Role-Plays

English Discoveries Online Role-Plays

Table of Contents

BASIC 1 > FOR SALE > PHONE CALL.................................................................... 3

BASIC 1 > AGAINST THE LAW > NO PARKING ............................................ 3
BASIC 2 > BUYING AND SELLING > DRESS FROM PARIS .................... 4
BASIC 2 > GETTING HELP > NEWSSTAND ...................................................... 4
BASIC 3 > EMOTIONS > THERE’S TOM ............................................................... 5
BASIC 3 > MAKING EXCUSES > LUNCH............................................................. 5
INTERMEDIATE 1 > EDUCATION > MATH TEST....................................... 6
INTERMEDIATE 1 > CELEBRATIONS > SORRY I’M LATE .................... 6
INTERMEDIATE 2 > ACCIDENTS > LOOK OUT! ......................................... 7
INTERMEDIATE 2 > POLITICS > NEW MANAGER .................................... 7
INTERMEDIATE 3 > COUPLES > DIVORCED ................................................ 8
INTERMEDIATE 3 > PROBLEMS AT WORK > QUITTING .................... 8
ADVANCED 1 > CULTURAL DIFFERENCES > SO BORED! .................. 9
ADVANCED 1 > HOW SMART ARE YOU? > DANCE SIGNS ................. 9
ADVANCED 2 > TELLING THE TRUTH > TO TELL THE TRUTH .10
ADVANCED 2 > PROBLEMS WITH PEOPLE > SCHOOL TRIP ..........10
ADVANCED 3 > BUSINESS AS USUAL > MAYBE I CAN?.......................11
ADVANCED 3 > EXCEPTIONAL WOMEN > YOU’RE SO AGGRESSIVE!...11

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English Discoveries Online Role-Plays

BASIC 1 > FOR SALE > PHONE CALL

STUDENT A
Making an Appointment
You want to make an appointment to meet the bank manager. Phone the bank manager’s
secretary. Try to make an appointment for Monday or Tuesday morning.
Phrase Bank: I’d like to… Can I…?

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BASIC 1 > FOR SALE > PHONE CALL

STUDENT B
Making an Appointment
You are the bank manager’s secretary. Someone calls the bank to make an appointment to
meet with the manager. The bank manager is not in the office on Monday morning. Try to
make an appointment for Tuesday morning.
Phrase Bank: I’m sorry, but… How about…?

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BASIC 1 > AGAINST THE LAW > NO PARKING

STUDENT A
Expressing Objection
You arrive at the theater ten minutes late. The theater employee says you cannot enter. Tell
him/ her that you object.
Phrase Bank: Why can’t I…? But that’s not fair!

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BASIC 1 > AGAINST THE LAW > NO PARKING

STUDENT B
Expressing Objection
You work at the theater door. People cannot enter the theater after the start of the show.
Someone arrives at the theater ten minutes late. Explain to the person why he/she cannot
enter.
Phrase Bank: I’m sorry, but… You can’t….

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English Discoveries Online Role-Plays

BASIC 2 > BUYING AND SELLING > DRESS FROM PARIS

STUDENT A
Giving/Receiving a Compliment
You work in an office. You write letters to clients. Last week you wrote a very good letter to
a client. Your boss gives you a compliment about the letter. Thank your boss.
Phrase Bank: Thank you. You’re welcome.

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BASIC 2 > BUYING AND SELLING > DRESS FROM PARIS

STUDENT B
Giving/Receiving a Compliment
You are the office manager. One of the employees wrote a very good letter to a client.
Compliment him/her on the letter.
Phrase Bank: Well done! I liked your letter… Good work!

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BASIC 2 > GETTING HELP > NEWSSTAND

STUDENT A
Expressing Uncertainty
You are in the center of the town. You do not know the town. You want to go to the
university. Ask a police officer where the university is.
Phrase Bank: Excuse me. Do you know where… is?

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BASIC 2 > GETTING HELP > NEWSSTAND

STUDENT B
Expressing Uncertainty
You are a police officer in the town. You do not know the town very well. Tell the
man/woman that you are not sure.
Phrase Bank: I’m not sure, Sir/Madam. I’m afraid I don’t know…

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English Discoveries Online Role-Plays

BASIC 3 > EMOTIONS > THERE’S TOM

STUDENT A
Asking for and Giving Advice
You are feeling very sick. You have an important meeting this afternoon. Ask your colleague
if you should go to the meeting or not.
Phrase Bank: What do you think…? Should I…? I’m not sure…

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BASIC 3 > EMOTIONS > THERE’S TOM

STUDENT B
Asking for and Giving Advice
A colleague at work feels sick. He/She has an important meeting this afternoon. Help your
colleague decide if he/she should go to the meeting.
Phrase Bank: I think you should… Why don’t you…?

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BASIC 3 > MAKING EXCUSES > LUNCH

STUDENT A
Offering and Declining an Invitation
You want to go with a friend to a new restaurant. Ask them to come with you this weekend.
Phrase Bank: Let’s… How about…? Do you want to...?

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BASIC 3 > MAKING EXCUSES > LUNCH

STUDENT B
Offering and Declining an Invitation
A friend invites you to dinner at a new restaurant this weekend. You are very busy. Tell your
friend that you would like to go next month instead.
Phrase Bank: I’m sorry, but… I’m afraid I’m… Why don’t we…?

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English Discoveries Online Role-Plays

INTERMEDIATE 1 > EDUCATION > MATH TEST

STUDENT A
Asking for and Giving Information
Your friend had an important job interview yesterday. Ask him/her how it went.
Phrase Bank: How did it go? What was it like?

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INTERMEDIATE 1 > EDUCATION > MATH TEST

STUDENT B
Asking for and Giving Information
You went for an important job interview yesterday. Tell your friend about the interview and
how you think it went.
Phrase Bank: It was really… It was the hardest/easiest…

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INTERMEDIATE 1 > CELEBRATIONS > SORRY I’M LATE

STUDENT A
Making and Accepting Apologies
You are a flight attendant. By mistake, you drop the food tray on a passenger.
Phrase Bank: Oh! I’m terribly sorry… I do apologize.

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INTERMEDIATE 1 > CELEBRATIONS > SORRY I’M LATE

STUDENT B
Making and Accepting Apologies
You are a passenger on a plane. A flight attendant drops the food tray on you. He/she is
very apologetic. Accept his or her apology.
Phrase Bank: That’s OK. Don’t worry about it. Let’s forget it.

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English Discoveries Online Role-Plays

INTERMEDIATE 2 > ACCIDENTS > LOOK OUT!

STUDENT A
Expressing Anger
Someone runs out of a building and bumps into you. You are angry about it. Tell him or her
that he or she is irresponsible and should be more careful.
Phrase Bank: You should be more careful. Watch where you’re going…

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INTERMEDIATE 2 > ACCIDENTS > LOOK OUT!

STUDENT B
Making and Accepting Apologies
You are in a hurry and run out of a building. You accidentally bump into someone coming
out of the building. Apologize to the person.
Phrase Bank: Yes, you’re right. I’m so sorry. I should have been looking…

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INTERMEDIATE 2 > POLITICS > NEW MANAGER

STUDENT A
Expressing Displeasure
You made an arrangement with a friend to meet last night at 8 pm in a cafe in town. The
friend did not arrive. You are discussing what happened with another friend.
Phrase Bank: I can’t believe he/she did that! That’s so inconsiderate of her/him.

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INTERMEDIATE 2 > POLITICS > NEW MANAGER

STUDENT B
Expressing Displeasure
A friend is telling you about a friend of his/hers who did not arrive for a night out. Discuss
the friend’s behavior.
Phrase Bank: Wow! That’s very inconsiderate. I can’t believe he/she did that!

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English Discoveries Online Role-Plays

INTERMEDIATE 3 > COUPLES > DIVORCED

STUDENT A
Expressing Regret
Your best friend is moving to another country. You are sad about it. You will miss your
friend very much. Tell your other friend the news and discuss how you feel.
Phrase Bank: Have you heard about…? I can’t believe he’s/she’s going.

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INTERMEDIATE 3 > COUPLES > DIVORCED

STUDENT B
Expressing Regret
A friend is telling you about a mutual friend who is moving to another country. You will
both miss the friend very much. Discuss how you will feel.
Phrase Bank: What a shame! I’m so sorry that…

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INTERMEDIATE 3 > PROBLEMS AT WORK > QUITTING

STUDENT A
Inquiring About/Expressing Intention
You are thinking of getting a divorce/breaking up with your girlfriend/boyfriend. Discuss
the situation and your intentions with your friend.
Phrase Bank: I’m thinking of… It’s about time I… I intend/plan/aim to…

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INTERMEDIATE 3 > PROBLEMS AT WORK > QUITTING

STUDENT B
Inquiring About/Expressing Intention
Your friend is thinking of getting a divorce/breaking up with his/her partner. Discuss the
situation and inquire about your friend’s intentions for the future.
Phrase Bank: What are you thinking of…? What do you intend/plan/aim to do?

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English Discoveries Online Role-Plays

ADVANCED 1 > CULTURAL DIFFERENCES > SO BORED!

STUDENT A
Complaining/Agreeing
You have just moved into the area. You meet your neighbor for the first time. You didn’t
realize the noise from the airport was so great. Tell your neighbor what you think.
Phrase Bank: It’s unbearable… The noise is terrible…

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ADVANCED 1 > CULTURAL DIFFERENCES > SO BORED!

STUDENT B
Complaining/Agreeing
You meet your new neighbor. He/she starts complaining about the noise from the airport.
Tell him/her that you agree with him/her.
Phrase Bank: I know… Something should be done!

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ADVANCED 1 > HOW SMART ARE YOU? > DANCE SIGNS

STUDENT A
Making Plans
You and your friend are planning an end-of-year party for your English class. Decide with
your partner who will be responsible for what.
Phrase Bank: Let’s… We could/should… That’s a good idea!

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ADVANCED 1 > HOW SMART ARE YOU? > DANCE SIGNS

STUDENT B
Making Plans
You and your friend are planning an end-of-year party for your English class. Decide with
your partner who will be responsible for what.
Phrase Bank: Why not…? Why don’t we…? You can… I’ll… I know…!

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English Discoveries Online Role-Plays

ADVANCED 2 > TELLING THE TRUTH > TO TELL THE TRUTH

STUDENT A
Asking for and Expressing an Opinion
You are thinking about firing an employee but are not absolutely certain. You think he/she
has not been doing a good job and has been absent without reason several times. Ask a
fellow manager for their advice.
Phrase Bank: What do you think about…? How about his/her…? He’s/she’s
certainly…

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ADVANCED 2 > TELLING THE TRUTH > TO TELL THE TRUTH

STUDENT B
Asking for and Expressing an Opinion
A fellow manager is dissatisfied with the performance of an employee. He/ she is thinking of
firing the employee. He/she asks you your opinion on the matter
Phrase Bank: In my opinion… I think… If I were you…
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ADVANCED 2 > PROBLEMS WITH PEOPLE > SCHOOL TRIP

STUDENT A
Asking/Granting a Favor
You have a very important work event to attend at the weekend. Your usual babysitter is sick
and cannot work. Ask a friend to help you out.
Phrase Bank: Can you do me a favor? Would you mind…? I’d really appreciate it if…

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ADVANCED 2 > PROBLEMS WITH PEOPLE > SCHOOL TRIP

STUDENT B
Asking/Granting a Favor
A friend asks you to do him/her a favor at the weekend. Agree to help your friend out.
Phrase Bank: No problem… Don’t worry… Anytime.

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English Discoveries Online Role-Plays

ADVANCED 3 > BUSINESS AS USUAL > MAYBE I CAN?

STUDENT A
Insisting
You are a doctor in a hospital. One of your patients has been very ill. He/she insists on
leaving the hospital immediately. Explain why it is very important that he/she stays in
hospital.
Phrase Bank: I really do insist that you… I am adamant that you… It’s imperative that…

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ADVANCED 3 > BUSINESS AS USUAL > MAYBE I CAN?

STUDENT B
Insisting
You have been in the hospital for a week and really want to go home. You have a lot of
work to catch up on. Your doctor wants you stay for a few more days. Insist that you go
home.
Phrase Bank: I insist… I’m determined to…
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ADVANCED 3 > EXCEPTIONAL WOMEN > YOU’RE SO AGGRESSIVE!

STUDENT A
Expressing and Responding to Anger
You are part of the audience watching an interview with a politician. He/she says something
that makes you very angry. Express your anger.
Phrase Bank: How dare you say that! That’s outrageous/disgusting/a terrible thing to
say.

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ADVANCED 3 > EXCEPTIONAL WOMEN > YOU’RE SO AGGRESSIVE!

STUDENT B
Expressing and Responding to Anger
You are a politician being interviewed in front of an audience. Suddenly a member of the
audience starts angrily interrupting you. Try to calm him/her down.
Phrase Bank: I’m not sure this is the time or place for… I think we should all calm
down a little. How about talking about this privately?

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