B1 GROUP. PRACTICE

used to

We use used to + VERB to talk about a past situation that is no longer true. 

It tells us that there was a repeated action or state in the past which has now changed.

She used to be a long-distance runner when she was younger.
I didn't use to sleep very well, but then I started doing yoga and it really helps.
Did you use to come here as a child?

be used to -

 be used to + verb _ing, noun or pronoun

Be used to means 'be familiar with' or 'be accustomed to'.

She is used to the city now and doesn't get lost any more.
He wasn't used to walking so much and his legs hurt after the hike.
I'm a teacher so I'm used to speaking in public.

 get used to

 get  used to + verb_ing, noun or pronoun

We use get used to to talk about the process of becoming familiar with something.  

I'm finding this new job hard but I'm sure I'll get used to it soon.

I'm getting used to the noise now. I found it really stressful when I first moved in.

Be used to and get used to are followed by a noun (for example, the noise,city ), pronoun (for example: it)  or the -ing form of a verb (for example: speaking), 

and can be used about the past, present or future.

Now, let's practice :)

Caroline __________________ (take) the bus, now she walks to work.

1.   USED TO TAKE
2.   WAS USED TO TAKING
3.   IS USED TO TAKE

Traffic jams don't bother Tom. He ___________________ (drive) in the city.

1.   USED TO DRIVE
2.   IS USED TO DRIVE
3.   IS USED TO DRIVING

The immigrants had to ___________ the customs of their new country.

1.   used
2.   used to
3.   be used to
4.   get used to

They find our food tasteless.  They ________________________ (eat) spicy food

1.   USED TO EAT
2.   ARE USED TO EATING
3.   ARE USED TO EAT

Travel ________________ (be) very expensive.  Now the prices are more reasonable.

1.   USED TO BE
2.   IS USED TO BE
3.   IS USED TO BEING 

During my childhood, I ________________ (spend) a lot of time with my grandparents.

1.   AM USED TO SPEND
2.   USED TO SPEND
3.   USED TO SPENDING

My grandmother is often tired now. She ______________ (be) so tired.

1.   DIDN'T USE TO BE
2.   WASN'T USED TO BE
3.   NOT USED TO BE

When Peter was young, he  ________________ (ride) a bicycle to school.

1.   USED TO RIDING
2.   WAS USED TO RIDE
3.   USED TO RIDE

When you went to Canada in winter, did it take you long to ___________ the climate?

1.   use
2.   used to
3.   be used to
4.   get used to

Maria finds teaching difficult. She is _________________ (deal) with noisy children.

1.   NOT USED TO DEAL
2.   NOT USED TO DEALING
3.   USED TO NOT DEAL

She went to a Chinese restaurant but she ___________ eating with chop sticks and had to ask the waiter for a fork.

1.   didn't use
2.   didn't used to
3.   wasn't used to
4.   didn't usually

At first it was difficult but now I ___________________ (speak) in public.

1.   AM USED TO SPEAK
2.   AM USED TO SPEAKING
3.   USED TO SPEAKING

I often ___________ a credit card to pay in restaurants

1.   use
2.   didn't used to
3.   am used to
4.   usually

He ___________ goes jogging before breakfast.

1.   use
2.   didn't used to
3.   is used to
4.   usually

In the 19th century, factory workers in England ___________ work 10 or more hours a day...

1.   used
2.   used to
3.   were used to
4.   usually

Fill the gaps with  BE USED TO / GET USED TO

1. I was born in the country; it took me a long time to --------- the noise and dirt of the town.
2. She is shy; she-----------performing in public.
3. If you have English guests, remember they a----------- eating as late as 8 o'clock.
4. You may find it difficult to ----------- getting up so early.
5. When I lived in Saigon I ----------the heat but it wasn't easy.
6. When I was at school I ----------- wearing a uniform but I'd find it hard now.
7. When I went to Scotland I found it difficult at first because I-------------their accent.

Formal Letter

Formal--email-phrases

Task:  

Asking for Information
You live in  Georgia and you want to do some voluntary, unpaid work in a developing country. Write a letter to a company called Cultural Expeditions, which organizes such trips. In your letter:

• Explain why you want to do the voluntary work.
• State what your skills and experience are.
• Indicate where you would like to volunteer and for how long.

Use formal phrases in your email.

GREETINGS

Formal

•    Dear Sir/ Madam,
•    Dear Sir or Madam,
•   To whom it may concern: (especially AmE)
•    Dear Mr/ Ms Jones,
•    Dear Dr Smith,

(note: First names are NOT used. Using Miss or Mrs to address a woman is not appropriate, as you 
don’t know whether she’s married or not)

(note: salutations are followed by a (,) comma, exception: ’To whom it may concern:’)


REASON FOR WRITING / REPLYING

Formal

•    I am writing to make a reservation/ to apply for the position of…/ to confirm my booking/ to 
ask for further information about …
•    I am writing with regard to the sale of …/ to the complaint you made on 29th February
•   Thank you for your e-mail of 29th February regarding the sale of… / concerning the conference 
in Brussels.
•     …

MAKING A REQUEST / ASKING FOR INFORMATION

Formal

•    Could you please let me know if you can attend … / if you are available for a meeting on 12th 

December?

•    I would appreciate it if you could please send me a brochure/ if you could please reply within 

two days.

•   Could you possibly arrange a meeting with the Logistics Manager?

•    I would also like to know if there are any swimming pools in your area.

•    Please let me know how much the tickets cost.

OFFERING HELP / GIVING INFORMATION

Formal

•   We are happy to let you know that your article has been selected for publication.

•   I am glad to inform you that we will be holding our annual conference in Brussels on 20 

September 2014.

•   We regret to inform you that the show has been cancelled due to bad weather conditions.

•   We are willing to arrange another meeting with the CEO.

•   We would be glad to send you another statement if necessary.

•    Please do let me know if I can be of further assistance.

•   Should you need any further information/assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us.

COMPLAINING

Formal

•    I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with… / to complain about…

•   I regret to say that I was not completely satisfied with the room you provided us.

•   We regret to inform you that your payment is considerably overdue.

•   I would like to receive a full refund and compensation for the damages.

•   I am interested to hear how your company can compensate us for the distress we suffered.

APOLOGIZING

Formal

•   We would like to apologize for any inconvenience caused.

•    Please accept our apologies for the delay.

•   Please let us know what we can do to compensate you for the damages caused.

•    We will make sure that this will not happen again in the future.

•    I am afraid I will not be able to attend the conference.

ATTACHING FILES

Formal

•   I am attaching my CV for your consideration.

•    I am sending you the brochure as an attachment.

•   Please see the statement attached.

•   Please find attached the file you requested.

•    I am afraid I cannot open the file you have sent me.

•    Could you send it again in … format?

ENDING

Formal

•    I look forward to hearing from you.

•    I look forward to hearing when you are planning to visit our town.

CLOSING FORMULA

Formal

•   Yours faithfully, (when you start with Dear Sir/ Madam,)

•   Yours sincerely, (when you start with the name e.g. Dear Ms Collins)

•   Sincerely Yours, (AmE)

•    Sincerely, (AmE)

•    Yours Truly, (AmE)

A2 GROUP. PRACTICE

1. 1. Complete with the present simple or the present continuous :
2. Andy sometimes  comics. (to read)
3. We never  TV in the morning. (to watch)
4. Listen! Sandy  in the bathroom. (to sing)
5. My sister usually  in the kitchen. (to help)
6. My mother  breakfast now. (to make)
7. They often  the bathroom. (to clean)
8. Look! The boys  home. (to come)
9. Every day his grandfather  for a walk. (to go)
10. I  with my friend at the moment. (to chat)
11. Cats  mice. (to eat)

2. A few or A little?  

1.      a few  a little    sugar
2.      a few  a little    time
3.      a few  a little    houses
4.      a few  a little    cheese
5.      a few  a little    cars
6.      a few  a little    money
7.      a few  a little    children
8.      a few  a little    girls
9.      a few  a little    coffee
10.      a few  a little    hobbies

3.  put - Some or Any?

1. We need      some  any    bananas.
2. You can't buy      some  any    posters in this shop.
3. We haven't got      some  any    oranges at the moment.
4. Peter has bought      some  any    new books.
5. She always takes      some  any    sugar with her coffee.
6. I have seen      some  any    nice postcards in this souvenir shop.
7. There aren't      some  any    folders in my bag.
8. I have      some  any    magazines for you.
9. There are      some  any    apples on the table.
10. Pam does not have      some  any    pencils on her desk.

4. Choose correct quantifiers: Many, Much, Lots of, A few , A little , Any, Some, A lot, most

1. They have had   much any many lots of a lot little a little few most  homework in mathematics .
2. How   much any many lots of a lot little a little few most  time do you need to finish the work?
3. There are too   much any many lots of a lot little a little few most  students in the library.
4. Have you visited   much any many lots of a lot little a little few most  foreign countries?
5. Although he's very ill, he didn't take   much any many lots of a lot little a little few most  medicine.
6.   Much any Many Lots of A lot Little A little Few Most  people know as much about linguistics as John does.
7. They say   any many a lot little few most  knowledge is a dangerous thing.
8. He's having    much any many lots of a lot little a little few most  of trouble passing his driving test.
9. I spend   any many lots of few most  of my time reading novels.
10. He knows   much any many lots of a lot little a little few most  English. He knows enough English to speak.

5. Use the past simple

1. I  my maths homework yesterday. (to do)
2.  Susan  to England by plane? (to go)
3. They  a farm two weeks ago. (to visit)
4. Jenny and Peggy  their brother. (not/to help)
5. The children  at home last weekend. (not/to be)
6. When  you  this wonderful skirt? (to design)
7. My mother  into the van. (not/to crash)
8. The boys  the mudguards of their bicycles. (to take off)
9.  you  your aunt last week? (to phone)
10. He  milk at school. (not/to drink)

6. Use the past simple and the past continuous: 

1. While I  TV, the doorbell . (watch/ring)

2. Jack  his presentation when the fire alarm . (finish/start)

3. Just as I  my front door, a cat  inside. (open/run)

4. My mom  me while I  dinner. (telephone/eat)

5. While I  to work, I  an accident. (walk/witness)

6. When the mailman , I  my exercises. (come/do)

7. When I , my alarm clock . (wake up/ring)

8. Peter  me while I  on the train. (phone/sit)

Teens group. Practice. B1+

Grammar:

Complete the sentences with shall / going to / will or the present continuous.

Example: I’m sure that Jess will help (help) you with your work.

1   A  I ________ (go) into town this afternoon. ________ (I / go) to the supermarket on my way back?

     B  Yes, we need bread, milk and some fruit.

     A  OK. I ________ (get) all that, and some eggs, too.

2   A  I heard on the radio that the weather ________ (be) excellent this weekend.

     B  That’s good, because my parents ________ (come) to stay with me.

3   A  I went to see Cloud Atlas yesterday at the cinema. It’s excellent.

     B  Oh good. I ________ (see) it tomorrow.

     A  I think you ________ (love) it.

Complete the sentences. Use the correct form of the verb in brackets.

Example: We’re meeting (meet) Bob outside the cinema at 7.30.

1   Paolo ________ (buy) a new car next week.

2   I ________ (need) a lot of sleep at the moment so I can concentrate on my exams.

3   We hardly ever ________ (eat) together as a family.

4   Hi, Beth. Sorry, I can’t talk right now. I ________ (drive).

5   You look very serious! What ________ (think) about?

6   I know that Carlos ________ (hate) me! He never says anything nice to me.

7   I ________ (have) dinner with my younger brother at 8.00 tonight.

     Complete the dialogues. Use the verbs in brackets in the present perfect simple or the past simple.

Example: I’ve been to Beijing, but I’ve never been (not / go) to Shanghai.

Petra      ¹________ (you / remember) to pay that cheque into the bank?

Alan       Yes, it went in this morning.

Tom       ²________ (you / ever / borrow) anyone’s car?

Dave      Yes, I borrowed my brother’s and I crashed it!

Anna      Hi, can I speak to Sally, please?

Beth       I’m sorry, she ³________ (just / go) out.

Doctor    What seems to be the problem?

John       I ⁴________ (fall) over playing volleyball. I think I ⁵________ (break) my finger.

Peter      How long ⁶________ (you / know) Mike?

Liz         Well, we ⁷________ (meet) in 2008 and we’ve been good friends ever since.

2   Underline the correct word or phrase.

Example: You’ve been working / worked hard for months – you need a holiday.

1   How long have you been saving up / do you save up for a motorbike?

2   He’s learning / been learning Chinese for three years now.

3   I’ve been planning / planned my visit to the Amazon for years.

4   She’s known / been knowing him for years.

5   Don’t worry. I haven’t been crying / cried – I’ve got a cold.

6   He’s disliked / been disliking bananas since he was a child.

7   I’ve had / been having the same bank account since I was a student.

Complete the sentences with the correct form of can, could, or be able to.

Example: We were so hungry we couldn’t wait for dinner, so we ordered pizza.

1   I ________ swim when I was five. My dad taught me.

2   We’re very sorry but we ________ attend the wedding. We’ll be on holiday.

3   Would you like ________ play a musical instrument?

4   He opened his present before his birthday because he ________ wait!

5   After living here for four months, I ________ understand a lot of Greek now.

6   ________ you lend me a pen, please? I’ve forgotten mine.

7   I’ve never ________ sing well, but my brother has a beautiful voice.

8   I ________ read this menu without my glasses. Can you read it to me, please?

9   We’re free tonight, so we’ll ________ come and help you if you like.

10   My sister ________ ride a horse since she was four!

2   Complete the sentences with have to, don’t have to, must, mustn’t, should, or shouldn’t.

Example: We’ll have to leave early tomorrow morning.

1   I always ________ stand up on the train because there are no seats.

2   You really ________ eat in class, but I’ll let you do it this time.

3   Where do you think we ________ stay in London? In a hotel or a B&B?

4   There’s a lot of rubbish in that lake. You ________ swim in it!

5   You ________ pay to get into that museum – it’s free.

6   We ________ leave early in the morning if we want to get home before dark.

7   It’s a great film. You really ________ go and see it.

8   Great! It’s a holiday tomorrow – we ________ go to work.

9   You ________ drive on the right in Europe (except in the UK).

10   Do we ________ get up early tomorrow?

Complete the dialogues with must, can’t, or might.

Example: They must be out. Nobody’s answering the phone.

1   ‘I finally passed my driving test!’

     ‘Congratulations! You ________ be really pleased.’

2   ‘Is Mario in his office?’

     ‘I’m not sure. He ________ be in a meeting. I’ll just go and look.’

3   ‘Debbie’s just run 20km. She’s training for a marathon.’

     ‘Really? She ________ be exhausted.’

4   ‘Look, Lola’s left her bag here.’

     ‘It ________ be Lola’s – her bag is brown.’

5   ‘I think he ________ be Swedish with a name like Lundt.’

     ‘Yes, he sounds a bit Swedish too.’

6   ‘You’re getting married to Patrick? You ________ be serious!’

     ‘No, really, I am!’

7   ‘I believe Jim and Barbara are away in Spain this week.’

     ‘They ________ be. I’ve just seen Jim in his garden.’

8   ‘I thought you ________ like to borrow this book. It’s really funny.’

     ‘Oh, thanks. I was planning to buy that soon.’