ProblemSolving

AUDIO

Dialogue 1

A: Technical support.

B: Hello Sam, - it's Bob here.

A: Hello Bob. - What's gone wrong - today?

B: Err...yes, well - I seem to have a problem - sending emails.

A: Can you be - a bit more specific?

B: Well, when I click on the `Send' button, the emails just remain in the outbox and don't get sent.

A: Have you tried closing and opening the programme?

B: Yes, I have. It didn't help one bit.

A: What about restarting your computer? That might help.

B: I've done that too. No change either. Has something gone wrong with the server again?

A: I don't think so. Everything's working fine for me... Hmm... sounds like you may have somehow altered the settings on your email programme. Either that or it could have something to do with your Internet connection.

B: I'm not sure it's the connection. I have no problems accessing the internet.

A: Hmm. In that case it's probably your settings. I'll come over and try to sort it out.

B: Thanks.

Dialogue 2

A: Hi Daniel, it looks like we have a serious problem. I'm at the conference and I've got my presentation on in 25 minutes but the damn laptop has just crashed on me and I've lost all my PowerPoint slides!

B: Good grief! Are you saying it won't even start up?

A: Yes, exactly.

B: OK, let's not panic. I don't suppose you made a backup of the data?

A: Yes, I did actually. There should be a CD on my desk.

B: Yes, I can see it from here. Look, what I suggest is that you get on to the organisers and have them reschedule your presentation. I'll send down my assistant with a replacement laptop.

A: I'm not sure about that idea. The conference centre seems quite far from our office. How long will it take her to get here?

B: Only about 30 minutes, assuming the traffic doesn't hold her up. So, the best thing would be to arrange your presentation for 3 o'clock.

A: Right, that makes sense. I'll go and sort it out right away.

Examples

Gerund as Subject:

Going to parties is fun.

Gerund as Object:

I enjoy reading.

I like reading - I like to read

I would like to read

Gerund after the following verbs

admit

He admitted having driven too fast.

avoid

They avoid going on holiday on Saturdays.

carry on

If we carry on sleeping so badly, we may need help.

consider

Ralph is considering buying a new house.

delay

I delayed telling Max the news.

deny

She denies reading the book.

dislike

We dislike reading poems.

can't/couldn't help

He couldn't help falling in love with her.

enjoy

I enjoy playing chess.

finish

They finished working in the garden.

give up

You need give up smoking.

stop

You need to stop smoking.

imagine

He imagined driving a new car.

include

Your responsibility includes taking reservations on the phone.

involve

The project will involve growing plants.

justify

I cannot justify paying $100 for this ticket.

keep (on)

They keep on running.

mention

Did Alex ever mention playing baseball?

mind

I don't mind sleeping on the couch.

miss

They miss playing with their friends.

practise

She practised playing hockey.

regret*

Do you regret having mentioned it?

risk

You risk catching a cold.

suggest

She suggested flying to Cairo.

* After regret the to-infinitive is used when announcing bad news:

We regret to inform you that the flight to Munich has been cancelled.

Gerund after special phrases

to be busy

He is busy reading the paper.

don't mind

I don't mind telling them my opinion.

feel like

We feel like having a cup of tea.

how about

How about walking home instead of taking the car?

it's (no) good

It's no good talking to this girl.

it's no use

It's no use talking to the headmaster.

spend one's time

They spend their time reading.

there's no

There's no cheating anymore.

there's no point

There's no point in complaining further.

what about

What about going to the zoo?

worth

The book is worth reading.

Gerund or Infinitive – Fill in the correct form.

1. They are likely __________ up at any time. (show)

2. The man denied __________ the crime. (commit)

3. Their memories of __________ in Africa will stay with them forever. (travel)

4. He has always been afraid of __________ . (fly)

5. __________ is good for your health. (swim)

6. Would you mind __________ me the sugar. (pass)

7. She promised __________ the report as soon as possible. (read)

8. I had a hard time __________ the situation to my husband. (explain)

9. She had some problems __________ without glasses. (read)

10. Paul gave up __________ five years ago. (smoke)

11. What about __________ to the zoo tomorrow? (go)

12. Barca __________ in winning the Spanish championship. (succeed)

13. They had fun __________ . (ski)

14. My friend was happy __________ me at the party. (see)

15. He was ashamed __________ that he had lied. (admit)

16. It was very kind of you __________ me. (help)

17. She always wastes her time __________ bad books. (read)

18. We had no problem __________ from the airport to the train station. (drive)

19. She hadn’t expected this task __________ so difficult. (be)

20. It’s no use __________ a taxi. We’ll be late anyway. (take)

21. Don’t forget __________ the document as soon as you are finished. (sign)

22. She made me __________like a real man. (feel)

23. __________ video games all the time is very boring. (play)

24. She is fond of __________ comics. (read)

25. Alvaro admitted __________ during the English test. (cheat)

26. The teacher reminded us __________ irregular verbs. (learn)

27. The boy refused __________ what his mother said. (do)

28. Brenda really hates __________ . (study)

29. I used __________ basketball during my college years. (play)

30. How long does it take you __________ to the university? (walk)

Gerund or Infinitive – Fill in the correct form.

1. They are likely to show up at any time. (show)

2. The man denied committing the crime. (commit)

3. Their memories of traveling in Africa will stay with them forever. (travel)

4. He has always been afraid of flying. (fly)

5. Swimming is good for your health. (swim)

6. Would you mind passing me the sugar. (pass)

7. She promised to read the report as soon as possible. (read)

8. I had a hard time explaining the situation to my husband. (explain)

9. She had some problems reading without glasses. (read)

10. Paul gave up smoking five years ago. (smoke)

11. What about going to the zoo tomorrow? (go)

12. Barca succeeding in winning the Spanish championship. (succeed)

13. They had fun skiing. (ski)

14. My friend was happy to see me at the party. (see)

15. He was ashamed to admit that he had lied. (admit)

16. It was very kind of you to help me. (help)

17. She always wastes her time reading bad books. (read)

18. We had no problem driving from the airport to the train station. (drive)

19. She hadn’t expected this task to be so difficult. (be)

20. It’s no use taking a taxi. We’ll be late anyway. (take)

21. Don’t forget to sign the document as soon as you are finished. (sign)

22. She made me feel like a real man. (feel)

23. Playing video games all the time is very boring. (play)

24. She is fond of reading comics. (read)

25. Alvaro admitted cheating during the English test. (cheat)

26. The teacher reminded us to learn irregular verbs. (learn)

27. The boy refused to do what his mother said. (do)

28. Brenda really hates studying. (study)

29. I used to play basketball during my college years. (play)

30. How long does it take you to walk to the university? (walk)