Uczenie się języka to jego poznawanie i opanowywanie, a tym samym podnoszenie swojej sprawności w posługiwaniu się nim w mowie i piśmie. Idealnym wyjściem jest udział w kursie językowym i samodzielna systematyczna praca. Dla wielu osób, które chcą rozwijać swoje umiejętności językowe udział w kursach nie jest możliwy z powodu braku czasu. Postanawiają więc, że będą coś robić samodzielnie, korzystając z odpowiednich podręczników. Czy są jakieś wypróbowane sposoby na efektywną, samodzielną naukę języka angielskiego? Od czego zacząć? Z jakich podręczników i jakich słowników korzystać, i w jaki sposób?

Po pierwsze, musimy odpowiedzieć na pytanie, do czego będzie nam potrzebny język angielski; do prowadzenia rozmów, korespondencji, przygotowania do egzaminu czy studiowania za granicą? Inne będą potrzeby naukowca, polityka czy dziennikarza, a inne biznesmena, sekretarki, studenta czy turysty. Wyznaczając sobie cel, dużo łatwiej jest określić to, czego musimy się nauczyć.

Powszechnie sądzimy, że każdy uczący się języka obcego tym lepiej opanuje język, im więcej nauczy się słówek i lepiej pozna reguły gramatyczne nim rządzące. To tylko część prawdy.

Aby skutecznie porozumiewać się w języku obcym musimy zrozumieć i umieć odpowiednio szybko zareagować na wypowiedzi innych. Bardzo ważne więc jest rozumienie tego, co mówią inni. Musimy wiedzieć, jakie zabarwienie ma słowo, czy użyjemy go w sytuacji formalnej, czy w rozmowie potocznej. Bardzo ważna jest też poprawna wymowa i płynność wypowiedzi. Znajomość gramatyki jest o tyle ważna, o ile pomaga nam sformułować poprawne wypowiedzi. Znajomość samej teorii nie na wiele się przyda.

Chcemy tutaj przedstawić kilka rad dla osób uczących się języka angielskiego, zarówno tych, które same pracują nad językiem, jak i tych, którze biorą udział w kursach językowych i chcą osiągnąć jak najlepszy rezultat. Wskażemy z jakich materiałów korzystać i jak unikać najbardziej typowych błędów.

Wypróbowanym sposobem na poprawienie znajomości języka jest czytanie, słuchanie i rozmowa w języku angielskim. W początkowej fazie nauki trudno jednak poradzić sobie z czytaniem książek czy prasy anglojęzycznej, słuchaniem radia, oglądaniem filmów w wersji oryginalnej czy braniem udziału w rozmowie. Należy więc zacząć od rzeczy prostszych.

W księgarniach językowych dostępne są uproszczone lekturki. Wydawnictwo Cambridge University Press wydało całą serię książeczek do czytania (Cambridge English Readers) dla uczących się języka angielskiego. Wszystkie są podzielone na poziomy od 1 (najłatwiejszego, dla początkujących) do 6 (dla zaawansowanych). Wielu książeczkom towarzyszą kasety z nagraniami. Możemy więc czytać i jednocześnie słuchać tekstu czytanego przez brytyjskiego aktora, albo najpierw przeczytać, a potem posłuchać. To bardzo dobre ćwiczenie. Poznajemy słowa w kontekście i całe zwroty, a przy okazji słyszymy poprawną, naturalną angielszczyznę.

Korzystanie z dobrej gramatyki lub podręcznika zawierającego tematycznie ułożone słownictwo i idiomy jest niezbędne dla tych, którzy chcą samodzielnie uczyć się języka lub przygotować się do egzaminów na różnych poziomach. Najskuteczniejszą strategią jest systematyczne wykonywanie ćwiczeń. Ważna jest nie tylko liczba rozwiązanych zadań, ale codzienny kontakt z językiem (choćby pół godziny) i sprawdzenie czy nasze odpowiedzi są poprawne. Podręcznik idealny do indywidualnej pracy to taki, który zawiera klucz odpowiedzi. Po wykonaniu ćwiczenia sprawdzamy odpowiedzi i poprawiamy błędy. Struktury gramatyczne i wyrażenia, które sprawiają nam kłopoty warto zanotować w poprawnej wersji (zawsze w kontekście!) i podkreślić na kolorowo. Można wracać do tych samych zadań po kilku tygodniach i rozwiązywać je ponownie.

W poprzednich dodatkach do "Rzeczpospolitej" zaprezentowaliśmy przykładowe zadania egzaminacyjne i wskazaliśmy książki, z których pochodzą. Dziś pokażemy przykłady zadań, których rozwiązywanie pomoże lepiej opanować język nie tylko po to, aby zdać egzamin. Przedstawimy też krótkie testy sprawdzające praktyczną znajomość gramatyki i słownictwa.

Wszystkim tym, którzy chcieliby systematycznie pracować nad językiem polecamy całą serię książek z ćwiczeniami, przeznaczonymi do samodzielnej nauki. Są wśród nich książki, które pomagają praktycznie opanować gramatykę, a także rozszerzyć słownictwo i idiomy.

Bardzo pomocne w samodzielnej pracy są gramatyki z ćwiczeniami z serii In Use na trzech poziomach: podstawowym Essential Grammar in Use, średniozaawansowanym English Grammar in Use oraz zaawansowanym Advanced Grammar in Use.

Wszystkie książki z tej serii mają bardzo przejrzysty i lubiany przez uczących się układ - na jednej stronie jest bardzo przystępne objaśnienie nowego materiału, a na drugiej ćwiczenia utrwalające ten materiał. Na końcu książki jest klucz odpowiedzi do wszystkich ćwiczeń.

Oto przykład z książki do gramatyki dla początkujących. Konstrukcje gramatyczne są wyjaśnione w kontekście, pokazane jest ich praktyczne użycie, a następnie podane są ćwiczenia utrwalające użycie obu konstrukcji.

Would you like... ? I'd like...

A Would you like ... ? = Do you want ... ?

We use Would you like ... ? to offer things: - A: Would you like some coffee? B: No, thank you.

- A: Would you like a chocolate? B: Yes, please.

- A: What would you like, tea or coffee? B: Tea, please.

We use Would you like to ... ? to invite somebody:

- Would you like to go for a walk? A: Would you like to have dinner with us on Sunday? B: Yes, I'd love to. (= I would love to have dinner with you)

- What would you like to do this evening?

B I'd like ... is a polite way to say 'I want'. I'd like = I would like:

- I'm thirsty. I'd like a drink.

- (in a tourist office) I'd like some information about hotels, please.

- I'd like to see the film on television this evening.

Would you like ... ? and Do you like ... ?

Would you like ... ? / I'd like ...

Would you like some tea? = Do you want some tea?

- A: Would you like to go to the cinema (= Do you want to go tonight?)

- B: Yes, I'd love to.

- I'd like an orange, please. (= Can I have an orange?)

- What would you like to do next weekend?

Do you like ... ? / I like ...

Do you like tea? = Do you think tea is nice?

- A: Do you like going to the cinema (in general)

- B: Yes, I go to the cinema a lot.

- I like oranges. (in general)

- What do you like to do at weekends?

EXERCISES

35.1 What are the people in the pictures saying? Use Would you like ... ?

35.2 What do you say to Sue in these situations? Use Would you like to ... ?

1 You want to go to the cinema tonight. Perhaps Sue will go with you. (go) You say: Would you like to go to the cinema tonight?

2 You want to play tennis tomorrow. Perhaps Sue will play too. (play) You say: ..........................................................................................

3 You've got some holiday photographs. Sue hasn't seen them yet. (see) You say: ..........................................................................................

4 You have an extra ticket for a concert next week. Perhaps Sue will go. (go) You say: ..........................................................................................

5 It's raining and Sue is going out. She hasn't got an umbrella but you have one. (borrow) You say: ..........................................................................................

35.3 Which is right?

1 'Do you like / Would you like a chocolate?' 'Yes, please.' Would you like is right

2 'Do you like / Would you like bananas?' 'Yes, I love them.'

3 'Do you like / Would you like an ice-cream?' 'No, thank you.'

4 'What do you like / would you like to drink?' 'A glass of water, please.'

5 'Do you like / Would you like to go out for a walk?' 'Not now. Perhaps later.'

6 I like / I'd like tomatoes but I don't eat them very often.

7 What time do you like / would you like to have dinner this evening?

8 'Do you like / Would you like something to eat?' 'No, thanks. I'm not hungry.'

9 'Do you like / Would you like your new job?' 'Yes, I'm enjoying it.'

10 I'm tired. I like / I'd like to go to sleep now.

Odpowiedzi:

35.1

2. Would you like an apple?

3. Would you like some coffee?/É.a cup of coffee?

4. Would you like some cheese?/É..a piece of cheese?

5. Would you like a sandwich?

6. Would you like some cake? É.a piece of cake?

35.2

2. Would you like to play tennis tomorrow?

3. Would you like to see my holiday photographs?

4. Would you like to go to a concert next week?

5. Would you like to borrow my umbrella?

35.3

2. Do you like

3. Would you like

4. would you like

5.Would you like

6. I like

7. would you like

8. Would you like

9.Do you like

10. I'd like

Raymond Murphy: Essential Grammar in Use, Cambridge University Press, 2002

A teraz zrób test gramatyczny.

CHECK YOUR GRAMMAR LEVEL: Issue 1

Uzupełnij poniższe zdania. Wybierz A, B, C, D lub E. Czasami dwie odpowiedzi są poprawne.

1 'What colour ...............................' 'It's red.'

A your car is? B is your car? C are your car?

2 I .............................. to work by car, but sometimes I walk.

A go usually B 'm usually going C usually go

3 Why are you under the table? What ............................. ?

A do you do B do you C are you doing D you do E you are doing

4 What kind of car ............................. ?

A has she got B does she have C she has D does she has

5 I usually get up early but this morning I ............................. at 9.30.

A getted up B get up C got up

6 We went to the cinema but we ............................. the film.

A didn't enjoy B didn't t enjoyed C don't t enjoy D haven't t enjoyed

7 .............................. television when I phoned you?

A Did you watch B Were you watch C Were you watching

8 My mother ............................. by air.

A never has travelled B has never travelled C has never travel D is never travelled

9 'Do you know Sarah?' 'Yes, ............................. a long time.

A I'm knowing her for B I know her since C I've known her since D I've known her for

10 These houses ............................ 100 years ago.

A were building B are built C were built D are being built

11 I used to play tennis. These days I ............................. golf.

A play B used to play C played

12 I ............................. at home this evening.

A 'm going to stay B stay C 'm staying

13 'My bag is very heavy.' 'I ............................. it for you.'

A 'm carrying B 'll carry C carry

14 When I was young I ............................. very fast.

A can run B could run C could to run D might run

15 I ............................. walk home last night. There were no buses.

A needn't B must C had to D should

16 .............................. to the cinema?

A Would you like going B Would you like to go C Do you like going

17 I don't like hot weather but Sue ..............................

A does B doesn't like C likes D doesn't

18 'I was late for work today.' ' ...............................

A So was John. B John was too. C So John was. D So wasn't John.

19 I met Linda's parents yesterday. What ............................. ?

A do they like B are they like

20 Do you know how............................. ?

A do aeroplanes fly B fly aeroplanes C aeroplanes fly

21 He's very funny. He makes ..............................

A me laugh B me laughing C me to laugh

22 I went to the shop ............................ a newspaper.

A for buy B to buy C for buy D buy

23 The sea looks nice. Let's go ..............................

A for a swim B on a swim C to a swim D swimming

24 Have the children ............................. their homework?

A made B making C doing D done

25 I went out to meet a friend of ...............................

A me B my C mine

26 There was ............................. interesting programme on television last night.

A a B - C an D the

27 I need .................................... about hotels in London.

A an information B information C informations

28 'Are there any biscuits?' ' Yes there are ............................. in the kitchen.

A some B any C something D none

29 The house is empty. ............................. lives there.

A Somebody B Anybody C Nobody D No-one

30 .............................. needs friends.

A Every B All C Everybody D Everything

31 'Would you like tea or coffee?' 'I don't want ............................. '

A either B neither C both

32 There was ............................ food in the fridge. It was nearly empty.

A little B a little C few D much

33 You speak ..............................

A very good English B English very well C very well English D English very good

34 Rome is old but Athens is ..............................

A more old B older C older than D older as Rome E the oldest

35 Is there ............................. in your coffee?

A enough sugar B sugar enough C too much sugar D too sugar

36 'Did you sell your car?' 'No I've ............................. got it.'

A yet B still C already

37 John has been in hospital .............................. three days.

A since B for C during D at E until

38 There's somebody ............................ the bus stop.

A at B on C in D to

39 I spoke to Carol ............................. the phone last night.

A at B through C by D on

40 Tina is very bad ............................ writing letters.

A at B in C by D with

41 When I ............................. home this evening, I'm going to have a shower.

A will get B get C got

42 An aeroplane is a machine ............................. flies.

A which B that C who D -

A teraz sprawdź swoje odpowiedzi:

1B; 2C; 3C; 4A,B; 5C; 6A; 7C; 8B; 9D; 10C; 11A; 12A,C; 13B; 14B; 15C; 16B,C; 17A; 18A,B; 19B; 20C; 21A; 22B; 23A,D; 24D; 25C; 26C; 27B; 28A; 29C,D; 30C; 31A; 32A,B; 33A,B; 34B; 35A,C; 36B; 37B; 38A; 39D; 40A; 41B; 42A,B

Jeśli dobrze odpowiedziałeś na większość z 42 pytań, to znaczy, że opanowałeś tę partię gramatyki angielskiej na poziomie podstawowym i możesz przejść do części następnej.

1 ....................................... to the radio or can I turn it off?

A Do you listen B Are you listening C You are listening D You listen

2 What ............................. will happen?

A are you thinking B do you think C you think

3 What ............................. at the weekend?

A did you do B you did do C did you

4 While I was working in the garden, I ............................. my back.

A was hurting B have hurt C hurt

5 Jane is back home from holiday now. .............................. to Italy.

A She has gone B She has been C She is been

6 It's the first time he ............................. a car.

A has driven B drove C drives

7 Where have you been? I ............................. for you for the last half an hour.

A 'm looking B 've been looking C 've looked

8 It's ages ................................. to the cinema.

A that we don't go B that we haven't gone C that we didn't go D since we went

9 Mr Clark ............................. in a bank for 15 years. Then he gave it up.

A has been working B has worked C worked

10 I can't meet you tomorrow afternoon. I ............................. tennis.

A 'll play B 'm playing C 'm going to play

11 Ted and Amy have been married for 24 years. Next year they ............................. for 25 years.

A will have been married B are married C will have married

12 They didn't want to come at first but we .............................. to persuade them.

A could B managed C were able to

13 You ............................ left your bag in the shop.

A could have B might have C can have D must have

14 You can come with me if you like, but you ............................. come if you don't want to.

A mustn't B don't have to C needn't D needn't have

15 I'm feeling sick. I ............................ so much chocolate.

A mustn't have eaten B shouldn't eat C shouldn't have eaten

16 They insisted ............................ dinner with them.

A us to have B that we should have C that we have

17 Tom would read more if he ............................... more time.

A will have B would have had C would have D had

18 Many accidents ............................. by careless driving.

A are causing B are caused C caused D have been caused

19 I don't like ..............................

A having my photograph taken B having taken my photograph C taking my photograph

20 Jane suggested ............................. a car.

A me to buy B that I buy C me buy D that I should buy

21 Tom doesn't mind ........................... at night.

A to working B to work C working

22 I ............................ on the left because I've lived in Britain for a long time.

A used to driving B am used to driving C used to drive D am used to drive

23 This knife is only ............................ bread.

A for cutting B for cut C to cut D to cutting

24 I can't work here. There's ..............................

A too much noises B too much noise C too many noises

25 We had ..............................

A a very nice lunch B the very nice lunch C very nice lunch

26 They live on a busy main road. ............................. very noisy.

A It must be B There must be C There must have been

27 We didn't spend ............................ money.

A no B much C any D many

28 In a football match, ............................ team has eleven players.

A every B all C each

29 A few days ago I met someone ............................. brother I went to school with.

A who B that C which D whose

30 We stayed at the Grand Hotel, ............................... to us.

A which Ann recommended B that Ann recommended C Ann recommended

31 We didn't go out because it was .............................

A heavy raining B raining heavily C raining heavy

32 There weren't ............................. for everyone to sit down.

A so much chairs B enough chairs C too many chairs D chairs enough

33 The more I thought about the plan ..............................

A I liked it the less B less I liked it C the less I liked it

34 ............................. I don't see you tomorrow, we're sure to see each other before the weekend.

A Even B Even if C Even though D In spite of

35 I don't want to go out tonight ..............................

A in case Ann will phone B if Ann will phone C in case Ann phones

36 We'll be late ..............................

A unless we hurry B if we hurry C unless we will hurry

37 .............................. the end of the concert, there was great applause.

A During B In C At D Until

38 Who is the woman ............................. that photograph? .

A at B in C on

39 They didn't come ............................. They came in a taxi.

A by their car B by car C in their car D on car

40 The firm closed down because there wasn't enough demand ................. its products.

A in B of C for D of

41 They have always been very nice ............................. me.

A to B . with C of D for

42 Albert is 85 and lives alone. He needs somebody to look ............................ him.

A for B at C after

Odpowiedzi:

1B; 2B; 3A; 4C; 5B; 6A; 7B; 8D; 9C; 10B,C; 11A; 12B,C; 13A,B,D; 14B,C; 15B,C; 16B,C; 17D; 18BD; 19A; 20B,D; 21 C; 22B; 23A,C; 24B; 25A; 26A; 27B,C; 28C; 29D; 30A; 31 B; 32B; 33C; 34B; 35C; 36A; 37C; 38B; 39B,C; 40C; 41 A; 42C

Jeśli dobrze odpowiedziałeś na większość z 42 pytań, to znaczy, że jeśli chodzi o gramatykę, jesteś na poziomie zbliżonym do Cambridge First Certificate. Możesz więc teraz przejść do Advanced Grammar in Use.

1 I .............................. in response to your letter of 3 March.

A 'm writing B write..............

2 .............................. here when you were a student?

A Have you lived B Did you live C Have you been living

3 I .............................. the flute in the youth orchestra when I was at school.

A was playing B played C 've been playing

4 I .............................. she would make a success of everything she did.

A 'd always been knowing B 'd always known C always was knowing D always knew

5 I reckon 90%, of the population .............................. a mobile phone by 2005.

A are owning B will own C are going to own

6 You need to get a move on if you .............................. there at 7 o'clock.

A are to be B will have been C will be

7 The last I heard of Jo, she .............................. to Taiwan to teach English.

A was going off B is going off C went off

8 You .............................. a sleep first if you're going to drive all the way home tonight

A 'd better to have B 'd better have C ought to have D should to have

9 It's pity you didn't come, you .............................. yourselves.

A would enjoy B had enjoyed C would have enjoyed

10 He .............................. everything that was put in from of him, but now he's very fussy.

A used to eat B was used to eat C was eating

11 She says it's 11 o'clock, but it ................ that late, surely?

A can't be B hasn't go to be C mustn't be

12 They appeared ..................... an argument.

A having B to be having C to have

13 The statue .............................. in the gale.

A was fallen over B fell over C was falling over

14 .............................. having trouble getting here in that traffic.

A I anticipated you B You were anticipated

15 They asked whether .............................. staying for dinner.

A was I B I was

16 We eventually .............................. the children to go to bed.

A arranged B persuaded C decided

17 Did you hear those people .............................. for ages in the street last night?

A shout B shouting

18 Did you see .............................. he got out of the washing up again?

A the way B how C the way how

19 They .............................. that spending the money on a holiday was an excellent idea

A convinced B convinced to me C convinced me

20 He .............................. that the whole house needed renovating.

A said B told C explained

21 I recommend that .............................. continue with the purchase.

A he not B he do not C he should not

22 The staff .............................. on strike if the situation remains unchanged.

A is going B are going

23 She's not her sister. She's a cousin of .............................. .

A hers B her C she

24 We can look forward to .............................. good weather this weekend.

A the B a C -

25 Please find enclosed .............................. you requested.

A some informations B the information C informations D information

26 I don't think there's .............................. to worry about. You'll be fine.

A something B anything C nothing

27 .............................. were exhilarated after the performance. It was superb.

A All of us B All C Both of us D All us

28 People .............................. work involves sitting in front of a computer all day often get backache.

A whose B which C what D who

29 The person .............................. the alarm saved hundreds of lives.

A who raised B who was raising C raised D was raising

30 It was a delicious cake. She made .............................. .

A herself it B it herself C it her

31 I don't remember details of my childhood very well but my sister .............................. .

A does B does so

32 .............................. apologised to her mother.

A The ashamed girl B The girl was ashamed and

33 She felt confident .............................. the job.

A to be given B that she would be given C about being given

34 I .............................. appreciate your kindness.

A very much B very C extremely

35 I'll stay here and look after the bags while .............................. a coffee.

A you get B you will get C you're getting

36 You'll always regret it .............................. the opportunity.

A unless you don't take B if you don't take C unless you take D if you take

37 She found the insurance document .............................. a pile of jumbled papers on her desk.

A among B between C nearby

38 Don't start worrying .............................. it now. You don't have to do it for weeks yet.

A on B for C with D about

39 Do you .............. I make a long-distance phonecall?

A mind if B mind that C care if D mind

40 ..................... many problems with the new members of staff already.

A There have been B It has been C There has been

41 I found ....... impossible to concentrate with all the noise in the background.

A - B it C that

42 Under no circumstances .................. transferable or refundable.

A the tickets are B are the tickets

Odpowiedzi:

1A; 2B; 3B; 4B/D; 5B/C; 6A; 7A; 8B/C; 9C; 10A; 11A; 12B; 13B; 14A; 15B; 16B; 17B; 18A/B; 19C;20A/C; 21A/C; 22B; 23A; 24C; 25B; 26B; 27A/C; 28A; 29A; 30B; 31A; 32B; 33B/C; 34A; 35A/C; 36B/C; 37A; 38D; 39A; 40A; 41B; 42B

Więcej ćwiczeń znajdziesz także w Internecie na stronie www.cambridge.org/elt/inuse

Poza gramatyką bardzo ważne jest poszerzenie zasobu słownictwa. Można do tego dojść pracując samodzielnie. Polecamy tu książki English Vocabulary in Use - cztery tomy na różnych poziomach - począwszy od podstawowego do zaawansowanego, a także książkę poświęconą wyłącznie idiomom English Idioms in Use oraz słownictwu biznesowemu Business Vocabulary in Use. W zależności od stopnia zaawansowania i potrzeb, każdy uczący się języka angielskiego znajdzie wśród książek z tej serii coś dla siebie. Wszystkie książki zawierają klucz odpowiedzi.

Wspomnieliśmy już, że bardzo ważne jest określenie celu, w jakim uczymy się języka obcego. Będzie to miało wpływ na potrzebny nam zasób słownictwa. Podamy kilka przykładów, wszystkie pochodzą z książek poświęconych nauce słownictwa ze wspomnianej tu serii In Use.

Osobom, które chcą posługiwać się językiem wyłącznie w celach turystycznych na poziomie podstawowym na pewno przyda się słownictwo z rozdziałów poświęconych miastu, wsi, zwiedzaniu i sprawunkom. Poznają zwroty potrzebne przy zakupach i płaceniu. Nauczą się z nich zwrotów koniecznych do spytania o to, jak dojść lub dojechać do jakiegoś miejsca, gdzie znajduje się hotel, muzeum, bank, stacja kolejowa itp.

Sprawdź czy po przeczytaniu wyjaśnień potrafisz uzyskać potrzebne informacje i odpowiedzieć na zadane Ci pytania.

In the town

A The town centre tourist information library You can get a train at the railway station. You can change money at the bank. You can read books and newspapers at the library. You can park your car in/at the car park.

B Streets and roads

Asking for help Where is the main square? How do I get to X street? Is there a pedestrian area here? Can I park here? Excuse me, I'm looking for the museum.

C People in the town

D Signs

EXERCISES

38.1 Answer the questions. 1 Where can I get a bus to London? At the bus station. 2 Where can I get information about hotels? 3 Where can I change money? 4 Where can I park? 5 Where can I see very old things? 6 Where can I post a letter?

38.2 Look at the map. Ask questions. 1 Where's the library? Near the roundabout. 2 .......................................... In the square. 3 .......................................... Go left at York Street. 4 .......................................... In the pedestrian area. 5 .......................................... London Road car park is best. 6 .......................................... There's a bank in Queen Street.

38.3 What words are these? 1 sumuem museum 2 nowt hlal 3 brilyra 4 rac prak 5 ywrlaai nttoisa 6 dtaeepsrin raae 7 frtafci dnearw

38.4 What are these signs?

Odpowiedzi:

38.1

2. At the tourist information office.

3. At the bank.

4. In/At the car park.

5. At the museum.

6. At the post office.

38.2 Possible questions:

2. Where's the town hall?

3.How do I get to the museum?

4.Is there a shopping center?

5.Where can I park?

6.Where can I change money?

38.3

2. town hall

3. library

4. car park

5. railway station

6.pedestrian area

7. traffic warden

38.3

1. No parking (do not leave your car here)

2. No entry (you must not drive in)

3.Bus stop

4.Information

Michael McCarthy, Felicity O'Dell: English Vocabulary in Use (elementary), Cambridge University Press 2001.

Na nieco wyższym poziomie zaciekawi nas pewnie język używany na wszelkiego rodzaju znakach informacyjnych. Warto je rozumieć.

The language of sings and notices

Signs and notices in English often use words and expressions that are rarely seen in other contexts. Look at the signs and notices below with their 'translations' into more everyday English.

EXERCISES

100.1 Where would you expect to see each of the notices?

EXAMPLE 1 on a bus.

100.2 Match each of the words on the left with their meanings from the list on the right.

1 to prosecute a young person under the age of 18

2 a penalty to get off a bicycle or a horse

3 a purchase to bring a legal case against

4 a trespasser not to do something

5 to refrain to forbid something

6 to alight from a means of transport

7 to prohibit a punishment

8 an auditorium something which has been or is to be bought

9 to dismount to get off a means of public transport

10 a minor large place where an audience sits

11 a vehicle someone who goes on private land without permission

100.3 Explain the notices below. Where might you see each of these notices?

100.4 What notice would a cafe-owner put up if they wanted to:

1 indicate that their cafe was now open for coffee?

2 let people know that the cafe staff can speak Spanish

3 stop people from smoking in their cafe?

4 let people know that they can buy free-range eggs there too?

5 ask people not to fix notices on to their wall?

6 tell people that they could rent rooms there overnight?

Follow-up: Look at the notices in your own language that you see around you every day. How would they be expressed in English? Try to find out, if they are not included in this unit.

Odpowiedzi:

100.1 Possible answers:

1 on a bus

2 in the country

3 in a theatre

4 in the street

5 outside a cafe

6 outside a cinema

7 at the zoo

8 at the beginning of a road

9 on a wall

10 at a supermarket check-out

11 on a packet of cigarettes

12 on a motorway

13 at the entrance to a car park

14 on a cycle path

15 on a river bank

100.2

1 to bring a legal case against

2 a punishment

3 something which has been or is to be bought

4 someone who goes on private land without permission

5 not to do something

6 to get off a means of public transport (bus, train)

7 to forbid something

8 large place where an audience sits

9 to get off a bicycle or a horse

10 a young person under the age of 18

11 a means of transport

100.3

1 You would see this notice in a shop and it lets people know that people who take things from the shop without paying will be taken to court.

2 You would see this in a shop and it lets people know that the staff there speak French as well as English.

3 You would see this at Customs and it lets people know that this is the way to go if they do not have any goods to pay duty on.

4 You would see this in a shop window and it tells people that things are going to be sold off cheaply because the shop wants to get rid of its stock, perhaps because the shop is about to close down.

5 You would see this outside an exhibition or a dance or concert hall perhaps and it lets people know that they need a ticket to get in.

6 You would see this in the window of a hotel or bed and breakfast and it tells people that there are no free rooms there.

7 You would see this on a river bank and it tells people that fishing is not allowed.

8 You would see this notice outside a bicycle shop and it tells people that they can either hire or buy bicycles there.

9 You would see this outside a block of flats or a house and it tells people that a flat is vacant for renting.

10 You would see this notice at the start of an escalator and it tells people that if they have a dog with them, they must carry it.

11 You would see this notice on public transport, a bus or an underground train, and it asks passengers to leave these seats for people who are elderly or find it difficult to move easily.

100.4

1 Coffee now being served.

2 Spanish spoken here.

3 Kindly/Please refrain from smoking or Smoking (strictly) prohibited.

4 Free-range eggs for sale.

5 No bill-sticking.

6 Rooms to let.

Michael McCarthy, Felicity O'Dell: English Vocabulary in Use (upper- intermediate), Cambridge University Press 2001.

Wszystkim, którzy muszą posługiwać się angielskim w kontaktach z innymi ludźmi, a szczególnie młodzieży i studentom, na pewno przydadzą się słówka i zwroty potrzebne do tego, by kogoś przeprosić, podziękować czy usprawiedliwić się, poprosić o coś, zaprosić kogoś, wyrazić swoją opinię, zgodę bądź niezgodę. Znajdziemy je już na poziomie średniozaawansowanym. Czy potrafisz właściwie zareagować słownie w przedstawionych sytuacjach?

Requests, invitations and suggestions

A Requests and replies

We use different expressions to introduce a request - it depends who we are talking to, and the 'size' of the request ('big' or 'small'). These are some of the most common (the 'small' requests first), with suitable positive and negative replies.

A: Could you pass me the salt? A: Could I (possibly) borrow your dictionary?

B: Yes, sure. B: Yes, of course. or Yes, help yourself (= yes, take it) or Go ahead.

A: Do you think you could possibly lend me two or three pounds?

B: Yes sure or I'm afraid I can't. I haven't any money I'm afraid not. on me at all. I wish I could but, / I'm sorry but,

A: I was wondering if I could (possibly) leave work half an hour early today. or Would you mind if I left work ...

B: Yeah, no problem. or Well I'd rather you didn't (actually), because ...

B Invitations and replies

A: Would you like to go out this evening?

B: Yeah great / lovely / I'd love to or I'm sorry I can't.

A: We're going to a restaurant and we were wondering if you'd like to come with us?

B: I'd love to, but I'm afraid I can't. Oh, I'm afraid I have to look after my younger sister.

C Suggestions and replies

Here are some common ways of asking for and making suggestions (= ideas for things to do/say/make, etc.) and suitable replies.

Asking for suggestions

What shall we do tonight? Where shall we go this evening?

Making suggestions

How about (or what about) going to the cinema? (Note: How/What about + -ing)

We could go to the leisure centre and watch the basketball.

Why don't we try that new club in the main square?

Responding

Yeah, great / fine / OK / that's a good idea.

Yeah, if you like. (= if you want to go, then I am happy to go)

Yes, I don't mind. (= I have no preference)

I think I'd rather (= I would prefer to) go out for a meal.

Note: In this situation, learners often say `it's the same for me'. We don't use this expression in English; we say I don't mind

EXERCISES

24.1 Correct the mistake in this dialogue

A: Do you like to go out this evening?

B: I'm afraid but I haven't got any money.

A: That's OK., I'll pay. How about go to see a film?

B: No, actually I think I'd rather to stay at home and do my homework.

A: Why you don't do your homework this afternoon

B: I'm busy this afternoon

A: OK. How about tomorrow evening, then?

B: Yeah good.

A: Great. What film shall we go to?

B: For me it's the same.

24.2 Complete these dialogues with a suitable word or phrase.

1 A: Could you ..................... open that window? It's very hot in here. B: Yeah, ......................

2 A : Clive and Sally are here at the moment and we were ..................... if you'd like to come over and join us for a meal this evening? B: Yes, I'd ......................

3 A: What ..................... we do this evening? B: I don't know really. Any ideas? A: Why ..................... go to the cinema? We haven't been for ages. B: Yeah, that's a ......................

4 A: OK. Where ..................... we go on Saturday? B: ..................... going to the beach if the weather is good? A: Yeah. Or we ..................... try that new sports centre just outside town. B: Mmm. I think I'd ..................... go to the beach. A: Yeah OK, if you ......................

5 A: What ... . ...... ....... you like to do this weekend? B: I don't ........... .......... You decide.

24.3 Here are eight requests, invitations or suggestions. Respond to each one as fast as you can with a suitable reply. If possible, do this activity with someone else: one of you asks questions, the other answers,

1 Could I borrow a pen for a minute?

2 Do you think you could post a letter for me?

3 I was wondering if you've got a suitcase you could lend me?

4 Would you like to go out this evening?

5 I've got some tickets for a concert of classical music and I was wondering if you'd go with me?

6 How about going to a football match at the weekend?

7 Why don't we meet this afternoon and practise our English for an hour?

8 We could invite some other people from our English class to meet us as well.

24.4 There will be many situations when you make requests, invitations and suggestions in your own language, and respond to the requests, invitations and suggestions of others. Try English expressions in place of your first language. If your friends don't understand, you can teach them a bit of English.

Odpowiedzi:

24.1 A: Would you like to go out this evening? B: I'm afraid I haven't got any money. (omit `but') A: That's OK, I'll pay. How about going to see a film? B: No, actually I think I'd rather stay at home and do my homework? (omit 'to' before 'rather') A: Why don't you do your homework this afternoon? B: I'm busy this afternoon. A: OK. How about tomorrow evening, then? B: Yeah fine. / Good idea. A: Great. What film shall we go to? B: I don't mind.

24.2 1 possibly; sure / of course 2 wondering; love to 3 shall; don't; good/great idea 4 shall; how about; could; rather; like 5 would; mind

24.3 Possible answers

1 Yeah sure

2 Yes of course

3 I'm afraid not

4 Yes, I'd love to

5 I'd love to, but I'm afraid I can't

6 Yeah great

7 Yes that's a good idea

8 Yes if you like

Tym, którzy chcą czytać codzienną prasę anglojęzyczną, a szczególnie politykom, dziennikarzom i biznesmenom polecamy rozdziały poświęcone językowi prasy i mediów. Tytuły gazetowe rządzą się specyficznymi regułami. Warto poznać niektóre z nich. Popatrz na przykłady i wyjaśnienia, a następnie sam spróbuj określić, co znaczą podane tytuły.

Headline English

A Newspaper headlines try to catch the reader's eye by using as few words as possible. The language headlines use is, consequently, unusual in a number of ways.

- Grammar words like articles or auxiliary verbs are often left out, e.g. EARLY CUT FORECAST IN INTEREST RATES

- A simple form of the verb is used, e.g. MAYOR OPENS HOSPITAL

- The infinitive is used to express the fact that something is going to happen in the future, e.g. PRESIDENT TO VISIT FLOOD AREAS

B Newspaper headlines use a lot of distinctive vocabulary. They usually prefer words that are shorter and sound more dramatic than ordinary English words. The words marked * can be used either as nouns or verbs.

newspaper word meaning newspaper word meaning

aid* help key (adj.) essential, vital

axe* cut, remove link* connection

back (verb) support move* step towards a desired end

bar* exclude, forbid ordeal (noun) painful experience

bid* attempt oust (verb) push out/remove

blast* explosion plea (noun) request

blaze* fire pledge* promise

boost* incentive, encourage ploy (noun) clever activity

boss*
head* manager, director poll* election/public opinion survey

    probe* investigation

clash* dispute quit (verb) leave, resign

curb* restraint, limit riddle (noun) mystery

cut* reduction strife (noun) conflict

drama tense situation talks (noun) discussions

drive* campaign, effort threat danger

gems (noun) jewels vow* promise

go-ahead approval wed (verb) marry

hit (verb) affect badly    

Newspaper headlines often use abbreviations, e.g. PM for Prime Minister, MP for Member of Parliament.

C Some newspapers also enjoy making jokes in their headlines. They do this by playing with words or punning, e.g. a wet open air concert in London by the opera singer Luciano Pavarotti was described as:

TORRENTIAL RAIN IN MOST ARIAS

An announcement that a woman working at the Mars chocolate company had got an interesting new job was:

WOMAN FROM MARS TO BE FIRST BRITON IN SPACE

(Note that the word 'Briton' is almost exclusively found in newspapers.)

EXERCISES

99.1 Match the headlines on the left with the appropriate topic on thc right.

1. PM BACKS
PEACE PLAN 4. QUEEN'S GEMS
RIDDLE

2. MP SPY DRAMA 5. Star weds

3. Space probe
fails 6. Key witness
death threat

a marriage of famous actrcss

b royal jewels are stolen

c person who saw crime in danger

d proposal to end war

e satellite is not launched

f politician sells secrets to enemy

99.2 Explain what the following headlines mean in ordinary English.

EXAMPLE SHOP BLAZE 5 DEAD. Five people died in a fire in a shop.

1. MOVE TO CREATE
MORE JOBS 4. POLL PROBES
SPENDING HABITS

2. GO-AHEAD FOR
WATER CURBS 5 . BID TO OUST PM

3. WOMAN QUITS AFTER
JOB ORDEAL 6 . PRINCE VOWS TO
BACK FAMILY

99.3 The words marked * in the table can be either nouns or verbs. Note that the meaning given is sometimes in the form of a noun. In the headlines below you have examples of words from the table used as verbs. Look at the underlined verbs and explain what they mean. You may need to use more than one word.

EXAMPLE PM TO CURB SPENDING limit

1 BOOK LINKS MI5 WITH KGB

2 CHANCELLOR CUTS INTEREST RATES

3 BOMB BLASTS CENTRAL LONDON

4 PM PLEDGES BACKING FOR EUROPE

5 PRESIDENT HEADS PEACE MOVES

99.4 Would you be interested in the stories under the following headlines? Why (not)?

1. Mortgages cut as
bank rates fall again 2. Teenage Ł4m
fraud riddle

3 . NEW
TENNIS
CLASH 4 . Royal family quits

5. Price curbs
boost exports 6. WOMEN BARRED
FROM JOBS

Follow-up: Look through some English language newspapers and find some examples of headlines illustrating the points made on the opposite page. Beside each headline make a note of what the accompanying story is about.Try to find some examples of amusing headlines.

Odpowiedzi:

99.1

1d proposal to end war 4b royal jewels are stolen

2f politician sells secrets to enemy 5a marriage of famous actress

3e satellite is not launched 6c a person who saw crime in danger

99.2 Suggested Answers:

1 Steps are being taken with the aim of providing more work for people.

2 Approval has been given to a plan to place restrictions on people's use of water.

3 A woman resigned from her job after undergoing some kind of unpleasant experience there.

4 A public opinion survey has looked into how people spend their money.

5 An attempt has been made to remove the Prime Minister from his/her position.

6 The Prince has promised to give support to his family or to family values, in general.

99.3

1 makes a connection between

2 reduces

3 explodes in

4 promises

5 leads / is a major figure in

Follow-up: Make sure that you note down not only the headline but also a brief indication of what the story was about so that the headline makes sense when you revise your work later.

Michael McCarthy, Felicity O'Dell: English Vocabulary in Use (upper- intermediate), Cambridge University Press 2001.

Lekarze, pielęgniarki i pacjenci na pewno z zainteresowaniem przestudiują rozdziały poświęcone słownictwu związanemu ze zdrowiem i chorobami. Dowiedzą się, jakimi słowami opisać dolegliwości czy symptomy choroby, jakimi podać diagnozę, zaproponować leki i leczenie. To się może przydać każdemu z nas.

Health and illness 2

A Minor ailments and ways of talking about minor problems

Note that hurt is different from ache:

My arm hurts where I banged it against the car door. [gives pain caused by an injury]

My wrists ache from too much typing at the computer.

The fixed expression (the usual) aches and pains is often used to refer in a non-serious way to minor problems.

A: How've you been keeping recently, Mona?

B: Oh fine, you know, just the usual aches and pains. (Just the usual pains and aches)

The fixed expression cuts and bruises can refer to minor injuries.

A: I hear you fell off your bicycle. Are you all right?

B: Yeah, fine, just a few cuts and bruises, nothing serious.

Some other kinds of physical discomfort:

My hand is stinging since I touched that plant. [sudden, burning pain]

My head is throbbing. [beating with pain]

I have a stiff neck from turning round to look at the computer screen all day. I'll have to move the monitor to a better position. [pain and difficulty in moving your neck round]

I feel a bit dizzy. I think I should sit down. [a feeling that you are spinning round and can't balance]

She was a bit feverish this morning, so I told her to stay in bed. [with a high temperature] I had a terrible nauseous feeling after taking the medicine, but it passed. [feeling that you want to vomit]

He was trembling all over; I knew it must be something serious. [shaking]

My nose is all bunged up today with this horrible cold. [blocked]

Other informal expressions that mean `not well, but not seriously ill':

You look a bit off-colour today. Are you all right?

I was feeling a bit under the weather, so I stayed home that day.

I'm just feeling a bit out of sorts, it's nothing to worry about. I'll be fine tomorrow.

B Alternative medicine

Nowadays a lot of people prefer alternative medicine (different from typical western systems). For example:

acupuncture chiropractic herbal medicine

homeopathy - taking tiny amounts of poisonous substances

aromatherapy  - using aromatic oils and massage

EXERCISES

56.1 Correct the mistakes in these sentences.

1 She was feeling out of the weather and a bit fevering so she took the day off.

2 I felt really off my colour yesterday and my head was throwing, so I took a tablet.

3 I felt a bit off the sorts and seemed to have more pains and aches than usual.

4 My arms are hurting after carrying that heavy suitcase of yours.

56.2 Rewrite the underlined parts of these sentences using words and phrases from A.

1 I was feeling quite as if I had a high temperature.

2 The drugs always gave her a feeling that she wanted to vomit.

3 I felt as if my head was spinning and went and lay down for an hour.

4 My nose was blocked so I got a spray from the chemist.

5 I got a pain in my neck from driving a long time in an awkward position.

6 Joanna was shaking and looked unwell, so I asked her if she needed help.

56.3 Complete these sentences with words from the box. Use a dictionary if necessary.

dosage prescription allergic to medication symptoms vaccinations sick note

1 I can't take penicillin; I'm ............................... it.

2 Before you take those pills, read the label to see what the correct ............................... is.

3 I'm going abroad next month so I have to get the necessary ...............................

4 If you consult a new doctor you should tell him or her if you are already on any...

5 Did the doctor give you a ............................... ? Do you want me to take it to the chemist's for you?

6 I told the doctor my ..............................., but I don't think she was listening.

7 The doctor gave me a ............................... for my employer. I was off work for two weeks.

56.4 What do we call the type of alternative medicine which...

1 uses herbs and other natural plants?

2 uses oils which smell nice and are rubbed into your body?

3 uses needles to stick into specific parts of your body?

4 uses tiny amounts of substances which cause the illness the doctor is trying to cure?

5 manipulates your spine and bones to ease backache and other pains?

56.5 Here are four pictures of things to do with health and medicine which are not on the opposite page. Can you match them with the labels?

a)donate blood

b) have physiotherapy

c) get contact lenses

d) have a filling

Odpowiedzi:

56.1

1 She was feeling under the weather and a bit feverish so she took the day off.

2 I felt really off colour yesterday and my head was throbbing, so I took a tablet.

3 I felt a bit out of sorts and seemed to have more aches and pains than usual.

4 My arms are aching after carrying that heavy suitcase of yours.

56.2

1 feverish 2 a nauseous feeling 3 dizzy 4 bunged up 5 a stiff neck 6 trembling

56.3

1 allergic to 2 dosage 3 vaccinations 4 medication

5 prescription 6 symptoms 7 sick note

56.4

1 herbal medicine 2 aromatherapy 3 acupuncture 4 homeopathy 5 chiropractic

56.5

1 d 2 c 3 a 4 b

Michael McCarthy, Felicity O'Dell: English Vocabulary in Use (advanced) Cambridge Univeristy Press 2002.

Naukowcy i studenci, którzy przygotowują prezentacje w języku angielskim, z pewnością znajdą pomoc w rozdziałach poświęconych pisaniu prac naukowych. Odpowiednie rozdziały znajdą w książkach na poziomie zaawansowanym. Wyjaśnienia i następujące po nich ćwiczenia ułatwią dobór właściwego słownictwa oraz zastosowanie właściwego stylu.

Osoby pracujące w biurach i urzędach, którym angielski potrzebny jest w pracy, znajdą w książce Business Vocabulary in Use mnóstwo gotowych zwrotów potrzebnych w różnych sytuacjach. Są w niej rozdziały poświęcone negocjacjom biznesowym, prezentacjom, Internetowi itp. Oto fragment rozdziału poświęconego prezentacjom. Mamy w nim ciekawe uwagi na temat języka ciała (body language) oraz podstawowe zwroty potrzebne do zakończenia prezentacji i odpowiedzi na pytania.

Presentations 3: closing and questions

A Dos and don'ts: body language .

Melanie give these tips on body language.

- Make eye contact: look at each person in the auclience for about a second, before moving on to the next person. Don't concentrate on just one or two people.

- Don't speak to the equipment or the screen: face the audience at all times.

- Smiling is fine at appropriate moments, but not too much.

- Use gesture (hand movements) to emphasize key points.

- Stay more or less in one place: don't move around too much.

- Avoid mannerisms (ways of moving and speaking which you do repeatedly without realizing).

C Key phrases: closing and dealing with questions

Anna-Marie is bringing her presentation to a close:

'Let me sum up. Firstly, we looked at technical skills, secondly, at management skills and last, but by no means least, at interpersonal skills. In my view, the secret for success in future is going to be interpersonal skills. That brings me to the end of my presentation. Are there any questions?'

Here are some phrases which can be useful when answering questions:

a That's a fair point. I know that some consultants don't have a very good image. But I think that Gem Consultants have helped companies reduce costs and increase profits enormously.

b That's confidential. I'm afraid I'm not at liberty to tell you.

c That's not really my field. But I can put you in touch with someone in my organization who is working on Internet applications.

d The questioner would like to know what sort of background the people we recruit usually have. Is that right?

e Well, I think that goes beyond the scope of today's presentation. Today I wanted to concentrate on consultants' skills, not go into particular case studies in consultancy.

f I'm afraid we've run out of time. But if you'd like to come and discuss that with me now, I'll try and give you an answer.

If a member of the audience didn't hear a question, they might say:

'Sorry, I didn't catch the question - could you repeat what the questioner said?'

Ann-Marie ends the presentation by saying:

'I think that's a good place to stop. Thank you for listening.'

A teraz spróbuj, jak poradziłbyś sobie z pytaniami z sali.

61.2 Match these questions from the audience (1-6) to the answers (a-f) that Anne-Marie gives in C above.

1 Sorry, I didn't catch the end of the question - could you repeat what the questioner said?

2 In what ways do you think the Internet is going to change the way management consultants work in the future?

3 Some companies refuse to use management consultants. What do you say to people who say that consultants are a waste of time and money?

4 What's the average salary for your consultants?

5 I don't know if you have time to answer this, but can you tell me how I can apply to work for Gem?

6 You say that Gem have enormously increased profits for some companies. Can you give one or two examples of this?

Odpowiedzi:

1d 2c 3a 4b 5f 6e

Bill Mascull: Business Vocabulary in Use, Cambridge University Press 2002

Bardzo przydatne są rozdziały o tym, jak pisać e-maile, faksy, jak prowadzić negocjacje biznesowe. Dowiemy się również jak zwracać się do partnerów biznesowych, jak należy się zachować i jak reagować na różne sytuacje w kontaktach służbowych.

Nie zawsze wiemy, co oznaczają informacje na wizytówkach wręczanych nam przez cudzoziemców, ani jak zaprojektować własną wizytówkę po angielsku. Ten przykład powinien nam pomóc.

Business across cultures 2

A Names

In the English-speaking business world, people use first names, even with people they do not know very well. But if you aren't sure, use Mr and the family name for men, and Mrs or Miss and the family name for women, depending on whether they are married or not. Ms often replaces Mrs and Miss. You don't use Mr, Mrs, Miss or Ms with only a first name (e.g. Mr John) or by itself.

B Business cards

Rozmowa przez telefon w języku angielskim sprawia wielu osobom trudności. Nie widzimy naszego rozmówcy, nie możemy pomóc sobie gestem. Jest wiele zwrotów, których opanowanie pomoże nam przeprowadzić rozmowę przez telefon bez stresu.

W Business Vocabulary in Use jest kilka rozdziałów wraz z ćwiczeniami dotyczącymi rozmowy przez telefon. Oto ich fragmenty. Przeczytaj tekst a następnie zrób ćwiczenia.

Telephoning 2: getting through

A Phoning scenario

You want to phone someone in a company. You pick up the phone. You hear the dialling tone and dial the number on the keypad. You don't know the person's direct line number, so you dial the number of the company's switchboard. One of these things happens:

a The number rings but no one answers.

b You hear the engaged tone (BrE) / busy tone (AmE) because the other person is already talking on the phone. You hang up and try again later.

c You get through, but not to the number you wanted. The person who answers says you've got the wrong number.

d The operator answers. You ask for the extension of the person you want to speak to.

e You are put through to the wrong extension. The person offers to transfer you to the right extension, but you are cut off - the call ends.

f The person you want to speak to is not at their desk and you leave a message on their voicemail. You ask them to call you back or to return your call.

B Asking to speak to someone 1

49.1 You are trying to phone Delia Jones. She works in a large company. Match your possible reactions (1-7) to the things (a-f) describe in A oposite. One of the things is used twice.

1 That's strange. Their switchboard isn't big enough to handle all the calls they get.

2 That's ridiculous! A company with 500 employees, but no one answers the phone.

3 I ask for Delia Jones and they put me through to Della Jones!

4 Delia seems to spend all day on the phone. Her line's always busy.

5 That's strange. I'm sure I dialled the right number.

6 Oh no I hate this - oh well, I'd better leave a message ...

7 They never seem able to find the extension number!

49.2 Look at B opposite. Annelise Schmidt is trying to phone James Cassidy. Put the conversation into a logical order.

1 Annelise: Good morning. Can I speak to James Cassidy in Sales?

2 Annelise: Is that James Cassidy?

3 Annelise: No, I'm afraid I don't.

4 Annelise: Thanks. Oh no, I've been cut off.

5 Switchboard operator: Do you know the extension?

6 Switchboard operator: Sorry to keep you waiting. ... I'm putting you through.

7 John Cassidy: Cassidy.

8 John Cassidy: No, this is John Cassidy. You've come through to Accounts. I'll try and transfer you back to the switchboard.

Telephoning 3: messages

A Asking to speak to someone 2

B Giving and taking messages

C Spelling names

If you want to spell a name, you can say, for example, 'A for Alpha', 'B as in Bravo', etc.

You may also need these expressions:

- capital A

- dash or hyphen (-)

- small a

- slash (/)

- all one word

- dot (.)

- new word/line

- at (@)

D Taking messages: checking information

a I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name. Could you spell it, please?

b Is that with a D at the end, D for David?

c Did you say your number is 624 426?

d Is that with B for Bravo or V for Victor?

e Where did you say you're calling form?

f Is that with one M in the middle or two?

g The code for Sweden is 49, right?

h Is that Ginola like the football player?

50.3 Match the responses (1-8) with the questions (a-h) in D above.

1 No, actually it's 46.

2 It's Valladolid with a V at the beginning, V for Victor.

3 No, it's Schmidt with a T at the end, T for Tommy.

4 Two. T - I - double - M - E - R - M - A - N.

5 No, 642 246.

6 Springer Verlag in Hamburg.

7 Krieslovski. K - R - I - E - S - L - O - V - S - K - I.

8 No, it's with two Ns in the middle.

Odpowiedzi:

49.1

1b, 2a, 3e, 4b, 5c, 6f, 7d

49.2

1,5, 3, 6, 7, 2, 8, 4

50.3

1g, 2d, 3b, 4f, 5c, 6e, 7a, 8h

Bill Mascull: Business Vocabulary in Use, Cambridge University Press 2002

Jeśli udało ci się dobrze rozwiązać te zadania, to z pewnością kolejne rozmowy przez telefon nie będą ci sprawiać kłopotów.

Materiały: Cambridge University Press, The British Council

---