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