Ten Conversation Lessons with ...

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Ten Conversation Lessons with Stories,
Vocabulary Practice, Questions and
Activities
Farzad Sharifian
Lesson 1 - A Soldier's Lie
The Story
Once a soldier asked his commanding officer for a day's leave to attend his sister's
wedding.
The officer asked him to wait outside the door for a few minutes while he considered
the request.
The officer then called the soldier back in and said, "You are a liar. I've just phoned your
sister and she told me she's already married."
"Well, sir, you're an even bigger liar," the soldier replied, "because I don't even have a
sister."
Vocabulary Practice
Mark the best choice.
1. 'Leave' here means ......
a. going out from a place
b. one part of a tree
c. permission to be absent from work
d. asking a person for some money
2. To 'attend' here means to ...
a. take care of
b. pay for
c. be present at
d. look at
Questions for Discussion
1. Why did the soldier tell the officer a lie?
2. Why did the officer tell the soldier a lie?
3. Can you remember telling such lies?
Activities
1. Now you tell your friend(s) the story in your own words:
2. Pronounce the following words several times:
1. Command
2. Officer
3. Attend
4. Soldier
5. Already
A Related Proverb
One foot cannot stand on two boats.
Lesson 2 - In Pajamas
The Story
Staying at a hotel in Yarmauth, I couldn't sleep because the television in the residents'
lounge was so loud. As I could see from the top of the stairs, the lounge was in total
darkness, so I crept downstairs in my pajamas. I went to the TV and after some
fumbling with the knobs I managed to switch it off.
As I turned to leave, I suddenly became aware of a semi-circle of people sitting in the
dark who, up until that moment, had been enjoying a television program.
Vocabulary Practice
Mark the best choice.
1. 'Lounge' is ..........
a. kind of taxi in the airport etc.
b. small room for workers
c. public sitting room in a hotel
d. special case for television
2. To 'creep' means to .........
a. run quickly
b. jump off
c. shout out
d. move quietly
3. To '.......' means to move the hands awkwardly to do something or to find
something.
a. fumble
b. manage
c. switch
d. reside
4. A 'knob' is a.....
a. hotel room
b. small TV
c. round handle
d. special table
Questions for Discussion
1. What is the main funny point in the story?
2. Why did the man go downstairs in pajamas?
3. What do you think will happen next?
Activities
1. Now you tell your friend(s) the story in your own words.
2. Pronounce the following words several times:
1. Lounge
2. Resident
3. Knob
4. Fumble
5. Aware
6. Semi-circle
A Related Proverb
Opportunity knocks once, and the neighbors the rest of the time.
Lesson 3 - Beggar Replacement
The Story
The doorbell rang, and the housewife answered it. She found two beggars outside. "So,
you're begging in twos now?!" she exclaimed.
" No, only for today," one of them replied. "I'm showing my replacement the ropes
before going on holiday."
Vocabulary Practice
Mark the best choice.
1. A 'beggar' is a person who.......
a. sells food and clothes
b. has no money
c. asks for money
d. does the housework
2. To 'exclaim' means to..........
a. say something kindly
b. say suddenly and loudly
c. walk quickly
d. look angrily
3. A ..... is a person that you put in place of yourself or another.
a. beggar
b. rope
c. housewife
d. replacement
4. 'Ropes' here means .......
a. the rules and customs in a place or activity
b. pieces of strong thick cord
c. people you probably meet in a special place
d. houses which are expensive
Questions for Discussion
1. This joke is telling us something about beggars' life. What is it?
2. Do you know a joke or a true story about beggars?
Activities
1. Now you tell your friend(s) the story in your own words.
2. Pronounce the following words several times:
1. Beggar
2. Exclaim
3. Reply
4. Replacement
5. Ropes
A Related Proverb
A man is known by the company he keeps.
Lesson 4 - Wedding Gifts
The Story
Jack and his bride were opening their wedding gifts. After unwrapping each package,
Lisa would exclaim enthusiastically, "We really need these towels" or "We'll enjoy
eating off these pretty plates." Then she opened one very large box. It contained a
vacuum cleaner.
"Jack," Lisa said, "look what you've got."
Vocabulary Practice
Mark the best choice
1. To 'unwrap' means to .....
a. fasten
b. break
c. open
d. write
2. 'Package' means .......
a. plate
b. parcel
c. room
d. book
3. 'Enthusiastic' means ......
a. quite angry
b. indifferent
c. with great interest
d. showing disliking
4. Another word for 'vacuum cleaner' is ..........
a. electric fan
b. cleaning machine
c. Hoover
d. electric machine
Questions for Discussion
1. What is funny about this story?
2. Who do you think should use the vacuum cleaner? Why?
Activities
1. Now you tell your friend(s) the story in your own words.
2. Pronounce the following words several times:
1. Unwrap
2. Package
3. Enthusiastically
4. Towel
5. Vacuum
A Related Proverb
Cut your coat according to your cloth.
Lesson 5 - Wedding Gown
The Story
When my sister got married, she wore my mother's wedding dress. The day she
tried it on, the gown fitted her exactly and mother started to cry. "You're not losing a
daughter," I reminded her, putting my arm around her, "you're gaining a son."
"Oh, forget about that!" she said with a sob, "I used to fit into that dress."
Vocabulary Practice
1. Mark the best choice.
2. A 'gown' is a ........
a. building where people marry
b. dress worn at a special time
c. person who is married
d. meal served at wedding
3. To 'fit' means to ..........
a. find something out
b. live happily
c. see something sad
d. be the right size
4. A ... is a noisy and irregular breath from crying.
a. gown
b. gain
c. sob
d. fit
Questions for Discussion
1. What is funny about this story?
2. Who do you think is telling the story?
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