Answering tag-questions

Он ждал нас раньше, не так ли?	He expected us so early, didn’t he?
Да, так.	Yes, he did.
Нет, не ждал.	No? he didn’t.
Он не ждал нас раньше, ведь так?	He didn’t expect us so early, did he?
Да, раньше не ждал.	No, he didn’t.
Нет, он ждал нас раньше.	Yes, he did.

Ex.4. Answer the following disjunctive questions confirming the speaker’s supposition:

1. This won’t be a great pleasure, will it? 2. Our little exper­iment proved the point, didn’t it? 3. There isn’t much to be regretted, is there? 4. The telephone call came just in time, didn’t it? 5. You’re hinting that the letter hasn’t been post­ed, aren’t you? 6. We shall see her among the guests, shan’t we? 7. The rally was held on Tuesday, wasn’t it? 8.1 am a total stranger here, aren’t I? 9. They oughtn’t to have suspected him, ought they? 10. You won’t keep me in the dark, will you? 11. She’s in mind something else, hasn’t she? 12. His blun­der remained unnoticed, didn’t it? 13. The man is to be the first to speak, isn’t he? 14. There must be a simpler explana­tion, mustn’t there?

Ex.5. Contradict the following statements (presented as such or in the form of questions) by using intent affirmative or negative constructions.

Model:

1. You know this man very well, don’t you? - Oh no, I don’t know him at all.

2. He can’t speak French, can he? - But yes, he can. He speaks French fluently.

1. Talent doesn’t want any schooling, does it? 2. Oranges taste bitter, don’t they? 3. You don’t like portraiture. 4. O. Henry’s stories make you drowsy. 5. Playing chess doesn’t require much skill, does it? 6. Little Tommy has never been to the Zoo, has he? 7. Using computers makes our mind lazy, doesn’t it? 8. Anyone can be a poet. 9. Aren’t heart and mind the same thing? 10. An exception to a rule is its proof, isn’t it? 11. Reading books makes our own experience unnecessary, doesn’t it? 12. Knowl­edge is more important than wisdom. 13. Law is always just, Isn’t it? 14. A good beginning is all the battle. 15. A tree can be judged by its bark, can’t it? 16. Easier done than said, isn’t it?

Nonassertive words

Ex.6. Disagree with the statements as indicated. Complete your remarks with the following expressions:

any, anyone, any longer, at all, either, ever far, long, much, yet plus any other words that are necessary

Example: Somebody must know something about it. → I don't think anybody knows anything about it.

1. They'll come some time. - I don't think … . 2. I've been waiting ages. - Go on! You haven't … . 3. The exhibition is probably already over. - Oh, I doubt if … . 4. We ought to wait a few more minutes. - Oh, don't let's … . 5. The weather seems a lot better. - I don't think … . 6. Tom knows a lot about art. - I don't believe he … . 7. And his mother, does too. No, she doesn't … . 8. Is it a long way from here to me station? - No, it's not… . 9. This crossword puzzle is quite simple. - I don't think it … . 10. Surely someone must know the answer. - But I doubt if … .