14. Using the words in brackets ask questions :

1). The last representative of the wild cattle died at the beginning of the 17^th century (when).

2). Domesticated cattle belong to the family Bovidae (what family).

3). Breeding domestic animals is done under human management and control ( how ).

4). The horse was perhaps domesticated in central Asia (where).

5). Animals have been domesticated for three main purposes ( how many ).

6). Cattle are used now mostly for food (what for).

7). Great experience has been gained in improving farm animals (what experience)

Grammar exercises

Forms of Gerund

Tenses	Active	Passive
Indefinite (Simple)	Reading	being read
Perfect	having read	having been read

Exercise 1.

Complete the sentences using the gerund of the verb in brackets. Mind the active form.

1. Your hair is very long. It needs (cut). 2. The house looks shabby. It wants (repair). 3. His answer was very good. The boy deserves (praise). 4. The room is so dirty. It needs (scrub). 5. Our educational system is out- of – date. It needs (reform). 6. The fence looks so dull. It requires (paint). 7. They say the film is very boring. It’s not worth (see). 8. His behavior was outrageous. He deserves (punish). 9. The dress is old- fashioned. It’s not worth (buy). 10. There is a hole in this tooth. It needs (fill). 11. That was a brave action. It certainly deserves (reward). 12. Her suggestion is very interesting. It requires (discuss) at the meeting.

Exercise 2

Fill in the blanks with prepositions where necessary.

1. There is no use … trying to stop that. 2. I’m sorry if I hurt your vanity … saying so. 3. She only succeeded … opening a restaurant. 4. Lanny passed dancing people … seeing them. 5. They love … being dominated. 6. He wouldn’t drop his subject till he had brought you round to his way … thinking. 7. We reached the river … crossing the meadow. 8. … crossing the river at that time of the year was out of the question. 9. You must forgive me … calling at such an hour. 10. But I was afraid … intruding upon a sorrow I could not lighten. 11. She has been used … having her own way. 12. I was thinking … bringing her to talk to you.

Exercise 3.

Complete the sentences using a preposition from the box and the gerund of the verbs in brackets. Use some prepositions more than once .

For , at , about , in , to , of , after

1. What shall we do in the evening ? How … (go) to the cinema ? 2. Are you interested … (learn) to play the piano? 3. I am not used … (eat) much spicy food. 4. Did she apologizes … (be) late ? 5. She is very good … (paint) and (draw) .6 . He is tired … (hear) her complain. 7. She thanked me … (give) her a lift in my car. 8. …(have) breakfast I did the washing up. 9. He is still fond … (play) tennis and golf.10. I suspect him … (destroy) these papers.

Exercise 4.

Answer the following questions according to the example.

Example : What did they speak of ? (buy a house on the Thames)

They spoke about buying a house on the Thames.

1. What did she accuse her maid of ? (steal a golden ring). 2. What are you thinking of ? (move to a new flat) 3. Are there any things he approves of? (play tennis and chess). 4. What do you suspect him of (tell lies all the time). 5. What did she succeed in? (find a good husband). 6. What did she complain of? (be cheated in the shop). 7. What are you looking forward to? ( see the New Year in). 8. What does he insist on? (start at once).9. What will she agree to? (spend holidays in the country). 10. What is your brother fond of? (collect stamps).

Exercise 5.