15
Expressing sympathy
1
Intonation
9
Listen, then, read out the
exchanges in pairs.
A: I have to move out!
B: That’s a shame.
A: My flat was broken into last
night.
B: I’m sorry to hear that.
A: I can’t afford the rent.
B: You must be very worried.
A: My antique table is ruined.
B: How sad!
1
A: I’m afraid that the plumber
won’t be able to come
today. He’s had a car
accident.
B: How awful! Will he be all
right?
2
A: Oh, no. I locked myself out!
B: That’s too bad.
3
A: The Smiths are going to be
evicted.
B: I’m sorry to hear that.
c. Work in pairs. Use the phrases
to make up dialogues
expressing sympathy in the
following situations.
Express sympathy
How terrible/awful/sad!
That’s terrible/awful/a pity/a
shame/too bad!
You must be very worried/
upset.
I’m (really) sorry about that/ to
hear that
1
fire in the basement
2
an aunt fell down the stairs
3
not getting the flat you wanted
4
a friend’s daughter burnt her
hand on the cooker.
5
Mrs Smith who has got four children, has inherited 10,000. In
pairs, talk about what home improvements she can make with the
money, and decide which would be the best choice for her, and why.
8
a. Listen and say what each
dialogue is about.
b. Read the exchanges and
underline the phrases that
express sympathy.
Requesting services
b. In pairs, use the prompts to make up similar dialogues.
7
a. Listen to the dialogue. Who‘s worried? Now match the exchanges.
A
name of company
ask for problem
suggest sending sb
ask for address
6
a. Listen to the dialogue. Where does it take place?
b. Complete the dialogue, then use the prompts to act out similar
dialogues.
well maintained (+)
garden (+)
no garage (-)
park on the street (+)
no fence (-) modern security system
(+)
nice area (+)
four-bedroomed (+) a long way from
the shops (-)
A: How do you
1)
................................ it, then?
B: Well, it’s nicely decorated and the garden is lovely, but the kitchen is
very
2)
................................ .
A: That’s true. But it is
3)
........................... equipped.
B: And there are only two bedrooms.
A: Mmm, yes. But we can use the
4)
.......................... as another
bedroom.
B: I think it will suit our needs. And it’s not so expensive, either.
A: Okay, then. Let’s tell the estate agent that we are definitely
5)
................... .
B
full name
describe the problem
thank
give address
1
b
Brown & Sons. How can I help
you?
2
Hello, Ms Smith. What can I
do for you?
3
What’s wrong with it?
4
I’ll send someone to look at it
right away.
5
What is your address, please?
a
Well it doesn’t lock properly.
b
Hello. My name’s Ann
Smith.
c
21, Market Street.
d
I’ve got a problem with my
front door.
e
Thank you, that would be
great.
Deciding on a house
A: She could have her kitchen enlarged to include a dining area, couldn’t she?
B: Yes, she’s got four children so the extra space would be very useful.
Why would these home
improvements be a good
choice for Mrs Smith?
installing a
fireplace
enlarging the
kitchen
putting in a
swimming pool
adding a second
bathroom
redecorating the
house
