Talk a Lot : Role Play with Non-Literal English : Hotel

1. Practise the role play with a partner. Find and underline nine examples of non-literal English and match each one to a category below: a) nicknames b) exaggeration c) idioms d) discourse markers e) phrasal verbs f) sayings / proverbs g) similes h) swearing i) understatement ------------------------------------------------------------(---------------------------------------------------------- Tina works in a hotel as a receptionist. Her friend Carrie phones her… Carrie: Hi Tina, how’s it going? Tina: I’m fine? You? Carrie: Fine. Are you still coming to the party tomorrow night? Tina: I can’t. I’ve got to work. The duty manager’s changed my shifts. Carrie: What? That’s bloody stupid! It’s JT’s birthday! Tina: I know. Carrie: That’s absolutely the worst thing that could’ve possibly happened! Tina: And I’m really sorry, but I can’t go out on Friday night either. Carrie: That’s great. Tina: I’m sorry. Pause Carrie: Can’t you, y’know, try and sort something out with your manager? Tina: I’m too scared of him. Today he was walking around like a bear with a sore head. Carrie: Right, but maybe you can speak to him…? Tina: He told us today that if we don’t get more customers the hotel could close next month. Carrie: Really? It never rains but it pours! ------------------------------------------------------------(---------------------------------------------------------- 2. Replace each example of non-literal English with one of the literal words or phrases below. Practise the role play using only literal English, then using non-literal English. What differences do you notice? Which do you prefer? Why?  that is not very good really [intensifier] arrange behaving in an angry way how are you? that is disappointing pause John Timpson a lot of bad things seem to be happening at the same time Answers: Feature of Non-Literal English: Example in this Text: Literal Translation: a) nicknames JT John Timpson b) exaggeration That’s absolutely the worst thing that could’ve possibly happened! that is not very good c) idioms how’s it going? how are you? d) discourse markers y’know pause e) phrasal verbs sort out arrange f) sayings / proverbs It never rains but it pours! a lot of bad things seem to be happening at the same time g) similes walking around like a bear with a sore head behaving in an angry way h) swearing bloody really [intensifier] i) understatement That’s great. that is disappointing Talk a Lot Hotel Role Play with Non-Literal English For more fun worksheets, games and quizzes log onto www.englishbanana.com now! Talk a Lot Intermediate Book 1 © English Banana.com