Common responses

In the second box, there are some expressions commonly used in English. They are often used in answer to the sentences in the first box. Match the correct expression to each sentence.

Phrases

How are you? / Thanks very much. / I'm so sorry. / Would you like a drink? / Have you got the right time? / Could I have one of your cigarettes?

Common responses

I'd love one. / Help yourself. / Fine, thanks. / I'm afraid not. / It doesn't matter. / Not at all, you're welcome.

Answers:

Phrase	Common Responses
How are you?	Fine, thanks.
Thanks very much.	Not at all, you're welcome.
I'm so sorry.	It doesn't matter.
Would you like a drink?	I'd love one.
Have you got the right time?	I'm afraid not.
Could I have one of your cigarettes?	Help yourself.

Common Expressions

On the left below is a list of everyday colloquial expressions that you might hear in Britain. On the right, in a wrong order, are their meanings. Can you fit each expression to its correct meaning?

a. Hang on!	1. Be sensible.
b. Well, I never!	2. I think you're joking.
c. Get on with it!	3. That's very surprising.
d. It can't be helped.	4. Wait a minute.
e. Mind out!	5. Relax.
f. Stop messing about!	6. Hurry up.
g. Calm down.	7. There's nothing we can do about it.
h. Get away with you!	8. Be careful

Answers:

a. Hang on!	1. Wait a minute.
b. Well, I never!	2. That's very surprising.
c. Get on with it!	3. Hurry up.
d. It can't be helped.	4. There's nothing we can do about it.
e. Mind out!	5. Be careful
f. Stop messing about!	6. Be sensible.
g. Calm down.	7. Relax
h. Get away with you!	8. I think you're joking.

In Britain, you are likely to hear the following expressions in particular places. Can you match the list of places to the list of expressions? Try to work out what they all mean before you look at the answers.

Expressions

1. Last orders, please 2. A day return to Birmingham, please. 3. How would you like it done?

4. Do you want it to go first or second class? 5. Can you hold on a moment, please?

6. Tickets, please.

Places

a. On the telephone b. In a pub c. On a bus d. In a post office e. In a restaurant f. at a railway station

Answers:

Expressions	Places
Last orders, please	In a pub
A day return to Birmingham, please.	at a railway station
How would you like it done?	In a restaurant
Do you want it to go first or second class?	In a post office
Can you hold on a moment, please?	On the telephone
Tickets, please.	On a bus

Where?

Where, or in what circumstances would you hear the following? And who is speaking?

Mind the doors! / Hold very tight! / Time! Time, gentlemen, please. / Your move. / Bless you! / On your marks! Get set! Go!

Answers:

Phrase	Where?
Mind the doors!	In an Underground (tube) station. These words are shouted by the guards as the train doors close.
Hold very tight!	The conductor calls out `Hold tight' or something similar as the bus moves off from each stop.
Time! Time, gentlemen, please.	This is the call made by the barman in a public house to inform the customers that closing time is approaching.
Your move.	This is spoken by one's opponent in chess or similar board games.
Bless you!	This `blessing' is given by your friend or companion when you sneeze. It's also an affectionate way of saying `thank you'.
On your marks! Get set!	In athletics. These words are called out by the starter at the beginning of a race, before hr fires a starting pistol. And then he shouts `Go!'

When would you use the following expressions?

Good luck! /`gHd ,lAk/	Желаю удачи!	Before someone is taking an exam, for instance. Например, перед тем, как кто-либо будет сдавать экзамен.
Congratulations! /k,On`grqtjuleiSnz/	Поздравляю!	When someone has won something, got married or had a baby. Когда кто-либо что-либо выиграл, или у кого-то родился ребёнок.(т.е. поздравление с чем-то, важным, потребовавшим усилий, жертв, или особых стараний).
Good Lord! /'gHdlLd/	О, Господи!	When someone is surprised. Когда кто-либо удивлён.
Have a nice time! /h`xvq n,aIst,aim/	Желаю приятно провести время.	When someone is going out. Когда кто-то уходит в гости, в клуб, и т. д.
Cheerio! /`CJrIVu/	Пока!	Colloquial for goodbye. Разговорное выражение для «до свидания»
I'm sorry to hear that. /aIm ` sOritq `hiW ,Dxt/	Печально об этом слышать ./ С чувством печали я узнал, что ...	When someone tells you bad news. Когда кто-либо сообщает вам неприятные известия.
Bad luck! /`bxd lAk/	Не повезло!	When they fail. Когда кому-либо что-то не удаётся.
Watch out! / Look out! /wPC`aut/	Осторожно! / Берегись!	When there is some danger. В опасной ситуации.
Ta. /tW/	Спасибо.	Slang for «thank you» (Great Britain only) Сленг для «спасибо» (Только в Великобритании)
Cheers! /`CJqz/	Ваше здоровье! (тост) Спасибо.(разговорн.) Пока./ До встречи. (разговорн.)	A toast when drinking. Thank you. (informal everyday English) Goodbye (informal everyday English)

Who and where?

Who would you expect to be speaking the following words and in what circumstances?

Who and where?	Answers
This was due back a week ago. I'm afraid that'll be 32 p to pay.	A library assistant is explaining that there is a fine to pay on an overdue book.
Black or white?	An assistant in a café is asking a customer if he wants milk in his coffee.
Read the letters, please, starting from the top line.	An optician is testing a patient's eyes.
This is the very garment worn by the king on that faithful day.	A guide is explaining the significance of an exhibit in a museum or similar institution.
I'd like to ask you a few questions about the event.	A policeman is conducting an investigation.

What's it about?

Sometimes one can overhear a snatch of a conversation and know precisely what was under discussion. Read the sentences below and say what `it' in each sentence probably refers to.

What's it about?	Answers
Keep a careful eye on it. It may boil over.	Milk, or possibly soup.
She left it on the bus so now the other is no good.	A glove.
It's over an hour late because there's been a power failure.	A train.
It came away in my hand so I had to leave my luggage in the street and go back for help.	The handle of a suitcase or bag.
No, it's not strong enough, the sides are coming apart again.	Glue.

Colloquial Phrases and Common Responses

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Example

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