SOCIAL ENGLISH
A.
Very often our choice of words depends on where we are or whom we are talking to. For example, you can say "children" when you are talking to your teacher and "kids" when you are talking to your friends. In other words, the situation in which we find ourselves can be more formal and less formal, or informal. Study the words and word combinations in the box below and then change the dialogue "Stolen Bicycle" making it sound informal.|
- More formal or neutral- - a bicycle - a television - a friend - a man - a toilet - a refrigerator - the underground - a pound - mother and father - intelligent - wonderful - to arrive in/at - to telephone - Hello! - Thank you. - What's the matter? |
- Quite informal - a bike - the telly - a pal - a guy - a loo - a fridge - the tube - quid (no plural) - mum and dad - bright - terrific - to get to (a place) - to phone - Hi! - Та. - What's up? |
Stolen Bicycle
Polly: Hello, Walter! What's the matter?
Walter: Someone has stolen my bicycle! It makes the second time this year.
Polly: Poor Walter! My mother saw a programme on television yesterday. They said something about a thief stealing bicycles in our neighbourhood.
Walter: Really? I have a friend who is a policeman. Do you think I should telephone him?
Polly: I think it's a wonderful idea. Meanwhile, I can drive you to work. I know how much you hate the underground.
Walter: Oh, thank you. And ...
Polly: What?
Walter: Could you lend me about a hundred pounds? I'd like to buy a new bicycle.