OFFERS AND SUGGESTIONS

TO OFFER
He offered me his help.
He offered to help me.
When we use 'offer smth to smb', we show that we are willing to do smth for smb or give smb smth. We may offer a person a cup of tea, or we may offer him our help, or we may offer to help him.
The verb 'to offer' is followed by an infinitive or a noun: to offer to do something;
to offer somebody something

TO SUGGEST
My friend suggested that we should go for a bicycle ride.
My friend suggested a bicycle ride.
When we suggest smth, we put an idea into the mind of the person we are speaking to. We may suggest a visit to the theatre, or we may suggest that smb should go to the theatre.
The verb to suggest cannot be followed by an infinitive. It is followed by a that-clause or a noun.
to suggest something;
to suggest doing smth;
to suggest that smb should do smth
Exercise 1. Fill in 'offered' or 'suggested':
Example: Mother suggested that I should take some medicine for my headache. or Mother offered to call the doctor.
1. a) Mary . . . . . to go to the Central Store and to do the shopping there.
    b) Mary . . . . . that we should buy Mother an umbrella as a present.

2. a) Pete . . . . . . that we should go to the cinema on Sunday.
    b) Pete . . . . . . to buy tickets beforehand.

3. a) Kate . . . . . . that we should send Helen a telegram.
    b) Kate . . . . . . to go to the nearest post-office.

4. a) The doctor . . . . . . his advice for a quick recovery.
    b) The doctor . . . . . . that the patient should go to the country for a month.


Exercise 2. a) Read and listen to these short conversations. Say what opinions are expressed in them.

Mike:  How about watching the boxing championship? Boxing is always so very thrilling to watch!

Ann:  I prefer to attend quieter competitions. I hate boxing. It's a rough sport, I think.

Alex:  There is a good sporting programme on television today. They are showing the International Boat Race. What do you say to watching it?

Tim:  I wouldn't miss it, though I'd prefer to attend it. The race is never the same on TV. I miss the noise and the excitement of the fans.


b) Report the conversations. Use 'suggest that somebody should do something'.
c) Say whether you prefer attending competitions to watching them on television. Why?


Exercise 3. Read and listen to the dialogues, then say what the boys and girls suggested; whether their suggestions were met with or without enthusiasm and why.

Dialogue 1:
Mike: What about going to the sports ground this afternoon? Our team will compete with another school in track-and-field events.
Joe: Not a bad idea. We'll have an exciting time, I'm sure. And we'll cheer up our boys and girls.

Dialogue 2:
Mary: How about arranging a performance for the anniversary party? We can prepare something special.
Lucy: That's fine. Everybody will take part in it willingly.

Dialogue 3:
Рaul: What do you say to practising tennis every day this week? Then we'll be better prepared for the tournament.
Bill: I don't care if we practise every other day. But I can't afford to devote all my time to tennis. Schoolwork comes first!


Exercise 4. a) Read these suggestions made by some boys and girls and say what they suggested:

Tom:  More television programmes should be devoted to sports.
Joe:  More pupils should join sports clubs.
Eliza:  More PE lessons should be introduced at school.
Jane:  PE lessons should be held only out-of-doors.
Bill:  Every boy and girl should learn how to play chess.

b) Say whether you are for or against these suggestions. Give reasons for your answer.
c) Continue the list suggesting your own ideas and discuss them.

TEST YOURSELF

I. Paraphrase the following sentences using "to suggest".
Example: You ought to read more books. - I suggest that you should read more books.

1. You should leave a message for your mother.
2. Let us analyze this chapter.
3. You should have the temperature taken.
4. Let`s set a school record in running.
5. You should stop cheating.
6. Let`s take advantage of the sunny weather to go to the countryside.

II. Make suggestions/offers using the words in brackets.

1. Your achievement is worthy of admiration.   (to be given the highest award)
2. He is too lazy.   (to force)
3. Ann is thirsty. Actually it's hot today.   (a glass of juice)
4. Helen failed at the latest drawing contest.   (to make an attempt)
5. Her pen is leaking.   (a pencil)
6. Steve`s got some problems with his video-camera.   (a camera)

III. Respond to the questions making suggestions/offers.
Example: - "How can I learn English?"
                - I suggest … (or The teacher suggests...)
                - Jane can offer you her English text-book and...

1. Where can I get new computer games? ________________
2. Where is my pen, I wonder? _____________
3. What kind of books should teenagers read? ____________
4. What shall I do with my insomnia? _____________
5. What do you plan to attend? ____________
6. Is there anybody in this library I can consult? ___________

IV. Write short situations making suggestions/offers with the following word combinations.

· a big yellow ball;
· to speak English every day to improve the language skills;
· to go shopping;
· an idea of holding ...;
· to make a fire to frighten away the wolves;
· a dictionary for a couple of days