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Part B
Listen to Text: Small Talk Is Easy
Exercise 1:
Listening for general understanding
Listen to this tape once choose the right answer to each question you hear.
A: Mike, guess what?
B: What?
A: Carol just invited me to a party at her house on Saturday.
B: Carol? You mean the pretty girl in your economics class?
A: Yeah.
B: Great! I'm sure you'll have a super time.
A: I'm not so sure.
B: What do you mean, John? I thought you really liked Carol.
A: I do. But I don't know her friends very well.
B: So get to know them.
A: But I'm no good at small talk.
B: Small talk is easy. You can learn.
A: By Friday?
B: Sure. I'll coach you. You just have to remember a few simple sentences.
A: I don't know. I have trouble remembering things. Especially when I meet people. I get nervous.
B: Don't worry. John. You can do it. You just need a few tips.
A: But what if I say something stupid?
B: Relax. You won't. But even if you do, it's all right. Everyone makes mistakes.
A: Yeah, especially me! What if I'm boring? No one wants to listen to a bore.
B: Hey, you're not giving a speech. You're just having a conversation. So just talk about something you know they are interested in.
A: That's the problem. I don't know what Carol's friends are interested in.
B: Let them tell you. If you let people talk about themselves, they'll think you are interesting.
A: You mean something like, "So, tell me what you are interested in."
B: Well, you don't have to be that direct. For example, you can talk about the weather.
A: You can't be serious. The weather is boring.
B: It's a good excuse to find out what they like to do. On a rainy day, you say, "What do you do in such terrible weather?"
A: What if they just stayed home and read a book?
B: Then ask them about the book. You can ask if it was good. Ask if they liked it and why. Then talk about a book you really liked.
A: So that's what small talk is about, is it? Well, I'll give it a try. Thanks for the tips, Mike.
B: You're welcome. Have a good time at the party.
Questions:
1. What are the two speakers talking about?
2. What do you learn about John from the dialogue?
3. What is Mike doing?
Exercise 2
Listen for detail Listen the text once again and written down answer the following question
A: Mike, guess what?
B: What?
A: Carol just invited me to a party at her house on Saturday.
B: Carol? You mean the pretty girl in your economics class?
A: Yeah.
B: Great! I'm sure you'll have a super time.
A: I'm not so sure.
B: What do you mean, John? I thought you really liked Carol.
A: I do. But I don't know her friends very well.
B: So get to know them.
A: But I'm no good at small talk.
B: Small talk is easy. You can learn.
A: By Friday?
B: Sure. I'll coach you. You just have to remember a few simple sentences.
A: I don't know. I have trouble remembering things. Especially when I meet people. I get nervous.
B: Don't worry. John. You can do it. You just need a few tips.
A: But what if I say something stupid?
B: Relax. You won't. But even if you do, it's all right. Everyone makes mistakes.
A: Yeah, especially me! What if I'm boring? No one wants to listen to a bore.
B: Hey, you're not giving a speech. You're just having a conversation. So just talk about something you know they are interested in.
A: That's the problem. I don't know what Carol's friends are interested in.
B: Let them tell you. If you let people talk about themselves, they'll think you are interesting.
A: You mean something like, "So, tell me what you are interested in."
B: Well, you don't have to be that direct. For example, you can talk about the weather.
A: You can't be serious. The weather is boring.
B: It's a good excuse to find out what they like to do. On a rainy day, you say, "What do you do in such terrible weather?"
A: What if they just stayed home and read a book?
B: Then ask them about the book. You can ask if it was good. Ask if they liked it and why. Then talk about a book you really liked.
A: So that's what small talk is about, is it? Well, I'll give it a try. Thanks for the tips, Mike.
B: You're welcome. Have a good time at the party.
Speaking Tasks
Pair work
Listen to the dialogues and repeat after the recording. Practice the dialogues with your partner, playing the role of A or B, Then work with your partner to create your own dialogues by replacing the underlined parts with your own words.
Dialogue 1
A: My American friend has invited me to a weekend party at his apartment.
B: That's great.
A: But I've never been to a party given by a foreigner. I'm afraid I won't know how to act.
B: Relax. Just be yourself and act naturally.
A: I know. But it's easier said than done.
B: Well, let me tell you. First you should arrive there on time or a few minutes later, but not earlier.
A: Shall I bring him something?
B: Sure. It's nice to give him a small gift, but nothing too expensive.
A: Like what?
B: A bottle of wine or a small box of chocolates will do.
A: But I don't know his American friends. What should I say to them?
B: Why don't you get them to talk about themselves? Won't it be a super chance for you to practice your conversation skills with native speakers of English?
A: I guess you're right. Thanks.
B: You're welcome. Have a good time at the party
Dialogue 2
A: That's a beautiful song they are playing, isn't it?
B: Yeah, it's cool.
A: Do you like pop music?
B: Oh, yeah. What about you?
A: Me too. How do you like rap?
B: It's all right, but I'm not really crazy about it.
A: Neither am I. Do you often go to those big concerts?
B: Sometimes. I like listening to CDs better. I can't stand crowds of pushing people.
A: Yeah, I know what you mean.
