UNIT 19: Using the Telephone

1. Getting ready
Match the questions on the left with the answers on the right.
 1. Getting ready
Match the questions on the left with the answers on the right.

a
d
c
b
 2. Let’s listen
2. Which statement about each telephone call is true? Listen and
circle the correct answer.

next
 Number 1
A: Hello.
B: Hello, Joe?
A: No.
B: Is this 793-5141?
A: No, it isn’t. I think you have
the wrong number.
B: Oh, sorry.

Click here to see the conversation

and the answer next
 Number 2
A: Hello.
B: Hello. Can I speak to
Sandy, please?
A: She’s busy right now. Can
you call back?
B: Oh, sure.

Click here to see the conversation

and the answer next
 Number 3
A: Hello.
B: Hello. Can I speak to Brian?
A: Sorry. Who?
B: Brian.
A: What number did you want?
B: 321-9645.
A: This is 321-6949.
B: Oh, sorry.

Click here to see the conversation

and the answer next
 Number 4
A: Hello.
B: Hello. Is Sylvia there?
A: Sorry. She’s not in right
now.
B: Oh, well, this is Rod. Can
I leave a message?
A: Okay.

Click here to see the conversation

and the answer next
 Number 5
A: Hello.
B: Hello. Is Mrs. Brown
there, please?
A: Yes, may I ask who’s
calling?
B: Yes, this is Donna
Simpson.
A: Just a moment, please.

Click here to see the conversation

and the answer next
 Number 6

A: Hello.
B: Hello. Can I speak to
Tony, please?
A: Sure. Hold on and I’ll get
him.

Click here to see the conversation

and the answer next
 3. Let’s listen
1. Read these telephone messages. Then listen and correct the
mistakes in each message.

next
Number 1

→ 914-6520

→ tonight

Click here to see the conversation

and the answer next
Number 2

→ Ellen
→ 614-5533

→ bookstore

Click here to see the conversation

and the answer next
Number 3

→ Joan

→ Tuesday
→ Room 214

Click here to see the conversation

and the answer next
Number 4

→ John
→ Tomorrow
→ 7:30

Click here to see the conversation

and the answer next
 3. Let’s listen
2. Listen again. Circle the correct information.

next
 Number 1
Click here to see the
conversation
and the answer

A: Hello.
B: Hello, can I speak to Anne, please?
A: Sorry. She’s not in right now. Would you like to leave a message?
B: Yes, please. My name’s Mary Brown.
A: Mary Brown?
B: Yes, and my number is 914-6520.
A: Did you say 6520?
B: That’s right. Could you ask Anne to call me back tonight?
A: Okay, I’ll give her the message.
B: Thanks. next
A: You’re welcome.
 Number 2
Click here to see the
conversation
and the answer

A: Hello.
B: Hello. I’d like to speak to John, please.
A: Oh, John’s not back from school yet. Can I take a message?
B: Um, yes, please. My name is Ellen.
A: E-L-L-E-N?
B: That’s right. And my number is 614-5533.
A: 614-5533.
B: Please tell John I’ll meet him tomorrow at 12 o’clock at the
bookstore. next
A: At the bookstore. Okay. I’ll tell him.
 Number 3
Click here to see the
conversation
and the answer

A: Hello.
B: Hello. Is Peter there, please?
A: He’s gone out for the evening. Can I take a message?
B: Yes, please. This is Joan calling.
A: Yes, Jean. What’s the message?
B: No, it’s Joan. J-O-A-N. Please tell him the English
exam will be on Tuesday in Room 214.
A: English exam…Tuesday…Room 214. I’ll tell him. next
B: Thank you.
 Number 4
Click here to see the
conversation
and the answer

A: Hello.
B: Hello. This is John.
A: Oh, hi, John!
B: Is Patrick there?
A: He’s here, but he’s sleeping. He won’t get up until morning. Can I take a message?
B: Yes, please. Tell him that tomorrow’s party is at 7:30 at the Plaza Hotel.
A: Okay, let’s see…John called… Oh, John, how do you spell your name again? Is it J-O-N?
B: No, it’s J-O-H-N.
A: Okay…John called. Tomorrow’s party…7:30…Plaza Hotel. Got it! He’ll be there.
B: Thanks. Talk to you later. next
A: Bye!
 4. Let’s listen
1. Listen to each conversation. What is each call about? Circle the
correct answer.

next
 Number 1

Click here to see the conversation

and the answer next
 Number 2

Click here to see the conversation

and the answer next
 Number 3

Click here to see the conversation

and the answer next
 Number 4

Click here to see the conversation

and the answer next
 Number 5

Click here to see the conversation

and the answer next
 Number 6

Click here to see the conversation

and the answer next
 4. Let’s listen
2. Listen again. Is each person pleased or not pleased after getting the
call? Check  the correct answer.

next
 A: Hello.
Number 1 B: Hi, Jenny. This is David. How are

things?
A: Pretty good, thanks.
B: Listen. I was wondering if you’re
doing anything on Sunday.
A: No, I don’t think so.
Click here to see the B: Great. Would you like to see a movie
conversation
and the answer with me?
A: Oh, yeah. That sounds great. Thanks.
next
 A: Hello.
Number 2 B: Hi, Tony. This is Bob.
A: Hi, Bob. What’s up?
B: Oh, nothing much. But I have a favor to ask. Would it
 be okay for me to borrow your stereo on Sunday?
Mine isn’t working very well, and I have some new
CDs I’d like to listen to.
A: Um. Well, okay. I guess that’s all right.
B: Thanks. See you tomorrow.
Click here to see the
conversation A: Yeah. Bye.
and the answer
C: Who was that?
A: Oh, it was Bob. He wants to borrow my stereo again!
next C: Not again!
 A: Hello.
Number 3 B: Hi, John. This is Rita.
A: Hi. How’s it going?
 B: Well, okay, but I’m afraid I have to cancel our
date. Remember? We were going to see a play
together.
A: Yeah, I’ve already bought the tickets.
Click here to see the B: Oh, I’m so sorry, but I have to drive my dad to
conversation
and the answer
the airport.
A: Oh, well. I’ll see if I can get someone else to go
with me.
next
B: Yeah. Sorry about that.
 Number 4 A: Hello.
B: Hello, David. This is Paul.

A: Oh, hi.
B: Listen, you know we’re supposed to meet
at six tonight for dinner?
A: Yeah, is there a problem?
B: No, but can we meet at seven o’clock
Click here to see the
conversation instead? I think I’m going to be late.
and the answer
A: No problem. Actually, that’s better for me,
too.
next
B: Great. See you at seven o’clock.
 Number 5 A: Hi, Joan. I know it’s late, but I
wanted to call and apologize to
you.
 B: Well, I was wondering why you
didn’t meet me for dinner.
A: I am so sorry, but my husband
called me at work and told me that
Click here to see the he was not feeling well. So, I had
conversation
and the answer to go home and take care of him. I
was so busy, I forgot to call you.
next
B: Well, I understand your problem,
but you really should have called.
 Number 6 A: Hi, Howard! How are you doing?
B: Oh, Becky! I’m doing pretty good. I’m leaving
for my big vacation to Europe this Saturday.
 A: What? You are?
B: Yeah, why?
A: Well, you promised me that you would help me
move into my new apartment this Saturday.
Click here to see the
B: Oh, that’s right. I forgot. Well, don’t worry.
conversation My plane leaves at night. I can still help you in
and the answer
the morning, I guess.
A: Oh, good. Thanks!
next B: Sure.
 Can I leave a message, please?
Work in pairs. Number the sentences in A and B to make a telephone
conversation. Then practice the conversation with your
partner.
 Can I leave a message, please?
Work in pairs. Number the sentences in A and B to make a telephone
conversation. Then practice the conversation with your
partner.
9 8
3 12
5 6

11
7 4
10
Work in pairs. Think of three people you called last week and
complete the charts. Then take turns asking and answering the
questions in the chart.
 Learning review
What did we learn in Unit 19?

Themes Skills
Using the Listening for gist
Telephone Listening for details
Listening for attitudes