II. Choose the correct form.

1. He hates … when he is speaking.

A: interrupting B: being interrupted

2. Avoid … your houseplants too much water.

A: giving B: being given

3. Dr. Johnson doesn’t mind … at home if his patients need his help.

A: calling B: being called

4. I’m interested in … my communication skills.

A: improving B: being improved

5. Jack Welles has a good chance of … . I know I am going to vote for him.

A: electing B: being elected

6. We’ve been thinking about … our friends Kate and Peter for a long time.

A: inviting B: being invited

7. Sometimes young people complain about not … by their parents.

A: understanding B: being understood.

III. Answer the following questions using the gerund as: 1) direct object; 2) prepositional object; 3) attribute; 4) adverbial modifier.

1. Which do you like better: reading or being read? telling stories or being told stories?

2. Do you enjoy travelling by sea? by air? Which do you prefer?

3. What TV programs do you consider worth watching?

4. What do you praise (blame) people for?

5. What were your reasons for entering this institute?

6. What ways of getting information do you find more effective?

7. Have you ever gone to another town without saying good-buy to your friends?

8. What do people gain by travelling?

IV. Answer the questions using the following verbs+gerund according to the model. Mind the use of the tenses.

admit/deny/be suspected/ be accused of + gerund

Model: A. Did he say he had stolen the documents?

B_1. Yes, he admitted stealing them.

B₂. No, he denied stealing them.

B₃. No, but he is suspected of stealing them.

B₄. No, but he has been accused of stealing them.

Did he say he had …

1. taken part in the robbery?

1. fired at the policeman?

3. attacked the cashier?

4. received the stolen goods?

5. sold the secret information?

6. given false evidence?

7. bribed the officials?

8. forged the signature?

9. shot the driver?

V. Use the gerund in the active or passive form.

1. I prefer (drive).

2. Stop (argue) and start (work).

3. He liked neither (read) nor (read) aloud to.

4. It’s no use (cry) over spilt milk.

5. We insist on (send) him there at once.

6. She showed no sign (impress) at that moment.

7. The idea is worth (consider).

8. If you put your money into that business you risk (lose) every penny.

9. Would you mind (put) your pet snake somewhere else?

10. You’d better consult the lawyer before (decide) to buy the property.

11. He liked to do things without (disturb) anyone or (disturb).

12. By (work) day and night he succeeded in (finish) his work in time.