Use of Language PAST SIMPLE AND PAST CONTINUOUS Read the two sentences below, which describe certain events in the past: Marco's mother died when he was six. Julia's grandmother was living in Germany when the war started. The two sentences refer to things that happened in the past, but they carry different meanings: - something happened to Marco's mother at a specific time in the past. That action is complete and finished. The verb tense used is the Past Simple, - Julia's grandmother's activity was in progress for some time in the past (living in Germany), when a shorter completed action took p l ace (the war began). The verb tense used is the Past Continuous. We use the Past Simple to talk about events: - that took place at a specific time in the past; - that are complete and finished. We use the Past Continuous to talk about activities: - that were in progress for some time in the past; - that were the background during which a shorter finished action (Past Simple) took place. Note that unlike the Past Simple, the Past Continuous gives no indication of whether the action is finished or not.
1.Bearing in mind what you know about the use of the past simple and the past continuous, complete the sentences below using the verbs in brackets. A: What (you/do) when the phone (ring)? B: I (watch) television. A: Was Jane busy when you went to see her? B: Yes, she (study). A: What time (the mail/arrive) this morning? B: It (come) while I (have) breakfast. A: Was Margaret at work today? B: No, she (not/go) to work. She was ill. A: How fast (you/drive) when the police (stop) you? B: I don't know exactly but I (not/drive) very fast. A: (your team/win) the football match yesterday? B: No, the weather was so bad, we (not/play). A: How (you/break) the window? B: We (play) football. I (kick) the ball and it (hit) the window. A: (you/see) Jenny last night? B: Yes, she (wear) a very nice jacket. A: What (you/do) at 2 o'clock this morning? B: I was asleep. A: I (lose) my key last night. B: How (you/get) into your room? A: I (climb) in through the window.
2.Complete the following sentences using the Past Simple or the Past Continuous. 1. It (to rain) when we (to go) out. 2. When I (to arrive) at the office, Jane and Paul (to work) at their desks. 3. I (to open) the window because it was hot. 4. The phone (to ring) while Sue (to cook) the dinner. 5. I (to hear) anoise outside, so I (to look) out of the window. 6. Tom (to look) out of the window when the accident (to happen). 7. Richard had a book in his hand but he (not/to read) it. He (to watch) TV. 8. Catherine bought a magazine but she (not/to read) it. She didn't have time. 9. I (to finish) my meal, (to pay) my bill and (to leave) the restaurant. 10. I (to see) Kate this morning. I (to walk) along the street and she (to wait) for the bus. 3. Complete with the Past Perfect or Past Simple. 1. The game had already begun (already / begin) when we turned (turn) on the television. 2. As soon as Leslie (pay) for her shopping, she (leave). 3. After I (talk) to my teacher, everything (seem) easier. 4. It (not / snow) at the ski resort until they (arrive). 5. (they / just / wake up) when you (call) them? 6. By the time I (meet) him, he (already / make) three films. 7. (you / ever / use) a computer before you (get) this job? 8. After the plane (take) off, the young woman (relax). 9. The little boy (never / be) to the theatre before. 10. We (just / begin) the lesson when the alarm bell (ring).
Vocabulary Match the words with the opposite meaning generous polite shy nice brave neat hard working kind aggressive sensitive stubborn grumpy quiet talented sensible optimistic determined rude lazy loud cowardly outgoing cheerful calm untidy selfish nasty rude ignorant flexible clumsy unwise changeable pessimistic Reading Read the text and answer the TRUE/FALSE questions A STRANGE HOTEL What would your life be like if you were Albert Einstein. What clothes would be in your wardrobe if you were Marilyn Monroe? Or Madonna? Well now you can discover the answer to all these questions and many more at the Fame Hotel in California. Ten miles outside Los Angeles, the Fame Hotel promises to answer the question "What if?". When you check into the hotel, you choose a room. Each room has a name. There's Clint Eastwood on the second floor and Elvis Presley on the third floor. In total, the Fame Hotel has 32 rooms, most of which are named after stars of Hollywood or music. But there are also famous writers (Mark Twain and Agatha Christie) and even some scientists and sports stars, such as Mike Tyson. When you enter the room, you enter the life of that person. There are pictures everywhere. The owner of the hotel has tried to fill the room with objects, clothes, even food that he
thinks the stars would have liked. Marilyn Monroe's wardrobe is full of beautiful white dresses, Albert Einstein doesn't have any socks in his wardrobe because the real Einstein never wore them! If you choose Mike Tyson's room, you'll be able to practice boxing in one corner of the room. And there's even a skipping rope too! I spoke to one guest staying in the Elvis Presley room. "I love this hotel," he said to me. "I wanted to know 'What would Elvis Presley eat for breakfast?' and now I know". That guest eats pancakes and strawberry ice cream every morning, just as Elvis liked to do. On the next table, the Einstein room's guest is eating cabbage soup! The company plans to open another Fame Hotel in New York next year and there are plans to expand into Europe too. I look forward to staying in the Winston Churchill suite in London! 1. You can meet famous people in the hotel. 2. Some famous people have stayed at the hotel. 3. The Fame Hotel is near Hollywood. 4. Guests are able to choose which room they stay in. 5. Each room has a celebrity's signature on the door. 6. The hotel's owner has tried to make the wardobe authentic. 7. Each guest eats something different in the hotel restaurant.
8. There is also a Fame Hotel in London.