Immediate

Conversation
in English

CONVERSATION
BOOKLET

RHF Foundation
All rights reserved
Fluency 1

CONVERSATION
BOOKLET
FISK IMMEDIATE CONVERSATION IN ENGLISH
FLUENCY 1
CONVERSATION BOOKLET

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR AND PUBLISHER

RICHARD HUGH FISK

M. A. Johns Hopkins University

School of Advanced International Studies - Washington, D.C.
B.A. Syracuse University - Syracuse, New York

PEDAGOGICAL PROJECT

Coordination
Vera Laurenti Bianchini

Planning and Development

Thiago Grassi Barbieri

Assisted by
Lygia Watanabe

GRAPHIC DESIGN

Planning and Coordination

Eduardo Benaglia

Development
Rafael Ferraz

GRAPHIC PRODUCTION

Eduardo Ricci

© RHF Foundation

First Edition - First Reprint 2019

All rights reserved

SUPPORT Editora e Papelaria Ltda.

Av. Lins de Vasconcelos, 2684

São Paulo - SP
Brasil
 Relationships
A. Read the article below and talk to a friend about it.
1
Relationships, like most things in life, require hard work. Getting to
know the other person is the first step so that you and your partner can
have a harmonious relationship. Also, you should learn to put yourself
in his / her shoes because, eventually, you will have different opinions

© pretoperola www.fotosearch.com.br
about a bunch of things. Besides, every now and then, you will need to
put up with stuff you don’t like because if you don’t do so, you two run
the risk of drifting apart and as a result, your relationship might come
to an end.

m What’s the hardest part about having a relationship in your opinion?

m What should a couple have in common to make a relationship work?

m What does it mean “to put yourself in his / her shoes”? Is that easy? Why / why not?

m Are you able to put up with stuff you don’t like? Why / why not?

m What makes couples break up in your opinion?

B. Make questions using the present perfect or the present perfect continuous and ask a friend.

how long / study English at Fisk how many countries / visit so far

how many books / study so far what / read / these days

how long / live in (São Paulo) how long / know your next-door neighbor

C. Phrasal verbs
Choose two questions to ask a friend.

m Have you ever asked a friend out?

m What can’t your parents put up with?

m What’s the hardest part about breaking up with someone?

m Should people get back together with their “exes”?

Now choose a phrasal verb and make a question. Then,

ask a friend.
© AntonioGuillem www.fotosearch.com.br
look up to drift apart break up with ask out

3
Fluency 1
 Conversation Booklet

D. Choose a topic, write three questions about it and then, ask a friend.

Social networking makes people unlearn how to interact in person with each other.

“Exes” should drift apart after breaking up.

Sites like Facebook help us keep track of people we don’t see very often.

© DavidCarillet www.fotosearch.com.br
© Mazirama www.fotosearch.com.br
© PicsFive www.fotosearch.com.br
E. Tell your friend if the sentences are true for you and find out what you have in common. Ask
additional questions.

1. I hardly ever use social networking apps.

2. I get along well with my mother-in-law.

3. I’ve never had a long-lasting relationship.

4. I’ve already asked a good friend of mine out.

5. I’ve been watching some very good TV series these days.

6. I look up to an old teacher of mine.

7. I use social networking sites to keep in touch with people I like. © macniak www.fotosearch.com.br

8. I can’t imagine my life without social networking anymore.

F. Ask a friend…

…if he/she has already had a thing for a classmate.

…what he/she thinks about stormy relationships.

© devon www.fotosearch.com.br

…if he/she has already gotten back together with an

ex-boyfriend / ex-girlfriend.

…how long he/she has been living at his/her current

house / apartment.

…if he/she has moved out more than three times.

…if he/she follows famous people on social networking sites.

4
A. Talk to a friend about fruits and vegetables.
Food 2

Student A Student B
1. Have you been to an art gallery recently? What vegetable would you never put in a salad?
2. Can you make out abstract art easily? What fruits can’t you put up with?
3. Who’s your favorite artist? How long would it take you to slice a cucumber?
4. Do you consider graffiti an art form? What’s your favorite fruit?
© VadimGuzhva www.fotosearch.com.br © HaywireMedia www.fotosearch.com.br

B. Make four different questions using how long + it take + to and the cues below. Then, ask a friend.

bake an apple pie run 10k

make your bed eat 8 slices of pizza

© orcearo www.fotosearch.com.br
grill some burgers clean your room

walk 5k make an eggplant lasagna

C. Phrasal verbs
Ask a friend…

…if he/she picks at his/her food when he/she is worried about something.

…who in his/her family always pigs out at the family reunions.

…if he/she would rather eat out or cook.

…who used to tell him / her to eat up his/her dinner when he/she was
© Zinkevych www.fotosearch.com.br

a child.

…what food he/she wouldn’t be able to cut down on.

…if he/she usually bolts down a meal because he/she is late.

5
Fluency 1
 Conversation Booklet

D. Talk to a friend about cooking. Take turns asking and answering questions.

Have you ever grilled steaks?

At what temperature does water boil?

What’s the difference between chopping and slicing?

How long does it usually take to fry an egg?

Are you able to roast a turkey?

How many potatoes can you peel in 1 minute?

© olegtoka www.fotosearch.com.br

E. First, guess your friend’s answer. Then, talk to him/her to check if you were right.

1. He/she can’t put up with spicy food.

2. He/she enjoys cooking healthy food.

3. He/she consumes junk food once a week.

4. He/she prefers salty to sugary food.

5. He/she doesn’t like frozen food.

6. He/she doesn’t consume any kind of processed food.

© dolgachov www.fotosearch.com.br

F. Talk to a friend about…

...something you eat when you are on a diet.

...somewhere you like to go to relax.

© dolgachov www.fotosearch.com.br

...someone you look up to.

...somebody you
would like to have dinner with.

...somewhere you usually go

when you want to have a nice meal.

6
 Traveling 3
A. Choose a topic, decide whether you agree with it or not, write down three arguments to reinforce
your point of view and then, talk to a friend about it.

The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.

Traveling alone is the single best gift you can give yourself.

© sdecoret www.fotosearch.com.br

B. Talk to a friend about airports.

What do you like about airports?

What don’t you like about them?

m.br
search.co
Are they easy to use?

www.foto
How safe are they nowadays?

© hin255
What are some of the things to do at the airport
while waiting to board?
How long does it usually take you to get to
the nearest airport?
How often do you go there?

C. Phrasal verbs

Student A Student B

When was the last time you picked a friend When you drive to the beach, how many
up at the airport? times do you stop by to rest?

How do you usually feel when you’re Who was the last person you dropped off at
traveling and it’s time to come back home? the airport / bus station / subway station?

Do you cry when you see a good friend How long does it usually take a plane to
of yours off? take off and to land?

7
Fluency 1
 Conversation Booklet

D. Choose one of the options below and plan a trip with a friend.

© Spanishalex www.fotosearch.com.br
© samc352 www.fotosearch.com.br
© Morphart www.fotosearch.com.br
Talk about the topics below:

m where exactly to go (name of the place(s))

m why to go to this place

m when to go

m how long to stay

m what to do

m how much money to take

E. Choose an option and ask a friend. Ask additional questions.

Before you came here today, had you eaten anything?

worked out?
Had you taken a shower when you had dinner last night?
watched TV
© robynmac www.fotosearch.com.br

Who, in your family, had traveled abroad before he/she was 16?
started working

F. Ask a friend…

…if he/she likes to hit the road with friends.

…if he/she has picked a relative up at the airport / bus station recently.

…how often he/she goes on a quick trip.

…what he/she had done before he/she came to Fisk today.

© deandrobot www.fotosearch.com.br

…if he/she has ever needed to cut a trip short and why.

…whether he/she prefers an aisle seat or a window seat.

8
A. How big of a sports fan are you? Talk to a friend about it.
Sports 4
Have you ever been to a stadium?
Would you rather watch a sports program or read a book?
Are you able to teach someone how to play football?

© karelin721 www.fotosearch.com.br
How often do you watch sports channels?
Do you ever watch combat sports on TV?
Are you into team sports? How about individual sports?

B. The government has just banned extreme sports in your country. Debate this topic with a friend.

Student A EXPRE
SSION
You are for th
S YOU
e ban. Think CAN U
I believ SE
of three argum
ents you
e that…
can use to su I agree
pport your that…,
point of view Don’t y but…
and contradic ou thin
t k that…
Student B. ?
That’s
not tru
e.
No wa
y!
That d
epend
s on...
B
Student n.
e a g a in st the ba
You a r ts
f t h r e e argumen
Think o e t o support
n u s
you ca f v iew and
o in t o
your p
m.br

dent A.
© 3pod www. a www.fotosearch.co

ic t S t u
m.br

contra d
fotosearch.co
© paketesam

Ready to debate? Go!

9
Fluency 1
 Conversation Booklet

C. Phrasal verbs
Make three questions using some of the words below and then, ask a friend. Ask additional questions.

knock out cool down

© PixelsAway www.fotosearch.com.br

kick off give up

try out for work off

D. Talk to a friend about the World Cup.

How often does the World Cup take place?

Where was the last one held?

Which country / team was the winner?

.br
arch.com
How much do you understand about soccer

w.fotose
rules?

g999 ww
© ryankin
Are you a big fan of the World Cup? Why / why
not?

Do you get together with your friends / family

to watch the matches?

E. Think about the sentences below. Then talk to a friend about your answers.
m If I had been born a boy / girl, my mom might have named me...
m If I had become a professional player, I would have chosen to play… (sports)
m I could have moved abroad if…

F. Talk to a friend about...

the riskiest the most a sports

a dangerous
thing you have popular commentator
sport you
ever done sports in your who you look something
would like to try
country up to you had
to give up
a person who the last time something you because of
always drops you gave would have lack of time
the ball on extreme
something done differently
you sports
your best shot in your life
© dacasdo www.fotosearch.com.br

10
 Fashion 5
A. What do you think about the sentences below? Talk to a friend. Ask additional questions.

Buying brand name clothing is a waste of money.

Having a good sense of style is essential nowadays.

Society frequently judges people by their clothes.

.br
When it comes to clothes, high prices mean high quality.

.com
fotosearch
Expressions you can use:

bak www.
© konrad
I totally agree with it because…

I somehow agree with it because…

I don’t agree with it because…

B. Make different questions and ask a friend. Attention to the order of the adjectives.

a flashy full- stylish T-shirt cap

cotton length
pants dress
chic blue
an tight
silver
backpack sweatshirt
old- brand-
baggy
- fashioned leather new jacket shoes

Would you buy / wear ? Would you give to a man / woman?

Have you ever bought / worn ? What would you do if you received ?

C. Phrasal verbs

Student A
Student B
What kind of clothes make people stand out in
When was the last time you had to smarten up?
the crowd?
Why?
Do you throw away old clothes?
Do you give away old shoes?
How often do you buy something without trying it
How many times a year do you dress up?
on first?

11
Fluency 1
 Conversation Booklet

D. Talk to a friend about clothes.

What do you do with old-fashionable clothes?

Who in your family is able to mend clothes?

Would you rather put on casual or formal clothes?

How do you feel when you put on some clean clothes?

Would you like to learn to design clothes?

Do you think summer clothes are chic?

© AnikaSalsera www.fotosearch.com.br

E. Put the words in parentheses in the correct order and ask the question to a friend.

m Who would you invite to go to a/an (French / fancy) restaurant with you?

m Would you wear (black / leather / tight) pants?

m Which is worse for you, (rubber / pink) boots or a (yellow / leather) coat?

m Would you buy a (Persian / white / round) rug for your living room?

m Which is better, a (little / calm / northern) town or a (lively / southern / big) city?

m Which would you eat now, a/an (American / traditional) burger or a slice of (delicious / cheese)
pizza?

F. Ask a friend…

…if he/she always wears stylish and chic clothes.

…how many times a day he/she changes clothes.

…when was the last time he/she dressed up and what for.
© file404 www.fotosearch.com.br

…if he/she ever carries a change of clothes in his/her backpack.

…if he/she would tell a friend to smarten up because he/she looked sloppy.

…if he/she has already attended a cocktail party.

12
 Technology
A. Are you a computer geek? Take the quiz to find out.
6
Student A Student B

1. What is a JPEG? 1. What is an MP4?

a. a document file b. a photo file a. a video file b. an audio file

2. How many GB is 1 TB? 2. How many KB is 1 MB?

a. 1000 b. 100 a. 1000 b. 100

3. Which software is used to draw? 3. Which software is used to deal with numbers?
a. Adobe Illustrator b. Adobe Photoshop a. Microsoft Word b. Microsoft Excel

Check your answers on page 14.

B. Choose a topic, decide whether you agree with it or not, write down three arguments to reinforce
your point of view and then, talk to a friend about it.
Kids should be taught how to program at school.
We can’t live without technology any longer.

© HaywireMedia www.fotosearch.com.br
© focalpoint www.fotosearch.com.br

C. Phrasal verbs

Choose two questions to ask a friend.

m How long does it take your computer to shut down?

m Has your phone ever been hacked into? If yes, what did you do?

m How often does your phone run out of memory?

m Do you start up your computer as soon as you get home?

Now choose a phrasal verb and make a question. Then, ask a friend.

sign up run out of wipe out hack into

13
Fluency 1
 Conversation Booklet

D. What should / shouldn’t these people have done? Talk to a friend.

I went to the restroom and forgot I have a very difficult test

to lock my phone. My coworkers tomorrow and I haven’t started
started sending my friends some studying for it yet. I think I
funny messages. Now I feel won’t have enough time to
embarrassed. study everything.

My phone ran out of battery
and I couldn’t tell my parents
where I was. My mom got
really mad.
© focalpoint www.fotosearch.com.br
I was talking to a friend of mine
on the phone last night while
I was walking back home.
Before I got home a guy stole
my phone.

E. Talk to a friend about technology.

Has your school / company adopted brand-new technology

recently? If yes, what was it?
Do you enjoy reading articles online about the advances in technology?
What’s the latest technology in the music industry?
Why are some people afraid of emerging technology?
How do you feel when innovative technology is introduced? © alphaspirit www.fotosearch.com.br

F. Talk to a friend about…

... the bells and whistles of your phone.

... the advantages of adopting new technologies.

... the most useful invention in your opinion.

... the last time you had problems with your computer / phone.

© mikiekwoods www.fotosearch.com.br

Student B – 1. a – 2. A – 3 b Quiz – Page 13 – Answers: Student A – 1. b – 2. a – 3 a

14
A. Read the article below and talk to a friend about it.
Health 7
Jake Smith, a 27-year-old New Yorker, almost died after going under
the knife last month. He was having plastic surgery in a failed attempt
to look like his favorite singer. The result: after the surgery some of his

© iconogenic www.fotosearch.com.br
organs started failing and the doctors needed to put him in a comma.
The saddest part of this story is that Jake is not alone when it comes to
celeb-inspired medical procedures. In a recent survey, a lot of
Americans said that they wouldn’t mind undergoing beauty treatments
just to show their admiration for their idols.

m Would you go under the knife to look like your favorite star? Why / why not?
m Why do people do stuff like that?
m Should people like Jake Smith look for professional help?
m Have you ever had plastic surgery? If not, would you?
m What would you like to change about your body?

B. Complete the sentences below and then, talk to a friend about them.

I wish I were ...

I wish I had ...

I wish I weren’t ...

I wish I didn’t have ...

C. Phrasal verbs

Have you ever passed out? If yes, how long did it take you to come to?

What can we do to fight off laziness on a Monday morning?

What’s the best thing to do to get over “an ex”?

When was the last time you came down with a fever?

Has any famous singer passed away recently?

Have you ever thrown up on a road trip?

15
Fluency 1
 Conversation Booklet

D. Talk to a friend about treatments.

Do you believe in alternative treatments?

Have you received any kind of treatment lately?
Have you ever needed emergency treatment?
How many times a year do you undergo dental treatment?
Has anyone in your family ever refused treatment?
r
arch.com.b
© Dashek
www.fotose When was the last time you had hospital treatment?

E. What do you think these people wish for? Talk to a friend.

Kate is shy and reserved. She panics

every time she needs to speak in
public. Next week she’s going to give a
speech at work.

Lucy is on a diet. She wants to lose 5

Jake gets up very early every day
pounds by the end of the month because
because he lives far from his work. It
she has a wedding to attend and she
takes him at least 2 hours to get there.
wants to look fabulous in her tight dress.

It’s Valentine’s Day and Rick is upset

because he doesn’t have a valentine.

F. Ask a friend…
© Dashek www.fotosearch.com.br

… if he/she has ever been head over heels about a person.

…when was the last time he/she got cold feet and why.

…what he/she wishes he/she had right now.

…if he/she has ever broken a leg / an arm.

…if he/she has ever cut his/her hand while slicing vegetables.

…if he/she frequently injures himself / herself.

16
 Time
A. What do you think about the sentences below? Talk to a friend.
8

© Elnur www.fotosearch.com.br
Time is one of the most precious things in life.

A good time manager is someone who knows how to prioritize things.

People shouldn’t use their phones while they’re walking.

There is no multitasking. People simply switch from one task to another rapidly.

Expressions you can use:

That’s so true, because…
I somewhat agree because…
I’m afraid I have to disagree, because…

B. Talk to a friend. Ask additional questions.

What do you expect your friends to learn from you? © bennymarty www.fotosearch.com.br

Where do you want your boyfriend / girlfriend to take you to dinner soon?

What would you ask your favorite celebrity to do for you?

When will you ask your teacher to help you with your homework?

C. Phrasal verbs

Student A
How often do you rush off to school / work?
How many different tasks are you able to fit
into one morning?
Who always hurries you up in the morning?
Student B
Who puts off doing the dishes the most in your house?
Have you ever fallen behind your classmates /
coworkers? If yes, how did you feel?
Has your teacher ever asked you to do a composition
over?

17
Fluency 1
 Conversation Booklet

D. Talk to a friend about early birds and night owls.

© Dashek www.fotosearch.com.br
Are you an early bird or a night owl?

What can night owls do when they need to wake up early?

What can early birds do when they need to do something late at

night?

© csp_Bastetamon www.fotosearch.com.br

Is your best friend more productive in the morning or at night?

How do you feel when you have to wake up before 7 a.m.?

Who is the biggest night owl you know? How about the biggest
early bird?

E. Talk to a friend about time.

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

Did you have a great time last weekend? What did you do?

What can we do to avoid running out of time?

How often do you make time to do something different?

What do you do when you realize someone made you waste time?

F. Talk to a friend about…

…a day you had to rush off to …something you always put off
school / work. doing.

…something your teacher

…a day you had a great time.
expects you to do.

…something your mom …the risks of texting and

always advises you to do. walking.
© Kurhan www.fotosearch.com.br

18
 Consumerism
A. How consumerist are you? Talk to a friend about it.
9
When was the last time you shopped for clothes?

How often do you buy shoes?

Have you bought a new phone recently?

Do you ever buy things online?

Do you have a favorite (clothes) brand?

© Elenathewise
www.fotosearch
.com.br How happy do you get when you go to the mall?

B. Complete the sentences below and then talk to a friend.

The more I eat, the ...

The less I ... the better.

It’s getting easier and easier to ...

My English vocabulary is getting ...

The more I study English, ...

C. Phrasal verbs

How long would it take you to save up money to travel abroad?

Would you ask a friend to pay you back if he/she owned you some money?

Have you ever been ripped off?

How would you feel if you found out that the tickets to a concert
you wanted to go have sold out?

What’s the hardest part of cutting down on expenses?

Would you be able to get by on $500 a month?

© billberryphotog www.fotosearch.com.br

19
Fluency 1
 Conversation Booklet

D. Talk to a friend about TV commercials.

Do you enjoy watching TV commercials? Why / why not?

What’s the best TV commercial of all time? What makes it
good?
What’s the worst TV commercial you’ve ever seen? What
makes it bad?
How important is a slogan in a commercial? Why?
Have you ever bought a product because you saw its
commercial on TV?
© photography33 www.fotosearch.com.br

E. What do you think about the sentences below?

The more I think about a problem,

the more anxious I get.

The more people see a

product on TV, the more likely
to buy it they are.

People are getting more

and more consumerist.

Watching films in English is

getting easier and easier.

It’s less and less

common to make
phone calls.

Expression you can use

Without a doubt, …
Some people may disagree with me, but …
As I see it, …

F. Ask a friend…

…if he/she is easily influenced by advertising.

…if he/she can get by on $10 a day.

…his/her opinion about digital influencers.

…if he/she receives a lot of online ads.

…if he/she would like to take a gap year.

© macniak www.fotosearch.com.br

20
 Games
A. Choose a topic, decide whether you agree with it or not, write down three arguments to reinforce
10
your point of view and then, talk to a friend about it.

Parents should control how much

video game their kids play.

Competing is more important

than winning or losing.

© eldorado3d www.fotosearch.com.br

B. Who said what? Talk to a friend. Use indirect speech.

What did the mother ask the boys to do yesterday afternoon? We are cleared to land.
What did the doctor tell Mr. Spencer yesterday?
I failed my math test.
What did the pilot announce during the flight?
You should write a text about the
What did the girl admit to her dad? book.
What did the teacher tell the class? You will take these painkillers
Stop running and do your every 4 hours for 3 days.
homework!

C. Phrasal verbs

Choose two questions to ask a friend.

m Are you good at winning people over?

m What can one do to win somebody’s trust back?

m How anxious do you get when your team plays against a strong team?

m Do you ever play along with people just to avoid confrontation?

Now choose a phrasal verb and make a question. Then, ask a friend.

play out play against win out win over

21
Fluency 1
 Conversation Booklet

D. Talk to a friend about video games.

If you don’t play video games

Why don’t you play video games?
Who in your family enjoys playing video games?
Should parents watch out for what games their
children play?
How big of a problem is video game addiction?
© macniak www.fotosearch.com.br

If you play video games

What’s the best video game console of all time?
How long do you play video games every day?
Do you have a portable video game? If yes, which
one?
What makes a good video game?

E. Take turns asking and answering the questions below.

es are Are you good at

What kind of gam memorizing
children? irregular verbs?
inappropriate for

What do you th
ink of dishones
t st time you had an
people? When was the la
e?
unpleasant surpris

What do you do when someone

disagrees with you? u
mfortable when yo
Do you feel unco
blic?
have to talk in pu

F. Talk to a friend about…

… your favorite board games.

… the most competitive person you’ve ever met.

… the importance of the Olympic Games.

… something that is child’s play to you.

© macniak www.fotosearch.com.br

... the pros and cons of competitiveness.

… an unpleasant surprise you had.

22