Common responses

 

Echoing:

Another easy way to keep the other person talking is to echo the key thing they're saying, like this:

A) I'm going to the movies tonight.

B) The movies?

 In this dialogue the speakers echo one another to maintain clarity. Guess the words in the gaps.

A) I'm going to the movies tonight.

B) The _______?

A) Yes, I'm going to see a new anime movie.

B) An _______ movie?

A) It's a new one from Studio Ghibli.

B) ___________! I love those movies.

A)You _____ them?

B) Of course - what's the title?

A) The _____ - I'm not sure. I'll google it.

B) Okay ______ it. If I haven't seen it, could I come along?

A) Sure, you can _____ _____... Here it is - it's called Ponyo.

B) ______ - I don't think I've seen that one.

A) Well, it's on a 6.45 tonight.

B) ______. Great. I'm keen to come.

A) _____! Let's meet here at school at 5.15 and then walk down to the cinema.

B) _____. Sure thing, I'll be here.

Check

 

A) I'm going to the movies tonight.

B) The movies?

A) Yes, I'm going to see a new anime movie.

B) An Anime movie?

A) It's a new one from Studio Ghibli.

B) Studio Ghibli! I love those movies.

A) You love them?

B) Of course - what's the title?

A) The title - I'm not sure. I'll google it.

B) Okay google it. If I haven't seen it, could I come along?

A) Sure, you can come along... Here it is - it's called Ponyo.

B) Ponyo - I don't think I've seen that one.

A) Well, it's on a 6.45 tonight.

B) 6.45. Great. I'm keen to come.

A) Great! Let's meet here at school at 5.15 and then walk down to the cinema.

B) 5.15. Sure thing, I'll be here.

 

Common responses

Quizlet practice

Reacting to questions

When someone asks you a question, try commenting on the question before you answer it.

Oh, it's funny you should ask me that because...

I was wondering if you'd ask me that.

I wasn't expecting that question.

That's an interesting question.

I like the question.

That's a tricky one

This question makes me feel happy because...

I was hoping you'd ask me that.

Oh not that question!

Hmmm. Let me think about that.

Can you be more specific?

Can you rephrase the question?

What do you mean exactly?

Good question.

Tough question.

Nice question.

Prompts like these elicit further input from a conversational partner. Use them!

Really?
Interesting.
Go on?
Okay.
Yes?
Great.

Continue.
Did you really?
Perfect.
Nice.
How terrible.
Oh.
And?
Then what?
So?
Crazy!
Amazing.
No!?
You're kidding, aren't you?
Funny. Keep talking!
Good one.
Good for you.
Of course.
No way!?
Ha ha.
Yeah.
Yeah?
Yeah!

Keeping a conversation going (B1, Speaking)

Noelia: Hi, Bob!

Bob: Oh, morning, Noelia.

Noelia: So, what's _____? 

Bob: New, hmm, let me ______. Hmm … Nothing _____. Oh, hang on. My dog Bertie had his 14th birthday on Monday! 

Noelia: Oh, he's getting old ______?

Bob: I guess ____ … but not as old as his owner. 

Noelia: Haha … er, _________ …

Bob: How _______ you, Noelia? How's it going? 

Noelia: Great, actually. Yeah … ______ good.

Bob: _____ the way, I ________ to ask you, where in Spain are you from?

Noelia: I'm from Santander.

Bob: Oh, _______. Wonderful to grow up near the sea. 

Noelia: Yeah, it was perfect. Ah, I miss the sea. 

Bob: I know what you ______. I used to live in Spain and I _________ loved it.

Noelia: Really? I _______ know that, Bob! 

Bob: Yeah, I had a little bar on the Costa Brava.

Noelia: Wow! So do you speak Spanish ______?

Bob: Oh, _____ much. Ah, those were the days! Excuse me. Perdona, Noelia. Tengo que irme. Me necesitan en el segundo piso. ¡Hasta pronto! 

Noelia: Wow!