The following short dialogues are similar. In each case A chooses a tone to check something, and then chooses a tone to continue. Practice reading the dialogues.

1) A: Is this the police station? 2) A: Are these eating apples?

B: Yes, madam. B: Yes they are French.

A: I want to report a robbery. A: I’d like a kilo please.

3) A: Did you hear the news this morning? 4) A: Have you been to the exhibition?

B: Yes, I did. B: Yes, I have.

A: What do you think about it. A: Isn’t it interesting.

5) A: Did you hear what she just said?

B: I did.

A: That’s really incredible.

Look at this example. B’s reply is so general that it doesn’t tell A anything which extends A’s knowledge, and so he uses a tone.

A: Is he doing his essay?

B: He’s writing something.

This sort of reply is often used as a way of avoiding answering a question.

Now go on. Practice the conversations in pairs.

1) A: Have you had dinner? 2) A: Has he sent the letter?

B: I’ve had something. B: He was going to.

3) A: When will it start? 4) A: Where have they gone on their honeymoon?

B: It shouldn’t be long now. B: Somewhere quiet.

5) A: What’s the time.

B: It must be late.

Consider this example. B first agrees with something A has just said and then goes on to add some new information.

A; It’s important / to get it right.

B: Of course / it’s important to get it right / but it’s very difficult.

Now, working with a partner, try these. B first agrees with something A has just said, using ‘of course’ or ‘I know’, and then adds some appropriate information beginning with ‘but’.

1) A: We don’t agree with you. 2) A: The island’s beautiful.

B: you don’t agree with me but … B: it’s beautiful but …

 

3) A: She likes diamonds. 4) A: This hat’s a bargain.

B: she likes diamonds but … B: it’s a bargain but …

5) A: He’s a difficult person to work with.

B: he’s a difficult person to work with but …

In the first part of the reply B reminds A of things they both know, and then in the second part introduces a new idea.

A: I’m really enjoying my stay here. Where shall we go tonight?

B: We’ve seen all the good films, and we’ve been to the theatre and to a concert. Let’s go to a nightclub.

Now go on in the same way. Mark the intonation.

1) A: Did you get everything for the office?

B: Here are the envelopes and the stamps. But there wasn’t any paper.

2) A: Who’s coming to the dinner party?

B: As you know, we’ve invited the Whites and the Robsons. But I also invited the Jenkins.

3) A: Have we prepared everything for the party now?

B: Well, we’ve organized the music and the drinks. But we haven’t got the food yet.

4) A: What have you got for the fruit salad?

B: We’ve got apples and pears and peaches. We ought to get some oranges.

5) A: Where shall we go for our holiday this year?

B: It’s difficult. We’ve been to Italy and Greece and Austria. How do you feel about Turkey?