Verbal Context
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Drill
Statements (conveying personal concern; sounding light, airy, warm)
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When's the concert?
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Next Sunday. Next Wednesday.
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It's going to be a fine place.
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So it seems. So I've heard.
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What was the show like?
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First rate. Simply splendid.
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It's not very valuable, is it?
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It cost over three hundred pounds.
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We'll never get there.
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It's not as far as you imagine.
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Which would you like, tea or coffee?
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I'd prefer tea.
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I may be a bit late.
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That wouldn't matter in the least.
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Special questions (sounding interested, brisk, business-like)
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I've just seen that new musical.
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What's it called?
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"Underneath the Arches,"
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What did you think of it?
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Quite good, really.
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Who composed the music?
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John Adams, I think his name is.
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Which theatre is it playing at?
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"The Prince of Wales."
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Which exactly is "The Prince of Wales"?
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The one near Piccadilly Circus.
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How did you get there?
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By a fourteen bus.
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Why didn't you go by tube?
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I can't bear the Underground.
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General questions
(conveying mildly surprised acceptance of the listener's premises; sometimes sceptical)
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D'you think I should ring him?
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Mightn't it be better to wait?
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I hate the thought of spring cleaning.
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Ought we to delay it any longer, though?
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I don't really want to meet them.
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Will you be able to get out of it?
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I'm sorry, but I hate cocoa.
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Would you like a cup of tea, then?
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Thank you for all you've done.
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Is there anything else I can do to help?
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He's promised to stop smoking.
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Does he really mean what he says?
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Imperatives
(sounding lively; suggesting a course of action to the listener)
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I hate quarrelling with Clara.
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Then make it up with her.
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I shan't be able to phone you.
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Drop me a line, then.
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Sorry I forgot to change my shoes.
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Just look at the mud you've brought in here.
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I can't think what to say.
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Don't say anything at all. Leave it entirely to me.
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What shall I do with this?
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Put it in the waste paper basket.
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Exclamations (conveying mild surprise)
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He won't give us permission.
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So that's that.
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I gave him a piece of my mind.
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Well done! Good for you!
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Tom has passed his exam.
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Well fancy that!
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I've just become a father.
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Congratulations, my dear chap!
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I forgot every word about it.
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What a fine mess you've made of things!
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We'll go there on Friday.
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The sooner the better!
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I'm sorry to have to vote against you.
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A fine friend you turned out to be!
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Verbal Context
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Drill
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Has she caught up with the group?
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Better than that. She is the best in the group now.
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I'm glad you've made some progress.
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So is my teacher.
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Why doesn't she join our trips?
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Sometimes she does.
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What's his mark in physics?
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I don't remember.
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I'm an amateur.
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I should never believe it. You're good at tennis indeed.
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Where is my pen? It's gone again.
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You never remember where you put your things.
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Thank you very much for your help.
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Not at all. Just happy to help you any time.
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Let's go to the pictures in the evening.
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I really can't. I've got a lot of work to do.
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We're leaving tonight:
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It's a pity. You promised to stay with us a bit longer.
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I'm going to consult a doctor.
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It's high time you thought about your health.
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It's not my size.
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Well, what size do you take, then?
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I saw Mike the day before yesterday.
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How is he getting on?
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She went to the circus on Sunday.
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Why didn't she take the children with her?
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Mary is waiting for you.
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Why has she come?
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I got back yesterday.
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And where did you go, I wonder?
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I don't know Peter's address.
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Why didn't you ask him about it before?
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She promised to bring the book.
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Does she always keep her promises?
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They say they'll help us.
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Do they really mean that?
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Shall we ask her to speak to him?
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Will it be of any use?
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Shall we go for a walk to the forest?
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Isn't it still pouring?
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I didn't understand the rule.
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Wouldn't it be better for you to ask the teacher to explain it again?
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They won't come to the party.
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Do they still feel offended?
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I can't wait for him any longer.
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Couldn't we ring him up, then?
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I'm very much obliged to him.
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Tell him about it, then.
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He asked her about her age.
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How silly of him!
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She made me come for the second time.
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What a shame!
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She's laid up with quinsy again.
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Poor thing!
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Thank you for your very good news.
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Don't mention it.
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He promised to speak to her.
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The sooner the better.
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Verbal Context
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Drill
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Can you come tomorrow?
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Yes.
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a) phlegmatic, reserved
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b) lively, interested
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Who on earth would take
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I would.
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such a risk?
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a) calm, reserved
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b) lively, concerned
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You mustn't speak to him.
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Why not?
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a) phlegmatic, reserved
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b) unpleasantly surpised
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What's that you say?
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Why don't you listen?
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a) unsympathetic
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b) unpleasantly surprised
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I'm afraid I've lost your pen.
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What are you going to do about it?
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a) hostile
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b) interested
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1 can't meet you this Tuesday.
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Shall we leave it till next week?
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a) phlegmatic, reserved.
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b) willing to discuss the question, impatient
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Thursday's a hopeless day for me.
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Can't we make it a Friday, then?
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a) phlegmatic, reserved
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b) willing to discuss the question
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Bill's refused my request.
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Well, ask someone else.
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a) calm, cold
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b) warm, with a note of critical surprise
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I haven't got a spoon.
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Go and get one, then.
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a) calm, unemotional
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b) suggesting a course of action
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He's actually engaged.
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Would you believe it!
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a) calm, unsurprised, reserved
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b) mildly surprised
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Tom's coming on Monday.
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Now fancy that.
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a) calm, reserved
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b) affronted surprise
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