Unit 14: Small Talk

Basic Tactics for Listening, 3rd Edition » Unit 14: Small Talk

Word List

appear (in movies)
concert
exhibition
greet
guests
surprise
trip (n.)
be a big star
end a conversation
get together
got to run
Hope to see you again soon.
How have you been?
How's everything?
I haven't seen you for a long time.
in ages
It's been great seeing you again.
It's been nice talking to you.
Keep in touch.
leave the company
look at the time
look forward to (something)
Nice to see you.
not too bad
Talk to you later.
these days
work late
You're kidding!

Vocabulary Worksheet

‣ Use the words and phrases in the box to complete the sentences below.

a. got to run
b. guests
c. How have you been
d. in ages
e. keep in touch
f. looks forward to
g. Look at the time
h. surprise
i. talk to you later
j. worked late

I'm late for an appointment so I've _____, but let's have lunch next week.
Melody lives overseas, so she hasn't seen her parents _____.
The great thing about the Internet is that it helps you _____ with old friends.
A: _____? B: Great, thanks. And you?
The hotel worked hard to privide its _____ with good service.
Oh! _____. I have appointment, but it was great to see you again.
Barbara really _____ yoga class. It's the best part of her week.
Cory has a big project to finish. He's _____ every day this week.
The news was a total _____. Everyone was shocked by it.
I don't have time right now to chat, but I'll _____.

Answer Key

Greet someone
End a conversation

Do people use these expressions to greet someone or to end a conversation? Check (x) the correct answer.

	Greet someone	End a conversation
1. Keep in touch
2. How have you been?	_____	_____
3. Well, it's been nice talking to you.	_____	_____
4. How's everything?	_____	_____
5. Hope to see you again soon.	_____	_____
6. Well, talk to you later.	_____	_____
7. Hello. Nice to see you again.	_____	_____
8. Hey, how's it going?	_____	_____
9. I haven't seen you for a long time.	_____	_____
10. It's been great seeing you again.	_____	_____

Listening 1

‣ Is each person greeting someone or ending a conversation? Listen and check (x) the correct answer.

	Greeting someone	Ending a conversation
1.
2.	_____	_____
3.	_____	_____
4.	_____	_____
5.	_____	_____
6.	_____	_____
7.	_____	_____
8.	_____	_____

Listening 2

‣ Task 1

What are the party guests talking about? Listen and circle the correct answer.

- a. the guests
- b. the music
- c. friends
- a. a guest
- b. the music
- c. Tim
- a. the music
- b. a guest
- c. an old friend
- a. school
- b. the woman's health
- c. work
- a. a guest
- b. the party
- c. the food
- a. a job
- b. a vacation
- c. friends
- a. the guests
- b. her new job
- c. family
- a. family
- b. the food
- c. the guests

‣ Task 2

Listen again. Which statement is true? Circle the correct answer.

- a. The woman is having a good time.
- b. The woman is not enjoying herself.
- c. The guests are unfriendly.
- a. Tim does not recognize the singer.
- b. Tim does not like the singer.
- c. TIm likes the singer.
- a. The man knows the guest.
- b. The man has not met the guest vet.
- c. The man does not want to meet the guest.
- a. The woman does not work now.
- b. The woman is not busy now.
- c. The woman is very busy now.
- a. The man is hungry.
- b. The man does not want anything to eat.
- c. The man wants to drink.
- a. The man took a train across the U.S.
- b. The man never travels.
- c. The man recently took a trip.
- a. The woman's mother is not working now.
- b. The woman has a job now.
- c. The woman's mother has a new job.
- a. The man knows a lot of people at the party
- b. The man does not know a lot of people at the party
- c. The man knows everyone at the party.

Listening 3

‣ Task 1

Two people are talking. Does the second speaker already know the information, or is the information new? Listen and check (x) the correct answer.

	Already knows the Information	New Information
1.
2.	_____	_____
3.	_____	_____
4.	_____	_____
5.	_____	_____
6.	_____	_____

‣ Task 2

Listen again. Which statement is true? Circle the correct answer.

- a. Molly has a new job.
- b. Molly is going to change jobs.
- c. Molly has just received a big raise.
- a. The rock concert is next month.
- b. All the tickets have been sold.
- c. They don't like rock music.
- a. The bird was a birthday present.
- b. She had a bird before.
- c. She hasn't decided what to call the bird yet.
- a. Claire will arrive later.
- b. Claire hasn't been sick this year.
- c. Claire has the flu.
- a. He has acted in some movies.
- b. The guy lives in Canada.
- c. Both of them have already seen his movies.
- a. The exhibition starts next month.
- b. The exhibition is about Walt Disney.
- c. They are not interested in cartoons.

✺ Pronunciation

Reduction of Wh- questions

‣ Pronunciation Help
How we spell it	How we say it
How's your	Howsyer
How are	Hower
How have you	Howvya
What have you	Whatuvya

‣ Task 1

Listen and repeat.

1. How's your family?
2. How are you?
3. How have you been?
4. What have you been doing?

‣ Task 2

Read the questions to a partner. Be sure to reduce and link the question words.

✺ Dictation

‣ Task 1

Listen to the conversation. Write the missing words.

A: Hi, Angela! I haven't see you for a long time. What's ⁽¹⁾_____?
B: Oh, not much really. I've been studying a lot. What about you? ⁽²⁾_____ ⁽³⁾_____ you been up to?
A: Uh, not much. I did visit Gina last week.
B: Oh, nice. So, ⁽⁴⁾_____ ⁽⁵⁾_____ sister these days?
A: She's fine, thanks.
B: And ⁽⁶⁾_____ ⁽⁷⁾_____ your parents?
A: Oh, they're pretty busy, but doing well.

‣ Task 2

Practice the conversation with a partner. Be sure to reduce and link the question words.

✺ Conversation

Work in pairs. Imagine you haven't see your partner for a long time. You see each other on the street. Have a conversation.

Answer Key

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