外研版英语选修六Module1课文.doc

外研版英语选修六课文Module 1

Module 1 Small Talk

Introduction
Read the dictionary definitions of small talk and answer the questions.
1. Which definitions make small talk sound like a positive thing?
2. Which definitions refer to places where small talk might take place?
3. Why is it a problem if someone has no small talk?
4. What do you think is the Chinese for "small talk"?

small talk informal conversation about things that are not important
Macmillan English Dictionary
small talk light conversation that people make at social occasions about unimportant things: We stood around making small talk.
Collins Cobuild English Language Dictionary
small talk polite friendly conversation about unimportant subjects
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
small talk conversation about ordinary or unimportant matters, usually at a social event: He has no small talk (i.e. he is not good at talking to people about ordinary or unimportant things).
Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary
Look at the conversation topics below and answer the questions.
careers; cars; examinations; film stars; music; politics; sport; travel; weather; food

1. If you talk about these topics, is the conversation serious or small talk?
2. Which of the topics do you like talking about with your friends?
3. Which of them do you talk about with your parents?
4. Which of them do you talk about with your teacher?
5. Which of them do you never talk about?

Vocabulary and Reading
Complete the sentences with the correct forms of the words in the box.
damage; encourage; impress; prepare; recognise
1. The singer was really good! She me a lot!
2. He had an accident and his bicycle.
3. Don't shout at the children. You should them to do better.
4. Make sure you for your English examination. Do more homework!
5. At the party, I a boy who used to attend my school.
Read the passage and decide what kind of book it is from. Choose from this list.
The text is from ____.

a book to help you prepare for a speaking examination

a business course

an English teaching book

a book which tells you what to do at social events

How Good Are Your Social Skills?
Have you ever crossed the road to avoid talking to someone you recognise? Would you love to go to a party and talk confidently to every guest? Do you want to make more friends but lack the confidence to talk to people you don't know? And are you nervous about the idea of being at a social event in another country? Don't worry—we can help you!
You needn't worry about situations like these if you have good social skills. And they are easy to learn. People with good social skills communicate well and know how to have a conversation. It helps if you do a little advance planning.
Here are a few ideas to help you.
Learn how to do small talk
Small talk is very important and prepares you for more serious conversations. Be prepared! Have some low-risk conversation openers ready. For example:
· think of a recent news story—not too serious, e.g. a story about a film star or sports star
· think of things to tell people about your studies
· think of "safe" things you can ask people's opinions about—music, sport, films, etc.
· think of topics that you would avoid if you were talking to strangers—and avoid talking about them! That way, you don't damage your confidence!
Develop your listening skills
Listening is a skill which most people lack, but communication is a two-way process—it involves speaking AND listening. Always remember—you won't impress people if you talk too much. Here are some ideas to make you a better listener:
Do ...
· show that you are listening by using encouraging noises and gestures—smiling, nodding, saying "uh-huh" and "OK", etc.
· keep good eye contact
· use positive body language
· ask for more information to show your interest
Don't ...
· look at your watch
· yawn
· sigh
· look away from the person who's talking to you
· change the subject
· finish other people's sentences for them
Always remember the words of Benjamin Disraeli, British Prime Minister in the nineteenth century: "Talk to a man about himself, and he will speak to you for hours!"
Learn the rules
If you go to a social occasion in another country, remember that social rules can be different. In some countries, for example, you have to arrive on time at a party; in other countries, you don't need to. In addition, you need to know how long you should stay, and when you have to leave. Some hosts expect flowers or a small gift, but in other places, you can take things, but you needn't if you don't want to. Remember also that in some countries, you mustn't take flowers of a certain colour, because they're unlucky. In most places, you don't have to take a gift to a party—but find out first!
Answer the questions.
1. According to the article, should people plan what they're going to say at parties?
2. What do people think about those who talk too much?
3. Describe two things you shouldn't do in a conversation.
4. Why is it a good idea to nod and smile when the other person is talking?
5. What does the quotation from Benjamin Disraeli tell you about people?
Complete the sentences with the correct forms of the words in the box.
sigh; yawn; nod; avoid; lack; smile
1. When I meet strangers, I don't like to talk about myself, so I answering personal questions.
2. There are very few foreign visitors to my town, so we the opportunity to meet people from other countries.
3. I said that we don't have enough opportunity to speak English and he his head in agreement.
4. I think the man I spoke to was tired—he a lot.
5. He looked very sad when I asked him about his home. He when he answered me.
6. I felt very welcome when I arrived at the party. The host at me and shook my hand.
Look at the phrases from the passage and answer the questions.
1. If you can talk confidently, does this mean that you are worried about talking to people?
2. What kind of advance planning could you do before going to a party in a foreign country?
3. Can you give an example of a low-risk conversation opener if you were talking to a friend of your parents', for example?
4. What encouraging noises and gestures can you make when you're having a conversation in Chinese?
5. What is an example of positive body language?
6. Are social rules the same in every country?
Discuss your answers to the questions.
1. Which of the ideas in the reading passage do you think are useful in your society?
2. Are there any conversation techniques that you think you will use in the future?
3. Which of the listening skills are you good at?
4. Which of the social skills do you need to improve?
5. What are some of the usual small talk topics in China?
Function
Read the pairs of sentences and answer the questions.
1. You must arrive on time at a party.
You have to arrive on time at a party.
2. You mustn't take yellow flowers for the host.
You don't have to take yellow flowers for the host.
3. You don't have to take a gift.
You don't need to take a gift.
1. Which of the following is true about the first pair of sentences?

The first one is an obligation, the second one is a suggestion.

They both indicate an obligation.

They are only suggestions about what to do.
2. Which of the following is true about the second pair of sentences?

The first one indicates that something is against the law.

They mean the same thing.

The first one is an obligation, the second one indicates a lack of obligation.
3. Which of the following is true about the third pair of sentences?

The second one is an obligation, the first one isn't.

They mean the same thing.

The first one is an obligation, the second one isn't.
Write three rules for a social event in your country.
If you go to a social event in my country,
1. you have to ____.
2. you don't have to ____.
3. you mustn't ____.
4. Look at the two sentences and decide which explanation is correct.
1. We all know each other. We don't need to worry about small talk. This means ____.

it isn't necessary to worry about it

unfortunately we worry about it
2. The party is informal. You needn't wear a tie. This means ____.

we must not wear a tie

we can wear a tie if we choose
Complete the sentences with verbs to express obligation or lack of obligation.
1. Stop! You give yellow flowers to the host! It's unlucky!
2. Don't worry. You eat anything you don't like.
3. I'm sorry, you can't leave. You wait until the prizes have been given.
4. I take some food to the party?
5. You take a gift to the host, but she will be very pleased if you do.
Reading and Listening
Read and match the conversations with the places. There is one extra place.
at a summer school; during a job interview; in a business meeting; on a boat
1:

A:
Wonderful, aren't they?

B:
Er ... I'm sorry?

A:
The cliffs.

B:
Oh, yes, they are.

A:
Been here before?

B:
Pardon?
2:

A:
So ... you wrote in your application form that you're interested in mountains.

B:
Yes.

A:
Have you ever climbed a mountain?

B:
No.

A:
Have you ever read any books about mountain-climbing?

B:
No.
3:

A:
When did you arrive?

B:
Yesterday.

A:
Nice journey?

B:
Very nice.

A:
Did the immigration people ask to see your visa?

B:
I didn't need to get a visa.

A:
Really? Why not?

B:
Because I was born here.

A:
Oh yes, of course!
Answer the questions about the conversations.
1. Do you think the conversations are between people who know each other? Give reasons for your answers.
2. Which of the conversations would you call small talk?
3. What do you think about the answers in the interview?
a. The answers show that the interviewee is interested in the job.
b. The answers are too short.
c. The answers are impolite.
Listen to the whole of the first conversation and answer the questions.
1. Do the people both speak English as a first language?
2. Why did the woman have problems understanding what the man was saying?
3. How did the man help her to understand him better?
4. Listen and check. Choose the correct endings to the lines from the conversation.
1. Sorry, I couldn't ____.

hear what you said

understand what you said
2. I didn't ____.

like what you said

catch what you said
3. Could you ____?

repeat what you said

explain what you said
4. You needn't have ____.

spoken to me

spoken so slowly
5. I just needed a few seconds ____.

to get used to your voice

to understand your voice

Grammar
Read the sentence from the listening passage and answer the questions.
You needn't have spoken so slowly.
1. Who said this?

the tourist

the English person
2. Why did she say it? Choose one of these possible reasons.

The other person was speaking too quickly.

The other person was speaking too slowly.

The other person was speaking slowly and it wasn't necessary.
Rewrite these sentences using needn't have done.
1. It wasn't necessary for you to bring some flowers!
You needn't have brought some flowers.
2. Thank you for tidying the room—but it wasn't necessary.
.
3. There was no need for you to buy the box of chocolates.
.
4. Why did you go to school? It's Sunday!
!
5. Thank you for bringing the book to show me, but I already have it.
.
Read the sentence and decide which endings are possible.
I didn't need to buy a gift for my host family ____.

so I didn't get one

because I already had one

so I bought one

so I took it back and got a refund

Complete the sentences using didn't need to or needn't have done.
Example:
It was an informal party so I didn't need to wear (wear) a suit.
1. We brought some food to the party but there was too much, so we (bring) any.
2. My friend spoke good Mandarin so I (translate) the speech for him.
3. The office had already opened when we arrived so we (wait) outside in the street.
4. I got to the party at 6 p.m. but there was no one there, so I (arrive) so early.
5. I told the host all about my home town and then he told me he'd been there. I (tell) him anything!
Reading and Writing
Read the email.
Hi! How are you? I hope you and your family are well.
I have a favour to ask. Next week, I'm going to a reception at the Chinese Embassy here in London and I'm really looking forward to it. I'm going to meet some senior high school students and their teachers. The only problem is that I'm not very good at small talk with people I don't know—I'm always worried about saying the wrong thing or making people feel bored.
I need to know what I can talk about with the Chinese people that I meet. I wonder if you would be kind enough to answer these questions.
Here in England, there are certain questions that you shouldn't really ask people that you don't know—"How old are you?" for example, and "How much do you earn?" Are there any questions that you shouldn't ask people in China?
What sort of things do Chinese teenagers like talking about? Sport? Music? Films? And what sort of things do they find boring? Politics? The weather?
Looking forward to your reply.
Alex
Write a reply. Answer the main questions and offer other advice. Use some of the following sentences to start and finish your email.
· Very nice to hear from you.
· Thank you for your interesting email.
· How are you? It's a long time since I heard from you.
· I hope this information has been useful.
· Best of luck at the Chinese Embassy.
· Looking forward to hearing from you again soon.
Reading and Vocabulary
You're going to read a story about a saleswoman. Discuss what kind of small talk you need as a salesperson.
The Wrong Kind of Small Talk
Esther Greenbaum was a saleswoman for a firm of fax machines and business supplies. But she was also the most outspoken human being in the world—well, Westchester County, at least. Her motto was "Every time I open my mouth, I put my foot in it."
Esther Greenbaum's major shortcoming was that she had a complete absence of small talk. No, that's not quite true. She had small talk, but it was the wrong kind. In fact, she had never learnt the basic rules of social communication, and as a consequence, she made systematic mistakes every time she opened her mouth. It was no coincidence either that she wasn't a very good saleswoman.
One day during a meeting, Esther was introduced to an important customer, a mature woman.
"Nice to meet you," she said. "How old are you?" The customer looked awkward.
"Forty? Forty-five?" said Esther. "You look much older. And your friend ... she's older than you, but she looks much younger!"
On another occasion, Esther teased a typist, "Hey! When's your baby due?"
The typist went red and contr