З. А. Новикова, В. В. Селезнева, Т. А. Тюкина

Трудности английской грамматики.
The Difficulties of English Grammar

Грамматический практикум
Practice Book

Под редакцией
А. Н. Поляковой

ebooks@prospekt.org

Информация о книге

УДК 811.111(075.8)

ББК 81.432.1-9-2

Н73

Авторы:

Новикова З. А., Селезнева В. В., Тюкина Т. А.

Рецензенты:

Алексеев А. В., кандидат филологических наук, доцент, доцент кафедры английского языка No 6 МГИМО МИД России;

Бакулев А. В., кандидат филологических наук, доцент, доцент Школы иностранных языков НИУ ВШЭ.

Настоящее учебное пособие адресовано студентам младших курсов бакалавриата, обучающимся на факультете управления и политики МГИМО МИД России, и абитуриентам, готовящимся к сдаче ЕГЭ по английскому языку и прохождению дополнительного вступительного испытания. Целью издания является формирование и развитие у студентов и абитуриентов базовых умений грамматически правильного оформления высказывания на английском языке, в частности грамматических навыков употребления видовременных форм английского глагола и способов выражения модальности в языке, а также английских предлогов.

Текстовый корпус пособия представляет собой аутентичные материалы информационного, повествовательного и описательного характера, культуроведческой и научно-популярной направленности, заимствованные из свободных электронных ресурсов и адаптированные для учебных целей.

Учебное пособие разработано и апробировано на кафедре английского языка No 6 МГИМО МИД России.

УДК 811.111(075.8)

ББК 81.432.1-9-2

© Новикова З. А., Селезнева В. В., Тюкина Т. А., 2025

ПРЕДИСЛОВИЕ

Настоящее учебное пособие адресовано студентам младших курсов бакалавриата, обучающимся на Факультете управления и политики МГИМО (У) МИД России, а также абитуриентам, готовящимся к сдаче ЕГЭ по английскому языку и прохождению дополнительного вступительного испытания (ДВИ). Целью данного пособия является формирование и развитие у студентов и абитуриентов базовых умений грамматически правильного оформления высказывания на английском языке, в частности, грамматических навыков употребления видовременных форм английского глагола и способов выражения модальности в языке, а также английских предлогов.

Задания, предложенные в пособии, могут использоваться в процессе обучения английскому языку совместно с другими пособиями и учебниками уровня В1, направленными на формирование речевой, социальной, социолингвистической, дискурсивной и других составляющих иноязычной коммуникативной компетенции.

Текстовый корпус учебного пособия представляет собой аутентичные материалы информационного, повествовательного и описательного характера, культуроведческой и научно-популярной направленности, заимствованные из свободных электронных ресурсов и адаптированные для учебных целей.

Пособие состоит из двух частей. Первая часть содержит 178 заданий (sets), каждое из которых включает ситуации или текст, в которых обучающиеся должны определить правильную личную или неличную форму глагола в скобках. Вторая часть содержит 86 заданий (sets), в каждом из которых обучающиеся должны заполнить пропуски в ситуациях или тексте соответствующими предлогами или наречиями.

Будучи дополнительным материалом к основному курсу обучения английскому языку, предлагаемые задания используются в зависимости от дидактических целей, решаемых в конкретной группе обучающихся, и могут представлять собой как цикл упражнений для аудиторных занятий, так и составлять самостоятельную работу студентов младших курсов бакалавриата и абитуриентов, готовящихся к сдаче ЕГЭ по английскому языку и прохождению ДВИ. Выполнение упражнений может осуществляться как на электронных платформах, так и в письменном виде. Такое использование предполагает либо полную автономность обучающихся, получающих возможность самостоятельно узнать правильный ответ при условии размещения заданий на обучающих платформах, либо проверку выполненных заданий в аудитории с последующим анализом ошибок преподавателем.

Учебное пособие разработано и апробировано на кафедре английского языка № 6 МГИМО (У) МИД России.

В соответствии со ст. 1274 части четвертой Гражданского кодекса Российской Федерации «Свободное использование произведения в информационных, научных, учебных или культурных целях», авторы данного пособия использовали в своей работе с обязательным указанием имени автора, произведение которого используется, и источника заимствования правомерно обнародованные произведения и отрывки из них в качестве иллюстраций в объеме, оправданном поставленной целью.

Part I
VERBS

Set 1. FILL IN THE GAPS WITH THE CORRECT FORM OF THE VERB IN BRACKETS

1. When Ann arrived at the club at last, her friends __________________ (wait) for her at the entrance. Ann said she was sorry she was late and asked them how long they _______________ (be) there. They explained to her that they _______________ (wait) for about fifteen minutes and in their turn wondered where she _______________ (be). Ann answered that she _______________ (hold) up at school by her teacher.

2. When Mark got to his country house, he discovered that water _______________ (leak) through the roof. There were pools on the floor. He _______________ (not/know) what to do and called his elder brother for help. He was a plumber.

3. By the time the manager turns up, the customers _______________ (wait) for him for several hours _______________ (swear) strongly. It’s advisable that the manager _______________ (treat) the customers the way they want to be treated or he _______________ (fire) soon.

4. — Bob, you can’t enter the room, as it _______________ (clean). You _______________ (allow) to enter it as soon as it _______________ (clean up).

— Ok, I’ll wait in the hall until it _______________ (clean), but I’m not sure if they ______________________________ (do) it quickly.

5. The weather _______________ (be) awful lately. It _______________ (rain) for several weeks. I wish it ______________________________ (stop) (rain) at last! If it _______________ (not/stop) in the next two days, I _______________ (go) to the south for the weekend. I’m fed up with such weather!

6. — _______________ (you/meet) anyone at Bob’s birthday party?

— There _______________ (be) a lot of interesting people there.

— _______________ (the food/be) to your taste?

— Yes, I _______________ (eat) a lot. Look, I even _______________ (put on) a little weight.

7. — _______________ (you/see) much of Ann recently?

— I _______________ (come) across her in the shop the other day.

— _______________ (you/speak) long?

— No, till her husband _______________ (come) to take her away. If her husband _______________ (not/take) her away, I am sure we _______________ (still/talk)!

8. When Alice _______________ (be) young, she _______________ (never/bother) about her appearance but she does now. She _______________ (spend) a lot of money on clothes this month already. She _______________ (look) amazing recently.

9. — This girl didn’t even take the trouble _______________ (apologize) to us for her behavior at the party.

— Well, she’ll never learn _______________ (be) polite. It is no use _______________ (teach) her good manners.

10. I had my stereo ___________________ (steal) because I failed ___________________ (lock) the door of my car, so I had the mechanic ___________________ (install) anti-theft alarm in my car. If I ___________________ (be) careful then, it ___________________ (never/happen).

Set 2. FILL IN THE GAPS WITH THE CORRECT FORM OF THE VERB IN BRACKETS

1. — You are late. Your watch _______________ (not/keep) right time?

— Everything is OK with my watch. The traffic _______________ (be) terrible. If the traffic _______________ (be) terrible, I _______________ (not/be) late and you _______________ (be) angry with me now.

2. No sooner _______________ (Ann/open) the drawer than she _______________ (find) the photo which she _______________ (think) she _______________ (lose) long before. She _______________ (search) for it so long. She was happy _______________ (find) it.

3. Nick is said _______________ (have) business difficulties in the last few months. I think that if he _______________ (listen) before to our advice, he _______________ (not/be) in trouble now.

4. — This is the first time since we ______________ (be) married that you ______________ (ever/mention) that you used to go riding. You ______________ (enjoy) it?

— Yes, it ______________ (be) very exciting.

5. Ann didn’t expect _______________ (allow) _______________ (invite) her friends from school _______________ (come) to the party. She was so happy.

6. During my first visit to the picture gallery I _______________ (find) that I no longer _______________ (like) the pictures which _______________ (impress) me when I _______________ (first/see) them. Probably my taste _______________ (change).

7. I would prefer _______________ (charge) less money for your service. The final bill requires _______________ (correct), which means _______________ (make) calculations again.

8. Bob’s advice _______________ (always/be) reasonable since I _______________ (know) him and I _______________ (know) him since childhood. I recommend that you _______________ (listen) to his advice too.

9. Nina _______________ (study) in Rome for five years and then _______________ (move) to Milan to do a course in Design.

— _______________ (she/finish) the course yet?

— I don’t know, I _______________ (not/hear) from her for a long time.

10. Ann, my cup is nearly empty! Someone ______________ (drink) my tea. It’s outrageous!

— It must ______________ (be) Tom, I’m sure of it.

Set 3. FILL IN THE GAPS WITH THE CORRECT FORM OF THE VERB IN BRACKETS

1. He said that the people _______________ (wait) for the director _______________ (sit) here for a long time. The director _______________ (be/late) and no one _______________ (know) when he _______________ (come) to the office.

2. — Look, Ann. The windows are so clean. _______________ (you/wash) them?

— Of course not. They _______________ (not/look) so clean if the window-cleaner _______________ (not/come) yesterday.

3. — Even if they _______________ (manage) to persuade John to run for the office of Governor in the next election, but they didn’t, he _______________ (never/elect). His ideas are too strange.

— Why, I _______________ (vote) for him, if I _______________ (not/be) a foreigner. What he does is very interesting and I personally like him.

4. I wonder where your younger sister is. She can’t ______________ (stay) at her friends all this time. It is high time she ______________ (come) back home. I wish she _______________ (be) more reasonable.

5. The car was heard ____________________ (pull) up at the house. It might ___________________ (be) Tom or Bob. They promised to come round to us in the evening.

6. — The weather is terrible. It ____________________ (get) hotter and hotter every day.

— I recommend that you _______________ (move) to the countryside. It’s high time you _______________ (take) care of your health.

7. I ______________ (look) for my passport for some hours already when Ann called and said that she ______________ (find) it in her bag. I might ______________ (put) it there by mistake. If I ______________ (not/be) so absent-minded, it ______________ (not/happen).

8. — It is no use _______________ (try) to make him _______________ (do) what he doesn’t want to. It is hardly possible.

— I think it is worth _______________ (try), why not?

9. — John, I want us _______________ (return) home.

— Why?

— I don’t remember _______________ (switch) off the iron.

— Don’t worry. I saw you _______________ (switch) it off and _______________ (put) it on the shelf.

— John, I wish you _______________ (not/think) that I am so distracted.

10. The result was absolutely different from what they _______________ (expect), and they _______________ (nearly/give) up the experiment, but soon Ann _______________ (find) where they _______________ (make) a mistake and they managed _______________ (do) everything successfully.

Set 4. FILL IN THE GAPS WITH THE CORRECT FORM OF THE VERB IN BRACKETS

1. Tom looks as if he _______________ (have) fever. Besides, he _______________ (be) naughty, though he is always as good as gold. He must _____________ (fall) ill.

2. — When they came to the gallery, they found that the art exhibition _______________ (cancel) some time earlier.

— Why _______________ (they/not/inform) beforehand?

— You see, no one even _______________ (think) about it.

3. Ann, why didn’t you tell me about it? If you _______________ (tell) me, I _______________ (help) you without fail.

4. Neither Sue nor her elder sister _______________ (have) any chance of getting that job because they _______________ (have) no experience in the publishing industry yet.

5. His clothes _______________ (be) dirty again. Evidently he _______________ (work) in the garden. He is crazy about gardening.

6. — How long _______________ (they/know) each other?

— They _______________ (know) each other for ages. They _______________ (go) to the same school for 11 years, _______________ (study) at the same university for 6 years, and now they _______________ (work) in the same company for already 3 years.

7. Alex _______________ (stop) and was looking at the beautiful dresses displayed in the shop window. If _______________ (she/ not spend) all her money the other day, she _______________ (buy) something to her liking.

8. — A job worth _____________ (do) is worth _____________ (do) well. ______________ (you/agree) with me?

— Of course, I do.

9. — I’d rather _______________ (listen) to the radio than _______________ (see) this soap opera on TV.

— As for me, I prefer _______________ (watch) TV. You’d better _______________ (take) a radio and _______________ (go) for a walk.

10. “Why don’t you have your hair _______________ (wave)?” Bob asked Helen. But she didn’t appear _______________ (hear) him. She seemed _______________ (listen) to the sound of the ocean.

Set 5. FILL IN THE GAPS WITH THE CORRECT FORM OF THE VERB IN BRACKETS

1. — Ann _______________ (live) in France for eight years, now she _______________ (live) in Italy. Next June she _______________ (live) in Rome for two years already. I am going to visit her in September. _______________ (you/go) with me?

— With pleasure but only on condition that she _______________ (invite) me herself.

2. — Sue, what _______________ (you/do) last weekend?

— I _______________ (go) to my brother’s new country house.

— _______________ (be) it far?

— No, it only _______________ (take) us thirty minutes by car.

— _______________ (you/stay) there long?

— We _______________ (stay) only for two days.

— _______________ (you/like) it there?

— Immensely.

3. Tom, it is the second decision different from the previous one you _______________ (take) for the last few days. It really _______________ (get) on my nerves. I think you _______________ (be) unreasonable now.

4. Hardly _______________ (they/arrive) at the platform when Kate _______________ (realize) that she _______________ (leave) all her documents at home. She _______________ (have) to return for them. Luckily, she _______________ (live) not far from the train station.

5. I heard Mark _______________ (instruct) by his father _______________ (come) home before midnight. I wonder if he _______________ (listen) to his father’s advice. Teenagers are so difficult to deal with.

6. Yesterday in a big shopping mall Alex _______________ (try) on a lot of beautiful dresses for three hours, _______________ (buy) nothing and _______________ (go) home absolutely exhausted. Now she wishes she _______________ (stay) at home instead of _______________ (waste) so much time there.

7. — The weather _______________ (be) awful lately. It _______________ (rain) heavily for several weeks. If it _______________ (not/stop) raining, I _______________ (go crazy).

— Well, I suggest that you _______________ (watch) some good movies or _______________ (clean) your flat at last. You _______________ (always/complain) that you have no time to do it!

— It is a great idea!

8. — Mr Brown, we suggest _______________ (continue) the talks until we _______________ (reach) a compromise on all points of the agreement. _______________ (you/agree) with us?

— Yes, I think it is worth _______________ (do).

9. — My car _______________ (break) down, so I’ll have to get used to _______________ (walk) everywhere.

— If I _______________ (be) in your place, I _______________ (buy) a new car a long time ago.

— I wish you ___________ (stop) giving me advice. It is up to me to decide what to do.

10. The other day my sister Kate _______________ (take) to hospital. She _______________ (knock) off her bicycle. The doctors examined her. Fortunately, no injures _______________ (find).

Set 6. FILL IN THE GAPS WITH THE CORRECT FORM OF THE VERB IN BRACKETS

1. — Ann, ask John where _______________ (he/walk) when _______________ (the accident/take place) and what _________________ (he/do) since he _______________ (leave) the scene of the accident. I wonder if he _______________ (tell) you something.

— I am sure that he _______________ (tell) me everything. He trusts me.

2. — Mark _______________ (just/leave) for Paris. Do you know when _______________ (he/be) back?

— He _______________ (come) back next Monday.

3. Sam didn’t feel like _______________ (walk). He was used to _______________ (pick up) at school by his father. On top of all that, his father doesn’t encourage _______________ (walk) alone.

4. — Peter, I _______________ (not/see) you for ages! What _______________ (be) on your mind lately? What _______________ (you/do) for these past few weeks? The last time we _______________ (meet), you _______________ (look) for a new job.

— Well, that’s not exactly true. I _______________ (think) of changing my job. Luckily the other day I _______________ (offer) a new position in the accounting department.

— Well, congratulations, Peter. I suggest that we _______________ (go) to the restaurant to celebrate it. It’s my treat!

5. When John was a teenager, he used to _______________ (think) that nothing would ever make him get used to _______________ (live) in the countryside. Now everything _______________ (change) and he can’t even imagine life without his country house.

6. Ann saw Tom _______________ (hear) the news and _______________ (break) down. And then all of a sudden he went on _______________ (laugh), which made Ann feel worried.

7. Alex _______________ (close) the door of her flat and _______________ (take) off her shoes. It _______________ (be) another exhausting day at the hospital where she _______________ (work) as a doctor, and she _______________ (look) forward to _______________ (be alone). Hardly _______________ (she/start) preparing her meal when the phone _______________ (ring). She _______________ (ask) to return to the hospital.

8. I hate _______________ (bother) you, but the client is still waiting _______________ (give) a definite answer. It’s no good _______________ (keep) him _______________ (wait). I recommend that you _______________ (hurry).

9. — Bill, you know that I _______________ (earn) a lot since I _______________ (work) here but I _______________ (not/have) a holiday for a long time.

— I wish I _______________ (be) on the seashore now, but it is only a dream!

10. — _______________ (Rita/phone) Ann as she _______________ (promise)?

— No, she _______________. She said it _______________ (slip) her mind because she _______________ (be) busy writing her history report which she was supposed to submit the next day.

Set 7. FILL IN THE GAPS WITH THE CORRECT FORM OF THE VERB IN BRACKETS

1. Ann, I used ______________ (have) a car that is similar to yours but I ______________ (sell) it two years ago and ______________ (buy) a new vehicle with the right-hand drive. Frankly speaking, the main advantage of this model was its low cost but I still can’t get used to ______________ (drive) it. I ______________ (consider) ______________ (buy) a new car now.

2. When we got off the train, it _______________ (rain) heavily. It _______________ (rain) for a few days, all the streets were wet and the traffic _______________ (be heavy). It _______________ (take) us two hours to get home.

3. — When John comes home, we _______________ (already/do) our home assignment for two hours. We _______________ (finish) doing everything by five o’clock and _______________ (go) for a walk. _______________ (you/go) with us?

— With pleasure.

4. — I saw Mark _______________ (leave) the building at six o’clock so he can’t _______________ (work) in the laboratory now.

— I’d better _______________ (go) and _______________ (see).

5. Ann _______________ (be ill) for three days already. She _______________ (catch) a cold on Sunday, when she _______________ (go) to the country and _______________ (get) wet through in the rain. She should _______________ (not/go) to the country in such bad weather. If she _______________ (not/go), she _______________ (not/catch) a cold.

6. I wonder when Helen _______________ (come). Ask her to send us a message when she _______________ (know) the exact date of her arrival, and we _______________ (meet) her at the station.

7. The police _______________ (still/look) for the bank robbers and _______________ (already/arrest) a few people. I wonder if they _______________ (find) the money which _______________ (steal).

8. By the time Alice cleaned the flat she _______________ (be/tired). She _______________ (work) since morning. She _______________ (wash) all the windows, _______________ (vacuum) the whole flat and _______________ (iron) the clothes.

9. A tall thin man with a sharp-pointed face sat at the table _______________ (lay) for dinner. He seemed _______________ (wait) for somebody.

10. In Rugby Union there are fifteen players in each team and different skills _______________ (require) in each position. People of all shapes and sizes _______________ (attract) to the game, because some positions _______________ (suit) to very big people, while others can _______________ (fill) by smaller people.

Set 8. FILL IN THE GAPS WITH THE CORRECT FORM OF THE VERB IN BRACKETS

1. Ann _______________ (turn) the light back on, _______________ (lie) on the sofa and _______________ (take) the book she _______________ (read). It grabbed her from the very first pages.

2. — Helen _______________ (have) her music lesson now. Don’t call on her.

— Ok, I will wait till she _______________ (finish) her lesson.

3. The children will stay indoors unless the wind _______________ (go) down and the sun _______________ (come) out. Unfortunately, the weather forecast doesn’t say if the wind _______________ (go) down.

4. — Can you return me the book now?

— I’m afraid not. I _______________ (read) it for three hours yesterday but still have a few chapters _______________ (read). As soon as I _______________ (finish) it, I will give it back to you.

5. Nick, you _______________ (always/grumble). If you _______________ (not/stop) _______________ (grumble) and _______________ (give) instructions to everyone, you _______________ (quarrel) with all your friends.

6. Sue, you know, I didn’t mean _______________ (tell) Nick anything about Ann, but he looked so upset that I couldn’t resist _______________ (do) it.

7. — I _______________ (translate) the article by six o’clock. Why didn’t you come to take it?

— I am sorry, I _______________ (completely/forget) about it.

8. A new building for a picture gallery _______________ (construct) in the town now. When the building _______________ (construct), all the pictures that the museum possesses _______________ (be displayed) in it.

9. Mark, I suggest that we all _______________ (get) together and _______________ (discuss) the matter calmly. It’s time we _______________ (make) it up.

10. Kate watched Tom _______________ (run) across the garden, _______________ (open) the window and _______________ (climb) through it into the house without _______________ (stop) by anyone.

Set 9. FILL IN THE GAPS WITH THE CORRECT FORM OF THE VERB IN BRACKETS

1. — Do you happen to know why Kate _______________ (not/invite) to Sam’s party next Sunday? Everyone else _______________ (go).

— They _______________ (be) on bad terms with each other recently.

2. Can you be at this station to meet us? We _______________ (travel) on the eight o’clock train, which _______________ (arrive) in the city at three o’clock.

3. _______________ (you/see) the building that _______________ (construct) on the corner of Bridge Street? They _______________ (build) it for two months already and I don’t know when it _______________ (finish).

4. I am considering _______________ (move) to the country. The weather _______________ (change) for the worse for the last few days. It is too hot outside. If the weather _______________ (be) too hot now, I _______________ (never/go) to the country. It is so boring.

5. — Ann, you _______________ (already/be) thirty minutes late. It’s the last time I _______________ (wait) for you that long! You know, I hate _______________ (keep) waiting.

— Oh, I’m sorry, Sue. It happened because I _______________ (get) in a bad traffic jam.

6. — Ann, I ______________ (not/see) you since we ______________ (have) that wonderful party at the club. How ______________ (you/be) all this time?

— I ______________ (just/return) from a holiday in Crete.

— Really? ______________ (you/enjoy) it?

— Yes, it was the best summer holiday I ______________ (ever/have). I recommend that you ______________ (go) to Crete too. It is a wonderful place to relax.

7. Kevin had an awful day yesterday. He went to visit his sister Sue, who _______________ (invite) him to spend the weekend at her place in the country. When Kevin arrived at her place, his sister _______________ (not/be) at home. The front door _______________ (be) open, and everything in the house _______________ (be) upside down. Kevin was very worried. He _______________ (calm down) only after Sue _______________ (phone) him to say that she _______________ (go) on a business trip quite unexpectedly and _______________ (be) in such a hurry that she _______________ (forget) to lock the door.

8. When Mark phoned his travel agency, he _______________ (tell) that his tour _______________ (book) but his air tickets _______________ (not/buy) because his visa _______________ (not/be) ready yet. The agent said the tickets _______________ (buy) as soon as the visa _______________ (issue).

9. — Did you tell Alex about what _______________ (happen) at the office?

— I didn’t have to do that. He already _______________ (know) everything. It turned out that Bob _______________ (tell) him about the events though the boss _______________ (order) him to keep it secret.

10. — What’s the matter with Mark? He neither _______________ (phone) nor _______________ (visit) me in the past three months.

— _______________ (you/not/know)? He _______________ (go) to China at the beginning of April.

— It’s the first time I _______________ (hear) that.

Set 10. FILL IN THE GAPS WITH THE CORRECT FORM OF THE VERB IN BRACKETS

1. — What _______________ (you/do) when you _______________ (come) home?

— I _______________ (cook) some food, then we _______________ (have) dinner and after that my father and I _______________ (talk) about some business matters for a long time.

2. — Ann, can you imagine we _______________ (write) a test for three hours on Wednesday?

— _______________ (you/always/write) such long tests?

— No, it was the first time we _______________ (write) such a long test. We _______________ (be) exhausted by the end of the lesson.

3. — _______________ (Alex/move) to his new apartment?

— Not yet. It _______________ (still/redecorate).

— Why _______________ (the workers/do) the work so slowly?

— Alex _______________ (say) that nothing _______________ (do) there now because he _______________ (have) problems with his business recently but he hopes that everything _______________ (settle) by the end of the month and they _______________ (continue) their work.

4. — Mark, could you turn off the TV set or at least turn it down? I can’t concentrate on my work.

— Sorry, some important news _______________ (show). I must see it. Now the presenter _______________ (speak) about the talks between Russia and India which _______________ (hold) now. The deal we _______________ (offer) by the Indian company _______________ (depend) on their outcome.

5. If technology _______________ (not/develop) so fast in the last decade, life _______________ (be) different now. New inventions _______________ (not/appear), robots _______________ (not/replace) people in many fields and the unemployment rate _______________ (not/be) so high.

6. — Sue, if you _______________ (have) any problems at work, ask Mark, he _______________ (give) you the right advice.

— I _______________ (ask) him if he _______________ (still/work) here but he was made redundant a month ago.

7. Nobody can definitely tell us when John _______________ (come) back from Paris. But as soon as he _______________ (return) we _______________ (get in touch) with him.

8. — Kate, why _______________ (you/not/invite) Pauline to our last party?

— She _______________ (not/ feel like) _______________ (come). She _______________ (be) very tired because she _______________ (plant) rose bushes in the garden.

— Really? How many _______________ (she/plant)?

— She didn’t tell me.

9. “Hopes come true sometimes,” said John when he _______________ (offer) a high position in the company. He really _______________ (deserve) it. His hard work and dedication to the company paid off.

10. — Ann used _______________ (consider) it difficult to organize parties. But when she got used _______________ (do) that, it became easy.

— _______________ (John/help) her do it?

— Yes, of course. He is a great partner.

Set 11. FILL IN THE GAPS WITH THE CORRECT FORM OF THE VERB IN BRACKETS

1. — Sheila told me the other day that Denis ______________ (expel) from university because he ______________ (skip) classes since the beginning of the year.

— I wish you ______________ (stop) ______________ (listen) to gossip! Denis ______________ (pass) all his exams two months ago.

2. — How long _______________ (Jane/prepare) for her final exams?

— For a week already, but it will be really difficult for her to pass them because she _______________ (not/do) too well at university for the last three months.

— How many exams _______________ (she/pass) yet?

— Only two.

— May success attend her!

3. Police _______________ (investigate) the case of the bank robbery in our district. They _______________ (question) a few witnesses since the robbery _______________ (report). Nevertheless, no one _______________ (arrest) so far and the criminals _______________ (still/be) at large. We hope that the investigation _______________ (complete) soon and the criminals _______________ (catch).

4. — Ann, let’s visit Peter.

— Oh, no, it is too late. When we _______________ (get) to his place, it _______________ (already/be) half past ten and I’m sure he _______________ (go) to bed by then. He usually _______________ (go) to bed early and _______________ (get) up early too. He is an early riser.

5. — Tom will be surprised to learn that Ann _______________ (pass) all her exams. It’ll be the first time he _______________ (learn) such good news about her.

— I’m afraid Tom won’t believe it till he _______________ (see) her student’s credit book with his own eyes.

6. — _______________ (you/participate) in the discussion of the project yesterday?

— No, my brother _______________ (fall ill) and I _______________ (have) to take him to hospital. So, by the time I _______________ (arrive) at university, the discussion _______________ (be) over. It was the first time I _______________ (miss) such an important event but it was not my fault.

7. — How _______________ (you/go) to university?

— Usually I _______________ (go) by car, but now I _______________ (have) my car repaired and I _______________ (use) public transport.

— If you _______________ (want), I can give you a lift. I _______________ (leave) in five minutes.

8. — David, when _______________ (you/go) to Milan?

— In two days.

— I _______________ (go) there next month too.

— Unfortunately, by the time you _______________ (get) to Milan, I already _______________ (leave)

— What a nuisance! I wish you _______________ (show) me around the city. You know Milan so well.

9. — Do you think Carol _______________ (get) the position she _______________ (dream) of so long?

— I don’t think so. If she _______________ (not/be) so stubborn, there _______________ (not/be) such opposition to her promotion. However, if she _______________ (change) her attitude to other people’s opinions, perhaps she _______________ (get) it. It is desirable that she _______________ (change)!

10. When will Mark stop _______________ (make) those jokes? He _______________ (be) stupid now. _______________ (he/not/see) that people _______________ (find) it ridiculous?

Set 12. FILL IN THE GAPS WITH THE CORRECT FORM OF THE VERB IN BRACKETS

1. — When ________________________ (your country house/build)?

— I really don’t know. By the end of April the workers _______________ (build) it for two years, but I am sure that by summer it _______________ (not/be) ready. Yet I hope they _______________ (lay) the roof by the time autumn rains _______________ (start).

2. — _______________ (Mark/get) his degree yet?

— No, but next August he _______________ (be fully qualified). I am sure he _______________ (pass) all his exams by the end of July.

— _______________ (he/start) searching for a job yet?

— No, but he _______________ (already/have) some work experience and I think he _______________ (find) a job soon.

3. When _______________ (it/stop) snowing? By evening it _______________ (snow) non-stop for eight hours already. If it _______________ (not/stop) soon, all the city _______________ (cover) with snow and the streets _______________ (be) impassable.

4. This school _______________ (open) last year in an old building which _______________ (be) empty for years. I _______________ (work) here for the last six months now. My day usually _______________ (start) at eight o’clock. This week I _______________ (look) after twenty five toddlers whose parents _______________ (want) some time to themselves during the day. By next year I hope the number _______________ (rise) to nearly forty.

5. John is very fit. He looks as if he _______________ (train) every day. I can’t help _______________ (wonder) how he manages _______________ (find) time to go to the gym. If I _______________ (not/be) busy, I _______________ (go) to the gym too.

6. I _______________ (make) to work hard by my boss recently. So I _______________ (work) for a fortnight already. I wish I _______________ (be) at the seaside now but this is an unrealizable dream!

7. I _______________ (think) of going on a trip to France and _______________ (wonder) for some time if Nick _______________ (like) _______________ (accompany) me.

8. — Do you hear that Bob Brown’s house _______________ (demolish) soon? A new metro station _______________ (build) there and Bob _______________ (have to) _______________ (move) to a flat in the suburbs. He is heartbroken. By winter he _______________ (live) in that house for nearly sixty years. _______________ (you/think) it is possible to deal with the problem somehow?

— No, local authorities _______________ (discuss) it since last year and _______________ (come) to the conclusion that such an important project can’t be stopped.

9. — Look, Lucy _______________ (buy) something again!

— Yes, now she _______________ (always/go shopping)! She must _______________ (get) a small inheritance lately. If she _______________ (go on) like this, by the end of the month she _______________ (have) no money left. She _______________ (spend) it all.

10. — I _______________ (not/hear) from Ann lately. _______________ (she/be) very busy or _______________ (she/go) away on holiday?

— She _______________ (be) on holiday since last Friday. She _______________ (promise) me to write or phone every day but to my regret I _______________ (receive) only one text message the other day.

— Well, it means Ann _______________ (have) a great time.

Set 13. FILL IN THE GAPS WITH THE CORRECT FORM OF THE VERB IN BRACKETS

1. Dan won’t regret _______________ (spend) money on _______________ (modernize) his house on condition that he _______________ (get) his money back when he _______________ (sell) it. Do you think he _______________ (manage) to do it?

2. I used _______________ (hear) the saying that children should be seen and not heard. I was brought up that way, and then tried _______________ (bring) up my children that way. Now I see my daughter _______________ (permit) her children _______________ (do) almost anything they want.

3. Ann was seen _______________ (enter) the house, _______________ (take) the documents from the table and _______________ (leave) the building. She_______________ (wait) for outside.

4. — _______________ (Joan/write) her coursework?

— Unfortunately not. She hopes she _______________ (complete) it by the end of the week. By the way, if you _______________ (offer) to help her, she _______________ (write) it much sooner.

— I _______________ (offer) to help if I _______________ (have) free time but I _______________ (have) so much to do recently.

5. The traffic _______________ (be) awful! I wish it _______________ (start) moving at last! Ann _______________ (be) furious if we _______________ (be) late for her birthday party. We _______________ (expect) to be at her place at five. We should _______________ (leave) much earlier.

6. — When ______________________________ (Carol and Bob/celebrate) their wedding anniversary?

— On Sunday.

— I’m afraid, you _______________ (misinform), I am sure they _______________ (have) their party only after their son _______________ (come back) from his business trip. He _______________ (come back) one of these days.

7. — _______________ (you/hear) the news about the Browns? They _______________ (decide) to split up.

— I already _______________ (know) it, but I really don’t understand why they _______________ (take) that decision only now. They are quite different. They _______________ (have) many deadly quarrels since they _______________ (get married). They should _______________ (get divorced) a long time ago.

8. When I came to the meeting, a very important issue ______________ (discuss). Mr Brown ______________ (make) a speech but he ______________ (listen) to very inattentively. Everyone ______________ (discuss) the ideas of the previous speaker and ______________ (talk) in rather loud voices. To my mind, they ______________ (be) impolite.

9. As soon as I _______________ (be) free, I _______________ (call) you up, but I don’t know when _______________ (I/have) free time. I _______________ (write) a report on history for two weeks already. It is desirable that I _______________ (write) it by Monday.

10. _______________ (arrive) at the station two hours before the departure of the train and _______________ (not/know) what to do, I decided to go to the café where I came across a friend of mine who I _______________ (not/see) for a long time. We were glad to see each other and _______________ (talk) for about an hour and a half. We _______________ (have) a lot to remember and discuss.

Set 14. FILL IN THE GAPS WITH THE CORRECT FORM OF THE VERB IN BRACKETS

1. — Oh, Dad, the program is nearly finished. Can’t I go on _______________ (watch) TV for a while?

— No, I want you to do your math homework and then go on _______________ (write) your English essay.

2. Two years ago our company _______________ (take on) many obligations. Since then we _______________ (meet) five of them and we _______________ (already/be) halfway through with the last project. It’s the first time we _______________ (do) everything so fast.

3. — John is unemployed now. If I _______________ (be) you, I _______________ (offer) him a job.

— I _______________ (offer) him a job if I _______________ (not/know) why he _______________ (sack).

— Really?

— Unfortunately he is not an honest man. He is completely unreliable.

4. When John was young, he used _______________ (hide) when his English teacher came. Now he _______________ (see) his tutor once a week and he looks forward to _______________ (meet) him. John _______________ (make) great progress in English recently.

5. — How long _______________ (Carol and Ann/ know) each other?

— Next week they _______________ (know) each other for nineteen years. They always _______________ (stand) together through thick and thin. They _______________ (tie) closely.

6. — I am looking forward to _______________ (see) my sister Alex.

— When _______________ (she/come) back from Paris?

— The train _______________ (arrive) in Moscow at nine p.m.

— _______________ (you/go) to meet her?

— By all means.

7. Ann, it is the latest news. I wonder if _______________ (there/be) any _______________ further information?

8. — Do you know, Jack, which of these two skills _______________ (be) easier to learn: ice-skating or roller-blading?

— The level of difficulty is about the same but you usually get colder when ice-skating.

9. — Rose claims _______________ (travel) around the world.

— Yes, she seems _______________ (be) to many places.

— It means that Rose is bound _______________ (gain) exciting travelling experience.

10. Next month _______________ (we/decorate) our room for two weeks already. I wonder what _______________ (the room/look) like when we _______________ (finish) _______________ (decorate) it. I hope it _______________ (be) beautiful.

Set 15. FILL IN THE GAPS WITH THE CORRECT FORM OF THE VERB IN BRACKETS

1. — Watch out! You _______________ (step) in a puddle!

— Oh, thanks! It _______________ (rain) for five days already. I wonder when _______________ (it/stop) raining. According to the weather forecast it _______________ (stop) by Monday.

— I wish it _______________ (happen) soon!

2. — Ann _______________ (go) to Paris four years ago and she _______________ (live) there ever since.

— _______________ (her brother/follow) her?

— Yes, he _______________ (join) her and _______________ (find) a good job in Paris.

— No wonder, he is a skillful surgeon.

3. I saw John _______________ (hear) the news and _______________ (break) down. Then all of a sudden he went on _______________ (laugh), which made me _______________ (feel) worried. He _______________ (behave) in a strange way.

4. — The inspector asked _______________ (see) my ticket and when I wasn’t able _______________ (find) it he made me _______________ (buy) another.

— He probably suspected you of _______________ (try) _______________ (travel) without one.

5. They don’t allow _______________ (smoke) in here. They don’t want _______________ (risk) _______________ (set) it on fire, but you can _______________ (smoke) in the foyer during the interval.

6. — John _______________ (study) English for three years. Then he _______________ (give) it up and _______________ (begin) to study French. Now he _______________ (learn) it for two years already.

— _______________ (he/make) any progress yet?

— To tell the truth, I don’t know. Ask his sister.

7. — How ______________________________ (your first family party/go)?

— I am afraid it _______________ (be) a bit boring. But we _______________ (improve) since then.

8. — Ann, I seem ______________ (fall) ill. I ______________ (have) a high temperature and a sore throat.

— You’d better ______________ (take) the day off if you ______________ (not/feel) well tomorrow.

— Ok, I ______________ (do) it if I ______________ (not/be) better.

9. — You weren’t all that busy. You might _______________ (help) us. Why didn’t you do it? We expected you _______________ (visit) us.

— But I was really busy. I _______________ (prepare) for my final test in English all day yesterday.

10. — He is only 16 years old but he _______________ (want) to leave school at the end of the term and start working.

— If he _______________ (leave) school now, he _______________ (be) sorry afterwards. He _______________ (never/make) a career.

Set 16. FILL IN THE GAPS WITH THE CORRECT FORM OF THE VERB IN BRACKETS

1. Tom said that he still _______________ (not/know) when he _______________ (be able) to afford _______________ (buy) a car of his dream. It is so expensive, but he hoped that by the end of the next year he _______________ (save up) enough to buy it. May all his dreams come true!

2. After becoming World Junior Champion at the age of 12, John went on _______________ (win) the Senior Championship. He _______________ (train) from morning to night every day because he wants to be number one in the world.

3. — _______________ (you/know) that Sue _______________ (join) our Sport Club? It is the first time I _______________ (hear) about it. It is a bit strange. She _______________ (never/be keen) on sports.

— Probably, her views _______________ (change).

— Why _______________ (you/think) it _______________ (happen) so?

— I think she _______________ (realize) at last the importance of a healthy lifestyle.

4. Bob, it is high time you _______________ (make) up your mind about _______________ (choose) a career. If you _______________ (not/decide) soon, you _______________ (never/settle) down to anything.

5. — I expect it will freeze tonight.

— If it _______________ (freeze) tonight, the roads _______________ (be) very slippery tomorrow and we _______________ (not/be able) to go to the country.

— I wish it _______________ (not/happen).

6. After _______________ (get) _______________ (know) Bob better, I regretted _______________ (judge) him unfairly. He turned out _______________ (be) a good person.

7. I wonder if Ann _______________ (forget) my number. I _______________ (expect) her to call for the past three hours. It is not typical of her _______________ (forget) _______________ (call). Something must _______________ (happen).

8. — I am glad _______________ (pass) the last exam. It meant _______________ (do) a lot more studying but it was worth it in the end.

— That’s true. A job worth _______________ (do) is worth _______________ (do) well.

9. — Two days ago I _______________ (have) nothing to do and _______________ (watch) TV for a long time.

— What _______________ (you/see)?

— I _______________ (see) many news programmes. In the end I _______________ (realize) that I was fed up with _______________ (watch) and _______________ (go) for a walk.

10. John _______________ (work) for the government since he _______________ (graduate) from Harvard University. He _______________ (always/enjoy) his work but now he _______________ (think) about retiring. Yesterday he _______________ (talk) to the head of the department for two hours about his job prospects but it is still not clear whether _______________ (he/have) them or not.

Set 17. FILL IN THE GAPS WITH THE CORRECT FORM OF THE VERB IN BRACKETS

1. — Ann, _______________ (you/see) my book? I _______________ (look for) it for half an hour already. It _______________ (lie) on the table for some days and then it disappeared.

— I haven’t got the slightest idea where it is. You _______________ (always/put) everything in different places.

2. — _______________ (you/enjoy) yourself or would you like to leave now?

— I’d rather we _______________ (leave), it is boring here.

3. When I reached Ann’s house at last, she _______________ (just/leave) and therefore we only had time for a few words. If only I ______________ (not/get stuck) in a traffic jam!

4. No sooner _______________ (Ann/come) home than she _______________ (see) Masha _______________ (wait) for her in the living room. She _______________ (wait) for Ann for an hour already. Masha _______________ (come) unexpectedly early.

5. I _______________ (tell) that the problem _______________ (not/consider) yet, but when it was I _______________ (inform) immediately.

6. It was the third time his name _______________ (mention) and I wondered who the man was. He turned out _______________ (be) the son of our neighbor who _______________ (live) in the next apartment for five years already.

7. Ann never forgets _______________ (remind) her child _______________ (avoid) _______________ (talk) to strangers as she’ll never forget _______________ (frighten) by a stranger in her childhood.

8. Rugby is a team game that ______________ (play) in Britain since the middle of the 19th century. According to legend, it ______________ (invent) at Rugby School in England in 1823 by a boy who ______________ (call) William Webb Ellis. A game of football ______________ (play) at school when Ellis suddenly picked up the ball and ran with it. The story might ______________ (make up), but it ______________ (tell) whenever the history of the game ______________ (explain).

9. The rain that _______________ (fall) since early morning _______________ (cease) by afternoon but a strong wind _______________ (still/blow) and the sky _______________ (be covered) with dark clouds.

10. The other day I _______________ (offer) a new job in a big company. It means _______________ (get up) very early because it is far away from my home but this job is worth it.

Set 18. FILL IN THE GAPS WITH THE CORRECT FORM OF THE VERB IN BRACKETS

1. John stopped _______________ (pick up) the toy Tom _______________ (drop) on the floor and ordered that the boy _______________ (not/throw) toys all over the flat.

2. Lucy, we arranged for you _______________ (visit) the museum on Sunday at three o’clock. _______________ (this time/suit) you?

3. — Everybody _______________ (be) here, aren’t they?

— No, Mr Black _______________ (not/come) yet. I don’t think he ______________ (return) from abroad yet. He _______________ (arrive) on Saturday.

4. By the time Ann _______________ (take off) her coat and skirt and _______________ (put on) her flannel dressing-gown, Grandma _______________ (be) quite ready and _______________ (wait) for Anna in the living room.

5. The shop looked shabbier in artificial light: the shelves were dusty and the ceiling _______________ (not/paint) since I went there. The shop needed _______________ (repair), I suppose it was time I _______________ (think) about it.

6. John couldn’t _______________ (hear) the news at dinner, because his sister _______________ (arrive) yet. She _______________ (go shopping).

7. I prefer _______________ (stay) at home to _______________ (go) to the cinema in such appalling weather. It _______________ (rain) heavily and a strong wind _______________ (blow). Let’s wait until the weather _______________ (change) for the better.

8. — Where _______________ (you/be), Tommy? Look at your face! You are a sight!

— Mummy, you _______________ (always/grumble)!

9. Standing near the taxi, Ann watched the luggage _______________ (carry) into the house. The luggage _______________ (be) heavy.

10. At his departure Rose continued _______________ (weep) largely through the fury at _______________ (leave) alone with Nurse Williams.

Set 19. FILL IN THE GAPS WITH THE CORRECT FORM OF THE VERB IN BRACKETS

1. Kate _______________ (swim) for two hours. At twelve o’clock she _______________ (still/swim). But when the first rain _______________ (fall), she _______________ (turn) back and _______________ (swim) towards the shore.

2. If you _______________ (send) the telegram the day before yesterday as I told you to do, they _______________ (receive) it yesterday morning. I wish you _______________ (listen) to my advice.

3. — I _______________ (work) on the article since morning, but I _______________ (make) no progress so far.

— What makes you _______________ (think) you _______________ (make) no progress? You _______________ (write) half the article. You _______________ (make) very good progress.

4. — Jack, you look upset. What _______________ (you two/talk) about?

— I _______________ (try) to explain to Bob that he is not right but he _______________ (not/agree) as usual.

5. I _______________ (just/buy) a new book by Dan Brown. It’s a very good book, beautifully _______________ (write) and very well _______________ (translate). It is one of the best books by this author I _______________ (ever/read).

6. _______________ (you/know) that the mistake _______________ (make) by John at the beginning of the testing didn’t allow the examiner _______________ (give) him an excellent mark.

7. — Mark, you know, I didn’t like the film which _______________ (so much/speak) about now?

— Really? Don’t tell anybody you didn’t or you _______________ (laugh) at.

— Let them laugh. Why should I like every film that _______________ (talk) about?

— But if people talk about a film so much, I suppose it is really good.

— Not always.

8. — Tom _______________ (stay) at his sister’s place, because he _______________ (have) his flat _______________ (renovate) at the moment.

— Do you happen to know when it _______________ (renovate)?

— I think they _______________ (complete) everything by next month.

9. Sue _______________ (work) at the school for eight years and then she quit. Now she _______________ (work) at the university for five years already.

10. — Betty, how long _______________ (you/wait) for Ann yesterday?

— I _______________ (wait) for her for half an hour but she didn’t come. I learnt later that she _______________ (fall out) with Alan and _______________ (cry) all day, _______________ (forget) about everybody and everything.

Set 20. FILL IN THE GAPS WITH THE CORRECT FORM OF THE VERB IN BRACKETS

1. Climate change is a fact and it’s high time urgent measures _______________ (take) to deal with it.

2. — It’s a secret, Tom.

— _______________ (you/understand) that no one else must _______________ (tell)?

— Of course I do.

3. Jack’s study was in a mess. Judging by the books and papers on the writing table, he must _______________ (work) since we left him in the morning.

4. It was five o’clock. We _______________ (wait) for Douglas for two hours already and had no idea when he _______________ (come). I insisted that we _______________ (call) him.

5. I was sure they _______________ (talk) about me, because they _______________ (break off) as soon as I _______________ (enter).

6. — Frank _______________ (take) his final examinations in spring. Do you think he _______________ (pass) them?

— I am sure he _______________ (pass). He _______________ (work) so hard.

7. Next month our English teacher _______________ (work) at the university for twenty five years. I am sure that ten years from now she _______________ (still/work) here as active as ever.

8. — _______________ (you/tell) that the bridge _______________ (build) by the time we move to the town.

— Nobody _______________ (tell) me anything so far.

9. Kevin _______________ (see) to enter the house, _______________ (take) the money from the drawer and _______________ (put) it into his bag.

10. I _______________ (do) everything yesterday by five o’clock and _______________ (wait) for Ann at the entrance. She was late as usual.

Set 21. FILL IN THE GAPS WITH THE CORRECT FORM OF THE VERB IN BRACKETS

1. John, I am afraid I must be off now. My parents _______________ (come) to see me tonight. I _______________ (not/see) them for a long time and I am looking forward to _______________ (see) them.

2. This morning I _______________ (get up) with a terrible headache and _______________ (decide) to walk to my office instead of _______________ (take) a bus. The weather _______________ (be) sunny and it was nice to walk down the street.

3. _______________ (worry) by the news, I kept _______________ (think) of the _______________ (not/finish) letter _______________ (lie) on the table.

4. I remember Mother _______________ (reprimand) me when I spoiled her favourite fish cake. Luckily, my error cost me only a reprimand but nothing more serious than that!

5. Sue, I don’t think John _______________ (agree) to help you until he _______________ (know) all the details of the plan.

6. By the time Alice _______________ (be) twenty five, she ______________ (graduate) from university and ______________ (write) several interesting short stories. She ______________ (become) a very popular author recently. Her books are in great demand with the readers.

7. When Liz didn’t phone me in the evening as we _______________ (agree), I knew something must _______________ (happen), I was right. She _______________ (fall) ill.

8. Sam _______________ (finish) dinner, _______________ (wash) the dishes, _______________ (sit) down in his armchair, _______________ (open) the book of poems he _______________ (buy) the day before and _______________ (start) to read.

9. The boy _______________ (play) chess for three hours when I came, so I knew they _______________ (not/be able) to do anything else that evening.

10. — Kevin, let’s have dinner. I _______________ (swim) for two hours. I am very hungry.

— Dinner _______________ (be) ready in ten minutes. Wait a bit.

Set 22. FILL IN THE GAPS WITH THE CORRECT FORM OF THE VERB IN BRACKETS

1. _______________ (you/hear) that Ann promises that when we _______________ (see) Tom _______________ (work), we _______________ (be) surprised?

2. — It sounds strange but I can’t remember what I _______________ (do) at this time two years ago.

— Perhaps you _______________ (sleep). That is why you don’t remember anything.

3. — Jack _______________ (tell) the other day that the issue of his promotion _______________ (not/consider) yet, but when it was he _______________ (inform) immediately.

— By Monday they _______________ (consider) the issue for over two months with no sign of result yet.

4. Ann _______________ (not/decide) anything by Wednesday, though we _______________ (discuss) the situation long enough. She is so indecisive.

5. It is not the first time you _______________ (disagree), is it? And it is not the first time she _______________ (take) offence at me.

6. — John, what _______________ (happen)?

— I _______________ (lose) my purse with all the money.

— Where _______________ (can/you/lose) it?

— I don’t know. I suppose I _______________ (have) it stolen on the bus.

7. The book is so interesting! I _______________ (read) for three hours already. I _______________ (read) almost all of it. I think that by tomorrow I _______________ (finish) _______________ (read).

8. Liz, I can’t afford _______________ (stay) at such an expensive hotel. I’d rather we _______________ (find) something cheaper. There is no point in _______________ (spend) so much money.

9. They claim _______________ (solve) the problem already but I am not sure of it. I heard them hotly _______________ (discuss) something personal a few minutes ago.

10. No sooner _______________ (I/enter) the room than a young man _______________ (come up) to me with a glass of champagne. I _______________ (be) sure it _______________ (be) the first time I _______________ (see) him in my life and _______________ (not/know) his name but half an hour later he _______________ (still/ask) me questions about my relatives and _______________ (tell) me something about his new business.

Set 23. FILL IN THE GAPS WITH THE CORRECT FORM OF THE VERB IN BRACKETS

1. Kevin, I was so busy yesterday and didn’t know there was a train strike. If I _______________ (watch) the news, I _______________ (stay) at home instead of _______________ (go) to the railway station.

2. John must _______________ (delay) by something serious. He should _______________ (be) here at least an hour ago.

3. I wish I _______________ (have) the money to buy some new clothes but at the moment I can’t afford _______________ (do) it.

4. If only Sue _______________ (graduate) from university, she _______________ (not/be) in the situation she is in today. I remember _______________ (tell) her to study but she _______________ (listen) to me!

5. Mark, it’s high time you _______________ (take) some responsibility for your actions. It’s time you _______________ (learn) to be more particular about the way you speak.

6. _______________ (interest) in all sorts of things, he was himself a very _______________ (interest) man.

7. If you walk into the road without _______________ (look), you risk _______________ (knock down) by a car.

8. After _______________ (study) History for three years, he went on _______________ (study) Political Science. If only he _______________ (learn) foreign languages!

9. — Tom, let’s go for a walk, shall we? We _______________ (sit) at home for two days already.

— Ann, I’d rather we _______________ (stay) at home. I don’t think that the weather _______________ (change) for the better. It _______________ (just/stop) raining but it may rain again soon.

10. Ann noticed John _______________ (leave) the office at three o’clock without _______________ (see) by anyone so he can’t _______________ (work) in the lab now as you say.

Set 24. FILL IN THE GAPS WITH THE CORRECT FORM OF THE VERB IN BRACKETS

1. John had nothing _______________ (suggest) and didn’t feel grown up enough _______________ (take) seriously.

2. — Would you like me _______________ (turn) down the radio a bit?

— No, it’s all right. I am used to _______________ (work) with the radio on.

3. Mary is so bossy. She acts as if she _______________ (own) the place, but she is our maid.

4. The doctor’s recommendation was that Alex _______________ (spend) the winter in Nice. Alex _______________ (have) problems with health recently.

5. Robert resented _______________ (ask) _______________ (wait). He expected the boss _______________ (see) him at once.

6. David says he’ll come and give a talk at the conference on condition that we _______________ (pay) him a reasonable fee.

7. — I dread _______________ (think) what _______________ (happen) to Mike. He is over three hours late.

— He must _______________ (oversleep). I saw him at Tom’s birthday party at midnight yesterday.

8. Jane, you should _______________ (apologize) when you saw that his feelings were hurt. Why didn’t you do it? You _______________ (be) impolite.

9. — Kate, I regret _______________ (tell) about it.

— Sue, I regret _______________ (hurt) your feelings but I had to do it, it might do you good.

10. Kate _______________ (come) home around ten o’clock. By that time the children _______________ (fall) asleep, but her mother _______________ (wait) for her _______________ (watch) TV.

Set 25. FILL IN THE GAPS WITH THE CORRECT FORM OF THE VERB IN BRACKETS

1. — John, unless your sister _______________ (turn down) the music, I won’t be able to concentrate.

— I’d rather you _______________ (ask) her to do it yourself. Why should I ask her?

2. _______________ (pass) the driving test, I bought a car. I wish I _______________ (teach) how to drive a long time ago. I still have little practice.

3. — I can’t help _______________ (wonder) how Liz managed _______________ (climb) the career ladder so quickly.

— Some of her influential friends must _______________ (help) her. She is considered _______________ (be) one of the most prosperous women nowadays.

4. Ann was made _______________ (scrub) the floor. She must _______________ (do) it for two hours already and I don’t know when she _______________ (be free).

5. John, it is so difficult _______________ (deal) with your brother because he is used to _______________ (do) everything on his own.

6. The parcel seems _______________ (open) before it was delivered. I think I’ll file a complaint.

7. _______________ (hear) the story twice, she didn’t feel like _______________ (listen) to it again.

8. James _______________ (never/make) such a wonderful career if he _______________ (not/study) so hard at university. He is president of our bank now.

9. I wish I _______________ (know) the answer to this question at yesterday’s exam! I wish I _______________ (work) harder during the term.

10. Ann denied _______________ (see) me at the concert, though I am sure I saw her _______________ (sit) in the stalls.

Set 26. FILL IN THE GAPS WITH THE CORRECT FORM OF THE VERB IN BRACKETS

1. The board members went on _______________ (discuss) the next item on the agenda but they couldn’t come to any conclusion, though they _______________ (discuss) it for a long time.

2. — I prefer _______________ (wear) clothes of natural fibers to _______________ (buy) artificial ones. What about you, Helen?

— So do I.

3. Tom recommended that the damages _______________ (assess) immediately. We followed his advice at once.

4. John didn’t object to _______________ (examine). He was accustomed to _______________ (take) various kinds of tests _______________ (prove) his qualifications and _______________ (get) the job.

5. I don’t mind _______________ (remind) you every day _______________ (switch off) the light when you leave the house, but I would appreciate your _______________ (try) _______________ (remember) _______________ (do) it on your own.

6. — This museum is worth _______________ (visit) as it presents a real biography of the city. I _______________ (be) there twice already and would like _______________ (visit) it again. _______________ (you/join) me?

— With pleasure.

7. John is said to _______________ (come) into a fortune when his distant relative, Robert, died. Sometimes what looks like a disaster turns out _______________ (be) a blessing in disguise.

8. — Dan, Pauline _______________ (make) a delicious cake. Would you like a piece?

— No, thanks. I _______________ (not/eat) cakes.

— Since when _______________ (you/deny) yourself a treat?

— Since I _______________ (be) on a diet. I _______________ (put on) three kilograms in the last two weeks.

9. — ______________ (you/know), Jack, that shooting ______________ (grow) in popularity these days? ______________ (you/ever/try) shooting?

— Yes, I ______________ (try) shooting but I ______________ (not/like) it and very soon ______________ (quit) it.

10. Ann, hurry up. The train is likely _______________ (leave) in several minutes. The lights are green.

Set 27. FILL IN THE GAPS WITH THE CORRECT FORM OF THE VERB IN BRACKETS

1. — It is no use _______________ (arrive) half an hour early. We’d only have _______________ (wait).

— You know, Ann, I don’t mind _______________ (wait). It’s better _______________ (be) too early than too late.

2. Remember _______________ (take) your hat when you _______________ (go out). The sun is shining so brightly and it is hot outside.

3. Robert, what _______________ (you/do) when you were in Paris this spring? We _________________ (do) a lot of sightseeing. Can you imagine? Once when we __________________ (visit) the Eiffel Tower, we __________________ (meet) Peter. He ____________________ (pretend) not to see us because he was there with his new girlfriend.

4. — It’s not the first time my car _______________ (break down) since I _______________ (have) it.

— It’s high time you _______________ (buy) a new car, Tom. I recommend that you _______________ (do) it as soon as possible.

5. News just _______________ (come in) of a huge fire in the suburbs of the city. According to the first reports, it _______________ (break out) during the day in the warehouse. The situation remains tense because the fire is difficult to put out yet.

6. John hates his job but he can’t give it up since he has to earn his living. But if he _______________ (come) into a fortune, he _______________ (give up) _______________ (work) at once.

7. — I hear you _______________ (buy) a new house! When _______________ (you/move)?

— I _______________ (move) one of these days. By the end of December I _______________ (live) in a new house for three months already.

8. Ann and Sue share an apartment. They sometimes _______________ (argue) because Ann _______________ (always/make) a mess in the room. Look, her jeans _______________ (lie) on the dressing table again!

9. Martin, do you happen to know why Kate won’t stop ______________ (tell) everyone how unhappy she is? She ______________ (always/complain) about everything. Look, Kate ______________ (tell) Liz about her depression again. She ______________ (not/see) that she ______________ (laugh) at?

10. Hardly ____________ (I/touch) the pillow when I ____________ (fall) asleep. I _____________ (be) on my feet all day and ____________ (get/tired).

Set 28. FILL IN THE GAPS WITH THE CORRECT FORM OF THE VERB IN BRACKETS

1. Don’t you know, Jill, that I am not used to _______________ (tell) what to do. Please, stop _______________ (do) it over and over again.

2. — You seem _______________ (do) everything already. When _______________ (you/do) it?

— The other day.

3. — Do you feel like _______________ (walk)?

— I’d rather _______________ (go) by bus. The weather _______________ (change) for the worse for the last two hours.

4. At eleven o’clock in the evening I _______________ (still/look) through the notes I _______________ (make) at the lecture. The information _______________ (be) new to me and I _______________ (want) to make sure that I _______________ (have) no questions left.

5. John doesn’t know French. He can’t _______________ (translate) the text. It was Ann who _______________ (do) it.

6. Nick _______________ (save) money for a new mobile phone since he _____________ (see) the advertisement, but he _____________ (not/save) enough so far.

7. When I first _______________ (come) to this house it was a quiet area. But since then a new housing estate _______________ (build) and it _______________ (become) very noisy. I _______________ (think) of moving to the country.

8. I have collected all the documents that _______________ (need) for the house sale. Can you take them to the lawyer’s office to _______________ (sign).

9. You had better ______________ (go) and ______________ (see) the boss and ______________ (say) what you ______________ (already/do). If you ______________ (put off) ______________ (explain) it to him, he ______________ (only/be) annoyed.

10. By the time the fireman ______________ (arrive), the house ______________ (be) on fire from top to bottom, but it ______________ (be) clear that if someone ______________ (give) the alarm earlier, they might ______________ (stand) a chance of ______________ (save) the building.

Set 29. FILL IN THE GAPS WITH THE CORRECT FORM OF THE VERB IN BRACKETS

1. — Mark _______________ (spend) all his spare time writing books. He says that by the end of next year he _______________ (already/write) three books and all of them _______________ (become) bestsellers.

— Mark is so self-confident!

2. For years I _______________ (do) all my washing by hand, then last year I _______________ (buy) a washing machine and I must say it _______________ (make) washing day much less exhausting.

3. On Saturday afternoon I _______________ (see) Kate sitting in the garden. “I _______________ (think) you _______________ (work) on Saturday,” I _______________ (say). “I _______________ (work) this morning,” _______________ (explain) Kate, “but at lunchtime the boss _______________ (go) off to play golf and _______________ (tell) us all to go home. It’s high time he _______________ (give) us a whole Saturday off actually. I _______________ (work) practically every Saturday since the beginning of the year.”

4. — If you want a candid opinion, you’d better ask my sister. She never ______________ (tell) white lies, she always _____________ (say) exactly what she _______________ (think).

— _____________________________ (your sister’s frankness/annoy) people?

— Yes, it ______________ (do). The average person ______________ (not/want) a truthful answer, he ______________ (want) you to say something agreeable.

5. Kevin _______________ (keep) looking at Ann, wondering where he _______________ (see) her before.

6. — Dan, what _____________ (you/do)? I ______________ (look for) you for ages.

— I _______________ (build) a barbeque in the garden.

7. When I came home, everyone _______________ (stop) talking. They _______________ (talk) about my birthday and the presents and _______________ (not/want) to tell me anything beforehand.

8. Tom _______________ (return) to the book he _______________ (read) before his mother _______________ (enter). He _______________ (try) to concentrate but he couldn’t. Her last words _______________ (still/ring) in his ears.

9. When I got home, Bill _______________ (lie) on the sofa. The TV set was on but he _______________ (not/watch) it. He _______________ (fall) asleep and _______________ (snore) loudly. I _______________ (turn) the TV set off and just then he _______________ (wake up).

10. I _______________ (see) my bank manager tomorrow. I _______________ (ask) him for a loan.

Set 30. FILL IN THE GAPS WITH THE CORRECT FORM OF THE VERB IN BRACKETS

1. If Nicole _______________ (not/study) at the Royal Academy of Art six years ago, she _______________ (not/work) as a curator in the National Gallery now.

2. Nick _______________ (always/lose) files because he often _______________ (forget) to store information on an electronic device.

3. Look, Jane. Those women _______________ (still/argue). They _______________ (argue) since we _______________ (play) tennis but we _______________ (start) an hour ago. I wonder when they _______________ (make up) at last.

4. Liza sounds as if she _______________ (be) on top of the world. She is absolutely happy. Tom _______________ (just/propose) to her.

5. When I came home from school, my elder brother made me _______________ (clean) up my room. I was made _______________ (wash) the dishes, too.

6. Yesterday evening John went to the theatre. When he _____________ (get) there, Mary ______________ (already/wait) for him. She ______________ (arrive) early and ______________ (wait) for him for half an hour.

7. My father _______________ (work) in that office for twelve years. Then he _______________ (get) a job in a bank. Next month he _______________ (work) there for two years already.

8. I _______________ (meet) my friends yesterday when I _______________ (walk) home. They _______________ (be) to the club where they _______________ (play) football. They _______________ (go) to a café for a drink and _______________ (invite) me to join them but I _______________ (refuse) as my wife _______________ (wait) for me for half an hour already and I _______________ (have to) hurry.

9. It’s the first time I _______________ (drive) a Porsche. It’s fantastic, I _______________ (never/drive) such cars before.

10. Kevin couldn’t fall asleep so I suggested that he _______________ (drink) some warm milk with honey. It usually helps.

Set 31. FILL IN THE GAPS WITH THE CORRECT FORM OF THE VERB IN BRACKETS

1. We _______________ (go) on holiday next Friday. The plane _______________ (leave) at five o’clock, so we _______________ (sunbathe) in Florida by lunchtime!

2. The suspect claims _______________ (watch) TV at the time of robbery. I think that he is telling a lie. He can’t _______________ (watch) TV at that time, the electricity was cut off there because of the thunderstorm.

3. Sue, would you consider _______________ (get) married to someone twice your age? Why not if he is twice as rich as you are.

4. Alex, it’s strange that you _______________ (go) there without me. You promised _______________ (accompany) me. You could _______________ (call) me at least!

5. Mother _______________ (have) a rest in her room since she _______________ (return) home. Don’t disturb her!

6. I hear Ann _______________ (fall) ill and she is in hospital now. What hospital _______________ (she/take to)?

7. — I wonder if John _______________ (join) us when we _______________ (tell) him about our trip to Mexico.

— No doubt he will. John _______________ (dream) of going to Latin America since he _______________ (start) to learn Spanish.

8. — Jane, you _______________ (always/be) one of those people who know exactly what they _______________ (do) every day next week and how many tasks they _______________ (complete) by the end of the next week?

— No, I am not that kind of person, unfortunately.

9. Mary’s skin looks so red because she _______________ (lie) in the sun too long. It’s high time she _______________ (go) into the shadow.

10. — _______________ (you/know) the boy who _______________ (talk) to Betty? I _______________ (never/see) him before.

— It’s Bob Brown. It isn’t the first time he _______________ (invite). Betty _______________ (meet) him at the art exhibition and since then they _______________ (be) quite close.

Set 32. FILL IN THE GAPS WITH THE CORRECT FORM OF THE VERB IN BRACKETS

1. As soon as we _______________ (hear) from suppliers, we _______________ (let) you know when the goods _______________ (be) in stock.

2. I’d rather you _______________ (not/call) tomorrow afternoon. I _______________ (entertain) visitors.

3. When we _______________ (get) to the airport we _______________ (find) that all the flights _______________ (cancel) because of the fog. We had no choice but _______________ (wait) for our flight _______________ (announce).

4. After _______________ (get) _______________ (know) John better, I regretted _______________ (judge) him unfairly. He turned out _______________ (be) a good boy always ready to give a helping hand whenever you need.

5. Ann, if we _____________ (not/leave) now, the party _____________ (be over) by the time we _____________ (get) there. So, hurry up.

6. At last you are here, Tom! I ______________ (wait) for more than half an hour. I should ______________ (know) that you ______________ (be) late.

7. On _______________ (graduate) from high school Dan went on _______________ (study) at Eton. For him _______________ (be) a student of that prestigious university was an achievement.

8. Sue advised her daughter Ann _______________ (resist) _______________ (buy) more new clothes but Ann was used to _______________ (do) whatever she liked and very seldom _______________ (listen) to her mother.

9. In addition to _______________ (lose) the poor dog risked _______________ (run) over by a car.

10. — Bob, why are you hiding?

— I would hate _______________ (notice) smoking in a public place.

Set 33. FILL IN THE GAPS WITH THE CORRECT FORM OF THE VERB IN BRACKETS

1. The girl speaks of the book as if she ______________ (read) it, but I know that she has never opened the cover. She is not used ______________ (read) books in the original. She usually ______________ (read) a brief plot summary to show that she knows everything.

2. Nick _______________ (date) Ann for 8 years already. It’s time he _______________ (propose) to her. I wonder when _______________ (he/do) it at last.

3. If Mark _______________ (arrive) a bit earlier, none of things that went wrong _______________ (not/happen) and everything _______________ (be) fine now.

4. Ann’s eyes are red. She looks as if she _______________ (cry). Tom _______________ (make fun) of Ann again.

5. The little girl was afraid _______________ (go) near the dog because she was afraid of _______________ (bite). The girl didn’t know that the dog was very kind.

6. _______________ (arrive) early for dental appointment, Tom spent time _______________ (look) through the magazines _______________ (lie) on the table.

7. _______________ (see) the movie before, I didn’t feel like _______________ (see) it again and decided to go for a walk to the park. The weather _______________ (be) wonderful.

8. _______________ (use) to _______________ (live) alone, John had difficulty _______________ (communicate) with his roommates.

9. I’d rather _______________ (go) to the country yesterday but I was too busy.

10. Some people believe that the Earth _______________ (damage) by human activity now. Others feel that human activity makes the Earth a better place _______________ (live).

Set 34. FILL IN THE GAPS WITH THE CORRECT FORM OF THE VERB IN BRACKETS

1. — Sally, do you remember _______________ (meet) Bob and Ann, who we _______________ (get) acquainted with in Paris last year? Well, they _______________ (come) to visit us next Friday. We _______________ (not/decide) where to take them yet. We may _______________ (go) for a drive in the country or _______________ (organize) a surprise party for them on the bank of the river if the weather _______________ (permit).

2. Mark suggested that we _______________ (go) to the country and offered _______________ (give) me a lift.

3. Bob must _______________ (have) his flat decorated. There is a strong smell of paint coming from his door.

4. — John, I’m afraid I can’t lend you my bicycle. I _______________ (have) it repaired now.

— By what time _______________ (it/repair)? How much money _______________ (charge) for repairs?

5. John, it is so nice to see you again. You are so fresh and tanned! It looks as if you _______________ (have) a good holiday.

6. Neither John nor Jack _______________ (be) here now. They both _______________ (just/go). I wonder when they _______________ (return). I’ll wait for them here if you _______________ (not/mind).

7. When Tom was little, he used _______________ (be) scared stiff when he watched horror films. It took him quite a long time to get used _______________ (take) them easy.

8. The book is likely _______________ (publish) and _______________ (appear) on sale pretty soon.

9. If I _______________ (not/miss) my last check up at the dentist’s, I _______________ (not/have) a toothache now.

10. I saw a car _____________ (cross) the square and ______________ (stop) before our door. I also saw a man ______________ (dress) in a black coat ______________ (get out) of it and ______________ (ring) the doorbell.

Set 35. FILL IN THE GAPS WITH THE CORRECT FORM OF THE VERB IN BRACKETS

1. Robert is proud _______________ (work) in the company since its foundation. The other day he _______________ (offer) the post of Managing Director.

2. — Mary, do you think it’s better _______________ (love) and lost than never _______________ (love) at all?

— To tell the truth, it’s difficult to say.

3. — Jack, why _______________ (you/smell) the milk?

— It _________________ (smell) a bit strange. I think it might _________________ (go off).

4. — How much _______________ (the parcel/weigh)?

— I am not sure. The assistant _______________ (weigh) it at the moment.

5. — Nick, you _______________ (work) here for too long and _______________ (have) no promotion yet. Don’t you think it’s high time you _______________ (find) a new job?

— By the time the summer comes, I _______________ (definitely/find) a new job. I _______________ (already/look for) it now.

6. The girl _______________ (stop) and _______________ (wait) until the train _______________ (pass).

7. — How long _______________ (you/know) Sue?

— I _______________ (know) her for four years already. We first _______________ (meet) when we _______________ (enter) university in 2022.

8. Only Alice _______________ (dress) in a black tweed skirt and a large white sweater and _______________ (sit) next to Mark on the sofa seemed _______________ (relax).

9. Mary, we believe that you _______________ (be) busy since you _______________ (arrive) in Moscow. But, please, find some time to visit us. We miss you.

10. — The film _______________ (begin) at three o’clock and _______________ (last) for more than two hours. Everyone _______________ (enjoy) it?

— I am not sure. It’s a bit strange.

Set 36. FILL IN THE GAPS WITH THE CORRECT FORM OF THE VERB IN BRACKETS

1. — Jill, why _______________ (you/wear) an engagement ring? You are not engaged, are you?

— Don’t you know that Mark _______________ (propose) to me the other day? I am looking forward to _______________ (marry) him in June.

2. When Sue looked at Nick, he was no longer smiling and lost in thought again. “How quickly your mood _______________ (change)!” she exclaimed. “What _______________ (you/think) about?” “I ______________ (think) about my summer exams. I ______________ (think) that I ______________ (fail) them all again. I ______________ (not/work) hard this year.”

3. — Rita, come here for a minute, will you?

— Oh, what ______________ (you/want)? Can’t you see that I am busy ______________ (clean) the windows in my room?

— I want you ______________ (help) me ______________ (move) the table in the kitchen.

— Ok, I ______________ (come).

4. — Alex, what ______________ (you/do) tonight?

— I ______________ (not/decide) yet. You know, I ______________ (get) already used to ______________ (be) at home every night. I’d rather ______________ (stay) in and _____________ (watch) a new film than _____________ (go) out in such bad weather.

5. — John, who _______________ (you/talk) to on the telephone when I came in?

— It was Alice. How long _______________ (you/speak) to her?

— We _______________ (speak) for two hours.

6. There was a strong smell and the sound of frying. Julia _______________ (cook) something delicious for her guests since morning. They _______________ (be) to come at two o’clock.

7. — The mayor of the city is said to _______________ (advise) the police _______________ (undertake) an investigation of bribes in the municipal council.

— That’s strange, usually he doesn’t allow _______________ (investigate) such sensitive matters.

8. Do you happen to know what the matter with Ann is? She used to _______________ (keep) her feelings to herself and now she _______________ (always/complain) about everything. It really gets on my nerves. I am not used to _______________ (listen) to such things.

9. John, if you agree _______________ (risk) _______________ (lose) your money, you can attempt _______________ (invest) in the shares of the company.

10. — Kate, have you heard that at yesterday’s meeting the board of directors discussed all the pros and cons of the deal and then went on _______________ (consider) their possible profits.

— Really? I didn’t attend the meeting yesterday, I can’t tell you anything.

Set 37. FILL IN THE GAPS WITH THE CORRECT FORM OF THE VERB IN BRACKETS

1. — Jane, _______________ (you/know) where Davis is? I am tired of waiting for him. Soon I _______________ (stand) at the bus stop for twenty minutes already.

— He might _______________ (get stuck) in a traffic jam or something might _______________ (delay) him.

— He could _______________ (phone) me at least! I _______________ (not/wait) for him so long.

2. Kate, I think you should put on something more formal. I _______________ (not/wear) this skirt to an interview if I _______________ (be) you. It is too short.

3. — Jane, you’ll never believe what _______________ (happen)! Our country house _______________ (burgle)!

— Well, Ann, we _______________ (have/our house/burgle) last winter, so I know the feeling of disgust and loathing.

4. When I arrived at the meeting, the first speaker _______________ (just/finish) speaking and the audience _______________ (clap). Everybody _______________ (be/excited).

5. — Pauline, this time next month we _______________ (sail) around the islands and you _______________ (take) your entrance exams to university.

— But in a month we _______________ (already/return) and you _______________ (enjoy) the holiday in Nice.

6. Look, Ivanov _______________ (pass) the ball to Petrov and Petrov _______________ (score) the goal. He is great!

7. — Tom, _______________ (you/be able) to go to the Alps with us next weekend?

— No, I _______________ (be) in Paris then.

— It is great! There are a few things I’d like you to buy me while you _______________ (be) there.

— Yes, of course I _______________ (do) it with pleasure.

8. — Did you remember _______________ (buy) the book I asked you for?

— Sorry, I didn’t. I _______________ (buy) it when I _______________ (go out) again, I promise. This time I won’t forget.

9. — _______________ (you/complete) the arrangements for our trip yet, John?

— Well, I _______________ (make) the reservations but there _______________ (still/be) some details _______________ (confirm). Our plane _______________ (leave) at six-thirty. So, be ready this time.

10. — Helen, _______________ (you/see) Jane today?

— Yes, I _______________ (see) her in the park, but I _______________ (not/see) her since then.

— If you _______________ (see) her, remind her about the interview with Mr Stone.

— I will.

Set 38. FILL IN THE GAPS WITH THE CORRECT FORM OF THE VERB IN BRACKETS

1. Ann, I suppose that when you _______________ (come) back in five years’ time, all these old houses _______________ (knock) down. I am sure of it.

2. — John, when _______________ (I/come round)? Is Monday still Ok?

— Well, don’t come at five o’clock, I _______________ (work) at this time.

— What time do you think you _______________ (be) free?

— I expect I _________________ (finish) my work by seven. __________________ (it/be) Ok?

— Yes, it is.

— By the way, Ann, _______________ (you/go) near the post office? If you _______________ (go) past there, could you buy me some envelopes, please?

— No problem. So, _______________ (I/see) you later.

3. Bob and Tom were soaked to the skin. They _______________ (walk) in the rain. They _______________ (leave) their umbrellas at home.

4. The radio in Paul’s room _______________ (play) since six a.m. I wish someone _______________ (turn) it off! It’s unbearable. Why not _______________ (do) it yourself?

5. — You _______________ (not/clean) the kitchen yet?

— Stop _______________ (complain)! It’s the second time you _______________ (ask) me to do it. Why is it so important?

— My elder sister _______________ (come) to stay tomorrow and I don’t want her _______________ (see) the kitchen in a mess.

— Ok, I _______________ (do) it soon.

6. Alex _______________ (try) _______________ (phone) John at the office since morning but she can’t get hold of him. And we won’t be able to see him tonight either. By the time we _______________ (get) home, John _______________ (go out) to the club.

7. — How many times _______________ (Carol/be) late for work this month?

— A lot of times.

— And how many times _______________ (she/be) late last month?

— Probably more than once. She has a hard time _______________ (wake up) in the morning. I am afraid she _______________ (fire) soon.

8. Jill ______________ (speak) over the phone for a long time already, it is time she ______________ (stop) ______________ (talk). She should _____________ (do) her home assignment now instead of _____________ (talk). She must ______________ (forget) about her exam in maths.

9. — Ken looked at Sue and understood that she _______________ (cry). Her eyes were red. She must _______________ (quarrel) with Tom again.

— How many times _______________ (they/quarrel) and how many times _______________ (they/make it up)?

— I think a lot. It is time they _______________ (split) up. It will be good for both of them.

10. George _______________ (question) by the police now. He is accused of _______________ (steal) the neighbour’s bicycle yesterday. I wonder if he _______________ (confess) to the crime.

Set 39. FILL IN THE GAPS WITH THE CORRECT FORM OF THE VERB IN BRACKETS

1. — Who _______________ (interview) when you _______________ (enter) the conference hall?

— John _______________ (be). He _______________ (interview) for half an hour already, but looked relaxed.

2. — Why don’t you use your car, Sam?

— I _______________ (have) it repaired now. I _______________ (have) a bad accident recently but I hope the car _______________ (be) repaired by next Friday and I _______________ (be able) to give you a lift as usual.

3. Andrew is not used to _______________ (tell) what to do. He’d rather _______________ (be) on his own. So is his wife. They have so much in common.

4. Mary, there appears _______________ (be) a car accident. I wonder if there are any casualties. Let’s go and see, shall we?

5. The next time Nick saw Ann, he acted as if he _______________ (never/see) her before. He _______________ (behave) strangely for the last three days. I wonder what _______________ (happen) to him.

6. It was nice of Nick _______________ (offer) _______________ (pay) the fare as I had no change on me.

7. The police insist their car _______________ (not/park) here and _______________ (move) immediately. It’s advisable that they _______________ (listen) to the police or they _______________ (fine).

8. If Sue _______________ (not/buy) such an expensive dress yesterday, she _______________ (can/buy) shoes, but unfortunately she couldn’t afford _______________ (do) it.

9. — You ______________ (hear) that Jane got Steve ______________ (marry) her?

— It is unbelievable. Jane can’t _______________ (do) it. I’d rather you _______________ (stop) _______________ (gossip).

10. Why didn’t Mark say anything? He must _____________ (give) no opportunity to object. I wish Mark _____________ (say) something to prove his innocence.

Set 40. FILL IN THE GAPS WITH THE CORRECT FORM OF THE VERB IN BRACKETS

1. John is believed _______________ (tempt) fate for many years but no one _______________ (know) what _______________ (happen) to him in the near future. He is a risky man.

2. Sue’s mother insists that she _________________ (study) hard until she _______________ (graduate) from university.

3. Managers enjoy _______________ (boss) other people but hate _______________ (contradict), though some of them don’t mind _______________ (give) a piece of advice if they _______________ (be) in trouble.

4. — Robert, do you feel like __________________ (have) a cup of coffee now?

— Not really. I’d prefer __________________ (have) tea and in general I prefer __________________ (have) tea to __________________ (drink) coffee after eight o’clock.

5. — The window wants _______________ (fix). I advise _______________ (send) for a carpenter.

— I’ll do it if I _______________ (have) time.

6. — Alice doesn’t seem to object to _______________ (make) fun of.

— Yes, Alice is a very good personality. She is so easy _______________ (deal) with.

7. Divers are reported _______________ (find) a Spanish ship which is thought _______________ (sink) 400 years ago. The ship is believed to _______________ (return) to Spain _______________ (carry) gold bars.

8. Peter congratulated Sue on _______________ (admit) to university and advised _______________ (go) to the café to celebrate it. She was glad _______________ (offer) such a good idea.

9. After his final exams, at which he didn’t do very well, Sam said he was fed up with _______________ (study) but his mother was sure that later he would regret _______________ (leave) school so early and insisted on _______________ (he/stay) on for another two years.

10. — Kate, what _______________ (make) you _______________ (think) that you are qualified to give advice on such matters?

— I think I am. That is my strong belief.

Set 41. FILL IN THE GAPS WITH THE CORRECT FORM OF THE VERB IN BRACKETS

1. Ann looked out of the window — it was cold and windy. Judging by the puddles it _______________ (rain) heavily all night. She didn’t feel like _______________ (go) out and decided _______________ (watch) a new film. Ann was sure that by the end of the day the weather _______________ (change) for the better and she _______________ (be able) to go for a walk.

2. — How long _______________ (you/read) this book, Kate?

— I _______________ (read) it for two days already. This is the best book I _______________ (read) recently.

— Where _______________ (you/get) it?

3. — Tom _______________ (give) it to me as a present on my birthday. The book is brilliant and is worth _______________ (read). As soon as I _______________ (finish) reading, I _______________ (give) it to you. I am the fastest reader you _______________ (ever/see), so you _______________ (enjoy) it soon, too.

4. Kevin, don’t forget that you ______________ (be) at the railway station at five o’clock tomorrow. Don’t be late or the train ______________ (leave) before you ______________ (arrive) there.

5. — Is it the first time you _______________ (drive) a car, Mary?

— Of course not. I _______________ (drive) for two years already. I am an experienced driver.

— Really? I do not think so, to tell you the truth.

6. — Where ______________ (you/be), Alex? What ______________ (you/do)?

— I ______________ (clean) my flat. Can you imagine I ______________ (wash) five windows?

— It’s great!

— What about you?

— I ______________ (stay) with my friends at the weekend and then ______________ (go) to Rita’s party. Rita ______________ (graduate) from university and now she ______________ (look) for the job as a doctor.

— When ______________ (she/graduate)?

— Two months ago.

— Please, give her my regards in case you ______________ (see) her.

7. This young businessman is very afraid _______________ (go bust) and therefore refuses _______________ (take) risks. He knows that if a company _______________ (go bust), it is forced _______________ (close) because it is financially unsuccessful.

8. Neither Bob nor John _______________ (be) in Moscow now. They _______________ (go) to the South the other day but by September both of them _______________ (be) in here already and you _______________ (be able) to see them.

9. My little sister _______________ (learn) at school yesterday that water _______________ (boil) at 100°I _______________ (tell) that Sue _______________ (offer) a new well-paid job. She is very happy, to say nothing of her mother, who always says that money spent on the brain _______________ (be) never spent in vain.

10. If you ______________ (know) French well, you ______________ (not/get lost) in Leon when you were there. If only you ______________ (learn) at least one foreign language when you were at university.

Set 42. FILL IN THE GAPS WITH THE CORRECT FORM OF THE VERB IN BRACKETS

1. I don’t like either Bob or his brother Tom. They both act as if they ______________ (know) all the answers to all the questions. It’s high time they ______________ (stop) boasting!

2. If Jill _______________ (not offer) two well-paid jobs, she _______________ (not be) in a dilemma now and _______________ (not phone) me now asking for advice which one to choose.

3. Linda, you needn’t _______________ (ask) Ann the time of the train’s departure. I could have told you when the train leaves.

4. You should _______________ (see) Robert’s face when Sue told him about the wedding. It’s strange that she _______________ (do) it. It was not generous of her.

5. When my sister called me, I _______________ (cook). I _______________ (cook) all day because the Browns _______________ (come) to visit us in the evening. She asked me if I _______________ (manage) to cook everything by their arrival. I answered that I _______________ (already/finish).

6. Rita couldn’t help ________________ (smile) to herself, ________________ (picture) how amazed her sister would be ________________ (see) her at the party.

7. _______________ (know) that Mark’s phone had broken down, his father bought him a new one. On top of everything else, the father bought him a one-way ticket to Paris! Like I said, believe what you want.

8. — I remember ______________ (take) to Greece when I was a child. ______________ (you/be) to Greece?

— Yes, I ______________ (be) there more than once. Last year I ______________ (be) in Greece for three weeks. It was an unforgettable trip.

9. Ann _______________ (come) here on business. Although she _______________ (be) here only half a year, she _______________ (pick up) enough English to be able to speak it quite well.

10. We used to _______________ (go) to bed at midnight or later. Now we are asleep by ten because with one baby we have had to get used to _____________ (wake up).

Set 43. FILL IN THE GAPS WITH THE CORRECT FORM OF THE VERB IN BRACKETS

1. If Alan _______________ (enter) university in 2020, he _______________ (graduate) from it already and _______________ (work) now in his brother’s company instead of _______________ (run errands) for different people.

2. — Neither Mary nor Tom ______________ (be) to Australia and ______________ (see) koala bears.

— Neither _______________ I. Let’s go there when we _______________ (have) holidays.

— Oh no, it’s too far, it _______________ (take) us about twenty four hours to get there. We’d rather _______________ (watch) a wildlife documentary on TV.

— I don’t mind.

3. — What _______________ (you/do) from five to six yesterday, Jill?

— I _______________ (send) e-mails at this time.

— How many e-mails _______________ (you/send)?

— A lot.

4. By the time Sam _______________ (come) tomorrow, I _______________ (paint) the fence in the garden for two hours and he _______________ (have) to wait until I _______________ (finish) painting.

5. Alex, something must be wrong with our plane. At least seven airlines _____________ (take off) since we ______________ (be) here, and we ______________ (still/wait).

6. John, frankly speaking, if I _______________ (realize) that you were really serious about what you said, I _______________ (think) it over much more carefully.

7. My dear brother, it is high time you _______________ (stop) _______________ (rely) on our parents and try _______________ (stand) on your own feet.

8. Mark is a reckless driver. It’s the third time he _______________ (have) a bad accident and _______________ (treat) in hospital. I think he should stop _______________ (walk) on the edge.

9. — Sam appears _______________ (keep) the details of the case a secret for the time being.

— Do you think he _______________ (reveal) them to me?

— No one _______________ (know) anything. I suggest we _______________ (wait).

10. — Ann, I’ll have our boss ______________ (choose) me ______________ (carry out) the research. Do you think I ______________ (manage) _______________ (do) it?

— Let’s hope for the best.

Set 44. FILL IN THE GAPS WITH THE CORRECT FORM OF THE VERB IN BRACKETS

1. _______________ (do) the work very quickly, John decided _______________ (go) to the park where his friend _______________ (play) football. They _______________ (play) football for more than an hour already and _______________ (go) home soon. He had to hurry.

2. — My bed is in a mess. Who _______________ (sleep) in it?

— I think it is John.

— He _______________ (always/sleep) in my bed while I _______________ (be) away. I’ll punish him.

3. _______________ (find) a way out, we issued a joint statement, which made us _______________ (feel) absolutely happy and relieved.

4. The police _______________ (search) Nick’s office all day today but they _______________ (not/find) any incriminating documents so far. I am sure Nick _______________ (manage) _______________ (get away) with this again. He is a very lucky man.

5. If Dan _______________ (know) about the company’s difficulties, he _______________ (not/agree) to work for them. Now he wishes he _______________ (go) to work for another company. Unfortunately, what is done cannot be undone.

6. Nick doesn’t seem _______________ (be) quite well. He shouldn’t hesitate _______________ (see) a doctor. I understand he is afraid _______________ (go) to the doctor, but it is no good _______________ (put) it off.

7. — Jane, isn’t it time for you _______________ (change) your job?

— I wouldn’t mind _______________ (change) my job, but not if it means _______________ (move) to another city.

8. Peter denies _______________ (forge) the signature of the manager and claims _______________ (not/see) the documents, but his boss is determined _______________ (hold) an inquiry into the matter even though it’ll involve _______________ (turn) it over to the police.

9. Robert, I think we’ll place a big order with your company provided we _______________ (give) a discount. _______________ (you/support) us?

10. They say that neither the party leaders not the president _______________ (go) to call the mass media to account. I wish they _______________ (do) it!

Set 45. FILL IN THE GAPS WITH THE CORRECT FORM OF THE VERB IN BRACKETS

1. The blouse Ann _______________ (wear) now _______________ (suit) her very well. It _______________ (look) very beautiful and unusual. I _______________ (not/see) anything like that before. I wonder where _______________ (she/buy) it.

2. Peter _______________ (enjoy) the music that _______________ (play) on the radio. He _______________ (hear) neither the melody nor the singer before and _______________ (be) sorry he _______________ (not/know) what the song _______________ (be) about.

3. To tell you the truth, I don’t know when Ann _______________ (recover) but as soon as she _______________ (recover), I’ll let you know.

4. — I ______________ (see) my editor tomorrow.

— ______________ (you/write) a book?

— Yes, I am and he wants me to sign a new contract.

5. — Liza, you _______________ (always/come) late. Don’t you realize it’s not polite to keep people _______________ (wait)?

— I am so sorry, but I am not late on purpose. I _______________ (hold) up in a traffic jam. The traffic _______________ (be) bad today.

6. We _______________ (wait) for Amanda for thirty minutes and then _______________ (decide) to start watching the film without her. She shouldn’t _______________ (be late).

7. Be careful, Ann. If you ______________ (not/stop) ______________ (tease) Sue, she ______________ (quarrel) with you for good.

8. — Bob, do you happen to know why Mark _______________ (always/tell) all those silly jokes? Doesn’t he see he _______________ (be) stupid?

— I’m afraid not.

9. I _______________ (need) your help immediately, Jill. There is something wrong with my dog. It _______________ (have) a temperature and it _______________ (hardly/breathe).

10. The parcel appears _______________ (open) before it _______________ (deliver). I wondered who _______________ (do) it.

Set 46. FILL IN THE GAPS WITH THE CORRECT FORM OF THE VERB IN BRACKETS

1. Tom: “Why does a woman say that she _______________ (shop) when she _______________ (not/buy) a thing?” Ann: “Why does a man say that he _______________ (hunt) when he _______________ (not/bring) back any bag?” (принести добычу)

2. I wish I _______________ (learn) to distinguish between good and bad but I am afraid this is impossible. I always lack common sense.

3. — Jane, look! In the typewriter there is a sheet of paper on which someone _______________ (learn) to type.

— It _______________ (may/be) Tom. He asked me the other day whose this typewriter was.

4. — Why _______________ (Carol/fail) her maths exam?

— She _______________ (revise) for it only for two days and _______________ (not/learn) even half of the material she was to know. It was the first time Carol _______________ (fail) since she _______________ (study) at university.

— I am sure that by September she _______________ (revise) everything and _______________ (pass) the exam easily and successfully.

5. When John entered the room, his classmates tried _______________ (pretend) that they _______________ (not/discuss) him but _______________ (chat) about different nonsense.

6. Kevin, I hope you don’t forget that the train ______________ (leave) at five o’clock from Victoria Station. If you ______________ (not/hurry) and ______________ (start) for the station right away, you ______________ (be late) and the train ______________ (leave) without you.

7. Sue was amazed. Her room looked almost brand new. The walls _____________ (paint) a pale warm pink. The curtains _____________ (draw) and the fire _____________ (light). All the furniture _____________ (dust). The table _____________ (move) out but a wireless set _____________ (add). Sue was absolutely happy. John _____________ (do) everything to her liking.

8. — Julia, would you like _______________ (sit) or do you prefer _______________ (stand)?

— I _______________ (sit) down in my office, so I’d rather _______________ (stand) if you don’t mind.

9. — Liz, Alan _______________ (come) at last.

— It’s good news.

— _______________ (you/find) your way all right then, Alan? I _______________ (not/hear) you _______________ (ring) the bell.

— I didn’t find the bell, so I _______________ (knock) at the door.

10. The door _______________ (open) by Ann’s mother. “Well, you are just in time. I _______________ (make) cakes. Ann _______________ (have) breakfast in the kitchen. Join her.”

Set 47. FILL IN THE GAPS WITH THE CORRECT FORM OF THE VERB IN BRACKETS

1. “Jack _______________ (come) on Friday,” Sue announced. “Ann _______________ (have) a message from him this morning.” “Oh, it is typical of him to arrive whenever he _______________ (wish) but we _______________ (have) our flat redecorated now. I don’t think this is a good time for him to pay us a visit. I wonder where he _______________ (stay).”

2. — Alison, why _______________ (you/be upset)?

— I _______________ (not/be) so upset if you _______________ (invite) me to your party last Sunday. Everybody seems _______________ (be) there except me.

3. — David _______________ (retire) recently.

— How long _______________ (he/work) for the company by the time he _______________ (retire)?

— He _______________ (work) for it for 30 years and he _______________ (do) the company a lot of good.

4. I am frequently told, “You should _______________ (save) some money for a rainy day. You can’t count on _______________ (rescue) by your parents every time you get into financial difficulty.”

5. Alex _______________ (tell) not to go there but he wouldn’t listen and now he _______________ (have) serious financial problems which are very difficult to solve once and for all.

6. Ronald _______________ (realize) that he _______________ (be) so interested in what Sofia _______________ (say) that he _______________ (forget) to eat. Sofia was a great speaker.

7. Hardly _______________ (Tom/arrive) in Paris when he _______________ (get) a call from home that his sister was seriously ill and he _______________ (have) to return to Moscow.

8. John, do you hope that all the debts which you _______________ (fall) into _______________ (pay) off by the end of the year?

9. — Barbara, you complain about feeling lonely but you have only yourself to blame. You don’t even try _______________ (make) new friends. Why don’t you join a club and stop _______________ (feel) so sorry for yourself?

— Well, I have little time for social life. There is always work that needs _______________ (do) in the house and at my job. But I’ll start going out, I promise.

10. — Dan, _______________ (you/have) breakfast when I phoned you? _______________ (I/interrupt) you?

— No, I _______________ (finish) breakfast. I _______________ (not/do) anything special.

Set 48. FILL IN THE GAPS WITH THE CORRECT FORM OF THE VERB IN BRACKETS

1. But for Ann, I _______________ (never/buy) tickets to the ballet in the Bolshoy Theatre and _______________ (not/see) that amazing performance. I was very grateful to her for her assistance.

2. _______________ (consider) all the pros and cons of the contract, the partners decided to sign it, but they should remember that the contract _______________ (sign) yesterday cannot be fulfilled within a month.

3. If Brown _______________ (organize) his campaign better, he _______________ (not/lose) the election and _______________ (become) our President.

4. Yesterday we _______________ (play) football for three hours because the weather was fine. Today we _______________ (play) football for an hour but we are likely _______________ (stop) soon. It is going to rain.

5. John, if your clothes _______________ (be) dirty, please put them in the laundry basket. I am going to wash clothes and clean the apartment.

6. _______________ (spend) all the money, Ann couldn’t take a taxI and was half an hour late for the classes as she _______________ (have) to get to university on foot.

7. — Do you think the mayor will hesitate _______________ (take) tough measures to stop people _______________ (protest) against banning demonstrations in the city?

— What are you talking about? He hasn’t even considered _______________ (take) any measures.

8. — Tom says he is short of money again.

— He _______________ (give) enough money recently, but you know him! Nobody _______________ (spend) money quicker than he does. Money _______________ (always/burn) a hole in his pocket!

9. — Do you know who _______________ (teach) Alice to speak three languages so well?

— She _______________ (teach) Spanish and French when she was a little girl, and later she learned Italian at university.

— _______________ (Alice/speak) these languages perfectly?

— Yes, she _______________.

10. — Mark, what ______________ (you/do) here?

— I ______________ (wait) for Nick. I ______________ (wait) for him since five o’clock, but for some reason or other he ______________ (not/come).

— It’s odd. He ______________ (never/keep) people waiting.

— I know. That’s why I’m a little worried.

Set 49. FILL IN THE GAPS WITH THE CORRECT FORM OF THE VERB IN BRACKETS

1. John _______________ (be) on his feet all day long and he was very tired. He _______________ (decide) to take a short break and _______________ (go) for a walk to the park.

2. There _______________ (be) a table and five chairs in this room.

— It seems to me you are wrong. There _______________ (be) six chairs in this room. Count them, will you?

3. We _______________ (stay) at the Ritz Hotel in Paris. It’s the fifth time we _______________ (stay) here. The Ritz is the most expensive hotel I _______________ (ever/stay) at, but it is worth it. You will not be disappointed if you _______________ (decide) to stay here.

4. — Tom, which of the two do you think _______________ (have) more chance of winning?

— It is hard to say. Both of them _______________ (practise) hard recently and both _______________ (be) eager to win.

5. Scarcely _______________ (I/tell) Mark that I _______________ (want) to go to Paris on holiday when his eyes _______________ (fill) with tears as if I _______________ (bring) some terrible news. He didn’t want _______________ (leave) alone in an empty apartment.

6. — Robert, I can’t, for the life of me, find my car key. I don’t remember where I _______________ (leave) it. It is probably in my other bag.

— Here is your key. You should _______________ (be) more attentive, John. You _______________ (put) it in my bag instead of yours.

7. — _______________ (your mother/teach) English or French?

— She _______________ (teach) English. She _______________ (teach) it for 20 years already. I am good at English thanks to her.

8. Andy, can you imagine Tom _______________ (deceive) me? If I ______________ (know) that he is a dishonest man, I ______________ (have) nothing to do with him.

9. After _______________ (examine) by the doctor, the young girl was admitted to the team. She was definitely on cloud nine.

10. _______________ (witness) the crime, Ann was expected _______________ (give) evidence in court, which made her nervous.

Set 50. FILL IN THE GAPS WITH THE CORRECT FORM OF THE VERB IN BRACKETS

1. Ann sat on the porch _______________ (smoke). Tom, who _______________ (play) in the sitting room, came to see what she _______________ (do).

2. When Sam _______________ (go) out of the room, Kate _______________ (stand) just outside the door, and he _________________ (have) the impression that she _________________ (try) to listen to what his father _________________ (say) in the kitchen.

3. Unless Bob ______________ (tell) us what’s wrong, we ______________ (not/be able) to help him. Do you think he ______________ (tell) us everything? It all depends on whether he ______________ (trust) us.

4. John _______________ (lay) the book on the top of the bookshelves where other books _______________ (already/lie) and then he quietly left the room.

5. Michael, you must stop ______________ (argue) and solve the problem as soon as possible. Delaying the solution means ______________ (suffer) defeat. I hope, you don’t mean ______________ (do) that.

6. — Have you heard Alice’s father promised _______________ (give) her a car if she stops _______________ (play truant).

— Well, promising doesn’t mean _______________ (give).

7. — The president of the company made the board of directors _______________