Four conversations

Listen to four conversations to practise and improve your listening skills.

Do the preparation task first. Then listen to the audio and do the exercises.

Preparation

Transcript

A

Man: How did it go?

Woman: Umm, I think it went quite well. I did a lot of research and prepared a lot. I was in there for ... I don't know ... half an hour?

Man: And? What did they say?

Woman: Nothing much. At the end I asked them, 'What happens now?', and the woman said, 'We'll call you back with news in three or four days.'

Man: Really?

Woman: Yeah, I think I've got the job. There weren't a lot of other people there. I was the only interview that day, you know?

Man: Well, good luck with it.

B

Man: Anyway, you were saying ...

Woman: Oh, yeah, um ... let's see. Yes, so I was in the museum and there were, I don't know, a hundred people waiting to get into the room. Finally, I got in, and I tried to see the Mona Lisa but I couldn't look at it.

Man: Why not?

Woman: Because the room was filled with people taking photographs of it!

Man: Oh, right.

Woman: Yes! And selfies.

Man: Wait a minute. You can take photos while you're in there?

Woman: Yes, but you can't use flash. I don't know ... Why do we take photos of everything we see when we travel?

Man: I know. And we never look at the photos after.

Woman: Exactly! I'm tired of always taking photos. I don't feel I'm enjoying things.

C

Man: Who took this?

Woman: I can't remember. Hmmm ...

Man: What am I doing?

Woman: You're sitting on the sofa, watching TV and eating chocolates. Nothing changes!

Man: Ha! Very funny. You look very young, though.

Woman: I know. Look at my hair – it was so long!

Man: Mine too, look at me! Hey … I think I know who took this photo.

Woman: Umm … who? Was it Dad?

Man: No, it wasn’t Dad or Mum. Do you remember Barry?

Woman: No.

Man: Yes, YES! You do remember. Barry, your boyfriend at high school. You were seventeen and he was sixteen and he was so very polite: 'Hello, I'm Barry. It's very nice to meet you ...'

Woman: Stop it! He was nice.

Man: Yeah, well, he took the photo.

D

Woman: Let's see. OK. I'm glad we could talk about this. It's not easy to say.

Man: What?

Woman: Well, you're not in our group – for the class project.

Man: What do you mean? You know I'm always in a group with you.

Woman: I know. It's just that this time … this time we made the group differently and because you were late ...

Man: I see. You don't want me in the group?

Woman: No, no. It isn't that. It's that we've already made the group, see? There's four of us already.

Man: So? We can't be a group of five?

Woman: Well, the teacher said four people per group.

Man: Oh.

Woman: It's not about you or your work or anything like that. It's ... errrr ... well, we already have the group.

Man: So I have to find another group.

Woman: I'm sorry.

Task 1

Exercise

Task 2

Exercise

Discussion

Have you ever had a similar conversation? What new phrases did you learn in these conversations?

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Language level

A2 Pre-intermediate

Topics

family and friends

conversation

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In my view, writing an essay or assignment for college and school is not very difficult. When I was a student, I wrote many essays. But in an academic research, it will be hard to write. There are many important things or points to be noted. First of all, we should be free from all kinds of judgments and should use academic norms and terminologies which maintain many different types of methods and epistemologic approaches from one field to another. Secondly, we should study hard to find a good theory that can explain our subject. Thirdly, we must collect a lot of data and analyse them based on our theory which is accepted by our research. Finally, after all these things, time is to make a deduction. We should carefully compare our data with our presumptions and answer to questions/ problem adequately. Indeed, writing an essay is not very difficult, if we have enough sources and time. We should work hard, and it will not be easy, if we don't want to sustain any discomfort.

Yes, I have. But my conversation wasn't in English. A few weeks ago, I looked at pictures that I took them when I was at the University. My brother asked many questions about them, for example. He said: you were a little overweight and so younger when you were in the University. I also explained some pictures of mine and my friends. I learned some, for example, I didn't know "I know" uses when we are going to say something or let's see, and so on.

Yes, l have had conversation like these before, with same difference. Hmmm, errrr, umm, these are new phrases for me.

Yes, I had the same conversation,

Yes, I have this type of conversation, especially after a job interview, and remembering people with a relative.

Hello, Every one has simular conversation. I wonder for people why they not enjoy the pictures. The art must be evaluate not take as photo. About my situations i often have as conversation C. Very rarely we look at the paper photo my is a lot of them gigital.

Yes, I’ve had a lot of Similar conversation. Interview, conversations with my friends about holiday, school issues and stuff... I learned new expressions like : no way, let’s see.

Yes,I had.I usually say “I see”, “Really?” and so on. I learned new phrases: “I mean …”, “No way!”.

Yes, I had. The new phrases I had learned includes: let's see, I mean, no way and I know.

i have ever had a similar conversation A. This is the first time i interviewed to get a job which was also first job in my life. She asked me in short time with some question such as " Have you ever gone to work?, why do you choose this job,..." and so on. At that time, i lied her that i have ever worked in coffee store about two week :3 Finally, i passed that interview. ( Can you correct my grammar? please ) Thanks