Describing People

A. Describing physically

 

• What does she look like?
• Is the grey-haired?
• What sort of clothes does she wear?
• She’s tall/slim.
• She’s the younger one/the one with brown hair.
• She’s got straight hair.
• She’s wearing a green coat.
• She usually wears a hat.
• She’s not good-looking/pretty.
• Is he heavily built?
• What does he wear?
• He’s medium height.
• He’s thin.
• He’s the older one.
• He’s the one with the fair hair.
• He’s got wavy hair.
• He hasn’t got much hair/He’s bald.
• He’s got a (brown) moustache/beard
• He’s wearing a brown jacket.
• He usually wears a hat.
• He’s (not) good-looking/handsome.

B. Describing by qualities

 

• What is he like?
• What sort of person is he?
• He’s friendly/pleasant.
• He’s usually rather quiet.
• He’s not easy to get on with.
• He’s good at listening to people.
• His main quality is his honesty.
• What sort of person is she?
• She’s sociable.
• She’s a calm person.
• She’s not easy to get on with.
• Her main quality is her friendliness.

C. Describing by position

 

• Is she married?
• Does she have any children?
• What’s her job?
• What does she do?
• She’s not married.
• She’s married to an engineer.
• She has two children.
• She doesn’t have any children.
• She works for the bank as (a cashier).
• She’s a (senior sales assistant).
• What does he do?
• He lives in our street.
• He’s married to a teacher.
• He works for the garage as a mechanic.
• He’s a senior sales assistant.
• He works under/over me.
• His job is something political.

D. Discussing feminism

 

• I think women are not oppressed.
• Women are well treated/badly treated.
• I agree/don’t agree with the feminists’ ideas.
• Women should/shouldn’t have more power.

E. Describing Children by age

 

• How old is he/she?
• It’s a baby.
• He’s/She’s about six?
• He’s a schoolboy/She’s a schoolgirl.
• They’re schoolchildren.
• They’re in their teens/They’re teenagers.
• The eldest is 20 and the youngest is 5.

F. Talking about school

 

• Where does he/she go to school?
• How are they getting on at school?
• He/She goes to school in the city.
• They (don’t) like/enjoy school very much.
• She gets on well at school.
• He’s good at mathematics.

G. Talking about hobbies

 

• Does he have a hobby?
• What does she like doing?
• He likes drawing.
• She’s very keen on modeling.
• She’s mad about football.
• She likes/loves pop music.

H. Talking about the future

 

• What’s she going to do/be?
• What’s he going to be when he grows up?
• Is he going to follow in his father’s footsteps?
• Are they going to university?
• He’ll leave school at 16.
• (I think) he’s going to be a chemist.
• She wants to be a vet.
• They’re hoping to go to university.
• She’s studying to be a teacher.

GETTING A CAR REPAIRED

A. To explain that something is wrong.

 

• It isn’t working.
• It’s not running properly.
• It’s broken down: It won’t start.
• There’s something wrong with the ignition.
• My car won’t start.
• Could you change the battery, please?
• Could you look over my radiator?

B. To say what you think is wrong.

 

• I think it’s the fuel pump.
• It may be the electrical wiring.
• The dynamo has gone wrong before.
• The battery is dead.
• The tyre’s flat.

C. To find out if it’s the right garage.

 

• Do you handle this type of car?
• Do you keep spares for this type of car?
• Can you do anything with it?
• Can you have a look at it?

D. To ask for recommendations.

 

• Is there a garage near here, that can do it?
• Is there a service station for this type of car near here?
• Can you recommend a garage/mechanic nearby?
• Do you know a garage/mechanic near here?

E. To ask how much and how long it will be.

 

• When can you do it?
• When will it be ready?
• Can you give me an estimate?
• How much do you think it will cost?
• How long do you think it will take?
• Can you give me an idea how much/how long?

F. To tell the garage when you need it.

• Can you do it immediately?
• I need the car tomorrow.
• I must have it by the weekend.

G. Car Repairs: Dialogue

• Could you look over my car?
• What’s the matter?
• Well, I don’t know.
• I can look at it now if you can wait.
• My car won’t start.
• Press the starter button.
• Nothing happens when I press the starter.
• Then your battery is dead.
• Could you help me for a moment, please?
• What can I do for you?
• Could you look over my radiator?
• I’ll check it after I help that other man?
• What’s your brother doing?
• He’s fixing the motor of the car.
• Does he need any help?
• I don’t think so.
• Could you look over my car?
• What’s the matter?
• Well, don’t know.
• I can look at it now if you can wait.
• Could you change my right tyre, please? It’s flat.
• Certainly. Do you want us to fix it too?
• Would you please?
• We’ll have it ready for you tomorrow morning.

H. Driving a Car

• Why don’t we park the car there?
• That’s a no-parking zone.
• There are parking meters in the next block.
• Let’s see if we can find a space there then.
• You’d better turn left at the next corner.
• I can’t – no left turn.
• Then we’ll have to drive around the block.
• It looks like it.
• You’re driving too fast.
• What’s the speed limit?
• It’s fifty miles per hour.
• Then, I’m under the limit.
• How do you like your new car?
• Great! I really like the automatic shift.
• Does it have power steering?
• Yes, and it’s got power brakes too.
• You drive very well.
• Thanks. I always try to be cautious.
• You are, but best of all, you drive very smoothly.
• Steady pressure on the accelerator and brakes is important.

Talking About English Speaking

A. Talking about yourself

·       

             want to learn English.

·         I’m trying to learn English.

·         I’ve been learning it for three years.

·         I did some at school.

·         I need it for my work.

·         I’m going to stay with an American family.

·         We have to learn English.

·         It’s useful/important/necessary.

B. Talking about difficulties

·         

S    Speaking is easy/difficult.

·         The vocabulary is not simple/easy.

·         I (don’t) find it very difficult to understand.

·         There are too many prepositions.

C. Talking about learning

·         

      What is the best way to learn?

·         How can I improve my vocabulary?

·         How do you think I can learn it?

·         I think the best thing is to read and listen.

·         You should try and speak to English people.

·         You should practice.

·         Do you want to learn English?

·         Yes, I do-very much.

·         Why do you want to learn English?

·         Because it’ll be useful in the future.

·         Then you must speak it.

·         Why must I speak it?

·         Because you want to learn it.

·         Do you understand the sentence?

·         I don’t understand it completely.

·         Did you understand what I said?

·         No, I didn’t. Would you please say it again?

·         Of course. I’ll say it again slowly.

·         That will help a lot.

·         Please write down what I say.

·         All right, but would you please speak very slowly?

·         Yes. Do you want me to spell each word too?

D. Talking about needs

·        

      I want to be more fluent.

·         I want to work on my pronunciation.

·         I’d like to get my grammar better.

·         I want to improve my reading.

·         My (reading) is all right, but not my accent.

·         My basic vocabulary is weak.

E. Talking about types of English

·        

       Is this good/correct English?

·         That’s too formal/informal.

·         That sounds polite/rude.

·         Is that friendly/rude?

·         Can I use this to a customer?

F. Do you Speak English?

·         

       Do you speak English?

·         Only a little, and not very well.

·         Do you know many words?

·         No, I don’t. Only the important words.

·         Does your brother speak English?

·         Well, he speaks a little English.

·         Do your sisters speak English?

·         Yes, they do. They speak it very well.

·         Can I help you?

·         What’s the matter?

·         I don’t speak English.

·         Do you need some kind of help?

·         Yes, but I can’t explain it in English.

·         Do you think English is easy?

·         No, I don’t.

·         Why don’t you think so?

·         Because I don’t understand it.

·         English is the hardest language in the world.

·         Why do you say that?

·         I can’t understand it or speak it.

·         But this is only your first day in the English class!

·         How do you pronounce this word in English?

Office Conversation

A. Talking about Jobs

• I’m a trainee.
• I work for a large company.
• I do the sales ledger.
• I’m in the accounts section.
• I’ve been there for six years
• I don’t like my job.
• It’s a good job/interesting/well paid.
• What do you do?
• What’s your job?
• What do you do for a living?
• Who do you work for?
• Is it interesting/hard work/well paid?

B. Talking about work routines

• We start at 8:30 and finish at 4:30
• We normally work from 8 till 5
• We don’t work on Saturdays
• We have forty minutes for lunch
• I do a lot of travelling.
• I spend a lot of time on paper work.
• We are busy at the end of the month.
• We get four weeks holiday a year.
• Where do you work?

C. Talking about personnel

• My boss is the sales manager.
• I work under him.
• There are six of us in my department.
• The others are mostly women.
• It’s a (friendly) department/section.
• There are 600 people in all.
• The company has 600 employees.
• (He’s) out of work/unemployed.
• There are a thousand skilled workers here.
• She’s looking for a job.

D. Talking about Quitting and Finding Jobs

• How did you find your new job?
• I went to an employment agency
• Was it worth it to do it that way?
• Yes. They were able to get me something good right away.
• I think I’m going to change jobs.
• What do you want to do that for?
• There’s not enough chance to get ahead here.
• But don’t forget you’re getting a pretty good salary.
• Did it take you long to apply for a job?
• Too long in my opinion.
• What did you have to do?
• Speak to people, fill out forms, and wait.
• Is Mary going to quit  her job next month?
• No. She’s going to quit next April.
• Are her parents going to support her then?
• No. She isn’t going to ask them for any money.

E. Office Conversations

• Do you receive many enquiries about your product?
• Yes. There are a good number every day.
• You can’t answer all of them personally, can you?
• No. Unless they’re obviously important, we send back a formal letter.
• What did you spend all your time on today?
• Checking the annual report.
• Was everything in it all right?
• No. I discovered several errors.
• How is the mail handled?
• The executive secretary opens it and sorts it out.
• Is any record kept of incoming mail?
• Yes. Everything is entered in the mail register.
• I’d like to dictate a letter to the Reliance Company.
• Just a moment please, while I get my shorthand notepad.
• Would you also bring me the previous correspondence with them?
• I’ve already placed the file on your desk.

Talking About School

A. Talking about the system

• It’s a Vocational training school.
• It specializes in technical subjects.
• There are 700 pupils/students.
• It’s quite big/not very big.
• We follow trimester system.
• There are three terms a year.
• You can leave school at 16.
• You can start college at 17.
• We start at 8:30 and go on till 1:30
• We have Saturdays off.
• We work a half day on Wednesdays.
• We go to lessons/lectures.
• We (don’t) have to work very hard.
• We (don’t) do a lot of sport.
• We have a lot of homework.

B. Talking about exams

• He’s taking an exam in June
• We’re working for our exams.
• It’s a school leaving certificate.
• It’s for a diploma.
• The exams are hard/easy.
• Last year, I failed/passed.
• You need it to get a good job.

C. Talking about subjects

• We study physics.
• I find math’s easy/difficult…
• She’s not good at languages
• We’re not taught art.
• My favourite subject is/was history
• I like/liked chemistry.
• We started a new subject is/was history
• We haven’t the facilities for sport.
• She’s not a good teacher/lectures on art
• She’s not very strict.

D. About School: Dialogue

• Does Mary madam teach every day?
• No. Only Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
• Is the teaching right now?
• No, she isn’t. She’s working in her office.
• Why doesn’t Jim practice anymore?
• He doesn’t have much free time.
• He used to have a lot of free time, didn’t he?
• Yes, he did, but now he’s going to school every night.
• What are you studying this semester?
• Science, English, and Math.
• Which do you like best?
• English really interests me the most.
• Not all students learn their lessons meticulously.
• Well, I do mine.
• But your brother often does his at the last moment.
• And my sister always does hers a day late.
• How come you aren’t at school today?
• There aren’t any classes this week.
• Well, how come there aren’t any classes?
• This is our spring vacation.

E. Going to School

• I’m worried about my school work.
• What’s the problem?
• I think I’m going to fail the examinations.
• Maybe you won’t if you have more confidence.
• What are you going to study at the University?
• Probably Physics and English.
• You’ll have to work hard.
• Yes. I’ve heard that it’s a difficult school.
• What did you apply for?
• I applied for a scholarship.
• What school did you apply to?
• I applied for a scholarship.
• What school did you apply to?
• I applied to Oxemberg College.
• I understand the boys’ applications were turned down.
• Who turned them down?
• I think the college admissions committee.
• I’d advise them to try again.