go on, and need.

41. Remember ______ the lights before leaving. (switch off)

42. I remember ______ this palace as a child. (visit)

43. He stopped ______ after the doctor warned him. (smoke)

44. We stopped ______ some water. (drink)

45. Try ______ the device; it may start working. (restart)

46. She tried ______ the heavy table but could not move it. (lift)

47. I regret ______ so harshly to you. (speak)

48. We regret ______ you that the flight has been cancelled. (inform)

49. Working here means ______ at weekends. (work)

50. I meant ______ you, but I became busy. (call)

51. The teacher went on ______ the same rule. (explain)

52. After explaining the rule, she went on ______ some examples. (give)

53. Please remember ______ your project tomorrow. (bring)

54. I will never forget ______ the Taj Mahal for the first time. (see)

55. This shirt needs ______. (wash)

Exercise 4: Correct the Errors

LEVEL 4 - UPPER-INTERMEDIATE | Questions 56-70 | One mark each

Each sentence contains an error involving a gerund, to-infinitive, or bare infinitive. Rewrite it correctly.

56. I enjoy to read detective stories.

57. She suggested me to apply for the post.

58. We look forward to meet your parents.

59. The teacher made the students to wait.

60. Avoid to speak loudly in the library.

61. Let him to complete his answer.

62. She is interested to learn classical music.

63. I am used to wake up early.

64. He used to waking up at five.

65. It is no use to argue with him.

66. I want that you help me.

67. The guard prevented us to enter the hall.

68. The thief was seen leave the building.

69. This documentary is worth to watch.

70. He denied to steal the money.

Exercise 5: Rewrite the Sentences

LEVEL 5 - ADVANCED | Questions 71-80 | One mark each

Rewrite each sentence as directed without changing its meaning.

71. He went to the station because he wanted to receive his friend. (Use an infinitive of purpose.)

72. After she completed the assignment, she submitted it. (Use a gerund after 'after'.)

73. The box is so heavy that I cannot lift it. (Use too...to.)

74. The teacher said to me, 'Revise the chapter.' (Use told + object + infinitive.)

75. I suggest that we travel by train. (Use a gerund.)

76. It is useless to complain about the result. (Use no use.)

77. The room needs to be painted. (Use needs + gerund.)

78. He paused his journey because he wanted to rest. (Use stopped + infinitive.)

79. She continued to work despite her illness. (Use a gerund.)

80. The teacher forced us to rewrite the answers. (Use made.)

Exercise 6: Complete the Passage

LEVEL 6 - ADVANCED CONTEXTUAL PRACTICE | Questions 81-95 | One mark each

Complete the passage with the correct form of each verb in brackets.

Rina decided (81) ______ (prepare) seriously for her examination. She avoided (82) ______ (waste) time on social media and began (83) ______ (follow) a fixed timetable. Her parents encouraged her (84) ______ (work) regularly, but they also advised her (85) ______ (take) short breaks. At first, she found it difficult (86) ______ (concentrate) for long hours. She tried (87) ______ (study) in a quiet room, and the method worked. She soon became used to (88) ______ (wake) up early.

Her teacher suggested (89) ______ (revise) one chapter every day. Rina hoped (90) ______ (complete) the syllabus before the examination. She practised (91) ______ (write) answers within the given time and learnt (92) ______ (organise) her ideas clearly. She did not mind (93) ______ (ask) questions whenever she had doubts. Finally, she managed (94) ______ (finish) her preparation and looked forward to (95) ______ (take) the examination confidently.

Total: 95 marks

Suggested benchmark: 86-95 excellent; 71-85 very good; 56-70 developing; below 56 revise the rules and try again.

FULL ANSWER KEY

Correct answers are grouped by exercise. Brief explanations follow only where the grammar or meaning is easily confused.

Answers to Exercise 1 (Questions 1-20)

1. reading

2. to tell

3. learning

4. to arrive

5. making

6. to walk

7. saying

8. use

9. rewrite

10. to meet

11. taking

12. seeing

Why: In look forward to, to is a preposition, so it must be followed by a gerund.

13. to buy

14. opening

15. to help

16. visiting

17. entering

18. to apologise

Why: Active make takes a bare infinitive, but passive make restores to: was made to apologise.

19. leave

20.               to borrow

Why: To borrow expresses the purpose of going to the library.

Answers to Exercise 2 (Questions 21-40)

21.               losing

22.               to notice

23.               crying

24.               to answer

25.               writing

26.               to open

27.               moving

28.               to carry

29.               speaking

Why: Practise is followed by a gerund: practise speaking.

30.               making

31.               to understand

Why: Seem normally takes a to-infinitive: seems to understand.

32.               living

33.               living

34.               to drive

35.               taking

36.               to arrive

37.               breaking

38.               to visit

39.               laughing

Why: Cannot help is a fixed expression followed by a gerund.

40.               to remain

Answers to Exercise 3 (Questions 41-55)

41.               to switch off

42.               visiting

Why: Remember + gerund recalls an action or experience from the past.

43.               smoking

Why: Stop + gerund means discontinue the activity; he gave up smoking.

44.               to drink

Why: Stop + to-infinitive means pause one activity in order to do another.

45.               restarting

Why: Try + gerund means test a possible method or solution.

46.               to lift

Why: Try + to-infinitive means make an effort or attempt.

47.               speaking

48.               to inform

Why: Regret + to-infinitive is used for formally announcing unpleasant information.

49.               working

Why: Mean + gerund means involve or require.

50.               to call

51.               explaining

Why: Go on + gerund means continue the same action.

52.               to give

Why: Go on + to-infinitive means move to a new or different action.

53.               to bring

54.               seeing

55.               washing

Why: Need + gerund has passive meaning: the shirt needs to be washed.

Answers to Exercise 4 (Questions 56-70)

56.               I enjoy reading detective stories.

57.               She suggested that I apply for the post. / She suggested applying for the post.

Why: Suggest does not take object + to-infinitive. Use a gerund or a that-clause.

58.               We look forward to meeting your parents.

Why: The to in look forward to is a preposition, not an infinitive marker.

59.               The teacher made the students wait.

Why: Active make is followed by a bare infinitive: made the students wait.

60.               Avoid speaking loudly in the library.

61.               Let him complete his answer.

62.               She is interested in learning classical music.

63.               I am used to waking up early.

Why: Be used to means be accustomed to; here to is a preposition and takes a gerund.

64.               He used to wake up at five.

Why: Used to + bare infinitive describes a past habit or state.

65.               It is no use arguing with him.

66.               I want you to help me.

67.               The guard prevented us from entering the hall.

Why: The correct pattern is prevent + object + from + gerund.

68.               The thief was seen to leave the building.

Why: A perception verb in the passive takes a to-infinitive: was seen to leave.

69.               This documentary is worth watching.

70.               He denied stealing the money.

Answers to Exercise 5 (Questions 71-80)

71.               He went to the station to receive his friend.

72.               After completing the assignment, she submitted it.

73.               The box is too heavy for me to lift.

Why: Too...to expresses impossibility; for me identifies the person unable to lift the box.

74.               The teacher told me to revise the chapter.

75.               I suggest travelling by train.

76.               It is no use complaining about the result.

77.               The room needs painting.

Why: Needs painting is equivalent to needs to be painted; the gerund has passive meaning.

78.               He stopped to rest.

Why: Stopped to rest means he paused his journey for the purpose of resting.

79.               She continued working despite her illness.

80.               The teacher made us rewrite the answers.

Why: Made + object takes a bare infinitive in the active voice.

Answers to Exercise 6 (Questions 81-95)

81.               to prepare

82.               wasting

83.               following / to follow

Why: Begin may take either a gerund or a to-infinitive here without an important change in meaning.

84.               to work

85.               to take

86.               to concentrate

87.               studying

Why: Try studying means test this method; the sentence confirms that the method worked.

88.               waking

Why: In become used to, to is a preposition and is followed by a gerund.

89.               revising

Why: Suggest is followed by a gerund when no that-clause is used.

90.               to complete

91.               writing

92.               to organise

93.               asking

94.               to finish

95.               taking

Why: Look forward to ends with the preposition to, so taking is required.

Completed Passage

Rina decided to prepare seriously for her examination. She avoided wasting time on social media and began following/to follow a fixed timetable. Her parents encouraged her to work regularly, but they also advised her to take short breaks. At first, she found it difficult to concentrate for long hours. She tried studying in a quiet room, and the method worked. She soon became used to waking up early.

Her teacher suggested revising one chapter every day. Rina hoped to complete the syllabus before the examination. She practised writing answers within the given time and learnt to organise her ideas clearly. She did not mind asking questions whenever she had doubts. Finally, she managed to finish her preparation and looked forward to taking the examination confidently.

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