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
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.
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
(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
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
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)
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
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
(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? —
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 страна9 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-
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.
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
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
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.
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
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?
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.
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 shopping. 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.
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.
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
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.