Task 1. Write the correct preposition in each gap.

Television & reading.

I pride myself (a)... the fact that I read two or three books a week. (b)... this rate I’ll be familiar ©... every book in our local library soon.

I blame TV (d)... the way people don’t seem to read as much as they used to.(e)... the way of thinking TV is responsible (f)... many ills in our society. I wonder (g)... the amount of TV watched by my sister’s children. I have warned her (h)... the dangers of this but (i)... vain. She refuses to get involved (j)... a discussion (k)... the subject. (l)... one time I used to watch a fair amount of TV but I restricted myself & an occasional good film. However I soon grew tired (n)... even this I was indifferent (o)... many of the topics in the documentaries & there is always something missing (p)... films or TV plays which are based (q)... the stories in books. However good the film, it is no substitute ®... the original story. At last I think I am beginning to convince my sister (s)... the bad effect of TV (t)... her children. She has agreed (u)... my suggestion of selective viewing & at the beginning of each week her family agrees (v)... which programmes they want to watch & the TV is only turned on at those times. It’s taken a long time to get her to agree (w)... me but I’m sure the school work of my nephews & niece will benefit as a result.

Task 2. Write conditional sentences combining types 2 & 3 for the following situations. The first two have been started for you.

1. Ann & John are having a row because she borrowed his tennis racket & lost it. She wouldn’t...

2. Jane is a very reliable journalist. That’s why she was promoted to desk editor. If she weren’t...

3. I’m afraid of travelling by air, so I had to go to America by boat...

4. Justin’s broke because he spent all his money on a music centre....

5. She doesn’t know anything about first aid, so she couldn’t help him.

6. I didn’t look after my teeth, & now I’ve got false ones.

7. There’s a good programme on television tonight, but I’ve already said to Ben that I’d see him in the pub.

8. What a pity I couldn’t watch the programme last night! What a pity. I haven’t got a video recorder.

9. You’re so gullible! How could you believe the lies he told you?

10. I’m going out to the theatre tonight, so I couldn’t accept Peter’s invitation to go round for a meal.

Task 3. In the following sentences there are some mistakes in tense usage. Find them & correct them.

1. I’ve phone Justin at the office all morning, but I can’t get hold of him. & we won’t see him tonight, either. By the time we get home, he’ll go out.

2. John expected to get a decent rise because he worked at the company for many years. He knew he sold more cars every year than any of his colleagues. He’d been selling cars all his life, & had known exactly what approach to adopt with every customer who came in.

3. A.Did you see the Renoir exhibition?

B. No. Where’s it on?

A. At the Academy. I’ve been twice. It’s been wonderful. I never saw most of the pictures. They were quite new to me.

B.I’ll try & get round to see it.

A. By the time you get round to it, it’ll finish.

Task 4. Now you have to write sentences with I wish.

Ex. I don’t know many people (& I’m lonely) I wish I knew more people.

1. I can’t give up smoking (but I’d like to) I wish I...

2. I haven’t any cigarettes (& I need one) I wish...

3. George isn’t here (& I need him). I wish George...

4. It’s cold (& I hate cold weather) I wish...

5. I live in London (& I hate London). I...

6. Tina can’t come to the party (she’s your best friend). I...

7. I have to work tomorrow (but I’d like to stay in bed)...

8. I don’t know anything about cars (any my car has just broken down)...

9. I ‘m not lying on a beautiful sunny beach (& that’s a pity)...