SHORT CONVERSATIONS

Understanding Negative Expressions

Book One deals with negation and negative expressions such as not or –n’t, never, none,
nobody, no one, nothing, and prefixes like dis–, in–, or un– in the second speaker’s lines.

This unit expands what has been discussed to double negative expressions, certain
adverbs that have negative meaning, and negative comparative constructions that have
superlative meaning.

Double negative Examples

expressions
not/–n’t/no– + dis–/in–/ He doesn’t respect impolite students.
un– respects polite
two negative phrases He isn’t feeling well, so he is not going on a picnic.
not …either or neither If he feels well, he is going on a picnic.
Dan doesn’t like reading, and neither does Ted.
Both Dan and Ted don’t like reading.

Adverbs
hardly
barely There is hardly any milk in the refrigerator.
scarcely very little
only He rarely comes on time.
rarely He almost always comes late.
seldom

Negative comparative The test couldn’t be easier.

constructions The test is very easy.
negative exp. + –er
negative exp. + more … No place is more beautiful than my hometown.
The most beautiful place is my hometown.

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 Strategies

1. Double negative expressions usually have positive meanings.

Sample Problem
On the recording, you will hear:
Woman: I think I won’t go to the new bookstore today. How about this
weekend?
Man: I can’t. I won’t have time to buy a book for Lisa’s birthday tomorrow.
Narrator: What does the man mean?

In your test book, you will read:

(A) He wants to buy a present for Lisa.
(B) He does not want to buy anything for Lisa.
(C) He has to accompany Lisa on her birthday.
(D) He will shop with Lisa at the new bookstore.

The correct answer is answer (A). The double negative I can’t. I won’t have time to
buy … in the second speaker’s statement means he wants to go because he has no
other opportunity.

2. Certain negative adverbs such as hardly, barely, scarcely, only, rarely, and
seldom, actually have slightly positive meaning.

Sample Problem
On the recording, you will hear:
Woman: Do you have any paper, Jake? I need to print out my homework.
Man: How much do you need? I hardly have any.
Narrator: What does the man mean?

In your test book, you will read:

(A) He has as much paper as the woman needs.
(B) He has a few sheets left.
(C) He has printed the assignment.
(D) He has used all the paper.

The word hardly in the second speaker’s statement indicates that he has a limited
amount of paper. Therefore, the correct answer is (B).

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3. Certain negative comparative constructions (not/–n’t/no– + –er/more …) have a
superlative meaning.
Sample Problem
On the recording, you will hear:
Man: You know guys, Brian got a B on the biology test!
Woman: Surprisingly, no one in the class got a higher score than Brian.
Narrator: What does the woman say about Brian?
In your test book, you will read:
(A) He is not very bright.
(B) He is not brighter than she is.
(C) Other students are brighter than he is.
(D) He has the best score in class.
The second speaker’s statement contains the negative comparative construction no
one got a higher score …, which means that Brian got the highest score. Therefore,
the best answer is (D).

Exercise 1
Directions: Listen to the recording. For each number, pay attention to the key word in
the second speaker’s line. Then, find the synonym or restatement of the key
word in one of the options.

1. (A) Many students didn’t take the test.

(B) As predicted, many students failed.
(C) The professor got a really big surprise.
(D) The test was very easy.
2. (A) The woman will go somewhere but the man won’t.
(B) Both the woman and the man will stay at home.
(C) Neither the woman nor the man will stay at home.
(D) Both the woman and the man have finished the class project.
3. (A) The plane could safely land at sea.
(B) The landing at sea was a big mistake.
(C) The plane failed to land at sea.
(D) There was no possibility of landing the plane at sea.
4. (A) Andy hasn’t fixed the leaks.
(B) He uses the pipes instead of the leaks.
(C) The man will use the water.
(D) They have no running water yet.
5. (A) The victims got little help.
(B) The aid reached the victims very late.
(C) The victims were lucky enough to get aid.
(D) The aid relieved the victims.

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6. (A) The woman and the man are unable to solve the problem.
(B) Neither the man nor the woman tried to solve the problem.
(C) Although the woman can’t solve the problem, the man can.
(D) The woman tried to solve the problem, but the man didn’t.
7. (A) He doesn’t appreciate ill students.
(B) He doesn’t permit disorderly students.
(C) He disciplines ill students.
(D) He prefers disciplined students.
8. (A) She did go to Steve’s party.
(B) She was supposed to go to Steve’s party.
(C) Her phone wasn’t working.
(D) She didn’t know Steve was angry with everyone.
9. (A) Both her roommates enjoy apple pie.
(B) Both her roommates dislike apple pie.
(C) Only Jill enjoys apple pie.
(D) All of the girls enjoy apple pie.
10. (A) He still has his dog.
(B) His dog is not in his cousin’s house.
(C) He no longer has a pet in his house.
(D) He has bought a pet.

Exercise 2
Directions: Listen to the recording. For each number, pay attention to the key word in
the second speaker’s line. Then, find the synonym or restatement of the key
word in one of the options.

1. (A) They should be announced.

(B) They should be reviewed.
(C) A few of the results are reliable.
(D) No results are reliable.
2. (A) There were only a few farmers.
(B) The crops failed.
(C) The crops succeeded.
(D) There was enough rain.
3. (A) He will have to finish his assigned tasks at once.
(B) He can’t manage the tasks assigned to him.
(C) He is able to finish his tasks on time with difficulty.
(D) He cannot complete tasks as scheduled.
4. (A) He also needs to borrow money.
(B) He is broke at the moment.
(C) He wants the woman to lend him some money.
(D) He might lend the woman money, depending on the amount.
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5. (A) She slept only a short while last night.
(B) She didn’t sleep at all last night.
(C) She slept all night long.
(D) She needed to sleep last night.
6. (A) Two of the buses run every thirty minutes.
(B) Eight buses are not operating today.
(C) Only eight buses are running.
(D) None of the buses are running today.
7. (A) The cafeteria is serving special lunches today.
(B) The cafeteria is serving special lunches this weekend only.
(C) The cafeteria always serves special lunches on weekends.
(D) The cafeteria serves special lunches from Monday to Saturday.
8. (A) His pronunciation is perfect.
(B) His accent is slightly noticeable.
(C) It is not easy to understand.
(D) It has not improved much.
9. (A) Nancy often neglects coming on Sundays.
(B) Nancy prefers to rehearse the play on Sundays.
(C) Nancy almost always comes to Sunday rehearsals.
(D) Nancy has always come to rehearsals on Sundays.
10. (A) He will share the apartment only if it is too expensive.
(B) He cannot afford to pay the rent by himself.
(C) He will ask his friends to pay for everything.
(D) He doesn’t wish to share the apartment with anyone.

Exercise 3
Directions: Listen to the recording. For each number, pay attention to the key word in
the second speaker’s line. Then, find the synonym or restatement of the key
word in one of the options.
1. (A) He is not the best teacher.
(B) He is a very good teacher.
(C) He is not the worst teacher.
(D) He is a bad teacher.
2. (A) Diane is not very happy.
(B) Diane didn’t expect the news.
(C) Diane must be happy.
(D) Diane could be somewhat happier.
3. (A) Everybody likes comedies as much as he does.
(B) No one likes comedies.
(C) He likes comedies very much.
(D) He is not sure if he likes comedies.
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4. (A) Bungee jumping is not exciting.
(B) She is challenged to try bungee jumping.
(C) Bungee jumping is the most dangerous sport.
(D) She wants to try a more challenging sport.
5. (A) He doesn’t believe the woman.
(B) Nothing ever surprises him.
(C) He is not surprised at all.
(D) Such news would surprise him very much.
6. (A) She disliked the concert.
(B) Other concerts have been better.
(C) She was disappointed with the concert.
(D) The concert was the best ever.
7. (A) He has worse problems than Patrice.
(B) He is willing to help Patrice solve her problems.
(C) It’s a difficult semester for Patrice.
(D) Patrice once was even more stressed than she is now.
8. (A) The snow in the Alps is the most beautiful.
(B) She suggests that the man see the snow in the Alps.
(C) There’s more beautiful snow than that in the Alps.
(D) The woman wants the man to believe her.
9. (A) Her date with Dave was very romantic indeed.
(B) Dave knew nothing about romance.
(C) All dates have always been romantic to her.
(D) Other dates before were more romantic.
10. (A) Raymond doesn’t want to disappoint the woman.
(B) Raymond will be very disappointed.
(C) Raymond needs help to finish his thesis.
(D) Raymond is the only one who can’t finish the thesis on time.

Review

Directions: Listen carefully to each short conversation and the question. Then, choose
the best answer to each question.

1. (A) Janet and Alice are having a fight.

(B) Janet is visiting Alice’s grandma.
(C) Alice had to see her grandma.
(D) Alice visited Janet’s grandma.

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2. (A) She has been ill for some time.
(B) Her exercising has paid off.
(C) She is not feeling well now.
(D) Her exercises need to be done more often.

3. (A) Lecturers
(B) Journalists
(C) Writers
(D) Students

4. (A) The woman had not talked to Phillip.

(B) The woman will not help Phillip.
(C) The woman has seen Phillip before.
(D) The woman is still mad at Phillip.

5. (A) She’ll send the invitations now.

(B) She’ll check the guest list again.
(C) She’ll call the guests one by one.
(D) She’ll give the man the list.

6. (A) It is necessary that the man get a tutor.

(B) The tutor might not be around for him.
(C) Professor Palmer is a good physics tutor.
(D) The man may need some help from the woman.

7. (A) In a school library

(B) In an office
(C) In a bookstore
(D) In a hospital

8. (A) Go to Andy’s house.

(B) Visit Andy after discussing the paper.
(C) Talk to her professor.
(D) Finish her paper after visiting Andy.

9. (A) Ask for an extension to pay the rent.

(B) Move to a cheaper apartment.
(C) Find a better job.
(D) Allow herself enough time to study.

10. (A) James is not as good as Anthony.

(B) James is more experienced than Anthony.
(C) Anthony is not a well organized person.
(D) Anthony is better than James at organizing things.

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 Supplementary EXERCISES

Directions: Listen carefully to each short conversation and the question. Then, choose
the best answer to each question.

1. (A) Jane could never be persuaded to cut her hair.

(B) Jane was convinced by her mother to have her hair cut.
(C) She has never seen Jane look great before.
(D) She wanted the man to see Jane’s new look.

2. (A) He expected Tom to help him.

(B) The woman doesn’t need to stay.
(C) Tom gave him a hand with the work.
(D) He forgot that Tom agreed to help.

3. (A) She already told John to clean up the place.

(B) She refuses to tell John to clean up the place.
(C) She thinks someone should help John clean his place.
(D) She does not like the way the man is looking at her.

4. (A) Mike lost the game.

(B) The woman watched the finals with Terry.
(C) Mike gave a tour around the campus.
(D) He met Mike yesterday.

5. (A) A museum guide and a visitor

(B) A bank teller and a customer
(C) A police officer and a passer-by
(D) A taxi driver and a passenger

6. (A) The car only needs a little repair.

(B) He will need more time to fix the car.
(C) The car is in bad condition.
(D) The woman should fix the car somewhere else.

7. (A) She has no idea where Robert could be.

(B) She doesn’t know that Robert has a blue shirt.
(C) She thinks Robert is in the library.
(D) She doesn’t want to tell the man about Robert.

8. (A) There was no class because the professor was sick.

(B) The professor asked the man to call him.
(C) The professor made the man attend the lecture.
(D) The man did attend the lecture.

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9. (A) He was informed about the delay.
(B) He didn’t know the exam was postponed.
(C) He can’t take the exam next week.
(D) He has studied for the exam.

10. (A) Betty is worse than he thought.

(B) The woman should not respond in a similar way.
(C) The woman should not play with fire.
(D) Betty’s offense will back-fire on her.

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Unit 2–Short Conversations