Casa ESL · A1 Beginner · Unit 16 of 20 · Step 2

Small Talk

Polite Conversation

✓Make small talk about everyday topics
✓Use question words correctly: What, Where, When, Who, How
✓Sound natural and polite in conversation

Name

Date

Vocabulary

weather

noun

The conditions outside — sunny, rainy, cold, etc.

"The weather is lovely today, isn't it?"

weekend

noun

Saturday and Sunday.

"Did you have a good weekend?"

busy

adjective

Having a lot to do.

"I have been very busy this week."

enjoy

verb

To get pleasure from something.

"I really enjoy my work."

really

adverb

Used to add emphasis or show surprise.

"That is really interesting!"

usually

adverb

Most of the time; in most situations.

"I usually take the bus to work."

always

adverb

Every time, without exception.

"I always have coffee in the morning."

sometimes

adverb

Occasionally, but not all the time.

"I sometimes work from home."

Grammar Focus

Question words: What, Where, When, Who, How

Use different question words to ask about different kinds of information. The question word comes first.

What do you do at weekends?

Where do you usually go for lunch?

When does your class start?

How do you get to work?

Exercises

Exercise 1

Fill in the blank with the correct question word: What, Where, When, Who, or How.

1. is your favourite food?

2. do you live?

3. does your shift start?

4. is your English teacher?

5. do you usually travel to work?

Exercise 2

Match the question to the most natural answer.

1. How are you?Fine, thank you. And you?
2. Did you have a good weekend?Yes, it was really nice, thanks.
3. What do you do?I am a teacher.
4. How do you get to work?I usually take the bus.
5. What is the weather like?It is a bit cloudy today.

Reading

At the Coffee Machine

David and Sara meet at the office coffee machine on Monday morning. David says: 'Good morning! How was your weekend?' Sara smiles: 'Really good, thanks. I went to the beach. What about you?' David replies: 'It was busy. I was at home with the kids. The weather was lovely though.' Sara agrees: 'Yes, it was sunny all weekend. Are you always this busy?' David laughs: 'Sometimes!' They both enjoy their coffee.

1. Where did Sara go at the weekend?

2. How was the weather at the weekend?

Speaking

Discuss these questions with a partner or your teacher.

1Make small talk with your partner for two minutes. Talk about your weekend, the weather, and your week.
2Ask your partner five questions using different question words.

Writing

Write a short conversation (5–6 lines) between two people meeting at work or school. Use question words.

Example: A: Good morning! How are you? B: Fine, thanks. How was your weekend? A: Really good! I went to the cinema. What did you do? B: I stayed at home. It was very relaxing.

Answer Key — For Teacher Use

Exercise 1

1. What · 2. Where · 3. When · 4. Who · 5. How

Exercise 2

1. How are you? → Fine, thank you. And you? · 2. Did you have a good weekend? → Yes, it was really nice, thanks. · 3. What do you do? → I am a teacher. · 4. How do you get to work? → I usually take the bus. · 5. What is the weather like? → It is a bit cloudy today.

Reading Comprehension

1. Sara went to the beach. · 2. The weather was sunny and lovely.

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