1. I know I’m going to get this job – the interview went so well.
> I think you’re being a bit . Hundreds of people have applied for it.
2. I’m trying to persuade Liz to give up her job and come and live with me in Scotland.
> Aren’t you being a bit ? You know how important her career is.
3. l’ve looked at fifteen flats and I haven’t seen one l really like.
> Don‘t you think you’re being a bit ? You’ll never find one that’s perfect.
4. Why haven’t they phoned me back? I know I’m not going to get this job.
> Aren’t you being a bit ? You only had the interview yesterday.
5. Do you think Ann will come on holiday with me?
> Slow down! You’ve only just met her! Aren’t you being a bit ?
6. I hope Bob doesn’t become manager. I don’t like his accent.
> Don’t you think you’re being a bit ? You can’t dislike him just because of the way he speaks!
Click here to download this printable exercise in PDF. Answers are at the bottom of the page.
Exercise 11
Complete the dialogues with the following sentences:
very kind | very tactful | a bit clumsy | very rude
1. I invited Sue and Gerry for dinner. They turned up an hour and a half late and didn’t even apologise!
> Really, that was of them, wasn’t it?
2. Sarah spilt coffee all over the carpet. It made a terrible mess.
> Oh dear. That was of her, wasn’t it?
3. Mary knew how busy I was, so she offered to collect the kids from school for me.
> That was of her.
4. Sue said she had a headache, but she knew that Chris, her first husband, was going to be at the party.
> That was of her. It would have been very embarrassing if she’d turned up.
1.Lucy never thinks about anyone but herself.
> Yes, she can be a bit sometimes.
2.Oh, Laura‘s impossible. One minute life is wonderful and the next minute she’s in her room crying.
> Yes, she can he a bit , can’t she?
3. I really don’t like Bob. He seems to think that he’s more important than anybody else.
> He certainly can be very .
4. Martin’s such good fun. He’s got a great sense of humour.
> Yes, he can he very at times.
5. I wish Joe would stop playing practical jokes all the time. It gets very tiring.
> Yes, he can be really at times. I wish he’d grow up and behave like an adult.
6. I told Emma that she shouldn’t leave university but she never listens to me.
> No, she really can be very when she wants, can’t she?
Click here to download this printable exercise in PDF. Answers are at the bottom of the page.
Exercise 3
Complete the sentences with the appropriate expressions:
1. I think Mark took some money from my bag while we were out.
> No, he’s to do a thing like that.
2. I’m still waiting for Lisa to say sorry for sending that fax to the wrong address.
> You’ll wait a long time! Lisa’s to admit anything‘s her fault.
3. Jenny left a window open when she went out this morning. Anybody could’ve got in.
> Are you sure it was jenny. She’s to do anything like that.
4. Apparently, Amy asked Tom if he’d like to go out tomorrow night.
> I don’t believe you. She’s to ask a boy out!
5. Julie got the highest mark in the class, but she didn’t say a word.
> No, she wouldn’t. She’s to say anything about it.
6. I thought Martin was a good friend but he’s been telling everybody that I’m boring.
> Are you sure? Martin’s to say something like that behind your back.
ANSWERS
1. I think Mark took some money from my bag while we were out. > No, he’s far too honest to do a thing like that.
2. I’m still waiting for Lisa to say sorry for sending that fax to the wrong address. > You’ll wait a long time! Lisa’s much too proud to admit anything‘s her fault.
3. Jenny left a window open when she went out this morning. Anybody could’ve got in. > Are you sure it was jenny. She’s far too sensible to do anything like that.
4. Apparently, Amy asked Tom if he’d like to go out tomorrow night. > I don’t believe you. She’s much too shy to ask a boy out!
5. Julie got the highest mark in the class, but she didn’t say a word. > No, she wouldn’t. She’s far too modest to say anything about it.
6. I thought Martin was a good friend but he’s been telling everybody that I’m boring. > Are you sure? Martin’s much too loyal to say something like that behind your back.