Small talk — Workbook

Complete each sentence with a word or phrase from the box: How have you been keeping?, What have you been up to?, Anyway, So do I, Neither do I, Is that so?.

1. '___' — 'Not much, honestly. Work and sleep!'Show answer
2. 'I don't enjoy big parties.' — '___. I much prefer four people and a table.'Show answer
3. 'I love the market on Saturdays.' — '___! I go almost every week.'Show answer
4. '___' — 'Very well, thanks. And you?'Show answer
5. 'They're closing the old cinema.' — '___? That's a real shame.'Show answer
6. '___ , I really must be going — my bus leaves in ten minutes.'Show answer

Correct, rewrite or complete each item. Focus on the target grammar of this lesson.

1. I go often to the market on Saturdays.Show answer
2. She is late never for a meeting.Show answer
3. Usually we don't talk about politics with strangers.Show answer
4. Hardly I ever watch the news in the morning.Show answer
5. Write TWO true sentences about your small-talk habits using 'rarely' and 'now and then'.Show answer

Look back at the class-book reading. Answer briefly in your own words.

1. What is the '3-topic rule' in the reading?Show answer
2. Which topic does the text say almost always works, and why?Show answer
3. Which topic do you personally avoid in small talk? Why?Show answer

Helena and Pedro meet in the lift. Listen for adverbs of frequency and for the moment the topic is closed.

1. How does Pedro keep the conversation going?Show answer
2. Which frequency adverbs do you hear?Show answer
3. How does Helena close the conversation politely?Show answer

Write a 70–100 word small-talk dialogue between two colleagues in a lift. Use at least THREE adverbs of frequency and one polite way of closing the conversation.

Look back at your notes from class. Answer briefly.

1. Which part of this lesson do you already use naturally in English?Show answer
2. Which language point still feels difficult? Write ONE sentence you will practise this week.Show answer