TEACHER’S NOTES

ESL / EFL RESOURCES University Life Interactive Worksheet

Activity Type Introduction

Interactive reading and In this -ed and -ing adjectives interactive worksheet, students
writing exercises practice identifying and using -ed and -ing adjectives in emails
about studying abroad at university.

Language Focus This worksheet contains a highlighting exercise. To be able to

-ed and -ing adjectives
Aim
To practice identifying
and using -ed and -ing
adjectives.
highlight text, please view the PDF worksheet in Adobe Reader.
Procedure
Students start by highlighting incorrect adjectives using their PDF
software's highlighting tool. Students write the correct adjectives
in the spaces provided. Note: Not all adjectives are incorrect.
Exercise A - Answer key

Preparation 1. perplexed > perplexing 6. interesting > interested

2. correct 7. worrying > worried
Send each student a 3. tempt > tempting 8. correct
copy of the interactive 4. thrilling > thrilled 9. challenging > challenged
worksheet. 5. correct 10. captivated > captivating

Students then highlight the correct -ed or -ing adjectives to

Level complete an email from Olivia to her parents.
Upper-intermediate (B1)
Exercise B - Answer key

Time 1. tiring 5. flattered 9. relaxing

2. annoyed 6. concerned 10. interesting
35 minutes 3. embarrassed 7. bewildering 11. energising
4. charming 8. relieved* 12. exciting

*The adjective form for relieve is almost always relieved.

Next, Students complete a second email from Olivia with -ed and
-ing adjectives from a box.

Exercise C - Answer key

1. challenging 5. shocked* 9. surprised*

2. convinced 6. overwhelming 10. boring
3. depressed 7. confused 11. fascinating
4. comforting 8. embarrassed 12. encouraging

*Shocked and surprised can be switched.

In the last exercise, students write a reply to Olivia's emails using

-ed and -ing adjectives. When the students have finished, check
their emails and use of adjectives.
Note: This is an editable PDF. To edit the document, select the Edit
PDF tool in Acrobat.

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ESL / EFL RESOURCES University Life Interactive Worksheet

A. Highlight the incorrect adjectives using your PDF software's highlighting tool.
Write the correct adjectives in the spaces provided. Note: Not all items are incorrect.

.................. 1. It was perplexed to try to understand all the cultural differences at first.

.................. 2. Her parents were worried when they read about Olivia's travelling experiences.

.................. 3. I t's tempt to go to all the parties, but then you wouldn't have enough time to
study.

.................. 4. I was thrilling when I found out that I was accepted at an overseas university.

.................. 5. I t was difficult to adjust to the new food. She thought it was disgusting at
first, but now she likes some of it.

.................. 6. Are you interesting in 19th century literature?

.................. 7. I was worrying at first because I wasn't sure if I was going to make any new
friends. However, I made lots of friends. Everyone was so kind and friendly.

.................. 8. When you have finished your homework, put on some relaxing music and rest.

.................. 9. I don't feel challenging by that course. It's too easy. I studied all the material
last year.

.................. 10. That was a captivated film. I didn't know history could be so interesting.

B. Highlight the correct italicised -ed or -ing adjectives to complete Olivia's email.

Dear Mum and Dad,

Well, I'm here. I arrived safely at my new home away from

home after a long and (1) tired / tiring day. On the plane, I got

really (2) annoyed / annoying because the kid behind me kept

kicking the back of my seat. His mother was (3) embarrassed

/ embarrassing by his behaviour, but she didn't do much about

it. Then, while I was waiting for a bus, a (4) charmed / charming man told me how nice I

looked. I felt (5) flattered / flattering but (6) concerned / concerning for my safety. Then he

asked me for money. I said no, but the experience was (7) bewildered / bewildering. I'm (8)

relieved / relieving to finally be here in the student dorm.

My dorm room looks (9) relaxed / relaxing. My roommate, Chelsea, put (10) interested /

interesting pictures on the wall. Chelsea is active in a lot of things, and I think she will be (11)

energised / energising for me. What an (12) excited / exciting day!

Love, Olivia

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 -ED AND -ING ADJECTIVES

ESL / EFL RESOURCES University Life Interactive Worksheet

C. Complete Olivia's second email with the -ed and -ing adjectives from the box.

boring confused embarrassed overwhelming

challenging convinced encouraging shocked
comforting depressed fascinating surprised

Dear Mum and Dad,

I've been here for a week now, and it's been a (1) ........................... time. I was

almost (2) ........................... that my roommate Chelsea didn't like me because I hardly

saw her. But she's just very active. When I felt homesick and (3) ...........................,

she was very (4) ............................ I think we're going to be good friends.

Yesterday, I went to a football game with Chelsea. I was (5) ........................... at first

because everyone was so energetic and loud, and I'm not used to that. It was my first

football game, and it was (6) ............................ Now, I can't wait to watch another game.

I was late for student orientation because I got (7) ........................... about where to

go. The campus is big! I was (8) ........................... to be late, but nobody said anything.

I was (9) ........................... to find that I like all my classes, even my Chemistry class.

I thought it would be (10) ..........................., but it's (11) ........................... to

learn with a really good professor. He is helpful and (12) ............................

Love, Olivia

D. You are Olivia's mum or dad. Write a reply to her using -ed and -ing adjectives.

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