Conversation Practice Listen, read and practise. -.

 

Jim and Karen are relaxing in Jim's room. They have been telling each other about their lives.

Karen: Did you live with both parents when you were little?

Jim: No, my father died when I was very young, so I grew up in a single-parent family.

Karen: Did your mother work?

Jim: Yes, she worked in an office to support my brother and me.

Karen: It must have been difficult for her.

Jim: It was. After a long day at her job, she came home and cooked our dinner and helped us with our home­work. And taking care of us wasn't easy.

Karen: Didn't your mother have anyone to help her with

the cooking and cleaning? Jim: No, she did it all by herself. She must have been

tired a lot, but she never neglected us. In fact, she

spent almost all her free time with us. Karen: You didn't have any grandparents or aunts or uncles

who could have helped? Jim: We had relatives, but they lived in other states, so

our mother had to do everything alone.

A. Questions

1. Did Jim grow up in a two-parent or a single-parent family? 2. Did his mother work? 3. Did Jim's mother have to work hard?

4. Did anyone help her to look after the house and the family?

5. Why didn't Jim's relatives help her?

B. Special difficulties

I. Join these simple sentences to make compound sentences. Use the words in brackets.

1. The taxi stopped at the station. Two men got out of it. (and) The taxi stopped at the station and two men got out of it.

2. We got ready to get on the train. It didn't stop, (but)

3. No one was in when we called. We left a message, (so)

4. We didn't want to get home after the film. We went straight back, (so)

5. The old lady was nervous. She wasn't used to strangers cal­ling late at night, (for)

6. I've always wanted to live in the country. My parents prefer to live in town, (but)

7. The letter has been lost. The postman has delivered it to the wrong address, (or)

8. For a moment the top of the mountain was visible. A cloud covered it. (and then)

9. Jane was a successful career woman. Her mother wanted her to be a housewife, (yet)

10. Tom phoned. He left a message, (and)

11. Your mother phoned this morning. She didn't leave a mes­sage, (but)

12. Go at once. You will miss your train, (or)

13. She seldom visits us. She lives in the country, (for)

14. There was little time left. I took a taxi, (so)

II. Rephrase the following sentences. Use must instead of modal words.

eg Surely they have left already. They must have left already.

1. Her shoes evidently pinch her, she can hardly walk. 2. Surely the boy recognized you at once. 3. It was undoubtedly raining when you left. 4. She is probably good at chemistry. 5. They were probably having dinner when I phoned them. 6. Surely she has finished typing by this time. 7. Surely he is looking for his glasses again. 8. No doubt you are run down, you look pale. 9. Su­rely she is still typing. 10. She is probably in her office now.

III. Supply the correct reflexive pronouns in the following.

eg I enjoyed... very much at the party. I enjoyed myself very much at the party.

1.1 see you've cut... again. Won't you ever learn how to shave⁹ 2. How did Tom dry...? — He used your towel. 3. She has no reason to blame... for what has happened. 4.1 think that poor dog has hurt... 5. "One prides... on one's patience," the boss said, in his usual pompous manner. 6. We amused... playing football on the beach. 7. Our new neighbours knocked at our door and introduced... 8. Sheila prides... on her ability to judge people's characters. 9. Bill had to absent... from work when his baby was bom. 10. Strictly between..., she's wrong. 11. She's very certain of... 12. Granddad doesn't like living by... (= without help, alone) 13. Jimmy tied his shoelaces all by... (= without help, alone) 14. She -made the dress by... (= without help, alone) 15. Harry knows how to take care of... 16. I've cut... with the bread knife. 17. Take care of...! 18. You saw what happened... 19. They... saw what happened. 20. Just among..., he is stupid.

IV. Supply gerund forms for the words in brackets.

eg... is fun. (dance) Dancing is fun.

wmj?

** 1.... tall is an advantage, (be) 2.... tall is an advantage, (not be). 3... makes me tired, (drive) 4.... able to drive is a disad­vantage, (not be) 5.... keeps you fit. (jog) 6.... is a difficult profession, (act) 7.... about other cultures is interesting, (learn) g.... a cold isn't much fun. (have) 9.... tennis is fun. (play) 10.... alone at night in this part of the city is dangerous, (walk) 11. Is... a motorcycle easy? (ride) 12.... a soft-boiled egg takes three minutes, (cook) 13. Is... a second language difficult? (learn) 14.... good friends is important, (have)

V. Respond using negative interrogative.

eg A: I talked to Tom.

B: Didn't you talk to Jack too?

1.1 helped Bill. 2.1 thanked George. 3.1 paid Peter. 4.1 congra­tulated Andrew. 5.1 fined Paul. 6.1 met Arthur. 7.1 wrote to Bill. 6.1 saw Ann. 9.1 photographed Oliver. 10.1 sent a card to Hugh. 11.1 got a ticket for Mary. 12.1 kept a seat for Bob. 13.1 asked George. 14.1 invited Margaret. 15.1 forgave Alec. 16.1 offered a lift to Bill. 17.1 stopped Peter. 18.1 warned Hugh.

C. Speak about Jim s life.

D. Roleplay the conversation.

E. Speak about your life. Was it hard?

Jan and Audrey, who are roommates, are sitting in a church. They are waiting for their friend Margo to be married.

Jan: The music's starting to play! Audrey: Yeah, the wedding's about to begin. It's hard to believe that Marge's getting married.

(A few minutes later) Jan: Doesn't Margo look beautiful? Audrey: Yes, she is a lovely bride. Jan: Have you met the guy she's marrying? Audrey: No, I don't know the groom. But he looks like a nice

person. Jan: Well, we'll get a chance to meet him in an hour or so.

Audrey: You must be kidding. We won't have a chance to get acquainted with him at the reception. He'll be too bu­sy cutting the wedding cake and having his picture taken with Margo.

Jan: Yeah. You're right about that.

Audrey: I know what we could do, though. Why don't we take them out for dinner next week when they get back from their honeymoon?

A. Questions

\. Who is getting married? 2. Do Jan and Audrey know the guy she's marrying? 3. Will they have a chance to get acquainted with him at the wedding reception? 4. What are they going to do to get acquainted with him?

B. Special Difficulties

I. Make up sentences with "be about to " to talk about things which are going to happen in the very near future.

eg I'm about to leave for the station. The train leaves

in twenty minutes.

eg I think it's just about to start raining, eg Robert was about to pay for the vase when he noticed

a small crack in it.

II. Express surprise or admiration using negative interrogative.

eg Doesn't Margo look beautiful? eg Isn't she lovely?

III. Paraphrase the following sentences using could to express suggestion.

eg Why not go to the park? We could go to the park.

1. Let's go for a walk. 2. What about playing a game of cards? 3. Shall we go for a swim? 4. Why don't we lie in the sun? 5. How about visiting Peter? 6. Why not go to the cinema? 7. What about going to a restaurant? 8. Why not spend the weekend in Brighton? 9. Why don't we dine out? 10. How about buying a garage?

IV. Make up sentences. Do it as in the examples.

eg She is busy packing.

eg When I came they were busy writing a composition.

V. Roleplay the conversation "A Lovely Bride. "

VI. Tell other students about your own wedding or the last wedding you went to.

 

A student wants to write an article about Alexander Cliff. She is calling Cliff at home.

Student: Mr Alexander Cliff, please.

Cliff: This is Alex Cliff.

Student: Mr Cliff, my name is Silvia Rios. I'm a student at the University of California. Mr Cliff, I wrote an article about you recently for the school newspaper, but I wasn't able to include any details about you personally — about your family... or your interests.

Cliff: Yes.

Student: Well, would you mind if I asked you a few questions? Cliff: I'd be happy to answer your questions, Ms Rios.

Go ahead.

Student: Well, sir, ah, let's see, how many children do you have? Cliff: I have two daughters. Tricia, my elder daughter, is a doctor. My younger daughter, Lana, is also a stu­dent at the University of California. She's studying business. Perhaps you know her. She plays the piano in the university orchestra. Student: No, sir, I don't think I do, buLthe university is a big

place.

Cliff: I guess it is.

Student: Ah, what does your wife do, Mr Cliff? Cliff: My wife works as a volunteer for Readers of Ame­rica. She helps teach adults to read and write. Student: I understand you are a lawyer. Cliff: Yes, I've been a lawyer for over twenty years. Student: Do you have any interests or hobbies that vou cnnlH

tell me about?

Cliff: Well, as you know, I write novels — mostly stories about crime and the law. I also play golf and I jog every morning with my wife. And, of course, I read a lot. You have to read a lot in my profession. And I play the piano... not well... but I enjoy it,

Student: Well, all that's very interesting, sir. I'm sure the other students at the university will be interested in kno­wing a little more about you, too.

Cliff: Well, I'm glad I could answer your questions. Good luck with your article.

Student: Thank you very much. And good luck to you too, sir.

A. Questions

1. Why is Silvia calling Mr Cliff? 2. How many children does Mr Cliff have? 3. What do they do? 4. What does Mr Cliffs wife do? 5. What is Mr Cliff's job? 6. What are his interests and hobbies?

B. Speak about Mr Cliff and his family.

C. Interview a classmate. Ask him/her about his/her family.

(I = Interviewer; R = Raj)

I: How old were you when you met your husband, Raj?

R: Mm.... I was erm, sixteen.

Г. And what were you doing at the time?

R: Oh I was at home. I had left school, and I was having pri­vate tuition actually, at home, to prepare me for my exams

I: And your father arranged your marriage, is that right?

R: Yes, that's right.

I: Could you tell me how he did that?

R: Yes. He looked around for a suitable husband. He asked friends and relatives if they knew anybody, and found out about their education, their background, and most importantly, the family's background. He got all the infor­mation about them, you know.

I: And did this take a long time?

R: In my case, no, but it depends you see, erm... sometimes a father can see up to a hundred men before he chooses one. My elder sister... for my elder sister my father saw over a hundred men. You know, sometimes it can be diffi­cult to decide. But for my brother he saw only one girl. ll: And for you?

R: He saw only two, one in the morning and one in the eve­ning, and er... he chose the second one.

I: My goodness! Tell me about that day.

R: Yes... well, in the morning the first man came. He was very wealthy, but er... not very well educated, but he had a lot of money. And he was well-dressed, and he had very good manners.

I: And the other one?

R: He wasn't terribly wealthy, but he was well-educated, and he came from a good background. His family owned a village, and were like princes. And all his relatives were suitable. He was twenty-two, and studying law.

I: And your father chose him?

R: Yes.

I: Why, do you know?

R: I think he thought that money wasn't everything. He didn't want the... you know, he didn't want the family money. Education was more important. If he's well-educated, he'll earn it later. Actually, Shyam, that's my husband's name, didn't want to get married. He wanted to wait, but you know his father persuaded him. You know when he came to my house to meet my father, he was very badly dressed because he wanted my father to refuse him, so he could say to his father "Look, they didn't like me". But luckily my father did like him and—erm — so he had to say "yes".

I: And did you meet him that day?

R: Yes. First my family spoke to him, and then they called me in, and we talked for four, four or five minutes. My father decided immediately.

I: And did you agree?

R: Of course. My father had decided.

I: And what happened next?

R: Well, after a certain time, there was a special day when I went to see his family and he came to see my family. It

was a sort of engagement party. But we — you know — we used to be on the phone every day, we'd see each other regularly, but never without a chaperon. We were married ten months later.

I: And how long have you been married?

R: Oh for twenty-two years now.

Г. And... it's been a successful marriage? Have you been pleased with your father's choice?

R: Oh... yes, of course.

I: Do you think that the system of arranged marriages is a good one? How common is this system of arranged mar­riages?

R: Well, most marriages in India are still arranged in this way, and generally it is a system that works. Of course it depends a lot on the family choosing the right person, but one reason it works is that the couple enter the marriage not expecting too much, if you see what I mean. Actually, there are many more divorces between couples who thought that they were marrying for love and who then find that it isn't there. Arran­ged marriages seem to last, and that is a good thing.

I: And is sixteen the age when girls get married?

R: It is usually sixteen or seventeen.

A. Ask and answer questions on the text.

B. What do you think of arranged marriages? At what age do young people usually get married in your country?

Listening

Ann was a very romantic girl who often dreamed of love and marriage. She was especially attracted to a young man called Michael, who worked in the same office as she did, and he was very keen on her too. They became friendly and one day Michael asked her to go out with him. Their first date was a visit to the cinema, and they both enjoyed the evening so much that they decided to go out together regularly. Michael was a bit untidy and rather young, and Ann's parents didn't approve of him at first, but Ann was a sensible, mature

girl and they had confidence in her. For a year or so everything went well, but then somehow they slowly began to drift apart, until finally they decided to break off their relationship.

A. Questions

1. What sort of 'girl was Ann? 2. Who did she become friendly with? 3. Did Ann's parents approve of Michael? 4. Did Ann and Michael get married?

 

One evening, although he was nervous, Joe decided to propose to his girlfriend, Linda. She accepted his proposal, they became engaged and he gave her a ring. After a year they had saved enough money to get married (they were both over 1 8 so they did not need their parents' consent). Some people have a religious ceremony with a priest, but Joe and Linda decided on a civil ceremony in a registry office. On the day of the wedding Linda, the bride, was very calm, but Joe, the bridegroom, was nervous. Afterwards, at the reception, speeches were made and the guests drank a toast to the happy couple, who finally left for a honeymoon in Spain.

A. Questions

1. Why was Joe nervous one evening? 2. Did Linda accept his proposal? 3. How old were the young people when they got married? 4. Did they have a religious or a civil ceremony? 5. Where did the newly married couple go after the wedding reception?

Win, 42, tells how she met her husband:

I remember I was about 19.1 went to a dance at the village hall. I went with my best friend, Marjorie. Marjorie was very pretty and all the boys liked her. They all wanted to dance with her. I didn't enjoy dances much. I was always very shy.

I sat at a table in the corner of the dance hall. No one asked me to dance. After about an hour, Marjorie came up and said, "Go and ask one of the boys to dance! You can't just sit there!"

It was awful. I hated every minute of it. In the end she told one of her boyfriends to go and ask me for a dance. I was so embarrassed! Anyway, the boy came up and we danced. His name was Mick and he was very nice. He asked me to go to the cinema with him the next day. That was the start of it. I went out with him for a year, and then he asked me to marry him. My parents were a bit surprised. They liked him, but they said we were too young. They told us to wait. We waited nine months and then, on my 21st birthday, we got married. We now have three children and we're very happy. I still see Marjorie quite often. She always says, "You mustn't sit and wait for things to happen. You must go out and make them happen." I think she is right.

A. Questions

1. Where did Win meet her husband, Mick? 2. How old was she then? 3. Who was she with? 4. What was her friend like? 5. Why didn't Win enjoy dances? 6. Why wasn't she happy at first at this dance? 7. What did Marjorie do? 8. Who asked Win to dance? 9. What happened later on? 10. What does Marjorie always say?

 

Susan Brown and Tom Smith first met at a Christmas party at a friend's house. He was then a student at a university and she had just left school. That was more than two years ago. During this time they have become very close friends, and now they are engaged to be married. Tom is a very nice boy — and Susan loves him very much. He is clever too. He did well at the University and now he has a good job at a cycle factory near Bishopton, where he is making excellent progress. Learning to be a manager is interesting work and Tom enjoys it. Although he is not earning a very large salary at the moment, he hopes to be a manager himself soon. Susan's father and mother like Tom and are glad that their daughter is going to marry him.

The young people have not made any arrangements for the wedding yet. Getting married is very expensive and they will have to save some money first, so they do not mind if they have to put off the wedding for a little while. They will want to find a house, too, and this is not easy. Many young married people toda>

live with the boy's or with the girl's family, but it is better for them to have a house of their own. So Tom and Susan will have to work hard, save as much money as they can and look for a house before they can get married. But as Tom is only twenty-two and Susan is only twenty, this does not matter very much.

Susan is very proud of her engagement ring. Buying an engagement ring is a serious matter; it is something that does not happen often, so they spent a day in London together for the event. They looked in many jewellers' windows before Susan made up her mind. At last they saw what they wanted in a shop in Regent Street. But they did not buy it at once; no woman ever does this! The assistant brought tray after tray of rings, some of them very expensive. Susan enjoyed trying on rings costing many hundreds of pounds and comparing one with another, even though she knew that she and Tom could not afford them. At last she asked for the diamond ring in the window which she and Tom had liked and this was the ring they bought.

When Susan got to the office the next morning, all the girls at once noticed the ring on the third finger of her left hand, and said how pleased they were. But Mr Robinson, the manager, to whom Susan is secretary, did not notice it for three days, and he only noticed it then because Susan waved it in front of his eyes. Susan thought that her brother David would make fun of her when he saw the ring, but to her surprise he kissed her and said, "Very nice too!" Susan was so pleased, she nearly cried.

When Mr Carter, the manager of Tom's factory, heard that Tom and Susan were engaged, he sent for him and told him he was going to ask the directory to raise his salary. "You'll need it when you are married, as you'll soon find out," he said.

A. Questions

1. Where did Susan and Tom first meet? 2. What were they doing at that time? 3. What is Tom like? 4. Are Susan's parents for or against their daughter's marriage? 5. Why will the young people have to put off their wedding? 6. What did the young people buy when they got engaged? 7. How did their colleagues react to the news of their being engaged?

Ак 1110

The first time Michael saw Helen, he fell in love with her. It was love at first sight. The problem was how to win her love for him. First he tried to impress her. He asked her to fly to Cannes with him for the Film Festival. She refused. Then he asked her to come to Rome with him. But she said no. "Perhaps she likes the simple life," he thoughfSo he asked her to spend a weekend with him in the country. She refused that too. "Food. I'll try food," he thought and asked her to eat with him at Mason's, one of the best restaurants in London.

"No, thank you," she said and lowered her lovely blue eyes. "She's so beautiful," he thought. "I will try one last question." And he asked her to marry him.

"Yes," she said. "I will. Mason's, Rome, Cannes, the country — what an exciting life we will have."

A. Questions

1. What are the things Michael asked Helen to do? 2. What did Helen say?

(after O. Henry)

One dollar and eighty-seven cents. That was all. Three times Delia counted it. And tomorrow was Christmas. She sat down on the sofa and burst into tears. She had saved every penny for months and this was the result. Twenty dollars a week doesn't go far. Only $1.87 to buy a present for Jim. Her Jim. She had spent hours planning to buy something nice for him.

She went to the mirror and let down her hair. She let it fall to its full length, below her knees. '

There were two possessions of which the Dillinghams were very proud. One was Jim's gold watch, which had been his grandfather's. The other was Delia's hair.

She put her hair up again nervously and cried a little again. Then she put on her old brown jacket, her old brown hat and went down the stairs to the street.

She stopped at a sign which read: "Madame Sofronie. Hair Goods of all Kinds." She ran up the stairs.

"Will you buy my hair?" asked Delia.

"Take your hat off," said Madame Sofronie, "and let me look

at it."

She let her hair down.

"Twenty dollars," said Madame.

"Give it to me quickly," said Delia and the woman began to cut off Delia's beautiful long hair.

For the next two hours Delia searched for a present for Jim. Then she found it. It was a platinum chain for Jim's watch. As soon as she saw it, she knew it was right for Jim. It was just like him. Quiet and valuable. It cost $21.

When Delia got home, she started to curl her hair. After half an hour, her head was covered in small curls.

At seven o'clock the front door opened and Jim came in. Delia whispered to herself, "Please God, make him think I am still pretty." Jim looked thin and serious. Poor Jim! He was only twenty-two! His eyes fixed upon Delia and there was an expression on his face which frightened her.

"Jim, darling, don't look at me like that. My hair will grow again. I cut it off and sold it because I wanted to buy you a present. I've got a beautiful present for you."

"You've cut off your hair," said Jim slowly.

"Yes, but I'm still me without my hair, aren't I?"

"Your hair is gone," he said again, almost like an idiot. He took a package from his coat pocket and threw it on the table. Delia tore at the string and paper. First, an ecstatic scream. Then, hysterical tears.

For there lay the combs—the set of beautiful hair combs which she had wanted for so long. She knew they were expensive. She hugged them closely and said, "My hair grows very fast, Jim." Then she jumped up and gave him her present. The platinum watchchain flashed in the light.

"Isn't it beautiful, Jim? Give me your watch. I want to see how it looks on it."

Jim sat down on the sofa and smiled. "Dell," he said, "let's put our Christmas presents away and keep them for a while. They're too nice to use at present. I sold the watch to buy your combs. Now let's have supper."'

A. Ask and answer questions on the text.

Reading

 

In Japan both men and women go to university and both men and women study arts subjects such as English. But very few women study science, medicine or engineering. In engineering classes of thirty or forty students, there may be only one or two women Men and women both go to university in order to get good jobs, men want to work for a big company, be successful, earn a lot of money and support a family; women, on the other hand, want to work for a big company because they have a better chance of meeting a successful man and getting married. This is changing, however, and Japanese women are beginning to think about themselves. They are beginning to look for a job because they like it rather than because they hope to find a good husband.

Men have a job for the whole of their lives and usually stay with the same company. A woman may work for up to ten years, but after that she usually marries. Most women are married by the age of 27, then they stay at home and look after the children. A man might not mind if his wife goes to work, but she must look after everything in the house as well. A man does not cook or look after the children. When he comes home his meal must be ready The woman may go out in the afternoon, shopping with her friends or just to have a chat, but she must be home by four o'clock to prepare the meal. Then she may have to wait for a long time for hei man to come home. Often he has to go out for a drink after work; if he doesn't he may not rise very high in the company. The man does not come home until eleven o'clock or later. After her children are grown up, a woman can go back to work, but it is not easy. If her old company takes older women back, she might be lucky. But most women find it difficult to get a good job when they are older.

A. Compare the situation with women s education and employment in your country and Japan.

 

In this extract from his novel "Sons and Lovers" (1913), the writer David Herbert Lawrence describes a scene between Mr Morel, a

pit worker, and his wife and children, especially his young son, Paul.

He was shut out from all family affairs. No one told him anything. The children, alone with their mother, told her all about the day's happenings, everything. Nothing had really taken place in them until it was told to their mother. But as soon as the father came in, everything stopped. He was like the scotch in the smooth, happy machinery of the home. And he was always aware of this fall of silence on his entry, the shutting off of life, the unwelcome. But now it was gone too far to alter.

He would dearly have liked the children to talk to him, but they could not. Sometimes Mrs Morel would say: "You ought to tell your father."

Paul won a prize competition in a child's paper. Everybody was highly jubilant.

"Now you'd better tell your father when he comes in," said Mrs Morel. "You know how he carries on and says he's never told anything."

"All right," said Paul. But he would almost rather have forfeited the prize than have to tell his father.

"I've won a prize in a competition, Dad," he said. Morel turned round to him.

"Have you, my boy? What sort of a competition?" "Oh not­hing — about famous women."

"And how much is the prize, then, as you've got?"

"It's a book."

"Oh, indeed!"

"About birds."

"Hm —hm!"

And that was all. Conversation was impossible between the father and any other member of the family. He was an outsider.

The only time when he entered again into the life of his own people was when he worked, and was happy at work. Sometimes, in the evening, he cobbled the boots or mended the kettle or his pit-bottle. Then he always wanted several attendants, and the children enjoyed it. They united with him in the work, in the actual doing of something, when he was real self again.

 

I always believed that if a woman made up her mind to marry a man, nothing but immediate escape could save him.

Once a friend of mine, understanding this, decided to go on a journey for some time. So he got aboard the ship, with only a tooth-brush as his luggage and spent a year travelling round the world. He thought that the girl would forget him — out of sight, out of mind.

But when he landed at the port, the first person he saw, was the little lady from whom he had fled.

And only once I knew a man who managed to escape. His name was Roger Charing. He fell in love with Ruth Barlow at first sight. She was a dark-eyed, fair-haired little lady. When Roger told me that he wanted to marry her I wished him happiness.

"I hope you'll be good friends," he said. "You do like her, don't you?" "Yes," I said. I couldn't say less. I considered her stupid but I couldn't tell Roger about it. Roger introduced her to his friends, he took her everywhere. Their marriage was fixed for the near future. Then, all of a sudden, he fell out of love. I didn't know why. Maybe he understood that Ruth had made up her mind to marry him for his money. But he knew that she wouldn't release him if he simply asked her. So he thought of a plan. He didn't show Ruth that his attitude towards her had changed. He sent her flowers, they dined together and went to the theatre together. They had made up their minds that they would be married as soon as they found a house that suited them. And they started looking for it. They visited house after house but always Roger found a fault that made the house unsuitable. Sometimes they were too small or too large or too expensive or too gloomy.

Ruth began to grow tired. They looked at hundreds of houses and Ruth felt worn-out. Once she said angrily, "If you can't find a house soon I won't marry you." "Don't say that," answered Roger. "We are sure to find a proper house and in less than no time we'll get married."

They had been looking for a house for two years. Finally Ruth was dead tired. "Do you want to marry me or don't you?" she asked. "Oh, of course, I do," was the cheerful answer. But Ruth did not feel well enough to look at any more houses. She didn't want to see Roger.

In a week he got a letter. "I don't think you really love me. So I have found a man who will take good care of me and I'll be married to him today. Ruth."

Soon she got a letter from Roger, "I am very unhappy, but the most important thing for me is your happiness. I am sending you several addresses and I am sure that you'll find among them a decent house. Roger."

(after Stephen Leacock)

I think it's a very good idea to celebrate once a year "Mother's Day". So we decided to have a special celebration of Mother's Day. We thought it a fine idea.

We decided to make it a great day, a holiday for all the family and a happy day for our Mother. Father decided to take a holiday from his office, my sister Anne and I stayed home from college classes, and Mary and my brother Will stayed home from High School.

Our plan was to make the day just like any big holiday. So we decided to decorate the house with flowers. We asked Mother to arrange the decorations because she always does it on holidays. The two girls wanted to dress in their very best for such a big occasion, and so they both got new hats. Mother trimmed both the hats and they looked fine. Father had bought new ties for himself and us boys. We wanted to buy a new hat for Mother too, but she said she liked her old grey hat better than a new one, and both the girls said that it was awfully becoming to her.

Well, after breakfast we decided to hire a car and take Mother for a beautiful drive away into the country. Mother is hardly ever able to go to the country because she is busy in the house nearly all the time.

But on the very morning of the day we changed the plan a little bit. Father decided to take mother fishing. It turned out that he had just got a new rod the day before and he said that Mother could use it too.

Well, when the car came to the door, we saw that there was no room in it for us all. Father said he could stay at home and work in the garden though he hadn't had a real holiday for three years. Of course we didn't want to let Father stay at home. Then the two girls Anne and Mary said that they could stay at home and

help the maid to cook. Only it was such a pity to stay at home on such a fine day. As to us boys, we couldn't cook.

So in the end it was decided that Mother would stay home and just have a lovely restful day round the house and get the dinner. It turned out anyway that Mother didn't care for fishing, and also it was just a little bit cold and fresh out of doors, though it was lovely and sunny, and Father was afraid that Mother might catch cold if she came. So we said good-bye to Mother and drove away.

Well, we had a very happy day up among the hills. Father caught a lot of fish. Will and I fished too but were not so lucky. The two girls met a lot of people that they knew. So we all had a good time.

It was quite late when we came back, about seven o'clock in the evening. Mother had kept the dinner ready and hot for us. The dinner was like on New Year's Day. Mother had to get up many times during the meal fetching things back and forward.

The dinner lasted a long time, and it was great fun. When it was over all of us wanted to help Mother to wash the dishes. But Mother said that she could do it herself, and so we let her because we wanted to please her.

It was quite late when it was all over, and when we all kissed Mother before we went to bed she said it had been the most wonderful day in her life, and I think there were tears in her eyes. So we all felt awfully repaid for all that we had done.

Self check

I. Put the verbs into the correct tense forms.

Dear Mum,

It (not seem) like 6 months since I (arrive) here, but time (flow). I now (adjust) almost completely to the way of life here, but I must say it (be) difficult to get used to things at the beginning. I (have to) work hard here, and some evenings I (be) so tired out that I (go) straight to bed. But I (be) glad I (come). I (not save) as much as I wanted to, but never mind, I at least (save) something. Next week I'm off for a weekend's skiing, and I really (look forward) to going. I (be) a bit scared because I never (ski) before, but I (get by) somehow — don't worry. Just think, this time next week I (ski).

By the way, when you (come) to visit me? I can put you up in my spare room. If you can't come next month, at least try to come the month after. If you (come), could you bring me some marmalade? I (ran out). Now, what other news is there? My French (be) quite good now, in fact I (pick up) a lot since I (arrive). At the end of my stay here I (speak) French very well.

Oh, something I (forget) to tell you in my last letter, and that is that my firm might transfer me to their branch in the Netherlands. If they (do), it (not be) for another six months. I (wonder) what Holland (be) like? Anyway, if you can't visit me here, I (see) you in four months' time because I've got a week off then, and I (come) home for the week. Well, give my regards to everyone.

Love, Mary

II. Put the verbs in brackets into the correct forms. Study and practise the text.

(A Fairy Tale)

One winter evening a poor peasant sitting near the fire was talking with his wife about one of their neighbours who was a rich man.

"If only I (have) money, I (open) my own shop."

"I (not be) satisfied with that," answered his wife. "I (be) happy if I (live) in a big house, and then, if I (see) people like ourselves, I (help) them and (make) them happy."

"But what's the use talking, we are no longer in the time of fairies," the man said.

"It (not be) bad if they (exist)," the woman said, "Then I (may) meet one of them and ask her to grant me my wishes. If she (pro­mise) to grant me something, I (know) what to ask her."

Hardly had she said these words when a young lovely woman appeared in their room and told them that she was a fairy. She was willing to grant them the first three wishes and no more than three wishes. Then the beautiful lady disappeared.

At first the two peasants were too surprised to speak. But then they began discussing the first wish that it (be) best to have. They were arguing and quarrelling for a long time and finally decided to wish nothing for a while and put it off till the next day.

Some time later the woman looking at the bright fire said without thinking. "Oh, I wish we (have) a sausage for our supper." She had hardly finished these words when a thick sausage fell on their table from above.

The husband got angry and began scolding his wife, "Isn't that a fine wish! A sausage! Now we have only two wishes left. I'm so angry that I wish this sausage (stick) to your nose!"

This was hardly said when the sausage jumped and stuck to the poor woman's nose.

"What have you done?" cried the frightened woman.

The husband understood that he himself had been even more foolish than his wife. He tried to tear the sausage off his wife's nose but he couldn't.

"It is your fault," said the husband. "It is yours," replied his wife and they continued quarrelling.

"If you (not, wish) to have this sausage, I (not, wish) it to stick to your nose," said the husband.

Finally they understood that they had only one wish left. What could they wish? They thought for a long time and at last agreed to have their last wish. They wished the sausage (fall) on the table which it did.

The only good thing these poor people had got from the fairy was the sausage which they ate at dinner with great appetite.

UNITS GRAMMAR: GERUND

Gerund as subject

James: In my book it says I have to ask my friends about their hobbies so that I can make a graph. Matthew: Collecting stamps is my favourite hobby and wat­ching television is my second. James: Watching television sounds a bit boring. You must like something else! Matthew: Eating sausages and chips is another of my favou­rite activities, and you could mention ice-cream.
gerund Swimming Smoking Sitting here Parachuting Jogging	verb keeps is is getting looks sounds	other information you in good health, dangerous very boring exciting an easy way to keep m shape.

When we want to form a Gerund, in most cases we take an infinitive and put -ing on the end.

eat + ing Eating can be a wonderful experience, sleep + ing Sleeping makes you look younger, work + ing Working too much can cause a nervous breakdown.

To make a negative gerund we use not before it:

Not understanding teenagers is the first sign of middle age. The gerund can be:

a) the subject of a sentence: Swimming is my favourite sport.

b) the complement of subject + BE: My favourite sport is swimming.

Verb + gerund

Jennifer: Do you fancy getting some food from a take-away this evening? I really can't stand cooking ano­ther meal tonight. I'm too tired.

John: OK. I don't feel like cooking either. I suggest trying that Chinese take-away in the High Street. It would make a change.

If these verbs are followed by another verb, the structure is usually verb + gerund:

1. admit He admitted stealing the money.

2. advise She advised waiting until tomorrow.

3. anticipate I anticipate having a good time on

vacation.

4. appreciate I appreciated hearing from them.

5. avoid He avoided answering my question.

6. complete I finally completed writing my term

paper.

7. consider I will consider going with you.

8. delay He delayed leaving for school.

9. deny She denied committing the crime.

10. discuss They discussed opening a new business.

11. dislike I dislike driving long distances.

12. enjoy We enjoyed visiting them.

13. excuse Excuse my interrupting you.

14. fancy I don't fancy going out this evening.

15. feel like(=want) I don't feel like eating anything

16. finish Have you finished doing your homework?

17. forget I'll never forget visiting Napoleon's tomb.

18. give up I gave up smoking a month ago.

19. go on(=continue) He had a short rest and then he went

on studying.

20. can't help I can't help worrying about it.

21 imagine I can't imagine George ndmg a motorbike.

22 involve My work involves looking after the

children.

23 keep or keep on I keep hoping he will come.

(=continue) She kept (on) interrupting me while I was speaking.

24. mind Would you mind helping me with this?

25. miss I miss being with my family.

26. postpone Let's postpone leaving until tomorrow.

27. practise The athlete practised throwing the ball. 28.put off(=postpone) Don't put off visiting them.

29. quit He quit trying to solve the problem.

30. recall I don't recall meeting him before.

31. recollect I don't recollect meeting him before.

32. recommend She recommended seeing the show.

33. regret I regret telling him my secret.

34. remember I can remember meeting him when I was

a child.

35. resent I resent her interfering m my business.

36. resist I couldn't resist eating the dessert.

37. risk She risks losing all her money.

38. can't stand (=* bear) She can't stand (bear) watching detectives.

39. stop She stopped going to classes when she

got sick.

40. suggest She suggested going to a movie.

41. tolerate She won't tolerate cheating during an examination.

42. understand I don't understand his leaving school.

Note the passive form (being done/being seen/being told etc.): I don't mind being told what to do.

When you are talking about finished actions, you can also say having done/having stolen etc. But it is not necessary to use this form. You can also use the simple -ing form for finished actions:

He admitted stealing (or having stolen) the money. They now regret getting (or having got) married.

With some of the verbs in this unit (especially admit, deny, regret and suggest) you can also use a that... structure:

He denied that he had stolen the money, (or denied stealing)

He admitted (that) he'd broken the window. They suggested (that) we met at two o'clock.

Verb + preposition + -ing

a) Many verbs have the structure verb(V) + preposition(P) + object.

For example, talk about

We talked about the problem, (the problem is the object) If the object is another verb, it ends in -ing:

We talked about going to America. (V+P+ -ing)

Here are some more verbs which have the structure (V+P+ -ing):

succeed in think about/of dream of approve/disapprove of look forward to insist on decide against apologise for

Has Tom succeeded Are you thinking I've always dreamed She doesn't approve I'm looking forward He insisted We decided He apologised

in finding a job? of(about) buying a house? of being rich, of gambling, to meeting her. on buying me a drink, against moving to London, for keeping me waiting.

We say "apologise to someone for something":

He apologised to me for keeping me waiting, (not "he apologised me")

With some of these verbs you can also use the structure verb + preposition + someone + -ing. For example:

We are all looking forward to Peter coming back, (informal) We are all looking forward to Peter's coming back, (for­mal)

She doesn't approve of her son staying out late at night, (informal)

She doesn't approve of her son's staying out late at night, (formal)

They insisted on me staying with them, (informal) They insisted on my staying with them, (formal)

b) These verbs have the structure verb+object+preposition+ -ing

accuse	They accused	me	of	telling lies.
suspect	Did they suspect	the man	of	being a spy?
congratu-	I congratulated	Ann	on	passing the
late				exam.
prevent	What prevented	him	from	coming to the wedding?
stop	We stopped	everyone	from*	leaving the building.
thank	I thanked	her	for	being so helpful.
forgive	Please forgive	me	for	not writing to you.
warn	They warned	us	against	buying the car.

* Note: After stop you can leave out from. So you can say:

We stopped everyone leaving (отfrom leaving) the building. Some of these verbs are often used in the passive:

I was accused of telling lies.

Was the man suspected of being a spy?

We were warned against buying it.

Adjective + preposition + -ing

The farmer had been sleeping in the field for about an hour. He was tired of working. In fact he had never been keen on doing anything at all at midday when the sun was hottest. By resting a little at this time he would be able to do more in the afternoon. Anyway, he wasn't used to working more than four hours at a time. Suddenly he woke up. He looked over towards the trees. His heart began to beat in fear...

The Gerund is often used after these adjectives'.

afraid	of	He was afraid of catching cold.
busy	in	They were busy in packing their things.
capable	of	Do you think he's capable of doing that?
(incapable)
disappointed	at	We were disappointed at having lost the game.
engaged	in	He is engaged in writing a book.
excited	about	The children were excited about going on holiday.
fond	of	Are you fond of playing chess?
good	at	She is good at dancing.

 

guilty of He was found guilty of stealing.

indignant at He was indignant at hearing that.

interested m Are you interested in working for us?

keen on He is keen on fishing

pleased at She was not pleased at my coming.

(displeased)

proud of She is proud of being so pretty.

responsible for You are responsible for losing the match.

tired of I'm tired of waiting.

sure of He is sure of winning the race.

surprised at We were surprised at seeing him.

After some adjectives both the Gerund and the Infinitive are used.

— I was disappointed at not finding them at home. I was disappointed not to find them at home.

— She is proud of being so pretty. She is proud to be so pretty.

— I was surprised at seeing her there. I was surprised to see her there.

— She was pleased at getting such an expensive present. She was pleased to get such an expensive present.