How to make friends

There’s nothing wrong with enjoying your own company but if you want to make new friends, here are some suggestions.

1 d Join a club or a sports team: you don’t need to be good at sports to enjoy doing it.

2 The internet can be a great place to make friends. You can find people all over the world who share your interests. But be careful – not every person online is who they say they are.

3 You can talk to anybody – the person next to you on the bus or at the supermarket checkout. Make a comment about the weather or a request like ‘Can you tell me if the bus stops near the station?’ Then go on from there. Once in a while, you could make a friend!

4 When you talk to people, smile or say something nice about their hair or clothes. Show an interest in them.

5 This gives you the chance to get to know a person better. Give them your phone number or email address if you like them.

6 If they don’t get in touch with you, don’t worry. It doesn’t mean they don’t want to be friends with you. It takes time to make a friend.

a) Talk to people.

b) Invite them for lunch or a coffee.

c) Don’t put pressure on people.

d) Don’t stay at home.

e) Go online.

f) Be friendly.

9 Read the article again. Are the statements true (T) or false (F)?

1 You have to be good at sport to enjoy it. F

2 You always know who you’re talking to on the internet.

3 It’s a good idea to start a conversation with a comment about the weather.

4 People like it when you are interested in them.

5 You should never give your phone number or email address to people.

6 People should often phone or email you if they want to be friends.

Speaking

10 Match 1–8 with a)–h).

1 So, what do you do? e

2 How do you know Bruno?

3 It was very nice to meet you.

4 This is my teacher, Mr James.

5 I met Jeff’s girlfriend last weekend.

6 Would you like a cup of tea?

7 Why are you going to leave your job?

8 Lovely weather, isn’t it?

a) Nice to meet you.

b) No, thanks. I’m not very keen on it.

c) Because I can’t stand sitting in front of a computer all day.

d) We work in the same office.

e) I work for a computer software company.

f) Yes, it’s beautiful.

g) Really? What was she like?

h) Yes, it was. Let’s keep in touch.

11 Complete the conversation with the words and phrases in the box.

speaking ask her catch you back leave sure speak to number at the

A: Good morning. IT Solutions. Brenda ¹ speaking .

B: Good morning. Can I ² Ms Johnson, please?

A: I’m afraid she’s not here ³ moment.

B: When’s she coming back?

A: In about thirty minutes, I think.

B: OK, can I ⁴ a message then?

A: Of course.

B: Can you ⁵ to call Richard when she gets back?

A: Richard – right. Does Ms Johnson have your ⁶ ?

B: I’m not ⁷ . It’s 0779 136 583.

A: Sorry, I didn’t ⁸ that. 07791 …

B: 36583

A: Thank you, Richard. I’ll ask her to call ⁹ .

B: OK. Bye.

Writing

12 Underline the correct alternatives.

¹ Dear / Hello Mr Bates,

I read an article about your company in the newspaper ²but / so I’m writing to ask you for a job. I think I’d be an excellent employee ³because / and I’m very keen on working with computers. I don’t have any experience ⁴but / because I absolutely love computer games ⁵so / then I don’t mind making the coffee for you at first.

⁶Yours sincerely / Cheers,

Jonathan Brown

13 Write about the work/life balance of a person you know (or invent one). Use the ideas below to help you. Write 75–100 words.

Personal information/family

Job/working hours

Interests/social life/food/exercise

Weekends/holidays

Date: 2015-12-24; view: 1598