Lesson 8: I wish I could fly

Complete what Halima says with the words below. Then listen and check your answers.

Boy: Why don't you come with us Halima?

Halima: I can't go with you. I have to do my Maths homework.

Halima: I wish I knew the answer to this Maths problem. I wish I didn't have to study Maths at school.

If only I was good with numbers.

A. Look at Student's Book page 63 and complete the rule and the examples.

Wishes for the present

• We use (I wish or if only + the past simple tense) to talk about wishes for the present.
• I wish I had lots of money.
• If only I was/were rich.
• I wish I didn't need to work so hard.

Wishes for the future

• We use (I wish or if only + would/could) to talk about wishes for the future.
• If only Salwa would change the day of her party.
• I wish I could come to your party next week.

التمني للحاضر والمستقبل Wishes for present and future

لتكوين جمل تمني للحاضر استخدم (ماضي بسيط + I wish) مثل:

He wishes he knew more people in the town

I wish I had more friends

لتكوين جمل تمني للمستقبل استخدم (مصدر+I wish + would/could) مثل

I wish it would get cooler

B. Listen and match two wishes to each picture.

Presenter: one

Girl 1: I wish I didn't live in this noisy building.

Presenter: two

Man 1: I wish I could leave work early today.

Presenter: three

Man 2: I wish I had a torch.

Presenter: Four

Girl 2: I wish I had an umbrella.

Presenter: Five

Man 1: If only the room wasn't so hot.

Presenter: Six

Man 3: I wish I knew how to fix this car.

Presenter: seven

Girl 3: If only you could come here next month.

Presenter: eight

Man 3: I wish somebody would come and help me.

Presenter: Nine

Girl 2: I wish the bus would come.

Presenter: Ten

Girl 1: If only I could get to sleep.

Presenter: Eleven

Man 2: If only the moon would come out.

Presenter: Twelve

Girl 3: I wish you would phone more often.

A: 2,5.

B: 7,12

C: 4,9

D: 6,8

E: 1,10

F: 3,11

C. Now match these wishes to the pictures above. Write the letters in the boxes. Are they wishes for the present or the future? Write P (present) or f (future) in the second box.

1. I wish the Neighbours would stop making that noise. the picture (E), the tense (f)
2. I wish it wasn't such a dark night. the picture (F), the tense (P)
3. If only there was a garage somewhere. the picture (D), the tense (P)
4. I wish they would put air-conditioning in this office. the picture (A), the tense (f)
5. I wish you didn't live so far away. the picture (B), the tense (P)
6. If only it would stop raining. he pictures (C), the tense (f)