Structure drills 1 Auxiliary verbs: short answers (01)

A: He happened to be standing by his gate. So he saw the shooting.

B: It was no accident. He was standing by his gate so that he would see the shooting.

(stress on would.)

1. 
   He happened to leave his clothes on the beach. So we thought he was drowned.
   
2. 
   She happened to put the letter on top of the pile. So he opened it first.
   
3. 
   She accidentally burnt the document. So we have no record of the agreement.
   
4. 
   He happened to be wearing dark glasses. So no one recognized him.
   
5. 
   He happened to be sitting on the letter. So we didn't see it.
   
6. 
   By accident she gave us the wrong address. So we went to the wrong place.
   
7. 
   She happened to mention Tom's name. So Tom was suspected.
   
8. 
   He happened to be standing outside the door. So he heard the conversation.
   
9. 
   They happened to be speaking French. So neither of us understood them.
   
10. 
    They accidentally left a bicycle in the passage and Tom fell over it.
    
11. 
    She happened to have left her umbrella at home. So she had to share Peter's.
    
12. 
    He happened to post all his cards in Rome. So we assumed he spent his whole holiday there.
    
13. 
    He happened to be in the telephone box. So he saw everything.
    
14. 
    She happened to drop the report on Peter's desk. So Peter read it.
    
15. 
    She accidentally dropped her handkerchief. Jack picked it up.
    

1. 
   B: I see. I'm not to let him bathe in case he caches cold.
   

The au pair girl reports this conversation later.

2. 
   B: I wasn't allowed to let him bathe in case he caught cold.
   

(c) B: She told me not to let him bathe in case he caught cold.

1. 
   climbs trees he'll tear his trousers.
   
2. 
   plays near the river he'll fall in.
   
3. 
   talks to the neighbour's children he'll learn bad language.
   
4. 
   runs about in the garden he'll trample the flowers.
   
5. 
   strikes matches he'll burn himself.
   
6. 
   uses the scissors he'll cut himself.
   
7. 
   stand on his head he'll make himself giddy.
   
8. 
   pats the dogs they will bite him.
   
9. 
   strokes the cats they will scratch him.
   
10. 
    shouts he'll disturb his grandfather.
    
11. 
    kicks his football in the garden he'll damage the roses.
    
12. 
    sits on the grass he'll catch a cold.
    
13. 
    crosses the road alone he'll be run over.
    
14. 
    goes out alone he'll lose his way.
    
15. 
    carries a tray he'll drop it.
    
16. 
    flies his kite he'll lose it.
    
17. 
    sails his boat he'll get his feet wet.
    
18. 
    throws his ball he'll break a window.
    
19. 
    helps the painters he'll spill the paint.
    
20. 
    rides his bicycle he'll have an accident
    

B: But you shouldn't have let him bathe! He might have caught cold.

B: But you shouldn't have let him bathe!

B: But he might have caught cold!

1. 
   climbed trees and didn't tear his trousers.
   
2. 
   played near the river and didn't fall in.
   
3. 
   talked to the neighbour's children and didn't learn bad language.
   
4. 
   ran about in the garden and didn't trample the flowers.
   
5. 
   struck matches and didn't burn himself.
   
6. 
   used the scissors and didn't cut himself.
   
7. 
   stood on his head and didn't make himself giddy.
   
8. 
   patted the dogs and they didn't bite him.
   
9. 
   stroked the cats and they didn't scratch him.
   
10. 
    shouted and didn't disturb his grandfather.
    
11. 
    kicked his football and didn't damage the roses.
    
12. 
    sat on the grass and didn't catch a cold.
    
13. 
    crossed the road and wasn't run over.
    
14. 
    went out alone and didn't lose his way.
    
15. 
    carried a tray and didn't drop it.
    
16. 
    flew his kite and didn't lose it.
    
17. 
    sailed his boat and didn't get his feet wet.
    
18. 
    threw his ball and didn't break a window.
    
19. 
    helped the painters and didn't spill the paint.
    
20. 
    rode his bicycle and didn't have an accident.
    

1. 
   B: Our classrooms are swept by students. (stress on our)
   
2. 
   B: Our classrooms were swept by students. (stress on our)
   
3. 
   B: Our classrooms have always been swept by students. (stress on our)
   
4. 
   B: Our classrooms should be swept by students. (stress on students)
   

1. 
   technicians service the equipment
   
2. 
   the schoolkeeper cleans the blackboards
   
3. 
   a cleaner keeps the common room tidy
   
4. 
   the catering staff cook the lunches
   
5. 
   the schoolkeeper rings the bells
   
6. 
   the cleaners empty the wastepaper baskets
   
7. 
   trained telephonists man the switchboard
   
8. 
   the maintenance staff replace broken windows
   
9. 
   a trained driver drives the college bus
   
10. 
    qualified librarians look after the library
    
11. 
    the welfare officer organizes the annual dance
    
12. 
    the music staff produce the annual concert
    
13. 
    the physical training instructor runs the sports club
    
14. 
    the entertainments officer arranged trips
    
15. 
    the college secretary collects the fees
    
16. 
    the Director draws up the year's programme
    
17. 
    a printing firm prints our college magazine
    
18. 
    a paid handyman does all our repairs
    
19. 
    the Governors choose the Principal
    
20. 
    the Principal appoints staff
    

1. 
   A: They are widening our road.
   

2. 
   A: What did Bill say about the road?
   

And is answered in direct speech:

1. 
   repainting our bridge.
   
2. 
   repairing our road.
   
3. 
   widening our pavements.
   
4. 
   changing our house numbers.
   
5. 
   rebuilding out town hall.
   
6. 
   taking down our park railings.
   
7. 
   re-opening our theatre.
   
8. 
   cleaning our statues.
   
9. 
   closing down our local hospital.
   
10. 
    moving our library.
    
11. 
    replacing our street lights.
    
12. 
    extending our no-traffic area.
    
13. 
    re-routing our buses.
    
14. 
    turning our local cinema into a Bingo hall.
    
15. 
    masking our street one-way.
    
16. 
    resurfacing our road.
    
17. 
    restoring our old church.
    
18. 
    dredging our river.
    
19. 
    demolishing our old library.
    
20. 
    putting up our rates.
    

1. 
   A: Shall I buy the bread?
   

2. 
   A: Did you buy the bread?
   

1. 
   A: Perhaps they didn't treat this order as urgent.
   

B: Yes, it may/might have been impounded by the Customs.

2. 
   Prompt: didn't treat this order as urgent.
   

1. 
   didn't deal with the order at once.
   
2. 
   didn't post the packet promptly.
   
3. 
   didn't mark it urgent.
   
4. 
   didn't address it correctly.
   
5. 
   didn't label it clearly.
   
6. 
   didn't tie it up properly.
   
7. 
   didn't send it by air.
   
8. 
   didn't stamp it sufficiently.
   
9. 
   didn't register it.
   
10. 
    didn't insure it.
    

11–20 Perhaps ...

11. 
    the clerk overlooked the order.
    
12. 
    the postman put it in the wrong box.
    
13. 
    the postman delivered it to the wrong floor.
    
14. 
    the postman left it next door.
    
15. 
    the postman brought it to our old office.
    
16. 
    the Customs delayed it. (Keep the Customs.)
    
17. 
    the Customs returned it to the senders. . (Keep the Customs.)
    
18. 
    the Customs confiscated it. (Keep the Customs.)
    
19. 
    the postal strike held it up.
    
20. 
    a magpie stole it.
    

2. 
   As for (a), but in 1–10 omit Perhaps they and in 11–20 omit Perhaps.
   

B: Oh, yes, it must be tied up.

1. 
   these books ... take them back?
   
2. 
   these old newspapers ... throw them away?
   
3. 
   this broken glass ... sweep it up?
   
4. 
   this wallet we've found ... hand it in?
   
5. 
   these old curtains ... take them down?
   
6. 
   the carpet ... roll it up?
   
7. 
   this watch we are giving him ... wrap it up?
   
8. 
   this information ... pass it on?
   
9. 
   this notice ... put it up?
   
10. 
    the instructions ... write them down?
    
11. 
    these forms ... fill them up?
    
12. 
    the cases on the roofrack ... strap them on?
    
13. 
    the money ... pay it back?
    
14. 
    the dishes ... wash them up?
    
15. 
    his orders ... carry them out?
    
16. 
    the wall that you say is unsafe ... pull it down?
    
17. 
    the caravan ... tow it away?
    
18. 
    the documents ... lock them up?
    
19. 
    the meeting ... put it off?
    
20. 
    the weeds ... pull them up?
    

1. 
   B: But they should be removed every day. (stress on every)
   
2. 
   B: But they should have been removed today. (stress on today)
   

1. 
   open your windows
   
2. 
   dust your desk
   
3. 
   tidy your books
   
4. 
   water your pot plants
   
5. 
   wind your clock
   
6. 
   empty your wastepaper basket
   
7. 
   wash your coffee cup
   
8. 
   clean your office
   
9. 
   clear your out-tray
   
10. 
    refill your cigar-box
    
11. 
    enter the expenses
    
12. 
    check the petty cash
    
13. 
    test the alarm system
    
14. 
    pay in the cheques (Keep in.)
    
15. 
    lock the grille
    
16. 
    change the combination of the safe
    
17. 
    report the absentees
    
18. 
    write up the diary (Keep up.)
    
19. 
    file the copies
    
20. 
    exercise the guard dogs
    

B: It used to be served twice a week, didn't it? (stress on twice)

B: They used to be allowed twice a day, didn't they?

1. 
   They make tea once a day.
   
2. 
   They sweep the street once a week.
   
3. 
   The office issues season tickets once a month.
   
4. 
   They deliver mail once a day.
   
5. 
   They lower the safety curtain once in every performance.
   
6. 
   The doctor weighs the children once a term.
   
7. 
   They test our company car once a year.
   
8. 
   They publish the paper once a month.
   
9. 
   The announcer gives weather reports once a day.
   
10. 
    Someone inspects restaurants every year.
    
11. 
    We test the students once a term.
    
12. 
    We admit new students once a term.
    
13. 
    We elect new officers once a year.
    
14. 
    They read the news (on the radio) once a day.
    
15. 
    They play the national anthem once a day.
    
16. 
    They empty the dustbin once a week.
    
17. 
    Someone washes my windows once a month.
    
18. 
    They drain the swimming pool once a year.
    
19. 
    They change the film once a week.
    
20. 
    They service the lift once a year.
    

1. 
   Bill has bought a house and a friend are discussing repairs and alterations. The friend speaks first:
   

A: You'll repair the gate, I suppose?

B: Oh, yes, the gate will have to be repaired.

2. 
   Bill is looking over a house which is for sale. He and his friend are considering what repairs would be necessary if he bought it.
   

A: You'd repair the gate, I suppose?

B: Oh, yes, the gate would have be repaired.

(a) You'll ... I suppose?

(b) You'd ... I suppose?

replace the broken panes, retile the roof, repair the gutters, sweep the chimneys, redecorate the hall, paint the woodwork, repaper the sitting room, install central heating, move the kitchen, rewire the basement, change the locks, strengthen the balconies, put in a skylight, see to the drains, mend the fence, clip the hedge, cut back the bushes, prune the apple trees, fill up the holes in the path, rebuild the garage,

replace the broken panes, retile the roof, etc.

192 Reported speech: statements reported by he says or he said
PEG 308A, B
Alan is coming to spend a few days with the Smiths. He phones from the station.

Betty Smith answers.

1. 
   She reports Alan's remarks to her husband while the conversation is still going on.
   

A: I'm phoning from the station.

B: He says he's phoning from the station.

2. 
   This time, Betty reports the conversation later.
   

B: He said he was phoning from the station.

1. 
   I've just arrived.
   
2. 
   We were delayed two hours by a blocked line.
   
3. 
   The station is packed with football fans from my home town.
   
4. 
   I can hardly hear you; they are making such a noise.
   
5. 
   I'll try to get a taxi.
   
6. 
   But this may take some time as all the football fans seem to want taxis too.
   

7. 
   I may have to leave my luggage in the station and get a bus.
   
8. 
   I hope t be with you in about an hour. (Use us.)
   
9. 
   I have a French girl with me called Marie Celeste.
   
10. 
    Her brother asked me to look after her.
    
11. 
    We're waiting for her friends but I don't see any sign of them.
    
12. 
    If they don't turn up, I'll have to bring Marie with me.
    
13. 
    I hope you won't mind.
    
14. 
    I'm sure you'll like her.
    
15. 
    She is the most charming girl I have ever met.
    
16. 
    I'm going to try to get her a job in my college.
    
17. 
    It's very good of you to put me up. (Use us.)
    
18. 
    I'm afraid I can only stay three days.
    
19. 
    I'm looking forward to seeing you again very much. (Use us.)
    
20. 
    I've got lots of messages for you from my family. (Use us.)
    

1. 
   The chairman repeats each suggestion to make sure that the rest of the committee have heard it:
   

A (=PAUL): Shall we start on Friday?

B: Paul suggests starting on Friday.
A (=BILL): Hotels are too dear. Let's camp out.

B: Bill says hotels are too dear and suggests camping out.

2. 
   The secretary reports the suggestions afterwards to someone who wasn't at the meeting:
   

A (=BILL): Friday's too soon. Let's wait till Saturday.

B: Bill said that Friday was too soon and suggested waiting till Saturday.
See also Drills 28 and 29

1. 
   Shall we hitch-hike? (Paul)
   
2. 
   There are too many of us. Let's go on motor cycles. (Bill)
   
3. 
   That's too uncomfortable. Why don't we hire cars? (Ann)
   
4. 
   It would cost too much. What about borrowing the college bus? (Bill)
   
5. 
   Shall we sleep in Youth Hostels? (Bill)
   
6. 
   Let's camp out. (Paul)
   
7. 
   Why not rent a caravan? (Ann)
   
8. 
   Shall we pick fruit and make some money? (Paul)
   
9. 
   Fruit picking is hard work. Let's spend the day on the beach. (Bill)
   
10. 
    (And) let's visit museums and art galleries. (Ann)
    
11. 
    Shall we eat in restaurants? (Ann)
    
12. 
    Let's have meals in the caravan. (Paul)
    
13. 
    Why don't we cook over an open fire? (Bill)
    
14. 
    Let's pack plenty of tinned food and Coca Cola. (Paul)
    
15. 
    Let's buy food locally. (Ann)
    
16. 
    Why not drink the local wine? (Bill)
    
17. 
    Shall we find out about pop festivals? (Bill)
    
18. 
    Let's look out for classical concerts. (Ann)
    
19. 
    Why don't we bring guitars and make our own music? (Paul)
    
20. 
    Why don't we split into three groups? (Bill)
    

which Bill later reports to another car-owner.

B: He asked if I had a car.

or

He asked me if I had a car.
A: Do you have it serviced regularly?

B: He asked if I had it serviced regularly.

1. 
   What kind of car have you (got)? (got can be omitted.)
   
2. 
   What does it cost you to run it?
   
3. 
   How many kilometres does it do the litre?
   
4. 
   Does it belong to you or you and your wife?
   
5. 
   Can your wife drive?
   
6. 
   Is she a safe driver?
   
7. 
   How many kilometres do you drive in a month?
   
8. 
   Did you pass your test the first time?
   
9. 
   Do you think driving tests are any use?
   
10. 
    Do you give lifts?
    
11. 
    How long have you been driving?
    
12. 
    Have you ever had an accident?
    
13. 
    Was it your own fault?
    
14. 
    Do you do your own repairs?
    
15. 
    What would you do if petrol doubled in price?
    
16. 
    Do you always wear a safety belt?
    
17. 
    Do you take the car to work?
    
18. 
    Are you thinking of getting a new car?
    
19. 
    Do you let your wife take the car shopping?
    
20. 
    Don't you think it unwise to let your wife drive?