Unit 3
Unit 3
Unit 3
Diversity in the world is a basic characteristic of human society, and also the key condition for
a lively and dynamic world as we see today.
Jina to Hu, President of the People's Republic of China
LEAD-IN
1. What is the most typical problem faced by every society?
2. Why cannot people have everything they want?
3. Who usually allocates resources in the country?
4. How can the economic system influence our life?
PRE-TEXT EXERCISES
A. Reading drills
Ex.1. Practice reading the following words:
ch [k] mechanism, mechanic, mechanization, technique, technical (в словах, запозичених з
грецькоїмови)
ph [f] phrase, phase, photograph, telephone, phonetics (в словах, запозичених з грецької
мови)
er, ir, ur [з:] refer, prefer, sir, girl, term, perfect, third, merger, university, burn, nurse, curse
ture [ʧə] structure, picture, venture, gesture, mixture, lecture, nature
sure[ʒə] measure, pleasure, leisure
Ex.2. Read the following words. The underlined letters are silent.
Bomb, comb, lamb, debt, write, know, knife, doubt, receipt, psychology.
Ex.3. Read the words in the group below. Pay attention to the word stress.
a) words with the stress on the first syllable:
several, scarcity, allocate, previously, Asia, clothing, value, major, centrally, formulate, publicly,
industries, socialism, socialist, Sweden, power, operate, ownership, relevant, enterprise,
government, centralized, social;
b) words with the stress on the second syllable:
require, essential, dilemma, referred, efficiently, appearance, variety, society, command, allow,
consumer, percent, consensus, municipal;
c) polysyllabic words with the main and secondary stress:
satisfactorily, opportunity, distribution, independently, intermingled, intervention,
environmentalism.
B. Word formation
Ex.4. Make up nouns as in the model.
Model: noun + suffix –ship →noun
e.g. owner – ownership
Citizen, dictator, friend, leader, member, proprietor, entrepreneur, master.
Model: verb +suffix –tion or –sion →noun
e.g. organize- organization
Protect, decide, define, produce, collect, reduce, consume, divide, cooperate.
Model: noun +suffix-ism →noun
e.g. material-materialism
Marx, Protestant, Buddha, commune, society, capital, consumer, perfection.
Active Vocabulary
Key terms: traditional economy, market economy, command economy, mixed economy,
centrally planned economy, to levy taxation, means of production, production and distribution,
shortage and surplus, free enterprise, laissez-faire.
Other words and expressions: a mechanism for survival, to resolve the problems, to store,
scarcity problem, to do for a living, to provide a sense of security and psychological comfort,
to take advantage of, essential dilemma, to exercise economic functions, to control prices,
essential features, to open and run any kind of business, to be intended, to divide up into, in
the marketplace, privately owned, to depend on, to manage the economy, an extensive form, to
detect consumer preferences, sufficient accuracy, social welfare, decision maker, health
insurance, housing projects, free medical services, range from … to, to be owned and operated
by.
Linking words and phrases: if we look at, in fact, subsequently, to refer to, according to,
thus, strictly speaking, however, what is more, as we have classified, to sum up.
VOCABULARY FOCUS
Ex.3. Give three forms of the following verbs. Find the sentences with these verbs in the text.
Deal, make, say, come, cost, choose, see, do, find, speak, be, sell.
Ex.4.Make up adjective +noun or noun +noun collocations (there may be several variants).
Give examples either from the text or of your own.
Economic, basic, scientific, profit, free, private, decision, government, scarcity.
Problem, property, system, development, enterprise, questions, motive, maker, ownership.
Model:economic system
e.g. People have made use of a variety of economic systems.
Ex.5. Match up the words on the left with the definitions on the right.
Ex.9. Look through the text again and replace the words /phrases in italics with similar
ones.
1. The problem of insufficiency requires answers to questions “What to produce?” “How to
produce?” and “Who gets what is produced?”
2. In a traditional economic system tradition decides how people earn their daily bread.
3. A traditional economy doesn’t make good use of technology and there is relatively little
promotion of intellectual and scientific development.
4. The market system of economic organization is described as economic activity undertaken by
private individuals or organizations under private ownership.
5. The political authority has performed some economic functions.
6. The framework of a market system contains six major traits.
7. In a command economy no individual may independently set up and manage commercial
activity.
8. Critics of command economy argue that planners cannot determine consumers’ likes.
9. Planned economies have a bad reputation to act dishonestly in return for money or personal
gain.
10. In mixed economic systems intervention of government may include well-being of people and
protection of the environment.
LANGUAGE SKILLS
WRITING
DISCUSSION POINTS
Ex.18. Can you explain the following sayings in your own words? What other sayings about
different kinds of economic systems do you know?
1. Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves,
tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it. Ronald Reagan
(American 40th US President (1981- 1989, 1911-2004)
2. The first lesson of economics is scarcity: There is never enough of anything to satisfy all those
who want it. The first lesson of politics is to disregard the first lesson of economics. Thomas
Sowell (American writer and Economist) (1924 – 2006)
3. I don't know if I can live on my income or not - the government won't let me try it. Bob
Thaves, the creator of the comic strip Frank and Ernest (1924-2006)
4. We have long had death and taxes as the two standards of inevitability. But there are those
who believe that death is the preferable of the two. "At least," as one man said, "there's one
advantage about death; it doesn't get worse every time Congress meets. Erwin N. Griswold,
Solicitor General of the United States,(1904 - 1994)
5. Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and he will eat for a
lifetime. Teach a man to create an artificial shortage of fish and he will eat steak. Jay Leno, an
American stand-up comedian and television host, (b. 1950)
Ex.19. Scan the text bellow and give headlines to each paragraph.
A command economy is where economic decisions are planned out in detail by a central
government authority. The plan is implemented through laws, regulations and directives.
Businesses follow production and hiring targets instead of individually and freely responding to
the laws of supply and demand. Central planners seek to replace the forces that operate in a free
market economy, and the customs that guide a traditional economy, to attain specific societal
goals.
The concept of a command economy was developed by Viennese economist Otto
Neurath as a method to control the hyperinflation after World War I. The phrase comes from the
German "Befehlswirtschaft" and was initially used to describe the Nazi economy. However,
centrally planned economies were in existence before then, including the Incan empire in 16th
century Peru, the Mormons in 19th century Utah, and even the U.S. during World War II
mobilization.
A modern centrally planned economy can be identified by the following five
characteristics:
1. The government creates a central economic plan for all sectors and regions of the
country. It typically starts with a five-year plan to set the overriding economic goals. This is
broken down into shorter-term plans to convert the goals into actionable objectives. The goal of
the five-year plan is to generate robust economic growth, increase production efficiency and best
utilize scarce resources. For the most part, a command economy needs a political system that is
also centrally planned.
2. The government allocates all resources according to the central plan. The goal is to use
the nation's capital, labor and natural resources in the most effective way possible. This pretty
much eliminates unemployment by promising to use each person's skills and abilities to their
highest capacity.
3. The central plan sets the priorities for production of all goods and services. The goal is
to supply enough food, housing and other basics to meet the needs of everyone in the country. In
addition, it may have other priorities, such as mobilizing for war or increasing the nation's
economic growth.
4. The government owns a monopoly business in industries deemed important to the
goals of the economy. This usually includes finance, utilities, and automotive. There is no
domestic competition in these industries.
5. The government creates the laws that regulate economic activity. These include
regulations, directives and wage/price controls to implement the central plan.
Centrally planned economies are great at mobilizing economic resources quickly,
effectively and on a large scale. They can execute massive projects, create industrial power and
attain imperative social goals. They are able to override individual self-interest, and subjugate
the welfare of the general population, to achieve a greater agreed-upon goal for the society at
large.
Command economies are also good at wholly transforming societies to conform to the
planner's vision, as in Stalinist Russia, Maoist China and Castro's Cuba. For example, the
command economy in Russia built up an effective military might and quickly rebuilt the
economy after World War II.
This rapid mobilization often means command economies mow down other societal
needs. For example, workers are often told what jobs they must fulfill and are even discouraged
from moving. However, people won't ignore their own needs for long. They often develop a
shadow economy, or black market, to buy and sell the things the command economy isn't
producing. The efforts of leaders to control this market can ultimately weaken support for the
central planning authority.
Instead of leading to efficiency, command economies often produce too much of one
thing and not enough of another. That's because it's difficult for the central planners to get up-to-
date information about consumers' needs. In addition, prices are set by the central plan, and so
can't be used to measure or control demand. Instead, rationing often becomes necessary.
Command economies are not good at stimulating innovation. Businesses are focused on
following directives, and are discouraged from making any autonomous decisions.
Centrally planned economies also have trouble producing the right exports at global
market prices. It's difficult for the various planning sectors to coordinate with each other, not to
mention foreign countries' needs.
Cuba, North Korea, China, Russia and Iran are the most commonly referenced examples
of command economies. Russia's Gosplan has been the most studied. It was also the longest
running, lasting from the 1930s until the late 1980s.
Ex.20. Read the text and decide whether the statements are true or false. Correct the false
statements.
1. In a command economy, companies carry out the implemented plan on the basis of the laws of
supply and demand.
2. The concept of a command economy was first put into practice in the US during the WWII
mobilization.
3. In a command economy, the government allocates resources in line with the central plan, usually
for a five-year period.
4. The goal of the central plan is to provide only basic goods and does not have any other priorities.
5. Such important industries as finance and utilities are the state monopoly.
6. Being overregulated, the command type of economic systems doesn’t have any advantages.
7. As in a free-market economy, prices set by the central plan measure and control demand.
8. A shadow economy can appear as a result of peoples’ inability to satisfy their needs.
9. In a command economy, businesses are free to introduce innovations to improve their production
and selling practice.
10. Cuba, South Korea, China, Iraq and Russia are the most frequently used examples of command
economies.
Before reading
If we classify economic models basing on countries’ geographical location, do you think
the countries within one group - American, Asian and European economic models – have the
same features? How can you briefly characterize them?
Reading
Read an article from The Economist and do the tasks following the text.
Task 1.Compare European models − German, Swedish and Dutch: what they have in common
and in what they are different.
Task 2.Compare European economic models with American, Asian (Japanese and East Asian)
and New Zealand. Say which of the models you consider the most effective.
Task 3.If somebody is obsessed with an idea (para.2), is he
a) disagreeing strongly with it;
b) refusing to support it;
c) having the mind excessively preoccupied with this idea.
Task 4.How do you understand the term “emerging economies” (para.3)? Give other examples
of emerging economies.
Task 5.Choose the best synonym for the verb “to trim (taxes)” (para.7):
a) to enlarge;
b) to reduce;
c) to keep stable.
BUSINESS COMMUNICATION
A Describing location
Ex.1. Answer the questions.
1. How do you get to the university? (by bus, car, train, bike, on foot)
2. How far is the university from your home?
3. How long does it take you to get to the university?
4. Can you describe where your university is situated and how to get there?
Ex.3. Study the language of describing position below and use the information
to answer these questions.
Where is the office? Is it in building A, B, or C? Describe the position of the
other two.
- The office is near the station. (It’s only two minutes on foot.)
- It's in / on Liberty Avenue, on/at the corner, on the left.
- It's next to the post office. (They are side by side.)
- And it's opposite / across from the bank. (On the other side of the road.)
Ex.4. You are in the University. If someone gives you some instructions, where would you
arrive?
1. Go straight on, take the second turning on your left. Pass the pub. It’s opposite the stadium.
2. Go straight on, turn right on Cliff Street. Go up Oxford Street. Turn left. It is between the
station and the pub.
3. Go ahead. Turn the second turning on your right. Pass the bank and the chemist. It’s at the
corner of Oak Street and Oxford Street.
4. Go ahead. Turn right. Go along Cliff Street. Turn right again. It is on your right next to the
baker.
5. Go along Pine Street. Cross Cliff Street. It is between the hospital and the bank.
B. Giving directions.
Conversation 1
A: Excuse me, how do I get to the shopping centre?
B: Go along Princes Street, turn first left at the crossroads, then turn second right. The shopping centre
is about 50 metres along that road, in the pedestrian area.
A: So, down Princes Street, left at the crossroads and then second right?
B: Yes, that's right.
A: Thanks a lot.
Conversation 2
A: Excuse me, how do I get to the museum?
B: Let me see ... yes. Go along this road. At the traffic lights turn left into Green Street and go straight
on to Abbey Square. The museum is in the Square, on the right.
A: Sorry, could you say that again?
B: Yes. Go along this road. At the traffic lights turn left into Green Street. Then go straight on to Abbey
Square. The museum is in the Square, on the right.
A: Thank you very much.
Conversation 3
A: Excuse me, is this the way to the sports centre?
B: No, the sports centre is in the opposite direction. Go along this road. There's a bridge on the left. Go
over the bridge, then turn first right, then first left. The sports centre is at the end of the road, on the
left, past the cinema.
A: Many thanks.
Conversation 4
A: Excuse me, can you give me directions to the convention center?
B: Yes, sir. It’s really close to here. Actually it’s within walking distance.
A: That’s what I heard. It’s a nice morning so I wanted to walk there.
B: Ok. Well, when you leave the hotel, cross the street and go right. When you see the library, turn
left. That should be one Forty Second Street West (142nd W.) Head straight for a block and
the convention center will be there on your right.
A: Thank you so much
B: You’re welcome.
Ex. 6. Using the map below, explain to a person new to your town how to get the desired
thing. Choose from among:
get some hiking boots, get some cat food, buy some milk, work out, buy some pants, grab a
hamburger, get some aspirin, see a movie, buy a book, mail a letter, buy some CDs, get a bite to
eat.
The first dialogue is an example.
1. A: Do you know where I can get a cup of coffee?
B: Sure. You could try the Starry Café.
A: Where’s that?
B: It’s on 2nd Avenue across from the pharmacy.
A: Thanks.
B: No problem.
2. A: Do you know where I can __________?
B: Sure. You could try the ___________.
A: Where’s that?
B: It’s on 2nd Avenue above the Grocery.
A: Thanks.
B: You are welcome.
3. A: Do you know where I can __________?
B: Sure. You could try the ___________.
A: Where’s that?
B: It’s at the end of Elm Street below the Town Pub.
A: Thanks a lot.
B: That's OK.
4. A: Do you know where I can __________?
B: Sure. You could try the ___________.
A: Where’s that?
B: It’s right on the corner of 2nd Avenue and Elm Street.
A: Thanks.
B: No problem.
5. A: Do you know where I can __________?
B: Sure. You could try the ___________.
A: Where’s that?
B: It’s just at the corner of 2nd Avenue and Elm Street above the Chemist's.
A: Thank you.
B: Not at all.
6. A: Do you know where I can __________?
B: Sure. You could try the ___________.
A: Where’s that?
B: It’s on 2nd Avenue just opposite Max Records on the second floor.
A: Thanks.
B: You're welcome.
Ex.7. Work in pairs. Use the words below to complete the dialogues. You don’t need to use
them all.
start get on come finish stop change get off go take go to
1. A: Excuse me.
B: Yes?
A: I want to ______ New Road.
B: Go to the right platform. ______ the first train. ______ at Yellow Circle to the train for
Youth’s Gardens. ______ at Jankie’s which is on the New Road.
A: Thank you. How many stations from Yellow Circle?
B: It’s the second station.
A: Thank you very much.
B: You’re welcome.
2. A: Excuse me.
B: Can I help you?
A: How do I get to Crossroads?
B: ______ any train from platform 1. ______ at King’s Yard. ______ the local train - it’s
yellow. ______ at the next station. That’s it.
A: Thank you.
B: That’s quite all right.
Ex.8. Fill in the blanks for each extract. Use the following words.
across your corner down exit far front how right looking lost miss moment off
on take to transfer way
Using the above dialogues as a model, explain how to get to your university or home by
underground or bus, on foot, by street name or nearby landmarks.
Ex.9. Look at the office plan. Can you match the questions and answers?
1 Excuse me. Where's the lift?
2 Excuse me. Where are the stairs?
3 Where's the computer room?
A Where's the drinks machine?
5 Where are the toilets, please?
Ex.10. John Smith has come to Glick and Warburg on a business trip, but he can’t find
where the company’s office is. He calls Laura Sands, the company’s manager, on his
mobile. Read the dialogue from the Business Basics course and answer these questions.
1 Where is John exactly? 2 Which floor is Meta Co. on? 3 Mark the position of Meta Co. on
this floor plan.
GRAMMAR EXERCISES
PAST TENSES
Ex.1. Define the tense forms in the sentences and translate them into Ukrainian.
Model:
He solved (Past Simple) the cross-word yesterday. He was solving (Past Continuous) the cross-
word puzzle when he heard (Past Simple) the telephone ringing. He had solved(Past Perfect)
the cross-word puzzle by the time the film started (Past Simple). He had been solving (Past
Perfect Continuous) the cross-word puzzle for half an hour.
1. Yesterday I was ringing up to my secretary but nobody answered. I was ringing her from 3 till 5
o’clock. At last she answered at eight o’clock in the evening. She told me that she had been
working on her report all that time.
2. The weather was terrible. It was raining heavily. She had been standing at the bus stop for half
an hour but there was no sign of any transport.
3. When I arrived, he was staying in the same hotel where we first had met.
4. One day I was sitting in my office in a small town on the west coast of England. It was five
o’clock in the afternoon. I had already finished my work for the day and was resting quietly in
my favourite armchair. I was thinking of the days that had gone by, especially of those days
that I had spent on the Coral Islands in the Pacific.
Ex.2. Define what tense forms should be used in the following micro-situations. You don’t
need to translate the sentences.
1. Ми погодились, коли вона запропонувала нам поїхати у відрядження. Вона запевняла,
що організація була чудовою.
2. Мені дзвонив хто-небудь 20 хвилин тому? – Так, твій партнер з бізнесу. – Що він
сказав? – Він сказав, що замовив тенісний корт на сьому годину.
3. Де ти був учора ? Я приходив до тебе. Я подзвонив кілька разів, але ніхто не відповів.
– Я був на виставці наших товарів. Я працював там кілька годин, коли ти прийшов до
мене.
4. Жінка сиділа біля вікна і думала. Вона думала про те, що її колега не повідомив її
перед тим, як поїхав до Києва.
5. Коли я зустрів її пів години тому, її очі були червоні. Я зрозумів, що вона плакала.
6. Сара прийшла додому о шостій. Вона повечеряла і почала читати книжку, коли раптом
згадала, що вона забула подзвонити босу.
7. Вони йшли по вулиці і розмовляли, коли вона раптом забула, що хотіла сказати.
8. Вони прийшли додому опівночі, тому що збори закінчились пізно. Коли вони зайшли
до квартири, то побачили, що всі вже сплять.
Ex.4. Write the Past Simple of the verbs in the list below. Systematize them into three
groups according to the reading rules. Then, read the verbs out.
/d/ - після голосних та дзвінких приголосних – play-played
/t/ - після дієслів, які закінчуються на /k/, /s/, /ts/,/f/,/p/ – watch-watched
/id/ - після дієслів, які закінчуються на /t/ або /d/ – add- added
Wait, start, tape, explain, charm, smash, remind, hope, shout, rain, aim, happen, listen, tame,
laugh, help, wish, wave, visit, kiss, look, miss, enjoy, dive, crash, clean, jump, arrange.
Ex.6. Fill in the blanks with a suitable verb in the correct form.
find, meet, burn, hit, choose, ride, begin, buy, lend, teach, fly, break, catch, cut
Ex.7. The main forms of the following verbs are often misused.
beat — beat — beaten lay — laid — laid
bite — bit — bitten lie — lay — lain
feel — felt — felt lie — lied — lied
fall — fell — fallen rise — rose — risen
find — found — found raise — raised — raised
found — founded — founded saw — sawed — sawed
hang — hung — hung sew — sewed — sewn
hang — hanged — hanged sink- sank-sunk
draw — drew — drawn stick — stuck — stuck
withdraw — withdrew — withdrawn strike — struck — struck
Answer the questions using the above mentioned verbs.
“When did they sink the submarine?” –“They sank it a month ago.”
1. When did they lay the table? 2. Where did they hang the picture? 3. When did they
withdraw the troops from the country? 4. When did they raise the workers’ wages? 5. Where
did they find the manuscript? 6. When did they found the museum? 7. When did they draw
up the contract? 8. When did they lay off the workers? 9. When did they ring the bell?
10. When did the clock strike? 11. When did they find the new workers? 12. When did they
feel bad? 13. Why did they lie to us? 14. When did the dog bite you? 15. When did they saw
the branches? 16. When did you sew the dress?
Ex.8.Put the verbs in brackets into the correct forms of the Past Simple.
John had a bad day. It happened to him exactly as one humorous rhyme says:
He (oversleep) and (miss) his train,
(Slip) on the sidewalk in the pouring rain.
(Sprain) his ankle, (skin) his knees,
(Break) his glasses, and (lose) his keys.
So, when he (get) home, he (look) angry.
Ex.9. Choose suitable time expressions and put them in the correct position.
yesterday, a week ago, last month/ week/ year, two years ago, an hour ago, on Tuesday/ Friday/
Sunday, in 2012
Ex.10. Rewrite the sentences in the negative. Look at the example provided.
1. My brother found his watch. – My brother didn’t find his watch.
2. You jumped high. – ______________________.
3. Albert played squash. – ______________________.
4. The teacher tested our English. – ______________________.
5. Fiona visited her grandma. – ______________________.
6. He washed the car. – ______________________.
7. You were thirsty. – ________________________.
8. She forgave her husband. - __________________.
9. He had a computer. – ______________________.
10. I bought bread. – __________________________.
11. You saw the house. – ______________________.
Ex.12. Put the verbs in brackets into the most suitable form (affirmative, negative or
interrogative). Make other necessary changes.
1. The construction of the business centre ________ (start) a month ago.
2. It ________ (be) bitterly cold yesterday. I ________ (not put) on my warm coat and I ________
(catch) a cold.
3. The postman ________ (bring) the morning mail only at 12 o’clock.
4. I ______(see) you the other day coming out of the library with a stack of books.
5. We ________ (have) a picnic yesterday, but the rain ________ (spoil) the whole pleasure.
6. You ________ (go) to the Crimea when you ________ (be) a child?
7. As soon as I came up, they _______ (get) into the taxi and _______ (go) away.
8. What places of interest you ________ (see) when you ________ (be) in Italy?
9. Every winter Nick ________ (go) to the Swiss Alps to ski.
10. He ________ (come) in, ________ (take) off his hat, ________ (move) a chair to the table and
________ (join) the conversation.
11. When he ________ (arrive)? The plane was delayed and he ________ (come) two hours later.
12. How much your bag ________ (cost)? – I ________ (pay) $200 for it.
13. When Valerie worked late, Carl always _________ (walk) her home.
Ex.13. These statements may have inaccurate information. If you don’t agree with them,
respond in the negative and give accurate information.
Model:
Agatha Christie was a very popular Australian writer.
– No, she wasn’t. She was a very popular English writer.
1. You started learning English last year.
2. Michelangelo painted the Mona Lisa.
3. You worked part-time in a bank last year.
4. Shakespeare wrote detective stories.
5. Abraham Lincoln was the first president of the USA.
6. Michael Jackson died at the age of 60.
7. Merriam and you studied at the library together yesterday.
8. You went on holiday to the Canary Islands last summer.
9. You saw “The Titanic” at the weekend.
10. Uma Thurman starred in the film “Pretty Woman”.
Ex.14. Make up questions to the phrases below, using most suitable time references from
the box. Give short and full answers. Your sentences must be in the Past Simple.
two hours ago, a few years ago, yesterday, last afternoon, last night, last Saturday, in your/my
childhood, after breakfast/dinner, for her birthday
Model:
Meet a friend at the theatre.
- Did you meet your friend at the theatre yesterday?
- No, I didn’t. I met him in the café.
1. Hear it on the news.
2. Live in the house around the corner.
3. Go to London on business.
4. Take a long walk after lectures.
5. Negotiate the contract with your partners.
6. Borrow some money from your friend.
7. Find a new friend at University.
8. Have a cup of coffee before work.
9. Take the book back to the store.
10. Get a very tempting offer.
11. See a person who is very generous.
12. Send your Mother a dozen roses.
Ex.15. Make up 10 tag questions, using phrases in Ex. 12. Give short answers.
Model:
You lived in the house around the corner.
- A few years ago you lived in the house around the corner, didn’t you?
- Yes, I did. /No, I didn’t.
Ex.16. Read the text. Fill in the gaps with proper auxiliary verbs to complete the questions
following the text.
People used to get water mostly from streams, lakes and rivers. Then cities started growing.
This brought many people to one place. They needed more water for their homes and factories.
Sometimes it didn’t rain for a long time. Then the rivers had very little water left. People
learned to save water for these dry times. They built places in which they stored water. They
called these places reservoirs.
Reservoirs hold water until people in cities need it. Large pipes carry water from reservoirs
to the city. People also get water from wells.
Years ago, people lifted water out of wells in buckets. This was hard work and took a long
time. Now they pump the water up. The pump makes it easier for people to get water where they
want it.
1. Where _______ people use to get water from?
2. What _______ started growing?
3. Why _______ the rivers have very little water left?
4. What _______ people learn to do for the dry times?
5. What _______ people build to store water?
6. How long _______ reservoirs hold water?
7. How ______ people lift water out of wells years ago?
8. How long ______ it take them to lift water out of wells?
9. What ______ the way to get water now?
10. _______ the pump make it easier to get water they want?
Ex.18. Think of suitable verbs to complete the sentences. Look at the example provided.
1. There used to be a very good public library here. Now there isn’t any. We
have to go either to the University library or to the National Library in the city centre.
2. Customers didn’t use to ______ shopping from home.
3. I used to ______ in that house over there.
4. The Moody Blues used to ______ very popular when I was young.
5. We used to _______ a piano, but we sold it.
6. I used to _______ to the cinema a lot, but I never get the time now.
7. I used to ______ that he was really intelligent but I've changed my mind.
8. He used to ______ a lot of money but he lost it all investing in Web sites.
9. In the 1950's English people used to ______ to the radio much more than they do now.
10. My sister didn’t use to ______ out much, but now she’s never at home!
11. Did she use to _______ in Australia when she was a child?
12. What time did you use to ______ to bed when you were a student?
13. Did you use to _______ long hair?
14. Did you use to _______ much money on clothes, when you were young?
Ex.19.Say what you used to do but now you don’t. Use but now…, but not any more, but not
any longer to make a contrast between the past and the present. Two sentences are given to
you as an example.
Model:
I used to like eating hamburgers, but I can’t stand them now.
I used to dislike Colin but I often see him now, and we are good friends.
You may use the following prompts: watch the BBC news, be very punctual, study at school,
go skating every winter, have a dog, play the piano, drink coffee, spend a lot of money on
clothes.
Ex.21. Translate into English using used to or would to express repeated actions or states in
the past.
1. Я раніше користувалась комп’ютерним центром. Зараз я маю свій ноутбук.
2. Ви поїдете на роботу на машині? – Навіть не знаю. Раніше я їздила на машині, а зараз
вона часто ламається.
3. Раніше ми були добрими друзями, але зараз ми бачимось дуже рідко.
4. Вона раніше дуже рідко носила окуляри, бо вважала, що вони їй не пасують.
5. Мої сусіди раніше жили в маленькому містечку.
6. Ми , бувало, зустрічали свято з нашою великою сім’єю. Зараз багато з нас живуть в
різних містах.
7. Коли мені було 14 років, ми жили у Львові. Зараз ми живемо в Полтаві.
8. Я прибирав свою квартиру сам, коли жив один. Зараз це робить моя дружина.
Ex 24. Match the beginning of each sentence in column A(1-11) with its ending in column B
(a-k) and add when (suddenly) to complete the phrase. Look at the example provided (11-
k).
I was going to bed when suddenly I heard a strange noise.
A B
1. Jane was walking home a. he fell off the ladder.
2. John was painting a picture b. she cut her finger.
3. Mr Drill was driving to the c. their ball broke a window.
airport
4. She was chopping potatoes d. the teacher entered the room.
5. Dan was climbing the tree e. a branch broke.
6. We were having a picnic f. he spilled the paint.
7. Jill was sleeping g. the wind blew her hat off.
8. The children were playing h. his car broke down.
football
9. He was painting the bedroom i. the telephone woke her up.
10. The students were talking j. it started raining.
11. I was going to bed k. I heard a strange noise.
Ex.25. Put the verbs in brackets into the Past Continuous.
1. Yesterday at six, John _______ (drive) to the airport.
2. While Clara _______ (have) lunch in the canteen, Jane and Vicky _______(talk) to a customer.
3. I _______ (prepare) the invoice, when my computer crashed.
4. When we _______ (sit) in the meeting, Joseph suddenly got an idea.
5. The secretary _______ (correct) the document, they _______ (discuss) the solution to the
problem.
6. Tracy and her colleague _______(walk) to the office, when it suddenly started to rain.
7. During the week of the conference I _______ (stay) at a nice B&B.
8. Where you _______(stay) at during your business trip in London?
9. Who _______ (do) my job while I was in hospital?
10. I ________ (just leave) the office when they arrived.
Ex.26. Ask questions to the words in bold, as in the example below. The first one is given to
you as an example.
1. At half past seven, we were signing a contract. – What were you doing at half past seven?
2. When Charlie was driving home he saw a motorcycle accident.
3. Robert looked out of the window. Ricky was still waiting for Holly.
4. Everything happened so unexpectedly. Mrs. Rich was speaking on the phone, I was sorting out
the papers, and he was standing over there by the window.
5. I saw Grace in the garden. She was watering flowers singing softly to herself.
6. He turned on the TV; the match hadn’t started yet. Players from both teams were signing
autographs.
7. They resigned when we were launching a new product.
8. Yesterday afternoon while I was shopping, I lost my wallet.
9. While she was cooking you were all watching television. (tag question)
Ex.27. Ask questions of all possible types (general, who/what/why-questions, tag questions,
etc.) to the following sentence:
We were developing a new market campaign, when we heard news of a takeover bid.
Ex.28.Put the verbs in brackets into the correct tense form: the Past Simple or the Past
Continuous. Compare and analyze the sentences, and elicit the difference.
1. She __________ (to cook) dinner yesterday.
2. She __________ (to cook) at three o'clock yesterday.
3. She __________ (to cook) from two till four yesterday.
4. I __________ (to read) a very good book last month.
5. I __________ (not to read) at five o'clock.
6. I __________ (not to read) when you came in.
7. Susan __________ (to pass) her exam two days ago.
8. Susan __________ (to pass) her exam at this time yesterday.
10. Pete __________ (to work) in the garden yesterday.
11. Pete __________ (to work) in the garden at five o'clock yesterday.
12. Where Pete __________ (to work) when I came to see him?
13. My sister __________ (to wash) the dishes after dinner yesterday.
15.My sister __________ (to wash) the dishes at eight o’clock yesterday.
Ex.30. Complete the following sentences by putting the verbs in brackets into the correct
tense, either the Past Simple or the Past Continuous. Look at the example provided.
1. When I arrived the lecture had already started and the professor was writing
(write) on the blackboard.
2. Helen ________ (live) in Athens when she ______ (meet) the man who was to become her
husband.
3. We suddenly ________ (realize) that we ______ (walk) the wrong direction.
4. While you _______ (lie) on the beach, we ________ (work) in the office.
5. The phone _______ (ring) again and again. Mary nervously _______ (pick) it up and ______
(put) it down again.
6. The BBC_______ (broadcast) the talk of our President last night.
7. He ________ (sell) his shares last week because their value _______ (fall down) very
quickly.
8. Arnold ______ (look) out of the window. It ______ (be) another dreary day.
The wind ______ (blow) hard and big black clouds ________ (gather) on the horizon.
9. The burglar _______ (open) the safe when he ______ (hear) footsteps.
10. I ______ (not listen), so I missed what you said.
11. When I _______ (see) him he ______ (paint) the roof of his house.
12. Tracy _______ (eat) dinner when someone _______ (knock) on the door.
13. Yesterday, Steve ________ (work) on his report all day long.
Ex.31. Choose an appropriate phrase from the box below and complete each sentence (1-6).
I was just leaving the office, he was thinking about resigning, she was just discussing something
with her friend, he was visiting his business partners, the company’s funds were running out, the
deadline was coming soon.
1. We decided to bring the project to a close because ______________________ .
2. Our financial manager cut down on bonuses because ____________________ .
3. My partner sold his shares in business because ______________________ ___.
4. He didn’t come to the office all week because __________________________ .
5. I didn’t see when the president of the company arrived because ____________ .
6. She didn’t answer the telephone because ______________________________ .
Ex.32. Read the sentences (1-12) and identify the tenses. Then match them to the correct
descriptions (a – f).
a. an action which happened at a definite time in the past
b. past habits
c. actions which happened immediately one after another
d. two or more simultaneous actions
e. an action which was in progress when another action interrupted it
f. to describe the atmosphere in the introduction to the story before we describe the
main events
Ex.34. After three months of looking for work, Cathy was at last called for an interview.
Complete the following extract from her interview by putting the verbs in brackets into the
correct past tense form.
Interviewer: So how long ______ you _______ (work) for that company?
Cathy: About two years.
Interviewer: And what ______ you _______(do) while you ______ (work) there?
First, I _______ (take part) in the project of investigating their
Cathy: motivation problems.
It sounds interesting. And what _______ the results _______ show?
Interviewer: I can’t really say anything definite. While we ________ (process) the
results, the company ______ (decide) to postpone the project for some
Cathy: time later.
I see. _____ you ______ (move) on to another project?
Yes. But again, as soon as our team ______(start) the project, serious
Interviewer: problems ______(arise). While we _______(develop) a new working
Cathy: model, the funds for the program ______ (stop). So, I ________ (decide)
to leave them and make a fresh start. That is why I’m here.
Ex.37. Choose the correct tense, either the Past Simple or the Present Perfect.
1. Dan Brown, an American author of thriller fiction, best known for the 2003 bestselling novel
‘The Da Vinci Code’has so far written/wrote so far seven books, with two being adapted to
cinema.
2. Agatha Christie has written /wrote a lot of brilliant detective novels.
3. TheKrugers lived/have lived inGermany for five years, and then they moved/have moved to
Austria. Theylived/have lived in Vienna for three years now.
4. My uncle has worked/worked as a banker for 25 years. Then he retired.
5. I wrote/have written a letter but I cannot send it. My computer is disconnected.
6. Did you have/have you had your breakfast? – Yes, I have had/had it at 7.30.
7. Jane went/has gone to Canada a year ago. She has worked/worked in Toronto for a while and
then went/has gone to the United States.
8. He didn’t smoke /hasn’t smoked for three months. He wants to give it up.
9. Help yourself to a piece of cheese cake! I just baked /have baked it.
10. I was in/have been to London several times.
Ex.38.In the following sentences put the verbs in brackets in either the Past Simple or the
Present Perfect. Look at the example provided.
1. Last night I saw (see) “This Means War” at the cinema. –
Oh, I have already seen(see) it twice.
1. I see you’ve got a new car. When _________ (buy) it?
2. _______ (read) any books by Wilbur Smith? – No, I don’t even know this author.
3. She ________ (work) for a big law firm for 30 years. Then she retired.
4. You ____ (be) here before? –Yes, I ____ (spend ) my holidays here last year.
5. You ________ (find) the money which you ________ (lose) yesterday ? – Yes, I have. I ______
(find) it in the pocket of my coat when I ______ (come) home.
6. How long you ________ (know) him? – We ________ (meet) in 1996, but we ________ (not
see) each other since last summer.
7. Who________ (invent) the television?
8. They say scientists ______ (discover) a new planet.
9. I ________(leave) working for Hendersons four years ago. Then I _____(work) for Jacobs for a
while, and then I ______ (join) this company. I _______(work) here for three years.
10. Isabel ________ (move) into her new house a month ago, but I _____ (not, visit) her yet.