I haven't seen ... for years I have liked so much.
II
(I'm afraid) I don't like ...
I've never liked ..., (I'm afraid).
... is not one of my favourite ... I (really) hate ...
I think ... is pretty awful/really unpleasant.
I'm not (really) keen on ...
...is ... ghastly/rubbish ...
I can't say ... appeals to me very much.
I must say I'm not too fond of...
What a dull/boring ... Why, there's no ... in it.
Dealing with moods and feelings
Joy and enthusiasm: Great/That's great/Terrific. Good! Marvellous! Fantastic! How wonderful! How exciting! How thrilling!
Annoyance:
How annoying! What a nuisance! What a bore!
That's just what I needed!
I've just about had enough of...
I just can't stand ...
... is driving me crazy (mad).
Distress:
I'm worried I just don't know what to do ... I feel terrible. I've got a lot on my mind. I don't feel at all happy. I'm fed up. I can't take much more of this.
Indifference:
I can't say I'm interested.
I couldn't care less.
Please yourself.
I don't mind what you do.
The whole thing bores me to death.
Reassurance:
Cheer up. Take .it easy.
Don't you think you're over-reacting a bit?
There's no need to get so upset.
Don't let it get you down.
It's not as bad as all that, surely?
Oh, come on, it's actually quite interesting.
I see what you mean, but on the other hand ...
EXPRESSING OPINION
I think I'd much prefer to ... ; nothing like as good (bad) as ... ; that's what I thought... ; and that's another thing; there's much vaญriety in ... ; to be similar in ... ; there's a tremendous number of difญferences in ... ; to have much (little) in common ...
CHECKING UNDERSTANDING
Alright so far! Are you with me? Is that clear? Do you see what I mean? That's right. Now..., got that? Good! Now.... Fine! Now Sorry, but I don't quite see why you have to ... . Sorry, can you say that again, please? Sorry, but I'm not quite clear on ...
CONTENTS
ESSENTIAL COURSE
Unit One................................................................................................................ 6
Text: "Three Men in a Boat" by Jerome K. Jerome........................................... 9
Conversation and Discussion:
Changing Patterns of Leisure............................................................................ 24
Unit Two............................................................................................................... 36
Text: "Encountering Directors" by Ch. Samuels............................................... 39
Conversation and Discussion:
Man and the Movies.......................................................................................... 57
Unit Three................................................................................................................ 69
Text: "To Sir, with Love" by E.R. Braithwaite.................................................. 71
Conversation and Discussion:
English Schooling................................................................................................ 90
Unit Four................................................................................................................ 107
Text: "The Fun They Had" by I. Azimov........................................................ 109
Conversation and Discussion:
Bringing Up Children........................................................................................... 124
Unit Five................................................................................................................ 136
Text: "Art for Heart's Sake" by R. Goldberg................................................... 140