PRACTICE
MAKES
PERFECT ™
English
Conversation
, Contents
Preface vii
1 Introducing yourself and others 1
2 Expressing opinions, likes, and dislikes 13
3 Describing people, places, and things 25
4 Striking up a conversation 35
5 Making dates and appointments 47
6 Expressing wants and needs 59
7 Making requests and offers 69
8 Expressing doubts and uncertainty 81
9 Talking about future events 93
10 Making a case or arguing a point 103
11 Narrating a story 115
12 Retelling a conversation 127
13 Electronic conversation 139
Appendix A: Irregular past tense and past participle forms 145
Appendix B: Short tag questions and answers 149
Appendix C: Glossary 155
Answer key 161
v
, PRACTICE
MAKES
PERFECT ™
English
Conversation
, Introducing yourself
and others
·1·
Conversation: Meeting at a party
Todd: Hi—you must be John’s cousin Matt, right? From San Diego?
Matt: Correct! I just got in last night.
Todd: I’m Todd, John’s roommate from Tech. Glad to meet you. I can assure you
that I’m not anything like what John has told you.
Matt: I’m happy to meet you, too—and, yes—I have heard about you! Football
player and party animal extraordinaire.
Todd: Football, yes—and as a matter of fact, I do like parties. But tell me more
about yourself and what you do in San Diego.
Matt: Well, I’m more (of) a surfer than a football player. You know, San Diego has
a fantastic coast—and we can surf all day and then party on the beach at night.
Todd: That sounds awesome. How long are you staying?
Matt: Well, I’ll be here for two weeks. John has promised me a nonstop schedule—
kind of a mix of sightseeing, meeting his friends, checking out the local scene,
and—hopefully—camping in the mountains for a couple of days.
Todd: John’s a good guy—and you can be sure he knows the local scene. He knows
everybody in town. I’m sure he’ll show you a good time. And his friends are here to
help.
Matt: Thanks so much—I really appreciate that. I’m still a bit jet-lagged at the
moment but should be in good shape by tomorrow. I’m looking forward to hearing
what John has in store for me. . . .
Todd: Don’t worry. We’ll all take good care of you. And don’t be surprised if we show
up on your doorstep in San Diego one day, ready for surfing!
Improving your conversation
I’m Todd ( Jones)
Simply using I’m and then saying your name is one way to introduce yourself. You
could also say, for example, My name’s Todd (Jones). It is customary to offer your
right hand in a handshake to the other person. In very informal situations, you
could just say Hi, I’m Todd, with no handshake.
To introduce one or more people other than yourself, say:
This is (my wife,) Mary. And this is Susan, Bob, and Joe.
1
MAKES
PERFECT ™
English
Conversation
, Contents
Preface vii
1 Introducing yourself and others 1
2 Expressing opinions, likes, and dislikes 13
3 Describing people, places, and things 25
4 Striking up a conversation 35
5 Making dates and appointments 47
6 Expressing wants and needs 59
7 Making requests and offers 69
8 Expressing doubts and uncertainty 81
9 Talking about future events 93
10 Making a case or arguing a point 103
11 Narrating a story 115
12 Retelling a conversation 127
13 Electronic conversation 139
Appendix A: Irregular past tense and past participle forms 145
Appendix B: Short tag questions and answers 149
Appendix C: Glossary 155
Answer key 161
v
, PRACTICE
MAKES
PERFECT ™
English
Conversation
, Introducing yourself
and others
·1·
Conversation: Meeting at a party
Todd: Hi—you must be John’s cousin Matt, right? From San Diego?
Matt: Correct! I just got in last night.
Todd: I’m Todd, John’s roommate from Tech. Glad to meet you. I can assure you
that I’m not anything like what John has told you.
Matt: I’m happy to meet you, too—and, yes—I have heard about you! Football
player and party animal extraordinaire.
Todd: Football, yes—and as a matter of fact, I do like parties. But tell me more
about yourself and what you do in San Diego.
Matt: Well, I’m more (of) a surfer than a football player. You know, San Diego has
a fantastic coast—and we can surf all day and then party on the beach at night.
Todd: That sounds awesome. How long are you staying?
Matt: Well, I’ll be here for two weeks. John has promised me a nonstop schedule—
kind of a mix of sightseeing, meeting his friends, checking out the local scene,
and—hopefully—camping in the mountains for a couple of days.
Todd: John’s a good guy—and you can be sure he knows the local scene. He knows
everybody in town. I’m sure he’ll show you a good time. And his friends are here to
help.
Matt: Thanks so much—I really appreciate that. I’m still a bit jet-lagged at the
moment but should be in good shape by tomorrow. I’m looking forward to hearing
what John has in store for me. . . .
Todd: Don’t worry. We’ll all take good care of you. And don’t be surprised if we show
up on your doorstep in San Diego one day, ready for surfing!
Improving your conversation
I’m Todd ( Jones)
Simply using I’m and then saying your name is one way to introduce yourself. You
could also say, for example, My name’s Todd (Jones). It is customary to offer your
right hand in a handshake to the other person. In very informal situations, you
could just say Hi, I’m Todd, with no handshake.
To introduce one or more people other than yourself, say:
This is (my wife,) Mary. And this is Susan, Bob, and Joe.
1
