TOPIC 2_W.

5_SMALL TALK

SPEAKING

1. What do you know about small talk?

Based on your knowledge, say if the following statements are true or false:

a) Small talk is often used between people who do not know each other very well. _____
b) The weather is never a safe topic to start a conversation with. _____
c) Talking about the news may be dangerous. _____
d) Sports and entertainment news are topics to avoid. _____
e) When making small talk, you must never make a compliment to the other person. _____
f) If the other person clearly shows that he/she isn’t interested in your conversation, you must insist. _____
g) If another person is busy, it is perfectly normal to interrupt him/her to begin an informal
conversation. _____

LISTENING

Listen to 5 conversations between people socializing at a conference, and tick (√) the
sentences which are correct. (IC. 1.7; 1.9; 1.10; 1.11)

Conversation A:
- The man has already been in Russia before. _____
- The woman doesn’t want anything to drink. _____
Conversation C:
- The woman didn’t like the man’s talk. _____
- The man can’t find his card. _____
- The weather has been very good in Moscow during the conference. ____
Conversation D:
- One of the men started talking about mergers. _____
- He thought the other man was working in the oil industry. _____
- But he actually works in the construction business. _____

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Conversation E:
- The man’s watch was very expensive. _____
- Both the man and the woman often go to this kind of conferences. _____
- The man wants to eat more caviar. _____

READING GRAMMAR

Present Perfect OR Past Simple?

Differences

Present Perfect Simple Past Simple

The moment in time is not stated The moment in time is stated

Unfinished actions that started in the past and Finished actions:
continue to the present:
• I knew Julie ten years ago (but then she moved away
• I've known Julie for ten years (and I still know her). and we lost touch – I don’t know her any more).

A finished action in someone's life (when the person is A finished action in someone's life (when the person is
still alive: life experience): dead):

• My brother has been to Mexico three times (and may• My great-grandmother went to Mexico three times (and
still go again). doesn’t want to go again).

A finished action with a result in the present: A finished action with no result in the present:

• I've lost my keys! (The result is that I can't get into my

• I lost my keys yesterday. It was terrible! (Now there is
house now). no result. I got new keys yesterday).

With an unfinished time word (this week, this month, With a finished time word (last week, last month,
today): yesterday):

• I've seen John this week (can’t say exactly when). • I saw John last week.

https://www.perfect-english-grammar.com/present-perfect-or-past-simple.html (adapted)

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 TOPIC 2_W.5_SMALL TALK

A) Choose the present perfect or past simple and complete the following sentences:
1. I _________________ (see) three police cars this morning (it’s still morning).

2. When he _________________ (arrive) home, he _________________ (unpack) and

_________________ (go) to bed early.

3. A: What’s wrong? B: I _________________ (just / break) a glass!

4. I _________________ (notice) recently that we need to work as a team.

5. I _________________ (be) in London for three years. I love it here.

6. We _________________ (see) Julie last night.

7. He _________________ (be) a teacher before he _________________ (become) a musician.

8. When the boss _________________ (walk) into the room, we _________________ (know) someone
was going to get fired.

9. My parents _________________ (have) an accident last week.

10. He _________________ (see) that film last year.

11. Lucy _________________ (injure) her leg yesterday. She can’t go skiing with us.

12. Julie _________________ (arrive)! Come and say hello!

13. They _________________ (be) cold when they _________________ (arrive) home.

14. Jack _________________ (break) his arm when he _________________ (fall) off a horse in 2005.

15. I _________________ (know) about the problem for months, but I _________________ (not / find) a
solution yet.

16. _________________ (hear) the news? John Norman won’t be attending the course.

17. She _________________ (be) a teacher for ten years, and she still enjoys it.

18. How long _________________ (you / know) Jill? I know you see her often.

19. I _________________ (see) the sea before.

20. “Hi Mum, it’s me. I just wanted to say I _________________ (arrive) safely and everything is fine.”

© 2012 www.perfect-english-grammar.com (adapted)