Time

A. Use the time clauses in the boxes to complete the sentences. Pay particular attention to the words that come before or after the time clause.

Part 1: One action or situation occurring before another action or situation

prior (adj-trước, ưu tiên) to • previously • earlier • formerly • precede (v-đến hoặc đi trước) • by the time

1. ______the advent of the Industrial Revolution, pollution was virtually (adj-hầu như, gần như) unheard of.

2. ______the army had restored order, the city had been almost completely devastated (v-tàn phá, phá hủy).

3. _____known as Burma, the republic of Myanmar is undergoing (v-đang trải qua, chịu đựng) a slow and painful political transformation.

4. A sudden drop in temperature will usually __________a blizzard (n-trận bảo tuyết).

5. It was my first trip on an aeroplane. __________I’d always gone by train.

6. The Prime Minister made a speech praising (v-ca ngợi) charity (n-từ thiện) organisations working in Mozambique. __________that day he had promised massive economic aid (n-viện trợ) to stricken areas.

Part 2: One action or situation occurring at the same time as another action or situation

while/as/just as • during/throughout • at that very moment • in the meantime/meanwhile

1. _________the minister was making his speech, thousands of demonstrators (n-người biểu tình) took to the streets.

2. ________ the speech they jeered (v-chế nhạo) and shouted slogans (n-khẩu hiệu).

3. The minister continued speaking. __________ the police were ordered onto the streets.

4. He finished the speech with a word of praise for the police. _________ people began throwing bottles and bricks, and the riot (n-sự náo loạn) began.

Part 3: One action or situation occurring after another action or situation

afterwards • as soon as / once / the minute that • following

1. _______ the earthquake, emergency organisations around the world swung into action (v-hành động mau lẹ).

2. ______ the stock market collapsed, there was panic buying on an unprecedented (adj-chưa từng có, ko có tiền lệ) scale.

3. The Klondike gold rush lasted from 1896 to 1910. _______ the area became practically deserted  (adj-hoang vắng) overnight.

B. Look at these words and expressions and decide if we usually use them to talk about (1) the past, (2) the past leading to the present, (3) the present or (4) the future. Try to write a sentence for each one.

for the next few weeks • as things stand • ever since • in medieval times

nowadays • from now on • back in the 1990s • over the past six weeks

over the coming weeks and months • in another five years’ time • one day

in those days • a few decades ago • lately • at this moment in time

at the turn of the century • in my childhood / youth • at this point in history

by the end of this year • for the foreseeable future • for the past few months

last century • these days • from 1996 to 1998 • sooner or later

Answers:

A.

Part 1:

1. Prior to (this expression is usually followed by a noun or by an -ing verb: For example: Prior to visiting the country, he had to study the language) 2. By the time 3. Formerly / Previously 4. precede 5. Previously 6. Previously / Earlier

Part 2:

1. While / As / Just as (While is usually used to talk about long actions. When is usually used to talk about short actions)

2. During / Throughout (During must always be followed by a noun. Throughout can be used on its own. For example: The concert was boring and I slept throughout) 3. In the meantime / Meanwhile (If these words are followed by another word, that word must be a noun) 4. At that very moment

Part 3.

1. Following (This word is always followed by a noun. We can also say after ) 2. As soon as / Once / The minute that (these words and expressions are always followed by an action) 3. Afterwards

B.

(1 - the past): in medieval times / back in the 1990s / in those days / a few decades ago / at the turn of the century / in my childhood / youth / last century / from 1996 to 1998

(2 - the past leading to the present): ever since / over the past six weeks / lately / for the past few months

(3 - the present): as things stand / nowadays / at this moment in time / at this point in history / these days

(4 - the future): for the next few weeks / one day / from now on / over the coming weeks and months / in another five years’ time / by the end of this year / for the foreseeable future / sooner or later