Топик: Грамматика

8 Gap filling

Complete the following story. The lines show the number of words missing. The words are not always gerunds or infinitives.

Example: He tried to find a job.

I’d like you to help me.

John Bradley was surprised (a) __________ __________ a letter waiting for him on his desk when he arrived at work. Before (b) __________ it, he hung up his coat and took out his glasses.

‘Dear Mr Bradley,’ he read, ‘We are sorry (c) __________ __________ you that your services are no longer required …’

He couldn’t believe it. After (d) __________ for the company for thirty years, he had been made redundant, one Monday morning, without (e) __________ warned in any way at all. There was no point (f) __________ __________ the letter. The ending was obvious. ‘Thank you for your loyalty and dedication over the years, and we hope you will enjoy (g)__________ more time to spend …’

The company wanted (h) __________ to go away quietly and enjoy his premature retirement. He was fifty-two. How could he (i) __________ __________ find another job at this age? He knew that firms were not interested (j) __________ __________ people over forty-five, let alone over fifty. Could he still afford (k) __________ __________ his daughters to their expensive school?

He sat back in his chair and looked out of the window, wondering (l) __________ __________ __________ next. He decided (m) __________ ___________ the office as soon as possible. He did not want (n) ___________ to see him while he left so depressed. So he put on his coat and for the last time closed the office door behind him. He stopped (o)__________ __________ ‘goodbye’ to the telephonist, whom he had known for years, and left the building.

Out in the street, it had begun (p) __________ __________ . He had forgotten (q)__________ __________ his umbrella that morning, so he turned up his overcoat collar and walked towards the station (r) __________ __________ his train home. He didn’t know what (s) __________ __________ to his wife. The thought of breaking the news to her (t)__________ __________ feel sick.

9 Adjective + infinitive

Rewrite the sentences, using the adjectives in brackets.

Example: I heard you passed your driving test. (delighted)

I was delighted to hear that you passed your driving test.

a. I learned that your aunt died. (sorry)

b. He wanted to know where we had been. (anxious)

c. She found that her husband was still alive. (amazed)

d. I see you’re still smoking. (disappointed)

e. He learned that he had nearly died. (shocked)

10 Verbs + gerund or infinitive

Rewrite the sentences, using the verbs in brackets.

Example: ‘Come to the party. You’ll really enjoy it,’ he said to her. (persuade)

He persuaded her to go to the party.

a. ‘Yes, I did drive too fast through the town,’ she said. (admit)

b. ‘I’ll lend you some money, if you like,’ he said to me. (offer)

c. ‘If I were you, I’d accept the job,’ he said to his daughter. (advise)

d. ‘Why don’t you have a holiday in my country cottage?’ he said to us. (invite)

e. ‘You must pay for the damage you’ve done,’ she said. So I paid. (make)

f. ‘I haven’t smoked for three years,’ she said. (stop)