New Headway — page 106

The Farmer And His Sons

There was once an old, dying farmer (1-b) who had worked hard in his vineyard all his life.  Before he died he wanted to teach his three sons how to be good farmers.  So he called them to his bedside and said, ‘My boys, I have an important secret to tell you: there is a great treasure buried in the vineyard.  Promise me that you will look for it when I am dead.’
The sons gave their promise and (2-a) as soon as their father had died they began looking for the treasure.  They worked very hard in the hot sun (3-d) and while they were working they thought about what their father had said.  They pictured boxes of gold coins, diamond necklaces, and other such things.  (4-f) Soon they had dug up every inch of the vineyard but they found not a single penny.  They were very upset (5-e) because they felt that all their hard work had been for nothing. However, a few months later the grapes started to appear on the vines.  Their grapes were the biggest and best in the neighbourhood and they sold them for a lot of money.  Now the sons understood (6-c) what their father had meant by the great treasure and they lived happily ever after.

The moral of this story is: Hard work brings results.

Discussing grammar

  1. Are these sentences correct or incorrect? Correct the mistakes.

What do you want to drink?
Correct.
I’m not understanding this word.
Incorrect. I don’t understand this word.
I’m loving you a lot.
Incorrect. I love you a lot.
Do you think Michiko plays golf well?
Correct.
I’m sorry. I’m not knowing the answer.
Incorrect. I’m sorry. I don’t know the answer.
We’re enjoying the lesson very much. We’re working hard.
Correct.
I’m thinking you speak English very well.
Incorrect. I think you speak English very well.
The lions are fed once a day. They’re being fed at the moment.
Correct.

  1. Complete the pairs of sentences using the verb in the Present Simple or the Present Continuous.

Alec and Maria are French. They come from Paris. (come)
They’ll be here very soon. They are coming by car.
Lisa can’t come to the phone. She is having dinner now. (have)
She has a beautiful new car.
I think that all politicians tell lies. (think)
I am thinking about my girlfriend at the moment. She’s in Australia.
We aren’t enjoying this party at all. The music is too loud. (not enjoy)
We don’t enjoy big parties.
Be quiet! I am watching my favorite programme. (watch)
I always watch it on Thursday evenings.
Joe isn’t here. He is seeing the doctor at the moment. (see)
I see your problem, but I can’t help you. I’m sorry.
This room is usually used for big meetings. (use)
But today it is being used for a party.

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