GIVING AND RESPONDING TO GOOD OR BAD NEWS

Teacher: Mr. Elhamidi Abdalilah

A. READ THE FOLLOWING DIALOGUES AND ANSWER THE QUESTIONS BELOW.

Dialogue 1: Dialogue 2:
Mehdi: I’ve got some smashing news to tell you, Sarah. Doctor: I don’t know how to say it, but several doctors have
died of the corona virus lately.
Sarah: What is it? I’m curious!
Journalist: Our hearts are deeply saddened to hear about the
Mehdi: I have recently graduated and got my university death of new members of the medical stuff. We're all in
degree after long years of hard work complete shock.
Doctor: It’s a great loss. Let’s pray for all the victims of this
Sarah: Wow! That sounds exciting. Congratulations.
fatal illness.
1) How did Sarah respond to Mehdi’s piece of news? What expressions did she use?
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2) How did the journalist respond to the doctor’s piece of news? What expressions did he use?
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B. READ THE EXPRESSIONS IN THE CHART AND DO TASKS C, D, AND E.

GIVING GOOD NEWS: GIVING BAD NEWS:

 I'm really pleased to tell you...
 I've got a bit of good / great news to tell you..
 I've got some good / brilliant news for you...
 I've got some wonderful / splendid news for you..
 fortunately, .../ luckily, ...
 I'm afraid I've got some bad news for you...
 I really feel bad to have to say this, but …
 I am sorry to have to tell you that ...
 There's no easy way to say this, …
 Unfortunately, .../ unluckily, ...

RESPONDING TO GOOD NEWS: RESPONDING TO BAD NEWS:

 That’s amazing! / That sounds exciting! / That's terrific.  I’m sorry to hear such terrible news.
 Wow! Really?  Please, accept my deepest sympathy.
 Congratulations!  I know how you must be feeling.
 I'm really happy / excited / delighted to hear that!  Oh, dear! Too bad! / Poor you!
 Well done! / That's great! / Good job!  That must be awful.
 How marvellous! / How wonderful! / Fantastic!  My goodness!
 Incredible! / Superb!  I know how you must be feeling.
 Lucky you!  I do sympathize with you.
 I can’t believe that!  Hard luck!
 Great news! You deserve it.  That’s awful / a pity / unfortunate.
 It's unbelievable  I was shocked to hear the news.
 We're all in complete shock.
 My heart is saddened
C. SEPARATE THE MESSAGES SENT TO ALI FROM THOSE SENT TO MANAL BY TICKING THE APPROPRIATE BOXES.
 Due to the news of the death of his mother, Ali received messages of condolences.
 Manal has just been offered a higher post in the company she works for.
MESSAGES ALI MANAL
1- Great news. You deserve it. ________ ________
2- Please accept our deepest sympathy for the death of your mother. ________ ________
3- With heartfelt sympathy and understanding thoughts in this time of sadness. ________ ________
4- Congratulations. ________ ________
5- Happy to hear that you have been promoted. ________ ________
6- My heart is saddened by the death of your mother. ________ ________
7- My deepest sympathy is with you. ________ ________
8- Fantastic! ________ ________
9- I ‘m delighted to hear that you’ve been appointed to a higher post. ________ ________
10- You’ll be in my thoughts and prayers.

D. COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING DIALOGUES WITH THE SUITABLE EXPRESSIONS:

SITUATION 1 SITUATION 2 SITUATION 3

A: _________________________ A: ___________________________, A: What was yesterday’s protest
___________________________ like?
my son has passed his driving test.
B: What’s up? B: Some angry boys clashed with
B: ___________________________ ,
A: My wife and I broke up last the police.
month. are you planning to buy him a car? A: _________________________ I
B: _________________________ hope there weren’t any casualties.
___________________________ B: ______________, there weren’t.

E. WORK IN PAIRS AND WRITE SHORT DIALOGUES ABOUT THE FOLLOWING SITUATIONS.
GIVING AND RESPONDING TO GOOD OR BAD NEWS

Situation 1 Situation 2 Situation 3 Situation 4

Your best friend got the job Your cousin has had a terrible Your neighbour’s father Your dad set up a clean-air
she had already applied for. accident. He is now at the hospital. died yesterday. association 2 days ago.

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