NAME:
ESL / EFL RESOURCES Small Talk
A. Read the introductory text about small talk. Then, complete each sentence below
with a word or phrase from the box.
Small talk is polite conversation about topics that aren't important or controversial.
It's used when people are together and are expected to talk to avoid silence.
Being good at small talk is considered an important social skill. Small talk takes
place between people who don't know each other well or at all. With strangers,
small talk can help them become more comfortable with each other. With
acquaintances and colleagues, it can help them get to know each other more.
Making small talk can be a starting point for conversation about other topics. After
people know each other better through small talk, they might be comfortable
talking about topics that are more serious. For example, a discussion about local events might
lead to a careful discussion about politics. However, talking about who to vote for is not a good
idea unless you know the other person very well. And some topics, like income, aren't usually
discussed except with your employer or family.
acquaintances controversial local silence starting point
colleagues income politics social strangers
acquantances
1. Victor and Mia are .......................... of mine. I've met them a few times in ..........................
social
situations, such as parties, but I don't know them very well.
2. I know we're ..........................
colleagues , but it isn't a good idea to talk about ..........................
income . We
work at the same place, but we might not get paid the same.
3. Politics
.......................... is a ..........................
controversial topic. Some people feel strongly about who they
vote for and get upset when other people share different opinions about them.
4. They teach their children not to talk to ..........................
strangers local
, not even to ..........................
people they don't know. People in their area may be dangerous so it's best for them to be careful.
5. Most people are uncomfortable with silence
.......................... They need a ..........................
starting point for
conversation. That's why small talk is so useful..
B. Put a tick next to each topic that you think is suitable for small talk. Then, compare
your answers with a partner. Discuss any differences of opinion.
¨ books ¨ local events ¨ traffic and transportation
¨ films ¨ politics ¨ weather
¨ health problems ¨ religion ¨ weekend plans
¨ income ¨ sports ¨ jobs and work
C. With your partner, choose two topics for small talk with the following people:
1. strangers ........................................ ........................................
2. acquaintances ........................................ ........................................
3. colleagues ........................................ ........................................
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SMALL TALK
ESL / EFL RESOURCES Small Talk
D. Match the sentence halves together to make small talk conversation starters.
1. Are you doing anything special ..... a. Art Festival this weekend?
2. Are you going to the ..... b. film I saw last night.
3. Did you see ..... c. we're going to get a lot of rain.
4. Do you like reading ..... d. lived in...?
5. How long have you ..... e. mysteries?
6. I can't believe I had to wait ..... f. the football game on the weekend?
7. I keep thinking about the ..... g. this weekend?
8. It looks like ..... h. half an hour for a bus this morning.
E. Choose a suitable response to each conversation starter.
...... 1. More rain? It rained last weekend too. I was planning to do some gardening.
...... 2. I've lived here for about 10 years. My family moved here from Canada. How about you?
...... 3. I like reading mysteries when I have time. I mostly just read the news.
...... 4. It's this weekend! I didn't know that. Maybe I should go. Are you going?
...... 5. Which film was that? It sounds like it was good.
...... 6. I sure did. I couldn't believe how the game turned around in the second half.
...... 7. Yeah, I wish they would do something about public transportation in this city.
...... 8. A friend and I are going hiking. Are you doing anything?
F. What would you say in reply to each response to keep the conversation going?
Write your ideas below.
Example: A friend and I are going hiking. Are you doing anything?
I don't have anything special planned. How often do you go hiking?
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8. ...............................................................................................................................
G. Now, work with a partner. Practice making small talk using the conversation starters
in Exercise D. After a few minutes, start a new small talk conversation. Continue until
you have used all eight conversation starters.
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