Conversation Patterns: A2 Exercises

Every answer with the reason behind it. Read the explanation for the ones you got right as well — that is where you find out whether you were right for the right reason.

Multiple choice questions — answers

1. How was your weekend? — ___ → It was lovely, thanks. And yours?

A finished weekend takes the past simple, and returning the question is expected.

2. Would you like a coffee? — ___ → Yes, please. That would be lovely.

Yes, please is the standard polite acceptance of an offer.

3. You are asking for directions. Which is politest? → Excuse me, could you tell me where the station is?

Could you plus an indirect question is the standard polite form.

4. I'm sorry I'm late. — ___ → It doesn't matter, we've just started.

Accepting an apology briefly is what English conversation expects.

5. Which is the natural way to complain in a restaurant? → I'm sorry, but I think this soup is cold.

English softens complaints with I'm sorry, but and I think.

6. Shall we meet at seven? — ___ → Yes, seven is good for me.

Agree is a verb in English, so I am agree is impossible.

7. Have you been here before? — ___ → No, it's my first time.

The present perfect question is answered naturally with a short statement.

8. It's freezing today, ___ ? → isn't it

A positive statement takes a negative tag in small talk.

9. Could you say that again, please? — Which is the same? → Sorry, I didn't catch that.

I didn't catch that is the standard polite request for repetition.

10. How long have you been in Georgia? — ___ → For three months.

A length of time takes for; a starting point takes since.

11. What are you doing at the weekend? — ___ → I'm going to visit my sister.

An arrangement already made takes the present continuous or going to.

12. Thank you so much for your help. — ___ → You're welcome.

You're welcome is the standard response to thanks.

13. Which question opens small talk most naturally? → Have you lived here long?

English small talk avoids money, age and personal circumstances.

14. I've got a terrible headache. — ___ → You should take something for it.

Should is advice; must and have to sound like instructions.

15. Do you mind if I sit here? — ___ → No, not at all. Please do.

Do you mind is answered with no when you are giving permission.

16. Which is the natural way to end a phone call? → Speak to you soon. Bye!

English closes calls with a short forward-looking phrase.

17. Sorry, I ___ what you said. Could you repeat it? → didn't hear

The moment has just passed, so the past simple is used.

18. How do you like Tbilisi? — ___ → I love it, especially the old town.

Like and love always need an object in English.

19. Which sentence makes a suggestion? → Why don't we go to the cinema?

Why don't we is one of the standard suggestion patterns.

20. The bill, please. — Which is the same request? → Could we have the bill, please?

Could we have is the standard polite restaurant request.

Fill-in-the-blank questions — answers

1. Excuse me, ___ you tell me where the museum is? → could

Could makes an indirect question politer than can.

2. How ___ have you lived in this city? → long

How long asks about duration.

3. I'm sorry, I didn't ___ that. Could you repeat it? → catch

Catch here means hear and understand.

4. Would you ___ a cup of tea? → like

Would you like is the standard offer.

5. It's beautiful weather today, ___ it? → isn't

A positive statement takes a negative question tag.

6. Do you ___ if I open the window? → mind

Do you mind is a polite way of asking permission.

7. Thank you very much. — You're ___. → welcome

You're welcome is the standard response to thanks.

8. I've been here ___ two weeks now. → for

A length of time takes for rather than since.

9. ___ don't we meet at the café instead? → Why

Why don't we is a standard suggestion pattern.

10. I'm afraid I ___ come to the party on Saturday. → can't

I'm afraid softens a refusal in English.

11. You ___ see a doctor about that cough. → should

Should gives advice rather than an instruction.

12. Could we ___ the bill, please? → have

Could we have is the polite restaurant request.

13. What ___ you doing at the weekend? → are

Arrangements already made take the present continuous.

14. Sorry I'm late — the traffic ___ terrible. → was

A finished journey takes the past simple.

15. Nice to ___ you. I'm Nino. → meet

Nice to meet you is the fixed introduction phrase.

16. I'm sorry, ___ I think there is a mistake in the bill. → but

I'm sorry, but is how English opens a polite complaint.

17. ___ you ever been to Batumi? → Have

Questions about life experience use the present perfect.

18. See you ___ ! Have a good evening. → soon

See you soon is a standard friendly farewell.

19. How ___ is a ticket to the centre? → much

How much asks about price.

20. Let's take a break, ___ we? → shall

Let's always takes the tag shall we.

Sentence structure: word ordering — answers

1. Open a request to a stranger politely. → Excuse me, could you help me?

Open a request to a stranger politely.

2. Ask a new acquaintance about their time in a place. → How long have you lived here?

Ask a new acquaintance about their time in a place.

3. Ask for repetition politely. → I'm sorry, I didn't catch that.

Ask for repetition politely.

4. Offer a visitor a hot drink. → Would you like a cup of tea?

Offer a visitor a hot drink.

5. Open small talk about the weather. → It's a lovely day, isn't it?

Open small talk about the weather.

6. Ask permission to take a seat. → Do you mind if I sit here?

Ask permission to take a seat.

7. Thank a host at the end of a visit. → Thank you very much for everything.

Thank a host at the end of a visit.

8. Say how long you have been somewhere. → I've been in Georgia for two months.

Say how long you have been somewhere.

9. Suggest a different day. → Why don't we meet on Friday instead?

Suggest a different day.

10. Decline an invitation politely. → I'm afraid I can't make it tomorrow.

Decline an invitation politely.

11. Recommend a place to eat. → You should try the restaurant downstairs.

Recommend a place to eat.

12. Ask to pay in a restaurant. → Could we have the bill, please?

Ask to pay in a restaurant.

13. Ask about somebody's arrangements. → What are you doing this weekend?

Ask about somebody's arrangements.

14. Apologise and give a reason. → Sorry I'm late. The traffic was awful.

Apologise and give a reason.

15. Introduce yourself to somebody new. → Nice to meet you. I'm Nino.

Introduce yourself to somebody new.

16. Complain politely about a wrong dish. → I'm sorry, but this isn't what I ordered.

Complain politely about a wrong dish.

17. Ask about somebody's travel experience. → Have you ever been to the mountains?

Ask about somebody's travel experience.

18. Say goodbye at the end of a meeting. → See you soon. Have a good evening.

Say goodbye at the end of a meeting.

19. Ask about a fare. → How much is a ticket to the centre?

Ask about a fare.

20. Suggest pausing, with the fixed tag. → Let's take a short break, shall we?

Suggest pausing, with the fixed tag.