Making conversation
1 1.1 Listen to some business people chatting at two of the corporate events
on page 5 and answer the questions.
Conversation 1
a   What's the connection berween Helen Keating James McRae and Alan Sullivan?
b   When Helen asks James 'Mind if I join you?', how does he reply?
N_a_a_. B_m_g_.
C    What excuse does Helen make for leaving the rest of the party?
d   Two of the following mean Thai can't Ik- true.' Which two?
You're joking!_       You're footing! I_i   You're kidding!
e   Helen and James use several expressions to refer to memories. Can you
remember the first three words of each expression? Contractions (it's, you're,
etc.) count as one word.
_ somewhere before? . me to forget a face. . recognised you. . back to mo now. rcmemlxT spending most of the
evening fighting off some creepy Hule guy trailed Alan.
Conversation 2
a   How would you describe relations between Mr Ishida and Mr Thompson?
warm LI   amicable I_I   cordial LJ   cool 1  I   strained \ 1   frosty U
b   Mr Thompson uses the word 'so" five times during the conversation:
So, Mr Ishida, let me freshen your glass.
So, boa' are you enjoying the match:1
So, tell me, have yon been to one of these big tournaments lieforc?
So, do you still play?
So. shall we return to our seats?
Why docs he need to use it so often?_
What's the equivalent word or expression in your own language?
Mr Ishida says he's too old to play table tennis now. Mr Thompson replies
'Oh, I'm sure that's not true.'
Is he: paying Mr Ishida a compliment5 LJ   calling him a liar? I Mr Thompson tries to use his background knowledge to keep the conversation going. Complete his remarks below.
I h_
I s_
_ you're quite a tennis fan.
_ the Japanese are world table tennis champions.
. the Nikkei's looking strong. That m_
news for you.
4    I r_somewhere thai things were improving. Or a_
I mistaken?
What word is Mr Ishida avoiding by saying the following?_
Not at the moment, thank you.   Not really.   Not esjxxially. Not any more.   As a matter of fact. ...
Iv good
Fluency     2   Work with a partner. Practise avoiding saying no'.
Prepare
• Write down eight false (but believable) statements about vourself, your job, your family, your interests, your company or your country. When you are ready, swap lists with a partner.
Play
• imagine the two of you are chatting at a conference or corporate event. Take it in turns to make wrong assumptions about each other using the lists as a starting point but adding remarks of your own if you can. e.g. I hear you're based in Rotterdam.
I understand you're o keen golfer.
I believe your company's about to be involved in a merger.
I read somewhere that Russia v/ili be joining the EU soon.
• Your objective is to get the other person to say 'no'. Their objective is the same. Use the expressions opposite to help you avoid saying 'no'.
• Whoever says 'no' first loses.
Useful expressions
• Not very.
• Not really.
• Not especially.
• Not exactly.
• Not yet.
• Not any more.
• Not at the moment.
• Not as far as I know.
• Actually,...
• Asa matter ol fact,...
Conversation 1
fad 1.2 Listen to some business people chatting at the other two corporate events on page 5 and answer the questions.
a   What sort of people are the Hamiltons? Compare your impressions with a partner._,__
b   IHit the words in the following greetings and introductions in the correct order.
1 Dan call please me
2 meet last to both pleasure at a you
3 mentioned name Julian's course your of
4   Fiona calling me mind do don't you you you?
We were just
C   It's common when someone joins a group at a party to tell them a bit about the conversation you've just been having. Complete the following:
talking      wondering      discussing      saying trying
_        what a marvellous paitv this is.
_these new tax laws they're bringing in.
_ _alx>ut you - how are things?
_what this pile of dirty laundry was doing in an art gallery.
N _to work out what this whole thing must have cost.
d   Why does Dan say to Alistair 'I wonder if we could have ;t word?' when they're already talking?___ , ,
e   All the expressions below mean I'm going'. Which also mean but I'm coming back'? Some of them were in the conversation you just listened to. It's lx*en nice talking to you. f ^   Would you excuse me a moment? _ ! I'll have to )>e going. I J I'll be right Ixick. ]
If you'll excuse me. LJ Is that the lime? i J
Don't go away. I I'll catch you later. L -
6   1 Business or pleasure?
1 Business or pleasure? 7