Here are the solutions to the exercises:
15 Rewrite the sentences expressing a wish.
1. Jenny doesn't want her sister borrowing her accessories all the time.
Jenny wishes her sister wouldn't borrow her accessories all the time.
2. Nigel regrets not attending Royal Ascot.
Nigel wishes he had attended Royal Ascot.
3. It's a shame that people don't always get along together.
If only people always got along together.
4. They don't know their way back to the hotel.
They wish they knew their way back to the hotel.
5. He would like to go to the cinema tonight but he can't.
He wishes he could go to the cinema tonight.
6. Cynthia didn't have enough time to make dinner.
If only Cynthia had had enough time to make dinner.
16 Read the speech bubbles and make sentences, as in the example.
1. I can't play tennis. I don't have a racquet.
I wish I had a racquet.
If I had a racquet, I would play tennis.
2. I didn't go to the Chocolate Fashion Show. I forgot to book tickets.
If only I had remembered to book tickets.
If I had remembered to book tickets, I would have gone to the Chocolate Fashion Show.
3. I forgot to invite my colleague to my party. Now she's upset with me.
I wish I had invited my colleague to my party.
If I had invited my colleague to my party, she wouldn't be upset with me.
4. My leg is broken. I didn't go skating with my friends.
If only my leg wasn't broken.
If my leg wasn't broken, I would go skating with my friends.
5. I can't afford to buy these earrings. They cost too much.
I wish I could afford to buy these earrings.
If I could afford to buy these earrings, I would buy them.
17 Fill in the gaps with would rather, prefer, or would prefer.
1. Jordan would rather Drake didn't tell anyone about the surprise party.
2. We would prefer enjoying the sights to lying on the beach when on holiday.
3. I would prefer to spend a little extra for the tickets if it means getting better seats.
4. They would rather stay home rather than go to the dance.
5. Patrick prefers steamed vegetables to boiled ones.
18 Put the verbs in brackets into the correct tense.
1. A: I always use black and white film for my photos. What about you?
B: I prefer shooting photos in colour as the images are more vivid.
2. A: Did David admit to breaking your camera?
B: No, in fact he acted as if he had never borrowed it from me!
3. A: Are you going to the company dance on Saturday?
B: I don't think so. I'd prefer to attend the charity benefit that's held on the same night.
4. A: I think you should forgive Ben for shouting at you.
B: Suppose he started shouting at you, how would you feel?
5. A: Isn't this ball gown amazing?
B: It is, but I'd rather not wear something so extravagant.
6. A: What time is it?
B: Almost midnight. It's about time we headed home.
7. A: We're going on a skiing trip next week.
B: You'd better pack some warm clothes.
8. A: How do you like your new flat?
B: It's nice, but I still wish I lived in a nice country house, though!
9. A: Do you watch the news every night?
B: Actually, I prefer listening to the news on the radio rather than watch it on TV.