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Tenses Solutions

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1 1. Present tenses Exercise 1.1.1 Put the verb in brackets into the correct form. Situation: Some students have to do a survey on the advantages and disadvantages of international fairs. Solutions are marked in red. In blue, you see the words that are decisive for the tense. A How often does your firm take part in a technology fair? B Well, we generally to put up our displays on fairs four or five times a year, but we also invest quite regularly in other kinds of marketing events each time we expect results. A I see. And which fairs do you take part in? B We never miss out on the Hannover Fair, we always show up in Brussels; we mostly send some people to Manchester, and as a rule we try to be utterly prominent in Paris. A Why do you always want to be so prominent in Paris? B Because in Paris we always have the best opportunity to meet our most important clients. A What do you think of the effect of international technology fairs? B Well, of course there is always a great deal of showing off going on, but we generally manage to lure our clients into spending some time with us. Although they sometimes seem a little too busy making their own contacts, we mostly get our message and our products through to them. A Do you think your presence at international fairs is worth the huge investment? B Personally I think that all companies realize they cannot afford to stay away from them, however expensive. But of course we thoroughly evaluate the output each time. A Thank you for your time. B Don’t mention it. Exercise 1.1.2 Put the verbs in brackets into the correct form. Situation: This is an article from a health magazine. Solutions are marked in red. In blue, you see the words that are decisive for the tense. My day usually starts at 6.30. When the alarm rings, I don’t get up immediately. I always try to have a few more minutes in bed, during which I usually listen to the radio news. I get up at 7 o’clock and always go for a short run. My wife never allows me to miss the run because she says that I always get fat when I don’t have enough exercise. The morning generally consists of hard work in my office. Sometimes I also plan meetings in the mornings because they mostly require a lot of concentration; consequently, we often do the rest of the paper work in the afternoon. We usually have lunch at a nearby restaurant, but sometimes we don’t stop for lunch at all. In the evening, I always spend some time with my children; I generally talk with them or I watch some TV programme, or I help them with their school work. I hardly ever do anything else for the rest of the evening. Occasionally I work late, and then I know I drink lots of coffee. I realize my habits are not so healthy. Exercise 1.1.3 Put the verb in the brackets into the correct form. Situation: An insurance company sends out this circular.
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1. Present tenses

Exercise 1.1.1

Put the verb in brackets into the correct form.Situation: Some students have to do a survey on the advantages and disadvantages of international fairs.Solutions are marked in red. In blue, you see the words that are decisive for the tense.

A How often does your firm take part in a technology fair?B Well, we generally to put up our displays on fairs four or five times a year,

but we also invest quite regularly in other kinds of marketing events eachtime we expect results.

A I see. And which fairs do you take part in?B We never miss out on the Hannover Fair, we always show up in Brussels;

we mostly send some people to Manchester, and as a rule we try to beutterly prominent in Paris.

A Why do you always want to be so prominent in Paris?B Because in Paris we always have the best opportunity to meet our most

important clients.A What do you think of the effect of international technology fairs?B Well, of course there is always a great deal of showing off going on, but we

generally manage to lure our clients into spending some time with us.Although they sometimes seem a little too busy making their own contacts,we mostly get our message and our products through to them.

A Do you think your presence at international fairs is worth the hugeinvestment?

B Personally I think that all companies realize they cannot afford to stay awayfrom them, however expensive. But of course we thoroughly evaluate theoutput each time.

A Thank you for your time.B Don’t mention it.

Exercise 1.1.2Put the verbs in brackets into the correct form.Situation: This is an article from a health magazine.Solutions are marked in red. In blue, you see the words that are decisive for the tense.

My day usually starts at 6.30. When the alarm rings, I don’t get up immediately. I alwaystry to have a few more minutes in bed, during which I usually listen to the radio news. Iget up at 7 o’clock and always go for a short run. My wife never allows me to miss therun because she says that I always get fat when I don’t have enough exercise. Themorning generally consists of hard work in my office. Sometimes I also plan meetings inthe mornings because they mostly require a lot of concentration; consequently, we oftendo the rest of the paper work in the afternoon. We usually have lunch at a nearbyrestaurant, but sometimes we don’t stop for lunch at all.In the evening, I always spend some time with my children; I generally talk with them orI watch some TV programme, or I help them with their school work. I hardly ever doanything else for the rest of the evening. Occasionally I work late, and then I know I drinklots of coffee. I realize my habits are not so healthy.

Exercise 1.1.3Put the verb in the brackets into the correct form.Situation: An insurance company sends out this circular.

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Solutions are marked in red. In blue, you see the words that are decisive for the tense.

Lifelong Insurance Company23, Coronation StreetLondon W1

2002-01-12Mr. Lemming6, Oxford StreetCambridge

Dear Sir

Every year, we send letters to home-owners like yourself because it is ourexperience that home-owners usually don’t insure their homes adequately.What kinds of insurance do we offer? Quite simply, the Lifelong InsuranceCompany provides every kind of insurance policy for every requirement.Why do we think we are better than other insurance companies? Because, unlike ourcompetitors, we don’t ask you to see us in your home. We don’t try to sell you apolicy that you don’t need, and we don’t increase our prices each year. The LifelongInsurance Company always insists on maximum efficiency. Write to the aboveaddress and find out more about us.

Yours faithfully

John FreemanManaging Director

Exercise 1.1.4

Put the verbs in the brackets into the correct form.Situation: A visitor to England wants to travel to London by train and is asking for information at thebooking office.

A Do I buy tickets to London from this office?B Yes, madam.A Oh, good. How much does a return ticket to London cost?B £ 25.50A Two returns to London, then, please. How often do the London trains leave?B Do trains to London always depart at 20 minutes past the hour.A I see, and how long does the journey take?B It usually takes 1 hour 46 minutes, but we sometimes experience delays

owing to track repairs.A Thank you. And does every train have a restaurant car?B Yes, madam.A And does the London train stop at all the stations on the route?B No, madam, they don’t. Please check the timetable. Who’s next please?

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1.2 Present Continuous

Exercise 1.2.1

Put the verbs in brackets into the correct form.Situation: After a bad car accident, two men are trapped inside their car. One of the men, John, isunconscious. The ambulance arrives. Ben is talking to the ambulance driver.

A Right, sir, just relax. We ‘re trying to get you out of there.B I can’t see anything. Where’s John? What is he doing.?A He’s on the back seat, sir.B Why isn’t he saying anything?A He’s unconscious, sir. It’s all right, he’s not in pain, and he is breathing normally.B Where are you taking him?A To the ambulance, sir. We are just putting him on a stretcher.B You’re not leaving me alone, are you?A No, sir. Now then, we’ll just move your legs to the left.B Stop, stop, my left leg is hurting.A All right, sir. My colleague is preparing a pain-killing injection for you. Is your leg stil giving

you much pain, sir?B Yes, it is hirting even more now; it isn’t getting any better.

Exercise 1.2.2

Put the verbs in brackets into the present simple or the present continuous tense.situation: An expanding food processing company advertizes for new sales representatives.

Are you looking for a new job?Are you feeling bored in your present job?Are you working at a dull job these days?Are you trying to find a better career?Does every day seem the same?Do you hate your work?Do you wish for a better life NOW?If your answer to these questions is yes, read on.We at FOODCO are now increasing our productiondepartment and we are looking for young, energeticpeople.We believe the time is right to expand our business.We don’t think trade is bad; we don’t expect theeconomic recession to continue. We know that newmarkets are appearing at this very moment.Do you want to know more about us? Then write to theManaging Director at the address below:

Foodco Ltd, Birmingham Way, Manchester.

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1.3 Present Perfect Simple

Exercise 1.3.1

Put the verbs in brackets into the correct form.Situation: Two bank robbers are in a bank surrounded by the police. This is part of a radio report on thesiege.Solutions are marked in red. In blue, you see the words that are decisive for the tense.

“This is Joan Harper of Independent Radio reporting the most recent events in theDover High Street siege.The police have now vacated their positions around the building, but the threeofficers on the roof have not yet moved away. The police negotiator has just stoppedtalking to the robbers, and he has returned to the control car. A helicopter has landedin a public park a short distance away, and the police have erected barriers at bothends of the High Street. All the emergency services have arrived: the ambulance menhave placed themselves next to the control car, and the firemen have connected theirhoses to the High Street water supply.Something is happening at one of the barriers; I can’t see clearly. Yes, now I can. Agroup of soldiers has just come through the southern barrier, and their Commandingofficer has gone straight to the control car.Something or someone has just appeared at a first floor window at the bank. It’s awoman. We have recently heard a lot of noises from inside the bank; the robbers haveobviously decided to use different tactics.The woman has just thrown a box into the street; the box has started burning. Thewoman has moved away from the window. Two of the officers on the roof havebegun climbing down to a second floor window. Yes, they’ve just reached it. Theyhave broken the glass and they’re going in now.”

Exercise 1.3.2

Put the verb in brackets into the correct form.Situation: Alan is ill at home. He is bored, so he writes an e-mail to an old friend.Solutions are marked in red. In blue, you see the words that are decisive for the tense.

Dear Philip

As I have spent a lot of time at home recently, I have been able to think about oldfriends and I realize that we haven’t met for at least 15 years. I have often wonderedhow life has treated you so far, and whether or not you have managed to achieve yourambitions.But first, some news about myself. I have lived at the above address since 1990. Ihave occasionally thought about moving, but I have always been very happy here.The doctor has just told me to stay at home for a rest and I find I get lonely veryquickly. I have been alone since my wife’s death two years ago.I haven’t written to any of our old friends for the last ten years. I have often sat downto start a letter, but I have always been lazy about letter-writing. Anyway, Philip, tellme all your news. Have you heard from any of our old friends since 1985? Have youever attended any of the reunion parties?I look forward to hearing from you.

YoursAlan

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1.4 Present Perfect Continuous

Exercise 1.4.1

Put the verb in brackets into the correct form.Situation: There’s been an attempted robbery in Dover High Street Bank. This is a radio report on the policesiege. It is 3.30 p.m.

‘ Hello again from Dover. My last report was thirty minutes ago, and very little hashappened at the bank. We have been waiting for the two officers to reappear for halfan hour now, and the authorities have been getting more and more worried abouttheir safety inside the bank. The soldiers have been checking their equipment for thelast twenty minutes and everyone has been speculating about their intentions. Theemergency services have been consolidating their positions in front of the bank, andthe crowd has been growing larger by the minute.I have with me now one of the senior police officers in charge of the operation.“Chief Superintendent, exactly how long have your men been containing therobbers?”“We have been controlling events for two hours now.”“And how long have we been waiting for news from your men inside the bank?“Not as long as you think. We have been receiving regular reports from them since3.15 p.m. They have been talking to the robbers for some time; my men have beentrying to persuade them to surrender, but we think that the robbers have beenpreparing an escape attempt for the last quarter of an hour. Only the woman hasbeen replying to our questions; we think that the man has been trying to break thelocks on the back door. Of course, we have been expecting an escape attempt forsome time, so we have been positioning our men behind the bank since 3.20 p.m.They have been waiting for my order to move in closer for the last eight minutes.”“Thank you, Chief Superintendent.”“So there it is. The siege has been continuing without break since one o’clock, butwe think that the end is near. Back now to London.”

Exercise 1.4.2

Put the verbs in brackets into the correct form.Situation: At a meeting of the Countryside Protection Agency, a government minister is speaking toAgency members.

Ladies and gentlemen, I have been looking forward to this meeting for some time. Since our coming topower, our party has been trying to increase financial aid to agencies like yourselves; we have beenreviewing plans for new National Parks; we have been investigating alternative sources of energy; wehave been calculating the energy needs of the future; and we have been analysing pollution levels inour cities. The party the development of agencies like yours for many years; the number of agencieshas been growing steadily for the last four years; your own membership numbers have been increasingrapidly since December last year; and the government has been spending more time and money on theproblems that you bring to our attention. Now, I’m sure that you have some questions to ask me.

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Review exercises: all the present tenses

review exercise 1 Put the verbs into a suitable present tense.Situation: A scheduled flight from New York to London, Heathrow, is in trouble over the Irish Sea. The pilotis talking to Heathrow Ground Control.

P: NY 214 calling Heathrow. Come in, please.H: We are receiving you loud and clear. Over.P: We have been flying through a severe electric storm and our instruments

aren’t working. We need radar assistance.H: Has your navigator fixed position recently?P: No, of course not. He has been flying blind. Only one instrument is still

working, the altimeter. He hasn’t made an accurate fix for fifteenminutes.

H: What altitude you are you flying at, NY 214?P: We are holding steady at 25,000 feet.H: All right, 214, we are diverting / have diverted all traffic away from your

area.P: Thank you, Heathrow. We are coming / have come out of the storm now.H: Has your visibility improved?P: Yes, visibility has just increased to five miles.H: Is your compass still not working?P: It’s O.K. now, Heathrow. It is giving accurate readings now.D: NY 214, this is Dublin Ground Control speaking. We have been watching

your progress on our radar since your first call. You have been flying offcourse for the last five minutes. What course are you following now?

P: We are cruising steadily on course 210, Dublin.D: Change to 185 immediately! You are on a collision course!

review exercise 2 Put the verbs into a suitable present tense.Situation: Martin is worried about his health so he goes to see his doctor. He first meets the doctor’sreceptionist.

R: Good morning, Sir. Have you made an appointment?M: Yes, my name is Martin Jones.R: Ah yes. Go straight in, Mr. Jones.Dr.: Good morning, Mr. Jones. How are you?M: Well, doctor, I have been gettting a pain in my chest for several days and I have been

having a lot of bad headaches in the last two weeks.Dr.: I see. How long did the headaches last?M: They usually continued for two to three hours.Dr.: And when they did they start?M: They generally (to begin) when I got home from work at 5.30 p.m.Dr.: I see, and what did you take to ease the pain?M: I always take two aspirins, but very often they don’t help at all.Dr.: And this pain in your chest. Exactly how long has it been troubling you?M: I have had since Monday.Dr.: Mm, two days. Is your chest hurting now?M: No, not at the moment. It generally gives me most pain while I am working.Dr.: Have you ever felt this pain before?M: No.Dr.: And have you ever suffered from regular headaches before?M: Well, I have always had the occasional headache, but I have never experienced so many in

such a short time before. Is it serious, doctor?Dr.: No, but I would like to have some detailed tests done at the hospital.

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review exercise 3 Put the verbs into a suitable present tense.Situation: This is part of a television news programme.

And here are the main points of the main news again. The inflation rate hasbeen going down for the third month in succession; inflation is now running ata figure of eight percent. The third anti-nuclear power conference has begun inHelsinki; national representatives have been spending the first day of theconference preparing the agenda for the week. And finally ... Excuse me .... Wehave just received news of a serious mid-air collision over the Irish Sea.Apparently two planes have crashed near the Irish coast. Rescue forces havealready left Dublin and all ships in the area now are now sailing to the disasterpoint. Two air-sea rescue helicopters have taken off from their base in Walesand they are now searching the area for survivors.

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2. Past tenses

Exercise 2.1.1Put the verbs into the correct form.Situation: This is a report in a local newspaper about a serious fire in a furniture factory.

Yesterday evening at 8.30 p.m. a fire started in the Clemence Furniture Factory, Devon.There were 250 workers at the factory, all of whom managed to escape before the firebecame too serious. The fire brigade arrived only ten minutes after the staff raised thealarm. It seems that the fire began somewhere in the sawdust collection area of theproduction installation. A member of the staff saw the flames and immediately pressed thenearest alarm button. He then tried to contain the fire himself, but soon realized that hecould not control it so he left the building, after checking the area for remaining personnelor victims.The staff cleared the production premisses in record time and the manager reported thearea empty at 8.45. The fire spread rapidly; in spite of the firemen’s efforts, the fire soonreached the finishing department and so moved rapidly through the whole factory. The fireservices concentrated on stopping the fire spreading to neighbouring buildings and itfinally burnt itself out at 11.50 last night.

Exercise 2.1.2Put the verbs into the correct form.Situation: Here are some questions from a television quiz.

When did Brazil first win the World Cup?Who was the first man to climb Everest?How many gold medals did Britain win at the Montreal Olympics?When did James Hunt retire from Formula 1 driving?How many times did Rod Laver play at Wimbledon?When did Mohammed Ali start boxing professionally?How many goals did West Germany score in the 1980 European Cup Final?When did Roger Bannister first run a mile in less than four minutes?Which team did Argentina beat in the 1978 World Cup Final?When did Björn Borg first appear at Wimbledon?

Exercise 2.1.3Put the verbs in brackets into the past simple or present perfect simple.Situation: A company producing Smoke Less, a tobacco substitute, wants some information about thepossible market for the product. Complete the questionnaire they sent to 1000 cigarette smokers.

Questionnaire – Smoking habits

1. Have you ever suffered from smoker’s cough?1.1 How long you have you been having the cough?1.2 How long have you been smoking?1.3 When did the cough start?1.4 Has the cough ever disappeared completely?

2. Have you ever changed from cigarettes to a different form of tobacco?2.1 What started you smoking?2.2 How much you have you been missing your cigarettes?2.3 When you did you return to cigarette smoking?2.4 Why did you change back to cigarettes?

3. Have you ever smoked a tobacco substitute?3.1 When did you first truy it ?3.2 What did it taste like?3.3 What did you like about it?3.4 What did you dislike about it?

avd

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Exercise 2.1.4Put the verbs in the brackets into the past simple, present perfect simple or present perfect continuous.Situation: It is the beginning of the winter holiday period. London Airport is surrounded by thick fog. Twostrangers meet in the departure lounge.

A Excuse me. Is this seat taken?B No, go ahead.A Thanks. Have you been waiting long?B Yes, since the fog started.A When did they stop outgoing flights?B At about 4.30 this afternoon. How long you have you been waitng?A Oh, I have only just arrived. I came by taxi and it was so foggy on the roads that I nearly didn’t

get here at all.B Yes, I have never seen it so foggy and I have never known the authorities to close the airport

since we had that bad winter ten years ago.A When did you expect to take off?B I expected to take off seven hours ago, but I have been sitting here drinking cups of coffee since

they announced there would be no more departures till further notice.A Have you ever had to wait so long before?B No! I have never waited more than two hours since I started travelling by plane when I was

twelve years old. It’s ridiculous.A Mm. I have only flown once before, so this waiting is new to me, too.

Exercise 2.1.5

Put the verbs in the brackets into the past simple, present perfect simple or present perfect continuous.Situation: Jane is trying to get a job as a foreign affairs journalist with one of the national daily newspapers.She is at the interview.

A Now then, Miss Bradford, why are you applying for this particular post?J Because I have always wanted to work abroad and I have always thought that your paper has the

best foreign affairs section.A Yes, I see. Have you ever worked before?J Oh, yes. I ‘ve had several years’ experience overseas as a freelance journalist and as a

correspondent for the National Globe.A When did you work for the Globe?J I was with them for three years; I started in 1985 and left in 1988.A Why you did you leave?J Because I felt that I needed more experience in different countries. The Globe only employed

me in European countries.A I see. Which other countries you have you worked in since you left the Globe?J I spent six months in Japan in 1999, then I went to South America in October ’99; I stayed there

for nine months before I moved on to the USA in 2000. I have been working freelance in theStates for the last eightteen months.

A Well, thank you, Miss Bradford, that will be all for the moment. You can expect to hear from usnext week.

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2.2 Past Continuous

Exercise 2.2.1Put the verb in brackets into the past simple or past continuous.Situation: There has been a serious air crash over the Irish Sea. This is part of an television report on thedisaster. The reporter is talking to some of the survivors.

A Excuse me, sir. Can you tell me which plane you you were travelling in?B I was on the plane from New York.A And what you were you doing when the planes collided?B Well, I was asleep until about ten seconds before we crashed; the stewardess

woke me up when she told / was telling us to put on our lifebelts.A So you knew that something was wrong?B Yes, but we didn’t know what. In fact, we we were still talking about it when

we hit the other plane. Then our plane went completely out of control.A What happened next?B It seemed that we were falling for hours but I suppose it was only a few

minutes before we hit the sea. I don’t know how he did it, but the pilotmanaged to land on the sea somehow. Then we left the plane by theemergency exits.

Exercise 2.2.2Put the verbs in the brackets into the past continuous or past simple.Situation: This is part of a newspaper article on the causes of the Irish Sea disaster.

Two weeks ago, the worst air crash in history occurred over the Irish Sea. Civilaviation experts searched the area for the flight recorders of both planes and aftera two-day search eventually succeeded in finding them.It seems that the accident was the result of both mechanical failure and humanerror. Apparently, trans-atlantic flight NY214 was flying off-course when theaccident happened. A charter flight from Dublin was climbing to 28,000 feetwhen Dublin Ground Control realized that there was a second aircraft in thesame sector. Air Traffic Control were sending emergency messages to bothpilots when the crash broke all radio contact.The experts have suggested that NY214 was flying off-course becausenavigational instruments on the plane were giving false readings. The flightrecorder indicates that the flight engineer thought he was receiving accuratereadings.

Exercise 2.2.2Put the verbs in the brackets into the past continuous or past simple.Situation: A geology student, Alison, almost drowned when the tide came in faster than she expected. Afterbeing rescued by helicopter, she talks to her boyfriend, Bernard, about what happened.

A I’m sorry, Bernard, I didn’t mean to worry everybody.B What happened?A Well, I was looking for rock specimens in the cliffs. I wanted to complete

my collection for the research project I started last December, and ...B Well, I know about the project, but what on earth you were you doing so far

from the cliffs?A I told you. I was collecting specimens. You see; I saw this rock about half a

mile from the cliffs and I decided to check it. Isolated rocks very often havethe most interesting specimens and ...

B Stop talking about that stupid rock! What were you doing when you realizedyou couldn’t get back to the cliffs?

A I was trying to reach the specimen when I suddenly saw the water. It was

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already very deep and it was still coming in very fast! I felt really veryscared. You know I can’t swim, so I ...

B What? You can’t swim? You never told me that!

2.3 Past Perfect SimpleExercise 2.3.1

Put the verb in brackets into the correct form.situation: Susan and Terry returned home from holiday yesterday to find a broken window and severalvaluable items missing. Later, they tell the police what happened.

P When did you first realize someone had broken into your house ?T Well, when we opened the front door, we noticed that someone had

walked through the hall in muddy shoes and had broken the lock onthe living-room door. And then, when we got into the kitchen, wesaw that the thief, or thieves, had come in through the kitchenwindow; they had smashed the glass and opened the window fromthe inside.

P Anything missing from the kitchen ?S As far as we can tell, there’s nothing missing from the kitchen. But it

was an awfull mess.P And what about the living room?T We not couldn’t believe our eyes when we first went in. They had

thrown all the books on the floor; they had searched through everydrawer in the desk; they had torn open all the cushions; they hadpulled up the carpet; and they had even smashed all the pictures.

P And what was missing?S Well, that’s strange. They had taken some cash and smaller pieces of

silver, but they had left a lot of valuable items. They had even leftthe cheque books. I don’t understand it.

P Something or someone had probably disturbed them. It oftenhappens. Well,, we’ll do our best, but there’s not much chance ofrecovering your possessions I’m afraid.

Exercise 2.3.2Put the verb in brackets into the correct form.situation: Phil had his first flying lesson yesterday. He’s now telling Richard what it was like.

R Had you ever been in a small plane before?P No, and I hadn’t expected it to be so noisy. I I ‘d flown in several jets

before, but I I’d never even seen a small plane before yesterday.R Had the instructor realized you were a complete beginnnner?P Oh yes. He’d spent 30 minutes asking me questions before we went out

to the plane. I told him I I’d always wanted to learn how to fly, but I’dnever had the opportunity and I hadn’t been able to afford it before.

R Was the lesson as exciting as you you’d expected?P Oh yes, I had imagined all sorts of things before I actually flew the plane.

I’d thought I would get airsick; I’d dreamt I would crash; I’d beenworried I would be too nervous to control the plane; I I’d imagined theplane would catch fire. But after the lesson, I suddenly realized that Ihadn’t been sick, that we hadn’t crashed, that I’d controlled the planewell, that the plane hadn’t caught fire and that I I’d actually flown a planefor the first time in my life. It was fantastic!

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2.4 Past Perfect Continuous

Exercise 2.4.1Put the verbs in the brackets into the correct form.Situation: Margaret and Paul arranged to meet outside the cinema in the centre of town. Paul had arrived halfan hour late. The next day, Margaret tells her flatmate what happened.

A Morning, Margaret. Did you have a good time last night?M No, I didn’t! I had been looking forward to it all week, but it was a

disaster.A What happened?M I’d been standing outside the cinema for twenty minutes when it started

raining. Until then I’d been imagining all sorts of excuses for Paul butafter it started raining, I just felt angry.

A How long had you been waiting when he finally arrived?M I had been walking up and down outside that cinema for at least half an

hour when he finally came! The rain had been getting heavier andheavier, and I’d been growing angrier and angrier. But I didn’t sayanything when he eventually arrived.

A Why not?M Because he was angry with me! He’d been waiting outside the theatre. I

was so angry I couldn’t speak.

Exercise 2.4.2Put the verbs in brackets into the past simple, past perfect simple or past perfect continuous.ituation: This is part of a television broadcast summarizing the first week’s play at the Wimbledon TennisChampionships.

‘ Good evening and welcome to Wimbledon. The first week of play producedthe usual surprises, but the biggest of all came when the defending championlost in the fourth round. He‘d been playing well and he’d been beating hisopponents easily until he met the American lefthander in the fourth round.The champion won the first set, six games to four, and after he’d broken theAmerican’s service early in the second set, everyone thought he had thematch under his control. After five minutes’ play, the champion had won thesecond set, but then the American began to fight back. He broke servicetwice in the third set and won it six-two and after they had been playing fortwo hours, the American took the fourth set on a tiebreak. The game wentwith service in the final set to five-five; then the American played somewonderful tennis and broke service to lead six-five. He then completed amemorable match to win seven-five in the final set.

Review exercises: all past tenses

review exercise 1Put the verb in brackets into the past perfect simple, past perfect continuous, or past simple.Situation: Peter recently returned to the town where he was born. This is an account of the changes he saw.

I got off the train at Central Station an walked down the High Street to the TownHall. At first, I thought nothing had changed, but then I noticed that the oldshopping centre had disappeared and a new department store had taken its place.As I went past the Town Hall, I looked for the old clock which had always been fiveminutes slow, but this too had gone. I remembered that the Mayor had beenplanning to replace it before I left, but he had never had enough money. He had

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obviously managed to save a sufficient amount, because a new clock now was nowgiving the right time. I continued my walk, trying to find the street where I hadgrown up up. I soon got lost because everything had changed. Blocks of high-riseflats had replaced the streets of old terraced houses and the park had vanished. Anew swimming pool stood over the place where I had scored my first goal in afootball match. I decided I had seen enough so I hurried back to the station andcaught the next train. I wanted to keep my memories safe.

Review exercise 2Put the verb in the brackets into a suitable past tense.Situation: This is part of a spy novel called ‘Modern Spy’.

Chapter 3

David Lang waited patiently in the shadow of a wall. It was raining steadily; in fact,it had been raining since he arrived two hours earlier. For the hundreth time, hechecked his watch, looked up and down the street and complained to the dark aboutAmerican agents who were always late.He started thinking about the events of the day and why he had arrived in CentralEurope with no money and no gun. At ten o’clock that morning, his boss had calledhim into his office and had told him about the radio message the Americans hadreceived from their Central European agent. After that, Lang had had one hour toreach the airport. His flight had landed at four o’clock in the afternoon and he hadtaken a taxi to the corner of the street where he was now standing.He was checking his watch again when he suddenly heard a man enter the street. Hewas moving slowly back into the shadow when something hard hit him on the neck.He remembered nothing more until he came round ten minutes later and realized hewas travelling by car through the streets of the capital with three armed men.

Review exercise 3Put the verb in brackets into a suitable past tense.Situation: Dan and Robert have just finished their final exam at the university. As soon as they come out ofthe exam hall, they start discussing the last paper.

D Well, I didn’t like that at all. What did you think of it, Robert?R I thought the questions were not too bad, but after I had read them all carefully, I

realized I had revised the wrong subjects.D Mm. I know what you mean. I’d expected a question on the First World War and

I’d been studying it for weeks, but the examiner hadn’t included any questions onit at all. When I had checked the questions twice and I’d finally understood thatthere were only two questions I could answer, I felt like giving up.

Review exercise 4Situation: The following won a prize in the local evening paper’s short story competition.

She got up at 6.30 and made a cup of tea. She hated Monday mornings becauseMonday was the day when the working week started for other people. She didn’t haveany breakfast because it was getting harder and harder to make the money last. At8.30 she left her flat and began another day of job hunting.In the morning she went to all the Job Centres in the city, but there were no vacanciesanywhere. She she had been visiting the same Centres every weekday for the last fivemonths and she she ‘d only found one possible job in all that time. She had phonedfor an appointment immediately, but they had told her the position had already gone.

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3. Future tenses

Exercise 3.1.1

Put the verb in brackets into the correct form.Situation: It is Tuesday. Two football fans are talking about the World Cup Final.

A Who do you think will win next Saturday?B Well, I hope Italy will win but they will probably lose again. I think

Brazil will score two or three early goals and Italy won’t be able to stopthem after that.

A Perhaps the Brazilian striker will still be injured.B Maybe, but Brazil will probably finish the first half with a two-nil lead.A No, I think the score nil-nil at half-time. The Italians will probably score

at the beginning of the second half and then they’ll play defensivefootball. They ‘ll win by one-nil.

B Rubbish. I don’t think they’ll stop the Brazilians scoring in the first tenminutes. After that, they’ll lose all their confidence and we’ll haveSouth American champions again.

A We we’ll soon find out out. Only four days to go before the final.

Exercise 3.1.2

Put the verb in brackets into the correct form.Situation:Ann is in hospital for an operation. She is talking to the surgeon.

A How long will the operation take, doctor?B Oh, it won’t take longer than thirty minutes or so, but of course, you

won’t know anything about it because you’ll be unconscious.A When will I wake up?B You you’ll probably come round round for a few minutes immediately

after the operation, but I expect you’ll still be under the anaesthetic foranother three hours.

A Will I feel a lot of pain?B Well, your neck will probably feel quite sore for a few days, but you’ll

soon begin to feel better.A When will I be able to have visitors?B I think we’ll want to keep you quiet two or three days, but I imagine

you’ll be well enough for visitors after that.A How long will I have to stay in hospital?B I expect we’ll want to keep you for about two weeks; then we’ll

probably let you go home. We we’ll want you to come back for acheck-up a month after that.

A Will I have any more trouble with my neck after my operation?B Well, for a couple of months it ‘ll probably a bit sore, but I’m sure

you’ll be completely fit again in six months’ time.

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3.2 Future with going to

Exercise 3.2.1

Put the verbs in brackets into the correct form.Situation: This is an extract from a television program on politics. It is two weeks before a General Election.Members of the audience are asking the politicians questions.

A What are you going to do about taxes?B We’re going to keep taxes at their present level for two years and after

that we’re going to reduce them by three per cent a year.A Why aren’t you going to reduce taxes as soon as possible?B Because we’re going to take a good look a good look at the whole

economy before we make any changes. We’re not going to make thesame mistake as the last government. We’re going to reduce taxeswhen we can afford to, not before.

C What is your party going to do about unemployment?B We’re going to start a job-creation scheme immediately; we’re going

to expand certain industries and we’re going to increase social secutitypayments to the unemployed.

C How are we going to pay for all that?B The party is going to cut down spending on defence. We’re going to

make consicerable savings in that area.C Are you also going to increase the number of unemployed?D And how are you going to help the elderly?A We’re going to increase pensions by fifty per cent, we’re going to give

pensioners free travel cards; and we’re going to provide extra housingfor the elderly.

3.3 Future with Present Continuous

Exercise 3.3.1

Put the verb in brackets into the correct form.Situation: Peter is managing director of a company in London. He is checking his appointments with hissecretary. It is Monday morning.

P What’s happening this afternoon?S At 12.30 you’re having lunch lunch with the Production

Manager; at 2.00 you’re meeting our European Manager; at3.30 you’re discussing next year’s prices with the FinancialDirector; at 4.30 you’re having tea with the Chairman and at5.30 your wife’s coming to take you to the Annual CompanyDinner.

P What am I doing on Tuesday?S You’re flying to Rome for the International Conference. The

chauffeur is taking you to Heathrow at 9.15; you’re travellingon the 10.30 flight direct to Rome. You’re returning to Londonon Thursday morning.

P What am I doing on Friday?S You’re going to the dentist at 4.00; and in the evening you’re

celebrating your wedding anniversary: you’re taking your wifeout to dinner at the Ritz. Don’t forget!

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3.4 Future with Present Simple

Review exercisesReview exercise 1Put the verbs in brackets into the correct future form.

A What are you doing over Christmas, Fred?B I haven’t decided yet. I’ll probably go to my parents’ for Christmas Day, then I think I’ll spend a

few days in London. My girlfriend is staying in London over Christmas, so I’ll probably take herout to the theatre. Are you doing anything special?

A Oh, yes. We’re going to the Bahamas to the Bahamas. We’re flying on Christmas Eve; we’restaying at a five-star hotel for four days; then we’re returning on December 30th.

B Why aren’t you staying there longer? Are you coming back back for a New Year’s Eve party?A No, we just don’t think we’ll have enough money to stay longer. We’re going to take another

holiday in March, you see.B Oh, yes? And where are you going to go in March?A Well, it’s not absolutely certain yet, but we’ll book a holiday in the Canary Islands. We’ll have

two weeks of spring sunshine.B And what do you think you will do for a holiday next summer? You won’t have any holiday left

to take.A No, but we’re going to enjoy ourselves this winter.

Review exercise 2Put the verbs in brackets into the correct form.Situation: Margaret’s eldest son is returning from Australia next month. She decides to throw a party tocelebrate. She phones her daughter to invite het to the party.

M Hello, Laura?L Hello, Mum. How are you?M Fine, thanks. Now listen. Richard’s coming home next month and we’re going to have a party to

celebrate. He’s arriving on Friday 26th and we think we’ll have the party on Saturday 27th. Areyou doing anything then?

L No, I don’t think so. I’m playing golf on Sunday 28th, but I can change that. Are you going tobook a table in a restaurant or is the party going to be at home?

M We haven’t decided yet. We’ll probably eat out.L How many people are you going to invite?M Just the family. Richard is staying six weeks, so he’ll probably have time to see all his friends.L Where is he going to stay?M At home, of course. Perhaps he’ll visit friends for a night or two, but most of the time he’ll be

here. So you’re definitely coming then?L Oh yes, I’m coming. I expect I’ll drive up on Friday night after work; I imagine I’ll arrive at

about 10.00. Will that be all right?M Wonderful. See you on the 26th, then. Bye.L Bye, Mum.

Review exercise 3

Put the verbs in brackets into the correct form.Situation: The Course Director in the Hospital Training Department has arranged for a London specialist togive an evening lecture to his students. He is discussing arrangements with his secretary.

S It’s all arranged. Dr. Webb is travelling down tomorrow night. I’m meeting him at the

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station and we’re driving straight to the Lecture Hall.

D What is he going to talk about? How long is the lecture going to last? How many peopleare we going to invite? Are we going to have an informal discussion afterwards?

S Just a minute! One question at a time. He thinks his subject will be Recent Developments inOpen-Heart Surgery; the lecture will probably last about two hours. We’re going to inviteall the student nurses but we aren’t going to allow members of the general public to attend.Eh, what was the last question?

D Is he going to stay for a discussion after the lecture?

S Oh, no. He’s returning to London immediately because he’s performing an operation thenext day. I’m taking him back to the station at 9.30.

3.5 Future Continuous

exercise 3.5.1Put the verbs in brackets into the correct form. Situation: Two university students are talking about their finalexams which take place next week. It is 5 o’clock on Friday afternoon.

A Just think! This time next week we’ll be finishing our last exam. I will be checking myanswers for the last time and I I will be looking forward forward to the party after theexam. What will you be doing, Bill?

B I certainly won’t be looking forward forward for the party. I will be worrying about theanswers I’ve written. I wish I had done more work. I think I will be hoping the exams inSeptember are easier.

A Oh, come on. Don’t be so negative! Think about something else. What will you be doingthis time next year?

B I hope I will be retaking my exams.

3.6 Future Perfect Simple

Exercise 3.6.1Put the verbs in brackets into the correct form.Situation: A magazine reporter is interviewing a leading professional golfer.

A By the end of this year, how long will you have been a professional golfer?B Well, by December I will have completed ten years on the circuit, but I’ll have done only six

years as a professional.A What do you think you’ll have achieved by the end of the season?B Well, I’ll have competed in twenty-five top tournaments. Obviously, I hope I’ll have won all

of them, but I honestly don’t know which tournaments I’ll have won and which I’ll have lost.Ask me again in December.

A And what about the US Open?B What about it! This is the tenth year I’ll have tried to win it. By the end of the tournament,

I’ll have played on that course thirty times. I’ll have made the same mistakes thirty times.I’ll have dropped points at the same holes; I’ll have finished the course behind youngerplayers for the tenth year in succession. And I’ll have failed to win the tournament yet again.But you can be sure I’ll have done my best to win it!

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3.7 Future Perfect Continuous

Exercise 3.7.1put the verbs in brackets into the correct form.Situation: Jenny and David are research scientists. They are having coffee and talking about their project.

J Do you realize we’ll have been working on this project for two yearsby the end of the month?

D Yes, I know. I’ll have been conducting the same experiments; I’ll havebeen making the same analyses; I’ll have been doing the samecalculations; I’ll have been trying to find the same answers for twowhole years!

J I don’t know why you are complaining! By June 30th, the projectteam will have been studying this problem for five years and Dr.Weybridge will have been struggling with it for even longer; youwon’t have been working on it for even half that time. Even the teamsecretary will have been dealing with it for longer than you.

D Yes, but the secretary won’t have been having nightmares aboutpenicillin compounds.

Review exercises: all future tenses

Review exercise 1Put the verb in brackets into the future simple, future continuous, or future perfect simpleSituation: Two passengers, trapped in a crashed Underground train, are talking to each other while waitingfor the rescue services to reach them.

A How long do you think it will take them to reach us?B Not long. They’ll probably be here here in half-an-hour. In an hour’s

time, we’ll be sitting up in bed and we’ll be chatting to the nurses atthe hospital. How are your legs?

A Well, I can’t feel anything. Do you think I’ll ever be able able to walkagain?

B Yes, of course. The doctors will soon get you well again. In a fewdays, you’ll be walking round the hospital and you’ll be making a realnuisance of yourself. By the end of next week, you’ll have forgottenall about this accident.

A I’m not so sure. I think the doctors will keep me in hospital for quite along time; I’ll probably have to have several operations; even after sixmonths in hospital, they probably won’t have cured me completely.

B Nonsense. They’ll have let you leave the hospital by the end of nextweek. In two weeks’ time, you’ll be leading a normal life again; you’llbe running up and down the stairs with no trouble. And you’ll be backat work back at work in no time at all.

A Well, I hope you are right.B Of course I am. You’ll soon be completely fit again. By the end of the

month, you’ll have told your friends the story of this accident ahundred times; they’ll have heard it so often that they’ll probably beable to repeat it word for word.

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Review exercise 2Put the verbs in brackets into the future with going to, future continuous, or future perfect simple.Situation: Just after a successful election campaign, the new Prime Minister is explaining his plans for thenext five years.

The new government is going to make a lot of important changes over thenext five years. We’re going to create new jobs for the unemployed; we’regoing to give government grants to industry; we’re going to start aprogramme of house building to help the homeless; and we’re going tocompletely modernize the national railways.By the end of our first year in office, we’ll have reduced unemploymentfigures by fifty percent; we’ll have made grants available to more than 200companies; we’ll have built 50,000 new homes; we’ll have started themodernization of the railways; and we’ll have had enough time to considerplans for lowering interest rates.In two years’ time, many of those who are now unemployed will beworking in full-time jobs; companies will be expanding into new markets;those who are now homeless will be living in new flats and houses; peoplewill be travelling on modern, efficient trains, and interest rates will becoming down down.By the end of our five-year term of government, we’ll have changed thiscountry beyond recognition; we’ll have achieved full employment; we’llhave doubled the output of industry; we’ll have solved the problem of thehomeless; and we’ll have modernized the railways. Nobody will have anyregrets about electing this government.

Review exercise 3Put the verb in brackets into the present continuous, future simple, future continuous of future perfect simple.Situation: Richard has managed to get a well-paid job abroad. He is talking to Paul, his colleague about hisnew job.

R So everything is arranged; I’m flying to New York next Saturday; mynew boss is meeting me at the airport; and I’m starting work at 8.30on Monday morning.

P Do you think you’ll have any trouble getting used to a new way oflife?

R Well, I will probably feel a bit lost at first, but I think I will adjustfairly quickly. By the end of the first month, I’ll have forgotten allabout England.

P Or you’ll have started wishing you had stayed here!R No, Paul. This time next month, I’ll be thinking like an American. I’ll

be living like an American; and I’ll be talking like an American.P I don’t think you’ll ever lose your English accent. Living in America

will probably make it even stronger. What time are you leaving onSaturday?

R The taxi is collecting me at 9 o’clock. At exactly 12.15, I’ll be takingmy last look at England from one of the aircraft’s windows.

P Do you think you’ll come back back for a holiday now and then?R Oh, yes. I hope I’ll be able able to come back two or three times a

year. Where are you going for your holidays this year?P I haven’t decided yet. I expect I’ll spend a week in Scotland.R Why don’t you come and see me in the States?

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Review exercise 4Put the verbs in brackets into the present continuous, future simple, future with going to or future perfectsimple.Situation: It’s Monday morning. The Cooper family are having breakfast.

A I’m going into town this morning, James. Sarah is meeting me at 10o’clock and we’re going to do some shopping. Are you doing anythingat 12.30? Perhaps we can have lunch together?

J Well, I’m seeing a client at 12.30, but we’ll probably have finished byone o’clock. Will that be too late for you?

A No, that’s fine. Where shall we go?J How about the Steak House, or do you think it will be too crowded

there?A No, there won’t be many people there at this time of year.J Are you going anywhere near the bank?A Yes, I’m calling in there actually.J What time do you think you’ll get there there?A Well, we’re going to start in Commercial Street; we’ll probably spend

an hour in the shops; then I expect we’ll have a coffee somewhere; soI’ll probably reach the bank at about 11.30. Why?

J Well, the manager is expecting to see me this afternoon; and I won’tbe able to keep the appointment if I take lunch with you.

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4. The Passive

Exercise 4.1

Put the verbs in brackets in the correct form of the present simple.Situation: A party of students is visiting a chocolate factory. The Production Manager is explaining themanufacturing process. Mind the place of the adverbs: between auxiliary (to be) and participle.

The basic ingredients are kept in large containers; these are refilled at the endof each day. The ingredients are taken from the containers and they are mixedin the boilers. The mixture is heated to 120 °C and then it is transferred to theproduction line, where it is cooled for twenty minutes. The sweet centres arethen moved along the line and each sweet is automatically covered with a layerof dark chocolate. The chocolate is produced in boilers which are suspendedabove the production line. When the sweets are moved along the line, they arechecked three times to make sure they’re all evenly covered. Two checks aremade on the production line and a third check is made when the batch isfinished. Any sweets which are not fully covered are automatically rejected.The batch is then transferred to the Packing Department, where each sweet isindividually wrapped by machine. The sweets are then packed in boxes; theboxes are put in cartons of twenty, which are taken to the warehouse fordistribution.

Exercise 4.2put the verbs in brackets into the past simple, present perfect, or present continuous.Situation: This is part of a tourist guide on the history of a seaside town in the south of England.

People first began living in Barchester in the 12th century. The first houseswere built in 1155 and by 1200 the town was reported to have a population of600. Work on the church in High Street was begun in the late 14th century, butthe building wasn’t completed until 1670. Unfortunately, much of the oldchurch was destroyed during the last war, but since 1946 the building has beencarefully renovated.In the last few years, many of the original medieval buildings have beenuncovered by archaeologists and a great deal has been learnt about the town’sdevelopment. Before the 19 th century, most of the inhabitants were employedon local farms, but when the industrial revolution started, many people wereattracted to the cities where better wages were offered by the large factories.Since the last war, new jobs have been created by the expanding holiday tradeand the medieval town has been surrounded by new hotels and holiday flats. Atthe moment, a new housing estate is being planned but it is being opposed byresidents who want to keep the historical flavour of the town.


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