ECOLE SUPERIEURE FRANÇAISE

CYCLE: BACHELOR’S
Filière: Toutes les filières
Spécialité: Tronc Commun
Level of study: B1-A and B
Code: Ms-Bloc 3
Course title: Business English 1 / Anglais des Affaires 1
Course instructor: Dr Serges Moïse Essossomo

PRACTICAL EXERCISES

EXERCISES ON THE FUNDAMENTALS OF ENGLISH CONVERSATION

EXERCISE 1 (Greeting somebody in English)

a) Name the different GREETING FORMS you know in English. Which specific one tends to be used
in informal context only?
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b) Match each greeting form with its corresponding time:
Greeting form Corresponding time
Good morning 6 p.m ̶ 9 p.m
Good afternoon 10 p.m ̶ 00 a.m
Good evening 12:01 a.m ̶ 5p.m
Good night 00:00 a.m ̶ 12 a.m (from midnight to twelve o’clock)

c) One of the following sentences cannot be used when taking leave from a pen friend
-Good bye! See you next time! See you later! See you soon !
-Kindly extend my greetings to your family!
-My best regards to your husband/wife, etc.
-I hope to see you again.

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 -Nice to meet you!
-Remember me to your sister/brother!
1) What do the following abbreviations stand for:
a.m ………………………………………………………….
p.m ………………………………………………………….
G.M.T………………………………………………………
2) What time is it?
10:15 a.m ………………………………………
9:30 p.m ………………………………………..
7:45 a.m ………………………………………...
8:31 p.m ………………………………………..
11:01 a.m ……………………………………….

EXERCISE 2 (Contextual expressions in social interaction)

What are you supposed to say in the following contexts?
1. When somebody says “Thank you”? ……………………………………………………………….
2. When you have done something wrong to somebody?......................................................................
3. When somebody is travelling, going for a long journey?..................................................................
4. When you are giving something to somebody?.................................................................................
5. When taking leave from a pen friend?...............................................................................................
6. When you want to draw somebody’s attention?................................................................................
7. When somebody has been introduced to you?……………………………………………………..
8. When you have not heard very well what your interlocutor said and therefore want him/her to
repeat?...................................................................................................................................................
9. When you are asking for permission to do something that may inconvenience somebody somehow?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………...
10. When you greet somebody you see for the very first time? ……………………………………..

EXERCISE 3 (Contextual expressions in social interaction)

Match each expression with its appropriate context of use (10 marks)
English expression Context of use in speech
1. Do you mind if... a) said when the speaker is thinking of what to say next
2. So long/see you! b) said when giving something to someone
3. I’m afraid.., c) said when taking leave from a friend
4. Here you are! d) said when you’ve been introduced to someone
5. I beg your pardon e) said when asking for permission
6. Excuse me.... f) said when you want a speaker to repeat something
7. You know… g) said when you want to say something unpleasant
8. Glad to meet you h) said when you want someone’s attention.

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EXERCISE 4 (Making and acknowledging introductions in English)
In English conversation, introductions must be acknowledged at all cost. How will you acknowledge the
following introductions?
Forms of acknowledgement Answers
-Nice to meet you ………………………………………..!
-It is a great pleasure to meet you ……………………………………….!
-I am very delighted to meet you ……………………………………….!

EXERCISE 5 (Making and acknowledging introductions in English)

Give the English equivalents of the following French expressions:
1. Je suis ravis de faire votre connaissance ………………………………………………………….
2. Enchanté!.........................................................................................................................................
3. C’est un grand plaisir de faire votre connaissance...........................................................................
4. Permettez-moi de me présenter........................................................................................................
5. Je vais cousi cousa...........................................................................................................................
6. Bonjour mesdames mesdemoiselles et messieux............................................................................
7. Votre attention, s’il vous plait …………………………………………………………………….
8. Ça fait un bail!.................................................................................................................................
9- Bien vouloir transmettre mes salutations à tes parents…………………………………...............
10. Jean, je te présente Pierre, mon ancien camarade au Lycée Bilingue de Sangmelima…………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………
11. What is your phone number?..............................................................................................................
12. What is the English for “feu”?............................................................................................................
13. Documents, reports and what have you………………………………………………………………..