Conversation Practice Invitations

a) How to invite others to do something (with you):

Would you like to Do you want to

How about

Do you feel like

come to a party with me on Saturday'

coming to Brighton with me tomorrow after­noon?

b) How to accept an invitation:

I'd love to.

I'd like to very much.

That sounds like a good idea

That sounds (nice/lovely/super).

That would be nice.

Of course.

With pleasure.

Thank you (very much)

c) How to turn down an invitation politely:

No, thank you.

I'm afraid I can't

I'm (awfully) sorry but I can't.

d) How to accept an invitation and ask for further details:

Yes, (I'd love to) but

where exactly? what time? when exactly? which day?

e) How to turn down an invitation but suggest an alternative time or day:

Oh, dear, I can't (on Friday). But another time perhaps?

I'm afraid I'm busy then. Can't you make it another day/time⁵

I'm sorry but I can't (tomorrow). Does Tuesday suit you?

I'm afraid (Friday's) a bit difficult What about another day?

f) How to persist with an invitation to try to persuade others to change their minds:

If a person turns down your invitation, you can always persist if and try to make him change his mind. Here are some phrases you can use:

Oh, come on.

Are you sure you can't?

Oh, surely you can!

It should be fun/interesting. I promise it'll be fun. Just for me, eh?

g) How to give in to persuasion:

Oh,

all right then, very well, as you wish.

i) How to resist persuasion politely:

No,

honestly, I really can't, it's really impossible.

Conversation 1

It is Tuesday evening. Joanna has just come home from work when the phone rings. Joanna: Hello, 5621. Simon: Hello, Jo. It's me — Simon. Do you remember — from

the party?

Joanna: Oh, yes, of course. Hello, Simon. Simon: Listen, Jo, I was wondering if you were doing anything

on Saturday afternoon? Joanna: Er... Saturday?

Simon: Only, if not, would you like to come to Stratford for the day? They say "The Merchant of Venice" is really mar vellous! Joanna: Yes, I'd love to, but wait a minute — I'll just check in m

diary. (She looks through her diary.) Hello? Simon: Yes?

Joanna: I'm awfully sorry, Simon, but my mother's coming down from Edinburgh and I've promised to go shopping with her on Saturday afternoon.

Simon: Oh, that's a pity! But can't you go shopping another da}' Joanna: No, I'm afraid not. My mother's only staying for a few

days. Simon: But do you really have to go with her? Can't she go on

her own?

Joanna: Well, she's buying a coat and wants me to go along arid help her choose it. I'll have to go with her. She's been looking forward to it for weeks. Simon: Ah well, another time perhaps?

Joanna: Yes, fine. Look, why not the weekend after next? It's still on then, isn't it³

Simon: Yes, I think so. A week on Saturday, then. I'll pick you

up at about 2 o'clock. О. К.? Joanna: Yes, lovely. Thank you. I look forward to it.

/. Listen to the conversation and answer the questions:

Who is calling Joanna? Where does Simon invite Joanna to? Why can't she accept his invitation? What do they agree upon?

//. Give a brief account of the conversation.

III. Find in the text appropriate English phrases for the follo­wing:

Послушай, Джо, интересно, что ты собираешься делать в суб­боту? Не хотела бы ты поехать в Стратфорд? Говорят.... Мне бы очень хотелось.... Я только проверю по дневнику. Мне очень жаль. Не могли бы вы пойти за покупками в другой раз? Боюсь, что нет. Не может ли она сходить сама? Она ждала этого неде­лями. Может быть в следующий раз? Прекрасно. Я заеду за тобой в два часа. Жду с нетерпением. Моя мать пробудет у меня только несколько дней.

IV. Act out the conversation.

V. Accept the invitations:

1. Would you like to come to Stratford on Saturday afternoon? 2. Do you want to have lunch with me tomorrow? 3. How about visiting the Space Museum with me on Saturday? 4. Do you feel like seeing the film at the Plaza with me tomorrow? 5. Do you feel like coming for a drive? 6. Would you like to join me?

VI. Turn down the invitations politely:

1. Would you like to see "Hamlet" with me next Thursday? 2. Do you want to go to the country with me tomorrow? 3. Do you feel like visiting the new art gallery on Saturday? 4. How about coming round to my place tonight? 5. What about having dinner with me some time next week? 6. Do you feel like going to the pictu­res with me tomorrow?

VII. Invite your friend to:

nave dinner with you; go to the dance with you on Friday; go on a picnic with you; come round for a meal on Christmas Eve; join you for golf on Friday; listen to your new records; go for a walk with you; hear "Carmen" with you; play chess with you, etc. Your friend will accept or turn down the invitation.

VIII. Learn the dialogues. Make up similar dialogues:

1. — Would you like to come with me to the cinema tonight?

— I'd love to, but honestly I can't.

— Oh, come on. Just for me, eh?

— Oh, very well. Just for you.

2. — Would you like to come fishing with me on Wednesday?

— Oh dear, I can't on Wednesday. Can't you make it another day?

— What about Thursday, then?

— Yes, Thursday's fine. Thank you very much.

3. — Do you feel like coming to the pub with me tonight?

— Oh dear! I'm afraid I can't. I've already arranged to go somewhere tonight.

— Ah well. Another time, perhaps?

— Yes, fine.

4. — How about meeting me after work tomorrow?

— Yes, I'd love to, but what time exactly?

— About 5.30.

— Yes, fine. See you tomorrow then.

5. — Do you feel like going to the cinema?

— That sounds like a good idea. Thank you.

— Let's make it 6.30 at your place.

— That'll be O.K. by me.

6. — Would you like to come to the Tate with me?

— Er... When exactly?

— On Friday afternoon.

Conversation^

Mrs Miller: Do you like musicals, Monica?

Monica: Yes, but I prefer classical plays. Why?

Mrs Miller: Well, there's a new one at the Prince of Wales. It's

had very good reviews. Monica: What do they say about it? Mrs Miller: The Sunday Time says it's brilliant and the Sunday

Mirror says it is exciting. Monica: That's not bad. It sounds quite good but I think I'd

rather see something more serious. Mrs Miller: How about this one then?

Monica: Which one? ^,.,. _T4

Mrs Miller- This one here. It's a thriller, by Agatha Christie. It must be good. It's been on for over twenty-five years. Monica: I still think I'd prefer a more serious play. Mrs Miller: All right. I'll have another look. Do you like Bernard Shaw?

Monica: Ah! That sounds better. Who's in it?

Mrs Miller: I don't know, but it is staged by the Royal Shakes­peare Theatre Company, so it's going to have some

good actors in it. Monica: That should be all right. Do they have any matinee

performances?

Mrs Miller: Yes, on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons. Monica: I think I'll book up for that then. Mrs Miller: And I suppose you'd like to see some Shakespeare

plays, wouldn't you?

Monica: Yes, very much. What plays are on? Mrs Miller: "Romeo and Juliet", "Twelfth Night"', "Richard III"

and, ah, I think you'd like this: "Love's Labours Lost"

in Regent Park. Monica: Regent Park? Mrs Miller: Yes, they have a theatre in the park, all in the open.

It's a lovely way of spending an afternoon. Why don't

you go to a matinee? Monica: That sounds marvellous, but I'd like,to see other

plays as well.

/. Listen to the conversation and answer the questions:

What are Mrs Miller and Monica talking about? What is on at the Prince of Wales? What do the reviews say about the musi­cal? Does Monica feel like seeing the musical? What plays does Monica prefer? What plays is she going to see in London?

//. Give a brief account of the conversation.

III. Find in the text appropriate English phrases for the follo­wing:

Почему бы тебе не сходить на дневной спектакль? Я бы пред­почла посмотреть что-нибудь более серьезное. Какие пьесы Шекспира идут в театре? Я бы хотела посмотреть и другие пьесы также. Эта пьеса идет более 25 лет. Я еще раз посмотрю. Это звучит восхитительно. Это прекрасный способ провести время после полудня. У этого спектакля хорошие отзывы. Этот спек­такль должен быть хорошим. Я полагаю, ты бы хотела посмо­треть пьесы Шекспира, не правда ли?

IV. Give synonymous expressions to the following:

Why don't you go to a matinee? That sounds marvellous. I think I'd rather see something more serious. How about this one then? I'd like to see other plays as well. I'd prefer a more serious play. It must be good.

V. Ask your own questions on the conversation.

VI. Complete the phrases from the conversation:

1. Well,... at the Prince of Wales. 2. It sounds quite good but I think.... 3.... for over twenty-five years. 4. And I suppose.... 5.... to a matinee? 6.... but I'd like to see other plays as well.

VII. Role-play the conversation.

VIII. Act out the following situations:

1. You've got a spare ticket for "Carmen" on Saturday night. You phone your friend and invite him (her) to join you. He (she) willingly accepts your invitation. You are going to pick up your friend at his (her) place at 6.30.

2. You phone your friend to invite him (her) to dinner at your house one evening next week. You will not take "no" for an answer!

3. You receive a phone call from A who wants to see you some time next week. You do not really like A very much, so try to find excuses for not accepting the invitation.

Conversation 3

At the Box-office

Richard: Wait for me in the lobby, Pauline. We may not be able to get seats. I'll ask at the box-office window.

Richard: May I have two tickets for this evening's performance, please?

Box office Do you have reservations?

clerk:

Richard: No, are there any good seats left?

Box office Yes, I have a few. 1 can give you very good seats either

clerk: in the orchestra or in the first balcony, third row.

Richard: Good, I like the seats in the balcony better than those on the main floor. Give me two, please, in the aisle, if possible. Do you have programs here?

Box office No, you can get them from the usher at the main en-clerk: trance.

Richard: We were lucky, Pauline. I've got excellent seats. I'll check my hat and coat and get the programs.

Pauline: You'd better hurry up. Look at the time. The curtain goes up at 8.30 sharp. We don't want to be iate.

/. Listen to the conversation and answer the questions: Where are Richard and Pauline at the moment? What are they

going to do? Are there any good seats left? What seats does Richard prefer? What time does the performance begin?

//. Give a brief account of the conversation.

III. Find in the text appropriate English phrases for the follo­wing:

Возможно, мы не сможем достать билеты. Подожди меня в вестибюле Ты бы лучше поторопился. Остались хорошие ме­ста? Нам повезло. Могу я купить два билета на вечерний спек­такль? У вас заказаны билеты заранее? У меня есть несколько билетов. Занавес поднимается ровно в 8.30. Я сдам в гардероб пальто и шляпу и куплю программы.

IY. Act out the conversation.

V. Situation: You are at the box-office. You want two tickets in the stalls for tonight's performance. The clerk offers you the circle.

Conversation 4

At the Theatre

Dick:

Hallo, Pauline. You are looking prettier than ever this

evening. Are you enjoying the play? Pauline: Very much. However, the play is not as good as the book.

But Helen Hais is one of our best actresses. She makes

any play a success. And the stage sets are beautiful.

By the way, Ed, what did you think of Eugene O'Neill's

last play? Remember it ran in the Natiorral Theatre this

past week. Ed: It was his worst play. However, I don't like Eugene

O'Neill as you know He neither interests nor amuses me.

He's too serious. I like at least one laugh in the play. Pauline: Yes, I agree with you, Ed. Richard: So do I, But there's the signal for act two. Why don't

we get together after the play.? We can get a bite to eat.

We'll look you up later.

/. Listen to the conversation and answer the questions:

What does Pauline think of the performance? What is her opi­nion of Helen Hais? How does she find the sets? What does Ed think of Eugene O'Neill's last play? Why doesn't he like him? What are the friends going to do after the play?

//. Give a brief account of the conversation. III. Act out the conversation.

A Late Night

Last night my parents went to a play. They went with the Blakes who are the people we visited last Saturday.

Before the play Mum and Dad walked down Shaftesbury Avenue. Mum wanted to see the theatres and clubs. They walked slowly and arrived five minutes late.

Mum loved the play. Mrs Blake liked the dances, but she didn't like the songs. Dad didn't like the play at all because he can't stand musicals. Mr Blake didn't like it either. After the play they went to a night club. They enjoyed that very much. They didn't get back to the hotel until very late. This morning they stayed in bed until eleven o'clock.

The Play

Mrs Hunt: Did you enjoy the play, Clare?

Mrs Blake: Yes, I enjoyed it very much. I adore musicals.

Mrs Hunt: So do I.

Mrs Blake: You didn't like the first act, did you?

Mrs Hunt: No, I didn't. The women danced badly and the men

who danced seemed nervous. Mrs Blake: Yes, you are right. The woman who played the nurse

wasn't Jill Sheen, was she?

Mrs Hunt: No, she wasn't. Her name was Shirley Chilver. Mrs Blake: She talked too fast and she didn't dance very well

either.

Mr Hunt: Did you really enjoy the play? Mrs Hunt: Of course we did. Mr Hunt: What did you like? Mrs Hunt: Oh, everything.

Costumes and Scenery

Mr Hunt: You don't really like musicals, do you?

Mr Blake: No, not really. I prefer straight plays. Last week we went to see "Waiting for Godot."

Mr Hunt: The production wasn't very good, was it?

Mr Blake: No, but the play was interesting.

Mr Hunt: You were lucky. Tonight's play was dull.

Mr Blake: The actors and actresses weren't very good.

Mr Hunt: No, but the costumes and scenery were marvellous.

Mr Blake: I didn't like the men's costumes but the women's dres­ses were lovely.

Mr Hunt: Who was the actor who played the doctor?

Mr Blake: That was Frederick Veal. He was in a film I saw last week. He's the actor who was the doctor in another musical last year. I didn't like that play either.

Mrs Hunt: Why did you buy tickets for this play?

Mr Hunt: To please you.

Mrs Hunt: Oh... thanks.

/. Listen to the text "A Late Night" and the conversations and answer the questions:

Where did the Hunts and the Blakes go last night? Why were they late for the performance? Did the women enjoy the play? What did they think of the dancing? How did they find Shirley Chilver? What did Mr Hunt think of the play? How did Mr Blake find the cast? Did they like the costumes and scenery?

//. Tell how the Hunts and the Blakes spent last night.

III. Act out the conversations.

IV. Situation: A few days ago you were at the theatre. At the moment you are sharing your impressions of the performance with your friend.

Listening At the Theatre

Susan and Tom are at the theatre. They often come up to Lon­don from Bishopton on Saturday to do some shopping, have a meal at a restaurant and then go to the theatre in the evening.

It is now ten past eight and they are waiting for the play to begin. The theatre is full and everyone is talking loudly and laughing and smoking or ea'ting chocolates. Soon the red and gold curtain will go slowly up, the lights in the theatre will go out and the play will begin. Then everyone will be quiet.

In front of the stage is a place for the orchestra. The seats next to the orchestra are the stalls. Above the stalls is the circle, and above the circle are the upper circle and the gallery. The seats in the front stalls and in the circle are expensive; the seats in the gallery are cheap. At the moment the orchestra is playing a gay piece of music; and near Tom and Susan one girl is selling choco­lates and cigarettes, and another is selling programmes. In En­gland people smoke in most cinemas and in some theatres.

Last week Tom and Susan saw a sad play; this evening they will see a happy play. Susan didn't like the sad play; she likes to laugh and be happy.

Now it is a quarter past eight, the curtain is going up and the play is beginning. After the play Susan and Tom will go home to Bishopton by train. The last train to Bishopton leaves London at ten past twelve.

Questions: Where are Tom and Susan at the moment? Why do they often come to London on Saturday? What is going on at the theatre at the moment? What will happen in a few minutes? What is the house like? What kind of play did Tom and Susan see last week? What sort of plays does Susan like³

Mark Twain at the Theatre

Mark Twain, the famous American writer was once invited to an opera by a friend. His friend was very rich. He and his wife had a box in the Opera House. During the performance his friend's wife kept talking loudly and gaily about the things that had nothing to do with the opera. The lady probably thought she was enter­taining the guest. She made it impossible for Mark Twain to follow the performance and to listen to the music. Mark Twain didn't know how to make her keep quiet or at least speak in whisper. At the end of the opera the lady turned to Mark Twain saying: "My dear Mark Twain, I want you to come with us next Friday night. I'm sure you'll like it. The opera will be "Carmen". "Thank you very much", said Mark Twain. "That'll be fine. I've never heard you in "Car­men".

Questions: Where was Mark Twain invited? Why couldn't Mark Twain follow the performance? What did the lady say to Mark Twain at the end of the performance? What did Mark Twain answer?