You will now be asked a question about a familiar topic. After you hear the question, you will have 15 seconds to prepare your response and 45 seconds to speak.
Now play track 1-4 on the MP3 to hear Question 1.
How do you say hello and greet a new classmate in your English class? Why do you use those expressions?
Preparation time: 15 seconds
Response time: 45 seconds
Answers will vary.
You will now be asked to give your opinion about a familiar topic. After you hear the question, you will have 15 seconds to prepare your response and 45 seconds to speak.
Now play track 1-5 on the MP3 to hear Question 2.
In some countries people bow when they greet each other; in others, they shake hands. Which form of greeting do you prefer? Why?
Preparation time: 15 seconds
Response time: 45 seconds
Answers will vary.
You will now read a short passage and then listen to a conversation on the same topic. You will then be asked a question about them. After you hear the question, you will have 30 seconds to prepare your response and 60 seconds to speak.
Now play track 1-6 on the MP3 to hear Question 3.
Reading time: 45 seconds
Meeting people
The most common way of greeting someone both at an informal level and more formally is: Hello! How are you? And the usual reply is: Very well, thank you. Or: Fine, thank you. After we have given this reply, we often repeat: And how are you? Or: And what about you? The response is still the same: Fine, thanks.
At the most informal level, among friends and especially among young people, the most common greeting is: Hi! And the response is: Hi! This may be followed by one of the following: How are things?, How's things?, How's it going?, Are you OK? And the answer probably is: Yeah, fine!, or: Yeah, not so bad!
What formal and informal introductions have the speakers used?
Preparation time: 30 seconds
Response time: 60 seconds
Possible answer: The speakers used the following informal greetings: Hi, Peter, I'm just fine. Nice to meet you. How are you and How do you do are formal and informal greetings. Good morning Mr. and Mrs. Park is more formal.
You will now read a short passage and then listen to a talk on the same topic. You will then be asked a question about them. After you hear the question, you will have 30 seconds to prepare your response and 60 seconds to speak.
Now play track 1-7 on the MP3 to hear Question 4.
Reading time: 45 seconds
Introductions
For first time introductions, men usually shake their hands but women may prefer to say, "How do you do?" or "Nice to meet you".
If the other person is clearly older than you, use Mr., Mrs., Ms., or Miss and the last name:"Hello, Mrs. Black." If the person has a title (Doctor, Dean, or Professor), it is correct to use the title with the last name, as in "Good morning Dean Parsons".
With people of your own age (other students, or neighbors), you may say, "Hello (Janet)" or more informally "Hi". When you meet them again, just say," Hi (Bob), How are you?" The usual answer is "Very well, thank you", or "Fine, thanks".
Does the speaker feel the way he is learning English is more useful in real life than it was in his father's time? Why?
Preparation time: 30 seconds
Response time: 60 seconds
Possible answer: Yes, the speaker feels the way we learn English now is more useful because we have lots of examples of expressions used by native speakers and also practice them in class, use them in lots of exercises, and invent our own conversations.
You will now listen to a conversation. You will then be asked a question about it. After you hear the question, you will have 20 seconds to prepare your response and 60 seconds to speak.
Now play track 1-8 on the MP3 to hear Question 5.
What is the boy's problem? Do you agree with his solution? Why?
Preparation time: 20 seconds
Response time: 60 seconds
Possible answer: The boy's problem is using formal or informal language when he meets the girl's parents. I agree that using the formal way is better in that situation. (or I disagree because I prefer to use informal language with my friends' parents.)
You will now listen to part of a lecture. You will then be asked a question about it. After you hear the question, you will have 20 seconds to prepare your response and 60 seconds to speak.
Now play track 1-9 on the MP3 to hear Question 6.
According to the lecturer, what does the use of formal or informal greetings depend on? Why?
Preparation time: 20 seconds
Response time: 60 seconds
Possible answer: The use of formal or informal greetings and introductions depends on the place, occasion, and the relation between the speakers because it is considered rude to greet a stranger with an informal expression, and it would sound strange to use formal greetings with children, friends, or classmates.
