Task 1 - Understanding Forms Used in Small Talk

Match the conversational purpose to the expression in the second column.

Identify the appropriate grammar structure in the third column.

Purpose Expression Structure

1. Ask about Open the package. a) Conditional form

experience Fill out the Forms. b) Question tag

2. Give advice Where can I fnd out c) Use of "some" in
3. Make a more? questions rather than
suggestion I'm afraid I don't see "any"
4. Express an it that way. d) To me, In my opinion,
opinion Have you ever visited I think
5. Imagine a Rome? e) Information question
situation Let's go for a walk. f) Modal verbs such as
6. Provide To me, that seems "should", "ought to",
instructions like a waste of time. and "had better"
7. Ofer You live in San g) Imperative form
something Francisco, don't h) Let's, Why don't you,
8. Confrm you? How about
information Would you like i) Present perfect for
9. Ask for more something to drink? experience
details If you were the boss, j) I'm afraid I don't see /
10.Agree or what would you do? think / feel that way.
disagree You should visit Mt.
Hood.
Task 2 - Which Topics are Appropriate?
Which topics are appropriate for small talk discussions? For topics
which are appropriate, think of one interesting comment to make when
you have an opportunity to speak. For topics which are not appropriate,
explain why you believe they are not appropriate for small talk. Add any
more appropriate topics.

● The latest flms

● The One True Path to Eternal Life
● The local basketball team
● Cars
● A product you would like to sell to everyone
● The Death Penalty
● Your hometown
● How much money you make
● Your last holiday
● Your favorite movie-star
● The correct political party
● The weather
● Gardening
● Your health problems
● Your family

Task 3 - Small Talk Game

Roll the dice to choose the topic to talk about. When you get to the end,
return to the beginning to start again. You have 30 seconds to make a
comment about the suggested subject. If you don't, you lose your turn!

1. Your best friend

2. The last flm you saw
3. Pets
4. Rock and roll
5. A magazine
6. Learning a language
7. Playing tennis
8. Your current job
 9. An interesting excursion nearby
10.The Internet
11.Marilyn Monroe
12.Keeping healthy
13.Human cloning
14.Your favorite food
15.Finding a job in your country
16.The last book you read
17.Your worst holiday
18.Something you've never done, but would like to do
19.Teachers - what you like
20. Teachers - what you don't like

Task 4 - Personal Information Quiz

a) Answer these questions and discuss.

1. When did you last see a flm?
2. How many times have you been abroad?
3. What type of books do you like reading?
4. When was your car made?
5. How long have you been learning English?
6. What will the weather be like tomorrow?
7. What were you doing at 7 o'clock yesterday evening?
8. What are your parents doing?
9. Where are your classes taught?
10. What are you going to do after this course fnishes?

b) Decide the names of the tenses used in the questions above.

Past Continuous
Present Simple Passive
Present Perfect
Future Intent / Plan
Present Perfect Continuous
Past Simple Passive
 Future Prediction
Present Simple
Present Continuous
Past Simple

c) Match it all up to how each tense is used.

a) Something that happened in the past
b) Something that is done by someone every day
c) An action right now
d) Something going on when something else happened
e) Something that was done to someone or something else
f) Used to think about the future
g) Something that you've planned for the future
h) Used to discuss experiences in life
i) Expressing a length of time from one time to another
j) Speaking about something that is true every day
k) Something that was done to someone or something else

Task 5 - Gap Fill Exercise

Enter the correct auxiliary verb. Choose between: are, is, do, does,
did, have, or will.

1. He ____ playing the guitar at the moment.

2. Jackie ____ been living in Paris for a few months.
3. Which sports _____ he like?
4. They _____ travelled all over the world.
5. My shoes _____ made in Italy.
6. Peter ____ going to fy to London next Thursday.
7. Do you think the current government ____ change soon?
8. Yamaha pianos ____ made in Japan.
9. Jane ____ doing her homework when I came home last night.

10. When ____ you arrive last night?