viernes, 21 de octubre de 2011


SOME USEFUL CHUNKS FOR INTERACTIONS


·         Thanking and apologising. Replies

Thanks, that’s very kind of you.
Thank you for a lovely weekend.
Thank you for helping me.
Thank you so much for all your help.

I’m so sorry. I’m terribly sorry.
I’m really sorry, it was an accident.
It was all my fault. I was a mistake.
It won’t happen again, I promise.
I didn’t mean to do it.

My pleasure.
Never mind.
It was no trouble.
Don’t mention it.
Don’t worry about it.
That’s OK

·         Giving advice

If I were you I would…
I don’t think you should do that.
You shouldn’t go to be so late.
My advice is to forget about it.

·         Warnings

If you don’t study harder, you’ll fail.
If you do that again, you’ll be sorry!
Be careful when you cross the road.
Watch out! There’s a snake near your foot.
There’ll be trouble if you go on like this.
Don’t shout so loud or you’ll wake the baby.

·         Suggesting

We could…
Why don’t we go sailing tomorrow?
How about working together?
Let’s go to the cinema.
Should we have a picnic?
Shall we take your car?
Do you fancy going to the disco?
I wouldn’t mind having a beer now, and you?
Do you feel like going fishing?

·         Asking for permission. Replies

May I come in?
Can I go out?
Could I borrow that?
Do you mind if I smoke?
Would it be OK if I…?

Well, I’m not sure.
No, I’m afraid you can’t.
Of course.
Yes, that’s OK.
Yes, I think so.
No problem.
Sure.
Go ahead.

·         Inviting, refusing & accepting.

Would you like to have dinner with me?
Will you come to my party?
Can you come to the bbq?

I’m sorry, I can’t. Some other time perhaps.
What a pity! I can’t make it. I’m not in the mood.
I don’t think I can.
Oh, I’m sorry, I won’t be able to.

I’d love to. What time?
Yes, that would be great.
Yes, I think so. When, exactly?
Yes, I’m looking forward to it.
Yeah, why not?
Terrific, let’s do that!
That sounds perfect.

·         Complaining

Excuse me but there is something wrong with…
I’m afraid the service wasn’t very good.
Could I have a refund please?
I’m not happy with…
There is a problem with…

Oh dear! Sorry to hear that.
Mmm, I see what you mean.
I’m sorry about the problem.
What happened exactly?

·         Saying you have no preference.

I’m easy. Whatever you like.
I really don’t mind. It’s up to you.
It’s all the same to me.

·         Agreeing.

I agree.
I really agree with you.
I think you’re right.
I couldn’t agree more.
I’m with you on this.
That’s what I think.
I think so too.
That’s very true.
You said it.

·         Disagreeing

I’m sorry, I don’t agree with that.
Well, that’s true but…
You have a point but…
I disagree with you.
I think you’re wrong on this.
No way!
You’ve got to be kidding.

·         Undecided

It depends on what you mean.
I’m not sure about that.
What do you think about it?



Preferences


Do you prefer… or …?
Would you rather…. or…?
I’d rather/prefer…
I prefer sailing to swimming.
I’d prefer to walk rather than
going by car.
As far as I’m concerned, I
enjoy… more.
Which seems better?
Which would you prefer?

Advice

Do you think we should?
What should I do?
What would you do in my place?
I don’t think we should…
The way I see it, you should…
If I were you, I’d…
Take my advice and….
I’d like your advice about…

Obligation

Do I have/need to…?
What do I have to do?
I think/I’m afraid you’ll have to…
You don’t need to/have to…
There’s no need.
It’s up to you.
Is it absolutely necessary?
What I am expected to do?

Plans

I’m thinking of going shopping.
I’m planning to get narried.
I’ve decided to…

Expressing surprise

Really?
That’s amazing!
What a surprise!
You must be joking!
No, I don’t believe it!
Are you serious? That’s incredible!

Expressing satisfaction

Great! Terrific! Fantastic!
How wonderful!
That’s awesome!

Persuading

Please, let me…
Go on!
Come on!
Please!
Just this one!
Just for me!



Disatisfaction or anger

… annoys me/makes me angry.
… makes me mad.
How annoying!
I can’t stand…
I’m fed up with…

Relief

What a relief!
Thank god for that!

Disappointment

What a pity/shame!
I’m disappointed
Just my luck

Excitement

How exciting!
Great!

Boredom

How dull/boring!
… is a waste of time.
I don’t think that’s very exciting
… bores me stiff

Optimism

Everything will be fine.
Everything’s gonna be OK

Blaming

It was your fault.
It wasn’t me
I had nothing to do with it.
It wasn’t my fault

Worry and fear

I’m worried about…
I’m afraid of…
There’s no need to worry
There’s nothing to worry about.
Cheer up!

Opinion

It seems to me…
From my point of view…
As far as I’m concerned…
In my opinion
The way I see it…
I believe that…
I reckon that…

Getting back to the topic

Anyway…
Where was I?
Where were we?
What were you saying?
You were saying…


Interrupting politely

Excuse me
Pardon me
Sorry to interrupt
May I interrupt?
Can I add something here?

Checking meaning

      If you didn’t hear

Pardon? What was that?
Could you repeat that?
I didn’t hear what you said.
I didn’t catch that.

If you didn’t understand

What do you mean?
I don’t really understand.
What’s the point of that?
Can you explain what you mean?

If you aren’t sure

Do you mean…?
I’m not sure what you mean.
I’m not with you
What do you mean exactly?

If you want to check

So what you’re saying is..
You’re saying you want…
Right, I’ll…, shall I?
So the way to do it is…

Conversation fillers

Um…
Er…
I mean...
Well…
Anyway…
It depends really


martes, 4 de octubre de 2011

GRAMMAR & VOCABULARY tests (to be completed before Thurs. 6 Oct.)

GRAMMAR
Tick () A, B, or C to complete the sentences.
Example: They ________ from Rome. They’re from Florence.
A not B aren’t  C isn’t
1 ‘Have you finished that report?’ ‘No, not ________.’
A just B already C yet
2 What ________ you do yesterday afternoon?
A are B did C do
3 I ________ in the park when it started raining.
A sat B was sitting C sit
4 ‘________ you ever been to the museum?’ ‘No, this is the first time.’
A Had B Has C Have
5 He couldn’t remember where he ________ his car.
A had parked B was parking C has parked
6 We ________ work tomorrow.
A haven’t to B don’t have to C must to
7 I ________ the gym on Thursday evenings.
A go usually to B always go C often go to
8 I put ________ salt in the pasta.
A a little B too many C a few
9 Hello! Come in. I’ve ________ made some coffee. Would you like some?
A just B already C yet
10 ‘I don’t want to rent a horror film.’ ‘________ do I.’
A Neither B So C Either
11 ________ in the sea makes you really strong.
A Swim B Swimming C Swiming
12 It’s snowing. ________.
A Putting your hat on B Your hat put on C Put your hat on
13 A key is a thing ________ you use to open doors.
A where B which C who
14 ________ to the basketball match on Saturday?
A Are you going B Do you go C Will you go
15 She ________ invite him if she didn’t want him to come.
A won’t B not C wouldn’t
16 I need some advice. What ________ I do?
A should B must C could
17 This castle ________ in 1600.
A was built B built C was build
18 I don’t have ________ money left, because I bought a new jacket.
A much B many C lots
19 He ________ me not to tell anyone.
A say B told C said
20 What ________ you do if she doesn’t reply to your email?
A will B would C do
21 Let’s order a pizza. We don’t have ________ to cook for dinner.
A nothing B anything C something
22 They’ve lived in the same house ________ forty years.
A for B since C ago
23 I ________ come and see you tonight if I can borrow Joe’s car.
A must B might C have to
24 I think this is the ________ song on the CD.
A better B most best C best
25 That case is too heavy for you. I ________ you.
A ’ll help B help C ’m going to help

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VOCABULARY
Tick () A, B, or C to complete the sentences.
Example: The film was really ________. I nearly fell asleep.
A exciting B boring  C funny
1 I ________ a lot more money in my new job.
A had B win C earn
2 The meeting is ________ 17 May at 2.00 p.m.
A at B on C in
3 Dan’s so ________. He pays for everything when we go out.
A lazy B mean C generous
4 I’m going to ________ a cake for Bill’s birthday.
A make B do C cook
5 It’s really sunny. Let’s ________ for a walk.
A get B go C have
6 ________ have black and yellow stripes on their bodies.
A Flies B Mosquitoes C Wasps
7 Excuse me, could I ________ on these jeans, please?
A get B take C try
8 My new camera doesn’t work. I’m going to take it ________ to the shop.
A away B back C on
9 The bus was so ________. I couldn’t move.
A crowded B modern C noisy
10 He won’t be very happy if he ________ his driving test again.
A misses B passes C fails
11 Tower Bridge goes ________ the River Thames.
A over B under C through
12 Did you ________ sightseeing in Prague?
A do B make C go
13 He ________ me if I could tell him the way.
A said B told C asked
14 I’ve bought a new ________ for the athletics competition.
A trainers B tracksuit C boots
15 Your ________ are cold! You should wear gloves.
A arms B legs C hands
16 Don’t be so ________! You’ll have to wait.
A impatient B untidy C mean
17 I look ________ my mother; we have the same eyes and nose.
A as B like C to
18 It’s ________ to run when the floor is wet.
A safe B dangerous C clean
19 I fell ________ the steps and broke my arm.
A along B into C down
20 This street is ________ at night – you can’t hear any traffic.
A clean B safe C quiet
21 Say ‘please’. You have to be more ______.
A rude B noisy C polite
22 A ________ has a very long neck.
A giraffe B kangaroo C bear
23 Can you turn ________ the radio? I want to listen to the weather forecast.
A off B on C down
24 Adrian asked me if I could ________ him some money.
A lend B borrow C take
25 I’m sorry I’m late. I ________ the bus.
A missed B left C lost

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Grammar and Vocabulary total 50