Modern means of communication have introduced relevant changes in our lives; some believe benefits outweigh disadvantages, others the opposite. Discuss your view and state your opinion.

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience. You should write at least 250 words.

Essay topic:

Modern forms of communication such as email and messaging have reduced the amount of time people send seeing their friends. This has had a negative effect on their social lives.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

 

- What is happening in this photograph?

- Do you ever learn anything from TV programmes in English?

Used to + infinitive and be/get used to + ‘ing’ form

People often get confused about the use of used to + infinitive and be/get used to + ‘ing’ form because they look similar. They are, however, completely different.

‘used to + infinitive’

We use ‘ used to ’ to talk about things that happened in the past – actions or states – that no longer happen now.

• She used to be a long distance runner when she was younger.
• I used to eat meat but I became a vegetarian 5 years ago.

The negative is ‘ didn’t use to ’ and questions are formed with ‘ Did you use to …?’
There is no present tense equivalent of ‘ used to ’. To talk about present habits we use the present simple and an adverb of frequency (usually, always, often, never, etc.)
e.g. I often eat at the Japanese restaurant in the city centre.

‘be/get used to’

If you are used to something, you are accustomed to it – you don’t find it unusual. If you get used to something or you are getting used to something you are becoming accustomed to it – it was strange, now it’s not so strange.

• I found Slovak food very strange at first but I’m used to it now.
• I’m getting used to driving on the right.

Both ‘ be used to ’ and ‘ get used to ’ are followed by a noun (or pronoun) or the gerund – the ‘ ing ’ form of a verb.

• I can’t get used to getting up so early. I’m tired all the time.
• He’s not used to the weather here yet. He’s finding it very cold.

‘ Be/get used to ’ can be used with past, present and future tenses.

• You might find it strange at first but you’ll soon get used to it.
• He wasn’t used to the heat and he caught sunstroke.

1. Complete the following sentences with the correct form of used and the verb in brackets.

Example:

Tom______________ (take) the bus to go to work, now he walks. => Tom used to take the bus to go to work.

Sending emails to my grandmother is difficult. She isn't ___________a computer. => She isn't used to using a computer.

1. Caroline _______________ (have) a walk man, now she has an I pod.

2. We haven't seen Bob very often since he got a promotion. He's very busy. He ____________________(not be) so busy.

3. I've just got my first job. It's exciting but I'll have ________________(work)

regular hours.

4. It is difficult for Tom to drive in England. He ____________________ (drive) on the left-hand side of the road.

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

6. People from India usually find our food tasteless. They ________________________ (eat) spicy food.

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

8. English has become international. Businessmen ____________________

(speak) English at international meetings.

 

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

grandparents.

 

10. Maria _________________ (think) that she would never___________________

(live) in New York.

1. Complete the sentences with the correct form of used to/to be-to get used to, with the verb in brackets.

Example: The traffic doesn't bother me. I am (used to living) in the city. (to live)

1. Long ago people_________________ long distances on foot (to travel)

2. He has been living in France for many years now. He_____________ on the right. (to drive)

3. It took her quite a long time to___________________ spicy food. (to eat)

4. When I was young I_______________ tennis twice a week. (to play)

5. He's the boss so he____________________ the most important decisions. (to make)

6. If you go to live in the UK you'll have to___________________ tea. (to drink)

7. She____________ fitness classes but since the birth of her baby has hasn't got time.(to attend)

8. Women in this country__________________ the same rights as men. (to have)

9. In his country the climate is cooler. He has to______________ in a hotter climate. (to live)

10. Tom and Jane_________ very well - before Tom's mother came to live with them.(to get on)