UNIT I GRAMMAR: REVIEW OF TENSES

UNIT I GRAMMAR: REVIEW OF
TENSES

UNIT I GRAMMAR: REVIEW OF TENSES
Present Continuous and Simple Present
Present Continuous is used to:
— talk about something which is in progress at the moment of speaking
"Where are the children?" "They're playing in the garden."
"What are you doing at the moment?" "I'm writing a letter."
You can switch off the TV. I'm not watching it. Look, there's Sally. Who is she talking to? "Where is
Margaret?" "She's having a bath." Let's go out now. It isn't raining any more, (at a party) Hello, Ann. Are
you enjoying the party?
— talk about something which is in progress around the present, but not necessarily at the moment of
speaking
She's looking for a job at the moment.
Please don't take that book. Ann is reading it.
Andrew is spending a lot of time in the library these days,
as he's writing an article.
Have you heard about Tom? He's building his own house.
— talk about something which is in progress for a limited period around the present (temporary state,
current situations)

Robert is on holiday this week. He's staying with his sister in Bournemouth.
"You're working hard today." "Yes, I have a lot to do." They are living in Hong Kong for the time being. I
can't phone Peter. The phone isn't working. Dick is a student, but he's working as a barman during the
holidays.
— talk about situations which are changing or developing around the present
Your children are growing up very quickly. Computers are becoming more and more important in our
lives. The population of the world is rising very fast.
— talk about planned future arrangements
She's arriving at the airport tomorrow at noon. I'm having lunch with Helen tomorrow. We're spending next
winter in Australia. We're leaving at ten o'clock on Friday. I'm meeting Janet later this evening.
— express a habit, to talk about something that happens more often than is normal, (repeated actions
with adverbs like always, forever, constantly and continually) It can express a pleasant habit.
I like Peter. He's always smiling. He's always giving people things.
However, there's usually an element of criticism.
She's always grumbling. (I find it annoying.)
You're forever losing things. (You lose things too often.)
He's constantly complaining about something.
The secretary is always phoning her friends during office
hours. (She phones her friends too often.)
It is also possible to say: The secretary always phones her friends during office hours.
This is a more neutral comment and not necessarily a criticism. We put always, forever, constantly and
continually before the main verb.
Jenny is constantly (always, forever, continually) arguing with her father.
— give a commentary on a performance or activity She's taking off her tracksuit and ...
Comment on the uses of the Present Continuous.
1. I'm always paying for your coffee. Why can't you pay for a change? 2. We're spending next winter in
Australia. 3. Don't rush me. I'm working as fast as I can. 4. We're enjoying our holiday here very much. 5.
Young people are becoming more and more politically aware these days. 6. Ben and Patty are in London
on holiday. They are staying at a small hotel near Hyde Park. 7. I'm meeting Sue on Saturday evening. 8.
You are constantly panicing, aren't you? Calm down. 9. Is he arriving tomorrow? 10. What are you

drinking? It looks awful. 11. She is always helping people. 12. She is still waiting to see the boss. 13. He
is always upsetting people by asking personal questions. 14. She is running 1,500 metres in the next
Olympics. 15. What is Maria doing these days? — She is studying English at a school in London. 16. She
is forever forgetting to lock the front door. 17. He's hurrying to catch his train. 18. Prices are rising all the
time. Everything is getting more and more expensive. 19. Tom isn't playing football this season. He wants
to concentrate on his studies. 20. Is your English getting better? 21. I'm having treatment on my bad back
for a few weeks. 22. He's always lying. You can't believe a word he says. 23. Let's go out now. It isn't
raining any more. 24. Please be quiet. I'm trying to concentrate. 25. My sister is very busy these days.
She's writing an article. 26. I'm learning English at evening classes this year. 27. Jennifer's always losing
her key. 28. Are you seeing Nigel tomorrow? 29. I'm living with friends until I find a place of my own. 30.
You are spending a lot of money these days.
Simple Present is used to:
— talk about repeated actions or habits (habitual actions)
I have a shower every morning.
Most evenings my parents stay at home and watch TV.
Do you go to the cinema very often?
What time does Kate finish work?
How often do you go to the dentist?
In summer Tom usually plays tennis twice a week.
Ann doesn't often drink coffee.
— talk about situations which are permanent (continuing for a long time)
Mr and Mrs Shaw live in Bristol. (That is their permanent
home.)
Barry works in a shop.
She wears expensive clothes.
— talk about general truths
Summer follows spring.
The River Amazon flows into the Atlantic Ocean.
It rains a lot in Britain in March and April.
— give instructions

You turn left at the corner. First you weigh the ingredients.
— tell a joke or a story, to describe the dramatic action of a play (dramatic use)
The Englishman goes to the Irishman and says...
— talk about fixed future events (timetables, calendar)
Our plane leaves at nine. The course ends in two weeks. The World Cup begins tomorrow. What time
does the film start?
— make suggestions
Why don't they go on a day-trip? Why don't you join us?
— make commentaries
Becker serves (подаёт мяч) to Lendl.
— make observations and declarations
I hope so. I love you. It says here that...
Simple Present is also used with certain verbs not normally used in the continuous forms. These verbs
are called stative. They refer to states rather than actions.
These are the groups of verbs:
1. verbs of the mind and thinking: believe, think, consider, understand, suppose, expect, agree, know,
remember, forget, doubt, mean, mind
What do you think of that book?
I believe you are the man I'm looking for.
She knows now what she has done wrong.
Paul doesn't mind if you use his car.
Do you remember me now?
I see the point. = I understand the point.
He feels that he is right. = He is of the opinion that he
is right.
2. verbs of emotion and feeling: like, dislike, hate, love, want, wish, prefer, care
I like playing football.
I hate getting up early in the morning.
3. verbs of the senses :see, smell, taste, hear
I hear the sound of gun-fire. The cake smells good. The wine tastes sweet.

4. verbs of possession: have, possess, belong to, own
I have two sisters.
He owns a Rolls Royce.
The book belongs to me.
She doesn't possess a thing in the world.
5. certain other verbs: concern, depend on, include, need,
owe,seem and others
I need a bath.
. That doesn't concern me. A newspaper costs about 20 p.
Some of these verbs can be used in the continuous tenses when the verb expresses an activity, not a
state. However the meaning changes slightly.
Compare:
I think it's a great idea, (think as opinion, i.e. a state) He's thinking of emigrating, (think as mental process,
i.e.an activity)
The soup tastes delicious, (a state) I'm tasting the soup to see if it needs more salt, (an activity)
I expect you'd like something to eat. (expect meaning suppose)
She's expecting a baby. (She's pregnant.) Jane has a car. (possession)
The Browns are having dinner at the moment, (an activity),
Some of the stative verbs can be used in the continuous form when they show that a process is taking
place gradually or that a situation is temporary or unusual:
I'm on holiday in Blackpool and I'm loving every minute of it.
I'm slowly remembering all the details of the accident. You're being very silly.
Comment on the uses of the Simple Present.
1. Nurses look after patients in hospitals. 2. Why don't you give up smoking? 3.1 am weighing myself. I
weigh 65 kilos. 4. This coat belongs to you. 5. She drives to London once a week. 6. Can he manage? —
I hope so. 7. She loves her baby more than anything. 8.1 occasionally eat meat. 9. Do you see that bird
over there? 10.1 wear old clothes at home. 11. The car stops outside the National Bank. Three men get
out and the driver stays in the car. The three men walk into the bank and take out their guns. 12.
Vegetarians don't eat meat or fish. 13. Let me explain what you have to do. First you take the photos and
sort them into categories. Then you file them according to subject. 14.1 often forget things. 15. Why

doesn't he take up tennis? 16. Gases expand when heated. 17. Something smells strange. 18. We drink a
lot of tea. 19. My uncle works in a factory. 20. The coach leaves at 6 this morning. 21. You know what I
mean. 22. Do you like the
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music? — Yes, it's nice. 23.1 always go out on Sundays. 24. The concert starts at 7 next Friday. 25. They
pay $60 a week rent. 26.1 need two notebooks. 27. We sit here every evening. I sometimes read a book.
28. He laughs a lot. 29. Ellis throws the ball in to Snow, but he loses it. 30. Watson gives the ball to
Tanner. Tanner goes past two men, he shoots, but the ball hits a Liverpool player. 31. Does he seem
unfriendly? 32. He never gets up early. 33. I have a car, but I don't use it very often. 34. How many
cigarettes do you smoke a day? 35. What time do banks close in England? 36. If you need money, why
don't you get a job? 37. I play the piano, but I don't play very well. 38. The earth goes round the sun. 39.
How often do you write to your parents? 40. You cook it for five minutes, and then you put the onions in.
41. What do you think of the film? 42.1 cry at sad films. 43. The sun rises in the east. 44. I think you are
right. 45. My car doesn't go very fast. 46. Does Brazil export cocoa? 47. Hot air rises. 46. It's not right, you
know — I agree. 49.1 hear a bird. It is singing. 50. I'm hungry. I want a sandwich. 51. The conference
starts on June 3 rd and finishes on June 10th. 52. She works from Mondays to Fridays. She doesn't work
at weekends. 53. How often do you go swimming?— I go about once a week. 54. Loud music gives me a
headache.
Present Continuous (I'm doing) or Simple Present (Ido)?
Present Continuous (/ am doing) Simple Present (/ do)
Use the Present Continuous to talk Use the Simple Present to talk
about something which is happening about things m general or things
at or around the time of speaking: which happen repeatedly:
The kettle is boiling. Can you rum Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius.
it off?
Listen to those people. What Excuse me, do you speak English?
language are they speaking?
"Where's Tom?" "He's playing Tom plays tennis on Saturday.
tennis."
(you find a stranger in your room) What do you usually do at weekends?

What are you doing here? What do you do? (= What's your job?)
Silvia is m Britain for three Most neonle learn to swim when
months. She's learning English. they are children.
Use the Present Continuous for Use the Simple Present for a
a temporary situation: permanent situation:
I'm living with some friends until My parents live in London. They
I can find a flat. have been there for 20 years.
The machine isn't working. It That machine doesn't work. It hasn't
broke down this morning. worked for years.
I'm sleeping on a sofa these days I always sleep eight hours every
because my bed is broken. night.
Self check
I. Complete the following dialogues by using the words in parentheses. Also give short answers to the
questions as necessary. Use the Simple Present or the Present Continuous.
1. A: (Mary, have) a bicycle?
B: Yes,.... She (have) a ten-speed bike.
2. A: (It, rain) right now?
B: No,... . At least, I (think, not) so.
3. A: (You, like) sour oranges? B: No,... . I (like) sweet ones.
4. A: (Your friends, write) a lot of letters?
B: Yes,.... I (get) lots of letters all the time.
5. A: (The students, take) a test in class right now? B: No,.... They (do) an exercise.
6. A: (You, know) Tom Adams? B: No,.... I've never met him.
7. A: (Your desk, have) any drawers? B: Yes,.... It has six drawers.
8. A: (Jean, study) at the library this evening?
B: No,.... She (be) at the student union. She (play) pool
with her friend.
A: (Jean, play) pool every evening? В: No,.... She usually (study) at the library. A: (She, be) a good
player?
B: Yes,.... She (play) pool three or four times a week. A: (You, know) how to play pool? B: Yes,.... But I

(be, not) very good.
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A: Let's play sometime.
B: Okay. That sounds like fun.
П. Complete the sentences by using the words in parentheses. Use the Simple Present or the Present
Continuous. Some of the sentences are negative. Some of the sentences are questions. Supply the short
answer to a question if necessary.
1. A: Shhh. I (hear) a noise. (You, hear) it too? B: Yes,.... I wonder what it is.
2. A: Ron, (be) this your hat?
B: No,.... It (belong, not) to me. Maybe it (belong) to Kevin.
Why (you, not, ask) him? A: Okay.
3. A: Johnny, (you, listen) to me?
B: Of course I..., Mom. You (want) me to take out the garbage. Right? A: Right! And right now!
4. A: (You, see) that man over there?
B: Which man? The man in the brown jacket?
A: No, I (talk) about the man who (wear) the blue shirt.
B: Oh, that man.
A: (You, know) him?
B: No, I (think, not) so.
A: I (know, not) him either.
5. A: Shhh.
B: Why? (The baby, sleep)?
A: Uh-huh. She (take) her afternoon nap.
B: Okay, I'll talk softly. I (want, not) to wake her up.
6. A: A penny for your thoughts. /О чем вы задумались?/ В: Huh?
A: What (you, think) about right now?
B: I (think) about English grammar. I (think, not) about
anything else now. A: I (believe, not) you! B: But it's true.
III. Complete the sentences. Use the Simple Present or Present Continuous.
Г. Alice (take, not) the bus to school every day. She usually (walk) instead. (Take, you) the bus to get to

school every day, or
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(walk, you)? 2. It (rain, not) right now. The sun (shine). (Rain, it) a lot here? 3. Right now I (look) at the
board. (I, see) some words on the blackboard. 4. I (need) to call my parents today and tell them about my
new apartment. They can't call me because they (know, not) my new telephone number. 5. The tea is
good. I (like) it. What kind is it? I (prefer) tea to coffee. How about you? 6. Right now the children (be) at
the beach. They (have) a good time. They (have) a beach ball and they (play) with it. They (like) to play
catch. Their parents (sunbathe). They (try) to get a tan. . They (listen) to some music on a transistor radio.
They also (hear) the sound of sea gulls and the sound of the waves. 7. Right now I (think) about sea gulls
and waves. I (think) that sea gulls are beautiful birds. 8. Sam is at the library. He (sit) at a table. He (write)
a composition. He (use) a dictionary to lookup the spelling of some words. The dictionary (belong, not) to
him. It (belong) to his roommate. Sam (look) up words in the dictionary because he (want) to make sure
that he doesn't have any misspelled words in his paper.
9. A: Which colour (prefer, you), red or blue? B: I (like) blue better than red. Why? A: According to this
magazine article I (read) right now, people who (prefer) blue to red (be) calm and (value) honesty and
loyalty in their friends. A preference for the colour red (mean) that a person (be) aggressive and (love)
excitement. B: Oh? That (sound) like a bunch of nonsense to me.
10. A: (Believe, you) in flying saucers? B: What (talk, you) about?
A: You know, spaceships from outer space with alien creatures aboard. B: In my opinion, flying saucers
(exist) only in people's
imagination.
11. Janice: What (write, you) in your notebook?
Diane: I (make) notes about questions I want to ask the
teacher.
Janice: (Prepare, you, always) so thoroughly for every class? Diane: I (try, always) to.
12. Bob: Jack really makes me angry! Sue: Why?
Bob: Well, for one thing, he (interrupt, always) me. I can
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barely get a whole sentence out of my mouth. Sue: Is that all? Bob: No. He (ask, always) me to do his
homework for him.

I have enough homework of my own without doing
his homework too!
13. Mother: Susie! Get your fingers out of the dessert! What
(do, you)?
Susie: I (taste) the cake. It (taste) good. Mother: Well, you'll just have to wait until dinnertime. You
can have some then.
14. This morning it (rain). I can see Janet from my window. She (stand) at the corner of 5th and Pine. She
(hold) her umbrella over her head. She (wait) for the bus. 15. Right now I (look) at Janet. She (look)
angry. I wonder what's the matter. She (have) a frown on her face. She certainly (have, not) any fun right
now. 16.1 can't afford that thing. It (cost) too much. 17.1 (own, not) an umbrella. I (wear) a waterproof hat
on rainy days. 18. The house is in a mess, because we've got the workmen in. The plumber (put) in a
new bath, the electricians (rewire) the system, and the carpenter (build) us some new bookshelves. 19.
You (hear)ihe wind? It (blow) very strongly tonight. 20. You (see) my car keys anywhere? — No, I (look)
for them but I (not see) them. 21. Why you (walk) so fast today? You (walk, usually) quite slowly. — I
(hurry) because I (meet) my mother at 4 o'clock and she (not like) to be kept waiting. 22. You (recognize)
that man? — I (think) I have seen him before but I (not remember) his name. 23. Look at that crowd. I
(wonder) what they (wait) for. 24. Stop! You (not see) the notice? — I (see) it but I can't read it because I
(not wear) my glasses. What it (say)? — It (say), "These premises are patrolled by guard dogs." 25. You
(need) another blanket or you (feel) warm enough? 26. It (save) time if I (take) the path through the
wood? — No, it (not matter) which path you take. 27.1 (save) up because I (go) abroad in July. 28.1
(think) it is a pity you don't take more exercise. You (get) fat. 29. The plane that you (look) at now just
(take) off for Paris. 30. Tom never (do) any work in the garden; he always (work) on his car. — What he
(do) in his car now? — I (think) he (polish) it. 31. That film (come) to the local cinema next week. You
(want) to see it? 32. How Peter (get) on at school? — Very well. He (seem) to like the life. 33. Why Mrs
Pitt (look) so angry? — Mr Pitt (smoke) a
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cigarette and (drop) the ash on the carpet. 34. This is our itinerary. We (leave) home on the 8th, (arrive) in
Paris on the 9th, (spend) the day in Paris, and (set) out that night for Venice. — That (sound) most
interesting. You must tell me all about it when you (get) back. 35. This story is about a boy who (make)
friends with a snake which he (find) in his garden. Then he (go) away but he (not forget) the snake and

some years later he (return) and (look) for it. He (find) the snake who (recognize) its old friend and (coil)
round him affectionally. But, unfortunately, the snake is by now a full-grown boa-constrictor and its
embrace (kill) the poor boy. — The snake (feel) sorry about this? — I (not know). The story (end) here.
36. How you (end) a letter that (begin), "Dear Sir"? — I always (put), "Yours truly", but Tom (prefer)
"Yours faithfully". 37. What the word "catastrophe" (mean)? — It (mean) "disaster". 38. What you (wait)
for? — I (wait) for the shop to open. — But it (not open) till 9.00. — I (know) but I (want) to be early as
their sale (start) today. 39. Why you (smoke) a cigar, Mrs Pitt? You (not smoke) cigars as a rule. —-I
(smoke) it because I (want) the ash. This book (say) that cigar ash mixed with oil (remove) heat stains
from wood. 40. Who (own) this umbrella? — I (not know). Everybody (use) it but nobody (know) who
(own) it. 41. You (mind) if I (ask) you a question? — That (depend) on the question. — It (concern) your
brother. — I (refuse) to answer any questions about my brother. 42. The last train (leave) the station at
11.30. 43. You (enjoy) yourself or would you like to leave now? — I (enjoy) myself very much. I (want) to
stay to the end. 44. How you (get) to work as a rule? — I usually (go) by bus but tomorrow I (go) in Tom's
car. 45. Why you (put) on your coat? — I (go) for a walk. You (come) with me? — Yes, I'd love to come.
You (mind) if I bring my dog? 46. You (belong) to your local library? — Yes, I do. — You (read) a lot? —
Yes, quite a lot. — How often you (change) your books? — I (change) one every day. 47. You (like) this
necklace? I (give) it to my daughter for her birthday tomorrow. 48. These workmen are never satisfied;
they always (complain). 49. You (write) to him tonight? — Yes, I always (write) to him on his birthday. You
(want) to send any message? 50. Tom and Mr Pitt (have) a long conversation. I (wonder) what they (talk)
about. 51. You (believe) all that the newspapers say? — No, I (not believe) any of it. — Then why you
(read)
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newspapers? 52. This car (make) a very strange noise. You (think) it is all right? — Oh, that noise (not
matter). It always (make) a noise like that. 53. The fire (smoke) horribly. I can't see acfoss the room. — I
(expect) that birds (build) a nest in the chimney. — Why you (not put) wire across the tops of your
chimneys? — Tom (do) that sometimes but it (not seem) to make any difference. 54. The children are
very quiet. Go and see what they (do). — They (cut) up some $ 5 notes. 55. What you (wait) for? — I
(wait) for my change; the boy just (get) it. 56. I can't hear what you (say); the traffic (make) too much
noise. 57. She always (lose) her glasses and(ask) me to look for them. 58. Someone (knock) at the door.
Shall I answer it? — I (come) in a minute. I just (wash) my hands. 59. You (do) anything this evening? —

No, I'm not. — Well, I (go) to the cinema. Would you like to come with me? 60. We (have) breakfast at
8.00 tomorrow as Tom (catch) an early train. 61. They (dig) an enormous hole just outside my gate. —
What they (do) that for? — I don't know. Perhaps they (look) for oil. 62. What (make) that terrible noise?
— It's the pneumatic drill. They (repair) the road. 63. (You sit) comfortably? Good! I (hope) you (study)
this text carefully because I (have) news for you. The Guiness Book of Records (not include) records for
eating any more. People who (try) to swallow 47 hard boiled eggs in half a minute will have to do it for
pleasure and not to get into the record book. "We (regard) these records as unhealthy," said the book's
editor, Mr Donald McFarlan. 64. We (hope) you (enjoy) this marvellous weather as much as we are. We
(sunbathe) and (go) swimming every day. Next week we (go) boating. 65. The play is set m London in
1890. The action (take) place in Sir Don Wyatt's mansion. When the curtain (go) up, the hero and heroine
(sit) in the lounge. They (argue).
66. Ann sees Tom putting on his coat and says: Where you (go), Tom?
Tom: I (go) to buy some cigarettes. You (want) an evening paper?
Ann: No, thanks. You always (buy) cigarettes, Tom. How many you (smoke) a day?
Tom: I (not smoke) very many—perhaps 20. Jack (smoke) far more than I (do). He (spend) £10 a week
on cigarettes.
67. Mary (see) Peter standing at the bus stop.
Mary: Hello, Peter. What bus you (wait) for?
Peter: Hello, Mary. I (wait) for a 9 or a 14.
Mary: You usually (go) to work by car, don't you?
Peter: Yes, but the car (belong) to my mother and she sometimes (want) it. She (use) it today to take Bob
to the dentist.
Mary: I usually (go) by car too. Jack (take) me because he (pass) my office on his way to the factory. But
this week he (work) in a factory in the opposite direction, so I (queue) like you.
Peter: Here's a 9 now. You (come) on it or you (wait) for a 14?
Mary:I (think) I'll take the 9. If I (wait) for a 141 may be late, and if you (be) late at my office everyone
(look) at you.
68. Mary and Ann (wait) outside a telephone box. Inside the box a boy (dial) a number.
Mary: You (know) that boy?
Ann: Yes, he's a friend of my brother's. He (phone) his

girl friend every day from this box. Mary: Where he (come) from? Ann: He (come) from Japan. He's a
very clever boy; he
(speak) four languages. Mary: I (wonder) what he (speak) now. Ann: Well, his girl friend (come) from
Japan too; so I
(suppose) he (speak) Japanese.
69. It is 8.30. Tom and Ann (have) breakfast. They both (open) their letters.
Tom: No one ever (write) to me. All I (get) is bills! You (have)
anything interesting? Ann: I've got a letter from Hugh. He (say) he (come) to
London next week and (want) us to meet him for
lunch.
70. Peter: You (have) traffic wardens in your country? Pedro: No, I (not think) so. You (not see) them in
my town
anyway. What exactly a traffic warden (do)? Peter: He (walk) up and down the street and if a car (stay)
too long at a parking place or (park) in a no-parking area he (stick) a parking ticket to the windscreen.
Look! He (put) a ticket on Tom's car. Tom
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will be furious when he (see) it. He (hate) getting parking tickets.
71. What (happen) in your class? The teacher (give) lectures every day? No. He (give) one lecture a
week, and on the other days he (show) films or (discuss) books with us.
72. Why that man (stand) in the middle of the road? —
He (try) to get across. He (wait) for a gap in the traffic. — Why he (not use) the subway? —
Lots of people (not bother) to use the subway. They (prefer) to risk their lives crossing here.
73. You (wear) a new coat, aren't you? — Yes. You (like) it? —
The colour (suit) you but it (not fit) you very well. It's much too big.
74. Ann (on telephone): You (do) anything at the moment, Sally?
Sally: Yes. I (pack); I (catch) a plane to New York in three
hours' time. Ann: Lucky girl! How long you (stay) in New York?
75. Jack: I just (go) out to get an evening paper.
Ann: But it (pour)! Why you (not wait) till the rain (stop)?
76. Mrs Jones: My daughter never (write) to me so I never

(know) what she (do). Your son (write) to you, Mrs Smith? Mrs Smith: Yes, I hear from him every week.
He (seem)
to like writing letters. 77.1 (see) my solicitor tomorrow; I (change) my will. —
You always (change) your will. Why you (not leave) it alone?
78. You (look) very thoughtful. What you (think) about? — I (think) about my retirement. —
But you're only 25. You only just (start) your career. — I (know); but I (read) an article which (say) that a
sensible man (start) thinking about retirement at 25.
79. Jack: How much longer you (stay) in England?
Paul: Only one more day. I (leave) tomorrow night. I (go)
to Holland for two weeks. Jack: And you (come) back to England after that or you
(go) home? Paul: It (depend) on my father. But if he (agree) to let me
go on studying here I'll certainly come back. And
I (expect) he will agree. By the way, Jack, Ann
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(see) me off at Victoria tomorrow. Why you (not come) too? You could have coffee with her afterwards.
80. What all those people (do) in the middle of the street? And why they (wear) such extraordinary
clothes? —
They (make) a film. Most of the crowd are local people who
(work) as extras. —
It (sound) great fun. You (think) I could get a job as a film
extra? —
I (not know) but I (see) Ann over there; when they (finish)
this scene I'll ask her if they still (take) on extras. —
Ann (act) in the film? —
She has a small part. She (not act) very well. I (imagine) she
got the part because she (know) the director.
81. Mrs Jones: What you (look) for, Tom?
Mr Jones: I (look) for the garage key. I always (look) for the garage key, because nobody ever (put) it
back on its hook.
Mrs Jones: I always (put) it back on its hook. Why you (not try) your pockets?

82. Imagine that you (travel) by train, in a crowded compartment. One of the passengers (read) a
newspaper; another (do) a crossword puzzle; another (look) out of the window. Suddenly the train (stop)
with a jerk and your suitcase (fall) off the rack on to somebody's toes.
83.1 (hear) that you have bought a new house. —
Yes, but I (not live) in it yet. They still (work) on it, and the
work (take) longer than I expected. —
I (think) repair jobs always (take) longer than one (expect).
IV. Translate from Russian into English.
1. Позвони ему сейчас. Я думаю, он еще не спит. 2. Я сейчас много работаю. Я сдаю экзамены. 3.
Он не видит, что я на него смотрю. Он читает что-то с большим интересом. 4. Где Нина? — У нее
урок английского языка. У нее всегда английский по пятницам. 5. Давай пойдем прогуляемся.
Дождя нет. 6. Мой брат работает инженером на заводе. Он говорит, ему очень нравится его
работа. 7. Ваша дочь ходит в школу? — Да, она в пятом классе. — Вы помогаете ей по
математике? —
20
Постоянно. 8. Мой отец хорошо знает английский язык. Он читает английские книги без словаря. 9.
Послушай. Звонит телефон. 10. Мой сын плохо успевает в школе. Он тратит слишком много
времени на спорт и слишком мало времени на уроки. 11. Где ты обычно проводишь отпуск? — В
Белоруссии. Мои родители живут там. — Там есть река или озеро? — Там есть большое и
красивое озеро. Я хорошо провожу там время. 12. Мой брат живет далеко от меня. Я не часто его
вижу. 13. Куда ты торопишься? — В кино. Мой друг ждет меня около кинотеатра. 14. Кому
принадлежит этот дом? — Это дом моего дяди. 15. Сколько стоит этот магнитофон? — 200
долларов. 16. С кем она разговаривает? — Со своим начальником. 17. Мой брат дипломат. Он
часто ездит за границу. 18. Мужчина так пристально смотрит на вас. Вы его знаете? 19. Что ты
слушаешь? — Я слушаю народные песни, я очень люблю их. 20. У моего брата есть автомобиль,
но я никогда им не пользуюсь. Я хочу купить свой автомобиль. 21. Позвони на вокзач и узнай,
когда приходит поезд из Берлина. 22. Я не люблю ее. Она постоянно ворчит. 23. Ты часто пишешь
своим родителям? — Каждую неделю. 24. Не бери эту книгу. Мой брат читает ее. 25. Темнеет.
Включи свет. 26. Я никогда не езжу на работу. Я всегда хожу пешком. 27. Ты идешь в университет?
— Нет. Я иду в библиотеку. 28. Она очень рассеянная. Она постоянно теряет вещи. 29. Моя сестра

живет сейчас в Москве. Она там учится в Московском университете. 30. Дождь все еще идет? —
Да. 31. Мы уезжаем в пятницу в 8 часов утра. Мы встречаемся на вокзале в 7.30. 32. За что он ей
так нравится? — Она говорит, что он добрый и умный. 33. Вы помните меня? Мы вместе учились в
институте. 34. Почему бы нам не поехать за город в воскресенье? — Хорошая идея. 35. Том
сейчас очень занят. Он строит гараж. 36. Когда приезжает твой отец? — Через неделю. 37. Что ты
думаешь об этом фильме? — Он скучноват. 38. О чем ты думаешь? — Я думаю о своем детстве.
39. В котором часу закрывается магазин? — В восемь. 40. Когда начинается спектакль? — В семь
часов вечера. 41. Какие товары экспортируе г ваша страна
9
42 Над чем вы смеетесь? — Том
рассказал нам смешную историю. 43. Он никогда не пропускает занятия без уважительных причин.
44. Мои родители сейчас на море. Они хорошо прово-
21
дят время. 45. Что ты ищешь? — Ключи от машины. 46. Почему ты меня не слушаешь? Это очень
важно. 47. Неужели ты не любишь футбол? Это такая захватывающая игра. 48. Я завтра
встречаюсь с Аней. Мы играем в теннис. 49. Что ты здесь делаешь"? — Просматриваю новые
журналы. Я делаю это каждую неделю. 50. Почему вы изучаете английский? — Собираюсь поехать
за границу на несколько месяцев. Кроме того, английский мне нужен для научной работы. 51. О
чем они говорят? — Думаю, они обсуждают итоги конференции. 52. Ты можешь выключить
телевизор. Я не смотрю его. 53. Кто присматривает за твоими детьми, когда ты на работе? — Как
правило, моя мать. Она сейчас не работает. 54. Почему ты так сердит? Почему ты кричишь на
меня? 55. Она не любит мясо, она предпочитает рыбу. 56. В ее диктанте много ошибок, хотя
обычно она делает мало ошибок. 57. Конференция начинается 8 июня и заканчивается 14 июня.
58. Где Аня? — Она принимает душ. 59. Почему ты не пишешь ей? — Я не знаю ее адреса. 60.
Она не знает, когда приедет ее брат. 61. Ты часто видишь Аню, не так ли? — Нет, она сейчас
живет за городом. 62. Сколько иностранных языков знает Джон? — Если не ошибаюсь, два. А
сейчас он учит арабский. — Правда? Он нужен ему для работы? — Да. Он собирается в Египет.
63. Следующий поезд отправляется в 10 часов. Ты можешь успеть на него, если поспешишь. 64.
Интересно, чем она сейчас занимается.
Fluency

Listen, read and practise.
1. John: Do you see that man over at that table in the comer?
What's he doing? Ian: He's having an argument with the waiter. I think he's
complaining about his soup. John: You're right. He's shouting at the waiter. He's saying
that it tastes terrible. Can you hear what he's saying
now? Ian: Yes. He's telling the waiter there's a fly in his soup.
He doesn't see why he should pay for it.
22
2 Wife: Oh, don't put your coat on that chair! You' re al -ways leaving your clothes around. It's so untidy!
Husband: OK! OK! Calm down. Don't let's have an argument. You are always complaining these days.
Wife: I'm not surprised — living with you! Husband: Come on! You're forever telling me to relax. Why
don't you try it?
3. Tom: I'm flying to New York at the weekend. I'm staying at a hotel with my Uncle Joe and Aunt Jane.
He's an artist and she's a photographer. Nick: What's the hotel called?
Tom: The New York Tower. It has a restaurant at the top. The restaurant turns round eighteen times a
day so you can see the whole city. An orchestra plays there in the evening.
A Week in Vlctor's life
John: Tell me, Victor, what do you do Sundays?
Victor: On Sunday I try to sleep late.
John: And on weekdays?
Victor: Unfortunately, I never have much peace on weekdays, because I must work.
John: Work? You?
Victor: Yes, I'm a student of English — like you!
John: OK, Victor. What exactly do you do on weekdays?
Victor: On Monday morning I play golf.
John: Golf?
Victor: Yes. And on Monday afternoons I go swimming at the swimming pool. I need to relax after my
game of golf.
John: Oh, yes.
Victor: On Tuesdays and Wednesdays, after my serious music lessons at the music school I am a singer

in a rock group.
John: Stop! Stop! Please ... enough! What do you do on Thursdays?
Victor: I rest all day long. I wake up in the evening to set my alarm-clock for lunch-time on Friday. On
23
a letter
Fridays I go to the library to meet my friends to organise a picnic in the country among the birds and the
bees and the flowers and the trees.
John: Please, Victor. But there's one thing I don't understand. When do you learn English?
Victor: A quarter of an hour every evening, in a comfortable armchair, with my video English method and
a large glass of orange juice!
A. Ask questions on the text.
B. Imagine you are Victor. Tell about your week routine. Your friends will ask you some more questions to
get additional information.
C. Ask each other questions about a week in your lives.
D. Tell your partner what you usually do during the week. Your partner will ask you some questions to
get some details.
E. Which of the members of your family is the busiest? What is his/her week like?
Dear Mum and Dad,
How are you? The camp is OK. The weather is horrible. It is raining. We are all writing letters. What's the
weather like at home? We get up every morning at a quarter to eight and have a shower. The water is
always cold. It's really horrible!
Then we get dressed and have breakfast at half past eight. Breakfast is nice. We have three different
sorts of cereal, bacon and eggs, toast and marmalade and tea.
After breakfast we go riding or canoeing. We have a morning break at eleven o'clock. We usually have
orange juice and biscuits. Then we have free activities.
We have lunch at half past one. We have hamburgers and chips or fish and chips but the chips aren't
very nice. In the afternoon we usually play football or volleyball. Tea is at four o'clock and after tea we ride
on the mini motorbikes. They are great!
We have supper at seven. After supper we watch a video or have a disco. We can play our own
cassettes. Bedtime is at half

24
past nine. I am in a very big room with seven other girls. Our monitor is called Louise but we call her Lulu.
We're both all right and we aren't homesick! (I am a little bit, Andy.)
Love from Kate and Andy
A. Ask and answer questions on the text.
B. Describe the children's rest at the camp.
C. This is a passage from another letter. Tina's mother is writing a letter to a friend.
I'm sitting on the beach, eating an ice cream. Tina and Jack are swimming in the sea and Max is in the
park, playing with a friend. Tom's listening to the radio and reading. We're having a fantastic holiday.
Abercwim is a little fishing village in North Wales with a park, a castle, some Roman remains and some
lovely gardens, and there's a little fishing port with a light-house. Everybody here is really friendly. I think
we're lucky. This is our second holiday this year and we're doing just what we want to do: sleeping, eating
and playing games. The food is lovely too.
D. You 're on holiday in the south. Write a postcard to your friend describing a) your usual day b) what
you and your family are doing at the moment.
Happy birthday to you
Mike: Hello?
Sue: Hello, Mike. I'm ringing you up to wish you a happy
birthday. Mike: Sue, what a fantastic surprise! Where are you phoning
from? I can hear you so clearly. I thought you were in
Spain.
Sue: Yes, I am. And I'm having a marvellous time here. Mike: What's the weather like? It's pouring with
rain here. Sue: It's absolutely boiling. I'm living in my bikini, and
getting really brown. Mike: Lucky you. Hey, where are you ringing from? I can
hear people laughing and talking in the background.
25
Sue: Ah, that's because I'm in a cafe by the beach. Jill and I are having a drink here and writing our
postcards. I'm sending you one, so that you can see what it looks like here. I wish you were here, Mike. I
can see the beach from where I'm standing. There are thousands of people sunbathing, and there's ...
Mike: Hey, stop. You're making me jealous. There's nothing interesting happening here. Everybody's

complaining and saying what an awful summer we're having.
Sue: Oh, dear — still, I expect you're getting a lot of work done. How's it going?
Mike: Oh, fine. I'm working on the last article now. Actually, at this very moment I'm having a break and
making myself some coffee. Good God, that reminds me. Can you hold on a moment? The kettle's
probably boiling. Just a tick.
Sue: Hey, Mike, don't go. I'd better ring off now. This is costing me a fortune. I'll ring you again in a few
days, OK?
Mike: Right. Thanks for remembering my birthday. I'm feeling better already. Look after yourself. Miss
you.
Sue: Me too. Goodbye.
Mike: Bye.
A. Questions
1. Where is Sue at the moment? 2. What is she doing in Spain? 3. Is she alone there? 4. Why is Sue
calling Mike? 5. Is Sue enj oying her holidays? 6. Why does Mike feel j ealous? 7. How is Mike doing?
B. Read the conversation and analyse its language peculiarities.
C. Give the appropriate English phrases from the text.
Откуда ты звонишь? Береги себя. Я работаю над последней статьей. Скучаю по тебе. Ты
вызываешь у меня зависть. Я звоню тебе, чтобы пожелать счастливого дня рождения. Какой
замечательный сюрприз! Я думал, что ты в Испании. Я прекрасно провожу время. Какая погода?
Здесь льет дождь. Все жалуются и говорят о том, какое ужасное у нас лето. Здесь страшная жара.
Спасибо, что не забыла о моем дне рождения. Я полагаю, что ты
26
продвигаешься со своей работой. Я уже чувствую себя лучше. Я позвоню тебе через несколько
дней, хорошо? Я отчетливо гебя слышу. Жаль, что тебя здесь нет. Тысячи людей загорают на
пляже. Подожди минутку. Тебе везет. Я слышу, как смеются и разговаривают люди. Мы здесь пьем
напитки и пишем почтовые открытки. Здесь ничего интересного не происходит. Как продвигаются
дела? В этот самый момент я отдыхаю. Это напомнило мне. Я лучше положу трубку. Мне это
дорого стоит.
D. Give a brief account of the conversation.
E. Roleplay the conversation.

F. Situation: You are having your holidays at the seaside. At the moment you're phoning your mother.
She wants to know whether you're having a good time.
G. Tell the class how you usually spend у our holidays.
What are you Doing here?
Barbara Cooper is in Milan on a business trip. She is sitting in a small cafe outside the central station
waiting to catch a train to Florence. Suddenly she sees an old school friend, Martha Hunt, walking past
the cafe.
Barbara: Martha! Martha: Barbara!
Barbara: What are you doing here? You live in Manchester, don't you?
Martha: Yes, that's right. I do. But I'm having a week's holiday
here. Barbara: What? Here in Milan?
Martha: Yes, I'm visiting a friend. You know him actually-
Roger.
Barbara: Yes. I remember Roger.
Martha: Well, he's working here as a freelance journalist. Barbara: Is he? That must be fun.
Martha: Well, he says he's enjoying it. What about you? What are you doing here? Having a holiday as
well?
27
Barbara: No, not me. I'm working. I'm looking for some
new shoe designs for the shop. Martha: Oh, yes. I read about you in the Old Cliftonians'
magazine. You're the manageress of a shoe shop now,
aren't you?
Barbara: Yes, that's right. It's doing quite well, in fact. Martha: Which hotel are you staying at, by the way?
Barbara: Well, I'm not staying in Milan any more. I'm catching the
train to Florence in half an hour. In fact I must go soon. Martha: Oh, that's a pity. Anyway, I must go too.
I must try
and come and see you in Bristol one day. Barbara: Yes, do. And give my regards to Roger. Martha: Yes,
I will. Well — look after yourself, don't work
too hard.
Barbara: No, I won't. Have a nice holiday, by the way! Martha: Thanks. Bye, Barbara.

A. Questions
1. Where are Barbara and Martha at the moment? 2. What are they doing in Milan? 3. How long are they
staying in Milan?
B. Read the text and comment on the uses of the Simple Present and Present Continuous.
C. Give the appropriate English phrases from the text.
Должно быть, это интересно. У меня поезд во Флоренцию через полчаса. Передай привет своему
другу. Между прочим, в какой гостинице ты остановилась? Меня больше не будет в Милане. Я
здесь неделю отдыхаю. Ты гаже здесь отдыхаешь? Ты заведуешь обувным магазином, не так ли?
Фактически наш магазин преуспевает. Жаль. Я должна постараться навестить тебя в Бристоле
когда-нибудь. Я навешаю друга. Я ищу новые образцы обуви для магазина. Он говорит, что ему
это нравится. Позаботься о себе, не работай слишком много. Хорошего тебе отдыха.
D. Ask detailed questions on the text. Your partner will answer the questions.
E. Give a brief account of the conversation.
28
F. Roleplay the conversation.
G. Situation: You are in London on business. You happen to meet your former classmate who has come
to London to take part in a conference. You start talking.
Cathy and Steve
Cathy and Steve are engaged, but unfortunately Cathy lives in Sussex and Steve in Yorkshire. It is nine
o'clock on Saturday morning, when the phone rings beside Steve's bed. He is still asleep.
Steve: Hello?
Cathy: Hello dear, where are you?
Steve: Where all civilized people should be at this time on a Saturday morning — in bed.
Cathy: Lazy thing!
Steve: What do you mean "lazy thing"? I earn my rest. I work jolly hard, you know.
Cathy: Of course you do, dear.
Steve: What about you? What are you doing?
Cathy: At the moment I'm drinking a cup of coffee and talking to my lazy fiance, but later I'm going shop-
ping. That's what I want to talk to you about.
Steve: Mmm.

Cathy: I'm getting the curtains for the bedroom. Steve: Good.
Cathy: Do you like the idea of pale green? Steve: That sounds all right.
Cathy: Plain... then there won't be any problem when we come to buy the carpet. But I want to order the
curtains today, because Aunt Phyllis is staying, and she's giving us the curtains as a wedding present. So
we're going together to choose the material. Steve: That's a good idea. Cathy: What are you doing
today? Steve: Well, this morning I've got a little shopping to do, then this afternoon I'm going to the
football with Jim. Cathy: All right. Love, enjoy yourself. Bye. Steve: Same to you. Bye.
29
A. Questions
1 . Do Cathy and Steve see one another every day? If not, why not? 2. Why isn't Steve at work when the
phone rings? 3. What does Cathy call Steve? 4. How does he defend himself? 5. What is Cathy doing
while she's talking to Steve? 6. What is she planning to buy? 7. Is she planning to buy flowered material?
S.Where is Steve going this afternoon?
B. Read the conversation. Comment on the uses of the Present Continuous and Simple Present.
C. Give a brief account of the conversation.
D. Roleplay the conversation.
old Arthur
Everyone knows him as Old Arthur. He lives in a little hut in the middle of a small wood, about a mile from
the village. He visits the village store twice a week to buy food and paraffin, and occasionally he collects
letters and his pension from the post office. A few weeks ago a reporter from the local newspaper
interviewed him. This is what he said:
I get up every morning with the birds. There is a stream near my hut and I fetch water from there. It's
good, clear, fresh water, better than you get in the city. Occasionally, in the winter, I have to break the ice.
I cook simple food on my old paraffin stove; mostly stews and things like that. Sometimes I go to the pub
and have a drink, but I don't see many people. I don't feel lonely. I know this wood very well, you see. I
know all the little birds and animals that live here and they know me. I don't have much money, but I don't
need much. I think I'm a lucky man.
A. Questions
1. Where does Old Arthur live? 2.Who interviewed him recently? 3. How far is it to the village? 4. How
often does Arthur go into the village?-5. What does he buy from the village store? 6. What does he collect

from the post office? 7. Where does he get his water from? S.What does he say about the water in the
stream? 9. What does he cook on?
B. Give short answers to the following questions.
1 . Is Arthur quite old? 2. Is he a lonely man? 3. Is the store in the village? 4. Is the water in the stream
clean? 5. Does old Arthur see many people? 6. Does he get his water from a tap? 7. Does he like the
birds and animals in the wood? 8. Does the stream sometimes freeze in winter? 9. Does Arthur cook on
an electric stove? 1 0. Does he get his pension from the post office?
C. Imagine that you are interviewing Old Arthur. These are the answers he gives to your questions. What
were the questions you asked him?
1 . In a little hut in the wood. 2. At the village store. 3. On my old paraffin stove. 4. Yes, I go there
occasionally for a drink. 5. From the stream. 6. No, I never feel lonely. 7. Not much, my eyes aren't too
good. 8. No, I haven't got a radio. 9. No, I was an only child, and my parents died when I was quite young.
10. No, I don't believe in doctors.
D. Situation: You are interviewing Old Arthur on his life in the wood. Add more details about Arthur's life.
E. Make up negative statements.
eg He only sees a few people. not/many He doesn't see many people.
1 . He only visits the village store twice a week. not/every day
2. He only breaks the ice on the water occasionally. not/often
3. He only collects his letters from the post office once a month.
not/every week
4. He cooks on a paraffin stove. not/a gas stove
5. He lives in a hut in the wood. not/an ordinary house
6. He gets his water from the stream. not/ a tap
7. There is no television in his hut.
30
31
not/television
8. There is no radio in his hut. not/radio
9. He usually feels quite cheerful, not/miserable
10. He only has one cooking pot. not/complicated meals

F. Speak on Arthur's life. What do you think of this sort of life? Do you think Arthur is really a lucky man?
G. Speak on the advantages and disadvantages of living in a village.
H. Do you have any friends or relatives who live in a village? Who are they? What do they do? What is
their life in the country like? Have you got a country house? Where is it? Have you got any conveniences
in the house? Do you like life in the country?
David in the Snowstorm
In London it doesn't often snow, but when it does, life becomes very difficult for everyone. Cars have to
go very slowly because the roads are covered in ice and wet snow, so there are traffic jams, and lots of
people arrive late for work. The snow usually melts quickly and this makes the pavements dangerous and
unpleasant to walk on. Only children really like the snow.
David works in the local library. He usually goes to work by bus, but this morning he's walking because
there don't seem to be any buses. He is wearing his winter coat and a scarf, but it is still snowing and the
wet snow is trickling down his neck, and making him feel very uncomfortable. He's looking forward to
having a nice, hot cup of coffee.
A. Questions
1. Does it often snow in London? 2. What effect does the snow have on people's lives? 3. What happens
to cars? 4. Do people arrive at work on time? 5. Does the snow melt quickly? 6. What is the result of the
snow melting? 7. Who likes the snow very much? 8. Where does David work? 9. Why is he walking to
work today? 10. What is he wearing? 11. What is trickling down
32
his neck? 12. What effect is this having on him? 13. What is David looking forward to?
B. Now dose the book and ask your own questions on the text.
C. What do you know about the English weather? What is the weather in your country like? What do you
like winter (summer, autumn, spring) for? What don't you like about each season of the year?
D. Situation: David and you are talking about the weather inyour countries.
A. Dау in the life of Takashi Tackashimi
Takashi Takashimi, a fashion designer from Tokyo, talks to Margot Townsend.
I get up at about ten o'clock. I don't like getting up early. I never eat breakfast — I sometimes have a cup
of tea. I eat nothing during the day. I just don't feel hungry at all.
I live about eight minutes from the office near Shibuya. I drive to the office every morning in my car — a

black BMW. I always wear black or navy blue. I sometimes wear a white shirt or T-shirt but no bright
colours.
I work from about noon till seven in the evening. I don't mind working late. Before a fashion show I usually
work until eleven or twelve at night. I eat out in restaurants about six nights a week. I hate going to new
restaurants. I usually go to a few old favourites.
I live with my daughter, who's eighteen. The house is always untidy. She doesn't like cooking or cleaning
and nor do I! I spend no time at all in my house — it's not a big part of my life.
I usually stay in Tokyo at the weekend. I don't mind that because I hate making plans. The traffic in Tokyo
is terrible but sometimes I just get in my car and drive.
I travel a lot. My work has taken me to different parts of the world.
A. Questions
1. Does Takashi get up early or late? 2. What colour clothes does he like wearing? 3. What sort of
restaurants does he hate
going to? 4. Why is his home untidy? 5. Why does he spend his weekends in Tokyo? 6. Does he travel a
lot?
B. What is Takashi's average day like? Is it very different from yours?
C. Situation: You and your friend are speaking about your daily routine.
Past Continuous and Simple Past
Simple Past is used to:
— talk about a past event which took place at a definite point in time
We went to the theatre last night.
Shakespeare died in 1616.
Did you have a good time on holiday?
When did she come?
Who saw Peter yesterday?
What did you do at the weekend?
Why didn't you phone me on Tuesday?
Why were you so angry?
Was Tom at work on Friday?
— describe past states and habits

I smoked forty cigarettes a day till I gave up. He lived in Rome for ten years, (but not now)
— narrate events in sequence
We got home, opened the door and found the house empty. He left the hotel, took a taxi and drove to the
theatre. The manager entered the office, sat down at the desk and began to look through the morning
mail. When I arrived at the railway station I went to the booking office and bought a ticket.
— report statements and questions
He said that he was a stranger. She asked if I knew her brother.
— tell a story
There was once a man who lived in a small house in the country. One day he left his house and went into
town. On his way he met...
*
past Continuous is used to:
— talk about something which was in progress at a past time. The action had started but it had not
finished at that time.
"What were you doing at 6 o'clock last night?"
"I was watching the news on television."
Between 10 and 11 this morning I was reading.
I saw you yesterday evening. You were waiting for a bus.
Was Sue working at ten o'clock yesterday morning?
— talk about temporary actions in progress in the past
I was living abroad in 1987. It was raining all night.
— talk about actions which were in progress when something else happened
As/Just as/When/While I was leaving, the phone rang. While/When/As/Just as she was paying for the
petrol, a boy stole her wallet from her car.
These are often introduced by conjunctions like when, as, just as and while, but the shorter action can be
introduced by when:
We were having supper when the phone rang.
— talk about actions in progress at the same time
While I was reading, Joan was playing the piano.
— give background to an event

I looked out of the window. It was raining.
It was a warm summer day. The sun was shining and the
birds were singing.
— talk about arrangements in the past
Everybody was excited because they were leaving for Paris the next day.
— talk about repeated actions that happened too often
When I worked here I was always making mistakes. She was constantly breaking the dishes.
Past Continuous is also used in polite inquiries.
I was wondering if you could give me a lift.
Used to (/ used to do)
We use used to+infinitive to talk about past habits which are now finished.
Robert used to play football when he was younger, but he stopped playing 20 years ago. (= Robert
played football regularly in the past, but he does not play now.)
More examples:
Kate used to go swimming a lot, but she never goes swimming now.
"Do you go to the cinema very often?" "Not now, but I used to."
We also use used to for past states and situations which are no longer true.
Robert used to be very slim when he was younger. I used to live in London, but I moved in 1980.
We only use used to to talk about the past. The negative of used to is normally didn 't use to (= did not
use to)
I didn't use to live in London.
Jack didn't use to go out very often until he met Jill.
We also use never used to eg You never used to like classical music.
We normally form questions with did...use to... 1
Where did you use to live?
Did you use to like classical music?
Note: When we talk about past habits we can also use would.
36
When we were children we used to/would play Cowboys and Indians together.
When I was a child, my elder brother used to/would take me to the cinema every Saturday morning.

When we talk about past states, we can use used to, but not •would.
My grandfather used to be a policeman, (not: My grandfather would be...)
Self check
I. Use the Simple Past or the Past Continuous Tense.
1.1 (hear, not) the thunder during the storm last night because I (sleep). 2. It was beautiful yesterday
when we went for a walk in the park. The sun (shine). A cool breeze (blow). The birds (sing). 3. My
brother and sister (argue) about something when I (walk) into the room. 4. I (get) a package in the mail.
When I (open) it, I (find) a surprise. 5. Stanley (climb) the stairs when he (trip) and (fall). Luckily, he (hurt,
not) himself. 6. While Mrs Emerson (read) the little boy a story, he (fall) asleep, so she (close) the book
and quietly (tiptoe) out of the room. 7.1 really (enjoy) my vacation last January. While it (snow) in Iowa,
the sun (shine) in Florida. While you (shovel) snow in Iowa, I (lie) on the beach in Florida. 8. It was my
first day of class. I (find, finally) the right room. The room (be, already) full of students. On one side of the
room, students (talk, busily) to each other in Spanish. Other students (speak) Japanese, and some
(converse) in Arabic. It (sound) like the United Nations. Some of the students, however, (sit, just) quietly
by themselves. I (choose) an empty seat in the last row and (sit) down. In a few minutes, the teacher
(walk) into the room and all the multilingual conversation (stop). 9. When I (arrive) she (have) lunch. She
(apologize) for starting without me but said that she always (lunch) at 12.30.10. He (wear, always) a
raincoat and (carry) an umbrella when he walked to the office. 11.1 (share) a flat with him when we were
students. He (complain, always) about my untidiness. 12. He suddenly (realize) that he (travel) in the
wrong direction. 13. He (play) the guitar outside her house when someone opened the window and
(throw) out a
37
bucket of water. 14.1 (open, just) the letter when the wind (blow) it out of my hand. 15; The burglar (open)
the safe when he (hear) footsteps. He immediately (put) out his torch and (crawl) under the bed. 16. The
boys (play) cards when they (hear) their father's step. They immediately (hide) the cards and (take) out
their lesson books. 17. He (not allow) us to go out in the boat yesterday as a strong wind (blow). 18. The
traffic (make) so much noise that I couldn't hear what he (say). 19. She (stand) at the bus-stop. I asked
her what bus she (wait) for. 20. When I (hear) his knock I (go) to the door and (open) it, but I (not
recognize) him at first because I (not wear) my glasses. 21. While the guests (dance) thieves (break) into
the house and (steal) a lot of fur coats. 22. She was very extravagant. She always (buy) herself new

clothes. 23. Her mother often (tell) her that she (spend) too much money but she never (listen). 24. Mr
Smith never (wake) up in time in the mornings and always (get) into trouble for being late; so one day he
(go) to town and (buy) an alarm clock. To get home he (have) to go through a field where a bad-tempered
bull usually (graze). This bull normally (not chase) people unless something (make) him angry,
ynfortunately, as Mr Smith (cross) the field, his alarm clock (go) off. This (annoy) the bull, who
immediately (begin) to chase Mr Smith. Mr Smith (carry) an open umbrella as it (rain) slightly. He (throw)
the umbrella to the ground and (run) away as fast as he could. The bull (stop) and (begin) to attack the
umbrella. While he (do) this Mr Smith escaped. 25. Why you (interrupt) me just now? I (have) a very
interesting conversation with Mr Pitt. 26. As they (walk) along the road they (hear) a car coming behind
them. Tom (turn) round and (hold) up his hand. The car (stop). 27. While he (make) his speech the
minister suddenly (feel) faint. But someone (bring) him a glass of water and after a few minutes he (be
able) to continue. 28.1 (see) you yesterday from the bus. Why you (use) a stick? — I (use) a stick
because I had hurt my leg that morning falling off a horse. — Whose horse you (ride)? 29. How you
(damage) your car so badly? —-1 (run) into a lamp-post yesterday. — I suppose you (drive) too quickly or
were not looking where you (go). 30.1 just (write) a cheque when I (remember) that I (have) nothing in the
bank 31. He (say) that he (build) himself a house and that he (think) it would be ready in two years. 32.
Why you (lend) him that book
9
I (read, still) it. — I'm sorry. I (not know) that you (read, still) it
33. You (hear) what she just (say)? — No, I (listen, not). I (think) about something else. 34. Why you (not
be) at the meeting? — I (wait) for an overseas call from my family. 35. I'm sure you met Carol Jones at
the party last night. — I don't remember her. What (wear, she)? 36. How (break, you) your arm? — I (slip)
on the ice while I (cross) the street in front of the dorm. 37. Peter and Ann . (decide) to redecorate their
sitting-room themselves. They (choose) cream paint for the woodwork and apricot for the walls. When
John (look) in to see how they (get) on, Ann (mix), the paint, and Peter (wash) down the walls. They (be)
glad to see John and (ask) if he (do) anything special that day. He hastily (reply) he (go) to the theatre
and (go) away at once, because he (know) they (look) for someone to help them. They (begin) painting,
but (find) the walls (be) too wet. While they (wait) for the walls to dry, Ann (remember) she (have) a phone
call to make. Peter (start) painting while she (telephone), and (do) a whole wall before Ann (come) back.
He (grumble) that she always (telephone). Ann (retort) that Peter always (complain). They (work) in

silence for some time. Just as they (start) the third wall, the doorbell (ring). It (be) a friend of Peter's who
(want) to know if Peter (play) golf the following weekend. He (stay) talking to Peter in the hall while Ann
(go) on painting. At last he (leave). Peter (return), expecting Ann to say something about friends who
(come) and (waste) valuable time talking about golf. But Ann nobly (say) nothing. Then Peter (think) he
would do the ceiling. He just (climb) the step ladder when the doorbell (ring) again. Ann (say) she (get)
tired of interruptions but (go) and (open) the door. It (be) the postman with a letter from her aunt Mary,
saying she (come) to spend the weekend with them and (arrive) that evening at 6.30. 38. We (not get)
much sleep last night because the people next door (have) a noisy party. I (ring) up the landlord and (say)
that his tenants (make) too much noise. He (point out) that it (be) Saturday and that people in his house
often (have) parties on Saturday nights. 39. What you (do) before you (get) this job? — I (work) for Brown
and Company. — And how long you (stay) with them? — I (stay) for about six months. I (leave) because
they always (go) on strike. It (become) quite monotonous. 40. How you (break) your leg? — I (fall) off a
ladder when I (put) up curtains. The worst of it (be) that it (be) just before the holidays and I (go) away,
(had planned to go away) — So you
(not go) away? — No, of course not. I (cancel) my bookings and (spend) the holiday hobbling about at
home. 41. My neighbour (look) in last night and (say) that he (leave) the district and (go) to Yorkshire to a
new job. I (say) I (be) very sorry that he (go) and (tell) him to write to me from Yorkshire and tell me how
he (get) on. 42. As the goalkeeper (run) forward to seize the ball a bottle (strike) him on the shoulder. 43.
It (snow) heavily when he (wake) up. He (remember) that Jack (come) for lunch and (decide) to go down
to the station to meet him in case he (lose) his way in the snowy lanes. 44. It (be) midnight and I (be)
alone in the house. Outside it (rain) very hard. I (get) ready to go to bed when I suddenly (hear) a strange
noise outside my room in the corridor. Then, when I (look) at the door, I (notice) that someone (turn) the
handle! I (rush) over to the door and quickly (turn) the key in the lock. Then I (ask) in a trembling voice,
"Who is it?" 45. When I (introduce) Tom to Ryan, they (shake) hands and (smile) at each other. 46. Chris
(hurt) his finger when he was making his dinner last night. He accidentally (cut) it with a sharp knife.
II. Translate from Russian into English.
1. Вчера вечером шел сильный дождь, и мы не смогли пойти на стадион. 2. Я не ожидал тебя
здесь встретить. Когда ты приехал? 3. Я не успел на поезд в 10 часов и мне пришлось ждать
следующего целый час. 4. Мы не поняли друг друга. Я ждал его в здании университета, а он в это
время ждал меня на улице. 5. Стюардесса попросила пассажиров пристегнуть ремни, так как

самолет шел на посадку. 6. Ты вчера вечером был дома? — Нет, я ходил в театр. Мне очень
понравился спектакль. Игра актеров была великолепной. 7. Когда ты был в отпуске последний
раз? — Прошлой зимой. — Как ты его провел? — Прекрасно. Ходил на лыжах, катался на коньках.
8. Когда ты позвонил вчера, я был занят. Я переводил наш новый контракт. 9. Вчера я опоздал на
урок английского языка. Когда я пришел, студенты писали сочинение. 10. Аня подмела пол,
вымыла посуду, а потом стала готовить домашнее задание. 11. Вчера мы купались, загорали,
катались на лодке, играли в теннис. Мы очень хорошо провели время. 12. Шел ли дождь, когда ты
вышел из дома? 13. Он спускался вниз по лестнице, когда я его увидел. 14. С кем ты
40
разговаривал, когда я встретил тебя в коридоре? 15. Что ты делала, когда я позвонила тебе вчера
вечером? — Я готовила ужин. 16. Ты была вчера дома в 5 часов? — Нет, я была в университете. В
это время я сдавала экзамен по грамматике. 17. В то время как я искал ключи в гостиной, моя
жена искала их в столовой. 18. Она без конца била посуду. 19. Она вечно жаловалась. 20. Почему
тебя не было на собрании вчера? — Я должен был встретить сестру на вокзале. 21. Когда ты
видела его в последний раз? — Неделю назад в библиотеке. 22. Пока я готовила обед, мой муж
чинил автомобиль. 23. Когда ты писал родителям в последний раз? — Месяц назад.
24. Мы жили в Москве 10 лет, а потом переехали в Минск.
25. Когда я вошел в зал, студенты все еще обсуждали первый доклад. 26. Мальчик ловил рыбу,
когда он упал в воду. 27. Пять лет назад я имел обыкновение рано вставать. 28. Неделю назад я
потерял свои очки, но два дня спустя я нашел их. 29. Стоял прекрасный летний день. Светило
солнце и пели птицы. 30. Он был очень занят, когда я его видел, так как на следующий день он
уезжал в командировку. 31. Почему ты был так сердит на него? 32. В прошлую субботу мой отец
ходил на рыбалку и поймал много рыбы. 33. Почему ты не позвонил мне? — Я вернулся домой
слишком поздно. 34. Кто видел вчера Елену? — Я. 35. Какие журналы он хотел показать мне? — Я
не знаю. 36. Вчера весь вечер они обсуждали планы на летний отпуск. 37. Вы работали на этом
заводе три года тому назад? 38. Вы просмотрели вчера эти документы? 39. Мы ужинали, когда моя
старшая сестра вернулась из университета. 40. Где ты встретил Анну? — Я встретил ее около
библиотеки, когда возвращался домой. 41. Кто купил подарок для Джейн? — Ник. 42. Сколько
писем вы напечатали вчера? — Двадцать. 43. Когда часы пробили двенадцать, мы пошли спать.
44. Я обедал, когда он мне позвонил. 45. Куда ты ходила после занятий? — В универмаг. 46. Когда

он вернулся из Лондона? — Неделю тому назад. 47. Он ведь показал тебе свою новую квартиру?
48. Дождь шел с пяти до семи. 49. Петр просматривал газеты, в то время как Аня смотрела
телепередачу. 50. Ты переводил статью весь вечер, не так ли? — Да, статья довольно трудная, и
мне пришлось многие слова смотреть по словарю. 51. Когда я пришел, машинистка все еще
печатала мои документы. 52. В прошлом го-
41
ду было много снега? — Да. 53. Когда вы получили это письмо? — Вчера утром. 54. Погода была
хорошая, и дети попросили меня повести их в парк. 55. На уроке английского языка преподаватель
задавал вопросы, а мы отвечали на них. 56. Я прочитал изложение сестры. В нем было несколько
ошибок. 57. Где вы его видели на прошлой неделе? — Мы видели его в театре. 58. Кто навестил
вас вчера? — Друзья моего сына. 59. Где ты была сегодня после обеда? Я приходила к тебе, но
тебя не было дома. 60. В котором часу ты сегодня обедал? — Я обедал в два. 61. Он пожал мне
руку и пожелал успеха в работе.
Fluency Listen, read and practise.
'Jane isn't very Pleased
John rang Jane last week. He wanted to invite her to the theatre. She was free on Friday, so they
arranged to meet outside the theatre at seven. It was raining and John came twenty minutes late. Jane
wasn't very pleased. They saw a thriller, but it wasn't very good. In fact, it was awful. They went to an
Italian restaurant after the theatre and had pizza and wine. The pizza was terrible and the wine wasn't
very good. John found he didn't have any money, so Jane paid for the meal. It was late when they came
out of the restaurant and there were no buses and no taxis, so they walked home in the rain. John rang
again the following Saturday to invite Jane to the cinema. Jane said she wasn't free.
A. Questions
1. When did John ring Jane the first time? 2. What did he want to do? 3. When was Jane free? 4. What
time did they arrange to meet? 5. What was the weather like? 6. When did John arrive? 7. Was Jane
pleased? 8. What did they see? 9. What was it like? 10. Where did they go after the theatre? 11. What did
they have? 12. Was the pizza good? What about the wine? 13. Who paid? 14. How did they get home?
15. What did John do the
42
following Saturday? 16. Was Jane free? 17. Why do you think she said she wasn't free?

B. Retell the text.
What's the Matter?
Yesterday Helen woke up at seven thirty. She had a quick shower, a cup of coffee, got into her car and
drove to work. She found a parking space outside the office door. "That's very strange," she thought as
she walked up to the front door of the office building; usually there were a lot of cars outside the office
and she left her car in another street.
The door was locked when she tried to open it. This was very unusual. She looked at her watch... it was
exactly nine o'clock! "The door is never locked at nine o'clock," she said to herself. She took out her key
and unlocked the door.
As she walked into the office, Helen saw that all the windows were closed. It was summer and her
secretary opened the windows and curtains when she arrived in the morning. But Helen's secretary
wasn't at her desk this morning. "Is there anybody here?" she shouted nervously. There was no answer.
Helen went to her office and sat down behind her desk. What was the matter? Where was everyone?
Then she saw her diary on the desk. "Oh no!" she said. "Today is Sunday!"
A. Ask questions on the text. Retell the text.
B. Have you ever had any experience of this sort?
'Reward for Virtue
My friend, Herbert, has always been fat, but things got so bad recently that he decided to go on a diet. He
began his diet a week * ago. First of all, he wrote a long list of the foods which were forbidden. The list
included most of the things Herbert loves: butter, potatoes, rice, beer, milk, chocolate and sweets.
Yesterday I paid him a visit. I rang the bell and was not surprised to see that Herbert was still as fat as
ever. He led me into his room and hurriedly hid a large parcel under his desk. It was obvious that he Was
very embarrassed. When I asked him what he was doing, he
43
smiled guiltily and then put the parcel on the desk. He explained that his diet was so strict that he had to
reward himself occasionally. Then he showed me the contents of the parcel. It contained five large bars of
chocolate and three bags of sweets!
A. Ask questions on the text. Retell the text.
Do the english Speak engdish?
I arrived in London at last. The railway station was big, black and dark. I did not know the way to my hotel,

so I asked a porter. I not only spoke English very carefully, but very clearly as well. The porter, however,
could not understand me. I repeated my question several times and at last he understood. He answered
me, but he spoke neither slowly nor clearly. "I'm a foreigner," I said. Then he spoke slowly, but I could not
understand him. My teacher never spoke English like that! The porter and I looked at each other and
smiled. Then he said something and I understood it. "You'll soon learn English!" he said. I wonder. In
England, each man speaks a different language. The English understand each other, but I don't
understand them! Do they speak English?
A. Ask questions on the text. Retell the text.
a Private Conversation
Last week I went to the theatre. I had a very good seat. The play was very interesting but I did not enjoy
it. A young man and a young woman were sitting behind me. They were talking loudly. I got very angry. I
looked at the man and the woman angrily. They did not pay any attention. In the end I could not bear it. I
turned round again. "I can't hear a word!" I said angrily. "It's none of your business," the young man said
rudely. "This is a private conversation!"
A. Ask questions on the text. Retell the text.
too late
The plane was late and detectives were waiting at the airport all morning. They were expecting a valuable
parcel of diamonds
44
from South Africa. A few hours earlier, someone had told the police that thieves would try to steal the
diamonds. When the plane arrived, some of the detectives were waiting inside the main building while
others were waiting on the airfield. Two men took the parcel off the plane and carried it into the Customs
House. While two detectives were keeping guard at the door, two others opened the parcel. To their
surprise, the precious parcel was full of stones and sand!
A. Ask and answer questions on the text. Retell the text.
an experience on the tube A woman is talking about her experience on the tube. I was travelling from
Hamburg to London. In fact it was on my way from Heathrow. I was very tired and I was looking forward
to getting home. As I was walking along the platform I saw two men walk up behind a young woman. She
was carrying her handbag over her shoulder. It was open. I was carrying two suitcases, but I walked
quickly and came up behind the two men. As one of them took the purse out of the handbag, I told him to

put it back. He dropped it immediately, turned and ran. A. Ask questions on the text. Retell the text.
an adventure
It was a typical summer afternoon; the sun was beating down, the cars were creeping slowly round the
corner of the park. Five or six children were playing in the stream by the fountain, jumping in and out of
the water, their laughter mixing with the noise of the traffic. All the world was wearing shorts or T-shirts, or
bathing costumes; yet Walter Harrison, sitting on a park bench in his overcoat, was feeling cold and
lonely. "Where will it all end?" he thought, as he watched the children splashing and laughing. After a few
minutes, he got up and walked through the park gates. His adventure was about to begin...
He stopped just before putting his key in the front door. Something was happening in the back garden...
Quietly, he crept around the side of the house and looked through the gate. Two
45
men were standing at the back of the house, holding a ladder. A third man was at the top of the ladder
and a fourth inside the house: he was passing furniture through the window to his partner, who then gave
it to his friends below. All four were working quietly and efficiently and the pile of furniture in the garden
was getting bigger and bigger by the minute. Walter could not believe his eyes: the strangers were
emptying his entire flat, and they were behaving as if it was the most normal thing in the world. He
coughed loudly and then said, "Excuse me!" — and the man at the top of the ladder dropped his portable
TV onto the concrete below. A. Ask and answer questions on the text. Retell the text.
an Accident
Mrs Cross is an old lady who lives in a village in the country outside Bristol. As she is a widow she lives
alone.
Last week she had an accident. It was raining and she was walking to the village store. She slipped on
the wet road, fell down and broke her hip. By chance, a local farmer was passing on his tractor. He went
back to his farm and telephoned for an ambulance.
hitckhiking
James was a student at Oxford University, where he was studying law. Like many students he did not
have much money because his grant was only just enough to live on. Last year, during the autumn term,
he decided to go to Manchester to visit some friends for the weekend, but he could not afford a train
ticket, and even the coach was too expensive, so he had to hitchhike. He caught a bus to the beginning of
the motorway and waited. It was a cold, windy November day and while he was waiting he got soaked to

the skin. After waiting two hours he finally got a lift from a lorry driver, who was in fact going all the way to
Manchester. James felt extremely relieved. The lorry driver seemed a friendly fellow of around 35,
reasonably well-dressed and he and James talked a lot. Suddenly, as they were driving along the
motorway, a police car raced past them and made them stop. They were taken to the police
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station because the police suspected that the lorry was carrying stolen goods. A detective interrogated
James for two hours, and he even had to spend the night in a cell. He was eventually released the next
day. Apparently, the lorry was carrying stolen television sets. James swore that he would never hitchhike
again.
A. Ask and answer questions on the text. Retell the text.
B. Write about a memorable journey that you have made.
A wonderful holiday
Sandra Castle spent her holiday in Italy and had a wonderful time.
Hello. You look well. Where have you been?
I've just come back from Italy.
Oh. Did you have a good time?
Yes. Wonderful.
Where did you go exactly?
Rimini.
Did you go on a package holiday?
Yes, I did. It was very cheap.
Did you stay in a hotel?
Yes, I did.
And how long were you there?
A fortnight.
Did you go alone?
No, I went with my boyfriend.
And what was the weather like?
It was fantastic. It was really hot every day.
What did you do most days?

We went swimming and lay on the beach.
And what did you do in the evenings?
Some nights we went to a bar or a disco and other
nights we just stayed in the hotel.
Did you go on excursions?
No, we didn't.
Oh. Look at the time. I must rush. See you.
Bye.
A. Read the conversation. Ask each other questions about Sandra's holiday.
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B. Roleplay the conversation.
C. Ask the person sitting next to you about one of his/her holidays. Ask about the weather, the hotel, the
room, the beach, the swimming pool, the food, the waiters. Here are some words ranging from good to
bad to help you answer.
Good OK Bad
fantastic not bad not very good
very nice quite good terrible
wonderful all right awful
very good OK really bad
Victor's trip to New york
Victor: I went to New York last week.
John: Really? When exactly did you go?
Victor: Last Monday. I flew. I went to the airport and
checked in. The girl behind the counter was beautiful. She said, "First class, business class or economy
class?"
John: Which did you choose? Did you have enough money for first or business class?
Victor: I hesitated, but I chose economy class.
John: Smoking or non-smoking?
Victor: Non-smoking. You know I gave up smoking a year ago.
John: Did you have anything to declare?

Victor: Mmh. No, but the customs officer told me to open my luggage.
John: Did he find anything?
Victor: No, he found nothing.
John: Victor, did you have an aisle seat?
Victor: No, I had a window seat.
John: Did you stay at a good hotel?
Victor: Not bad. I stayed at the Hotel Chelsea. It wasn't very expensive.
John: What sort of hotel was it?
Victor: It was full of artists and musicians.
John: I hope they didn't wake you up during the night.
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Victor: No, because I didn't sleep during the night, I slept
during the day.
John: And what did you do during the night?
Victor: I went out.
John: Every night?
Victor: Practically.
John: Did you meet any nice girls?
Victor: Sure. I met a lot of nice girls.
John: Did you drink a lot of whisky?
Victor: Yes, I drank a lot of whisky.
John: Did you have a good time?
Victor: Yes, I had a great time.
Johnf Really!
A. Speak about Victor's trip to New York.
B. Roleplay the conversation.
C. Ask each other questions about your last journey by plane.
What a terrible holiday!
Tom MacDonald is talking about his holiday at Vista Beach. I have just come back from a fortnight at
Vista Beach. What a terrible holiday! The weather was awful, the town was boring, the hotel was dreadful

and I spent all the money. It rained almost every day and there was a strong wind which blew from the
sea, so that even when it didn't rain it was impossible to sit on the beach.
There wasn't much to do in the town — not many interesting places to visit. So I stayed in the hotel most
days and read a lot of books and watched a lot of rain. In the evenings I went out to
bars and discos and I drank a lot of wine — there were hundreds
of bars. The night life was good, but I didn't talk to many people,
because I didn't feel well.
The hotel looked beautiful in the travel brochure but when I
got there I found it was small and dirty. Most of the meals were badly cooked and the waiters were slow
and rather rude. I had a tiny room with one small window and a beautiful view of the local fish market.
What a smell! And what a noise! At five o'clock every morning the sound of lorries, fishermen and people
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at the market always woke me up. I am back in England now
and I need a holiday.
A. Decide if the following sentences are true or false.
eg It didn't rain much. False. It rained a lot.
1 . He spent a lot of time on the beach.
2. He didn't spend much money.
3. He didn't have much good weather.
4. He didn't visit many places.
5. He didn't read many books.
6. There are a lot of bars at Vista Beach.
7. He didn't drink much wine.
8. He didn't speak to many people.
9. He ate a lot of good meals. 10. He got a lot of sleep.
B. Read the text and ask questions on the text.
C. Speak about Tom MacDonald's holiday at Vista Beach.
D. Speak about your last holiday. Say what you liked and what you didn 't like about it.
Last week it was New Year's Eve and we spent this holiday in Berlin. It was a new experience for us. First
of all everybody bought a lot of fireworks. Then on the evening of 31st December people gathered in

groups of friends and ate New Year's dinner or buffet meals. At 12 o'clock, midnight, the meals and
dancing stopped. Then everybody drank together and wished each other "Happy New Year". A moment
later thousands of fireworks went off in the sky above the city. At about 2 o'clock in the morning people
started eating cakes. They also drank strong coffee. Probably they didn't want to fall asleep.
A. Ask and answer questions on the text.
B. Tell how you celebrated New Year s Eve this year.
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Today most people have a job of some kind, and their only free time is at the weekends. What do people
do with this time?
Let's take the Barclay family, for example. James Barclay works in one of Britain's larger cities. He's in his
middle forties. His wife is a secretary and they have two children, one ten and one thirteen. They have an
old car, and about once a month they are able to get out into the country. We talked to Jennifer, the
eldest daughter: "We don't go out a lot but sometimes we go to a place in the country which Mum and
Dad know. I think they knew it when they were, you know, younger. It's got a lake, well a pond really, and
trees. The dog likes it, he can run around and nobody really minds. It's a very quiet place. Dad doesn't do
very much. Often he just sleeps. Mum talks to the dog. Once, earlier this spring, Mum and Dad stopped at
a pub for a drink. Dad didn't want to stop because he said it was too expensive, but we stopped anyway,
and Mum and Dad went inside. Sharon and I stayed in the garden with the dog. Anyway, I think Mum
drank a bit too much. Dad didn't. He's too frightened of the police. You know, drinking and driving.
Anyway, we were driving down this road and we were stopped by the police. The policeman asked Dad to
blow into the bag, but he was really nervous and he couldn't do it. He's never been stopped by the police
before. Sharon and I were laughing in the back seat, but Mum was furious. "Give me that bag!" she
shouted at Dad. She took it from him and blew into it herself. "See?" she said to Dad. "Like that!" The
policeman looked at the bag, and then at my Mum. He said, "I can see you've had a few drinks, madam.
It's lucky you're not driving!"
A. Read the text. Ask and answer questions about the Barclays' drive into the country.
B. Retell the text.
C. Do you often go to the country? What was your last picnic like? How do you generally spend your
weekends? What about the members of your family?
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Steve: Look, here's a letter from Jack Stevens. Do you remember him, Jill? I used to share a room with
him in my first year at college.
Jill: Jack Stevans? Is he the one who used to play the guitar very well?
Steve: Guitar? No, Jack didn't play the guitar! He used to play cards and win!
Jill : Did he smoke very heavily too?
Steve: Yes, that's right.
Jill: What does he say in the letter?
Steve: Oh. Didn't I say? He wants to come and see us!
Old Jim: We had a hard life! When I was a boy—eight years old—I used to work for a few pennies. I
made tea for the coalminers here in Derbyshire.
Grandson: How many hours did you use to work at the weekend, Grandad?
Old Jim: Well, we were busy from six o'clock on Saturday morning until eleven on Sunday evening. We
used to stay in the mines for thirty-six hours at the weekend.
Grandson: That was a long time, Grandad!
An old man was sitting on a seat in a small park, surrounded by new red brick houses. A young man with
a dog came up and sat down beside him.
"It's all changed," said the old man, shaking his head sadly. "You see over there, where those houses are.
That used to be the orchard. They used to grow some of the finest pears and apples in the County there.
And over there; you see that house with the green door; there used to be a pond there. When I was a lad,
we often used to fish in it. I don't know what happened to that pond. It must be there somewhere under
somebody's foundations."
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"Are you sure it was there?" asked the young man. "Where the house with the green door stands?" "I'm
positive," replied the old man. The young man looked a little anxious. "That's my house," he said, "the one
with the green door."
A. Questions
1. Where was the old man sitting? 2. What was the park surrounded by? 3. What did the old man say? 4.
Why did the young man look anxious?
B. Turn the following thoughts into USED TO ideas:
eg They grew fine apples there. or

They used to grow fine apples there.
1. They kept cows in that field. 2. There was a tall hedge there. 3. We went to the seaside in the summer.
4. My father took us sailing on the lake. 5. We often went for picnics in the woods. 6. Silvia lived in Kiel,
now she lives in Munich. 7.1 liked sugar in my tea when I was very young, now I don't. 8. There was a
meadow where that school stands. 9. He had his own horses at one time.
C. Study this sentence:
My brother used to work for PanAm, now he works for Intercontinental Hotels.
We often use this combination of used to with a simple present idea. Make similar sentences:
1. Kim live Georgia/now Texas
2. Alice dancer/now actress
3. Sylvia play guitar/now cello
4. Bob drive long distance lorry/ now coach
5. Mr Church repair clocks/now watches
6. Cyril write The Times/now The Telegraph 1. George play for Spurs/now Fulham
8. Frank teach children/now adults
9. David soldier/now policeman
10. Amelia write love stories/now detective stories
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Now what about you? Can you think of some similar statements you could make about yourself?
D. Think back to when you were a child. Answer the following questions as truthfully as possible, using
used to:
eg Where did you go to school? I used to go to school in Linz.
1. Give the name of a child you played with when you were young. 2. What sort of food did you like then?
3. What games did you enjoy? 4. What was your favourite season of the year? 5. What sort of things did
you do in the holidays? 6. What did you dislike doing? 7. Where did you live? 8. What toys did you have?
9. How did you go to school? 10. Which lessons did you like?
E. The negative form of used to is didn 't use to and to ask questions we use the form: Did you use to...?
Look at this conversation:
- Lousie, "Did you use to like school?" Sally, "Yes, I did, didn't you?" or "No, I didn't, did you?"
Make more conversations like this. Here are some ideas:

have many friends like your teachers enjoy writing compositions play a lot of games dislike any lessons
F. Think back to your first year at school. Write a short account of the things you used to do, and the way
you used to feel.
Sometimes I think about my childhood and remember how simple my life used to be. My life is different
today. I have more responsibilities today and more pressure.
I used to live in a big house with my parents and brothers and sisters. My mother used to cook my meals
and wash my clothes. My father used to play soccer with me. Sometimes, on the weekend, we used to go
fishing together. If I needed something,
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I used to ask my family. They used to give me money for school books and clothes. Sometimes they gave
me money so I could go to the movies. When I was little, I didn't have to get up too early and I didn't have
much homework.
Today, I have to take care of myself. No one else cooks my meals or washes my clothes. And no one
else pays my rent. Today, I don't have much time for soccer and fishing. I have to get up early, and I have
to work hard. If I want to go to the movies or go on a date, I have to save my money. No one else gives it
to me. And I have to worry about my flat tires and running out of gas. Yes, it's hard work being an adult!
A. Now use the composition as a model and write about yourself. Compare your life now with your life
before. Give your composition a title and be sure to answer these questions. Paragraph 1
1. What do you remember about your childhood?
2. Is your life different today?
3. How is it different?
Paragraph 2
1. Where did you use to live or who did you live with?
2. Who used to take care of you?
3. What did you use to do in your free time?
4. Where did you get your spending money? Paragraph 3
1. Do you take care of yourself today?
2. What kinds of things do you have to do for yourself?
3. Do you have much free time?
4. How do you spend your time?

5. What do you do when you need money for special things?
6. Is it hard work being an adult?
I remember sailing on a pond that used to be my grandfather's sawmill — we had a boat, and we used to
go sailing on this. Also we used to do a lot of climbing trees. We used to climb those trees for apples,
which we then ate and made ourselves very sick. And my mother would come along and complain very
strongly,
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but I don't think that stopped us at all. And of course in those days I had a bike, too, and I remember I
used to push it up this very long hill near our house and then I'd get on and ride down as fast as I could
go. My mother used to complain about that, too.
A. Read the text. Analyse the use of used to and would.
B. Ask and answer questions on the text. Retell the text.
C. Try to remember what you used to/would do some time ago.
Present Perfect and Present Perfect Continuous
The Present Perfect has three main uses.
1. It expresses an action which began in the past and still continues.
Kate and Ken have been married for twenty years. (=They
are still married now.)
She has worked in London for six months. (=She still works
in London now.)
How long have you lived here? (=You still live here now.)
Note the time expressions that are common with this use. We use/or with a period of time, and since with
a point in time.
two years ' 1970
a month the end of the lesson
for a few minutes since August
half an hour 800
ages Christmas
2. It expresses an experience that happened at some time in one's life. The action is in the past and
finished, but the effects of the action are still felt. When the action happened is not important.

I've been to the States. (I still remember.)
She's written poetry, children's stories and biographies.
(In her writing career)
Have you ever had an operation? (At any time in your life
up to now)
How many times has he been married? (In his life)
Note the adverbs that are common with this use.
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Have you ever been to Australia?
I have never tried salmon before. It is very nice.
Note that questions and answers about definite times are expressed in the Past Simple.
When did you go to the States?
Was her poetry published while she was alive?
I broke my leg once, but I didn't have to stay in hospital.
He met his second wife in the dry cleaner's.
3. It expresses a past action that has a present result. The action is usually in the recent past.
I've lost my wallet.(I haven't got it now.) The taxi hasn't arrived. (We're still waiting for it.) What have you
done to your lip? (It's bleeding.) Peter has shaved his beard off. (He looks different.)
We often announce "news" in the Present Perfect, because the speaker is emphasizing the event as a
present fact.
Have you heard? The Prime Minister has resigned.
Susan's had her baby!
I've ruined the meal. It's burnt.
Note the adverbs that are common with this use.
I haven't done my homework yet. (Negative) Has the postman been yet
1
? (Question) I've already done my
homework. 1've/M.y/ seen some scissors. Now where did I put them? Again, details about definite time
will be in the Past Simple. She had a baby boy this morning. It was a difficult birth.
1. The Present Perfect Continuous expresses an activity which began in the past and is still continuing

now.
I've been working all day.
How long have you been sitting here?
I've been learning English for three years.
They've been listening to the radio all morning.
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2. The Present Perfect Continuous expresses a past activity which has caused a present result.
I've been working all day. (I'm tired now.) Have you been crying? (Your eyes are red.) Roger's been
cutting the grass. (I can smell it.)
The past activity might be finished or it might not. The context usually makes this clear.
Look outside the window! It's been snowing! (It has
stopped snowing now.)
I've been writing this book for two years. (It isn't finished.)
Present Perfect Continuous and Present Perfect Simple
1. When we use the Present We use the Present Perfect Perfect Continuous^ the action
Simple when the action is finished, may be finished or not finished.
She's been doing her homework. She's done her homework.
(=Perhaps she has finished it, (=She has finished it.) perhaps she has not.)
2. We use the Present Perfect We use the Present Perfect Continuous to talk about how
Simple to talk about what long something has been in has been achieved in a period progress.
of time.
I've been walking all morning. I've walked six kilometres
so far this morning.
How long have you been having How many driving lessons
driving lessons? have you had?
3. We use the Present Perfect We use the Present Perfect Continuous for situations which
Simple for situations which are more temporary (continuing are more permanent (continuing for a
short time). for a longer time).
He's been living there for just He's always lived there, a few weeks.
I've been working very hard You've worked hard all your

recently. life.
There is sometimes no difference between the Simple and the Continuous.
I've played/I've been playing the piano since I was a boy. I've been living /I've lived in this flat for ten
years. How long has she been working/has she worked for the company?
Remember that state verbs rarely take the Continuous. I've had this book for ages. I've always loved
sunny days.
Present Perfect and Past Simple
1. The Present Perfect always connects the past and the present; the Past Simple tells us only about the
past:
a. We use the Present Perfect We use the Past Simple to talk
to talk about something which about something which started
started in the past and and finished in the past, continues up to the present.
I've lived in London for I lived in Manchester for ten
ten years. (=1 still live years. (=1 do not live in Manchester
in London now.) now.)
He has worked in a shop for He worked in a factory for ten
five years. (=He still years. (= He does not work in
works in the shop now.) the factory now.)
How long have you been How long were you there? (=
here? (=You are still here now.) You are not there now.')
• b. We also use the Present We use the Past Simple when
Perfect when the result of a the result of a past action is
past action is connected to not connected to the present, the present.
I've lost my wallet. (= I have I lost my wallet, but I've got
not got the wallet now.) it back again now.
We often use the Present Perfect We use the past to give
to announce "news". details of the news.
Someone has stolen my motorbike. I left the bike outside for
a few minutes and when I came back, it wasn't there.
2. When we say a definite past time eg yesterday, last week, six weeks ago, we always use the Past

Simple, never the Present Perfect.
I lost my wallet yesterday, (not: I've lost my wallet
yesterday.)
Someone stole my bicycle last week, (not: Someone has
We use the Present Perfect to talk about an indefinite time up to the present eg ever, never, recently.
Compare:
Present Perfect Past Simple
Have you ever seen a ghost? Did you see your friend yesterday?
I've never been to New York. I went to London last week.
I've started taking driving I started taking driving lessons lessons recently. six
weeks ago.
In conversations, we often begin indefinitely, with the Present Perfect, then we use the Past Simple when
we think about the definite time that something happened.
"Have you ever been to the United States?" "Yes, I went
there in 1985." "Did you go to New York (= when you
were there in 1985)?"
I've seen that film. I enjoyed it (= when I saw it) very
much.
3. We can use today, this morning, this afternoon, etc:
with the Present Perfect when with the past when these
these periods of time are not finished. periods of time are finished. I've spoken to Peter this morning.
I spoke to Peter this morning.
(It is still morning.) (It is now afternoon, evening,
or night time.)
4. We normally use a past tense, not the Present Perfect, to ask when something happened.
When did you arrive home last night? (not: When have
you arrived home last night
Present perfect and present tense
To say how long something has continued, we can use the Present Perfect, but not the Present
Continuous or Present Simple.

She has been waiting for an hour, (not: She is waiting for 60
an hour.) I've lived here since last year, (not: I live here since last year.)
Self check
I. Choose the correct form.
A. Lynne Carter, the manager of the Timeways Travel company, is interviewing a young man called Paul
Morris for a job.
Lynne: Your present company is Sun Travel, isn't it? How long have you worked/did you work there?
Paul: I've worked/I worked for them for two years.
Lynne: I see. And what were you doing before that?
Paul: I've worked/I worked for a student travel company in Spain.
Lynne: Oh, really? How long have you been/were you in Spain?
Paul: For nearly a year. I've moved/I moved back to London from Spain two years ago to join Sun Travel.
Lynne: I see. And do you drive, Paul?
Paul: Yes, I do. I've had/I had a driving license for five years.
Lynne: And have you got your own car?
Paul: No, not at the moment. I've had/I had a car in Spain, but I've sold/ I sold it before I've come/I came
back to Britain.
B. 1. We've been working/We're working since 9 o'clock. 2. I've been cleaning/I'm cleaning my flat for the
past two hours. 3. Look. Can you see Simon over there? He's been sitting/He's sitting in the corner. 4.
"How long have you been/are you ill?" "Since yesterday." 5. Have you known Sarah/Do you know Sarah
for very long? 6. I've been learning English/I'm learning English since last year. 7. They've lived/They live
in London now. They've been/They're there for the last six months.
C. 1. "Can I have a look at your newspaper?" "Certainly. You can keep it if you like. I've been reading/I've
read it." 2. They've been repairing/They've repaired the road all this week, but they haven't finished it yet.
3. I'm very sorry, but I've been breaking/
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I've broken this chair. 4. Sally has been saving/has saved nearly two thousand pounds so far this year. 5.
What's the matter? Have you been losing/Have you lost something? 6. I've always been working/I've
always worked in the music industry. 7. Someone has been eating/has eaten my chocolates. There aren't
many left.

II. Put the verbs in brackets into the correct tense: Present Perfect, Present Perfect Continuous or Simple
Past.
1.1 (buy) a new house last year, but I (not sell) my old house yet, so at the moment I have two houses. 2.
When Ann (be) on her way to the station it (begin) to rain. Ann (run) back to her flat for her umbrella, but
this (make) her late for her train. 3. I'm sorry I'm late, (you, wait) long? 4. At 7 a.m. Charles (ring) Peter
and (say), "I'm going fishing, Peter. Would you like to come?" "But it's so early," (say) Peter. "I (not have)
breakfast yet. Why you (not tell) me last night?" 5. Tom (meet) Paul at lunch time and (say), "I (not see)
you at the bus stop this morning. You (miss) the bus?" "I (not miss) it," (reply) Paul. "I (not miss) a bus for
years. But this morning George (give) me a lift." 6. Those two men (stand) outside the house for over two
hours. Do you think we should call the police? 7. Ann (go) to Canada six months ago. She (work) in
Canada for a while and then (go) to the United States. 8. You look tired. I think you (work) too hard lately
and you (not/get) enough fresh air and exercise. 9. Peter (try) to come in quietly but his mother (hear) him
and (call) out, "Where you (be)? Your supper (be) in the oven for an hour." 10. "Annie's clothes are very
dirty. What (she/do)?" "She (play) in the garden." 11. Mary (be) in Japan for two years. She is working
there and likes it very much. — How she (go)? — She (go) by air. 12. Bill usually has breakfast at 8.00.
Yesterday at 8.30 Peter (meet) Bill and (offer) him an apple. "No, thanks," (say) Bill. "I just (have)
breakfast." 13.1 (read) his books when I was at school. I (enjoy) them very much. 14. The clock is slow.
— It isn't slow, it (stop). 15. He (not smoke) for two weeks. He is trying to give it up. 16. The actors
(arrive) yesterday and (start) rehearsals early this morning. 17. It (be) cold this year. I wonder when it is
going to get warmer. 18. You (lock) the door before you (leave) the house
9
19. You (wear) your hair long
when you were at school? — Yes, my mother (insist) on it. But when I (leave) school I (cut) my hair