Social conversation is important to help get to know people and to build relationships.
Part 1
Listen
Listen to this conversation and answer these questions.
- Do these two people know each other?
- Where are they?
Questions and answers
We use questions and answers to move a social conversation. Can you match the questions and answers? Listen to the conversation again if you need.
| Questions | Answers |
| Is this the first time you’ve been to one of these conferences? | That sounds great, thanks. |
| Have you been before? | I’m a technical manager for IWB. |
| What do you do? | No, I haven’t. |
| Why don’t we have a bite to eat and talk about it over lunch? | No, I came last year when it was in Budapest. |
Listen again
Listen again and follow the transcript.
A: Hi, I’m Julie. Is this the first time you’ve been to one of these conferences?
B: No, I came last year when it was in Budapest. I’m Susan by the way. Have you been before?
A: No, I haven’t. I’ve just started working in medical technology.
B: What do you do?
A: I’m a technical manager for IWB. I’m responsible for technical support in Eastern Europe. What about you?
B: Oh, I’m with BTC. I was in technical support, but I’ve moved into project management.
A: Maybe you could suggest a couple of useful sessions for me?
B: Yeah, sure. Why don’t we have a bite to eat and talk about it over lunch?
A: That sounds great, thanks.
Phrases
Let’s focus on the section of the transcript highlighted in yellow.
There are three parts:
- I’m with BTC. = this says what the present situation is
- I was in technical support, = this says what the past situation was
- but I’ve moved into project management. = this says what has changed
Now, use this structure to write a sentence about you that says;
- what your present situation is
- what your past situation was
- what has changed.
Part 2
Listen
Listen to this second conversation and answer these questions.
- Do these two people know each other?
- Where are they?
Questions and answers
We use questions and answers to move a social conversation. Can you match the questions and answers? Listen to the conversation again if you need.
| Questions | Answers |
| Did you have a good flight? | Paul hasn’t. |
| When was that? | He’s only been there for 3 or 4 months. |
| Has everyone else arrived for the meeting? | Not too bad. |
| How long has he lived there? | It was last year. |
Listen again
Listen again and follow the transcript.
A: Hi Brian. Did you have a good flight?
B: Not too bad, Peter. At least it was on time.
A: That’s good. I’ve had problems with RiteFlite in the past.
B: Oh? When was that?
A: It was last year, on a trip to Buenos Aires.
B: Really? I’ve always wanted to go there.
A: Well, we had a fantastic time apart from the flight.
B: Anyway, has everyone else arrived for the meeting?
A: Paul hasn’t. He called 20 minutes ago to say his train was delayed! It’s typical, isn’t it? The person who lives closest is the one who’s late!
B: Oh really? I thought he lived in Norwich.
A: Not any more. He’s moved to Richmond.
B: Ah. How long has he lived there
A: He’s only been there for 3 or 4 months. He moved because he wanted a shorter commute to work!
Phrases
Let’s focus on the section of the transcript highlighted in yellow.
There’s a question about an unfinished time:
- How long has he lived there?
The answer has two parts:
- He’s only been there for 3 or 4 month. = an unfinished time = the time he’s lived in Richmond
- He moved because he wanted a shorter commute to work! = a finished time = the time he moved
Here are two questions with the same structure:
- How long have you lived here?
- How long have you worked there?
Write answers about you.
Answers
Part 1
Julie and Susan don’t know each other. They are meeting for the first time.
They are at a conference.
Part 2
Peter and Brian know each other. They are colleagues.
They are at an airport.
Do you know the rules of making small talk? Watch our video.
If you have any questions or comments, leave a reply below.
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