BBC Learning English
How to …
Close a topic

How to …

© BBC Learning English 2007

close a topic

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Answers

Matt closes the topic by saying:

but it’s very interesting, very exciting to hear the heart

The word ‘but’ is used to change from talking about the technical issue of how to record

babies’ hearts, to the more general topic. Matt then gives his final opinion on the subject to

indicate he’s ready to stop talking about it.

Anyway

A signal that Matt needs to leave.

I need to chip off

Matt is saying he needs to go. ‘To chip off’ is an unusual English expression, but the meaning

is obvious in this context.

Script

Matt:

He’s got a very good and strong heart, which is obviously what we want, so,

yeah…

William:

Is that, err, how, do they, are they able to sort of tell how strong a baby’s

heart…?

Matt:

Yeah, yeah, you can, you can listen to the heart. I’m not sure -

William:

Is that something you do or…?

Matt:

Erm, not without the aid of special microphones, which is obviously in my

province… But it’s very interesting, very exciting to hear the heart.

How to …

© BBC Learning English 2007

close a topic

Page 2 of 2

bbclearningenglish.com

Anyway, look erm… I think if you’re… if you’ve got everything you need

then I, I need to chip off…

William:

All right…thanks a lot Matt, for doing that*.

Matt:

That’s no problem ‘Wal’**

William:

‘Wal’! And er, yeah, I’ll see you later

Matt:

See you later on.

Other notes

* William is referring to help Matt gave him before this conversation.

** ‘Wal’ is a funny way of saying ‘Will’ for ‘William’.