ELT Podcast - Intermediate Conversations for EFL and ESL

Conversation: Bill: I got a new computer yesterday. Robert: You got a new computer? Bill: Yes, a new notebook computer. Robert: Why didn't you get a desktop computer? Bill: The notebook is light, and has a battery, so I can use it anywhere. I can use it on the train or the bus. Robert: Isn't the keyboard too small to use? Bill: It's compact, but I'll get used to it. Robert: I think large keyboards are easier to use than small ones. Also, desktop computers are more powerful than notebooks. Bill: That's true, but my notebook computer is powerful enough for me. Robert: Aren't notebooks more expensive than desktop computers? Bill: Yes, desktop computers are less expensive, usually, but notebook computers are portable. I can use my notebook in any room, and when I'm finished, I can put it away. You can't put a desktop computer away. Robert: That's true, but my desktop computer doesn't take too much space. It's an iMac. Bill: That's a cool computer. I bet my Windows notebook was cheaper than your iMac. Robert: You get what you pay for. Bill: Funny. Let's practice: A: I got a new pet yesterday. B: You got a new pet? A: Yes, a cat. B: Why didn't you get a dog? A: I got a new car yesterday. B: You got a new car? A: Yes, a compact car. B: Why didn't you get a sports car? A: I got a new iPod yesterday. B: You got a new iPod? A: Yes, I got an iPod Shuffle. B: Why didn't you get an iPod Nano? A: I went on a homestay last year. B: You went on a homestay? A: Yes, I went to Ireland. B: Why didn't you go to Australia? www.eltcalendar.com

A: Where should we have our year-end party? B: How about that new Sri Lankan restaurant downtown? I hear it's good. A: Yeah, I read a review about it in the newspaper. Apparently, it's good, but the food is spicy. B: Now that you mention it, it's probably too spicy for me. A: OK, so do you know any other good restaurants? B: Well, how about Rizzo's? A: What's Rizzo's? B: It's an Italian place. Great pasta. A: Sounds good. B: All right, let's go there. I'll make the reservations. A: Thanks. Let's Practice A: Sri Lankan food is spicy. B: Now that you mention it, it's probably too spicy for me. A: Potato chips are salty. B: Now that you mention it, they're probably too salty for me. A: Fried chicken is oily. B: Now that you mention it, it's probably too oily for me. A: Steak is expensive. B: Now that you mention it, it's probably too expensive for me. A: Ice cream parfait is rich. B: Now that you mention it, it's probably too rich for me. http://www.eltpodcast.com/

(Phone rings.) A: Hello? B: Hey Robert, this is Bill. A: Bill who? B: Bill Clinton. Who do you think it is? A: Ah, you must be Bill Pellowe. B: Yep. How are you doing? A: Not too bad. B: Great. Listen, are you free tomorrow? Some friends of mine are coming over. Do you want to join us? A: Sorry, I'm not free tomorrow. Actually, I'm tied up all week. B: OK, well, that's too bad. Call me if you change your plans. A: OK, I might do that. LIsten, I'm in the middle of something, so I have to go now. B: OK, I'll see you later. A: Thanks for calling, Bill. Bye. B: Bye. Let's practice. This is a quick drill. Please change the questions. Here's an example: Q1: Do you need anything? Q2: Call me if you need anything. Your turn. Q1: Do you need anything? (pause) Q2: Call me if you need anything. Q1: Do you have any free time? (pause) Q2: Call me if you have any free time. Q1: Do you want to go out? (pause) Q2: Call me if you want to go out. Now, instead of "Call me" we'll use "Please tell me". Q1: Do you need anything? (pause) Q2: Please tell me if you need anything. Q1: Do you have any free time? (pause) Q2: Please tell me if you have any free time. Q1: Do you want to go out? (pause) Q2: Please tell me if you want to go out.

A: Hey, what happened to you? B: I broke my arm. A: Well, I can see that by your cast. How did it happen? B: I got hit by a car. A: You got hit by a car? How? B: Well, I was crossing the street and a car came around the corner pretty fast. A: Did you break anything else? B: No, just my arm. I got scrapes and bruises on my legs. A: That's too bad. I'm sorry to hear that. B: Thanks. I'll be alright. A: Hey, now's my chance to beat you in basketball. B: No, I'll still win. Let's Practice A: I got hit by a car. B: You got hit by a car? How? A: I skipped my class. B: You skipped your class? Why? A: I got a tattoo. B: You got a tattoo? Where? A: I have a date. B: You have a date? With who? A: I need a favor. B: You need a favor? What? A: I need to borrow some money. B: You need to borrow some money? How much? A: I called you today, but you didn't answer. B: You called me today? When?

Note: "How's" can mean either "How is" or "How has." In this conversation, it means "How has." A: How's your summer been so far? B: I haven't really done much yet. A: Have you been to the beach? B: Yes, I went there last weekend. I want to go a few more times before the summer is over. What about you? Do you have any plans for the rest of the summer? A: I'll probably have a barbecue or two. I'd like to go to an amusement park at least once. And I want to see some fireworks. B: I'm going to see the fireworks at the park next Saturday with some friends. Why don't you come with us? A: Next Saturday? Thanks, but I can't. I have dinner plans with some friends. I'll probably see the fireworks at the end of August. B: That's OK, no problem. I am thinking of going to waterslide pools next Sunday. Are you interested? A: Sure, sounds like fun! Let's practice I'm going have a barbecue next Saturday. I'll probably have beach party next Sunday or Monday. I might go camping if the weather is nice and if I'm not too tired. I'd like to go on a trip overseas but I probably won't have enough money. I'm not going to go on a long trip by car this year. More from ELT Podcast on www.eltpodcast.com

As the conversation begins, we can hear heavy rain. When Mr. A says, "Nice weather," he is being sarcastic. A: Nice weather isn't it? B: Yeah, tell me about it. It's been raining cats and dogs for three days. I just hate the rainy season. A: Well, at least it's not too hot. What I hate the most is the hot and humid weather. B: I know what you mean. I hate it too when it's muggy. Also, the thunder and lightning scares me. I always feel like it's going to hit me! A: Nonsense! Anyhow, I'm looking forward to the fall. The air is clean and crisp. It's my favorite time of the year. B: That's true. It is nice then. But I prefer the spring. I like to see the flowers blooming and the trees coming back to life again. Everything smells so nice in the spring. Also we can see the cherry blossoms. A: Spring is nice, but I like winter, too. B: What do you like about winter? It's cold and dark all the time! A: I don't know. I guess I like brisk weather. I also like to go skiing and skating. More available on our website: www.eltpodcast.com

A: Do you have a part-time job, Joe? B: Yes, I work at a convenience store. A: What do you do there? B: I do a little of everything. When there are a lot of customers, I work at the cash register. At other times, I put stuff on the shelves. A: Do you have to clean the store? B: Of course. We all do. We have to keep the restroom clean. If someone spills or breaks something in the store, we have to clean it up. We also have to make sure that the garbage bins outside don't overflow. A: What do you like the best about your job? B: I know my co-workers well, so we have fun working together. Also, the convenience store isn't far from my home, so it's easy to get there, and some of the customers are also my neighbors. A: What do you like the least about your job? B: Well, it's not an interesting job. It can get boring. PRACTICE A: What do you like the best about your hometown? B: It is very exciting. A: What do you like the least about your hometown? B: It is really cold in the winter. A: What do you like the best about school? B: I have lots of friends. A: What do you like the least about school? B: I have too much homework. A: What do you like the best about soccer? B: The players are always moving around. A: What do you like the least about soccer? B: There are not many goals. More conversations on www.eltpodcast.com

Bill: Do you want a cup of coffee? Robert: Yeah, sure. So, what have you been up to? Bill: Well, I've been really busy trying to finish this project on time. Robert: Are you having a hard time? Bill: Yes, but I haven't had enough time to really concentrate on it. Robert: I know what you mean. Bill: Not only that, but I've been feeling a little under the weather lately. Robert: Did you catch a cold? Bill: I don't know, I think I'm coming down with something. Robert: Maybe you should see a doctor. Bill: I think I'll go tomorrow. Robert: Good idea. Let's practice: A: So, what have you been up to? B: Well, I've been studying hard for exams. A: So, what have you been up to? B: I've been busy working every day. A: So, what have you been up to? B: Nothing. I've been really bored lately. A: So, what have you been up to? B: I got a new job. I've been trying get along with everybody at work. A: So, what have you been up to? B: I started guitar lessons. www.eltpodcast.com