CONVERSATION IN THE GYM / BOOK SHOP / LIBRARY

A         IN THE GYM

A. Hello, my name is Jane and I’d like to ask a few questions about getting fit.

B. Hi Jane. What can I do for you?

A. I need to get in shape.

B. Well, you've come to the right place. Have you been doing any exercise lately?

A. I’m afraid not.

B. OK. We’ll give it slow start. Which type of exercise do you enjoy doing?

A. I like doing aerobics, but I hate jogging. I don’t mind doing some weight-lifting, though.

B. Great, that gives us plenty to work with. How often can you work out?

A. Two or three times a week would be good.

B. Why don’t we start with an aerobics class twice a week followed by a little weight lifting?

A. Sounds fine to me.

B. You’ll need to start slowly, and build up gradually to three or four times a week.

A. OK. What kind of equipment will I need?

B. You’ll need a leotard and some sneakers.

A. Is that all? How do I sign up for the classes?

B. You’ll need to enroll yourselves first and then you can choose which classes fit your schedule best.

A. Great! I can’t wait to get started. Thanks for your advice. No problem. I’ll see you in aerobics class!

B CONVERSATION AT THE BOOK SHOP

 

Pinky:                   Excuse me! Do you have Oxford Learner’s Dictionary of English?

Bookseller:         yes Madam! Would you like to have the hardbound edition or the Paperback edition?

Pinky:                   What is the difference? Can I see the book?

Bookseller:         The hardbound edition is priced hundred rupees more. There is, however, no difference in         the contents of the two editions. Here you are Madam. Please go through them yourself.

Pinky:                   Thank you. I shall take this paperback edition.

Bookseller:         Very well Madam, anything else?

Pinky:                   Thanks. Are you giving some discount on the purchase of books?

Bookseller:         Of course. We are giving a ten percent discount on the printed price of every book.

Pinky:                   That is really very good. Please give me this dictionary.

Bookseller:         Here is your packet, Madam. Please make the payment at the counter. Thanks for your visit.

Pinky:                   Thank you very much.

C CONVERSATION IN THE LIBRARY

 

Deepu :                I wish to borrow these two books, please.

Librarian:             Very well! Let me see! I can give you only this one. The other one is only for reference. You cannot take it home.

Deepu:                 I am sorry I didn't see the label on it.

Librarian:             you can sit here and refer it in the library itself.

Deepu:                 May I, then, borrow another book?

Librarian:             Of course, you may! You may take these three books, if you like.

Deepu:                 That will be better. I may , in that case, consult this book for some time and get the books issued later on.

Librarian:             Of course, you can do that.

Deepu:                 Thank you very much.

CAR LOANS/ LOTTO/ DESCRIBING A FRIEND

A Car Loans

John : Thank you for calling ICICI Car Loans. This is John. How may I help you?

Mary: Hi John: ! I am Mary, I’d like to know how I should go about applying for a car loan. What is the criterion etc?

John:Sure, Mary. You need to have a social security number. Your annual income should be $25000 or above. You need to have been employed at your current job for at least a year and you will need to provide proof of residence at your current address.

Mary: That sounds good. Thanks. What’s the next step?

John:You can take a loan of about twice your annual income. We have special packages, with interest rates from 10.5 percent to 14.5 percent, depending on the time period of the loan and the number of installments you wish to pay back in.

Mary: What is the time period of the loan?

Jon:You could choose any of the our payback plans, with the time period ranging from one to eight years, and three, six or twelve installments per year. If I could have your address, I will direct you to our nearest office.

Mary: Yes, sure. It’s Apartment 125D, Mission Apartments, South Avenue, Mumbai 200 004.

John: Oh, we’re just a block away from you, at ICICI Car Loans, 2 Floor, Hudson Building, South Avenue. Would you like us to mail the forms to you?

Mary: No. I’ll drop by your office today.

John: Is there anything else I could do for you Mary?

Mary: No, that would be all. Thanks.

John: My pleasure, Mary. Thank you for calling ICICI Car Loans and we look forward to a relationship with you.

B         Winning the Lotto

A.            Tom, take a look at this! This guy’s won ten million dollars in the lotto!

B.            What luck!

A.            What would you do if you won ten million dollars?

B.            Well, I know what I wouldn't do! If I won so much money, I wouldn't spend it. I’d put it in the bank!

A.            You've got to be joking! I’d make sure to spend at least the first two million having a good time and buying things I've always wanted. I’d definitely spend a lot of time traveling.

B.            Use your head! If you spent money like that, you’d soon have spent all your winnings!

A.            You are so boring! If you were in his shoes, you’d just put money in the bank!

B.            That’s right. I’m sure that the money lasts for the rest of my life.

A.            What use would that be, if you didn't have any fun?

B.            Oh, I have fun. I’d just be careful about how much fund I’d have.

A.            I can’t believe you!

B.            Well you know the saying ‘different strokes for different folks’!

C          Describing a Friend

A.            My friend Rich is coming to town next week. Have you ever met him?

B.            No, I haven'

A.            He’s kind of crazy, but a great guy.

B.            Yeah, why do you say so? What’s he like?

A.            He’s really hard working, but very much a loner.  He’s pretty talented and can do just about anything.

B.            Sounds interesting. Is the married?

A.            No he isn't.

B.            What does he look like? Maybe my friend Alice would be interested in meeting him.

A.          He’s tall, slim and quite good looking. I’m sure your friend would find him attractive. What’s she like?

B.            She’s outgoing and very athletic.

A.            Really? What sports does she like playing?

B.            She’s a great tennis player and also goes bicycling a lot.

A.            What does she look like?

B.            She’s kind of exotic looking. She’s got long dark hair and piercing black eyes. People think she is rather beautiful.

A.            Do you think she would like to meet Rich?

B.            Sure! Why don’t we hook them up?

A.            Great idea!

Cost of Living / Personal Documents

A. To talk about changes in prices.

 

• The price has gone up.
• It went up (last month/sharply/gradually)
• The cost of (food) is rising.
• There was a rise in price.
• In (summer) prices should go down.
• The cost of (this) went down (last year).
• The price of (oil) may drop.
• We had a drop in (salary costs).
• It was a sharp drop/ a slight drop.
• There was a fall in prices.
• Prices stayed the same.
• The cost of living will stay level.
• Prices are at about the same level.

B. Talking about living costs

 

• (Houses) are very expensive/cheap.
• We can/can’t afford (chocolate).
• It’s (not) hard/difficult.
• Some people find it difficult to cope.
• It’s very hard for (people on a pension)
• We’re better off/worse off.
• What’s it like in (your country)?
• How is it with you?

C. Talking about tax

 

• The government takes (30%) in tax.
• You have to pay income tax/sales tax.
• I pay (a third) in tax.
• (10%) of your salary goes for insurance.
• The taxes are high/low.
• There’s good social security/insurance.
• You get a pension at the age of 60
• How much do you pay in (income tax)?
• What are the taxes like?

TALKING ABOUT PERSONAL DOCUMENTS

D. To ask if documents are necessary.

 

• What document do I need?
• Do I need any documents?
• Are there any formalities?
• Do I have to have (proof of identity)?
• Do I need a (visa)?
• Is my (driving license) enough?
• Will they accept a (banker’s card)?

E. Describing personal documents.

 

• It’s my (driving license/birth certificate)
• It’s a (Swiss passport)/an (identity card).
• This is a (cheque book/credit card).
• They’re my papers.
• This is for (insurance).
• You can’t (get a job) without it.
• You must have (this).
• It’s valid until (June).
• It’s all in order.
• This is out of date.
• They’re all up to date.
• They’re all up to date.
• It expires in (June).

F. Organizing documents

 

• I need a form for (an exit visa).
• I want to apply for (a work permit).
• I must get a (tax form).
• My (insurance) is going to run out (in July).
• I have to renew it.
• I've lost my (credit card).
• I want to renew my (visa).
• I've lost my (credit card).
• I want to renew my (visa).
• I've got two passport photographs.
• This is a photocopy of my (birth certificate).
• How many copies do I need?
• I have/haven’t put my signature on it.
• Could you explain this form to me, please?
• I don’t understand this question.
• Can you help me fill in this form, please?
• Could you help me with this?

Daily Activities

A. Daily Activity: Dialogue

 

• What time do you get up?
• I get up at about six.
• What time is breakfast at your house?
• Breakfast is always at a quarter to seven.
• What do you usually do in the afternoon?
• We usually study or read.
• What do you generally do over the weekend?
• We generally enjoy sports and visit friends.
• Do you ever go to museums?
• I go every now and then.
• What kinds of things do you like to see?
• I enjoy seeing statues and old paintings.
• Do you watch television very often?
• Well, I sometimes watch it in the evening.
• Did you watch television last night?
• Yes, I did. I saw several good programs.
• Do you ever listen to the radio?
• Certainly. In fact, I listen practically every night.

B. When did you have lunch today?

 

• I ate at noon.
• Where did you have your lunch?
• I had it at Koshy’s Restaurant today.
• Did you have a good time at the party?
• We had a wonderful time.
• It was really a lot of fun.
• We ought to have another party like that soon.
• Did you work at home last night?
• Yes. I washed the dishes and cleaned the house.
• Did you do anything else?
• Yes. I listened to the radio for a while.
• Did you have a good time last night?
• Yes. I had a wonderful time.
• You’ll probably have fund tomorrow too.
• I’m sure I’ll have an excellent time.
• Where did you go?
• We went to a beautiful beach.
• Did you swim in the ocean?
• Yes, but we swam close to the shore!

C. What did you do?

 

• Where did you go after lunch?
• I went to the public library.
• Which one did you go to?
• I went to the one at 42^nd Street.
• What did you do last night?
• I watched television.
• Where did you watch it?
• I watched it here in the recreation room.
• Was the television program interesting?
• I thought it was very boring.
• What did your friends think of it?
• They were bored too.
• I went to a lecture last night.
• What was it about?
• Society and modern art.
• I wish I’d gone with you.
• We went to the movies the night before last.
• What did you see?

D. Where have you been?

 

• I've been to the movies.
• What did you see?
• I saw an Italian movie about life in Sicily.
• What places have you seen so far?
• I've been to almost all the museums.
• Have you gone to any parks yet?
• No, I haven’t. I haven’t had enough time for that.
• Let’s meet at your house tonight.
• O.K. That sounds fine.
• Let’s watch television for a while.
• All right, but let’s finish this work first.
• Oh, let’s not do the work right now.
• You’re just lazy, in my opinion.
• I can’t hear the television set.
• Why don’t you sit closer?
• I’m right beside it now.
• Why don’t you turn up the volume?

E. Evening Activities

 

• Let’s go the movies tonight.
• Fine. I don’t have anything else to do.
• What would you like to see?
• Why don’t we look in the movie section of the newspaper?
• Where are you going tonight?
• I’m joining to the political rally for Senator Smith.
• Sounds interesting. Can we go with you?
• Certainly. Meet me here at eight fifteen.
• Would you like to go to the concert with me tonight?
• Yes. Thank you very much.
• Would you like to go at about eight o’clock?
• That would be fine.
• What are you going to do tonight?
• I haven’t decided yet.
• Would you like to go to the movies?
• Can I call you and tell you later?
• Would you like to go to the movies tonight?
• I’d rather stay home and watch television.
• Are there going to be any good play on channel 4.

Living in an Apartment / a House

A. Talking About Home

 

• It’s in the city/the town/the country.
• I live in the suburbs/at the seaside.
• It’s near (Houston).
• It’s in a quiet area/a busy district.
• I live near a park/in Central street.
• It’s not very far from (the city centre).
• It’s near (the football stadium).
• Where do you live?
• What sort of area is it?
• Is it near (Milan)?

B. Describing the type of home

 

• We have a flat/a house/a room.
• It’s a (three-) room flat.
• It’s a flat/apartment is on the (third) floor.
• We rent a house/own our house.
• It’s got (three) bedrooms.
• It’s got (three) floors.
• There’s a (garden).
• It has a (garage)
• Do you live in a flat?
• Do you rent it?
• Have you bought it?
• Is it your own?
• How big is it?

C. Living in an Apartment: Dialogue

 

• Do you like your new apartment?
• Yes. I like the service in the building, too.
• Are there doormen and guards?
• Yes and the building is close to the shopping areas.
• What floor is your apartment on?
• It’s on the third floor.
• Is the building a walk – up?
• No. It has a small elevator.
• How large is your apartment?
• It has four and a half rooms
• Then you have two bedrooms.
• Right. A living room, a kitchen, two bedrooms, and a bath.
• Is this your apartment?
• Yes, it is.
• How many bedrooms do you have ?
• Two big ones and a small one.
• What’s co-operative apartment?
• In a co-operative, you actually buy the apartment.
• Just as you would buy a house?
• Yes. Then you only pay maintenance costs each month.

D. Living in a House: Dialogue

 

• Do you prefer a one-stair or a two-stair’s house?
• One –story, I think.
• I do too, because there are no stairs to climb.
• But one – stair houses take more land.
• Your house is very large.
• Yes. We have enough room for guests now.
• Our house is too small.
• You don’t have enough room, do you?
• Where’s the bathroom?
• The bathroom is opposite that big bedroom.
• Is this the kitchen?
• Yes. It’s a big kitchen, isn't it?
• I enjoy having a house in the suburbs.
• It’s wonderful to have trees and a big yard.
• The children can play outside most of the time.
• And it’s so much cleaner here than in the city.
• How much did you pay for your house?
• It cost eighteen thousand dollars and we've spent another two thousand on repairs.
• Did you have trouble getting a mortgage?
• No. We paid four thousand dollars, and the bank lent us the rest.

Talking About Cooking & Dieting

A. Describing a dish

 

To describe a dish, use:

• It’s (sweet/cold).
• It’s a (meat) dish.
• It’s cooked in (sauce).
• It tastes very good / spicy / rich
• Is it (fried)?
• How is it cooked?
• What does it taste like?

B. Describing cooking processes

 

• It’s (not) very easy / simple.
• You need (about a kilo of chicken).
• You cook it slowly, for about (forty) minutes.
• It takes (about an hour).
• You  put it in the oven/in the fridge.
• You fry it in a little oil or fat.
• After that, you add (pepper).
• The recipe says (two glasses of wine).
• What’s the recipe?
• How do you make (this)?
• How long do you (bake) it?
• Do you use (milk)?

C. Describing types of cooking

 

• It’s (French/Italian).
• It’s a typical (Indian) dish.
• The recipe comes from (Mexico)
• Where is this from?
• Is this a (Spanish) dish?
• What do you think of (Indian) food?
• Do you like (it)?
• What’s (Lebanese) food like?
• What’s a typical (Lebanese) dish?
• I don’t like (Japanese) food.
• I prefer (western) to (eastern) food.
• My favourite dish is (Chicken Manjurian)

D. Asking about daily diet

 

• _______________ Do you eat (eggs)?
• _______________ What do you have for (breakfast)?
• _______________ What’s a normal (lunch) for you?
• _______________ What do you normally do for (dinner)?
• _______________ Do you eat a lot of (pasta)?

E. Describing normal diet

 

• We usually have (three meals a day).
• We often have (eggs for breakfast).
• I don’t eat much (meat).
• They eat a lot of (fruit).
• They don’t eat a lot in the (evening).

F. Asking about dieting

 

• Are you on diet?
• Can you eat anything?
• Do you eat anything?
• Are you dieting?
• What are you allowed to eat?

G. Talking about dieting

 

• I’m on a diet.
• The doctor’s put me on a diet.
• I’m dieting.
• I’m trying to lose weight.
• I have to be careful of what I eat.
• I’m not allowed to (eat bread).
• I can’t (drink coffee).
• Is there any (salt) in this?
• I’m not allowed to have (salt)
• Does this have (alcohol) in it?
• I have to restrict myself to (600) calories a day
• How many calories are you allowed a day?
• How many calories are there in (this)?