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Ready for C1 p 151. Participle Clauses. Different Subjects
When we have participle clauses with a different subject, the correct structures are:
SUBJ + -ing...., Different SUBJ + verb
Her bicycle having been damaged by vandals, Helen had to walk.
With + SUBJ + -ing...., Different SUBJ + verb
With both my parents working all day, I have to cook my own lunch
These sentences are NOT correct:
X Having been damaged by vandals, Helen had to walk rather than go on her bicycle.
X Having her bicycle been damaged by vandals, Helen had to walk.
Ready for C1 p 151. Participle Clauses. Complete
Complete the story with a suitable present or past participle form of the verbs in brackets (plus a form of have if necessary).
A Gift from the Past
I live in a big old house, (1) ________________ (build) over 200 years ago. (2) ________________ (live) there for decades, I thought we knew it inside out. However, (3) ________________ (eat) dinner one day, I heard the unmistakable sound of a pigeon (4) ________________ (coo) inside the living room wall. Not (5) ________________ (want) to allow the poor creature to suffer, I ripped the wallpaper off the wall, behind which I found an old fireplace, (6) ________________ (brick up) decades earlier, by the look of it. Not (7) ________________ (have) any heavy tools in the house, I used a kitchen mallet and a broom handle to knock the bricks out, eventually (8) ________________ (reveal) the soot-covered pigeon inside. (9) ________________ (fall) a considerable distance from the rooftop chimney pot, the pigeon was in a sorry state, but was otherwise uninjured – and delighted to be free. (10) ________________ (remove) the pigeon from the fireplace, I noticed a parcel (11) ________________ (wrap) in brown paper, with a note (12) ________________ (write) in old-fashioned handwriting: ‘A present for the future owners of this house, from the family (13) ________________ (live) here in 1874.’
KEY
1. built
2. Having lived (Also possible: Having been living)
3. eating (Also possible: Having eaten)
4. cooing
5. wanting
6. bricked up
7. having
8. revealing
9. Having fallen
10. Removing / Having removed
11. wrapped
12. written
13. living
Ready for C1 p 151. Participle Clauses. Rewrite the sentences
Rewrite the sentences using participle clauses. There is an example at the beginning (0).
0 She didn’t want to hurt his feelings, so she avoided the question.
Not wanting to hurt his feelings, she avoided the question.
1 They bought the house for £200,000 and sold it five years later for £1,000,000.
They bought the house for £200,000, ____________________________________________.
2 I came home last night and found someone who was trying to break into my house.
I came home last night and found ____________________________________________.
3 Because I’m quite a lazy person, I pay somebody to clean my flat.
______________________________________, I pay somebody to clean my flat.
4 The bank has agreed to lend us the money, so we can go ahead with our purchase.
______________________________________, we can go ahead with our purchase.
5 If you treat this garden furniture regularly with wood preserver, it should last a lifetime.
______________________________________, this garden furniture should last a lifetime.
6 Because most of my income is going on my flat, I have very little to live on.
With ______________________________________, I have very little to live on.
7 I don’t know the first thing about gardening because I’ve never lived in a house with a garden.
Never ______________________________________, I don’t know the first thing about gardening.
KEY
1. selling it five years later for £1,000,000
2. someone trying to break into my house
3. Being quite a lazy person
4. The bank having agreed to lend us the money
5. Treated regularly with wood preserver
6. most of my income going on my flat
7. having lived in a house with a garden
Ready for C1 p 175. Shopping and Consumerism. Speaking Interview. Cloze
Sample dialogue on online shopping:
Student A: I think online shopping has completely transformed my buying habits. The convenience is hard -1- resist - I can browse dozens -2- stores without leaving my couch! But I've noticed I definitely spend more money this way. Those personalized recommendations keep tempting me -3- things I didn't even know I wanted.
Student B: I agree -4- the convenience, but I've become more cautious about my online spending. Those flash sales and limited-time offers create this false sense of urgency -5- makes you buy things impulsively. I've started to resist those marketing tactics by keeping a wishlist instead -6- purchasing immediately.
Student A: That's smart. I'm terrible with impulse purchases, especially -7- I see free shipping offers. And those one-click ordering systems make it dangerously easy to spend money! I've actually had to unsubscribe from store emails -8- the constant promotional messages were too tempting.
Student B: Exactly! -9- have you noticed how physical stores are struggling to compete with online retailers? There's been a real decline in traditional shopping, which is sad in some ways. I miss the social aspect of going shopping -10- friends.
Answers:
1. to2. of
3. with
4. about
5. that
6. of
7. when
8. because
9. And
10. with
____________________________________________________________
1. How has online shopping changed the way we buy things? Do you think it makes us spend more money than shopping in physical stores?
2. What influences your decision when buying clothes - brand names, price, quality, or current trends? How do advertisers try to persuade you to buy their products?
3. Have you noticed how some products don't seem to last as long as they used to? Why do you think companies might design things to break or become outdated quickly?
Alex: So, shall we start with how online shopping has changed the way we buy things?
Sam: Absolutely. To be honest, it’s revolutionised shopping for me. Not only is it more convenient, but it also gives you access to a wider variety of products. Never before have I been able to compare so many options so quickly.
Alex: I couldn’t agree more. Had it not been for online shopping, I would have spent countless hours in crowded shopping centres. But don’t you think it’s made us spend more, almost without realising it?
Sam: That’s a good point. Because everything is just a click away, it’s easy to lose track. Plus, when you’re not physically handing over money, it feels less like you’re actually spending.
Alex: Exactly! If we were forced to use cash, we’d probably think twice before buying things we don’t really need. Also, have you noticed how websites use flash sales and countdown timers?
Sam: Yes! That creates this sense of urgency. It’s clever, though somewhat manipulative. Were they not using these tactics, I doubt people would buy as impulsively.
Alex: True. Moving on, what usually influences your decisions when buying clothes?
Sam: For me, it’s mainly quality and comfort. I mean, what’s the point in buying something trendy if it feels like sandpaper?
Alex: Ha! I totally get that. Although I have to admit, I do sometimes get drawn in by brand names—probably more than I’d like to admit.
Sam: Same here. To be influenced by branding is something I try to avoid, but it’s everywhere. And the way advertisers work—honestly, it's fascinating. They don’t just sell a product; they sell a lifestyle.
Alex: Right? They use celebrities, catchy slogans, emotional appeals… Sometimes it feels like they know us better than we know ourselves.
Sam: Speaking of which, have you noticed how certain products just don’t last like they used to?
Alex: Definitely. My phone started acting up just after the warranty expired. Coincidence? I doubt it.
Sam: I think companies deliberately design products to become obsolete. It’s called planned obsolescence, isn’t it?
Alex: Yes! If things lasted forever, people wouldn’t need to replace them. However, it’s incredibly wasteful. Not only does it affect our wallets, but it also harms the environment.
Sam: Couldn’t agree more. If companies prioritised sustainability over profit, we’d all be better off.
Alex: Well said. Let’s hope more people start demanding change—otherwise, this cycle will never end.
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