Digest

Grammar and speaking

Upper-intermediate

Grammar digest and speaking club

Date:

Warm up

Let’s try to tell this in English

Я привык вставать рано.

Раньше я был темненьким.

Она все еще привыкает к особенностям культуры этой восточной страны.

Exercise 0.Choose usually, used to, be used to, get used to to complete the sentences below.

I …. work in a bank, but now I'm working as a designer.

We … go to the cinema very often.

We …. eat out every Saturday.

I ….. getting up early. I've been doing it for 30 years.

I … to have dinner at 6. In my country we eat later.

Do you… go to the pub after work?

My father … tell us stories when we were in bed.

I …be blond when I was a child.

You'll have to …. cooking without salt.

Exercise 1. Fill in the gaps with the words during, for or while.

I can't concentrate if you keep talking …. I'm trying to study.

You can't take pictures … the ceremony.

I couldn't sleep … two days.

I've been studying English…. a couple of years.

The modern Olympics have been held … the summer months every four years since 1896.

Did anybody call … I was away?

Please, be quiet… the children sleep.

The Secretary announced her new plans … the speech.

We haven't been in contact … some time.

We've been married … 15 years.

Exercise 2. Choose the correct option for each gap below.

This tea tastes a bit ______ the other.

a.bitterest than

b.more bitter than

c.more bitter that

She seems _______ since she got divorced.

a.happier

b.more happy

c.more happier

Could you speak ______, please? I don't understand you.

a.slowlier

b.most slowly

c.more slowly

Choose the two correct sentences.

a.Your car isn't any cheaper than ours.

b.Your car isn't as cheaper as ours.

c.Your car is no cheaper than ours.

The economy is getting ______.

a.more and more worse

b.every day badder

c.worse and worse

Which two sentences mean the same?

a.Tom is more intelligent than David.

b.David is more intelligent than Tom.

c.David isn't as intelligent as Tom.

I'm trying to do it ______ I can.

a.as fast as

b.as faster as

c.faster as

He has more talent than ______. Choose TWO correct options

a.me

b.I do

c.I

He is ______ .

a.the most boring teacher I've ever met

b.the most boring teacher I've never met

c.The boringest teacher I've never met

It was the best day ______ my life.

a.of

b.in

c.than

Exercise 3. Tenses:

Today is Thursday, and John ________ (be) late twice this week; he________ (be) late yesterday and on Monday.

I first________ (meet) George a month ago, and I ________ (meet) him several times since then.

It is October now, and we ________ (do) a lot of work this year; we ________ (do) a lot last year too.

She ________ (buy) a coat last winter, but she________ (not / buy) a new dress since 2008.

It’s only the middle of the month, and he________ (spend) (already) most of his salary; he ________ (spend) $60 yesterday,

I ________ (break) my leg in 1991, but I ________ (break) (never) my arm.

He’s over sixty, and he’s still working. He ________ (work) hard all his life. When he ________ (be) a young man, he sometimes ________ (work) all night.

The postman ________ (come) at eight yesterday, but it’s now half past eight and he ________ (not / come) yet.

Today is May 25th. Ted ________ (not / be) absent this month.

He ________ (feel) extremely ill when he went to hospital, but he ________ (feel) much better since he came out of hospital a month ago.

Exercise 5. Conditionals:

What will happen when we continue polluting the Earth? Lead

What will happen if we stop using plastic bags?

If there suddenly was no internet, how would the world change?

If you saw a crocodile what would you do?

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?

If you had been born in a different country, what would have been different in your life?

How would your life have changed if you had done something different that one time?

Exercise 6. Passive:

Fill in the gaps with a passive structure using the passive form of the underlined reporting verbs.

“Expressing opinion of the most people”

EXAMPLE: People think he is guilty.

Heis thought to be guilty.

Itis thought that he is guilty.

People believe that the dolphins die due to water pollution.

1 The dolphins are believed to die due to water pollution.

2 It is believed that ….due to water pollution.

People think she is in Wales.

3 She … in Wales.

4 It… in Wales.

The police say that he is hiding in the city.

5

6

People know the suspect is dealing with drugs.

7

8

Speaking

Here they share their stories:

Pedestrian zones have been expanded, some streets have been closed for traffic altogether, parks and new bicycle lanes are being renovated now.”

“In my old neighbourhood (a very working-class, high-immigrant community), there are more 'high-street' shops appearing, less potholes on the roads, new playgrounds, new trees are being planted and even the occasional fountain is being built”

‘Transportation has been partly improved for the last few years. But in some ways the situation is far from ideal.

It is good that for the last few years Moscow has got many new metro stations. It is good that new stations have got an elevator for disabled people. Unfortunately, old stations don’t have such an option.”

“Many parks were renovated, cycle lanes appeared. Moscow has become a nice place for long walks and cycling. The city has a lot to offer now including museums and different events like exhibitions. Summer outdoor activities, festivals and others are being held.”

“The Boulevard ring has been transformed and makes for a pleasant walk. The banks of the Moskva have been transformed and the walk from Red October down to Gorky park is now interesting, however I always feel that Moscow does not make as much of its river as other cities (Paris or London for example) do.”

What would you change in your town if you could?

What should have already been changed if the town had had a more attentive authority?