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B GOAL Make Small Talk with New People
Listening
A 🎧6 Listen to two people meeting for the first time. Decide whether the following sentences are True (T) or False (F).
1. The speakers are at school now. T F
2. They are making small talk about homework. T F
3. Lisa hasn't met Mr. Carter before. T F
4. Ken studied with Mr. Carter last year. T F
5. This year, Ken is taking a class in Beginner English Writing. T F
WORD FOCUS
make small talk talk about things that aren't important
B 🎧6 Listen to the conversation between Maria and Nancy. Circle the correct options to complete the sentences.
1. The speakers are in ________________.
a. a restaurant b. an apartment building c. a park
2. They are making small talk about ________________.
a. the neighborhood b. food in the area c. their hobbies
3. Maria lives in apartment ________________.
a. 7A b. 7C c. 7D
4. Nancy has lived in the area for about ________________ years.
a. 3 b. 5 c. 10
WORD FOCUS
Remember that has is pronounced with a /z/ sound.
She has already watched that movie, so she doesn't want to see it again.
C In pairs, decide what the speakers will talk about next. Think of two more ideas for each conversation.
| PRONUNCIATION: Have or Has vs. Contractions |
| In statements with the present perfect, have and has are sometimes pronounced completely, but in informal speaking, contractions may be used. |
D 🎧7 Listen and repeat.
Have Contraction Has Contraction
I have I've she has she's
you have you've he has he's
we have we've it has it's
they have they've Peter has Peter's
E 🎧8 Listen and circle the sentences you hear.
1. a. I have never gone skiing. b. I've never gone skiing.
2. a. He has been to Colombia three times. b. He's been to Colombia three times.
3. a. Linda has taken a scuba diving class. b. Linda's taken a scuba diving class.
4. a. They have already eaten breakfast. b. They've already eaten breakfast.
5. a. We have had three tests this week. b. We've had three tests this week.
6. a. Michael has found a new job. b. Michael's found a new job.
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Communication
F Read the text.
English speakers often make small talk when they meet someone new. In general, small talk should make people feel more comfortable-not less comfortable so the topics should not be very personal. For example, "Which department do you work in?" is a good question at work, but "How much money do you make?" is too personal.
G Circle the topics that are good for small talk when you meet someone for the first time. Then add two more ideas. Compare your ideas in pairs.
family money religion school sports work __________ __________
H In pairs, read the situations. Choose a question to ask for each situation. Then, write and practice brief conversations based on the situations.
Situation 1 Min-Hee talks to Judy. It's Judy's first day at this job.
a. Are you new in this city?
b. Are you making a good salary here?
Situation 2 Andrei is from Russia. He talks to Eduardo at the International Students' Club. It's Eduardo's first meeting.
a. Where are you from?
b. Do you practice a religion?
Situation 3 Mark lives in apartment 104. He meets his new neighbor Lisa in the apartment building.
a. Do you like living here?
b. Are you married?
Situation 4 Liz is making small talk with another student in her class.
a. What was your grade on the test?
b. Did you think the test was difficult?
I With your partner, discuss the "incorrect" answers from H. Why do you think those questions might make someone feel uncomfortable? Do you think it's the same in Vietnamese culture?
✔️GOAL CHECK
Make Small Talk with New People
1. In pairs, write four good questions to ask when you meet someone new in the following situations:
• Situation 1: You are a new student in the class. You don't know anybody here.
• Situation 2: You are at the bus stop. Your bus will arrive in 10 minutes.
• Situation 3: You are waiting in line to buy movie tickets at a cinema.
2. Join another pair and ask and answer your questions. Are all of the questions good for making small talk?
Small talk on a beach
