Presentation 1.4. Developing and Controlling a Conversation.

Practice 1.1

Ex.7.1.1 Insert a suitable form of address in the blank space.

1. "…, I wonder if you could find time to read my paper?"(to a university professor, John Bridges)
2. "…, I have great pleasure in introducing Professor James, from the University of London " (to an audience)
3. "…, could you tell me the way to the nearest post office?" (to an elderly woman in the street)
4. "…, how nice to see you again after such a long time" (to your friend, Ella Smith)
5. "Yes, … , she is waiting for you." (to Nora Long, a visitor)
6. "Thank you … , I think I can manage by myself." (to a colleague Peter Miller whom you know only slightly)
7. "Yes, … , I'll try not to forget about it." (to a girl Alice Green, you do not know her well)

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Ex. 7.1.2 What would you say if

1. You want to ask the receptionist at your hotel a question but she is talking to someone else?
2. A man who has asked to look at your newspaper walks off with it?
3. You want to ask a question at a meeting?
4. You have an interesting piece of news to tell your colleagues?
5. You have to tell a group of conference participants about some changes in the programme?

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Presentation 1.2 Thanks

When a person is thanking or being thanked for giving help or a service, the following phrases can be used:

"Thank you" is used if someone has done something unimportant, something you could reasonably expect them to do for you like holding a door open for you, answering a question for you or doing some small service for you. In more formal situations you should use "Thank you very much". "Thanks" and "Thanks very much" are used to friends or people you know well.
Notice that for a simple service - something you could reasonably expect - anything stronger than "Thank you very much" can sound too strong. If someone does something important for you you must say something extra apart from "Thank you very much". For example you may add: "That is/was kind of you" and stress on "was" or "is".
The ways of thanking people will depend on the situation .You will learn some more phrases while studying the other parts of the lesson.

Practice 1.2

Ex.7.1.3 Reply with thanks.

1. Let me carry your bag.
2. Many happy returns of the day.
3. Here are the journals I promised you.
4. Good luck!
5. I hope you'll soon feel better.
6. I'll post your letter.
7. You can stay with us (when you come to New York) if you like.
8. Sit down, please.
9. Have some more coffee.
10. I've brought the papers you wanted.

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Ex.7.1.4 Reply to the following expressions of gratitude, taking the style (formal or informal) into account.

1. Thank you very much for your help.
2. Thanks for the lift.
3. Thank you so much for all you've done.
4. I don't know what I should have done without you.
5. Thank you for showing us the slides.
6. I'm very grateful to you.
7. It's very kind of you to see us at such short notice.
8. Thanks for letting me know.
9. I can never thank you enough.
10. Thanks a lot.

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Presentation 1. 3. Apologies.

The basic form of apology is "I'm sorry" or "I'm very/so sorry", which is more emphatic.
"Sorry!" is used after you have slightly inconvenienced somebody in some way. It is not a strong apology. If you really regret something, then you should use a stronger form: "I'm terribly /awfully /dreadfully sorry". Often if somebody says "Oh, sorry!", that you reply must be "Oh, sorry!" (for example, if two people bump into each other).

E.g. I'm /very, so, terribly, etc./ sorry/ for making such a noise.
to /keep,have kept/ you waiting.
I'm late.

When the person to whom we want to apologize does not yet know what has happened, the following phrases are often used:
I'm /very, so, terribly, etc./ sorry but…
I'm afraid but…

e.g. I'm terribly sorry /but I've broken a glass.
I'm afraid.

Either "I'm sorry" or "Excuse me (for)" can be used to apologize in advance for causing trouble.
e.g. I'm sorry to trouble /you, but could you come to the information desk?
Excuse me for troubling you...
Excuse me to bother /you, but these letters have to be signed...
Excuse me for bothering you...

"Sorry" is used to ask a person to repeat what they said. It can be used: because you didn't hear them or because you didn't understand them or because you didn't believe what they said.

In the same situation you can use "Pardon" or "I beg your pardon?" but the last expression sounds very formal and may be old - fashioned.

Some people use "What?" instead of "Sorry?" but it sounds a bit familiar. It is to be used between people who know each other very well - perhaps with other members of family or close friends.

"Excuse me" is the normal expression if you want to pass somebody in a crowd, on a bus, and so on. It is used after sneezing, coughing, yawning, etc..
"I hope you don't mind"…is used when one has done something without first asking permission.
e.g. I hope you don't mind, but I've been reading your newspaper.
"I'm afraid…" is used to apologize for something you aren't able to do. On the whole it is used in two main ways:

1) to say "No" when someone asks you something and show that it is not your fault:
e.g. A. Could you tell me the time, please?
B. I'm afraid not. I'm afraid my watch is broken.

2) to introduce a piece of information which you think the other person will see as "bad news" in some ways, but which is outside your control:
e.g. I'm afraid it's going to snow. I'm afraid I really must be going now. I'm afraid I clean forgot his address.
In formal apologies the verb "apologize" can be used:
e.g. I apologize for not letting you know earlier.
I do/must apologize for coming so late. Here are some possible replies to apologies:

Practice 1.3.

Ex.7.1.5 Match the opening phrases in column A with the responses in column B.

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Ex. 7.1.6 Reply to the following apologies, avoiding repetition as far as possible.

1. I'm sorry.
2. I do apologize for keeping you waiting.
3. I'm sorry to be such a nuisance.
4. I'm terribly sorry. I've forgotten to bring the article I promised you.
5. I'm sorry, I didn't quite catch your name.
6. I'm so sorry to cause you all this trouble.
7. I'm sorry to disturb you.
8. I must apologize for our secretary's rudeness.
9. I'm awfully sorry, but I've broken your pen.
10. Do excuse me for looking so untidy. I've been caught in a storm.

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Presentation 1.4. Developing and Controlling a Conversation.

When you speak to people in English, they don't usually worry if you make some mistakes. But it is important to sound friendly, interested and polite. Here are some ideas to help you.

1.4.1. Asking and answering questions
· Use indirect questions instead of direct ones.

Try to avoid asking personal questions. But if you have to ask a personal question, you can use the following phrases:
Excuse me for asking you, but are you married?
Excuse my asking but are you married?
I wonder if you could tell me about your family?
Would you mind telling me your telephone number?

When you don't hear or you don't understand information, ask again: Sorry, where do you (say you) live?

When you understand, show it: Right. I see.

Mix yes/no questions and open questions.
e.g.:

A: Are you from Spain?

B: Yes, that's right.

A: And where do you live there?

Use questions tags to invite others to agree with you, e.g.:

A: It's rather hot today, isn't it?

B: Yes, it is.
Question tags like this aren't real questions at all. A is not telling B anything new - they both know it is hot. A is asking for B's agreement, to be friendly and sociable and to make conversation.
There are two main kinds of tag questions: falling intonation on the tag,

e.g.: You are Spanish, aren't you? means " I'm sure I'm right - confirm this for me ! and rising intonation on the tag,

e.g. The meeting starts at ten, doesn't it ? means " I think I'm right, but correct me if I'm wrong! Give extra information when you answer questions. It is not polite just to say "yes" or "no".
Such replies usually show unwillingness to communicate.

e. g.:

A: Did you say you come from Ukraine?
B: Yes, that's right. I'm Ukrainian. I live in Kiev.
A: I don't think the weather will change for the better.
B: No, I'm afraid, it's unlikely. Judging from those dark clouds.

Practice 1.4.1

Ex.7.1.7
Make these questions into indirect questions, beginning with the words in brackets.
1. Where is the information office? (Could you tell me)
2. Can she speak French? (Do you know)
3. How does this machine work? (Can you explain)
4. Where are you going on holiday? (Have you decided)
5. What did he tell you? (Do you remember exactly)
6. Does she like ballet? (Have you got any idea)
7. Can you tell me about yourself? (I wonder if)
8. What's your address? (Would you mind telling me where)
9. Did you switch off all the lights? (Can you remember)
10 Can you fix the machine? (I wonder whether)

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Ex.7.1.8
Make up conversations using the model.
Model
A: My wife is a teacher.
B: Sorry. What do you say your wife is?

A: A teacher. She works at the primary school.
B: I see.

1. My daughter works in a hospital (which is not far from home).
2. My son is in the 11th grade (he is leaving school this year).
3. My sister studies psychology at the university (she is in her first year).
4. It was Professor Johnson who wrote that book (he wrote it five years ago).
5. Mr. Smith comes from Britain (he lives in London).

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Ex. 7.1.9. Complete the following conversations using one of the tags "has it , is it, isn't it , didn't it haven't we, doesn't it, was it "

A: Good morning. It's another lovely day, ________?
B: It certainly is. It wasn't as warm as this yesterday, ________?

A: No, it wasn't. It rained yesterday evening, ________?
B: Yes. The sunshine makes you feel good, _________?
A: You're absolutely right.
2

A: Good morning. It isn't very warm today, _________?
B: It certainly isn't. It hasn't been as cold as this for ages, ________?
A: That's true. We've had some lovely weather recently, _________?
B: Ah, well. Mustn't complain.

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Date: 2015-12-17; view: 916