Exercise:

1. Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verbs in parentheses.

Natalie: Well, Alesya, I’m rich today. I (1. earn) some money from the paper round, I’ve got the money for the chores and I’ve got my pocket money, so I can waste a couple of quid. Let’s go and spend.

Alesya: What’s quid? Is it seafood?

Natalie: No, silly. It’s an informal word for pounds – our British currency. And what’s your currency – euro?

Alesya: No, it’s roubles – Belarusian roubles.

Natalie: I see. Where’s your purse?

Alesya: I don’t have a purse. It’s more convenient to have a wallet for keeping banknotes, coins and credit cards. Look!

Natalie: Let’s barter! I (2. give) you £1, if you (3. give) me one banknote with this beautiful building.

Alesya: But it’s not fair! It’s a huge amount of money.

Natalie: I see you (4. learn) quickly. Good for you! But why do you carry all this Belarusian money with you? …

In the afternoon.

Alesya: I’d like to buy this book for my dad – it’s about old coins. No, I can’t afford it. It’s too expensive. It costs £25!!! OK, I’ll buy that one instead. I can get it almost for free.

Natalie: Let me buy this book for you. I (5. save) to buy you a good present. Look, I (6. save) £50.

Alesya: Never! I don’t want any charity. And this book is not for me, it’s for my father.

Natalie: Let’s not argue, shall we? I’ve decided. I (7. lend) you this money, and you’ll pay me back when I (8. come) to Belarus….

In the evening.

Natalie: Look, Alesya! I’ve got only 1 pence left – just a penny. I (9. be) as rich as Croesus in the morning and now I’m as poor as a church mouse. I’ve got no cash! And the stuff I’ve bought for myself is such a waste!

Alesya: You must learn how to budget and cut down your expenses or you’ll have to make ends meet next month.

Natalie: Yes, you are right. I must be more responsible. Oh, I know! I (10. sell) my Barbie dolls collection on the Internet!

Alesya: Oh, Natalie…

1. Rewrite the following sentences using reported speech.

Natalie said, “I earn some money from the paper round.” Natalie said that she earned some money from the paper round.

Alesya asked, “What’s quid? Is it seafood?” Alesya asked what quid was and if it was seafood.

Natalie said, “It’s an informal word for pounds.” Natalie said that it was an informal word for pounds.

Alesya said, “No, it’s roubles - Belarusian roubles.” Alesya said that no, it was roubles - Belarusian roubles.

Natalie asked, “Where’s your purse?” Natalie asked where her purse was.

Alesya said, “I don’t have a purse.” Alesya said that she didn’t have a purse.

Natalie said, “Let’s barter! I’ll give you £1, if you give me one banknote with this beautiful building.” Natalie suggested bartering and said that she would give Alesya £1 if she gave her one banknote with the beautiful building.

Alesya said, “But it’s not fair! It’s a huge amount of money.” Alesya protested that it wasn’t fair and that it was a huge amount of money.

Natalie said, “I see you learn quickly. Good for you!” Natalie acknowledged that Alesya was learning quickly and praised her.

Alesya said, “Never! I don’t want any charity. And this book is not for me, it’s for my father.” Alesya refused the offer and stated that she didn’t want any charity and that the book was for her father.

Natalie said, “Let’s not argue, shall we? I’ve decided. I’ll lend you this money, and you’ll pay me back when I come to Belarus.” Natalie suggested not arguing and stated that she had decided to lend Alesya the money, and she would pay her back when she came to Belarus.

Natalie said, “Look, Alesya! I’ve got only 1 pence left - just a penny.” Natalie exclaimed that she had only 1 pence left - just a penny.

Alesya said, “You must learn how to budget and cut down your expenses or you’ll have to make ends meet next month.” Alesya advised Natalie that she must learn how to budget and cut down her expenses or she would have to make ends meet next month.

Natalie said, “Yes, you are right. I must be more responsible.” Natalie agreed that Alesya was right and acknowledged that she must be more responsible.

Alesya said, “Oh, Natalie…” Alesya sighed and said, “Oh, Natalie…”