Conversation Gambits - Eric Keller, Sylvia T Warner 1988

43. Exceptions
2. Linking Gambits

Divide the class into two groups — the optimists and the pessimists Each group must make a typical' statement using the ideas below The other group must make a typical' comment with an exception The pessimists will make pessimistic commentsand state pessimistic exceptions — the optimists, vice versa

For example:

Pessimist: In general, British winters are pretty cold and dismal.

Optimist: They certainly can be, but there are exceptions, of course Winters in the south west can be very mild.

Ideas to talk about:

British cars  German cars

Men    Women

Summers   Winters

Pop stars   Politicians

Pessimistic comments:

very depressing stupid

unreliable   too expensive

never work hard tell lies

can't be trusted

Optimistic comments:

good value  dependable

exciting   warm

dry    friendly

hardworking

Possible Exceptions

my car   my sister

my cousin   last year

my teacher  our Prime Minister

Generalising

In general,

Generally speaking,

As a rule,

By and large,

In my experience,

In most cases,

Exceptions

There are exceptions, of course,

One exception is ...

But what about ...

But don’t forget ...