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Cambridge University Press, 2010 1

Telephone role-plays, by Wayne Rimmer

This activity is useful for students at B1 level, studying Business English.

Wayne Rimmer is an author of 'Cambridge Active Grammar', a practice grammar forteenagers (2011, Cambridge University Press).

Level: B1Language: FunctionalPreparation: Copy one quiz for 3 / 4 learners. Copy then cut out the telephone

role-play cards, one set for two people.Procedure:

1. Learners do the quiz in small groups. Teacher then gives feedback.2. Put learners in pairs and distribute the role-play cards. Pre-teach any vocabulary you

think might be problematic.3. Demonstrate the activity with one of the stronger learners.4. Learners go through the role-plays. Teacher monitors and makes notes of errors.5. Feedback.

Quiz

How much do you know about telephoning?1. Who invented the telephone?2. Which language does telephone come from?3. Fill in the gap: Im afraid youve got the _________ number.4. What is the international code for the UK?5. Which phrasal verb means wait?6. When you pick up the phone, you need to _________ the number.7. Do you make or do a phone call?8. Fill in the gap: One moment, Ill put you _________ to him.9. SMS = ____________ _______________ _______________10. What is the American English word for mobile?

Answers1. Alexander Bell2. Greek (= sound from a long distance)3. wrong4. +445. hold on6. dial7. make8. through9.

Short Messaging System10.cell phone

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Cambridge University Press, 2010 2

Role-play cards

Telephone your friend. Try to persuade him /her to go on holiday to Thailand with you.

Your friend will phone you. Try to persuadehim / her to go on holiday with you toLondon.

You are a boss. Phone your employee tofind out why he / she is not at work today.

You are at home. You do not want to worktoday. Your boss will phone you.

Phone your friend. Tell him / her that yousaw their wife / husband with someone elselast night.

Your friend has some interestinginformation for you.

You went to a restaurant and had very badservice. Phone the manager and complain.

You are the manager of a restaurant. Acustomer will phone you.

You are a boss. Phone your employee andtell him / her to work this Saturday.

You are happy that it is Friday and the endof the working week. Your boss will phoneyou.

You need some money for your business.Phone your friend and ask to borrow somemoney.

Your friend will phone you. This is goodbecause she owes you $500 and you needthe money back.

You are a neighbour. Your neighbour is verynoisy. Phone him / her to complain.

Your neighbour will phone you. You dontlike this neighbour.

You are a boss. Your employee will phone

you.

Phone your boss and ask for a bigger salary.

You bought a computer from a shop but itdoesnt work now. Phone the shop and tellthem.

You are manager of a computer shop.

You left your mobile phone at your friendsflat. Phone him / her and ask where it is.

Your friend will phone you. You found his /her mobile phone in your flat this morningbut your dog then ate it!