A Hard-Working Mother
Jim and Karen are relaxing in Jim's room. They have been telling each other about their lives.
Karen: Did you live with both parents when you were little? Jim: No, my father died when I was very young, so I grew up
in a single-parent family. Karen: Did your mother work?
Jim: Yes, she worked in an office to support my brother and me.
Karen: It must have been difficult for her. Jim: It was. After a long day at her job, she came home and
cooked our dinner and helped us with our homework. And
taking care of us wasn't easy. Karen: Didn't your mother have anyone to help her with the
cooking and cleaning? Jim: No, she did it all by herself. She must have been tired a
lot, but she never neglected us. In fact, she spent almost
all her free time with us. Karen: You didn't have any grandparents or aunts or uncles who
could have helped? Jim: We had relatives, but they lived in other states, so our
mother had to do everything alone.
A. Questions.
1. Did Jim grow up in a two-parent or a single-parent family? 2. Did his mother work? 3. Did Jim's mother have to work hard? 4. Did anyone help her to look after the house and the family? 5. Why didn't Jim's relatives help her?
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1. Join these simple sentences to make compound sentences. Use the words in brackets.
The taxi stopped at the station. Two men got out of it. (and) The taxi stopped at the station and two men got out of it. 2. We got ready to get on the train. It didn't stop, (but) 3. No one was in when we called. We left a message, (so) 4. We didn't want to get home after the film. We went straight back, (so) 5. The old lady was nervous. She wasn't used to strangers calling late at night, (for) 6. I've always wanted to live in the country. My parents prefer to live in town, (but) 7.The letter has been lost. The postman has delivered it to the wrong address, (or) 8. For a moment the top of the mountain was visible. A cloud covered it. (and then) 9. Jane was a successful career woman. Her mother wanted her to be a housewife, (yet) 10. Tom phoned. He left a message, (and) 11. Your mother phoned this morning. She didn't leave a message, (but) 12. Go at once. You will miss your train, (or) 13. She seldom visits us. She lives in the country, (for) 14. There was little time left. I took a taxi, (so)
Supply the correct reflexive pronouns in the following.
I enjoyed... very much at the party.
I enjoyed myself very much at the party.
1.1 see you've cut... again. Won't you ever learn how to shave? 2. How did Tom dry...? — He used your towel. 3. She has no reason to blame... for what has happened. 4.1 think that poor dog has hurt... 5. 'One prides ... on one's patience,' the boss said, in his usual pompous manner. 6. We amused... playing football on the beach. 7. Our new neighbours knocked at our door and introduced ... 8. Sheila prides ... on her ability to judge people's characters. 9. Bill had to absent... from work when his baby was born. 10. Strictly between ..., she's wrong. 11. She's very certain of... 12. Granddad doesn't like living by ... (= without help, alone) 13. Jimmy tied his shoelaces all by ... (= without help, alone) 14. She made the dress by ... (= without help, alone) 15. Harry knows how to take care of... 16. I've cut... with the bread knife. 17. Take care of...! 18. You saw what happened... 19. They... saw what happened. 20. Just among ..., he is stupid.
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3. Supply
gerund forms for the words in brackets.
> ... is fun. (dance) Dancing is fun.
1. ... tall is an advantage. (be) 2. ... tall is an advantage. (not be). 3. ... makes me tired. (drive) 4. ... able to drive is a disadvantage. (not be) 5.... keeps you fit. (jog) 6. ... is a difficult profession. (act) 7.... about other cultures is interesting. (learn) 8.... a cold isn't much fun. (have) 9.... tennis is fun. (play) 10. ... alone at night in this part of the city is dangerous. (walk) 11. Is ... a motorcycle easy? (ride) 12.... a soft-boiled egg takes three minutes. (cook) 13. Is ... a second language difficult? (learn) 14.... good friends is important. (have)
4. Respond using negative interrogative.
> A: I talked to Tom.
B: Didn't you talk to Jack too?
1.1 helped Bill. 2.1 thanked George. 3.1 paid Peter. 4.1 congratulated Andrew. 5.1 fined Paul. 6.1 met Arthur. 7.1 wrote to Bill. 6.1 saw Ann. 9.1 photographed Oliver. 10.1 sent a card to Hugh. 11.1 got a ticket for Mary. 12.1 kept a seat for Bob. 13.1 asked George. 14.1 invited Margaret. 15.1 forgave Alec. 16.1 offered a lift to Bill. 17.1 stopped Peter. 18.1 warned Hugh.
C. Speak about Jim's life.
D. Roleplay the conversation.
E. Speak about your life. Was it hard?
A Lovely Bride
Jan and Audrey, who are roommates, are sitting in a church. They are waiting for their friend Margo to be married.
Jan: The music's starting to play!
Audrey: Yeah, the wedding's about to begin. It's hard to believe
that Marge's getting married.
(A few minutes later) Jan: Doesn't Margo look beautiful?
Audrey: Yes, she is a lovely bride. Jan: Have you met the guy she's marrying?
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Audrey: No, I don't know the groom. But he looks like a nice person.
Jan: Well, we'll get a chance to meet him in an hour or so.
Audrey: You must be kidding. We won't have a chance to get acquainted with him at the reception. He'll be too busy cutting the wedding cake and having his picture taken with Margo.
Jan: Yeah. You're right about that.
Audrey: I know what we could do, though. Why don't we take them out for dinner next week when they get back from their honeymoon?
A. Questions.
1. Who is getting married? 2. Do Jan and Audrey know the guy she's marrying? 3. Will they have a chance to get acquainted with him at the wedding reception? 4. What are they going to do to get acquainted with him?
B. Practice.
1. Make up sentences with 'be about to' to talk about things which are going to happen in the very near future.
> I'm about to leave for the station. The train leaves in twenty
minutes.
I think it's just about to start raining.
Robert was about to pay for the vase when he noticed a small
crack in it.
2. Express surprise or admiration using negative interrogative.
> Doesn't Margo look beautiful?
> Isn't she lovely?
3. Fill in: 'What...', 'What a(n) ...' or 'How'...'.
1. How elegant you look this evening! 2. ... noisy children they are! 3. ... amazing sight the Kremlin is! 4. ... great idea! 5. ... strange his story was! 6. ... interesting life he's led! 7. ... beautiful garden! 8. ... thoughtful of you! 9. ... stupid questions he asks! 10. ... nice of you to come! 11. ... awful sweater! 12. ... expensive meal! 13. ... tired you look today! 14. ... delicious food! 15. ... kind he is to everyone! 16. ... terrible news! 17. ... boring book this is! 18. ... exciting it all sounds! 19. ... brave man! 20. ... enormous house you live in! 21. ... carelessof you! 22. ... interesting story!
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Rephrase the following sentences in all possible ways as in the example.
What a cold day it is today! How cold it is today! Isn't it cold today! It's so cold today! It's such a cold day today!
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5. Rephrase the following sentences using could to express suggestion.
> Why not go to the park?
We could go to the park.
1. Let's go for a walk. 2. What about playing a game of cards? 3. Shall we go for a swim? 4. Why don't we lie in the sun? 5. How about visiting Peter? 6. Why not go to the cinema? 7. What about going to a restaurant? 8. Why not spend the weekend in Brighton? 9. Why don't we dine out? 10. How about buying a garage?
6. Make up sentences. Do it as in the examples.
> She is busy packing.
> When I came they were busy writing a composition.
Roleplay the conversation ‘A Lovely Bride'.
Tell other students about your own wedding or the last wedding you went to.
Mr Cliff’s Family
A student wants to write an article about Alexander Cliff. She is calling Cliff at home.
Student: Mr Alexander Cliff, please.
Cliff: This is Alex Cliff.
Student: Mr Cliff, my name is Silvia Rios. I'm a student at the University of California. Mr Cliff, I wrote an article about you recently for the school newspaper, but I wasn't able to include any details about you personally — about your family... or your interests.
Cliff: Yes.
Student: Well, would you mind if I asked you a few questions?
Cliff: I'd be happy to answer your questions, Ms Rios. Go ahead.
Student: Well, sir, ah, let's see, how many children do you have?
Cliff: I have two daughters. Tricia, my elder daughter, is a doctor. My younger daughter, Lana, is also a student at the University of California. She's studying business. Perhaps you know her. She plays the piano in the university orchestra.
Student: No, sir, I don't think I do, but the university is a big place.
Cliff: I guess it is.
Student: Ah, what does your wife do, Mr Cliff?
Cliff: My wife works as a volunteer for Readers of America. She helps teach adults to read and write.
Student: I understand you are a lawyer.
Cliff: Yes, I've been a lawyer for over twenty years.
Student: Do you have any interests or hobbies that you could tell me about?
Cliff: Well, as you know, I write novels — mostly stories about crime and the law. I also play golf and I jog every morning with my wife. And, of course, I read a lot. You have to read a lot in my profession. And I play the piano... not well... but I enjoy it.
Student: Well, all that's very interesting, sir. I'm sure the other students at the university will be interested in knowing a little more about you, too.
Cliff: Well, I'm glad I could answer your questions. Good luck with your article.
Student: Thank you veiy much. And good luck to you too, sir.
A. Questions.
1. Why is Silvia calling Mr Cliff? 2. How many children does Mr Cliff have? 3. What do they do? 4. What does Mr Cliff's wife do? 5. What is Mr Cliff's job? 6. What are his interests and hobbies?
B. Speak about Mr Cliff and his family.
C. Interview a classmate. Ask him/her about his/her family.
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