Insert the indefinite article where necessary (with keys)

1) If you have … knowledge about this subject, you must show it.

2) He has … profound knowledge of history.

3) Can you give be … advice?

4) Can you give me … good advice?

5) This is where he keeps … clothes.

6) On the way home drop in at a shop to buy … fruit.

7) This is … fresh fruit.

 8) I like to walk in … nice weather.

9) Mother said the Browns bought … new furniture.

10) Probably he has … information.

11) She experiences … admiration for her boss.

12) She feels … deep admiration for her boss.

13) The boy has … ugly appearance.

14) The cat has … white fur.

15) She felt … strange excitement.

Keys: 1) —; 2) a; 3) —; 4) —; 5) —; 6) —; 7) — 8) —; 9) —; 10) —; 11) — 12) a; 13) an; 14) —; 15) a;

Test your participles!

1) The man (read) a book was rocking in the chair.

2) (Read) a book he didn’t hear the telephone ring.

3) (Read a book) he threw it away.

4) This is the man (read) the book yesterday in the hall.

5) After (sign) the document she felt satisfied.

6) She gave the officer the (sign) document.

7) The recently (accept) members were sitting at a separate table.

8) (Prove) the (prove) truths is pointless.

9) (Do) his duty he was waiting for gratitude.

10) (Wait) for the train he was watching the passengers.

11) The girl (look) at you in the metro yesterday lives next door from me.

12) I want a (fry) chicken.

13) (Fry) a chicken she laid the table.

14) (Fry) the chicken she was thinking about her job.

15) (Work) so much he needed a rest.

 Keys: 1) reading; 2) reading; 3) Having read; 4) who read/was reading 5) signing; 6) signed; 7) accepted; 8) proving, proved; 9) Having done; 10) Waiting; 11) who was looking; 12) fried; 13) Having fried; 14) Frying; 15) Having worked

Once a man, brought up in high moral standards, was visiting a friend out of town. He was to return to London by train, but it was quite a way to the station from the friend’s house, and the only way to get there was by a horse-cart.

The inmates of the estate where he was visiting were very friendly, but their domestic establishment was quite erratic. In the moment of emergency the groom, whose duty was to harness a horse, was nowhere to be found. So Theodor — for this was the man’s name, — was compelled to assist the vicar’s daughter to harness the horse. The stable was full of mice, and Theodor shuddered with disgust — he hated mice.

In the train his ruffled feelings gradually ebbed. He found a compartment, where theonly other travelling companion was a lady. She was about the same age as himself. The lady was more inclined to sleep than to talk. Hardly had the train gathered speed, when Theodor discovered, that there was one more passenger in the compartment, who was utterly unwelcomed. It was a mouse, which had evidently got under his clothes in the stables.

When it became clear that it was impossible to shake the mouse off, Theodor understood that he would have to undress to remove the mouse. He timidly looked at the lady, who was still sleeping and fixed the ends of the railway-rug to the racks on both sides of the compartment. When the mouse was disposed of, he discovered, to his horror, that the lady was wide awake. He blushed, still covered by the rag. The lady’s eyes were fixed on Theodore.

The young felt terribly awkward. The train was nearing London, and Theodor was wriggling under the rug, trying to pull on his trousers. The train was pulling into the station. In a desperate jesture Theodor threw off the rag, rose and put his clothes in order. Avoidong the lady’s look, he took his travelling case and prepared to leave the train. He heard the lady’s voice behind his back. The lady was asking him to get her a porter and put her into the cab. She said she was sorry to trouble him, but, she said, being blind made it awfully difficult to travel.

ANSWER THE QUESTIONS:

1) Why did Theodor have to visit the stables?

2) What did Theodor’s friend do?

EXPLAIN IN ENGLISH THE MEANING OF THE FOLLOWING WORDS AND EXPRESSIONS:

 1) inmates; 2) erratic; 3) was nowhere to be found; 4) ruffled feelings ebbed; 5) was utterly unwelcomed; 6) the mouse was disposed of.

A painter of the impressionist school is now (1) … in a lunatic asylum. To all persons who visited him he would say: "Look here; this is the latest (3)  … of my composition.” They would look, and see nothing but a(n) … of bare canvas. They would ask: "What does this (4) …?” "That? Why, that represents the (5) … of the Jews through the Red Sea.” "Beg pardon, but where is the sea?” "It has been (6) … back.” "And where are the Jews?” "They have crossed over.” "And the Egyptians?” "Will be here soon. That’ the sort of painting I like: simple, (7) … and unpretentious.”

1. A. confined        B. fenced               C.enclosed             D. sent

2. A. piece            B. portrait              C. masterpiece        D. show

3. A. sweep           B. expanse            C. space                 D. vast

4. A. show            B. present              C. represent            D. manifest

5. A. crossing        B. straddling           C. transcending        D. passage

6. A. sent             B. driven                 C. passed               D. gone

7. A. suggestive    B. suggesting          C. proposing            D. suggested

KEYS: 1. A;  2. C; 3. B; 4. C; 5. D;  6. B; 7. A;

   A miserly man (1 - approach) by a friendof his. The friend very (2 - concern) that the man (3 – dress) very poorly. He (4 – convince) that his image not (5 – correspond) to the position he took in the society.

  "I (6 – surprise), siad the friend, that you should allow yourself to become shabby.

   "But I am not shabby,” (7 – come) the answer.

   "Oh, but you are,” said his friend. "Remember your father. He always neatly (8 – dress). His clothes (9 – be) always well (10 – tailor) and of the best material.”

   "Why!” (11 – shout) the other, triumphantly, "These clothes I (12 - wear) now (13 - be) father’s!”

Keys: 1 - was approached; 2 - was concerned; 3 - was dressed; 4 - was convinced;  5 - did not  correspond; 6 - am surprised; 7 - came;  8 - was dressed; 9 - were; 10 - were tailored; 11 - shouted; 12 - amwearing; 13 - are;

A gentleman (1-surprise) when a good-looking youbg lady greeted him by (2-say),

   "Good evening.”

   He could not remember ever (3 - see) her before. He very (4 – interest) in who she might be. She (5 – go) a few steps and then must (6 - realize) that she (7 -make) a mistake.

   She (8 -turn) back, (9 - smile) at him and apologized. "I am sorry,”she said. "When I first saw you I (10 – think) that you (11 - be) the father of two of my children."

   The man very (12 - bewilder). He (13 – stare) all the time she was walking as far as the corner and then (14 - disappear). She did not realize, of course, that he not (15 – understand) that she was a school teacher.

Keys: 1 - was surprised; 2 - saying; 3 - seeing; 4 - was interested; 5 - went; 6 - have realized; 7 - had made; 8 - turned; 9 - smiled; 10 - thought; 11 -  were; 12 - was bewildered; 13 - was staring; 14 - disappeared; 15 - had not understood;

A barbor (1 - convert) in church. He was so happy about it that he (2 – think) it was his duty to speak to all who (3 – come) into his shop about religion. He (4 – explain) that it was good for his soul. (5 – be) a fluent speaker on all other subjects, he kept (6 - stumble) each time he began to speak about it. Hardly (7 – begin) to speak about it when all his thoughts suddenly (8 –vanish).

   One morning he (9 - visit) by a certain Mt. Jones who came (10 – shave). As the barber (11-begin) shaving him he said after a short pause:

  "Mister Jones!”

 And he (12 - slip) into silence. (13 – Surprise), Mr. Jones looked up and (14 – irritate) to find the brush in his mouth.

  "Mr Jones!” said the barber again with a feeling, and (15 – embarrass). At a loss, he (16 – come) to the strap which (17 – hang) on the wall and began to rub his razor backwards and forwards on it. "Mr. Jones,” said he. You (18 – prepare) to die?"

   Mr.Jones (19 – say) to have jumped out of the window.

Keys: 1 - was converted; 2 - thought; 3 - came; 4 - had been explained; 5 - Being; 6 - stumbling; 7 - did he begin; 8 - vanished; 9 - was visited; 10 - to shave; 11 - began; 12 - slipped; 13 - Surprised; 14 - was irritated; 15 - came; 15 - was embarrassed; 16 - came; 17 - was hanging; 18 - Are you prepared; 19 - is said;

Put in CAN or BE ABLE TO in the necessary form. Sometimes both variants are possible:

1) I have never … understand him.

2) Nobody … jump five meters high without a special gadget.

3) Will you … meet me at the station?

4) Will you show me how to do this jump? — I am afraid I … to show it today. My ankle won’t bend, I am afraid I will have to consult a doctor.

5) Has she lost weight? — Yes, she is a very strong-willed person. She … restrain from food even if it is very tasty.

6) Have you told her that her boy-friend dates Julia? — Not yet. I simply … to talk on such delicate topics.

7) … simply to hammer a nail into this wall? I am very disappointed.

8) He sometimes … do such weird things that people think he might be mental.

9) I have tried hard but, I am afraid, I … to do this. I will have to give it up.

10) He … speak four foreign languages. He … to do it since he graduated from the University.

Keys: 1) been able; 2) can; 3) be able to; 4) am unable; 5) can/is able (if we want to express our admiration of her ability); 6) can’t/am unable (if I want to stress my helplessness). 7) Aren’t you able to; 8) can; 9) am unable; 10) can; has been able;

Transformation:

1) Somebody has told me that Jack is in town.

    Jack ...

2) It is thought that life on Earth was brought from space. 

   Life…

3) Many people think that Stevenson wrote more poems than we know of.

   Stevenson…

4) Everybody believed that somebody had prompted Jack what shares to buy.

   Jack…

5) People suppose that crises are a regular display of economics.

   Crises …

6) It is said that Peter used to be a talented journalist.

   Peter …

7) Some people suppose that this derelict land was a bustling town in the past.

   This derelict land …

8) They thought that Steve was the person who was guilty.

  Steve …

9) Everyone firmly believes that Manchester United is the strongest team.

   Manchester United …

10) Everyone firmly believed that Manchester United is the strongest team.

   Manchester United…

11) Everyone firmly believes that Manchester United was the strongest team.

   Manchester…

12) People suppose that there is a huge amount of natural resources in the ocean floor.

    Ocean floor …

Keys: 1) Jack is said to be in town; 2) Life is thought to have been brought to Earth from space; 3) Stevenson is thought to have written more poems than we know of; 4) Jack was believed to have been prompted what shares to buy; 5) Crises are supposed to be a regular dispaly of economics; 6) Peter is said to be a talented journalist; 7) This derelict land is supposed to have been a bustling town in the past; 8) Steve was thought to be the person who was guilty; 9) Manchester United is firmly believed to be the strongest team; 10) Manchester United was firmly believed to be the strongest team; 11) Manchester United is firmly believed to have been the strongest team; 12) Ocean floor is supposed to contain/to have a huge amount of natural resources;

1) He didn’t know what was happening.

    aware

2) It is good that you had enrolled for this training course

     worthwhile

3) The increase of power will create a risk for the people living near the nuclear plant.

   endanger

4) After Pamela returned from the dangerous trip to Africa her friends showed her all their love and tenderness.

    endear

5) The new initiatives of the Finance Department will make the consequence of the crisis less painful.

    alleviate

6) At first I thought that Granddad was sleeping.

    seemed

7) There was too much baggage in the car.

    overweighed

8) Steve’s idea was absolutely impossible.

    question

9) Mary threw away all her old clothes.

    rid

10) After the first failure he decided to give up the whole idea.

    discarded

1) Jack wanted his friend to join his business.

   suggested

12) The were a lot of misrepresentations in the article of the journalist.

    distorted

13) There was one failure after another and it made him take the decision to give up the project.

    succession

14) He was so discouraged that he didn’t even want to try.

    effort

5) He hadn’t done mountaineering before he first climbed Everest.

   record

Keys: 1) He wasn’t aware of what was happening; 2) It was worthwhile visiting this training course; 3) The increase of power will endanger the people living near the nuclear plant. 4) All Pamela’s friends endeared her after she had returned from her dangerous trip to Africe; 5) The new initiatives of the Finance Department will alleviate the consequence of the crisis; 6) At first Granddad seemed to be sleeping; 7) The car was overweighed with the baggage; 8) Steve’s idea is out of the question; 9) Mary got rid of her old clothes; 10) After the first failure he discarded the whole idea. 11) Jack suggested his friend joining his business; 12) The journalist distorted a lot of facts in his article; 13) The succession of failures made him close the project; 14) He was so discouraged that he didn’t even want to make an effort; 15) He had had no mountaineering record before he first climbed Everest.

1. Sorry, this explanation is too vague, I cannot … the main idea.

2. It’s time you were more adequate. Please try to come to … with reality.

3. The discipline in her class is ideal. She has a firm … on it.

4. Are you coming? — Just a moment, I’ll … my staff.

5. The secretary startled when the angry visitor … the paper with the telephone number from her hand.

6. Jastin energetically shook my hand and once again I marvelled at his firm … .

7. The huge wave rushed forward and Donald was … a slippery spike of th rock not to be carried away.

8. She was … a slice of lemon into the tuna salad.

9. It was time to leave, but she was still … her daughter’s hand, unwillilng to let her go.

10. She angrily … a vase from the table and aimed it at his head.

11. A fat pigeon picked a long strip of some suff from the refuse bin, but a swift gull … it from his beak.

12. After this lesson you will have a better … on the idea.

Keys:1. grasp; 2. grips; 3. grip; 4. grab; 5. snatched; 6. grip; 7. grasping; 8. squeezing; 9. clasping; 10. grabbed/grasped; 11. snatched; 12. grasp;

1. So you are going to take up this job in any case,…

2. I am always right, …

3. Snow is red,…

4. Snow isn’t white, …

5. He lives far from work. He doesn’t have to get up too early, …

6. The deadline was last week. His expulsion from the University was signed. Nothing will help him, …

7. It looks hopeless. Nobody would be able to solve this dilemma, …

8. It is cold outside and he has a temparature. He would rather stay at home, …

9. Sheis running out of time. She had better take a taxi, …

10. You won’t tell anybody, …

a) will they?

b) isn’t it?

c) are you?

d) had she?

e) will you?

f) aren’t I?

g) would he?

i) will it?

j) is it?

k) does he?

Keys: 1. are you? 2. aren’t I? 3. isn’t it? 4. is it? 5. does he? 6. will it? 7. will they? 8. would he? 9. had she? 10. will you? Answers: 1. Yes, I am; 2. Yes, I am. 3. No, it isn’t. 4. Yes, it is. 5. Yes, he does. 6. No, it won’t. 7. No, they won’t (Yes, they will). 8. Yes he would. 9. Yes, she had. 10. No, I won’t. (yes, I will – If I am going to tell smb about it.)

A few months ago I was waiting at a … traffic light beside a police car in a 40mph zone, heading into a 30mph … . When the … changed, the police car shot off … about 50 miles per hour. I caught … with it at the next set of lights, noted its registration number and … it to Luton police.

   They claimed the car was on an … call, but I pointed … that it couldn’t have been as it had no blue light … and had waited at two sets of … . So I … told to write to the chief superintendent who replied informing me that the driver couldn’t be traced.

   I was seriously meant to believe that the police couldn’t … one of their own drivers, even … I’d passed on the time, location and registration details.

   Then one day , as I travelled home at night, I turned into a village … the main road and noticed I was … followed by a police car. I was careful to keep my car … 30 mph, and after a few hundred yards the police … have realised I was aware of their presence. They then committed the crime they were waiting to catch me …, overtaking me and speeding … at about 45 mph. What hypocrites.

   I noted their registtration number and again wrote to their chief superintendant. He eventually replied that he had managed to trace the driver, but that the two officers … speeding and claimed I had been following them. Two police officers’ word … a member of the public — no chance.

   A few months ago I was waiting at a red traffic light beside a police car in a 40mph zone, heading into a 30mph one . When the lights changed, the police car shot off at about 50 miles per hour. I caught up with it at the next set of lights, noted its registration number and reported it to Luton police.

   They claimed the car was on an emergency call, but I pointed out that it couldn’t have been as it had no blue light flashing and had waited at two sets of lights . So I was told to write to the chief superintendent who replied informing me that the driver couldn’t be traced.

   I was seriously meant to believe that the police couldn’t trace one of their own drivers, even though I’d passed on the time, location and registration details.

   Then one day , as I travelled home at night, I turned into a village off the main road and noticed I was being followed by a police car. I was careful to keep my car at 30 mph, and after a few hundred yards the police must have realised I was aware of their presence. They then committed the crime they were waiting to catch me for, overtaking me and speeding off at about 45 mph. What hypocrites.

   I noted their registtration number and again wrote to their chief superintendant. He eventually replied that he had managed to trace the driver, but that the two officers denied speeding and claimed I had been following them. Two police officers’ word against a member of the public — no chance.