Narrative tenses.
THE MYSTERY STORY
Last night I _________________ (walk) home next to the river Thames, when something
strange _________________ (happen) to me. It was late at night and I _________________
(have) a long and difficult day at work. There was a large full moon in the sky and everything
was quiet. I was tired and lonely and I _________________ (just have) a few pints of beer in
my local pub, so I decided to stop by the riverside and look at the moon for a while.
I _________________ (sit) on some steps very close to the water’s edge and looked up at the
big yellow moon and wondered if it really was made of cheese. I felt very tired so I
_________________ (close) my eyes and after a few minutes, I _________________ (fall)
asleep. When I woke up, the moon _________________ (move) behind a cloud and it was
very dark and cold. The wind _________________ (blow) and an owl _________________
(hoot) in a tree above me. I rubbed my eyes and started to get up, when suddenly I
_________________ (hear) a splash. I _________________ (look) down at the water and saw
something. Something terrible and frightening, and unlike anything I’d ever seen before.
Something _________________ (come) out of the water and _________________ (move)
towards me. Something green and strange and ugly. It was a long green arm and it
_________________ (stretch) out from the water to grab my leg. I was so scared that I
couldn’t move. I _________________ (never be) so scared in my whole life. The cold green
hand _________________ (move) closer and closer when suddenly there was a blue flash and
a strange noise from behind me. Someone _________________ (jump) onto the stairs next to
me. He _________________ (wear) strange clothes and he had a crazy look in his eyes. He
shouted “Get Back!” and _________________ (point) something at the monster in the water.
There was a bright flash and the monster hissed and disappeared.
I looked up at the man. He looked strange, but kind. “Don’t fall asleep by the river when
there’s a full moon”, he said “The Moon Goblins will get you.” I _________________ (never
hear) of moon goblins before. I didn’t know what to do. “Who… who are you?” I asked him.
“You can call me… The Doctor.” He said. I _________________ (try) to think of something
else to say when he turned around and said, “Watch the stars at night, and be careful of the
full moon”. I was trying to understand what he meant, when there was another blue flash and I
closed my eyes. When I opened them again, he _________________ (go).I couldn’t believe
what _________________(happen). What on earth were Moon Goblins, and who was the
mysterious Doctor? And why had he saved me? I was determined to find the answers to these
strange questions. I stood up, looked at the moon and quickly walked home.
Dr Who? and the Moon Goblin.
Key (page 4)
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PASSIVE
A Look at the Intriguing History of Snowboarding
By Keith Kingston
To say who actually invented the sport of snowboarding would
be impossible because people have always loved to slide down a snow-covered hill. Soaring
through the snow on some kind of seat or board is nothing new. The ways to enjoy the snow
are numerous, and people have devised ways to turn garbage can lids and cardboard into
‘snow boards’ to enjoy an afternoon frolic outdoors. The various ways to glide through snow
have become more sophisticated and have evolved into using polished boards or skis in much
the same manner as a surfboarder would ride a wave.
There have been many attempts at developing a modern snowboard. In 1965, the ‘Snurfer’ (a
word play on ‘snow’ and ‘surfer’) was developed as a child’s toy. Two skis were bound
together and a rope was placed at the front end to afford control and stability. Over 500,000
‘Snurfers’ were sold in 1966 but they were never seen as more than a child's plaything even
though organized competitions began to take place. The year 1969 brought a slightly more
sophisticated snowboard based on the principles of skiing combined with surfboard styling.
The ‘Flying Yellow Banana’ was developed in 1977. This was nothing more than a plastic
shell covered with a top surface like that of a skateboard, but at the time it was considered a
major advance in the little known sport of snowboarding. The first national snowboard race
was held in the area outside Woodstock and was known as ‘The Suicide Six.’ The race
consisted of a steep downhill run called The Face in which the main goal was probably mere
survival.
Snowboarding continued to increase in popularity over the next
several years. In 1985 the first magazine dedicated specifically to snowboarding hit the news
stands with huge success and furthered the popularity of this exciting sport. Hoards of fans
began to organize regional events and pretty soon snowboarding events were held in all parts
of the world. In the year 1994 snowboarding was finally declared an Olympic event, much to
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the delight of fans. The not-so-new sport of snowboarding was finally recognized and meant a
huge victory for serious snowboarders across the globe.
A collection of snowboarding tricks and stunts was released on video in 1996. Filmed in
Alaska, the breathtaking beauty and captivating snowboarding techniques featured in the
video exposed snowboarding to a new generation, and by 1998 snowboarding constituted
almost 50% of all winter activity. Today, nearly all ski resorts accept snowboarders. There are
still a few holding on to the past but this is unlikely to continue as the number of
snowboarders continually increases.
From the first crudely built snowboards to the advanced and specialized models available
today, snowboarders have carried a ‘bad boy’ image. This rebel reputation is still common
today in spite of the fact that snowboarding appeals to men, women, and children of all
nationalities and social groups. At most major ski resorts you can find snowboarding gear,
information, and lessons. Olympic and world wide snowboarding events are among the most
popular of winter sports and the competition to be the best is fierce.
Retailers nation wide and around the world carry many types of snowboards, and the choice
in specially made snowboarding gear is immense. Snowboarders have participated in the X
Games and even charity events such as Boarding for Breast Cancer. From its early meager
beginnings snowboarding has progressed into a fully recognized sport, and large numbers of
people are turning to snowboarding for adventure, fun, and professional recognition.
Do or Make
Use a form of do or make to complete these sentences. Remember, both do and make are
irregular verbs:
do
does did
done doing
make makes made made making
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
It took a long time, but finally the committee _________ the decision to let
Ron stay in school.
I’m sorry; I don’t think I can _________ the dishes with this cut on my hand.
When I pointed out that the phone company had misspelled my name, they
apologized for ____________ that mistake.
Would you please _______ me a favor and drive me to the dentist.
To get to the library, go down this street and ________ a right turn at the
corner.
Kinsey got up early and ______ her exercises before breakfast.
It was difficult, but after a few weeks in the U.S. Angela began to ________ a
few friends.
Don’t _______ promises you can’t keep!
Do you know how much Jack _______ at his new job?
I didn’t even know he had a new job. What is he _________ now?
Prof. Klein was honored for ________ research into deadly diseases.
I try to _______ my homework before dinner everyday.
My neighbor always yells at my children for _________ noise on Saturday
mornings.
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14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
Carla always tries to speak in class; she knows she has to _______ a
contribution.
I was _________ the dishes when I ________ a discovery: the plastic dishes
don’t float.
Your boss will appreciate it if you just _______ your job well.
Who _______ the ironing at your house?
Which is easier, _________ peace or ________ war?
Everyone in the class had to ________ a speech last semester.
After you _________ this activity, check with your partner to see if you
________ any errors.
THE MYSTERY STORY
Last night I was walking home next to the river thames, when something strange happened to
me. It was late at night and I’d had a long and difficult day at work. There was a large full
moon in the sky and everything was quiet. I was tired and lonely and I’d just had a few pints
of beer in my local pub, so I decided to stop by the riverside and look at the moon for a while.
I sat on some steps very close to the water’s edge and looked up at the big yellow moon and
wondered if it really was made of cheese. I felt very tired so I closed my eyes and after a few
minutes, I fell asleep.
When I woke up, the moon had moved behind a cloud and it was very dark and cold. The
wind was blowing and an owl hooted in a tree above me. I rubbed my eyes and started to get
up, when suddenly I heard a splash. I looked down at the water and saw something.
Something terrible and frightening, and unlike anything I’d ever seen before. Something was
coming out of the water and moving towards me. Something green and strange and ugly. It
was a long green arm and it was stretching out from the water to grab my leg. I was so scared
that I couldn’t move. I’d never been so scared in my whole life. The cold green hand was
moving closer and closer when suddenly there was a blue flash and a strange noise from
behind me. Someone jumped onto the stairs next to me. He was wearing strange clothes and
he had a crazy look in his eyes. He shouted “Get Back!” and pointed something at the monster
in the water. There was a bright flash and the monster hissed and disappeared.
I looked up at the man. He looked strange, but kind. “Don’t fall asleep by the river when
there’s a full moon”, he said “The Moon Goblins will get you.” I’d never heard of moon
goblins before. I didn’t know what to do. “Who… who are you?” I asked him. “You can call
me… The Doctor.” He said. I was trying to think of something else to say when he turned
around and said, “Watch the stars at night, and be careful of the full moon”. I was trying to
understand what he meant, when there was another blue flash and I closed my eyes. When I
opened them again, he had gone.
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