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Joy English · Level B2 · Psychologyjoy-english.com

The value of small talk

Name:Date:

Follow a talk that reports the results of a study.

Listen to each sentence and write what you hear.

Audio and answer checking: https://joy-english.com/listening-lessons/the-value-of-small-talk

Words to know

small talk
Light, polite conversation about everyday things.
stranger
A person you do not know.
mood
How you feel at a particular time.

Answer key

  1. Many people see small talk as a waste of time.“Of” is weak: “waste-uv-time”.
  2. However, research suggests it can noticeably improve our mood.“Noticeably” means in a way that is easy to see.
  3. In one study, commuters were asked to chat with a stranger on the train.“Were asked to” is a passive.
  4. Most of them expected the experience to be awkward.“Awkward” means uncomfortable; it is said “AWK-wurd”.
  5. In fact, they reported feeling happier than those who sat in silence.“Those who” means the people who.

Joy English · free English practice · https://joy-english.com/listening-lessons/the-value-of-small-talk