1.Write down all the grammar tenses used in the text with the examples from the text.
2. Make a list of all the forms of the verbs from the text.
______
Wal-Mart.
Wal-Mart yesterday really surprised investors when it sounded a strong note of optimism. This optimism is a marked turnaround from three months ago when Wal-Mart warned about the strength of the recovery in US consumer spending.
Lee Scott, the CEO, said: "I am more optimistic about the year we have just started than I have been in several years. I am not only optimistic about the economy and the continuing strength of the housing market but also encouraged about Wal-Mart's position."
Mr. Scott was also encouraged by consumer spending which he said was driven by higher tax refunds and "eventually improvements in the job picture".
The world's largest retailer by revenues said fourth-quarter profits rose 11 percent to $2.7bn, or 63 cents a share, compared with $2.5bn, or 56 cents a share over a year ago. Revenues for the quarter increased 12.2 percent to $74.5 bn.
For the full year, Wal-Mart's profits jumped 13.3 percent to $8.9bn or $2.03 a share, up from $7.8 bn. Revenues increased 11.6 percent from $229.6bn to $256.3 bn. International sales were strong, contributing about $7bn to the near $27bn gain in overall sales.
Mr. Scott said Wal-Mart had a good year but the international division had an excellent year. He stressed that, while gross margin was better than originally forecast, the improvement was thanks to the mix of merchandise, not higher prices. "We are not raising prices and have no intention of doing so," said Mr. Scott.
Answers & Comments
surprised - Past simple
is am Present Simple
warned - PAst Simple
said - Past Simple
have just started -Present Perfect
than I have been - Present Perfect
was encouraged Past Simple passive
was driven -Past simple passive
rose - Past simple
increased - PAst simple
jumped - Past simple
was/were - Past simple
had - past simple
stressed - past simple
are raising - Present Continuous
Past participle:
marked
Gerund:
spending
contributing
doing