1. How do you do? | a A bit hectic at the moment, I’m afraid. |
2. I’m sorry, we haven’t been introduced. | b That’s right! How did you know my name? |
3. How are things? | c No, we’ve never been formally introduced. |
4. Pleased to meet you. | d No, that’s right. My name’s Annette Carducci. |
5. You must be Michiyo Nakamoto. | e How do you do? |
6. I don’t think you’ve met Mr Mersch before. | f I’m glad to meet you, too. |
7. Rearrange the conversation:
- Fine, thanks. | - Really? That’s interesting. |
- How was your trip? | - Good. Are you here on business then? |
- How do you find Tokyo? | - No, just a couple of days. |
- Which hotel are you staying in? | - Are you staying long? |
- Very exciting! | - That’s a pity. There’s a lot to see. |
- The Sheraton. | -Yes, we’re thinking of setting up an office here. |
- I’m sure. I hope to get back here again. |
8. Engage your partner in conversation. Try to establish a common interest (a place, a hobby, a job, family...), use the vocabulary on Meeting people:
Welcome to.../ How are you? /How are you doing? /How’s it going?
I am fine. /All right./ Not too bad./ I can’t complain./ Could be better.
I have an appointment to see...
Sorry I am a little late/ My plane was delayed
Can I introduce you to...? / I’d like to introduce you to…
Pleased to meet you / Nice to see you /It’s a pleasure meeting you.
How was your trip? / Did you have a good flight?
How long are you staying here?
Is it your first visit to...?
Is your hotel comfortable?
Do you need anything? / Can I get you anything?
Would you like a drink?
If you need a phone or fax, please, say.
Do you need a hotel / a taxi? Shall I take you to the office?
Could you help me to arrange a flight?
Can you recommend a good hotel/ restaurant?
I’d like to book a room for tomorrow night. Shall I book one?
Retell the text using the active vocabulary.
TELEPHONE
1. Read and memorize the following words and word combinations:
telephone book (directory) | телефонний довідник |
telephone booth (box phone) | телефон-автомат |
Directory Enquiries (Am. Assistance/information) | телефонна довідкова служба |
Switchboard | комутатор |
A receptionist (operator) | телефоніст (ка) |
general call | загальний виклик |
emergency call | екстрений виклик |
local call | місцевий виклик |
personal call | виклик конкретної особи |
toll call | приміський виклик |
trunk call (U. K.) / long-distance call (U. S.) | міжміський виклик |
to book (to order) the call | замовити дзвінок |
to answer the call | відповісти на дзвінок |
to make a call (to call, to ring up) | подзвонити |
to give sb a call (to give sb a ring) | подзвонити кому-небудь |
to put a call through (to connect the call) | подзвонити, з’єднати |
to call back (to call later, to return the call) | подзвонити ще раз |
to cut off (to be disconnected) | роз’єднати |
to get sb over the telephone | з’єднатися з ким-небудь по телефону |
go ahead | говоріть |
to hang up, to ring off, to put down the receiver, to replace the handset | вішати трубку |
to hold on, to hold the wire/ the line), to hang on - to wait | тримати трубку, не вішати трубку |
to be on the line (on the phone) | бути біля телефону |
to be engaged on another line | розмовляти по іншому телефону |
the line is free (clear) | лінія вільна |
to leave (to give, to pass on, to send sb) a message | передавати повідомлення |
to put down (to write down, take down) а telephone number | записати номер телефону |
to speak over (on) the telephone | розмовляти по телефону |
to speak more loudly (to speak up) | розмовляти голосніше |
the number is engaged (busy) | номер зайнятий |
be (not) available (be out) | бути поза зоною досяжності |
sorry to keep you waiting | пробачте, що змусив вас чекати |
what’s the code for the London | який код Лондону |
to dial 8 to get an outside line | натисніть 8, щоб вийти на міжміську лінію |
2. Give antonyms to the following word combinations:
to get the wrong number; the line is busy; to take up the receiver; to hold on; to connect.
3. Fill in the blanks with suitable words and word combinations:
1. I believe the... is out of order.
2. Something must be wrong with the... It does not go back into position.
3. There was... for you this morning.
4. Can I book a... call in advance?
5. As he was walking along the street, he saw a... on the corner.
4. Give synonyms to the words in bold type:
1. I will ring you up tomorrow, just about the same time.
2. A constant buzzing showed that the number was engaged.
3. "Who is this?" asked the voice. "Miss White is out at the moment. Will you ring her up again another time?"
4. May I speak to the chief of the Department, please?
5. Can I make a trunk call from here?
6. Has anybody called me during the day and asked you to tell me anything?
Learn the following text.
TELEPHONE
The most convenient mean of communication is telephone. If you want to ring somebody up you must pick up a receiver, dial the number and wait for an answer. If the line is engaged, you'll hear frequent buzzing. If it is free, you will hear long buzzing.
In real life people prefer to use an ordinary phone regularly. Some of them spend a lot of time on the phone. Some people don’t enjoy chatting and their calls are often short and to the point. From time to time we get annoyed while talking on the phone. The problem is that the line is engaged. In other words, someone is already on the phone (= using the phone). Quite often we’ve got the wrong number and a strange answer. Very often we are frustrated because the line is bad. We can hardly (scarcely) hear each other and there’s some background noise interfering and often we are cut off and try to get a person over the phone again and again. That’s why people use mobile phones or leave a message on an answer phone.
If you use a public phone, you must have a card to put it into the slot before picking up a receiver. If the line is engaged, you must make another call in 3 or 4 minutes. If you want to communicate with another town you must make a long-distance call.
Remember the following
TELEPHONE ETIQUETTE
The techniques of telephoning is very much the same in all countries. Only remember your good telephone manners:
1. When talking on the telephone – speak clearly. Do not shout and take your cigarette out of your mouth.
2. Make sure that your conversation with a busy person is as brief as possible.
3. When calling a friend who does not recognize your voice - don't play: "Guess who?" Announce yourself promptly.
4. When you get a wrong number don't ask: "What number is this?" It is a good manner to ask: "Is this two-three-four-five-six?" If not - apologize.
5. If a wrong number call comes through, don't lose your temper. Simply say: "Sorry, wrong number", - and hang up. Don't bang the receiver.
6. Always identify yourself when making a call, especially if you are calling on business, e.g. "This is Mr. Volkov of the Russian Trade Mission. Could I speak to Mr. Jones...?"
7. If you have a visitor, do not carry a long chat when your visitor tries hard to avoid listening to your conversation. The best thing to do is to say you are busy at the moment and... "May I call you back in a little while?" But don't forget to do so.
8. When inviting friends to a party do not ask: "What are you doing on Saturday night?" or "Will you be busy on Saturday night?" The correct way is to say: "We'd like to have you over for dinner on Saturday."
9. Finally, remember: if you make the call, you should terminate it yourself. Do not "Drag it out".