The oblique moods
159. Match the beginnings and the ends of each line of the poem. Open the brackets using the verbs in the proper form.
If I Were King
Alan Alexander Milne
I often wish I were a King,
And then I could do everything.
1. If only I (be) King of Spain, … A. I (take) my hat off in the rain.
2. If only I (be) King of France, … B. I (ask) an elephant to stay.
3. I (think), if I (be) King of Greece, … C. I (tell) the soldiers, “I’m the King!”
4. If I (be) King of Norroway, … D. I (not brush) my hair for months.
5. If I (be) King of Babylon, … E. I (think) of lovely things to do.
6. If I (be) King of Timbuctoo, … F. I (push) things off the mantelpiece.
7. If I (be) King of anything, … G. I (leave) my button glove undone.
160. Open the brackets using the verbs in the proper form.
Memory problems
A
couple in their nineties are both having problems remembering things.
During a checkup, the doctor tells them that they’re physically
okay, but they might want to start writing things down to help them
remember.
Later that night, while watching TV, the old man gets up from his chair. ‘You (like 1) me to bring you something?’ he asks.
‘Will you get me a bowl of ice cream?’
‘Sure.’
‘If I (be 2) you I (write 3) it down so I could remember it,’ she says.
‘I can remember it.’
‘Well, I (like 4) some strawberries on top, too. I’d rather you (write 5) it down, so as not to forget it.’
He says, ‘I can remember that. You want a bowl of ice cream with strawberries.’
‘I also (like 6) whipped cream. Look, unless you (write 7) it down, you (forget 8) it!’
Irritated, he says, ‘I wish you (stop 9) patronizing me! I can remember it! Ice cream with strawberries and whipped cream – I got it, for goodness sake!’
Then he toddles into the kitchen. After about 20 minutes, the old man returns from the kitchen and hands his wife a plate of bacon and eggs. She stares at the plate for a moment and says, ‘Where’s my toast?’
161. Speak on one of the following points.
1. What would you change in the system of education, if you became Minister of Education?
2. If you decided to emigrate, what country would you choose and why?
3. Which would you rather be – an interpreter or a translator?
4. Would you rather be famous or rich?
5. If you were a painter, what things would you like to paint?
6. If you won a million dollars in a lottery, how would you spend it?
7. If today was the last day of your life, how would you spend it?
8. If you ever met a fairy, what three wishes would you make?
9. What 10 things would you take with you if you went to live on a tropical island for a month?
10. If you had a lot of money what would you invest it into?
11. Would you agree to live 200 years?
12. How would your life change if you lived in a primitive African tribe?
13. Would you rather have lived in the 18th century?
14. If you were a film director, what films would you make?
15. What would you change in your life if you could live it again from the start?
162. Read the text below and do the assignment that follows.