Unit 2. Company Profile Grammar Focus Past Simple Active

Formation: V₁+ed/V₂

“ +“1) Yesterday I started to learn the theory of semiconductors.

2) I spoke about Zhores Alferov’s biography a week ago.

did not (didn’t) + V₁

“–“1) Yesterday I didn’t start to learn the theory of semiconductors.

2) I didn’t speak about Zhores Alferov’s biography a week ago.

(Wh-word) did ______ V₁?

“?“ 1) Did you start to learn the theory of semiconductors yesterday?

2) Did he speak about Zhores Alferov’s biography a week ago?

Task 1. Read the text about Shimano Company.

Shimano’s History

In 1921 Mr. Shimano founded the Shimano Iron Works to produce bicycle components. In 1936 Shimano moved to present-day headquarters in Sakai City, Osaka. In 1957 it manufactured first bicycle gears. In 1971 the company opened a factory in Düsseldorf, where it produced first components for racing bikes. In 1972 company Shimano entered the market for fishing equipment. In the same year it launched the first specific components for mountain biking. In 1997 the company established Action Sports Division to produce new products for snowboarding. In 1999 it launched the first products for golf market. In 2001 Shimano celebrated its 80^th anniversary. In 2002 it introduced hydraulic brake system as part of their top mountain bike range.

Answer the questions:

1. What did Mr. Shimano found the Shimano Iron Works for?

2. Where are the headquarters of the company located?

3. When did Shimano produce its first bicycle gears?

4. Did it manufacture components for racing bikes in Düsseldorf?

5. Did the company produce the components only for bicycles?

6. How did Shimano improve the brake system of a bike in 2002?

Task 2. Complete the text about Nissan Company with the Past Simple of the verbs in the boxes.

The History of Nissan in the uk

Nissan ______ a small trading company in 1969. It _______ cars from Japan and _______ them in the UK. The company only ______ 0.2 % of the market in 1970 but it ________ fast. By 1974 it ________ the UK’s leading car importer.

When the UK _______ a major export market, Nissan _______ to build an assembly plant. After a long search it _______ a suitable site in Tyne and Wear. Cars _______ rolling off the production line in 1986.

At first, the plant ________ limit production because of the JAMA import restriction agreement. But by 1988 UK companies ________ the majority of components and Nissan _________ the target of 60 % local content. The plant _________ increase production.

In 1991 Nissan _________ a new distribution company and it __________ operations in January 1992 with a network of 150 dealers. By the end of the year there ________ 267. Nissan __________ the Micra (March) in 1993 and it __________ the European Car of the Year Award. It _________ the first Japanese-badged car ever to win.

Formation: was/were + V₁+ed /V₃

“+” Dr Rosenfeld was awarded a very important prize in 2011.

wasn’t/weren’t + V₁+ed /V₃

“–“ Pierre Curie wasn’t awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry since he died.

(Wh-word) was /were ______ V₁+ed /V₃?

“?” When was Shimano Iron Works founded?

Past Simple Passive

Task 3. Complete the sentences with a verb from the box in the Past Simple Passive.

1. All the employees __________ a letter by the Managing Director.

2. The bicycle __________ over 150 years ago.

3. We __________ at the airport by a holiday rep.

4. Two men __________ by police after stealing £ 2,000.

5. This car __________ last week and now look at how dirty it is!

6. The outside of the house __________ white last year.

Task 4. Make sentences from the words using the Past Simple Passive.

Example: Several people / hurt / in a fire / last night

Several people were hurt in a fire last night.

1. This letter / post / last Friday

2. The animals / give / some food

3. They / invite / Raul and Sharon’s wedding

4. All the flights / cancel / because of/ the weather

5. This chair / make / in Italy / in the sixteenth century

6. We / warn / to stay indoors / until morning

7. A lot of money and jewellery / steal / from their house