Grammar in context Gerund or infinitive?

Put the verbs in brackets in the passage in either the gerund or infinitive form.

Research conducted in 23 countries by an association called Europanel has shown that social and demographic factors as well as the marketing

strategies of multinational food and drink companies tend 1..to make........ (make) the lifestyles and eating habits of different European countries alike.

There are several reasons for the increasing uniformity in consumption in Europe: birth rates keep on 2............................. (fall) (Spain's birth rate is 9.8 per thousand, compared with 12.1 in 1984), thus creating smaller households which rely on 3......................... (use) microwaves and convenience foods. The number of one-person households in Europe also continues 4..............................(grow) rapidly (in Sweden, for example, 40 % of homes are now one-person households, compared with 29 % in 1984).

The aggressive marketing strategies of multinationals can also 5.......................... (play) a key role in 6............................(change) buying habits. After 7...................... (win) a major share of a market, companies often decide 8............................ (expand) into new markets and make every effort 9...................... (attract) new consumers. For instance, the French, who used 10.................(have) croissants for breakfast, now enjoy 11........................(eat) breakfast cereals (sales of cereals keep on 12..................... (grow) in France each year).

The British have become fond of 13.......................... (drink) mineral water and Spaniards are beginning 14.......................(buy) frozen pizzas and tomato ketchup more than ever.

With companies looking for new markets and increased choice for consumers, Europe's gastronomic diversity may 15................... (end).

SPEAKING

Exercise 13. It is often necessary to draw conclusions from what is reported or stated. Working in pairs draw conclusions from the following facts. Express strong probability using “must” or “can” followed by patterns “be + Adj”, “be + V_ing” (Continuous Infinitive), “have + V₃” (Perfect Infinitive). The first has been done for you.

1. Student A: I worked in the library all day (to be tired).

Student B: I think you must be tired now.

2. A: This scientist is a leading authority on macroeconomics. He

predicted an increase in the rate of inflation for the next year

(to be wrong).

B: I know he is a good specialist, he ______________________________

3. A: Where is Helen? I’ve just seen her writing a letter (to go to the

post office).

B: __________________________________________________________

4. A: I don’t know how to translate gerundial complexes (to miss

classes).

B: __________________________________________________________

5. A: My keys are nowhere to be seen. I opened the door with them

when I came back home yesterday (to lose).

B: Look hard for them, you ____________________________________

6. A: Can you see dark clouds on the horizon (to be raining over there).

B: __________________________________________________________

7. A: He looks very gloomy after the exam. What’s the matter with him?

(to fail the exam).

B: I think ____________________________________________________

8. A: Every time she talks to him her smile is very unnatural (to be

nervous).

B: ________ ... when she meets him._______

TOPICAL SPEAKING TASKS

1. Working in pairs discuss the following questions under the headings

I–IV.

2. Give a talk in class on the topic “Central banks and monetary policy” making use of TEXT A as well as exercise 3.

I. Central Banks

1. What is the difference between central and normal, commercial banks?

2. In what way central banks control the economy of a country?

3. What is the most effective way for central banks to influence (affect) the economic development of a country?

II. The country’s supply of money

1. How is the country’s supply of money restricted? What is it limited by?

2. What do reserve requirements usually amount to?

III. Interest rates as an important stimulus to economic growth

1. What happens to the economy if interest rates are reduced or raised?

2. If interest rates are reduced, does it make loans cheaper or dearer to businesses?

3. If interest rates are raised, does it make loans cheaper or dearer to businesses?

IV. Open market operations

1. Does the central bank create money by buying securities on the open market?

2. What is the metaphorical expression which describes the money supply through open market operations?

READING