Elementary (Level 5-6)

Common conversation
mistakes
Read and tick the sentences you can use to talk about common mistakes
people make during conversations.

• Some people make the mistake of …

when they talk to others.
• People sometimes … during
conversations.
• It can be hard to talk to a person if …

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Read and tick the sentences you can use to talk about common mistakes people
make during conversations.

People sometimes speak too slowly during conversations.

I like sandwiches with cheese, bacon, and a lot of vegetables.

It can be hard to talk to a person if he or she does not listen.

She left her purse inside the restaurant where they had lunch.

Some people make the mistake of talking too much when

they talk to other people.

They fixed the computer yesterday while you were away.

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Many people have problems talking to others in a conversation. They cannot

understand each other because they do not know how to have a proper

conversation. One thing you should remember is to always listen to the

person talking. It is easier to have a nice conversation when the person you

are talking to is listening.

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Some people make the mistake of talking too much when they
talk to others. They sometimes talk too much or too fast about
things that the other person does not know about. You cannot
have a good conversation if the other person does not know
what you are talking about. Remember to speak slowly and
clearly when you talk to other people.

Questions:
1. What happens when you talk too much or too
fast during a conversation?
2. How should you speak when you talk to others?
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It can be hard to talk to a person if he or she is always boring.
Try to talk about things that are easy to talk about and
interesting. The person you are talking to will have more to say
if you talk about something interesting. Talk about the things
you know the other person likes to have a good conversation.

Questions:
1. What can you talk about to have a
nice conversation?
2. How can you make the other person
talk more during a conversation?
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Choose the correct words in the box to complete the sentences in the conversation.

Some people make the _____ of talking too much when

they talk to others. They sometimes _____ too much or
too _____ about things that the other person does not
know about. You cannot have a good _____ if the other
person does not know what you are talking about.
Remember to speak _____ and _____ when you talk to
other people.

WORD fast slowly talk

BANK clearly mistake conversation
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Based on what you learned from the passages, match Column A with Column B to
complete the sentences.

COLUMN A COLUMN B

1. It can be hard to talk to a person if …

A. easy to talk about and interesting.
2. Try to talk about things that are …
B. the things you know the other
3. The person you are talking to will have
person likes
more to say if …
C. he or she is always boring.
4. Talk about … to have a good conversation.
D. they do not know how to have a
5. They cannot understand each
proper conversation.
other because …
E. the person you are talking to is listening.
6. It is easier to have a nice conversation
F. you talk about something interesting.
when …

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Use these expressions to talk about mistakes that people
make during conversations.

• They cannot understand each other because ...

• It is easier to have a nice conversation when ...
• Some people make the mistake of … when they
talk to others.
• Remember to … when you talk to other people.
• It can be hard to talk to a person if …
• Talk about … to have a good conversation.

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Choose from the cards below, and make a conversation with your teacher.

Role Card 1 Role Card 2

You find it very hard to talk to a friend You are at a party with a friend. You notice
because he talks too fast. Tell him what that nobody wants to talk to your friend.
he can do to help you understand what Tell her what she can do so that more
he is saying. people talk to her.

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You are talking to a good friend. She does not seem to listen
to what you say when you have conversations with her.
Talk to her about what she can do to have a good
conversation with you.

Hint:

Talk about mistakes people make during conversations.

You may also talk about what she can do to have a better
conversation with you.

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Remember to use these expressions when you talk
about mistakes people make during conversations.

• They cannot understand each other because they do not

know how to have a proper conversation.
• It is easier to have a nice conversation when the person
you are talking to is listening.
• Some people make the mistake of talking too much when
they talk to others.
• Remember to speak slowly and clearly when you talk to
other people.
• It can be hard to talk to a person if he or she is
always boring.
• Talk about the things you know the other person likes to
have a good conversation.
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