Answer — Exercise 7
8.2 - Idlers and strivers·New Total English Advanced - Students' Book
Întrebare
- Rewrite the sentences (1-8), changing the verb forms into the continuous. Does this change the meaning? If so, how?
- Are the responses (1-8) to the simple or continuous form of the sentences in exercise 7a? Could they be replies to both?
Răspuns
a)
- I've read that book. - I've been reading that book. (Simple = she's finished the book. Continuous = she hasn't finished it.)
- He gets bored. - He's getting bored. (Simple = this usually happens. Continuous = at this particular moment it's happening.)
- I'll work till about 8 p.m. tonight. - I'll be working till about 8 p.m. tonight. (Simple and continuous = basically the same meaning here.)
- She hit me. - She was hitting me. (Simple = she did it once. Continuous = she did it repeatedly.)
- The first chapter is written. - The first chapter is being written. (Simple = it is finished. Continuous = it isn't finished.)
- What music do you listen to? - What music are you listening to? (Simple = generally. Continuous = at this particular moment it's happening.)
- He had lost his hair. - He had been losing his hair. (Simple = the hair was all gone. Continuous = the hair was in the process of going. He still had some left.)
- The coach leaves at 11 p.m. - The coach is leaving at 11 p.m. (Simple and continuous = basically the same meaning here, BUT Simple = for a formally organised timetable. Continuous = may be a decision made by an individual.)
b)
- Simple (reply to 'I've read that book')
- Continuous (reply to 'He's getting bored')
- Both (as either form could be used in the sentence from 7a)
- Continuous (the phrase 'go on' in the reply indicates a continued / repeated action)
- Simple (the reply indicates the action is finished)
- Continuous (the reply refers to the music playing now, not in general)
- Simple (the reply indicates that there is no hair left - a finished action)
- Both (as either form could be used in the sentence from 7a)