Conversation Gambits - Eric Keller, Sylvia T Warner 1988
12. An Unpleasant Thought
1. Opening Gambits
Yesterday you were invited to see the new home of a friend You were not very impressed by it In fact everything that |s)he thought was wonderful you didn t like
Writing
Re-write these ideas using the phrases in the list to introduce your ideas
1. She thought it was very spacious but you felt the ceilings were too low
2. She had bought most of her furniture second-hand and you thought it looked cheap and rather old-fashioned
3. She was very proud of her choice of wallpaper but you thought it made the whole place look dark
4. She thought the view from the balcony was fantastic but all you could see was the tops of other houses
5. She was especially pleased with the coffee table which her husband had made You thought it looked rough and not very well made
6. On the coffee table there was a lamp which she said she had paid £200 for She said it was 18th century and worth a lot more You saw the same ones on sale for £25 in a local store
Speaking
Write down some more possible ideas then act them out in front of the class
Actually,
The only thing is ...
To tell you the truth,
To be honest,
1Frankly,
1. This expression is the one you would most often use to introduce something you knew would annoy or insult the other person It can be a real warning of a shock to come1