1

1. Present tenses
Exercise 1.1.1
Put the verb in brackets into the correct form.
Situation: Some students have to do a survey on the advantages and disadvantages of international fairs.
Solutions are marked in red. In blue, you see the words that are decisive for the tense.
A
B

A
B

A
B
A
B

A
B

A
B

How often does your firm take part in a technology fair?

Well, we generally to put up our displays on fairs four or five times a year,
but we also invest quite regularly in other kinds of marketing events each
time we expect results.
I see. And which fairs do you take part in?
We never miss out on the Hannover Fair, we always show up in Brussels;
we mostly send some people to Manchester, and as a rule we try to be
utterly prominent in Paris.
Why do you always want to be so prominent in Paris?
Because in Paris we always have the best opportunity to meet our most
important clients.
What do you think of the effect of international technology fairs?
Well, of course there is always a great deal of showing off going on, but we
generally manage to lure our clients into spending some time with us.
Although they sometimes seem a little too busy making their own contacts,
we mostly get our message and our products through to them.
Do you think your presence at international fairs is worth the huge
investment?
Personally I think that all companies realize they cannot afford to stay away
from them, however expensive. But of course we thoroughly evaluate the
output each time.
Thank you for your time.
Dont mention it.

Exercise 1.1.2
Put the verbs in brackets into the correct form.
Situation: This is an article from a health magazine.
Solutions are marked in red. In blue, you see the words that are decisive for the tense.

My day usually starts at 6.30. When the alarm rings, I dont get up immediately. I always
try to have a few more minutes in bed, during which I usually listen to the radio news. I
get up at 7 oclock and always go for a short run. My wife never allows me to miss the
run because she says that I always get fat when I dont have enough exercise. The
morning generally consists of hard work in my office. Sometimes I also plan meetings in
the mornings because they mostly require a lot of concentration; consequently, we often
do the rest of the paper work in the afternoon. We usually have lunch at a nearby
restaurant, but sometimes we dont stop for lunch at all.
In the evening, I always spend some time with my children; I generally talk with them or
I watch some TV programme, or I help them with their school work. I hardly ever do
anything else for the rest of the evening. Occasionally I work late, and then I know I drink
lots of coffee. I realize my habits are not so healthy.

Exercise 1.1.3
Put the verb in the brackets into the correct form.
Situation: An insurance company sends out this circular.

2
Solutions are marked in red. In blue, you see the words that are decisive for the tense.
Lifelong Insurance Company
23, Coronation Street
London W1
2002-01-12
Mr. Lemming
6, Oxford Street
Cambridge
Dear Sir
Every year, we send letters to home-owners like yourself because it is our
experience that home-owners usually dont insure their homes adequately.
What kinds of insurance do we offer? Quite simply, the Lifelong Insurance
Company provides every kind of insurance policy for every requirement.
Why do we think we are better than other insurance companies? Because, unlike our
competitors, we dont ask you to see us in your home. We dont try to sell you a
policy that you dont need, and we dont increase our prices each year. The Lifelong
Insurance Company always insists on maximum efficiency. Write to the above
address and find out more about us.
Yours faithfully
John Freeman
Managing Director

Exercise 1.1.4
Put the verbs in the brackets into the correct form.
Situation: A visitor to England wants to travel to London by train and is asking for information at the
booking office.
A
B
A
B
A
B
A
B
A
B
A
B

Do I buy tickets to London from this office?

Yes, madam.
Oh, good. How much does a return ticket to London cost?
25.50
Two returns to London, then, please. How often do the London trains leave?
Do trains to London always depart at 20 minutes past the hour.
I see, and how long does the journey take?
It usually takes 1 hour 46 minutes, but we sometimes experience delays
owing to track repairs.
Thank you. And does every train have a restaurant car?
Yes, madam.
And does the London train stop at all the stations on the route?
No, madam, they dont. Please check the timetable. Whos next please?

3
1.2 Present Continuous
Exercise 1.2.1
Put the verbs in brackets into the correct form.
Situation: After a bad car accident, two men are trapped inside their car. One of the men, John, is
unconscious. The ambulance arrives. Ben is talking to the ambulance driver.
A
B
A
B
A
B
A
B
A
B
A
B

Right, sir, just relax. We re trying to get you out of there.

I cant see anything. Wheres John? What is he doing.?
Hes on the back seat, sir.
Why isnt he saying anything?
Hes unconscious, sir. Its all right, hes not in pain, and he is breathing normally.
Where are you taking him?
To the ambulance, sir. We are just putting him on a stretcher.
Youre not leaving me alone, are you?
No, sir. Now then, well just move your legs to the left.
Stop, stop, my left leg is hurting.
All right, sir. My colleague is preparing a pain-killing injection for you. Is your leg stil giving
you much pain, sir?
Yes, it is hirting even more now; it isnt getting any better.

Exercise 1.2.2
Put the verbs in brackets into the present simple or the present continuous tense.
situation: An expanding food processing company advertizes for new sales representatives.

Are you looking for a new job?

Are you feeling bored in your present job?
Are you working at a dull job these days?
Are you trying to find a better career?
Does every day seem the same?
Do you hate your work?
Do you wish for a better life NOW?
If your answer to these questions is yes, read on.
We at FOODCO are now increasing our production
department and we are looking for young, energetic
people.
We believe the time is right to expand our business.
We dont think trade is bad; we dont expect the
economic recession to continue. We know that new
markets are appearing at this very moment.
Do you want to know more about us? Then write to the
Managing Director at the address below:
Foodco Ltd, Birmingham Way, Manchester.

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1.3 Present Perfect Simple
Exercise 1.3.1
Put the verbs in brackets into the correct form.
Situation: Two bank robbers are in a bank surrounded by the police. This is part of a radio report on the
siege.
Solutions are marked in red. In blue, you see the words that are decisive for the tense.

This is Joan Harper of Independent Radio reporting the most recent events in the
Dover High Street siege.
The police have now vacated their positions around the building, but the three
officers on the roof have not yet moved away. The police negotiator has just stopped
talking to the robbers, and he has returned to the control car. A helicopter has landed
in a public park a short distance away, and the police have erected barriers at both
ends of the High Street. All the emergency services have arrived: the ambulance men
have placed themselves next to the control car, and the firemen have connected their
hoses to the High Street water supply.
Something is happening at one of the barriers; I cant see clearly. Yes, now I can. A
group of soldiers has just come through the southern barrier, and their Commanding
officer has gone straight to the control car.
Something or someone has just appeared at a first floor window at the bank. Its a
woman. We have recently heard a lot of noises from inside the bank; the robbers have
obviously decided to use different tactics.
The woman has just thrown a box into the street; the box has started burning. The
woman has moved away from the window. Two of the officers on the roof have
begun climbing down to a second floor window. Yes, theyve just reached it. They
have broken the glass and theyre going in now.

Exercise 1.3.2
Put the verb in brackets into the correct form.
Situation: Alan is ill at home. He is bored, so he writes an e-mail to an old friend.
Solutions are marked in red. In blue, you see the words that are decisive for the tense.
Dear Philip
As I have spent a lot of time at home recently, I have been able to think about old
friends and I realize that we havent met for at least 15 years. I have often wondered
how life has treated you so far, and whether or not you have managed to achieve your
ambitions.
But first, some news about myself. I have lived at the above address since 1990. I
have occasionally thought about moving, but I have always been very happy here.
The doctor has just told me to stay at home for a rest and I find I get lonely very
quickly. I have been alone since my wifes death two years ago.
I havent written to any of our old friends for the last ten years. I have often sat down
to start a letter, but I have always been lazy about letter-writing. Anyway, Philip, tell
me all your news. Have you heard from any of our old friends since 1985? Have you
ever attended any of the reunion parties?
I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours
Alan

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1.4 Present Perfect Continuous

Exercise 1.4.1
Put the verb in brackets into the correct form.
Situation: Theres been an attempted robbery in Dover High Street Bank. This is a radio report on the police
siege. It is 3.30 p.m.

Hello again from Dover. My last report was thirty minutes ago, and very little has
happened at the bank. We have been waiting for the two officers to reappear for half
an hour now, and the authorities have been getting more and more worried about
their safety inside the bank. The soldiers have been checking their equipment for the
last twenty minutes and everyone has been speculating about their intentions. The
emergency services have been consolidating their positions in front of the bank, and
the crowd has been growing larger by the minute.
I have with me now one of the senior police officers in charge of the operation.
Chief Superintendent, exactly how long have your men been containing the
robbers?
We have been controlling events for two hours now.
And how long have we been waiting for news from your men inside the bank?
Not as long as you think. We have been receiving regular reports from them since
3.15 p.m. They have been talking to the robbers for some time; my men have been
trying to persuade them to surrender, but we think that the robbers have been
preparing an escape attempt for the last quarter of an hour. Only the woman has
been replying to our questions; we think that the man has been trying to break the
locks on the back door. Of course, we have been expecting an escape attempt for
some time, so we have been positioning our men behind the bank since 3.20 p.m.
They have been waiting for my order to move in closer for the last eight minutes.
Thank you, Chief Superintendent.
So there it is. The siege has been continuing without break since one oclock, but
we think that the end is near. Back now to London.

Exercise 1.4.2

Put the verbs in brackets into the correct form.

Situation: At a meeting of the Countryside Protection Agency, a government minister is speaking to
Agency members.

Ladies and gentlemen, I have been looking forward to this meeting for some time. Since our coming to
power, our party has been trying to increase financial aid to agencies like yourselves; we have been
reviewing plans for new National Parks; we have been investigating alternative sources of energy; we
have been calculating the energy needs of the future; and we have been analysing pollution levels in
our cities. The party the development of agencies like yours for many years; the number of agencies
has been growing steadily for the last four years; your own membership numbers have been increasing
rapidly since December last year; and the government has been spending more time and money on the
problems that you bring to our attention. Now, Im sure that you have some questions to ask me.

6
Review exercises: all the present tenses
review exercise 1 Put the verbs into a suitable present tense.
Situation: A scheduled flight from New York to London, Heathrow, is in trouble over the Irish Sea. The pilot
is talking to Heathrow Ground Control.
P:
H:
P:
H:
P:

H:
P:
H:
P:
H:
P:
H:
P:
D:

P:
D:

NY 214 calling Heathrow. Come in, please.

We are receiving you loud and clear. Over.
We have been flying through a severe electric storm and our instruments
arent working. We need radar assistance.
Has your navigator fixed position recently?
No, of course not. He has been flying blind. Only one instrument is still
working, the altimeter. He hasnt made an accurate fix for fifteen
minutes.
What altitude you are you flying at, NY 214?
We are holding steady at 25,000 feet.
All right, 214, we are diverting / have diverted all traffic away from your
area.
Thank you, Heathrow. We are coming / have come out of the storm now.
Has your visibility improved?
Yes, visibility has just increased to five miles.
Is your compass still not working?
Its O.K. now, Heathrow. It is giving accurate readings now.
NY 214, this is Dublin Ground Control speaking. We have been watching
your progress on our radar since your first call. You have been flying off
course for the last five minutes. What course are you following now?
We are cruising steadily on course 210, Dublin.
Change to 185 immediately! You are on a collision course!

review exercise 2 Put the verbs into a suitable present tense.

Situation: Martin is worried about his health so he goes to see his doctor. He first meets the doctors
receptionist.
R:
M:
R:
Dr.:
M:
Dr.:
M:
Dr.:
M:
Dr.:
M:
Dr.:
M:
Dr.:
M:
Dr.:
M:
Dr.:
M:
Dr.:

Good morning, Sir. Have you made an appointment?

Yes, my name is Martin Jones.
Ah yes. Go straight in, Mr. Jones.
Good morning, Mr. Jones. How are you?
Well, doctor, I have been gettting a pain in my chest for several days and I have been
having a lot of bad headaches in the last two weeks.
I see. How long did the headaches last?
They usually continued for two to three hours.
And when they did they start?
They generally (to begin) when I got home from work at 5.30 p.m.
I see, and what did you take to ease the pain?
I always take two aspirins, but very often they dont help at all.
And this pain in your chest. Exactly how long has it been troubling you?
I have had since Monday.
Mm, two days. Is your chest hurting now?
No, not at the moment. It generally gives me most pain while I am working.
Have you ever felt this pain before?
No.
And have you ever suffered from regular headaches before?
Well, I have always had the occasional headache, but I have never experienced so many in
such a short time before. Is it serious, doctor?
No, but I would like to have some detailed tests done at the hospital.

7
review exercise 3 Put the verbs into a suitable present tense.
Situation: This is part of a television news programme.
And here are the main points of the main news again. The inflation rate has
been going down for the third month in succession; inflation is now running at
a figure of eight percent. The third anti-nuclear power conference has begun in
Helsinki; national representatives have been spending the first day of the
conference preparing the agenda for the week. And finally ... Excuse me .... We
have just received news of a serious mid-air collision over the Irish Sea.
Apparently two planes have crashed near the Irish coast. Rescue forces have
already left Dublin and all ships in the area now are now sailing to the disaster
point. Two air-sea rescue helicopters have taken off from their base in Wales
and they are now searching the area for survivors.

2. Past tenses
Exercise 2.1.1
Put the verbs into the correct form.
Situation: This is a report in a local newspaper about a serious fire in a furniture factory.
Yesterday evening at 8.30 p.m. a fire started in the Clemence Furniture Factory, Devon.
There were 250 workers at the factory, all of whom managed to escape before the fire
became too serious. The fire brigade arrived only ten minutes after the staff raised the
alarm. It seems that the fire began somewhere in the sawdust collection area of the
production installation. A member of the staff saw the flames and immediately pressed the
nearest alarm button. He then tried to contain the fire himself, but soon realized that he
could not control it so he left the building, after checking the area for remaining personnel
or victims.
The staff cleared the production premisses in record time and the manager reported the
area empty at 8.45. The fire spread rapidly; in spite of the firemens efforts, the fire soon
reached the finishing department and so moved rapidly through the whole factory. The fire
services concentrated on stopping the fire spreading to neighbouring buildings and it
finally burnt itself out at 11.50 last night.

Exercise 2.1.2
Put the verbs into the correct form.
Situation: Here are some questions from a television quiz.
When did Brazil first win the World Cup?
Who was the first man to climb Everest?
How many gold medals did Britain win at the Montreal Olympics?
When did James Hunt retire from Formula 1 driving?
How many times did Rod Laver play at Wimbledon?
When did Mohammed Ali start boxing professionally?
How many goals did West Germany score in the 1980 European Cup Final?
When did Roger Bannister first run a mile in less than four minutes?
Which team did Argentina beat in the 1978 World Cup Final?
When did Bjrn Borg first appear at Wimbledon?
Exercise 2.1.3
Put the verbs in brackets into the past simple or present perfect simple.
Situation: A company producing Smoke Less, a tobacco substitute, wants some information about the
possible market for the product. Complete the questionnaire they sent to 1000 cigarette smokers.

Questionnaire Smoking habits

1.
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4

Have you ever suffered from smokers cough?

How long you have you been having the cough?
How long have you been smoking?
When did the cough start?
Has the cough ever disappeared completely?

2.
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4

Have you ever changed from cigarettes to a different form of tobacco?

What started you smoking?
How much you have you been missing your cigarettes?
When you did you return to cigarette smoking?
Why did you change back to cigarettes?

3.
3.1
3.2
3.3

Have you ever smoked a tobacco substitute?

When did you first truy it ?
What did it taste like?
What did you like about it?
What did you dislike about it?

3.4

avd

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Exercise 2.1.4
Put the verbs in the brackets into the past simple, present perfect simple or present perfect continuous.
Situation: It is the beginning of the winter holiday period. London Airport is surrounded by thick fog. Two
strangers meet in the departure lounge.
A
B
A
B
A
B
A
B
A
B
A
B
A

Excuse me. Is this seat taken?

No, go ahead.
Thanks. Have you been waiting long?
Yes, since the fog started.
When did they stop outgoing flights?
At about 4.30 this afternoon. How long you have you been waitng?
Oh, I have only just arrived. I came by taxi and it was so foggy on the roads that I nearly didnt
get here at all.
Yes, I have never seen it so foggy and I have never known the authorities to close the airport
since we had that bad winter ten years ago.
When did you expect to take off?
I expected to take off seven hours ago, but I have been sitting here drinking cups of coffee since
they announced there would be no more departures till further notice.
Have you ever had to wait so long before?
No! I have never waited more than two hours since I started travelling by plane when I was
twelve years old. Its ridiculous.
Mm. I have only flown once before, so this waiting is new to me, too.

Exercise 2.1.5
Put the verbs in the brackets into the past simple, present perfect simple or present perfect continuous.
Situation: Jane is trying to get a job as a foreign affairs journalist with one of the national daily newspapers.
She is at the interview.
A
J
A
J
A
J
A
J
A
J

Now then, Miss Bradford, why are you applying for this particular post?
Because I have always wanted to work abroad and I have always thought that your paper has the
best foreign affairs section.
Yes, I see. Have you ever worked before?
Oh, yes. I ve had several years experience overseas as a freelance journalist and as a
correspondent for the National Globe.
When did you work for the Globe?
I was with them for three years; I started in 1985 and left in 1988.
Why you did you leave?
Because I felt that I needed more experience in different countries. The Globe only employed
me in European countries.
I see. Which other countries you have you worked in since you left the Globe?
I spent six months in Japan in 1999, then I went to South America in October 99; I stayed there
for nine months before I moved on to the USA in 2000. I have been working freelance in the
States for the last eightteen months.
Well, thank you, Miss Bradford, that will be all for the moment. You can expect to hear from us
next week.

10
2.2 Past Continuous
Exercise 2.2.1
Put the verb in brackets into the past simple or past continuous.
Situation: There has been a serious air crash over the Irish Sea. This is part of an television report on the
disaster. The reporter is talking to some of the survivors.
A
B
A
B
A
B
A
B

Excuse me, sir. Can you tell me which plane you you were travelling in?
I was on the plane from New York.
And what you were you doing when the planes collided?
Well, I was asleep until about ten seconds before we crashed; the stewardess
woke me up when she told / was telling us to put on our lifebelts.
So you knew that something was wrong?
Yes, but we didnt know what. In fact, we we were still talking about it when
we hit the other plane. Then our plane went completely out of control.
What happened next?
It seemed that we were falling for hours but I suppose it was only a few
minutes before we hit the sea. I dont know how he did it, but the pilot
managed to land on the sea somehow. Then we left the plane by the
emergency exits.

Exercise 2.2.2
Put the verbs in the brackets into the past continuous or past simple.
Situation: This is part of a newspaper article on the causes of the Irish Sea disaster.
Two weeks ago, the worst air crash in history occurred over the Irish Sea. Civil
aviation experts searched the area for the flight recorders of both planes and after
a two-day search eventually succeeded in finding them.
It seems that the accident was the result of both mechanical failure and human
error. Apparently, trans-atlantic flight NY214 was flying off-course when the
accident happened. A charter flight from Dublin was climbing to 28,000 feet
when Dublin Ground Control realized that there was a second aircraft in the
same sector. Air Traffic Control were sending emergency messages to both
pilots when the crash broke all radio contact.
The experts have suggested that NY214 was flying off-course because
navigational instruments on the plane were giving false readings. The flight
recorder indicates that the flight engineer thought he was receiving accurate
readings.

Exercise 2.2.2
Put the verbs in the brackets into the past continuous or past simple.
Situation: A geology student, Alison, almost drowned when the tide came in faster than she expected. After
being rescued by helicopter, she talks to her boyfriend, Bernard, about what happened.
A Im sorry, Bernard, I didnt mean to worry everybody.
B What happened?
A Well, I was looking for rock specimens in the cliffs. I wanted to complete
my collection for the research project I started last December, and ...
B Well, I know about the project, but what on earth you were you doing so far
from the cliffs?
A I told you. I was collecting specimens. You see; I saw this rock about half a
mile from the cliffs and I decided to check it. Isolated rocks very often have
the most interesting specimens and ...
B Stop talking about that stupid rock! What were you doing when you realized
you couldnt get back to the cliffs?
A I was trying to reach the specimen when I suddenly saw the water. It was

11
already very deep and it was still coming in very fast! I felt really very
scared. You know I cant swim, so I ...
B What? You cant swim? You never told me that!

2.3 Past Perfect Simple

Exercise 2.3.1
Put the verb in brackets into the correct form.
situation: Susan and Terry returned home from holiday yesterday to find a broken window and several
valuable items missing. Later, they tell the police what happened.
P
T

P
S
P
T

P
S

When did you first realize someone had broken into your house ?
Well, when we opened the front door, we noticed that someone had
walked through the hall in muddy shoes and had broken the lock on
the living-room door. And then, when we got into the kitchen, we
saw that the thief, or thieves, had come in through the kitchen
window; they had smashed the glass and opened the window from
the inside.
Anything missing from the kitchen ?
As far as we can tell, theres nothing missing from the kitchen. But it
was an awfull mess.
And what about the living room?
We not couldnt believe our eyes when we first went in. They had
thrown all the books on the floor; they had searched through every
drawer in the desk; they had torn open all the cushions; they had
pulled up the carpet; and they had even smashed all the pictures.
And what was missing?
Well, thats strange. They had taken some cash and smaller pieces of
silver, but they had left a lot of valuable items. They had even left
the cheque books. I dont understand it.
Something or someone had probably disturbed them. It often
happens. Well,, well do our best, but theres not much chance of
recovering your possessions Im afraid.

Exercise 2.3.2
Put the verb in brackets into the correct form.
situation: Phil had his first flying lesson yesterday. Hes now telling Richard what it was like.
R
P
R
P

R
P

Had you ever been in a small plane before?

No, and I hadnt expected it to be so noisy. I I d flown in several jets
before, but I Id never even seen a small plane before yesterday.
Had the instructor realized you were a complete beginnnner?
Oh yes. Hed spent 30 minutes asking me questions before we went out
to the plane. I told him I Id always wanted to learn how to fly, but Id
never had the opportunity and I hadnt been able to afford it before.
Was the lesson as exciting as you youd expected?
Oh yes, I had imagined all sorts of things before I actually flew the plane.
Id thought I would get airsick; Id dreamt I would crash; Id been
worried I would be too nervous to control the plane; I Id imagined the
plane would catch fire. But after the lesson, I suddenly realized that I
hadnt been sick, that we hadnt crashed, that Id controlled the plane
well, that the plane hadnt caught fire and that I Id actually flown a plane
for the first time in my life. It was fantastic!

12
2.4 Past Perfect Continuous
Exercise 2.4.1
Put the verbs in the brackets into the correct form.
Situation: Margaret and Paul arranged to meet outside the cinema in the centre of town. Paul had arrived half
an hour late. The next day, Margaret tells her flatmate what happened.
A Morning, Margaret. Did you have a good time last night?
M No, I didnt! I had been looking forward to it all week, but it was a
disaster.
A What happened?
M Id been standing outside the cinema for twenty minutes when it started
raining. Until then Id been imagining all sorts of excuses for Paul but
after it started raining, I just felt angry.
A How long had you been waiting when he finally arrived?
M I had been walking up and down outside that cinema for at least half an
hour when he finally came! The rain had been getting heavier and
heavier, and Id been growing angrier and angrier. But I didnt say
anything when he eventually arrived.
A Why not?
M Because he was angry with me! Hed been waiting outside the theatre. I
was so angry I couldnt speak.

Exercise 2.4.2
Put the verbs in brackets into the past simple, past perfect simple or past perfect continuous.
ituation: This is part of a television broadcast summarizing the first weeks play at the Wimbledon Tennis
Championships.
Good evening and welcome to Wimbledon. The first week of play produced
the usual surprises, but the biggest of all came when the defending champion
lost in the fourth round. Hed been playing well and hed been beating his
opponents easily until he met the American lefthander in the fourth round.
The champion won the first set, six games to four, and after hed broken the
Americans service early in the second set, everyone thought he had the
match under his control. After five minutes play, the champion had won the
second set, but then the American began to fight back. He broke service
twice in the third set and won it six-two and after they had been playing for
two hours, the American took the fourth set on a tiebreak. The game went
with service in the final set to five-five; then the American played some
wonderful tennis and broke service to lead six-five. He then completed a
memorable match to win seven-five in the final set.

Review exercises: all past tenses

review exercise 1
Put the verb in brackets into the past perfect simple, past perfect continuous, or past simple.
Situation: Peter recently returned to the town where he was born. This is an account of the changes he saw.
I got off the train at Central Station an walked down the High Street to the Town
Hall. At first, I thought nothing had changed, but then I noticed that the old
shopping centre had disappeared and a new department store had taken its place.
As I went past the Town Hall, I looked for the old clock which had always been five
minutes slow, but this too had gone. I remembered that the Mayor had been
planning to replace it before I left, but he had never had enough money. He had

13
obviously managed to save a sufficient amount, because a new clock now was now
giving the right time. I continued my walk, trying to find the street where I had
grown up up. I soon got lost because everything had changed. Blocks of high-rise
flats had replaced the streets of old terraced houses and the park had vanished. A
new swimming pool stood over the place where I had scored my first goal in a
football match. I decided I had seen enough so I hurried back to the station and
caught the next train. I wanted to keep my memories safe.
Review exercise 2
Put the verb in the brackets into a suitable past tense.
Situation: This is part of a spy novel called Modern Spy.

Chapter 3
David Lang waited patiently in the shadow of a wall. It was raining steadily; in fact,
it had been raining since he arrived two hours earlier. For the hundreth time, he
checked his watch, looked up and down the street and complained to the dark about
American agents who were always late.
He started thinking about the events of the day and why he had arrived in Central
Europe with no money and no gun. At ten oclock that morning, his boss had called
him into his office and had told him about the radio message the Americans had
received from their Central European agent. After that, Lang had had one hour to
reach the airport. His flight had landed at four oclock in the afternoon and he had
taken a taxi to the corner of the street where he was now standing.
He was checking his watch again when he suddenly heard a man enter the street. He
was moving slowly back into the shadow when something hard hit him on the neck.
He remembered nothing more until he came round ten minutes later and realized he
was travelling by car through the streets of the capital with three armed men.
Review exercise 3
Put the verb in brackets into a suitable past tense.
Situation: Dan and Robert have just finished their final exam at the university. As soon as they come out of
the exam hall, they start discussing the last paper.
D Well, I didnt like that at all. What did you think of it, Robert?
R I thought the questions were not too bad, but after I had read them all carefully, I
realized I had revised the wrong subjects.
D Mm. I know what you mean. Id expected a question on the First World War and
Id been studying it for weeks, but the examiner hadnt included any questions on
it at all. When I had checked the questions twice and Id finally understood that
there were only two questions I could answer, I felt like giving up.
Review exercise 4
Situation: The following won a prize in the local evening papers short story competition.
She got up at 6.30 and made a cup of tea. She hated Monday mornings because
Monday was the day when the working week started for other people. She didnt have
any breakfast because it was getting harder and harder to make the money last. At
8.30 she left her flat and began another day of job hunting.
In the morning she went to all the Job Centres in the city, but there were no vacancies
anywhere. She she had been visiting the same Centres every weekday for the last five
months and she she d only found one possible job in all that time. She had phoned
for an appointment immediately, but they had told her the position had already gone.

14

3. Future tenses
Exercise 3.1.1
Put the verb in brackets into the correct form.
Situation: It is Tuesday. Two football fans are talking about the World Cup Final.

A
B

A
B
A

Who do you think will win next Saturday?

Well, I hope Italy will win but they will probably lose again. I think
Brazil will score two or three early goals and Italy wont be able to stop
them after that.
Perhaps the Brazilian striker will still be injured.
Maybe, but Brazil will probably finish the first half with a two-nil lead.
No, I think the score nil-nil at half-time. The Italians will probably score
at the beginning of the second half and then theyll play defensive
football. They ll win by one-nil.
Rubbish. I dont think theyll stop the Brazilians scoring in the first ten
minutes. After that, theyll lose all their confidence and well have
South American champions again.
We well soon find out out. Only four days to go before the final.

Exercise 3.1.2
Put the verb in brackets into the correct form.
Situation:Ann is in hospital for an operation. She is talking to the surgeon.
A
B
A
B

A
B
A
B
A
B

A
B

How long will the operation take, doctor?

Oh, it wont take longer than thirty minutes or so, but of course, you
wont know anything about it because youll be unconscious.
When will I wake up?
You youll probably come round round for a few minutes immediately
after the operation, but I expect youll still be under the anaesthetic for
another three hours.
Will I feel a lot of pain?
Well, your neck will probably feel quite sore for a few days, but youll
soon begin to feel better.
When will I be able to have visitors?
I think well want to keep you quiet two or three days, but I imagine
youll be well enough for visitors after that.
How long will I have to stay in hospital?
I expect well want to keep you for about two weeks; then well
probably let you go home. We well want you to come back for a
check-up a month after that.
Will I have any more trouble with my neck after my operation?
Well, for a couple of months it ll probably a bit sore, but Im sure
youll be completely fit again in six months time.

15
3.2 Future with going to

Exercise 3.2.1
Put the verbs in brackets into the correct form.
Situation: This is an extract from a television program on politics. It is two weeks before a General Election.
Members of the audience are asking the politicians questions.
A
B
A
B

C
B

C
B
C
D
A

What are you going to do about taxes?

Were going to keep taxes at their present level for two years and after
that were going to reduce them by three per cent a year.
Why arent you going to reduce taxes as soon as possible?
Because were going to take a good look a good look at the whole
economy before we make any changes. Were not going to make the
same mistake as the last government. Were going to reduce taxes
when we can afford to, not before.
What is your party going to do about unemployment?
Were going to start a job-creation scheme immediately; were going
to expand certain industries and were going to increase social secutity
payments to the unemployed.
How are we going to pay for all that?
The party is going to cut down spending on defence. Were going to
make consicerable savings in that area.
Are you also going to increase the number of unemployed?
And how are you going to help the elderly?
Were going to increase pensions by fifty per cent, were going to give
pensioners free travel cards; and were going to provide extra housing
for the elderly.

3.3 Future with Present Continuous

Exercise 3.3.1
Put the verb in brackets into the correct form.
Situation: Peter is managing director of a company in London. He is checking his appointments with his
secretary. It is Monday morning.
P
S

Whats happening this afternoon?

At 12.30 youre having lunch lunch with the Production
Manager; at 2.00 youre meeting our European Manager; at
3.30 youre discussing next years prices with the Financial
Director; at 4.30 youre having tea with the Chairman and at
5.30 your wifes coming to take you to the Annual Company
Dinner.

P
S

What am I doing on Tuesday?

Youre flying to Rome for the International Conference. The
chauffeur is taking you to Heathrow at 9.15; youre travelling
on the 10.30 flight direct to Rome. Youre returning to London
on Thursday morning.

P
S

What am I doing on Friday?

Youre going to the dentist at 4.00; and in the evening youre
celebrating your wedding anniversary: youre taking your wife
out to dinner at the Ritz. Dont forget!

16

3.4 Future with Present Simple

Review exercises
Review exercise 1
Put the verbs in brackets into the correct future form.
A
B

A
B
A
B
A
B
A

What are you doing over Christmas, Fred?

I havent decided yet. Ill probably go to my parents for Christmas Day, then I think Ill spend a
few days in London. My girlfriend is staying in London over Christmas, so Ill probably take her
out to the theatre. Are you doing anything special?
Oh, yes. Were going to the Bahamas to the Bahamas. Were flying on Christmas Eve; were
staying at a five-star hotel for four days; then were returning on December 30th.
Why arent you staying there longer? Are you coming back back for a New Years Eve party?
No, we just dont think well have enough money to stay longer. Were going to take another
holiday in March, you see.
Oh, yes? And where are you going to go in March?
Well, its not absolutely certain yet, but well book a holiday in the Canary Islands. Well have
two weeks of spring sunshine.
And what do you think you will do for a holiday next summer? You wont have any holiday left
to take.
No, but were going to enjoy ourselves this winter.

Review exercise 2
Put the verbs in brackets into the correct form.
Situation: Margarets eldest son is returning from Australia next month. She decides to throw a party to
celebrate. She phones her daughter to invite het to the party.
M
L
M

L
M
L
M
L
M
L
M
L

Hello, Laura?
Hello, Mum. How are you?
Fine, thanks. Now listen. Richards coming home next month and were going to have a party to
celebrate. Hes arriving on Friday 26th and we think well have the party on Saturday 27th. Are
you doing anything then?
No, I dont think so. Im playing golf on Sunday 28th, but I can change that. Are you going to
book a table in a restaurant or is the party going to be at home?
We havent decided yet. Well probably eat out.
How many people are you going to invite?
Just the family. Richard is staying six weeks, so hell probably have time to see all his friends.
Where is he going to stay?
At home, of course. Perhaps hell visit friends for a night or two, but most of the time hell be
here. So youre definitely coming then?
Oh yes, Im coming. I expect Ill drive up on Friday night after work; I imagine Ill arrive at
about 10.00. Will that be all right?
Wonderful. See you on the 26th, then. Bye.
Bye, Mum.

Review exercise 3
Put the verbs in brackets into the correct form.
Situation: The Course Director in the Hospital Training Department has arranged for a London specialist to
give an evening lecture to his students. He is discussing arrangements with his secretary.
S

Its all arranged. Dr. Webb is travelling down tomorrow night. Im meeting him at the

17
station and were driving straight to the Lecture Hall.
D

What is he going to talk about? How long is the lecture going to last? How many people
are we going to invite? Are we going to have an informal discussion afterwards?

Just a minute! One question at a time. He thinks his subject will be Recent Developments in
Open-Heart Surgery; the lecture will probably last about two hours. Were going to invite
all the student nurses but we arent going to allow members of the general public to attend.
Eh, what was the last question?

Is he going to stay for a discussion after the lecture?

Oh, no. Hes returning to London immediately because hes performing an operation the
next day. Im taking him back to the station at 9.30.

3.5 Future Continuous

exercise 3.5.1
Put the verbs in brackets into the correct form. Situation: Two university students are talking about their final
exams which take place next week. It is 5 oclock on Friday afternoon.
A

A
B

Just think! This time next week well be finishing our last exam. I will be checking my
answers for the last time and I I will be looking forward forward to the party after the
exam. What will you be doing, Bill?
I certainly wont be looking forward forward for the party. I will be worrying about the
answers Ive written. I wish I had done more work. I think I will be hoping the exams in
September are easier.
Oh, come on. Dont be so negative! Think about something else. What will you be doing
this time next year?
I hope I will be retaking my exams.

3.6 Future Perfect Simple

Exercise 3.6.1
Put the verbs in brackets into the correct form.
Situation: A magazine reporter is interviewing a leading professional golfer.
A
B
A
B

A
B

By the end of this year, how long will you have been a professional golfer?
Well, by December I will have completed ten years on the circuit, but Ill have done only six
years as a professional.
What do you think youll have achieved by the end of the season?
Well, Ill have competed in twenty-five top tournaments. Obviously, I hope Ill have won all
of them, but I honestly dont know which tournaments Ill have won and which Ill have lost.
Ask me again in December.
And what about the US Open?
What about it! This is the tenth year Ill have tried to win it. By the end of the tournament,
Ill have played on that course thirty times. Ill have made the same mistakes thirty times.
Ill have dropped points at the same holes; Ill have finished the course behind younger
players for the tenth year in succession. And Ill have failed to win the tournament yet again.
But you can be sure Ill have done my best to win it!

18
3.7 Future Perfect Continuous

Exercise 3.7.1
put the verbs in brackets into the correct form.
Situation: Jenny and David are research scientists. They are having coffee and talking about their project.
J

Do you realize well have been working on this project for two years
by the end of the month?
D Yes, I know. Ill have been conducting the same experiments; Ill have
been making the same analyses; Ill have been doing the same
calculations; Ill have been trying to find the same answers for two
whole years!
J I dont know why you are complaining! By June 30th, the project
team will have been studying this problem for five years and Dr.
Weybridge will have been struggling with it for even longer; you
wont have been working on it for even half that time. Even the team
secretary will have been dealing with it for longer than you.
D Yes, but the secretary wont have been having nightmares about
penicillin compounds.
Review exercises: all future tenses
Review exercise 1
Put the verb in brackets into the future simple, future continuous, or future perfect simple
Situation: Two passengers, trapped in a crashed Underground train, are talking to each other while waiting
for the rescue services to reach them.
A
B

A
B

A
B

How long do you think it will take them to reach us?

Not long. Theyll probably be here here in half-an-hour. In an hours
time, well be sitting up in bed and well be chatting to the nurses at
the hospital. How are your legs?
Well, I cant feel anything. Do you think Ill ever be able able to walk
again?
Yes, of course. The doctors will soon get you well again. In a few
days, youll be walking round the hospital and youll be making a real
nuisance of yourself. By the end of next week, youll have forgotten
all about this accident.
Im not so sure. I think the doctors will keep me in hospital for quite a
long time; Ill probably have to have several operations; even after six
months in hospital, they probably wont have cured me completely.
Nonsense. Theyll have let you leave the hospital by the end of next
week. In two weeks time, youll be leading a normal life again; youll
be running up and down the stairs with no trouble. And youll be back
at work back at work in no time at all.
Well, I hope you are right.
Of course I am. Youll soon be completely fit again. By the end of the
month, youll have told your friends the story of this accident a
hundred times; theyll have heard it so often that theyll probably be
able to repeat it word for word.

19
Review exercise 2
Put the verbs in brackets into the future with going to, future continuous, or future perfect simple.
Situation: Just after a successful election campaign, the new Prime Minister is explaining his plans for the
next five years.
The new government is going to make a lot of important changes over the
next five years. Were going to create new jobs for the unemployed; were
going to give government grants to industry; were going to start a
programme of house building to help the homeless; and were going to
completely modernize the national railways.
By the end of our first year in office, well have reduced unemployment
figures by fifty percent; well have made grants available to more than 200
companies; well have built 50,000 new homes; well have started the
modernization of the railways; and well have had enough time to consider
plans for lowering interest rates.
In two years time, many of those who are now unemployed will be
working in full-time jobs; companies will be expanding into new markets;
those who are now homeless will be living in new flats and houses; people
will be travelling on modern, efficient trains, and interest rates will be
coming down down.
By the end of our five-year term of government, well have changed this
country beyond recognition; well have achieved full employment; well
have doubled the output of industry; well have solved the problem of the
homeless; and well have modernized the railways. Nobody will have any
regrets about electing this government.

Review exercise 3
Put the verb in brackets into the present continuous, future simple, future continuous of future perfect simple.
Situation: Richard has managed to get a well-paid job abroad. He is talking to Paul, his colleague about his
new job.
R

P
R

P
R
P

R
P
R
P
R

So everything is arranged; Im flying to New York next Saturday; my

new boss is meeting me at the airport; and Im starting work at 8.30
on Monday morning.
Do you think youll have any trouble getting used to a new way of
life?
Well, I will probably feel a bit lost at first, but I think I will adjust
fairly quickly. By the end of the first month, Ill have forgotten all
about England.
Or youll have started wishing you had stayed here!
No, Paul. This time next month, Ill be thinking like an American. Ill
be living like an American; and Ill be talking like an American.
I dont think youll ever lose your English accent. Living in America
will probably make it even stronger. What time are you leaving on
Saturday?
The taxi is collecting me at 9 oclock. At exactly 12.15, Ill be taking
my last look at England from one of the aircrafts windows.
Do you think youll come back back for a holiday now and then?
Oh, yes. I hope Ill be able able to come back two or three times a
year. Where are you going for your holidays this year?
I havent decided yet. I expect Ill spend a week in Scotland.
Why dont you come and see me in the States?

20
Review exercise 4
Put the verbs in brackets into the present continuous, future simple, future with going to or future perfect
simple.
Situation: Its Monday morning. The Cooper family are having breakfast.
A

J
A
J
A
J
A
J
A

Im going into town this morning, James. Sarah is meeting me at 10

oclock and were going to do some shopping. Are you doing anything
at 12.30? Perhaps we can have lunch together?
Well, Im seeing a client at 12.30, but well probably have finished by
one oclock. Will that be too late for you?
No, thats fine. Where shall we go?
How about the Steak House, or do you think it will be too crowded
there?
No, there wont be many people there at this time of year.
Are you going anywhere near the bank?
Yes, Im calling in there actually.
What time do you think youll get there there?
Well, were going to start in Commercial Street; well probably spend
an hour in the shops; then I expect well have a coffee somewhere; so
Ill probably reach the bank at about 11.30. Why?
Well, the manager is expecting to see me this afternoon; and I wont
be able to keep the appointment if I take lunch with you.

21

4. The Passive
Exercise 4.1
Put the verbs in brackets in the correct form of the present simple.
Situation: A party of students is visiting a chocolate factory. The Production Manager is explaining the
manufacturing process. Mind the place of the adverbs: between auxiliary (to be) and participle.
The basic ingredients are kept in large containers; these are refilled at the end
of each day. The ingredients are taken from the containers and they are mixed
in the boilers. The mixture is heated to 120 C and then it is transferred to the
production line, where it is cooled for twenty minutes. The sweet centres are
then moved along the line and each sweet is automatically covered with a layer
of dark chocolate. The chocolate is produced in boilers which are suspended
above the production line. When the sweets are moved along the line, they are
checked three times to make sure theyre all evenly covered. Two checks are
made on the production line and a third check is made when the batch is
finished. Any sweets which are not fully covered are automatically rejected.
The batch is then transferred to the Packing Department, where each sweet is
individually wrapped by machine. The sweets are then packed in boxes; the
boxes are put in cartons of twenty, which are taken to the warehouse for
distribution.

Exercise 4.2
put the verbs in brackets into the past simple, present perfect, or present continuous.
Situation: This is part of a tourist guide on the history of a seaside town in the south of England.
People first began living in Barchester in the 12th century. The first houses
were built in 1155 and by 1200 the town was reported to have a population of
600. Work on the church in High Street was begun in the late 14th century, but
the building wasnt completed until 1670. Unfortunately, much of the old
church was destroyed during the last war, but since 1946 the building has been
carefully renovated.
In the last few years, many of the original medieval buildings have been
uncovered by archaeologists and a great deal has been learnt about the towns
development. Before the 19 th century, most of the inhabitants were employed
on local farms, but when the industrial revolution started, many people were
attracted to the cities where better wages were offered by the large factories.
Since the last war, new jobs have been created by the expanding holiday trade
and the medieval town has been surrounded by new hotels and holiday flats. At
the moment, a new housing estate is being planned but it is being opposed by
residents who want to keep the historical flavour of the town.