Exercise 12. Complete the sentences of the gerund of a suitable verb.

1. When you have finished the book, you can tell me if it is worth… 2. The secretary asked if I would mind… for a few minutes. 3. I enjoy… delicious food, but I hate… it. 4. This room will look very cheerful once you have finished… it. 5. You should stop… about the examination. 6. The way to learn a language is to practice… it as often as possible. 7. Everyone said how much they had enjoyed… to the speech. 8. It was so funny that I couldn’t resist… at her. 9. She was so happy that she couldn’t help… 10. It is difficult to see how the company can avoid… another loss this year.

Exercise 13. Work in small groups. Practice the sentences as in the model.

Model: I have to cook and wash up.

Well, I like cooking but I hate washing up.

So have I. I enjoy cooking but I don’t care for washing up.

And I don’t mind washing up but I dislike cooking.

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. Hoover carpets and dust the furniture. 2. Answer the door and answer the phone. 3. Look after the baby and share a room with him. 4. Buy fruit at the market and carry it home. 5. Attend classes and do homework. 6. Give the baby his bath and wash his clothes. 7. Drive the car and clean the windows. 8. Walk the dogs and brush them. 9. Take the children to school and hurry to work afterwards. 10. Do the flowers and polish the shoes. 11. Make my beds and clean the rooms. 12. Collect the children from school and supervise their homework. 13. Do the ironing and water the flowers. 14. Visit my mother-in-law and go to work. 15. Go to the beach with the children and play in the sand. 16. Visit my doctor and go to the dentist. 17. Put the children to bed and tidy up after them. 18. Talk to children and teach them French. 19. Date my girl-friend and present her flowers. 20. Visit the parties and give presents.

Exercise 14. Complete the sentences, using gerunds.

Model: I would never think of…

I would never think of cheating you.

1. I wish you’d do something to help instead of … 2. You seem to be very fond of… 3. The boy was severely reprimanded for… 4. They saw no reason for… 5. You must be tired of…6. There are many difficulties involved in… 7. He doesn’t take any interest in… 8. The people were warned of the danger of… 9. Who is responsible for… 10. She was not interested in…11. That company specializes in… 12. My doctor advised me to give up… 13. The prisoner was accused of… 14. By…, the student improved his chances of… 15. The customer left the shop without… 16. Many people get a great deal of satisfaction from… 17. He ran the risk of… 18. We asked a solicitor for advice before… 19. We had to put off… 20. I told him not to bother about…

Exercise 15. Work in pairs. Practice the following sentences as in the model.

Model: My brother plays tennis but hardly ever watches it.

My brother prefers playing tennis to watching it too.

But my brother likes watching tennis rather than playing it.

1. My sister sings in a choir but hardly ever sings solo. 2. My father talks. He hardly ever listens. 3. My boyfriend drinks at parties; he hardly ever dances. 4. My uncle stays at home for his holidays; he hardly ever goes abroad. 5. My grandmother listens to the radio; she hardly ever watches TV. 6. My sister spends money; she hardly ever saves it. 7. My mother phones; she hardly ever does cooking. 8. My friend types; he hardly ever writes. 9. My grandfather mows the lawn but hardly ever weeds the garden. 10. My sister-in-law cooks but hardly ever goes shopping. While my brother-in-law does the shopping, but he hardly ever cooks something. 11. My cousin takes taxis; she hardly ever waits for the bus. 12. My boss takes people to restaurants; he hardly ever invites them to his house. 13. My nephew drives but hardly ever lets me drive. 14. My niece eats out; she hardly ever cooks for herself. 15. My son cycles; he hardly ever walks.

Exercise 16. For each of the following sentences, write another sentence as similar as possible in meaning, using the verb in brackets together with a preposition and a gerund.

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. Concert-goers are asked not to smoke in the hall. (refrain). 2. You should put more effort into improving your pronunciation. (concentrate). 3. The customer said that the cashier tried to overcharge her. (accuse). 4. Despite my obvious lack of interest, my neighbour said he had to tell me the rest of the story. (insist). 5. Visitors to the zoo are not allowed to feed the animals. (prohibit). 6. The police think that the owner of the store started the fire himself. (suspect). 7. The student said he was sorry he had missed the previous lesson. (apologize). 8. The hijackers wouldn’t let the passengers leave the plane. (prevent). 9. Many people pass their driving test only at the second attempt. (succeed). 10. The solicitor talked his client out of taking legal action. (dissuade).

Exercise 17. Work in small groups. Practice the following sentences as in the model.

Model: Did he say he had stolen the documents?

Yes, he admitted stealing them.

Actually no, he denied stealing them.

No, he didn’t, but he is suspected of stealing them.

I have heard that he has been accused of/charged with stealing them.

1. Did he say he had forged the signature? 2. Did he say he had planned the hold-up? 3. Did he say he had taken part in the robbery? 4. Did he say he had hijacked the plane? 5. Did he say he had kidnapped the heiress? 6. Did he say he had fired at the policeman? 7. Did he say he had attacked the cashier? 8. Did he say he had shot the chauffeur? 9. Did he say he had threatened the Prime Minister? 10. Did he say he had sent the letter bombs? 11. Did he say he had received the stolen goods? 12. Did he say he had sold the secret information? 13. Did he say he had given false evidence? 14. Did he say he had intimidated the witnesses? 15. Did he say he had bribed the officials? 16. Did he say he had started the fires? 17. Did he say he had derailed the train? 18. Did he say he had led the raid? 19. Did he say he had drugged the guards? 20. Did he say he had helped the prisoners to escape?