| I The Grants John Oliver and Mariam Our cat The students The doctor The watch Christine The little boy The driver The old woman The photographer Tom Professor Smith My family Grandfather The young woman The driver | are moving into the new flat was just unlocking the door was wearing her new boots went to the same school shall be still working stopped were writing a dictation catches mice was examining the patient jumped out of the car was knitting (knitted) was not sleeping yet will give a lecture on Impressionists stay in the country was constantly laughing at his friends was looking through the snapshots was oiling his car | once in a while yesterday when I saw him next month at a quarter tosix when you return when the nurse entered the ward when the bell rang at the age of ten all day long when we switched on the wireless the moment the engine died when a boy when another car stopped near him |
24. Explain the difference in meaning (if any) between the continuous and indefinite forms in the following sets of sentences. Translate the sentences choosing a suitable aspect in Russian.
1. a) After supper I worked till midnight, had a short walk in the garden and went to bed. b) I was still working at midnight, so you could certainly ring me up. 2. a) What do you think we ought to do under the circumstances? b) What are you thinking about? You are so absent-minded. 3. a) I am gradually forgetting all the French I ever learnt at the institute. b) I always forget (am forgetting) your telephone number. Will you write it down for me, please? c) I forgot to look up the words in the dictionary, so I cannot translate these sentences. 4. I was just smelling your roses. Don't they smell wonderful? 5. a) I see you have got a new bag. b) I'm seeing him later this week. c) Now that my eyes are getting used to the dark, I'm seeing things a bit more clearly. 6. a) The garden will look at its best in April. b) You can find him in the library tonight. He will be looking for books and essays for his graduation paper. 7. a) The monument stands on a hill overlooking the town. b) Don't you realize you are standing on my toe? 8. a) I always meet her at the station: she takes the same train to town as I. b) What a nuisance! I am always meeting her at the station and she keeps on asking a lot of embarrassing questions. 9. a) Mr. Priestley gives English lessons every day from ten to twelve. b) I am giving a lesson at five o'clock tomorrow. The hour is fixed. c) I shall be giving a lesson at five o'clock tomorrow. Don't call me at that time. 10. a) It rained all day long yesterday. So we had to postpone our trip. b) It was raining all day long yesterday, so we had to postpone our trip. 11. a) "You looked very busy when I saw you last night. What were you doing?" "I won't tell you. You are being too inquisitive." b) I was looking for you in the theatre last night. Where were you sitting? (Where did you sit?) 12. a) I place a jar over the candle and after a few moments the water gradually rises, b) I am placing the jar over the candle. There! Can you see what is happening? The water is gradually rising. 13 a) While Susan was sweeping the floor, Maggie was getting the dinner ready. b) While Susan swept the floor, Maggie was getting the dinner ready, c) While Susan was sweeping the floor, Maggie got the dinner ready. d) While Susan swept the floor, Maggie got the dinner ready. 14. a) I don't remember your address, let me put it down. b) The participants of the programme are remembering the days of their childhood. 15. a) I talked to Jack last night. Unfortunately he refused to help us. b) I was talking to Jack last night. What an unpleasant person! c) I was just talking to Jack. You interrupted us. 16. a) This city has a population of 200,000. b) Helen is having her music lesson. Don't call on her now. 17. a) The court is hearing this particular part of the evidence in private, b) Do you hear the wind? It is blowing very strongly tonight. c) "Are you listening to what I am saying? Did you hear what I said?" "Well, you said something, but I was not really listening." 18. a) What were you doing from eight till ten yesterday? Were you watching TV? b) We watched TV from eight to nine, then a friend of mine came to see me and we switched off the set. 19. a) "Can you return me the book now?" "I am afraid not. I was reading it yesterday but I still have a few chapters to read (also: I read it yesterday...)." b) "Can you return me the book?" "Yes, certainly. You may have it. I read it yesterday."
