Self-correcting Exercises

Exercise 1. Translate into Russian.

1. Swimming in cold water is unpleasant.	Плавать в холодной воде неприятно.
2. His having failed in the examination surprised everybody.	То, что он не сдал экзамен, удивило всех.
3. Don’t leave without telling us your new address.	Не уходите, не оставив нам своего нового адреса.
4. On coming home I usually take a short rest.	Придя домой, я обычно немного отдыхаю.
5. They must be proud of having won the match.	Они, вероятно, гордятся тем, что выиграли матч.
6. I remember the document having been signed by both parties.	Я помню, что документ подписан обеими сторонами.
7. I insist on the decision being taken immediately.	Я настаиваю, чтобы решение было принято немедленно.

Exercise 2. Use gerunds instead of subordinate clauses.

1. When you consider the question, In considering the question don’t for don’t forget to use the latest get to use the latest information on

information on the subject. (In) the subject.

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2. When the delegation completed On completing its tour over

its tour over the country, it left the country, the delegation left for

for home. (On) home.

3. Before you go to visit her, make Before going to visit her, make sure sure she is at home. she is at home.

4. A student can improve his A student can improve his pronunciation if he works with pronunciation by working with a tape-recorder. (By) a tape-recorder.

5. The students developed their The students developed their speaking speaking skills because they skills through practising their English practised their English every every day.

day. (Through)

Self-training Exercises

Exercise 1. Write a gerund in the required form, using the following verbs.

a) Perfect Active (to do — having done)

to fail, to make, to consider, to settle, to buy, to come, to discuss, to ask, to win, to tell, to pass.

b) Perfect Passive (to do — having been done)

to speak, to give, to discuss, to sign, to tell, to write, to open, to study, to show.

Exercise 2. Translate into Russian, paying attention to the function and the form of the gerund.

1. Testing began last Friday.

2. Reading science fiction excited my imagination.

3. His having received a bad mark did not surprise anybody.

4. She doesn’t like being praised.

5. I don’t mind being criticized when it is fair.

6. I prefer doing this work myself.

7. She is busy translating some article.

8. I don’t object to being disturbed.

9. You are responsible for arranging the conference.

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10. Don’t be afraid of being punished.

11. I don’t feel like going to the cinema so late.

12. The boy succeeded in winning the first prise.

13. What’s the reason for his being so angry?

14. He has a bad habit of interrupting people.

15. On seeing the approaching bus we ran to the bus stop.

16. After reading a story in English, I came across many useful word combinations.

17. You can’t become a good specialist without being trained for a long time.

18. Besides being clever she was very beautiful.

19. I left the cinema without waiting for the end of the film.

20. You can perfect your English by practising it every day.

Exercise 3. Choose the right Russian equivalent.

1. Oleg’s refusing our help is regrettable.

1. To, что Олег отказался; 2. To, что Олег отказывается; 3. То, что Олегу отказали.

2. She is upset of her son being accused of bad conduct at school.

1. ее сына обвинили; 2. ее сын обвиняет; 3. ее сына обви­няют.

3. Не apologized to the teacher for not having done his lessons.

1. за то, что не сделал; 2. за то, что не делает; 3. за то, что не будет делать.

4. I don’t like being asked such questions.

1. задавать такие вопросы; 2. когда мне задают; 3. когда мне задавали.

5. The teacher was surprised at your having made so many mis­ takes.

1. что вы сделали; 2. было сделано; 3. делаете.

The key: 1-2; 2-3; 3-1; 4-2; 5-1.

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Exercise 4. Make up sentences according to the models.

1. I don’t mind seeing the film again.

(to take part in the conference; to stay in the country for another week)

2. I can’t (couldn’t) help smiling.

(to tell you about it; to laugh when I see him)

3. The book is (not) worth reading.

(the question — to discuss; the proposal — to consider)

4. It’s no use doing it.

(to talk to them; to help him)

5. Did you enjoy spending you holiday there? (to watch the match; to visit the museum)

6. I remember talking to him.

(to attend the lecture; to invite them to the party)

7. We insisted on (his) going there.

(to make the report; to organize a conference)

8. You can learn to speak English by speaking English, (to read French; to swim)

9. How about going to the club?

(to have a bite; to visit a museum)

10. Instead of going home he went to the club.

(to answer my question — to ask me his question; to do one’s homework — to look through magazines)

Exercise 5. Translate the sentences into English.

1. Об этом факте не стоит упоминать. 2. Она ушла не попрощав­шись. 3. Бесполезно просить их об этом. 4. Я не могу не расска­зать вам эту историю. 5. Я не помню, что просматривал этот журнал. 6. Как насчет того, чтобы пойти сегодня в театр? 7. Из­вините, что перебиваю вас. 8. Я получил удовольствие, читая эту

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книгу. 9. Вместо того, чтобы делать домашнее задание, он про­сматривал журналы. 10. У меня нет надежды найти новую рабо­ту. 11. Мой сын любит, когда ему читают сказки. 12. Я благода­рен вам за то, что вы помогли мне. 13. Вместо того чтобы пойти в кино, мы пошли в театр. 14. Я помню, что мне уже об этом го­ворили. 15. Я позвоню вам перед тем, как уеду из Минска. 16. Я не возражаю, чтобы они пришли сюда. 17. Он возражает против того, чтобы конференцию проводили в субботу. 18. Вы ответ­ственны за то, чтобы курсовые работы были закончены в срок. 19. Очень важно иметь хороших друзей. (Иметь хороших друзей очень важно.) 20. Научиться водить машину — очень трудно.