GRAMMAR: TENSES IN NEWS-STORIES

Open the brackets using the correct verb-forms. Do not copy the sentences. The United States and Egypt (1 have) a long and close relationship for more than thirty years. The United States (2 provide) over one billion dollars yearly in military and economic aid to the Arab nation. Many Egyptians (3 criticize) the aid, saying it (4 directly, not reach) civilians. They also (5 not approve) of what they believe is American interference in their national concerns. In two thousand nine, President Obama (6 visit) Cairo and (7 make) a historic speech about a new beginning between the United States and the Arab and Muslim world. He (8 speak) about removing years of mistrust, finding common positions and relations based on shared respect. After the president’s talk in Cairo, Egyptians (9 increase) their expectations of the United States. However, none of the promises (10 keep). Ordinary people say that they (11 not see) any difference in how the United States deals with Arab dictators or the Palestinian issue since the Obama speech. The Gallup research organization asked groups of Egyptians this year about their opinions on several issues. The study found that more than half the Egyptians who (12 take) part in the survey (13 believe) that closer relations with the United States (14 be) a bad thing. Only one fourth of the Egyptians who (15 ask) said they (16 support) continuing the United States military and economic programs in their country. Political writer Atef El Ghamry says Egypt (17 be) now in a period when Egyptians themselves, not just the government (18 decide) foreign policy concerning the United States. It is clear that relations between Egypt and the United States will continue. But now many people (19 re-examine) the relationship. They (20 think) it is important that America change a lot of its positions.