Taking a Message



Taking A Message Practice

Receptionist: Janson Wine Importers. Good Morning. How can I help you?
Caller: Could I speak to Mr Adams, please?

Receptionist: Who's calling please?
Caller: This is Anna Jones.

Receptionist: Sorry, I didn't catch your name.
Caller: Anna Jones. That's J O N E S.

Receptionist: Thank you. And where are you calling from?
Caller: Sunny Farm

Receptionist: OK Ms Jones. I'll try and put you through. … I'm sorry but the line's busy. Would you like to hold?
Caller: Could I leave a message?

Receptionist: Certainly.
Caller: Could you tell Mr Adams that our shipment will be postponed and that the 200 cases ordered should arrive next Monday.

Receptionist: Shipment delayed … arriving next Monday.
Caller: Yes, and could you ask him to call me back when the shipment arrives?

Receptionist: Certainly. Could you give me your number please?
Caller: Yes, it's 503-589-9087

Receptionist: That's 503-589-9087
Caller: Yes, that's right. Thanks for your help. Goodbye

Receptionist: Goodbye.

Gerunds



1. A gerund is the -ing form of a verb. The highlighted words in the examples below are gerunds.

Examples:
Our cat Michy spends a lot of time sleeping.
When she is not asleep, she enjoys looking out the window.

2. We often use a gerund after these verbs and expressions:

enjoy
remember
spend time
don't mind
finish
spend money
dislike
stop
start

3. Write the gerund form of each verb.

imitate
share
read
discuss
insult
sell
watch
use
talk
spend

Choose a gerund from the list above to complete each sentence.

1. Joshua didn't mind ________ his cake to his younger brother because he was already full.
2. Martin spent a lot of time __________ his products.
3. A lot of people enjoy _______ Japanese politics.
4. Do you remember ___________ that book about American history?
5. I don't mind ______ money on bags because I like to collect them.
6. A lot of people dislike _________ TV commercials.
7. Can you remember when people started ________ cellphones?
8. John likes _______ different animal sounds.
9. My sister likes _________ fat kids. I told her to stop doing it but she didn't listen.
10. I enjoy __________ to my friends on the phone.

The "ly" Adverbs



An adverb tells you something about a verb. It answers the question "How?" It usually comes after the verb.

Example:
When we laugh, we breathe (verb) quickly (adverb).

***We usually form an adverb by adding -ly to an adjective.

Example:
Adjective: loud, quiet
Adverb: loudly, quietly


Exercise 1

Change the adjectives in parenthesis into adverbs.

1. She laughs (free).
2. He laughs (loud).
3. She laughs (shy).
4. He laughs (nervous).
5. They are studying (serious).


Exercise 2

Give 5 sentences about yourself, using these adverbs.

quickly/ slowly/ quietly/ loudly/ seriously

For example: I eat quickly during lunch break.



Exercise 3

Find the mistakes. There are 10 mistakes in grammar, punctuation and capitalization. Find and correct them.

Scientist are studying laughter serious. They are finding that laughter is goodly for us. When people are sick laughter helps them to get more better. Laughter club started in india. People join a laughter club and go very day. They may laugh loud for minutes and feel best afterwards.


Exercise 4

Discussion:

1. How often do you laugh?
2. What are the things that usually make you laugh?
3. Do you laugh easily?
4. Who are the well-known funny people in your country?