Mixed Bag

Ex 26 Open the brackets, using the Perfect Continuous tense forms.

1. What you (do) for the past two weeks? 2. Suddenly she understood that she (speak) for a long time and it was time to stop. 3. He (paint) this picture for two years and I don't know when he is going to finish it. 4. "Do you want to know what (happen) since you went away?" "What I want to know is what you (do) while I have been away." 5. He took out his watch and looked at it. It was two o'clock. It meant that he (wait) since 11 o'clock. 6. For the past few minutes I (try) to explain to you that you can't make me go there. 7. You're sure you're well, Jack? I (think) that this work is a bit too hard for your age. 8. The children (fight) for some time when the door opened and the teacher came into the class-room. 9. Peter who (write) something for some time in silence, suddenly joined in the discussion.

Ex 27 Translate the following sentences into English, using the Perfect Continuous tense forms.

1. Мы пользовались этой машинкой в течение трех лет. Она действовала безотказно (прекрасно). 2. Я весь день сегодня думаю о том, что я скажу, когда мы придем к ним. 3. — Почему вы так взволнованы? —У нас был спор. 4. Этот человек идет за нами всю дорогу от станции. Он, наверное, не знает дороги. 5. Что здесь происходило? Почему все такие взволнованные? 6. Этот шум беспокоит меня с самого утра, и я не могу понять, откуда он идет. 7. Ты слишком много пьешь кофе последнее время. 8. Он был уверен, что она живет в Москве с 1935 года. 9. Ты опять курил в комнате? 10. Ты плакала? Что случилось? 11. У него было такое чувство, что он живет здесь уже давно. 12. Когда она последний раз выходила из школы, где училась десять лет¹, она не думала, что снова вернется в нее, но уже учительницей. 13. Он носит очки с детства.

Ех 28 Open the brackets, using the correct form of the verb.

BASKETBALL

The game of basketball is unique among popular Sports. The world (enjoy) it for a century. But not all of us (know) the history of the game. It (invent) by a Canadian, first (play) in the USA and specially (plan) to meet a definite need.

In 1891 Dr James A. Naismith (be) a physical director of the international Y.M.C.A.^* training school in Springfield, Mass.^** For some years the interest of young Canadians and Americans in the customary programme of Calisthenics^*** and Gymnastics (weaken). Dr Naismith (ask) to invent a competitive game that (hold) the enthusiasm of the students. It (suggest) that the game (have) simple rules that (can learn) easily; it (be) free from bodily contact; good for players over a wide range of ages and it (have) inexpensive equipment. The game (be to, play) by day and by night in small gymnasiums. Dr Naismith (solve) all these problems in his game. He (call) it basketball, because the players (be to; throw) a round ball into a basket-shaped net hung at either end of the gymnasium. At first the game (play) with as many as nine players on a side. It soon (realize) that five to a team (result) in cleaner and faster play. The inventor (suggest) 13 basic rules, and most of them (be) still in effect; there (be) some changes in playing conditions and rules of the game.

The first basketball game (play) in Springfield in January 1892. Basketball as a men's game (become) so well accepted internationally that it (include) in the Olympic Games programme in Berlin in 1936.

Ex 29 Rewrite or retell in narrative form.

Mel dialed his home number.

Roberta, his. elder daughter, answered.

"Hi," Mel said. "This is your old man."

Roberta's voice came coldly down the line. "Yes, I know."

"How was school today?"

"Could you be specific, Father? There were several classes. Which do you want to know about?"

Did all fathers, Mel wondered, lose communication with their daughters at age thirteen?

"Never mind," Mel said.

"Is there anything else, Father? I have homework to do."

"Yes, there is something else. You'll change your tone of voice, young lady, and show a little more respect. Furthermore, we'll end this conversation when I'm good and ready."

"If you say so. Father."

"And stop calling me Father!"

"Very well, Father."

"Is everything all right at home?"

"Yes. Libby wants to talk to you. Goodnight."

"Goodnight, Robbie."

The telephone changed hands, then Libby's small voice came: "Daddy, Daddy! Guess what!"

"Let me think," Mel said. "I know — you had fun in the snow today."

"Yes, I did. But it wasn't that. At school Miss Curzon said for homework we have to write down all the good things we think will happen next month."

Mel could understand Libby's enthusiasm. To her almost everything was exciting and good and the few things which were not were quickly forgotten.

"That's nice," Mel said. "I like that."

(After "Airport" by A. Hailey)