Complete these extracts from the recording with the correct forms of the verbs in brackets. Listen and check (SB Page 22)
SACKED FOR BEING TOO OLD!
A university professor, Paul Ewart, has won an age discrimination claim when he was sacked after being told he was too old to do his job. Under age discrimination laws in the UK, it is illegal to discriminate in any way on the basis of age. Oxford University introduced a rule to say that senior staff had to retire the September before they were 69 in the hope of recruiting younger staff. Professor Ewart said he was previously told he could work until he was 69. The judge agreed and said Oxford had to give him his job back. He was awarded the sum of £30,000 compensation.
7.11 Complete these extracts from the recording with the correct forms of the verbs in brackets. Listen and check.
1. The university where he worked admitted that had made (make) him leave before he was 69.
2. But they agreed to let (let) him continue working until he was 69.
3. I’m not surprised the professor criticised them for sacking (sack) him?
4 Maybe they regretted agreeing (agree) that he could work for longer.
5 It’s a pity someone didn’t advise them not be sack(not sack) him for being too old.
Study the Grammar box and complete it with the verbs from the sentences in Exercise 4.
Reporting verbs
Reporting verbs are used to summarise what someone said. They follow these patterns,
• verb + that + clause, e.g. agree, deny, explain, promise, regret, suggest, admit
• verb + object + that clause, e.g. advise, remind, warn
• verb + to-infinitive, e.g. offer, promise, regret, 2. refuse, 3. agree
• verb + object + to-infinitive, e.g. encourage, remind, war, 4, persuade, 5. advise
• verb + gerund, e g. admit, advise, deny, recommend, suggest, 6. Regret
• verb + preposition + gerund, e.g. apologise for, 7. object to
• verb + preposition (+ object) + gerund, e.g. 8. insist on
• verb + object + preposition + gerund, e g. accuse sb of, congratulate sb on, praise sb for, warn sb against/about 9. criticise sb for
Rewrite the sentences in reported speech, using reporting verbs from the Grammar box.
1. Abeer. 'It was that man who stole the money!'
Abeer accused (him / the man) of stealing the money
2. Adel, 'I didn't break Ali's phone!'
Adel denied breaking I that he had broken Tim's phone,
3. Habib. I will help you with the boxes?
Habib offered to help (me/her/ him/us/them) with the boxes.
4. Laith. 'You should get more exercise, Hiba.'
Laith suggested getting / that Hiba should get more exercise.
5. Hamed, I'll always remember you!'
Hamed promised that he would always remember / to always remember him/her.
6. Nour. I hear you've got engaged, Dina. Congratulations!'
Nour congratulated Dina on getting engaged.
7. Reem. I'm really sorry I forgot your birthday, Dina.'
Reem apologised for forgetting Dina's birthday
