• Discourse Completion Practice

1. Supply an appropriate response to each of the following:

1. What are these books doing here? – …

2. How many times do I have to tell you? – …

3. These exams need to be graded. – …

4. What happened to the duster? – …

2. Supply an appropriate response to each of the requests taking into consideration the refuser’s status.

1. – We have an exam tomorrow but I don’t have notes from last week. I am sorry to ask you this, but could you please lend me your notes once again?

–

– O.K., then I guess I’ll have to ask somebody else.

2. As you know, I’ve been here over a year, and you’ve been pleased with my work. I really enjoy working here, but to be quite honest, I really need an increase in pay.

• … ………….

• Then I guess I’ll have to look for another job.

3. Superior: If you don’t mind, I’d like you to spend an extra hour or two tonight so that we can finish up with this work

• …………….

• That’s too bad. I was hoping you could stay.

3. Supply an appropriate response to each of the offers taking into consideration the refuser’s status.

1. You are at a friend's house for lunch.

• How about another piece of cake?

• ……………..

• Come on, just a little piece?

• ……………….

2. You have been working in a marketing company for some time. The boss offers you a raise and promotion, but it involves moving. You can't and don't want to go.

• I'd like to offer you an executive position in our new office in Glasgo. It's a great town. I know you've never been to Britain. And, a nice raise comes with the position.

• ……………….

• Well, perhaps you should give it some more thought before turning it down

4. Supply an appropriate response to each of the suggestions taking into consideration the refuser’s status.

1. You are at your desk trying to find a report that your boss asked for. While you are searching through the mess on your desk, your boss walks over.

• You know, maybe you should try and organize yourself better. I always write myself little notes to remind me of things. Perhaps you should give it a try!

• ……………….

2. Your are at your friend's. S/he offers you a snack

• Thanks, I've been eating much and I feel terrible. My clothes don't fit me.

• Hey, why don't you try this new diet I've been telling you about?

• ………………

• You should try it anyway.

3. In the middle in the term one of the students wants to speak to his/her language teacher.

• Excuse me, some of the students were talking after classes recently and we kind of feel that the class would be better if you could give us more practice in conversation and less on grammar.

• ………………

• O.K. it was only a suggestion.

5. Supply an appropriate response to each of the invitations taking into consideration the refuser’s status.

1. You are a top executive at a large accounting firm. Your boss calls you into his/her office.

• Next Sunday my wife and I are having a little party. I know it's short notice but I am hoping all my top executives will be there. What do you say?

• ………………..

• That's too bad. I was hoping everyone would be there.

2. A friend invites you to dinner, but you can't stand his roommates.

• How about coming over for dinner Sunday night? We're having a small dinner partry.

• ………………….

• O.K., maybe another time.