Workbook Informal Conversation

Informal Conversation
Workbook
Activity 1: Small Talk
Look at the phrases given below and put them in the appropriate blocks. Identify the correct
scenario in which it would be spoken:
1. That reminds me …
2. Really?
3. It was nice talking to you....
4. Excuse me, …
5. I see. We haven’t met.
6. I’m …
7. Will you excuse me?
8. Uh huh....
9. Ok, I must just …
10. I see that you have been waiting for a long time....
11. I’m afraid I’ll have to go.
12. [name] asked me to give you her regards.
13. I couldn’t help....
14. While we’re on the subject of …
15. I understand....
16. By the way, you …
17. You’re …aren’t you?
18. You must be … Right?
19. Talking of …
20. Hi, how are you doing! It’s good to see you!
21. Hello again...
22. To the best of my knowledge …
23. Really? Tell me more about it!
24. That would be great!
25. Thanks for asking, I’m fine, how are you?
26. Can you say it again, please?
Opening a Directing a Showing Interest Closing a conversation

conversation conversation
Activity 2: Exchange of Facts
Activity: Write down a few facts and inferences based on the picture shown on the slide
Fact Inference
Activity 3: Exchange of opinions

Activity: Identify the meaning of the phrases used in the conversation and justify your opinion
about the suggestion given by his friend.
Background: Rajesh works as a clerk at a department store, but he is unhappy with his situation. In
fact, he is really depressed. He has just come home from his job when Padma drops by to visit him.
Padma: Hey, Rajesh. You look really exhausted. What gives?

Rajesh: You don't want to know. I mean, I've been slaving away at my nickel-and-dime job just to
keep my head above water. [Really.] I mean some people think I'm a workaholic, [Who?] Well,
everyone, but I have to put in a lot of overtime just to make ends meet.
Padma: Well, why don't you ask your boss for a raise?
Rajesh: Huh? The last guy that did that got the ax, and he was in line for a promotion to supervisor.
Padma: Well, you just can't keep working your fingers to the bone for peanuts. [I know, but . . .] Hey.
Look. I have connections with a guy who works for a computer company, and he owes me a favor, and
he might be able to pull a few strings and' line you up for an interview.
Rajesh: What? You mean like the last job you helped me get, and then the company went belly up
after only a week? I mean fat chance. I'm not going to try selling electronic toilet paper dispensers
again. [Hey, that was cool.]
Padma: No, that was different.
Rajesh: Ah, man. Hey, thanks, but I'm still looking, and I'm not going to get my hopes up just because a
few other job searches haven't panned out. I'm going to look at my options.
Padma: Well, whatever you do, the only way you're going to get ahead is by getting your face out
there, an' you're sure to land a better job than you have now.
Rajesh: Well, I know. Exactly, if I can just get my foot in the door, then I can show my stuff, but I'm not
. . . . Absolutely not going to kiss up to ANYONE to get ahead.
Padma: Gotcha. Hey, I'll give my friend a call, and see if he can set up an interview.
Activity 4: Exchange of opinions

Activity: Look at the statistics give your opinion (Group activity)
1. Ten Expressions to Use in Speaking and Writing

2. In my opinion, this one would be better.
3. To my mind this one's better.
4. If you ask me, this one's better.
5. To my way of thinking, this one's fine.
6. In my view, this one is best.
7. Know what I think? That one's best.
8. I'd say that one's better.
9. What I think is that one's better.
10. For me, that one's better.
11. I'll tell you what I think, that one's best.
How to Use These Phrases in Your English-

'In my opinion' is the classic expression - but it's not the only one. Use moderately.
'To my mind' is a common spoken form - and you can use it in writing, too.
'If you ask me' is very, very common in spoken English, and can come first or last in a sentence.
'To my way of thinking' is often used with emphasis on 'my' to give a strong opinion. 'In my
view' is common in spoken and written English.
The abbreviated question '(Do you) know what I think?' is very popular and is not rude. The
conditional structure I'd say is rarely taught as a conditional, but this is one of the most common
ways of giving an opinion in English.
'For me' is like 2 and 5.
10 is similar to 6, and is quite direct.
Activity 5: Additional Activity

I did not create these problems, but these are my problems. Reflect your thoughts on what you
think are the problems of the Indian graduates.
Read the paragraph and develop a conversation expressing your opinion on this practice.
I ran into the hiring manager while he was working late last night and we struck up a conversation
about hiring. He told me he receives hundreds of employment applications online, and he utilizes a
software program that finds predetermined "key words" in an applicant’s resume and automatically
pulls eight applications for every one open position.
The hiring manager said he then google searches each candidate and checks their Facebook account to
see if there is anything there that would "lift an eyebrow." He said he has been known to drive past the
applicants’ house if pictures are not available, just to see if their homes are kept up, which he said is
important to him because keeping a clean home shows that the applicant is responsible and courteous
to the neighborhood. He had done a basic google search on me, which seems to be a relatively
standard background check on candidates. They do a standard background check for criminal records.
This includes your driving record too. Big shots get their taxes checked as well. I have to admit, hearing
this information took me off guard and I was surprised somebody actually does this.

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Informal Conversation

Activity 1: Small Talk

Opening a Directing a Showing Interest Closing a conversation

Activity 3: Exchange of opinions

Padma: Hey, Rajesh. You look really exhausted. What gives?

Activity 4: Exchange of opinions

1. Ten Expressions to Use in Speaking and Writing

How to Use These Phrases in Your English-

Activity 5: Additional Activity

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