10. A few common expressions are enough for most telephone conversations. Practise these telephone expressions by completing the following dialogue using the words listed below.

Switchboard: Continental Equipment. Can I help you?

You: Could I ________ __________Mr Wilson, please?

Switchboard: Putting you__________.

Secretary: Hello, Mr Wilson’s secretary.__________ I help you?

You: ________, can you hear me? It’s a ________line. Could you ________ up, please?

Secretary: IS THAT BETTER? Who’s __________, please?

You: This is Bob Brown from TST Systems.

Secretary: Oh, hello. How nice to hear from you again. We haven’t seen you for ages. How are you?

You: Fine, thanks. Could you ________me ________to Mr Wilson, please?

Secretary: ________the line a moment. I’ll see if he’s in. I’m so sorry, I’m afraid he isn’t in the ________at the________. Could you give me your________, and I’ll ask him to ________you________?

You: I’m________495 3840. That’s London.

Secretary: Would you like to leave a _______for him?

You: No, thanks. Just tell him I________.

Secretary: Certainly. Nice to hear from you again.

You: I’ll expect him to________ me this afternoon, then. Thanks.

Secretary: You’re welcome. _______________ .

number speak bad

office hold good bye

rang message can

speak to ring on

call back speaking put through

hello moment through

11. Put the sentences below in the correct order. Some numbers have already been given to help you follow the line of the conversation. Role-play the situation.

9	I’m afraid there’s no answer. Would you like to leave a message?
	OK. It’s Wright, spelt W-R-I-G-H-T. And the first name’s Adel. That’s A-D-E-L.
	OK, Miss Wright.
	Compact Systems. Good morning.
	Good morning. Could I speak to Hillary Green?
11	If you give me your name, I’ll tell her you’re going to call.
	Thank you. One moment, please. I’m putting you through now.
	No, thank you. I’ll ring back later. What time do you think she’ll be in her office?
	OK. I’ll call back after 2, then. Thank you.
	It’s Mrs Wright, actually.
	Goodbye.
	OK, Mrs Wright.
	Who’s calling, please?
	The secretarial job advertised in last night’s paper.
16	So, what time should I call back?
	Thank you.
5	Thank you. And what’s it in connection with?
	My name is Adel Wright.
	Goodbye.
	She’ll definitely be in after lunch, at 2.