Elementary podcasts -> Podcast 03 Home -> Conversations
This page has the online practice materials for:
LearnEnglish Elementary Podcast Magazine No. 03
Section 1 - Conversations in English
You can listen online or download the podcast at Podcast 03 Home
You can also get print versions of the practice materials below in our Download Podcast 03 Support Pack (pdf file - 454 KB)
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"Is that a new shirt?" – Making comments on a friend's clothes
This section starts at the beginning of the audio file, immediately after the Introduction, e.g. when the counter on your audio player is on 00.20
Section 1 is based on the Introduction. This section looks at things we often say and do in friendly conversations.
Suggestion: One way to use this is to read the transcript, and then look at Tom's tip in this section. You can then do some exercises to help you to learn the common phrases. A good idea is to practise these with a friend who speaks English or is also learning English.
Transcript
Tess: You’re very smart today Ravi. Is that a new shirt you’re wearing?
Ravi: Yes - lovely isn’t it.
Tess: But you told me you’re trying to save money. You said “no more new clothes”.
Ravi: Well, I know, but, well, you know me Tess. I saw it in the shop and I liked it, so I had a look at it, but they didn’t have my size, so I thought oh well, never mind and then I looked again and they did have my size, so I thought, well I’ll try it on but I won’t buy it, and then I tried it on and of course it looked fantastic, and the shop assistant said it looked really good, and I still thought no, I won’t buy it, and then I looked at the price, and it was quite expensive so I thought, no I can’t buy it, and then the shop assistant said that it was in the sale – last week it was eighty pounds, but this week it was only forty pounds, that’s half price … so I bought it.
Tess: Forty pounds!! For a shirt!!
Ravi: But look at it - it’s a great shirt. We have to dress well now Tess – we’re celebrities.
Tess: This is a podcast Ravi! It isn’t MTV! Nobody can see you.
Ravi: Ah – that’s true, but I feel well-dressed, that’s the important thing.
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Tom’s tip 1
In the UK, it is common for friends to comment on each other's clothes. But you need to be friends. Sometimes it may not be appropriate to make these comments. The person may be embarrassed, or think that you are being too personal. At work, it may depend on your position in the company. Always be careful: watch the person to make sure that they feel comfortable. If they look at you strangely, it's best to stop!
Practice materials: comments on a friend's clothers - gapfilling activity
Tom’s tip 2
You need to be good friends with someone to ask questions about how much things cost. Notice that Helen doesn’t ask Stella “How much did the dress cost?”. She is more polite. She only asks “Was it very expensive?” Stella can then decide if she wants to tell Helen the price or not. If you want to be even more polite, you can say “I hope you don’t mind me asking” – it’s a very useful phrase!
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Now look at this summary of part of the dialogue between Helen and Stella: Without looking at the transcript above, can you remember the phrases that Helen and Stella used?
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Tells Stella she looks good. She asks if the dress is new. |
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Answers and asks what Helen thinks. |
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Answers and mentions the colour of the dress. |
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Says something else about the dress. Asks where Stella got it. |
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Talks about the shop and what happened. |
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Asks if the dress was expensive. |
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Says how the dress makes her feel. |
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Responds and then moves the conversation to another topic. |
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Now see if you can reconstruct the conversation between Helen and Stella.
Practice materials: Typing phrases into gaps in sentences
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Now you can practise the conversation with a friend, or you can write the dialogue in the space below:
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Comment on your friend’s appearance |
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Ask where your friend got X |
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Explain where, and talk about what happened |
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Respond and move the conversation on to another topic |
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Next:
Continue to: Practice materials: Section 2: I'd like to meet
Return to: Elementary Podcast 03 Home Page
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