Objective Proficiency p 11. Key and Vocabulary

Ex 3
a has gone = he is still there
went = he is no longer there
 


b has been suffering = ongoing situation, i.e. unemployment is still high
was suffering = continuous situation at unspecified time in the past
 


c were given = one specific instance in the past
have been given = task is ongoing
 


d have been dealing = continuous action that is not yet completed
have dealt = action completed, i.e. problem successfully handled
 


e No difference in meaning
 


f I’ve thought = focus is on the result, implies that a decision has been taken
I’ve been thinking = focus is on the activity, implies that person is still thinking
 


g could have done = past speculation
will have done = future forecast, e.g. ‘I’m writing up our annual report – is there anything else we will have done (by the end of the year)?’
 


h No difference in meaning, though the future perfect continuous tense is more common, as ‘living here’ is continuous and ongoing.

Ex 5 

1 have been continually transformed






2 being improved / improving / having improved /having been improved
 
immeasurably: /ɪˈmeʒərəbli/ too large, great etc. to be measured. E.g. Housing standards improved immeasurably after the war. Stress has an immeasurably more serious effect on our lives than we realize.

appliance: /əˈplaɪəns/ a machine that is designed to do a particular thing in the home, such as preparing food, heating or cleaning. E.g. electrical/ household appliances. They sell a wide range of domestic appliances—washing machines, dishwashers and so on. Modern heating appliances of all types.

commonplace: /ˈkɒmənpleɪs/ done very often, or existing in many places, and therefore not unusual. E.g. Computers are now commonplace in primary classrooms.

white goods: large pieces of electrical equipment in the house, such as washing machines, etc. 



3 was further stimulated / was stimulated further
 


4 would have been able to
evolve: to develop gradually, especially from a simple to a more complicated form; to develop something in this way. E.g. evolve (from something) (into something) The idea evolved from a drawing I discovered in the attic. The company has evolved into a major chemical manufacturer. 

sleek: having an elegant smooth shape. Sp. elegante. E.g. a sleek yacht. The sleek lines of the new car.



5 even have thought / have even thought

handheld: small enough to be held in the hand while being used. E.g. a hand-held camera.

6 be being used constantly / constantly be being used

desperation: /ˌdespəˈreɪʃn/ the state of being desperate. E.g. In desperation, she called Louise and asked for her help. There was a note of desperation in his voice.

keep up with: to learn about or be aware of the news, current events, etc. E.g. She likes to keep up with the latest fashions.

 

lie ahead/in store: to be going to happen to somebody in the future. E.g. You are young and your whole life lies ahead of you. She didn't know what lay in store.



7 have embraced / be embracing





8 have been depleted / be depleted 

deplete: [usually passive] deplete something (formal) to reduce something by a large amount so that there is not enough left. E.g. Food supplies were severely depleted. Wars in the region have depleted the country's food supplies.

time (alone) will tell/ only time will tell (saying) used to say that you will have to wait for some time to find out the result of a situation. E.g. Only time will tell if the treatment has been successful.