1. We (mend) sheets all morning but we only (do) three, and now the sewing machine (break) down so we'll be even slower with the next one.

2. George (collect) matchboxes ever since he left school. Now he (collect) so many that he doesn't know where to put them.

3. I (look) through my old photograph album. It's full of photographs of people whose names I completely (forget). I wonder what (happen) to them all.

4. It was lovely at eleven o'clock, but since then the sky (get) steadily darker and the wind (rise). I'm afraid the fine spell (come) to an end.

5. - Since he became Mayor, my brother reckons that he (eat) 30 official lunches and 22 official dinners, and he (lose) count of the number of receptions and parties that he (attend).

- He (put) on a lot of weight?

6. Secretary: Customers (ring) up all morning complaining about getting incorrect bills.

Manager: I know; something (go) wrong with our computer. The mechanic (work) on it. I hope he (find) out what's wrong.

7. Someone (use) my umbrella! It's all wet! And it was wet yesterday and the day before! - Well, it wasn't me. I (not be) out of the house for a week!

8. I (stand) in this queue for ages. It (not move) at all in the last five minutes. I think the man in the ticket office just (shut) his window and (go) off for lunch.

9. The Town Council (consider) my application for permission to build a garage for three months. They just (give) my neighbour permission to build one, so I hope they (decide) to let me have one too.

10. You look exhausted! - Yes, I (play) tennis and I (not play) for years, so I'm not used to it.

11. They began widening this road three weeks ago; but the workmen (be) on strike for the last fortnight so they (not get) very far with it.

12. That man (stand) at the bus stop for the last half hour. Shall I tell him that the last bus already (go)?

13. I wonder if anything (happen) to Tom. I (wait) an hour now. He often (keep) me waiting but he never (be) quite so late as this.

14. Mrs Brown (live) next door for quite a long time now but she never (say) more than 'Good morning' to me.

15. I just (remember) that I (not pay) the rent yet. I am surprised that the landlord (not ring) me up to remind me.

- It is the first time you (be) late with the rent in 25 years. He probably thinks that you (pay) and he (lose) the cheque.

16. Shop assistant: Could you give me some proof of your identity, madam?

Customer: But I (shop) here for fifteen years!

Shop assistant: I know, madam, but apparently the company (lose) a lot of money lately through dud cheques and they (make) new regulations which we (be told) to apply to all customers no matter how long we (know) them.

17. What you (do)? I (look) for you for ages. - I (build) a barbecue in the garden.