Starting a conversation
1. Listen and complete these expressions you can use to start a conversation.
a What ………………… to at the weekend?
b How’s …………………?
c Did you ………………… last night?
d It’s …………………, hasn’t it?
e So, how …………………?
f Wow! …………………
Answer
a did you get up
b work going
c see the news
d been hot today
e are the family
f like your jacket
Transcript
a What did you get up to at the weekend?
b How’s work going?
c Did you see the news last night?
d It’s been hot today, hasn’t it?
e So, how are the family?
f Wow! I like your jacket.
1 …… 2 …… 3 …… 4 …… 5 …… 6 ……
Answer & Transcript
1 c 2 e 3 a 4 f 5 d 6 b
Transcript
1 Yeah, terrible, wasn’t it? I can’t believe all the damage that hurricane caused.
2 They’re all fine, thanks. Julie, that’s my youngest, has just started primary school.
3 Nothing much. I wanted to play tennis on Sunday, but the weather wasn’t any good.
4 Thanks! I bought it last Saturday. It was in the sale.
5 Yeah. Great weather for being outside. Shame I had to work all day!
6 It’s going well, thanks. I got promoted last month, actually.
Making small talk
1. Kerri, from Ireland, is at a party in a friend’s home. Listen to two conversations (A and B) she has with people she meets. Circle the correct answer.
Who …
a talks about himself? Tim / Nick
b responds to information? Tim / Nick
c doesn’t ask questions? Tim / Nick
d shows interest? Tim / Nick
e asks lots of questions? Tim / Nick
Answer
a Tim b Nick c Tim d Nick e Nick
………………………………………………
………………………………………………
Answer & Transcript
Nick’s conversation is more successful because he asks lots of questions, responds to information and sounds interested.
Transcript
A
Tim: Hi, I’m Tim.
Kerri: Hi, I’m Kerri. I’m a friend of Michael’s.
Tim: Right … Great party.
Kerri: Yes, it is.
Tim: I like the music.
Kerri: Me too.
Tim: I’m in a band, actually.
Kerri: Oh, really?
Tim: Yes, we’re quite good. Rock and roll.
Kerri: Hmm, really?
Tim: Yes, we play in pubs and places. I’m free tonight, though. There was a cancellation.
Kerri: I see. Oh, I think I see a friend over there. Nice talking to you, Tim.
Tim: Oh, right. Er yeah. Cheers, then.
B
Nick: Hi, I’m Nick.
Kerri: Hi, I’m Kerri. I’m a friend of Michael’s.
Nick: Me too. So, how do you know Michael?
Kerri: We work in the same department.
Tim: Oh, I see. How long have you worked there?
Kerri: Nearly a year.
Tim: Great. Are you enjoying it?
Kerri: It’s OK. Every day’s different you, you know.
Nick: Sounds good. Great party, isn’t it?
Kerri: Yeah, it’s really good.
Nick: Sorry for asking but … is that an Irish accent?
Kerri: Yes, I come from Dublin originally.
Nick: Do you? That’s great. They say it’s a really fun city.
Kerri: Yes, it is. Have you ever been to Dublin?
Nick: No, but I’ve always wanted to go. It’s not expensive, is it?
Kerri: Well, prices have been going up …
Understanding irony
1. Listen and complete conversation a and b
a
Emma: Oh no. It’s …………………!
Tony: Great. I was going to ………………… this afternoon.
b
Julie: It said on the news that ………………… are going to fall.
Frank: Really? That’s great. I’ve just bought a …………………
Answer
a raining; play golf
b property prices; new flat
a How do Tony and Frank both feel?
pleased ◻ relieved ◻ disappointed ◻ excited ◻
b When they say Great / That’s great, what do they mean?
‘How wonderful!’ ◻
‘Oh no. That’s terrible!’ ◻
‘I’m not interested.’ ◻
Answer & Transcript
a disappointed b ‘Oh no. That’s terrible’
Transcript
a Emma: Oh no. It’s raining!
Tony: Great. I was going to play golf this afternoon.
b Julie: It said on the news that property prices are going to fall.
Frank: Really? That’s great. I’ve just bought a new flat.
Answer
a 2 b 1 c 3
What a pity!
That’s marvellous!
How exciting!
Conversation a
Conversation b
Conversation c
Answer
What a pity! c
That’ marvellous! a
How exciting! b
5. Listen again. What does each speaker really mean?
a I’m pleased about that.
b How boring!
c What a disaster!
What a pity! ……
That’s marvellous! ……
How exciting! ……
Answer & Transcript
What a pity! a
That’s marvellous! c
How exciting! b
Transcript
a
A: Henry. Will you please hurry up? It’s nearly half past eight.
B: Sorry. I can’t find the car keys.
A: Oh, that’s marvellous. Now I’m going to be late for my job interview.
b
A: Is there anything on TV tonight?
B: Not really. Just a black and white film, and I think we’ve seen it.
A: How exciting. I don’t know why we bother having a television.
c
A: I’m full. I don’t want dessert, thanks.
B: Oh, what a pity. I’ll have to eat this chocolate cake all by myself.
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