EXERCISES .

№ 1. Read the illustrative examples in pairs, noting how permission is asked with different degrees of formality (politeness) and how it is granted or refused. Then learn four/five of them and reproduce them with another student in class.

№ 2. Ask permission with varying degrees of formality, using one item from each column.

№ 3. Either grant or refuse permission. (A “+” sign indicates that permission should be granted, a “ – “ sign - that it should be refused.

1. May I have another cup of tea? (+)

2. Could I borrow this book for a few days? (-)

3. Would you mind if I came a bit earlier? (+)

4. Can I go now? (+)

5. Is it all right for me to have a shower? (+)

6. May I take the day off tomorrow? (-)

7. I wonder if I could come to one of your classes. (+)

8. D’you mind if I smoke? (-)

9. May I come in? (+)

10. Is it all right if I switch the television on? (+)

11. Would you mind if I used your car? (-).

№4. Grant permission conditionally, using the words in brackets.

Model: A. - Dad, can I take the car tonight?

(not cram it with too many of your friends)

B. - All right, as long as you don’t cram it with too many of your friends.

1. Do you think I could take the book home? (bring it back by Friday).

2. Would you mind my using your telephone? (not talk for too long).

3. Could I possibly make a long- distance telephone call? (pay for it).

4. May I take the day off on Friday? (finish the work you’re doing now).

5. Can I ask some friends round tomorrow? (clear up afterwards).

6. Is it all right if I bring the children to the concert? (not make a noise).

7. Can I type this letter on your typewriter? (be very careful).

8. Would you mind if I came a bit later than we arranged? (be here by seven).

9. Could we possibly change the time of your class? (be a free room).

10. Is it all right if I smoke? (go onto the balcony).

№5. Ask permission to do the following. (The person you are to ask is given in brackets where necessary.)

1. To borrow a friend’s umbrella;

2. to open the window, in a train (a fellow- passenger);

3. to speak to Mr. Grainder (export manager of a company you deal with) on the telephone;

4. to go to a colleague’s lecture;

5. to retape some music (a friend);

6. to leave a class early (your teacher);

7. to smoke (while visiting a neighbor);

8. to look at someone’s newspaper (a stranger);

9. to bring a friend to a party (another friend);

10. to sit at someone’s table in a restaurant;

11. to give your translation a day later (your teacher);

12. to try on a dress/ suit (a shop-assistant).

Практичне заняття № 28 – 30.