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Input:

On the phone

15.6.2018, , Zdroj: Verlag Dashöfer

701
On the phone

Edward Thomas

1. ON THE PHONE

Look at the phrases below which involve making enquiries on the phone. Can you match them with the responses?

A) Hello, is that Charles?

B) Hello, can I speak to Simon Jones please?

C) Hello, this is Mr Anderson, can you put me through to William?

D) Hi John, this is Tom.

E) Hello, I am calling about an advert in the classified section...

F) Hello, I'd like to register a complaint.

1. Of course. Can you give me your name and address please?

2. Wow, man! How are you?

3. Yes, which section are you interested in?

4. Yes, but I think he's just popped out at the moment? Can you hold the line a moment?

5. No, this is David, but I can take a message.

6. Of course. Just a moment.

Correct answers are here1

2. MAKING ARRANGEMENTS - AN INVOLVED CONVERSATION

Look at the conversation below between Jim and Ed. Don't worry about the highlighted words at the moment but answer Qs 1-8 following it.

E/ a) „Hi Jim, this is b) Ed here.”

J/ „Oh, hello”

E/ c) „I was wondering whether we could find a time for meeting this week?”

J/ d) „Right. e) I guess so. f) Just a second while I get my diary”

„Got it. g) How about Wednesday?”

E/ h) „Can't do Wednesday, i) sorry. j) Are you free Tuesday?”

J/ „Well, Tuesday I only have an hour free.”

E/ „Which one?”

J/ „Between one and two...”

E/ k) „No good, sorry. How about Friday then?”

J/ l) „Friday, well, let me see... mmm, m) looks ok. Afternoon?”

E/ „Afternoon's ok. n) What time suits you?”

J/ „For me, o) the later the better. p) Is 5pm ok?”

E/ „Ok, after work then, more or less. q) Whereabouts shall we meet?”

J/ r) „What about the pub on the corner of main street?”

E/ „The Hanged Socialist s) you mean?”

J/ t) „Yes, that's the one!”

E/ u) „Great, v) that's fixed then. Friday at 5 at the Hanged Socialist?”

J/ „Yes, w) see you then. Cheers”

E/ x) „Cheers

Questions:

1. How does Jim ask Ed to wait for a moment?
2. Is Jim positive, negative, or neutral about the idea of meeting?
3. Does Jim have any time on Tuesday?
4. How does Jim slow the conversation while he looks in his diary?
5. How does Ed ask what time is best for Jim?
6. How does Jim say later is better?
7. How does Ed say that they have agreed a time together?
8. How do they say goodbye to each other (British English)?

Correct answers are here2

3. SUGGESTING, AGREEING, DISAGREEING AND SOCIAL LANGUAGE ON THE PHONE

Look at the table below. Take the highlighted sections from exercise Making Agreements and fit them into the four categories given. If you don't know, put „social” as it is the most general. The first on is done for you.

Suggesting Disagreeing Agreeing Social
                                                                  
                                                                   
                                                                   
                                                                   
                                                                   
                                                                   
                                                                   
                                                                   
                                                                   
                                                                   

Correct answers are here3

Now try to fill the gaps in these mini-dialogues:

A) „How about 7pm?”

B) „Let ………………………. ……………………….. Yes, looks ok.”

Correct answers are here4

A) „Can we meet tomorrow?”

B) „Just ………………………. ………………………. ………………………. ………………………. I get my diary.

Correct answers are here5

A) How ………………………. going for a drink tonight.

B) What time?

A) What ………………………. 7pm?

B) ………………………., too early.

A) Well, what time then?

B) The later, ………………………. ………………………..

A) ………………………. about 10pm?

B) Sounds ………………………..

A) Great, that's ………………………. ………………………..

Correct answers are here6

4. FORMAL TO INFORMAL

Can you match the formal phrases on the left of the following chart to the informal ones on the right:

Formal Informal
A) Can you hold the line please… 1. Hello, can I speak to John Jones please?
B) Excuse me while I look in my diary 2. Hi Clare, is John Jones around?
C) Would you mind waiting a moment, please… 3. Sorry he's busy just now.
D) Hello, I'd like to speak to Mr Jones, please… 4. Hi, John here…
E) Can you put me through to Mr Jones… 5. Just a second…
F) I'm sorry he's not available at the moment 6. Can you get him to call back?
G) Hello, this is Mr Jones speaking… 7. Can I take a message?
H) Hello, I'd like to talk to you about… 8. Can you hold on a moment...?
I) Would you like to leave a message? 9. Hi, about…
J) Would you mind asking him to return my call? 10. Just let me look in my diary.

Correct answers are here7

Can you put the language from the exercise above into the four categories below? Sometimes something which looks like a request can actually be a kind of delaying or „playing for time” (trying to make the other person wait while you become organised).

 

Requesting Delaying Informing Offering
                                                                                  
                                                                                   
                                                                                   
                                                                                   
                                                                                   
                                                                                   

Correct answers are here8

5. THE CONFERENCE

Nahrávám...
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