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2. Your area has been having some very strange weather in recent weeks. Write a letter to your penfriend describing the strange weather and the effect it has had on your life. Write your letter.
LANGUAGE FUNCTIONS
Small Talk
After greetings and introductions, people usually talk about topics of general interest, such as the weather, local events, etc. This is called small talk. These topics can be discussed easily without knowing the other person well. They are very good conversation starters. Some good things to talk about with your new friend include the following: 1. The country you or the other person is from (What is it like? How
does it compare to other countries?). |
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2. |
What the |
other person is |
studying |
or |
has studies |
in |
college (What |
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you |
studying |
in college? What is your |
favourite |
subject? |
What |
do |
you |
want |
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to do after you graduate?) |
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3. The work |
that the other |
person does |
(What |
kind |
of |
work |
do |
you |
do? |
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Do you like it? What do you enjoy about it? How did you decide to go into teaching, programming, painting, electronics, etc.?)
4. The country you are visiting. 5. Your family. 6. Current events. 7. The weather. Topics may vary according to the situation, the people you are with. There are,
however, some subjects that you should not talk about, especially with someone you don't know well. These include the following:
1.How much money you have or make.
2.How much someone paid for something.
3.Sexual subjects.
4.Class, status or racial issues.
5.A person's age.
6.A person's weight.
These are very sensitive subjects because people take them very personally. Even though you do not mean to offend them, they may be upset if you ask questions about these subjects.
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How to Start and End a Conversation
Starting a conversation |
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Ending a conversation |
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Formal |
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- Excuse my / me asking, but... |
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- It's been very nice talking to you, but... |
- Sorry to trouble you but... |
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- I'm afraid I must go now. |
- Forgive me for asking, but... |
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-I'm sorry, but I'm meeting someone. |
- May I have your attention, please. |
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-I hope you'll excuse me, but... |
- Attention, please. |
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- Please, give my regards / love to ... |
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Neutral |
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-Excuse me, ... |
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- I'm sorry, I must be off now. |
-I'm sorry ... |
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- It's time I was going / off. |
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- May I ask you ... |
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- I've got to make a phone call, sorry. |
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- Please, remember me to ... |
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- Have a good holiday. |
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Informal |
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- Sorry, but... |
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- Sorry, I've got to rush. |
- Look here! |
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- I'd better be going. |
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- Just a minute. |
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- Bye for now. See you soon / later. |
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- Hey! |
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- Take care. |
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- Look, I really must be going. |
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Keeping a conversation going |
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Formal |
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- It's a nice day, isn't it? |
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- Yes, the weather is warm this week. |
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- How are things? |
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- All right, thank you. |
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- How are you feeling today (these |
- I'm very / fairly / quite well, thank you. |
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days)? |
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- I hope you are well. |
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- I'm afraid, I'm not feeling well today. |
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- Is this your first visit to ...? |
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- No, I've been to ... twice. |
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- Have you been to ... before? |
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- Yes, I was there last autumn. |
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- How do you like / find ...? |
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- I like it very much. |
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Neutral |
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- How are you? |
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- Fine, and how are you? |
- How are you getting on? |
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- All right, thank you. |
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- How are things (with you)? |
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- Pretty well. |
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- You are interested in ..., aren`t you? |
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- Thanks, and you? |
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Informal
- Nice day, isn't it? |
- Yes, lovely / beautiful / marvelous. |
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- Looks like rain, doesn't it? |
- Yes, horrible / awful / terrible / dreadful. |
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- Are you OK? |
- OK, thanks. And you? |
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- How is life? |
- Thanks, life is fine with me ... |
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- How are things? |
- Not too good, |
I'm afraid, a lot of work, |
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little free time |
and still less fun. |
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- Feel all right? |
- Oh, yes. |
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EXERCISES
1. VIDEO:
A.Watch the video “Please and thank you” and get ready to discuss it at the lesson.
B.Watch the video “Response to please and thank you” and get ready to discuss it at the lesson.
C.Watch the video “Saying sorry” and get ready to discuss it at the lesson.
2. Read the following illustrative dialogues and define the situations as formal, neutral, informal.
1.David: Hallo.
Jean: Hallo, David. How are you getting on?
David: All right, thanks. And how are things with you? Jean: Oh, more or less the same as usual.
2.Susan: Hi, Mary. How's life?
Mary: A bit hectic at the moment. I'm very busy at work and besides I've got my cousin staying with me.
Susan: I see. Well, don't overdo things. Mary: I'll do my best.
3.Mr. Jones: Good morning, Mr. Smith. Mr. Smith: Good morning. How are you?
Mr. Jones: Very well, thank you. And you? Mr. Smith: Quite well, thank you.