Small Talk That Goes Somewhere
Keep conversations going with useful follow-up questions, smooth topic changes, and friendly ways to connect.
Preview
Questions with solutions-
1. Wybierz poprawną odpowiedź.
You want to hear about the weather at the beach. What could you ask?
Maya: I spent Saturday at the beach.
- Was it crowded?
- Was it sunny?
- Was it far from home?
Show solution
- Was it sunny?
A question about one detail gives the other person an easy way to say more.
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2. Wybierz poprawną odpowiedź.
Which follow-up asks how life in the new place is going?
Jordan: I've just moved here from Denver.
- How long did you live in Denver?
- When are you planning to move here?
- How are you settling in?
Show solution
- How are you settling in?
"Settling in" means becoming comfortable in a new home, job, or place.
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3. Uzupełnij lukę.
Lee: I've started going to a dance class.
Sam: Nice! How ___ do you go?
Lee: Twice a week.- often
- long
- far
Lee's answer tells you how many times something happens.
Show solution
Lee: I've started going to a dance class.
Sam: Nice! How often do you go?
Lee: Twice a week."How often" asks about frequency. Answers include "every day" and "twice a week."
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4. Ułóż słowa w odpowiedniej kolejności.
A friend says, "I do pottery in my free time." You want to know how this hobby began.
- did you
- pottery?
- get into
- How
Show solution
How did you get into pottery?
To "get into" an activity means to become interested in it or start doing it.
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5. Wybierz poprawną odpowiedź.
Which follow-up shows that you understood this will be Chris's first camping trip?
Chris: I'm going camping this weekend.
You: Have you been before?
Chris: No, it's my first time.- Which campsite do you always use?
- What are you looking forward to most?
- Do you go camping every weekend?
Chris can talk about hopes for the trip, but not past camping habits.
Show solution
- What are you looking forward to most?
Asking what someone is looking forward to invites them to share their excitement about a future experience.
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6. Uzupełnij lukę.
Ben brings Leo into the conversation.
Rosa: My favorite season is fall.
Ben: Mine is spring. How ___ you, Leo?- with
- for
- about
Show solution
Rosa: My favorite season is fall.
Ben: Mine is spring. How about you, Leo?"How about you?" invites another person to answer the same question without repeating it.
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7. Wybierz poprawną odpowiedź.
Which reply celebrates the news and asks for a new detail about the job?
Ava: I got the job! I start on Monday.
- Congratulations! What will you be doing?
- Good luck! When will you hear their decision?
- Congratulations! What day do you start?
Ava already knows the decision and has told you her starting day.
Show solution
- Congratulations! What will you be doing?
A warm reaction followed by a question shows both support and interest.
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8. Ułóż słowa w odpowiedniej kolejności.
Someone says the rain has finally stopped. You want to suggest a short walk together.
- Now that
- to go for
- would you like
- the rain has stopped,
- a walk?
Start with the change in the weather, then make the invitation.
Show solution
Now that the rain has stopped, would you like to go for a walk?
"Now that" connects a changed situation with something that has become possible.
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9. Uzupełnij lukę.
You have finished talking about work and want to introduce a separate topic.
Work has been busy lately. ___, did you watch the game last night?
- For example
- By the way
- In other words
Show solution
Work has been busy lately. By the way, did you watch the game last night?
"By the way" introduces a new topic. It does not need a strong connection to the previous one.
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10. Wybierz poprawną odpowiedź.
Dana recently visited a lake and a museum. Which question checks what Dana means by "there"?
Dana: I had a great time there last weekend.
- Which place did you enjoy more?
- What did you enjoy about the museum?
- Do you mean the lake or the museum?
Check the place before asking for more details.
Show solution
- Do you mean the lake or the museum?
"Do you mean…?" is a friendly way to check understanding rather than make a guess.
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11. Wybierz poprawną odpowiedź.
You want to show sympathy and ask what Omar did next, not give advice. What could you say?
Omar: My train was canceled, and I got home really late.
- That sounds frustrating. How did you get home in the end?
- That sounds frustrating. Why don't you drive next time?
- That sounds frustrating. Could you take an earlier train next time?
Show solution
- That sounds frustrating. How did you get home in the end?
"In the end" asks about the final result. Listening to the rest of a story can be more helpful than offering advice immediately.
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12. Ułóż słowa w odpowiedniej kolejności.
Morgan says working from home is different from what they expected. You want to hear what surprised them the most.
- working from home?
- What
- about
- most
- has surprised you
Show solution
What has surprised you most about working from home?
A question about a surprise can lead to a personal story, not just a list of everyday tasks.
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13. Wybierz poprawną odpowiedź.
Earlier, Eli said he was training for a race. Which reply returns to that topic and asks about his progress?
Eli: That sandwich was really good.
You: Yes, it was.- Before we talk about your race, what was in that sandwich?
- You mentioned a race earlier. How is the training going?
- That reminds me—where should we have lunch tomorrow?
Make the connection to the earlier topic clear.
Show solution
- You mentioned a race earlier. How is the training going?
"You mentioned… earlier" helps you return to a topic and shows that you remembered what the person said.
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14. Wybierz poprawną odpowiedź.
Which response respects Jess's wish and offers a different topic?
Jess: Things have been difficult at home, but I'd rather not talk about it right now.
- I understand, but what exactly happened at home?
- No problem. Can you at least tell me who's involved?
- Of course. Would you like to talk about something lighter, like weekend plans?
Show solution
- Of course. Would you like to talk about something lighter, like weekend plans?
"I'd rather not" expresses a clear preference. Accepting it allows the conversation to continue without pressure.
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15. Wybierz poprawną odpowiedź.
You must leave for a meeting. Which reply explains this and suggests continuing the conversation later?
Taylor: I finally planted those tomatoes I told you about.
- I'd love to hear more, but I need to get to a meeting. Let's catch up later.
- I'd love to hear more. Do you have time to tell me about them now?
- I need to get to a meeting. Thanks for telling me about them.
Show solution
- I'd love to hear more, but I need to get to a meeting. Let's catch up later.
"Let's catch up later" keeps the connection open. Giving a reason for leaving helps avoid seeming uninterested.