Talk 2

M e
12 TALK2ME VIDEO A2
How much is …?

Before watching
1 Read the article about small talk and
While watching
answer the questions about your country.
1 Is your country more like the UK, Germany 2 Read the Video skills tips and then watch
or Japan? the video. Make a list of the topics that the
 friends talk about with the two adults.
2 What topics do people talk about when
they meet?




Evie
Jojo Max Christina
Small talk
In the UK, when you meet someone you Aunty Maria
don’t know very well, you make ‘small talk’ –
conversation about things that aren’t important. 
Popular topics include the weather, sport,

hobbies, school, films, TV, games, the weekend.

People don’t talk about serious things.
Small talk is common in many countries, but 3 Watch the video again and complete
not everywhere. In Germany, for example, the sentences with between one and
people often prefer serious conversations. three words.
And in Japan, it’s ok to say nothing. Silence 1 The twins ask Evie to  on
the way to their house.
doesn’t make people uncomfortable.
2 They say that they’ll 
later.
3 Jojo says she likes art but finds it
 .
4 Aunty Maria says Evie sounds like
 .
5 She says Max’s painting is
 .
6 Evie asks Christina if she takes
 in her coffee.
7 She asks Christina how long she’s been
 .

4 How polite are the people in the video?

Choose one option.
a) not very polite
Video skills b) quite polite
Recognising politeness c) very polite
• Listen for please, thank you and sorry.
• Listen for small talk – questions about the other After watching
person’s interests, etc.
• Listen for positive comments – it’s not polite to say 5 Choose the correct options to complete the
negative things directly. video extracts. Watch the video again if
• Listen for offers – asking if the other person would necessary.
like a hot drink, some food, to sit down, etc. 1 How many / much is the coffee?
• Look at body language. When people are polite, they 2 It costs / price is £3.50.
smile, they look at the other person and they listen 3 There’s no charge / pay to go in.
to them.
4 There’s a fee / free car park.

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This sheet may be photocopied and used within the class.
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