Grammar Study

Exercise 1. Put the verb in brackets into the corresponding form of the Continuous Tense.

1. Where are the students of our group? — They … (to have) a lesson of psychology.

2. Excuse me, I … (look for) the dean’s office.

3. How is Nick? — He is still ill, but he … (to become) better.

4. Please, be quiet. Ann … (to speak) on the phone.

5. What were you doing yesterday at nine? – I … (to watch TV).

6. Can I speak to John? – I am sorry, but he … (to take a bath).

7. Where is Tom? – I saw him in the park. He … (to sit) on the grass and (to read) a book.

8. When he came, we … (to have dinner).

9. I’ll make a call to you tomorrow in the morning. – I am sorry, but tomorrow in the morning I … (to work).

10. Tomorrow, at 4 o’clock she … (to play tennis).

Exercise 2. Answer the questions using Continuous Tenses:

1. What will you be doing the whole day tomorrow?

• to play tennis;

- to write a report on Economics;

- to type letters;

- to clean the flat;

- to work in the garden.

2. What was he doing from 9 o’clock to 11 o’clock in the evening?

- to watch a football match on TV;

- to lie on a sofa;

- to paint the windows;

- to learn English words.

3. What is she doing now?

- to play the piano;

- to speak over the telephone;

- to discuss a new suit;

- to pass an exam.

Exercise 3. Use “there is” or there are” to complete the sentences. Translate the sentences into Russian.

1. …. two semesters in the academic year.

2. …. some new departments at our University.

3. …. a University band which is very popular among students.

4. Every student can take part in sports. … some gyms, tennis courts and exercise rooms.

5. … convenient classrooms, labs, lecture halls and libraries.

6. … a good reading-hall in the dormitory where I live.

7. … a swimming pool in our University.

8. … no cycle-tracks in the sport premises of the University.

Exercise 4. Complete the sentences with “there is/are, there was/were, there will be”.

1. …. ice on the lake.

2. Yesterday …. students in that room.

3. Tomorrow …. a meeting for freshmen.

4. We had a wonderful party. …. about 9 people there.

5. Do not bring another chair. I think … enough places for everybody.

6. Once upon a time … a cathedral on this place.

7. We have got a lot of time. … no need to hurry.

8. Earlier … no footsteps to this house.

9. Tom went to England. … nobody at home.

10. Don’t buy any fruits. … plenty of them in the fridge.

Text Study

Exercise 1. Say whether these statements are true or false:

1. Valerie Morton attended primary and grammar schools in Birmingham.

2. The academic year at the University in Britain consists of three terms.

3. This year Valerie entered the University of Bradfield.

4. In the 2^nd term they will have only lectures.

5. She is having her practice in a large, modern, well-equipped comprehensive school.

6. The school has no special place for parking cars, so all students have a lot of problems with this.

7. There is a good assembly hall at school, but there is not a proper stage.

8. Girls like to have cookery lessons, because they have a fully equipped kitchen.

9. All the subjects at school are compulsory.

10.Students may choose optional subjects themselves.

Exercise 2. Answer the following questions, using words and phrases from the text:

1. Why did Ann give Bill Johnson her address?

2. Why will it be interesting for the girls to compare experiences?

3. Where did Valerie grow up?

4. When did Valerie enter the University?

5. What subjects does she study at the University?

6. How long does Valerie’s first teaching practice last?

7. What does the school in Oak Ridge look like?

8. What are the sport facilities at school?

9. What special rooms has the school for science teaching?

10.What special rooms has the school for practical work?

11.Why is the range of subjects taught at Oak Ridge so wide?

12.What are some of more unusual subjects taught there?

Exercise 3. Make a list of words useful for describing an academic year, an English school, laboratories and workshops at school.