Small Talks b

8/12/2019 Small Talks b

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A: This car is a very old model!

B: That might be true. But wouldn’t

you agree that it’s in excellent

condi t ion?A: I suppose you’re right.

How much is it?

B: Only 500 buck s.

A: You know, I’ve noticed that Good

old Rover isn’t as young as he

used to be.

B: I’m afraid you’re right. He has been very quiet recently, hasn’t he?

A: It’s true.

A: When will the next bus arrive from Boston?

B: It should arr ive any m inute now.

A: Any minute now?

B: Yes, accordin g to the schedule.

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A: I need your advice on something.

B: Sure. What is it?A: I’ve been offered a good full-time

job, and I don’t know what to do

about it.

B: Well , have you considered pu tt ing

the baby in a day-care center?

A: Hmm. I hadn’t thought of that.

A: I’m getting a little worried about

our English teacher.He should have shown up for class

by now.

B: Oh, I wouldn’t be concerned.

He must have got ten stuck in

traffic.

A: I don’t know. He might have … but then again, I’m not so sure. I’m

afraid something must have

happened.

B: Now don’t jump to conclusions.

I’m positive he’ll show up for class

soon.

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A: Which model washing machine are

you interested in purchasing?

B: I’m not sure. I might buy the cheap

one. On the other hand, perhapsI’ll buy the deluxe version.

A: Take my advice. Don’t buy the

cheap one! You’ll be disappointed.

B: Oh. Well, in that case, I’ll probably

buy the deluxe version .

A: You won’t be sorry.

A: What would you do if I told you I

was going to drop out of college?

B: Drop out o f col lege?

A: Yes, drop out of college!B: Well, I’d probably say you should

talk it over with yo ur parents before

you make a decis ion. Why?

You aren’t really going to drop out

of co l lege, are you ?

A: Well, it’s a possibility.

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A: What do you think the chances of

the transit workers going out on

strike?B: Probably not very good. There’s

not much chance of that happening.

A: Oh? Are you absolutely sure about

that?

B: Yes, I’m pretty certain. In fact, if we

went out on strike, I’d be verysurpr ised.

A: Good job!

B: Do you really th ink so?

A: Yes. Absolutely! You taught thatlesson very well.

B: I’m glad you approve.

A: As a matter of fact, I don’t think

I’ve ever seen a lesson given

better than that.

B: Thank you for saying so.

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A: Do you approve of the way I fly

the plane?

B: Well … Can I be frank with you? A: By all means. Please.

B: Well … In all honesty, I think the

plane could have been f lown a

litt le better.

A: You know … come to think of it

… you’re probably right. Please accept my apology.

I promise I’ll do better next time.

A: You know … perhaps it’s none of

my business … but you really

shouldn’t have taken yesterday

off without permission.

B: Oh?

A: Yes. I don’t know whatever

prompted you to do it, but taking

yesterday off without permission

was not a very good idea.

B: Hmm. You’re probably right.

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A: Doesn’t it bother you when people

kiss in public?B: To me, kissing in pub l ic is tacky.

A: It sure is.

A: They sure don’t give you a lot of

leg-room between these seats, …

B: What did you say?

A: I was just saying that they don’t

give you a lot of leg-room between

these seats.

B: Oh, yes. They don’t.

A: Are you going to raise taxes this year?

B: No, we’re not.

A: Are you positive?

B: Absolutely! There’s no way we’re going to raise

taxes.

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A: You know, I regret breaking up

with my boyfriend.B: Wel l, then why are you go ing to do i t?

A: I don’t have any alternative.

Evidently you’re not aware that he has

a drinking problem.

B: Oh! No, I didn’t know that.

That’s too bad. A: Yes, it really is. If he hadn’t a drinking

poblem, I might not break up with him.

B: Well, giv en the situation, I can see

why it’s necessary.

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A: Well done!

B: Do you really th ink so?

A: Yes. Without question!

You did that dance numberextremely well.

B: I’m glad you approve.

A: As a matter of fact. I don’t

think I’ve ever seen a dance

number better than that.

B: It’s nice of you to say so.





A: You know … I hate to say it … but

I really wish you hadn’t removed

the coffee machine.B: Oh? I’m sorry, but I guess I didn’t

see anything wron g w i th that .

A: But don’t you realize that as a

result of your removing the coffee

machine, employee morale is at an

all-time low?B: Hmm. I hadn’t thought of that.

If I had kn own that emplo yee

mo rale was go ing to be at an all -

time low, I wouldn’t have removed

it. Please fo rgiv e me.

A: I apologize for falling asleep in

class.

B: That’s okay.

A: You know, this is the first time

I’ve ever fallen asleep in class.

I’m really sorry.

B: Don’t worry about it.

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A: I’d like to apologize for behaving

rudely at your party last night.B: It’s all right.

A: I’m really sorry about it.

I hope you’ll forgive me.

B: Don’t worry about it. These things

happen.

A: You know … I think you hurt Dad’s feelings when you told him his

hamburgers were overcooked.

B: Hmm. I didn’t realize that. Do you

think he’s angry with me?

A: I don’t know if “angry” is the right

word, but it seems to me he’s alittle upset.

B: I feel terrib le.

A: Maybe you ought to apologize to

him. That might help patch things

up between you two.

B: Good idea! Thanks.

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A: It’s a shame this restaurant is so expensive.

B: I agree. I w ish it were cheaper.

A: Me, too. I was hoping we could eat

here tonight, but it looks like that’s

out of the questions.

B: I’m afraid so.

A: You know what I wish?

B: What?

A: I wish we had a newer car.B: I know. It’s too bad we don’t.

if we had a newer car, we

wouldn’t spend so much money

on repairs.

A: That’s exactly what I was

thinking.

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A: I keep meaning to ask you …

How are you enjoying your college?B: Do you want to know the truth?

A: Yes.

B: Well the truth is, I’m not enjoying my

co l lege at al l .

A: What a shame. I’m sorry to hear that.

B: I wish I cou ld change my major.

A: Why can’t you?

B: It’s not that simple. Changing my

major is very di f f icul t .

A: I’m sure it is. But don’t give up trying.

B: Oh, don’t worry. I won’t.

A: The stork is going to visit ourhouse very soon.

B: What does that mean?

A: Okay. Let me put it another

way.

I’m going to have a baby.

B: Oh, now I see.

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A: I’ve been meaning to ask you … How

are you enjoying your new job?

B: Do you real ly want to know?

A: Yes.

B: Well, the truth is, I’m not enjoying

my new job at al l .

A: That’s too bad. I’m sorry to hear

that.

B: If only I could c ommun icate wi thmy bo ss.

A: Why can’t you?

B: It’s not that easy. Communicating

wi th m y bo ss is very di f f icu l t .

A: I’m sure it is. But don’t give up

trying.B: Oh, don’t worry. I won’t

A: I could kick myself!B: Why?

A: I made a terrible mistake.

I forgot to fill up the tank

before we left … and now I

wish I hadn’t.

B: Oh! Do you mean to say we’re out of gas?

A: Yes, we are … and it’s all my

fault. If I hand’t forgotten to

fill up the tank before we left,

we wouldn’t be out of gas.

B: That’s too bad.

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A: Are you capable of running our

overseas operations?

B: Yes, I do .

A: Are you sure?

B: I have no doub t. I am capable

of runn ing you r overseas

operat ions.

A: What are you going to do next year?

B: I’ll probably go to law school.

A: Law school? Oh. Is that definite?

B: Well, I’m not absolutely positive.

But in all likelihood that’s what

I’m going to do next year.

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A: You know, I regret having to fire Mr. Smith.

B: Wel l, then why are you going to do i t?

A: I don’t have a choice. Perhaps you’re not aware that he was caught embezzling funds from the bank.

B: Oh! No. I wasn’t aware of that. That’s too bad!

A: Yes, it really is. If he hadn’t been caught embezzling funds

from the bank, I wouldn’t have to fire him.

B: Well, under the circumstances, I can see why it’s necessary.

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A: You know, I’ve been thinking.

B: What?A: I regret I didn’t start studying

English when I was young.

B: Really?

A: Yes. I wish I had begun when I

was about five or so.

B: Hmm . What makes you say that?A: Well, if I had begun studying

English earlier, I wouldn’t be

having so much trouble with

pronunciation.

B: Oh. I can understand why yo u feel

that w ay.

A: You know, I’ve been thinking.

B: What?

A: I’m sorry I’m so shy.

B: Really?

A: Yes. I wish I felt more comfortablearound large groups of people.

B: Hmm. What makes yo u say that?

A: Well, If I weren’t so shy, I wouldn’t

feel so uneasy at parties like these.

B: Oh. I can understand why yo u feel

that w ay.

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43



A: Nice day today, isn’t it?

B: Pardon me?

A: I was just saying it’s a nice day today.

B: Oh, yes it is .

A: Look at that man!

He’s cutting in line!

Don’t you just hate people who

cut in line?B: Yes. To me, cu tt ing in l ine is very

annoying.

A: It sure is.

A: The X-rays suggest that an extraction is

indicated.

B: I’m afraid I’m not following you.

A: Okay. Let me put it this way.

I’m going to have to pull your tooth.

B: Oh, now I und erstand .

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A: Your new sport jacket is a very

unusual color.B: What you’re really saying is you

don’t like it.

A: Now don’t read too much into

what I’m saying!

I didn’t say I didn’t like it.

I just said it was a very unusalcolor.

B: Oh.

A: Excuse me for interrupting, but

you have an important call on

line 5.

B: Thank you. Oh, wai t a minu te!

Did you s ay l ine 9?

A: No. Line 5.

B: Oh, ok ay.

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A: It’s disappointing the weather is so

bad …

B: I agree. I w ish it were better.

A: I think so, too. I was hoping we

could go to the beach, but it appears

as if that’s out of the question.

B: I’m afraid so. A: You know what I wish?

B: What?A: I wish it had snowed last night.

B: I know. It’s too bad it hadn’t.

If i t had snowed last nig ht, the

school wouldn’t have opened

today.

A: You can say that again!

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46



A: Now, regarding the merger with the State Street Bank …

B: Oh, by th e way, the new copy machine arrived this morn ing.

A: Oh, I didn’t know that. Now as I was saying, regarding the merger

with the State Street Bank, in my opinion, … B: Excuse me for interrupting, but I’m afraid it’s getting late.

I’ve really got to go now.

A: Oh. That’s too bad. We haven’t really had a chance to talk about

the merger with the State Street Bank.

B: I know. I’m sorry. Let’s continue the conversation soon.

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A: Do you want to go through with

this?

B: Yes, I do .A: Are you certain?

B: I’m positive.

I def in i te ly want to go through

with th is.

A: Is it going to rain?

B: No, it isn’t. A: Are you sure?

B: Absolutely! There’s no chance

it’s going to rain.

47

A: Forgive me for forgetting our anniversary.

B: That’s all right.

A: You know, this is the first time I’ve ever

forgotten our anniversay. I feel terrible.

B: No prob lem.

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A: I have some good news.

B: Real ly? What is i t?A: I was just named “Outstanding

Employee of the Year.”

B: Outstanding Employ ee of the Year?

That’s marvelous!

You mu st be exci ted.

A: I am.B: Well, congratulations! I’m very happy

for you .

A: Thanks.

A: I have some bad news.

B: Oh? What is i t?

A: My son and his wife have

decided to get a divorce.B: They did?

A: I’m afraid so.

B: Oh, that’s a pity!

You must be upset.

A: I am.

B: I’m so sorry.

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49



A: Which movie are you going to see?

B: I’m not sure. I may see “Moon over

Manhattan.” Then again, maybe

I’ll see “Dancers in Love.”

A: Take it from me! Don’t see “Moon

Over Manhattan”! You’ll be sorry.

B: Oh. Well, in that case, I guess I’ll

see “Dancers in Love.” A: You won’t be sorry. A: I’ve got to apologize for adding up your bill wrong.

B: It’s all right.

A: I really regret it. Please forgive me.

B: Don’t worry about it.

We all make mis takes.

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A: Could I possibly ask you to take

another picture of my Uncle Ben?

B: Sure. I’d be happy to. But I’m

afraid I don’t remember what he

look s l ike.

A: Oh, you can’t miss him. He’s

about your height, sort of heavy,

with curly dark hair.

B: Okay. I think I’ll be able to find him.

A: Thanks very much. I appreciate it.

A: What’s the possibility of getting

the job?

B: Pretty slim. I don’t think that wi l l happen.

A: Oh, Are you absolutely sure

about that?

B: Yes, I’m pretty certain. To tell

the truth, if you g ot the job,

I’d be very surprised.

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THESE ARE WONDERFUL PLACES TO PRACTICE YOUR ENGLISH!51



THESE ARE WONDERFUL PLACES TO PRACTICE YOUR ENGLISH!

Fly to Shogun Shores on Lake Lump

for sailing, swimming, water-skiing,

and tennis. The Sun Spot Motel is

clean and comfortable, far away from

the noise and rush of downtown.

Swing City is fantastic and fun. The

new Garden Hotel has 325 beautiful

rooms. It’s near the theaters,

museums, fine restaurants and stores,

and Fenway Park.

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The Snow Scene is a friendlyplace at the foot of Mount

Muddle. Our snow gives you

fine skiing all winter long …

also skating, climbing and

dancing shows in our great

discotheque.

the Pink Sands gives you thefinest food and service on

Blue Bay Island. The clear,

blue Caribbean waters are

great for sailing, fishing,

and swimming.

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CONGRATULATIONS…!

You’ve just finished studying English as a Foreing Language.

Now you are ready to go to

an Academy to study

English as a Second Language

Documents

Small Talks b