Conversation & Dialogue [ 28 ]

28- ] Conversation & Dialogue 

Your Relatives Are Not AT Home .

Neighbor : Hallo !

Shaker : Hallo ! Where are Mr. and Mrs. Said ?They are not t home .

Neighbor : I’m their neighbor . They’re on holiday .

Shaker : At the seaside ?

Neighbor : No , they aren’t at the seaside . They’re in the country.

Shaker : In the country . I see . Oh well , I’ll come back again .

Neighbor : Yes , come back again .

Shaker : Thank you .

Neighbor : Not at all . Goodbye .

Shaker : Goodbye .

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Asking About & Expressing Opinion .

Person : What do you think of the new song ?

Another Person : I like it . It’s a very happy song .

Person : Yes , that’s true , but I don’t like the singer very much . He doesn’t sing , he shouts .

Another Person : And what do you think of the summer resort ?

Person : I think it’s very beautiful . I like the sea .

Another Person : Yes , I agree , but it’s a very rocky beach and the waves are sometimes high .

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Mr. Kazem : What do you think of the new book ?

Mr. Fuad : I think it’s very exciting and interesting . I like the way it begins .

Mr. Kazem : Yes , I agree , but things happen rather slowly . It takes too long to get into the story .

Mr. Fuad : And the new play ?

Mr. Kazem : I like it very much . I think it’s very funny .

Mr. Fuad : I don’t like it at all . I think it’s terrible .

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Teacher : What do you think of the new book by the author [ so and so ] ?

Student 1 : I like it very much .

Student 2: I don’t like it at all .

Teacher : Very good , students . Now what do you think of Alexandria ?

Student 1 : I think it’s very nice .

Student 2 : I think it’s awful in summer . It’s very crowded .

Teacher : Good . What do you think of the new song ?

Student 1 : I like it very much . I think it’s very nice .

Teacher : Very good .

Student 2 : I don’t like it at all . I think it’s awful !

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Tareq : Did you watch the film on television last night ?

Nasr : Yes .

Tareq : What did you think of the actor , Mahmoud Hamdy ?

Nasr : Oh , I thought he was very good . I liked the way he walked into the bank .

Tareq : That’s true , but he didn’t do much and he didn’t say much .

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Shaher : I don’t believe it .

Hala : What do you mean , you don’t believe it ?

Shaher : I don’t think it’s true .

Hala : Of course it’s true .

Shaher : Well , I don’t believe in the Woman’s Liberation Movement .

Hala : Men believe in keeping women at home , with the children and the housework .

Shaher : I don’t believe in that , but I think that women are women , not men . Men are good at some things , women are good at other things .

Hala : Well , I support Women’s Liberation Movement . I think it’s a good thing .

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Worker  1: Are they still on strike in the factory ?

Worker 2 : I don’t know . They’re meeting this morning about it .

Worker 1 : I think the strike is wrong too . I don’t believe in strikes .

Worker  3 : You don’t work in the factory . You’ve got a nice job here .

Worker 1 : But strikes are bad . I think they’re bad for everybody .

Worker 2 : They’re not . I think they’re necessary sometimes .

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Interviewer : A lot of people smoke cigarettes . Ten a day , fifteen a day , twenty a day . A lot of people smoke ten , fifteen , twenty , thirty cigarettes every day . If you ask : “Do you smoke many cigarettes ?” they always say : “No , not many .” But ten , twenty every day : that’s a lot of cigarettes . I’m here in the street asking people about cigarettes . There are a lot of people here . Er , excuse me .

Man 1 : Yes ?

Interviewer : I’m asking people about cigarettes .

Man 1 : Oh yes .

Interviewer : Do you smoke ?

Man 1 : Yes , I do .

Interviewer : Howe many cigarettes do you smoke in a day ?

Man 1 : Oh , not many . Ten ….fifteen … I smoke a lot when I’m working , but not many when I’m not working .

Interviewer : I see . Thank you . Ah, excuse me , madam .

Woman : Yes ?

Interviewer : Do you smoke ?

Woman : Well , sometimes . Two or three a day .

Interviewer : That’s not many , is it ? Excuse me sir .

Man 2 : Yes ?

Interviewer : Do you smoke ?

Man 2 : Well , I don’t smoke many cigarettes . I smoke a lot of cigars .

Interviewer : Thank you . Ah , here’s a young couple . Excuse me , do you smoke ?

Man 3 : Twenty , twenty five a day . Not many .

Girl : Not many ! Ah ! Do you know , he’s always tired , because he smokes such a lot of cigarettes .

Man3 : I don’t .

Girl : You do .

Interviewer : Hmm . You sir , do you smoke ?

Man 4 : Yes , I smoke quite a lot . Forty a day . And look at me . I’m very well .

Interviewer : This is Mr. Galal Hassan , last November .

Mr. Galal : My name is Mr. Galal Hassan . I smoke sixty cigarettes every day . That’s a lot , so I haven’t got a very good appetite . I eat some bread and butter sometimes . But I can’t eat much . I haven’t got much money , because I spend a lot on cigarettes .

Interviewer : And this is Mr. Galal Hassan today .

Mr. Galal : Hallo !

Interviewer : Hallo ! How are you ?

Mr. Galal : Oh , I’m very well , and I’m very happy , now that I don’t smoke .

Interviewer : How’s your appetite ?

Mr. Galal : Fine . I eat a lot , and I drink a lot of juice and milk . I’m very well .

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Interviewer : I’m outside the gates of the factory, where workers have been picketing it since 8 o’clock this morning . Mr. Khaled , you are the union shop steward . Why have you announced that you’re going on strike ?

Shop Steward : Er ! It’s simple . Our jobs are at stake .

Interviewer : Oh ! But surely . Mr. Khaled , you’re not personally threatened with redundancy .

Shop Steward : Nay , but thirty of our lads are going to be laid off . My union’s job is to protect our interests .

Interviewer : So , what’s the next step ? Are you going to continue with the stoppage , or go back to work ?

Shop Steward : I can’t announce anything yet . It depends on the management and on the decision of the branch meeting this evening .

Son : Dad , did you hear that radio ? The factory’s going to go on strike .

Manager : Yes . We’d better get down to the factory fast and fins out what it’s all about . Why didn’t anyone warn me ?

[ The manager and the shop steward are at the factory ]

Manager : What I object to Mr. Khaled is that your union gave me no warning of your action .

Shop Steward : Well .There was no warning to give . Look . You can’t announce that you’re going to lay off people just because you’re going through a sticky patch .

Manager : I don’t think you understand how serious this is . Let me explain . We have a cash flow problem ……and…..

Shop Steward : We should be working flat out to produce our products for the winter season .

Manager : Precisely . And we’re not doing so because we haven’t been able to sell off our summer stocks due to the hot weather . If we keep producing our products at tis rate , we’ll …..

Shop Steward : You produce no products at all , unless you keep a full work force .

Manager : And keep half our workers hanging around doing nothing and getting paid for it . Look , I insist on settling this dispute as soon as possible . We’ve always had excellent industrial relations up to now . Suddenly we have a strike on our hands and someone mentions the matter to the press . I suspect someone of trying to make trouble.

Shop Steward : What do you mean by that ? Are you trying to suggest there are agitators in this factory ?

Son : Can I suggest a way out of the problem ? We keep on the full work force and er use the redundant workers to develop my protector . That way everyone’s fully employed .

Manager : Hm . Yes , I must admit that it’s a possibility . But – I still think the protector needs more testing .

Shop Steward : Well , what do I tell the branch meeting tonight ?

Manager : We’ll go ahead as my son suggests . I’ll have to persuade the board of directors , of course , but I think I can assure you that they’ll agree . In that case we can see about training up workers and going into production .

Son : That’s what I call thinking positively !

Manager : Let’s just hope we won’t be disappointed .

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Conversation & Dialogue [ 27 ]

27- ] Conversation & Dialogue 

Complaint [ Public & Private ].

Sonia : Why is there never a bus when you want one ?

Khery : Good question . There aren’t enough buses on this route .

Sonia : Sometimes I feel like writing a letter to the paper .

Khery : Good idea . You should say that we need more subway lines , too .

Sonia : Yeah . There should be more public transportation in general .

Khery : And fewer cars ! There’s too much traffic .

Sonia : Say , is that our bus coming ?

Khery : Yes , it is . But look . It’s full !

Sonia : Oh , no ! Let’s go and get a cup of coffee . We can walk about this letter I’m going to write .

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Mr. Salah : Excuse me .

Secretary : Yes ?

Mr. Salah : I want to speak to the manager .

Secretary : The manager ?

Mr. Salah : Yes , I want to speak to the manager .

Secretary : Certainly . Can you tell me your name , please ?

Mr. Salah : Mr. Salah .

Secretary : No , your name . Mr. Salah is the manager . Can you tell me your name ?

Mr. Salah : But my name is Mr. Salah . Salah Mohammad .

Secretary : Oh , I’m sorry . The manager’s name is Mr. Salah , too .

Mr. Salah : The manager’s name is Mr. Salah ?

Secretary : Yes . His name is Salah Khalefa , and your name is Salah Mohammad .

Mr. Salah : Well , I want to speak to Salah Khalefa .

Secretary : Now , you want to see the manager .

Mr. Salah : Yes .

Secretary : Why ?

Mr. Salah : I want to complain about this clock .

Secretary : Why ?

Mr. Salah : It doesn’t work well .

[ The manager comes . ]

The Manager : Hallo , my name is Salah Khalefa . I’m the manager .

Mr. Salah : Hallo ! And my name is Salah Mohammad .

The Manager : And you complain about this clock . Now , you want a new clock .

Mr. Salah : Yes , I want a new clock .

The Manager : Here’s a nice one . Fifty pounds .

Mr. Salah : Fifty pounds ! Give it to me . Thank you .

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Mrs. Soad : Waitress .

Waitress : Yes , madam ?

Mrs. Soad : I can’t find my coat .

Waitress : Where did you leave it ?

Mrs. Soad : Here . On this hook .

Waitress : It’s gone .

Mrs. Soad : Yes . Thank you . I can see that .

Manager : What’s the matter ?

Waitress : This lady’s lost her coat .

Manager : I’m the manager . Can I ----

Mrs. Soad : It’s been stolen . My coat’s been stolen .

Manager : Oh , what a pity .

Mrs. Soad : What a pity ? What are you going to do about it ?

Manager : I’m sorry madam , but there’s nothing ----

Mrs. Soad : Call the police immediately .

Manager : But madam , look at that notice . It’s not our responsibility .

Waitress : [ Reads the notice ] “You may leave hats and coats here entirely at your own risk !”

Manager : [ Completes } “The management will not accept any liability for loss or damage to articles left here .”

Mrs. Soad : Where’s the nearest police station ?

Manager : Just across the street , madam . Do you want me to ---

Mrs. Soad : It doesn’t matter . I’ll go myself .

[ At the police station ]

Policeman : Good morning . What can I do for you ?

Mrs. Soad : You’re very young .

Policeman : What ?

Mrs. Soad : Nothing . I’d like to report a theft .

Policeman: Please sit down .

Mrs. Soad : Thank you .

Policeman : Now , what was stolen ?

Mrs. Soad : A coat .

Policeman : Where from ?

Mrs. Soad : The restaurant across the street .

Policeman : And what color was the coat ?

Mrs. Soad : Blue .

Policeman : And what’s your address ?

Mrs. Soad ; I’m staying at the hotel .

[  Later on , the maid in the hotel knocks on the door]

Mrs. Soad : Yes ?

Maid : Mrs. Soad . Is this your coat ?

Mrs. Soad : Yes ! Yes , it is . Where ----

Maid : Spmebody took it by mistake . The police brought it round ten minutes ago .

Mrs. Soad : Oh , that’s marvelous . I think your policemen are wonderful .

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Conversation & Dialogue [ 26 ]

26- ] Conversation & Dialogue 

Getting Things Repaired .

Customer : Hello , car-repair garage ?Yes , my name’s Nour Salem . That’s right . When will my car be ready , please ? Ah , I see . Yes . Problems . A lot of problems . Yes , I understand . OK , thank you . Goodbye .  ( He puts down the telephone )

Wife : When will the car be ready ?

Husband : Well . By Thursday ?

Wife : Not till Thursday ?

Husband : That’s all right . We’re going on holiday till Friday .

Wife : Yes , that’s true . So it’ll be ready in three days’ time .

Husband : Well , no . Not in three days’ time , exactly . In two weeks’ time . It’ll be ready by Thursday , the twenty second .

Wife : Oh , no !

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Bridegroom : We’ve got to look after each other now .

Bride : Love , honor and obey each other .

Bridegroom : O.K. Look out while I slam the door of the car .

Parent : Goodbye you two . Have a marvelous time .

Best Man : Cheerio , folks ! Sorry I made such a mess of my speech .

Bridegroom : Nonsense – it was very funny . You had everyone rolling under the table .

Parent : Where are you two going for your honeymoon ? The Cot d’Azur ?

Best Man : It doesn’t matter where you go , when you’re on a honeymoon .

Bridegroom : Well , we’re off . Goodbye .

Parent : Goodbye , my darlings .Ah ! You know I’ve never seen so many people – both families got on so well with each other – and all our friends .

Bridegroom : They’ve more in common than we realized .

[ There’s a strange sound coming of the car . ]

Bride : Darling , why are you slowing down ?

Bridegroom : I don’t know . Something’s wrong with the car . It was fine up to two minutes ago .

Bride : What’s wrong ?

Bridegroom : I don’t know . I just can’t get it to start .

Bride : Oh , it doesn’t matter , darling . Look – there’s a sign . Er ! Service station 200 yards . Can you drive that far ?

Bridegroom : I don’t think so . You’d better get out and push .

Bride : Oh , O.K.

Bridegroom : Is It O.K. now ?

Mechanic : Ah ! It should be . Your battery was flat . It needed recharging .

Bridegroom : What ? But that takes ages .

Mechanic : Oh ! I’ve put in another one . Hope that’s O.K.

Bride : You let us have a spare one ?

Mechanic : You can pick yours up on the way back .

Bride : Oh good .

Mechanic : The spare’s a bit old but it’ll do . It’s just been recharged . Anyway . I’ve put it in for you .

Bridegroom : But how much do I owe you ?

Mechanic : Well ….since you’ve just married ……nothing .

Bridegroom : Oh , we couldn’t

Bride : Of course we could , it’s a lovely thought .

Bridegroom : Well thank you very much .

Bride : Um ! How did you know ?

Mechanic : Know what ?

Bride : That we’re just married ?

Mechanic : Ha , ha ! It’s pretty obvious , isn’t it ? Ha , ha !

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Wife : What’s that ?

Husband : That’s what the sign means : “Road Works Ahead . Diversion .” We’ll have to go back .

Wife : There you are – The town is straight on . Get in lane .”

Husband : I thought we’d never find the way .

Wife : I’m glad we’re out of that town .

Husband : Driving along quietly . On our way home .

Wife : Home ? We’re only going back to that town .

Husband : Well , you know what I mean .

Wife : No . Hey , what’s happening ?

[ She hears a sound coming of the motor ]

Husband : The car’s stopping !

Wife : Oh , there’s a garage ! Try and get over there .

Mechanic : Hello !

Husband : My car has broken down .

Mechanic : Has it ? Is it serious ?

Husband : I don’t know . But I think there’s something wrong with the carburetor .

Mechanic : Oh , dear ! That’s serious .

Wife : Is it ?

Mechanic : Oh , yes . Very serious .

Wife : It only needs adjusting .

Mechanic : No , it’s more than that .

Wife : How do you know ? You haven’t looked at it .

Mechanic : I’m a mechanic .

Husband : But won’t you look at it ?

Mechanic : Well , all right .You see . Very serious .

Husband : How long will it take ?

Mechanic : Oh , I don’t know , I can’t tell you that .

Wife : Can you repair it so that we can get back to the town ?

Mechanic : I don’t know . It’s serious . Very serious indeed .

Conversation & Dialogue [ 25 ]

25- ] Conversation & Dialogue 

Warning

Wife : Be careful !

Husband : What ?

Wife : Don’t touch it . It’s dangerous .

Husband : Don’t worry . It’s quite safe .

Wife : Look out !

Husband : Aah !

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Advice .

Woman : I feel very tired these days .

Friend : Well , you shouldn’t go to bed so late .

Woman : Oh! No . I’m also getting a little ……

Friend : Fat .

Woman : Well , yes .

Friend : That’s easy . You shouldn’t eat so much .

Woman : No , I get headaches in the evening .

Friend : You shouldn’t watch so much television .

Woman : Well , no .

Friend : I’ve got to go now .

Woman : But what about me ? I feel ill .

Friend : You should see a doctor .

Woman : But you’re the doctor !

Friend : Me ? No , I’m just a nurse .

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A Wife’s Complaint .

Wife : When I was married I used to cook all the time . I used to clean the flat , and I used to wash clothes . Now I go out more . Visit old friends more .

Friend : But your husband used to help you in some ways .

Wife : Yes , he used to help me when He was at home . But he wasn’t at home very often . And I used to wait for him . When I was married , I used to be a very weak person .

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Conversation & Dialogue [ 24 ]

24- ] Conversation & Dialogue 

My Favorite Sport .

popular sports

Customer : Are you interested in football ?

Assistant : Well , yes .

Customer : I am . Wonderful game , football .

Assistant : Yes . Now what shoes can I show you , sir ?

Customer : I like all sports and games .

Assistant : Oh , yes .

Customer : Yes . Football , cricket , swimming . Can you swim ?

Assistant : I’m not a good swimmer , but I go swimming sometimes .

Customer : Tennis . Thar’s a good game .

Assistant : Yes .

Customer : I’m very interested in tennis . I never miss Wimbledon , you know . I see it every year .

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Interviewer : Thank you , thank you ladies and gentlemen . Tonight in the studio , we’ve got the strongest man in the world . Mr. Kazem Hider ! Good evening Kazem .

Kazem : Good evening .

Interviewer : Sit down . Oh . [ The chair crashes .]

Kazem : Yes , I’m very heavy . I usually sit on two strong chairs .

Interviewer : Two chairs ? O . K . Can we have two chairs , please ? ….There . Cigarette ?

Kazem : No , thanks .

Interviewer : You don’t smoke ?

Kazem :No , I don’t . I don’t smoke and I don’t drink .

Interviewer : Really ? You never smoke and you never drink .

Kazem : Well , I never drink alcohol . I always drink milk in the morning and I often drink tea .

Interviewer : You’re the strongest man in the world . What do you eat ? Do you eat any special food ?

Kazem : Well , I eat fruit . Apples , bananas ---

Interviewer : Yes , and how do you stay strong ?

Kazem : Well , I always go to bed early . Yes at nine o’clock . And I always get up early too .

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My Favorite Hobby .

Mohsin : Hello , Sayed . What are you doing ?

Sayed : I’m making a bookcase . I like books . I like buying books . And I like reading them . But I don’t want to buy a bookcase .

Mohsin : Why not ?

Sayed : Bookcases are expensive , and I enjoy making things . So , I’m making a bookcase .

Mohsin : Well , I’m playing tennis this afternoon . Would you like to play ?

Sayed : No , thanks . Not this afternoon . It’s too cold . And I’m busy .

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Spectator 1 : Who’s winning ? Ismael or Nader ?

Spectator 2 : Ismael’s winning . He usually wins . He’s good at tennis . Nader isn’t .

Spectator 1 : Where’s Hussein ?

Spectator 2 : He’s at home . He doesn’t like playing  tennis .

Spectator 1 : He enjoys watching tennis . He often comes here and watches .

Spectator 2 : And sometimes he plays too . He played against Karim last week .

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