UNIT 9: COULD I BORROW YOUR PEN?

COULD I CHANGE MY ROOM?

TASK 1. 
Listen to a conversation and fill in the blanks
Uma: What’s the matter, Sunya?
Sunya: Can you believe this? I 1......... need to buy
......... ......... a birthday gift for my mother after class today,
and I left my credit card at home.
Uma: So what are you 2.........
going .........
to do .........?
Sunya: Could
3 you lend
I don’t know... ......... ......... ......... me some money?
Uma: How much do you need?
Sunya: Oh... about $30.00.
Uma: much
I don’t have 4......... ......... on me right now.
Sunya: Oh, well, do you think 5.........
I could ......... ......... your cell phone? I’ll call my sister and ask her
borrow
to get my credit card and meet me at the store.
Uma: Sure. That’s 5......... .......... Just don’t talk forever, OK?
no problem
Sunya: Don’t worry... thanks, I really 6......... ..........
appreciate it

TASK 2. 
Work in pairs. Student A makes four requests. Student B accepts or refuses with a reason. Reverse
roles.

TASK 3. 
Work in groups. Receieve the role cards which contain three requests. Make the requests to your
partner. They will refuse if they need the things. Try to explain why you need the things until you
get one of your friends to accept.
1. Borrowing a car for the afternoon
2. Borrowing $100 until next Monday Model:
3. Borrowing a CD player for the party A: Make a request
4. Driving to the airport B: Refuse and state a reason
5. Taking care of your pets while you’re away A: State a reason for the need
6. Exchanging a cell phone B: Agree/disagree
7. Changing the soup
8. Bringing you more ice cream for the dessert
9. Changing to a larger room with a TV

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 TASK 4. 
 Work in groups. Think of a location. It can be Example:
ordinary (like the library) or extraodinary (like A: Could you please give me the knife?
the inside of a volcano). B: You’re at the supermarket.
 Make polite requests or ask your friends for A: No, I’m not.
favors; and the requests and favors should be C: You’re in the kitchen.
those you might ask if you were in that mystery A: That’s right.
location (You must not reveal the location to
your friends).
 Other students try to guess what the mystery location is.

TASK 5. 
Work in groups. You are planning a Christmas party. Discuss with your friends to decide on the
time, location and what is needed for the party. After that, divide the jobs to the group members.
Remember to use expressions for making requests and asking for favors.

Assigned
tasks

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TASK 6. 
Work in pairs. Look at the picture to see what problem the person has. Take turn to describe the
problem to your partner and make requests. your partner will offer some solution and apologize.
Look at the example.
A: Excuse me. Could you help me? I have a problem with this jacket.
B: Sure! What seems to be the problem?
A: I bought this jacket here yesterday, and you see, the button has come off.
B: Oh I see.
A: Could I exchange it for another one?
B: Let me see if I can get you another one. Do you have the receipt?
A: Here it is.
B: Fine! OK. I’ll exchange it for you. I’m very sorry about this.
A: That’s OK. Thanks for your help.

/kəˈset/

TASK 7. 
Listen to two people making complaints. Where are they? What items they are talking about?
1 Where: What:

2 Where: What:

Listen again and write the details of each problem and the result.
Complaint Result
1

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TASK 8. 
Step 1:
 Work in groups. Each group writes
on a piece of paper a problem ones
may get when staying at a hotel. For
example, the room is too dirty. Try to
be specific.
 Then the groups will pass the papers
to their neighbours to make the lists
longer.
 The groups receive back their
papers. Think of how you should
solve the problems.

Step 2:
One student from each group comes together to form new groups. Students take it in turn to make
a complaint to the group you have problem with and then make requests for actions. The other
student listens and suggests the solution which has been prepared. Try to reach an agreement.

Step 3:
Work in pairs. Role play one situation about hotel problem.
Student A: Guest
 Meet the hotel receptionist and make a complain. Be specific about the room number and describe
clearly the problem.
 You want to change to another room
 You do not agree to pay extra fee for the change of room
 You want to talk to the manager
 Say that you are really angry and ask the hotel staff to solve the problem within the morning

Student B: Hotel receptionist

 Greet the guest and ask about the problem he/she has with the room. Ask the room number so that
you can check it. Say sorry for the problem.
 You cannot let the guest in another room because rooms of that type has been fully booked
 Suggest the guest move into a super deluxe room with an extra fee of $95 per night
 Your manager will be away for 2 weeks
 Suggest other solutions to solve the problem and promise to do it as quickly as possible
 Say sorry again

TASK 9.
Work in pairs. Role play the following situation.

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 STUDENT A
PART 1: You have just arrived in Hawaii for a one-week vacation. You are at the airport and you
discover that your luggage is lost. You are going to speak to the airline representative. Think of
three requests for action you could make in this situation.

PART 2: Describe the problem to the airline representative and request action. Try to find a
solution, but if it is impossible, accept an apology. Remember the following information.
 You only have one week in Hawaii, so you need the things in your suitcase right now.
 If they can’t find your suitcase, you’ll need some extra money to buy clothes.
 This is a terrible experience ans it’s going to ruin your vacation. You’re very upset.

PART 3: The airline representative talks to the manager and suggest a possible solution. Listen to
his or her suggestion and agree or disagree. Remember the following information:
 It’s a long way to the airport from your hotel.
 The can fare will be very expensive.
 You don’t want to waste a whole day in the airport.

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 STUDENT B
PART 1: You are an airline representative at Honolulu International Airport in Hawaii. A
customer has just arrived and is going to make a complaint about lost luggage. Think of three
possible solutions to the problem. Write down your ideas here.

PART 2: Your partner is making a complaint. Ask about the problem, and suggest two or three
different solutions. Try to find the best solution, but if it is impossible, apologize. Remember the
following information:
 Your company will offer some monay only if the suitcase is not found within seven days.
 Your company does not deliver lost lugagge to the hotel.
 Passengers usually have travel insurance for this kind of problem.

PART 3: After talking to your manager, you find out that the luggage will be on the next plane,
which will arrive in about six hours. Ask the passenger to wait in the airport or come back in six
hours. Find a successful solution to the problem. Remember the following information:
 You can offer coupons for free meals and drinks in the airport cafe.
 You can pay for cab fare to the hotel and back to the airport.
 You can offer a free return ticket if the suitcase is not found.

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 ***USEFUL LANGUAGE***
Meaning Question
Making small  Excuse me! Could I borrow a
requests pencil, please?
 Excuse me! Do you have an
extra piece of paper?
Making larger  Do you think I could borroe $25
requests until Tuesday?
 Would you mind lending me your
laptop for a few hours?
 But I left my wallet at home and I
need to buy my school textbook.
 But my compter isn’t working
and I need to write a report.
Asking for favors  Would you please open the door
for me?
 Could you turn on the lights?
hold my coat?
Complaining  Excuse me!...
politely  Sorry to bother you...
 Could you help me?...
But I have a problem
with my room.
 I asked for a non-smoking room,
but I got a smoking room.
 I requested a room with a TV,
but there isn’t a TV.
Requesting  Could you change my room,
action or change please?
 Would you mind changing my
room?
 Thanks for your help.
Accepting an  I’m very sorry about this.
apology  Sorry for any inconvenience.
Answer
 Sure. Here you are/ Here you go.
 I’m sorry. I don’t have any/one.
 I’m sorry. I don’t have $25.
 I’m sorry. I need it right now.
 Can I let you know later?
 OK. You can have it after I’m
done.
 Sure. No problem.
 Of couse.
 I’d be glad to.
 I’m sorry. I can’t (right now).
 What’s the problem?
 What seems to be the problem?
 I’m sorry. We can’t. / We don’t
have any other rooms available.
 I’m sorry. We have to call the
manager.
 I’m sorry. There’s nothing I can
do.
 I’m sorry. We can’t now, but we
can change your room tomorrow.
 That’s OK. Thanks for your help.
 It’s alright. It wasn’t your fault.
 Don’t worry about it.
 Never mind.