Showing interest

In this video, Bob tells Noelia about when he broke his leg. Listen to the language Noelia uses to show interest and practise saying the useful phrases.

Do the preparation exercise first. Then watch the video and do the exercises to check your understanding and practise the language.

Transcript

Ana: Hi! I'm Ana. Welcome to What to Say

Do you know what to say when you want to show interest? Listen out for useful language for showing interest. Then, we'll practise saying the new phrases – after this.

 

Noelia: Morning, Bob.

Bob: Oh, good morning. 

Noelia: It's so rainy today. The weather in this country is horrible!

Bob: Yes … yes … The weather was even worse when I lived in Canada.

Noelia: Oh, I didn't know that you lived in Canada, Bob. How cool!

Bob: One winter it was so cold and windy that I fell on the ice and broke my leg in three places.

Noelia: Oh no! You're joking!

Bob: I wish I was, Noelia, I wish I was. I was never the same after that winter. And my leg is still bad today.

Noelia: Really? I'm sorry to hear that. Poor you.

Bob: But it's not all bad. I met my wife in the hospital. She was the doctor who looked at my leg!

Noelia: No way! 

Bob: It was love at first sight! 

Noelia: Ah, that's brilliant!

Bob: Yes, and we're still in love 40 years later …  

Noelia: So in the end, breaking your leg was the best thing that could have happened.

Bob: Yes, I suppose it was!

 

Ana: Hello again! Aww, I love a story with a happy ending! So, did you notice the useful phrases used for showing interest? Listen to me and then repeat. 

 

Oh, I didn't know that you lived in Canada!

How cool!

Oh no, poor you.

You're joking!

Really?

I'm sorry to hear that.

No way!

That's brilliant!


Ana: Try and use some of these phrases the next time you want to show interest in English. Bye for now!

Discussion

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Worksheet116.44 KB

Language level

Average: 4.1 (47 votes)

Submitted by Tambur on Tue, 04/08/2020 - 11:00

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I never haven't broken arm or leg. But once time I fell with big tree and my body became blue

Submitted by Hussein Alattas on Sun, 02/08/2020 - 15:52

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Once upon a time while i'm playing football i obstructed and fell in the ground but the good thing, just my right arm broken. so the answer is yes i have.

Submitted by Andy_lotr on Thu, 30/07/2020 - 19:32

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Until now l've never broken any leg or arm. I think it must cause a lot of pain! My gramma broked her leg once and the healing process was tough; I believe the elderly are the most succeptable to fall and have a fracture.
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Submitted by Ivanox76 on Wed, 29/07/2020 - 21:30

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When I was child, once I was driving my bicycle, I lost the control of it and suddenly I was on the floor. both my wrists were broken, y I ended crying.
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Submitted by Hennadii on Fri, 24/07/2020 - 15:42

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I've never broken any legs or arm. Good for me )) But once I hurt my leg really badly. I happened in winter when I went skiing in the Carpathian mountains. We were there with my future wife (that was her first time on the ski), the weather wasn't good - too few snow. During the descent, I got caught on something and dramatically fell. My leg was almost broken (happily just almost but not completely). It became deep blue and swell that big. I spent about a month at home recovering and my leg continued to hurt for long three or four months.

Submitted by Phan Bao Dung on Tue, 21/07/2020 - 18:40

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No, I haven't. But I think it will really hurt if my leg or arm is broken.

Submitted by Min Htet Kaung on Sun, 19/07/2020 - 15:54

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In this conversation, I don't understand what Bob said. He said, "I wish I was, Noalia”.If it is translated directly, the meaning is different from the context.

Hello Min Htet Kaung,

What Bob means is 'I wish I was joking'. This is a common way of saying 'I wish that it wasn't true' -- Bob wishes that it wasn't true that he broke his leg.

Does that make more sense now?

All the best,

Kirk

The LearnEnglish Team

Submitted by Asni on Sat, 18/07/2020 - 11:57

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I broke my toe in the gym once. During a speed training excercise, my foot was stuck in between the mat tiles and I broke my toe. I couldn't put up with the pain. It was so strong. I hope it will never happen again!

Submitted by sofaraway on Thu, 09/07/2020 - 14:43

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I've broken my finger when I was on the beach, the sea was rough and I jumped into the water and a strong wave threw me on the cliff.