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Tabooconversationtopics f,
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Discussion 1l
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Work in pairs. Discussthese questions:
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When you fill in a form, are you h"ppy to give this information: t
Yottr age? t
Your mdrital statusl il
Your income? 4
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Are there any other questionsyou don't like answering?
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Reading .t'l
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Readthrough the four conversationsbelow.Who are the peopleand what is the situation? ;
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Conversation 1
A: Your blood pressureis absolutelyfine. Have
you beeneatingnormally?
B: Oh yes.The sameas normal.
A: And do you take any regularexercise?
B: Yes,I play squashtwice a week.
A: Mm. Tell me, how much do you weigh?
B: About 68 kilos.
Gonversation2 t

A: Hello, I'm Jean Walker.

'We've
just moved in Ia
nert door.
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B: Paul Burton. Pleasedto meet you. Do you u
work locally? I
A: Yes, I'm a solicitor with a firm on the High I

Street. f

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B: A solicitor.That's a good job. How much do
you eirrn? -
a
Conversation3
a
A:Hello. I'rn looking for a white tennis shirt. J

B:OK. Tennisshirtsare over here. a

"Good a
A:As you can see,I'll need a fairly large srze. morning. I'd like to talk
B:Yes, I c:rn seethat. How much do you weigh, to you ahout the Bible." -
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if you don't mind me asking?
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Conversation4 Discussion I

A: Gareth,you will be delightedto hear that we -1

wor-rldlike to offer you the job. 1.In each dialogue there is a personal question. I
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Decide if the question is appropriate to the
B: Great! Thank you very much. J
situation and the speakers. lf it is not d
A: \7e need tc'rtalk a bit about salaries.
appropriate,why isn't it? a
B: Right, yes,of course. I
2. The questionsin conversations2 and 3 do not
A: Rernindme, how much do you earn at the
have answers.How do you think the speaker T
moment? should reply in these situations? t
B: About {35,000 a year.
3. Have you ever been asked an inappropriate t

A: Yes,well, we won't be able to give you more I

question? When and who by? How did you
than that initirrlly, but we shor-rldbe able t<; respond? Have you ever asked an inappropriate -
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match it. question by accident?What happened?
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Tabooconversationtopics Taboosand /ssues a

2
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i= Language
i- Mark the expressions below in the following way:
O if they are polite ways of asking personal questions
E R if they are ways of responding to personal questions

F.! l.l hope you don't mind me asking,but ...

Er
2 . I ' d r a t h e rn o t a n s w e rt h a t ( i f y o u d o n ' t m i n d ) .
h 1 ' l
t- J. t Know this is a bit nosey,but ...
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4 . M i n d v ( ) r r ro w n b u s i n e s s !
-r 5. wliv do you ask?
:i.r
EI 6. Can I ask you a personalquestion?
7. That's rrrther il personalquestion.
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=- 8 . I k n o w t h i s i s a b i t p e r s o n a l b, u t . . .
f..i 9. I'm afraid thert'sreally none of your business.
tsl

F-
- Discussion
ET
-l Look at the questionsbelow.Decidewho has the right to ask you these questions.lt may be a particular
person, for example, a doctor, a priest, a police officer, a partner/lover.lt might be anybody or it might
-r-
be nobody. Write anyone. a particular person or no one next to each question.
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- How old are you? Have you ever taken drugs?
E How much do you weigh? Are you planning to start a family?
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How tall are you? Who did you vote for at the last election?
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How much do you earn? Have you got a criminal record?
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- Have you got a boy/girlfriend? Are you gay?
- Are you a virgin? How much was your CD-player?
Ei

-q Are you married? \fhat religion are you?

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\rVereyour parentsmarried? How do you feel about abortion?
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- Work in pairs.Ask your partnerthe questions.Use the expressionsin the Languagework to help you
ask and answerthe questions.
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Your best friend
E Gouldyou say these things to your best friend?
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Your breirthis terrible. I think you've had enoughto drink.

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You smell nice. What is it? You look silly in that shirt.
E
- You need a haircut. I think you should ring and apologise.
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-a Your boy/girlfriend'sgot nice legs. If you want to smoke, do it outside.
I wish you'd learn how to make coffee. Your fly is undone. (fly = 11611.er
zrp)
ET

- Could you say the same things to your teacheror your boss?
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Do you have a friend you can say anything to?
F'
- Are you a tactful person or are you more blunt and direct?
Do you think being direct is a good or a bad thing?
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I Taboos
and/ssues Tabooconversation
topics 4
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