Ex. 31. Answer the questions using the active form of the gerund in the passive meaning.

1. What does a piano require if it is out of tune? 2. What does a classroom need if it is stuffy in it? 3. What is a dress worth if it is well made? 4. What does a TV-set need if it is out of order? 5. What does a sock require if there is a hole in it? 6. What does a picture deserve if it is painted well?

 

Ex. 32. Confirm the statements. Speak on the favourite occupation of the people, using the gerund as predicative.

E.g. – Benny is fond of animals. – You are right. His favourite occupation is playing with his hedgehog.

1. Betty is fond of books. 2. Mr Sandford is a doctor. 3. Mr White is a gardener. 4. Ann is a housewife. 5. Lizzie’s father is fond of mathematics. 6. My group mates are fond of astronomy. 7. Our friend cannot help buying a new stamp. 8. My uncle is a great fan of bandy. 9. Jane goes to Moscow every year. 10. Mr Brown is a plumber.

Ex. 33. Answer the questions, giving reasons why you stopped doing that. Use the gerund.

E.g. – Do you play cards? – No, I stopped playing cards long ago. It does nobody any good.

1. Do you smoke? 2. Do you give lame excuses? 3. Do you go in for figure-skating? 4. Do you give your friends a reprimand? 5. Do you read newspapers in bed while eating? 6. Do you do morning exercises every day? 7. Do you speak with your mouth full? 8. Do you go to University by tram? 9. Are you absent from your English classes?

 

Ex. 34. Express your opinion. Use the gerund as adverbial modifier of manner. Give the reason.

E.g. – In what way would you spend your time if you went to Paris? – In Paris I’d spend the time in visiting the theatres. That would perhaps be the best thing to do. I am a great theatre fan.

In what way would you spend your time if you went … 1) to London? 2) to Rome? 3) to India? 4) to Greenland? 5) to the seaside? 6) to Tver State University?

 

Ex. 35. Express the cause of the fact, using the phrases for, through, owing to, for fear of + gerund. Try to continue the chain.

E.g. George was punished. He was late for classes yesterday. – George was punished for being late for classes yesterday. George was late for classes yesterday for having overslept. George overslept for having forgotten to set his alarm clock. George didn’t set his alarm clock for being afraid of disturbing his parents. Etc.

1. My uncle knows much about the flora and fauna of Magadan. He traveled a lot. 2. The girls didn’t notice the lesson finish. They talked too much. 3. Mr Black is a bad driver. He has so many accidents. 4. I learn languages so easily. I have a very good ear for them.

 

Ex. 36. Say what this kind of person does and what he doesn’t. Use without + gerund.

E.g. What person do we call absent-minded? – He leaves his flat without turning off the gas.

1. What person do we call selfish? 2. What person do we call impolite? 3. What person do we call a stick-in-the-mud? 4. What person do we call a bore? 5. What person do we call unbearable? 5. What person do we call cruel? 6. What person do we call a good student?

 

Ex. 37. Develop the situation using instead of + gerund.

1. In the morning I have to get up at seven o’clock. Today instead of _______. 2. I’m used to reading a newspaper in the morning. Yesterday instead of ________. 3. Ann complains of a sore throat. But instead of _______. 4. Nick came to London for the first time. Instead of _______.

 

Ex. 38. Answer the question using instead of + gerund.

1. Why have you failed your English exam? 2. What does your cat usually do when your telephone is ringing? 3. Why do you look so tired? 4. Why are you always late? 5. What do you do at lectures?

 

Ex. 39. Characterize your neighbour. Complete the sentences using preposition + gerund / preposition + gerundial complex.

I don’t consider my neighbour an ideal person. He/she is notorious ______. He/she is clumsy ______. He/she is a wretched hand ______. He/she has a habit ______. Though his/her family object ______, he/she can’t help ______. He/she has no experience ______. That’s why he/she is always concerned ______.

But you shouldn’t think I find him/her a good-for-nothing person. He/she is good ______. He/she is skilful ______. He/she has always had an interest ______. When he/she was young he/she found he/she had a special ability ______ and he/she concentrated seriously _____. Though he/she had a lot of difficulty ______. He/she is used ______. I feel very thankful to my neighbour ______.

So you see every cloud has a silver lining.