Small Talk at The Bus Stop
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Małgorzata MalinowskaSmall Talk at The Bus Stop
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Małgorzata MalinowskaEnglishClub : Learn English : Speaking : Small Talk
Small Talk Practice 1: At a Bus Stop
This page is a practice session based on the language of small talk in
English, in this case at a bus stop.
Read the small talk below and find the 10 mistakes. Then check your
answers.
Woman: We could ask for a better day, could we?
Man: I know. There isn't a cloud in the sky. I love this time of year.
Woman: Me too. The cherry blossoms are beautiful, you think?
Man: They sure are. But I heard he is calling for rain all weekend.
Woman: Really? Oh well. I have to work all weekend anyway. I'm a doctor.
Man: Wow. I'm sure you make good money with that diamond watch you
have on.
Woman: Ah, this bus seems to be running late. How long of a wait is it
already?
Man: I've been here for at least fifteen minutes now.
Woman: Where are you heading today?
Man: Actually, I'm going to the City Hall to cast my vote for mayor.
Woman: Oh, what a coincidence. So am I! Who are you voting for?
Man: Um, well...I'm still thinking about it.
Woman: Here comes a bus now.
Man: Oh good. Wait, that's not the bus we want. That bus goes downtown.
Woman: Well, it looks like we'll be waiting a little longer. I guess, I'll use this
time to catch up on my reading.
Man: I love reading. Right now I'm reading a Stephen King book. Do you like
Stephen King?
Woman: Not really.
Man: Oh, here's our bus.
Woman: Oh great. I thought it would never come. Well, have a nice day.
Man: Say, did you catch the news today?
Now check your answers. Did you find all 10 mistakes?
1.
Woman: We could ask for a better day, could we?
Correction: We couldn't ask for a better day, could we?
2.
Woman: Me too. The cherry blossoms are beautiful, you think?
Correction: Me too. The cherry blossoms are beautiful, aren't they?
3.
Man: They sure are. But I heard he is calling for rain all weekend.
Correction: They sure are. But I heard they are calling for rain all weekend.
4.
Woman: Really? Oh well. I have to work all weekend anyway. I'm a doctor.
Correction: During small talk with a stranger, it is not common to discuss
personal information relating to work.
5.
Man: Wow. I'm sure you make good money with that diamond watch you
have on.
Correction: It is not acceptable to discuss salaries while making small talk.
6.
Woman: Ah, this bus seems to be running late. How long of a wait is it
already?
Correction: Ah, this bus seems to be running late. How long have you been
waiting?
7.
Woman: Where are you heading today?
Correction: Too personal.
8.
Woman: Oh, what a coincidence. So am I! Who are you voting for?
Correction: Politics is not a "safe" subject to discuss.
9.
Man: I love reading. Right now I'm reading a Stephen King book. Do you like
Stephen King?
Correction: The woman suggested that she wanted to end the conversation.
The man did not take the hint.
10.
Man: Say, did you catch the news today?
Correction: Thanks. You too. This is not an appropriate time to start a new
conversation. The bus's arrival indicates that it is time to stop talking.
● Small Talk
