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Joy English · Level A2 · General exam skillsjoy-english.com

Choosing the right reply in short conversations

Name:Date:

Independent practice in the style of entry-level exam tasks, not an official test: read what one person says, then choose or complete the best reply.

Choose the best reply

Read what the first person says. Choose the best reply.

  1. How long did the journey take?
    • a) About three hours.
    • b) By train.
    • c) Last Tuesday.
  2. Shall I help you with the washing-up?
    • a) Yes, I washed it.
    • b) That's kind of you, thanks.
    • c) No, I'm not hungry.
  3. I'm afraid I've broken your favourite cup.
    • a) I'm glad to hear that.
    • b) Yes, it's my favourite.
    • c) That's OK. It was very old.
  4. How often do you go to the gym?
    • a) For an hour.
    • b) Three times a week.
    • c) Near my office.
  5. Do you mind if I open the window?
    • a) No, go ahead.
    • b) Yes, I'd love to.
    • c) It's a big window.
  6. Which bus goes to the airport?
    • a) It takes forty minutes.
    • b) Yes, it does.
    • c) The number 52.
  7. We're having a barbecue on Saturday. Can you come?
    • a) I'd love to. Shall I bring anything?
    • b) Yes, I had one last week.
    • c) It's sunny today.
  8. Excuse me, is anyone sitting here?
    • a) Yes, I often sit here.
    • b) No, it's free.
    • c) It's a comfortable chair.
  9. What's the weather like in your town in winter?
    • a) It's usually cold and wet.
    • b) I like winter sports.
    • c) In December.
  10. I didn't get the job.
    • a) Congratulations!
    • b) That's brilliant!
    • c) Oh, I'm sorry to hear that.

Complete the reply

Type one word to complete each reply.

  1. A: Thank you for driving me home. B: You're ___.
  2. A: I've passed all my exams! B: Well ___! You worked really hard.
  3. A: Could you pass me the salt, please? B: Sure. Here you ___.
  4. A: Sorry I'm late. B: Don't ___ about it. We haven't started yet.
  5. A: Would you like some more cake? B: No, ___ you. I've had enough.
  6. A: I've lost my wallet. B: Oh no! What a ___!
  7. A: Can I use your phone for a minute? B: Of ___. It's on the table.
  8. A: Let's go for a walk after lunch. B: That's a good ___!

Answer key

Choose the best reply

  1. a) About three hours.How long asks about time, so About three hours is correct. By train answers How did you travel?
  2. b) That's kind of you, thanks.Shall I ...? is an offer. We can accept it with That's kind of you.
  3. c) That's OK. It was very old.The person is saying sorry. That's OK is a kind reply to an apology.
  4. b) Three times a week.How often asks about frequency. Three times a week tells us how often.
  5. a) No, go ahead.Do you mind ...? means Is it a problem for you? No, go ahead means it is not a problem.
  6. c) The number 52.Which bus asks you to name one bus, so The number 52 is correct.
  7. a) I'd love to. Shall I bring anything?This is an invitation. I'd love to accepts it, and the question is a polite offer.
  8. b) No, it's free.The person wants to know if the seat is empty. No, it's free means they can sit there.
  9. a) It's usually cold and wet.What's the weather like? asks you to describe the weather.
  10. c) Oh, I'm sorry to hear that.This is bad news, so we say we are sorry to hear it.

Complete the reply

  1. welcomeYou're welcome is a common reply to thank you.
  2. doneWell done is what we say when someone does something good.
  3. are / goWe say Here you are or Here you go when we give something to someone.
  4. worryDon't worry about it is a friendly reply to an apology.
  5. thankNo, thank you is a polite way to say no to an offer.
  6. shame / pity / nightmare / nuisanceWhat a shame and What a pity are kind replies to bad news. What a nightmare or What a nuisance also work.
  7. courseOf course means yes, certainly.
  8. idea / planThat's a good idea is a common way to agree with a suggestion.

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