Describing people,

places, and things

Conversation: Talking about roommates
Eric: So, Michael, what’s your new roommate like?
Michael: Well, if you have all day, I’ll describe him for you. He’s
quite the character.
Eric: I don’t have all day, dude—but basically—do you get along
with him?
Michael: Actually, yeah—but that’s only because we hardly ever
see each other. The guy sleeps all day. Sometimes he gets up just to
go to his classes, and then he comes back to the room and goes
back to bed. Then he’ll get up at midnight and study all night.
Eric: Really? You don’t eat together, then?
Michael: The truth is, I don’t even know when he eats, or where.
Eric: Then at least he doesn’t leave a mess in the kitchen.
Michael: No! The guy is incredibly neat. He actually leaves the
bathroom clean every day—and he doesn’t seem to have dirty
clothes. He’s like a ghost.
Eric: Man, I think you have the perfect roommate!
Michael: What about yours? What’s he like?
Eric: Well, he’s the exact opposite of yours. We’re a lot alike, and
we’re together a lot. I mean, we have two classes together and
we’re in the same fraternity, so we’re really good friends.
Michael: Sounds to me like you have the ideal roommate!
Eric: Well, yes—and no. Mine is a disaster in the house. In the first
place, he always leaves a mess in the kitchen; he doesn’t wash the
dishes or take out the trash. Plus, he throws his clothes all over the
place. Not to mention how he leaves the bathroom . . .
Michael: Come on, Eric—he sounds a lot like you. No wonder
you get along so well

Circle the best answer for each question.

1. What are you like?
a. I’m like, what’s going on? c. I like chocolate.
b. I’m a little shy. d. It’s crazy.

2. What do you like?

a. I’m like, who are you? c. I like red dresses.
b. I’m always busy. d. I’m crazy.

3. Who do you look like?

a. I look like my sister. c. I like my sister.
b. It sounds crazy. d. I sing like my father.

4. What is your sister like?

a. I like my sister. c. She’s tall.
b. She likes to ski. d. She likes me.

5. What is her boyfriend like?

a. He likes her. c. He’s like, go home!
b. She likes him. d. He’s very smart.

Match the words or expressions in the first column with those

in the second column that have a similar meaning. Note:
There may be more than one match for each expression.
1. in general a. actually
2. the truth is b. as a matter of fact
3. almost never c. basically
4. not to mention d. hardly ever
5. next e. I mean
6. it’s no surprise that f. I wonder
7. very g. I’m like
8. in other words h. no wonder
9. I don’t know i. plus
10. I’m thinking j. really
k. so
l. then
Match each question in the first column with an
appropriate response from the second column. Note:
Some questions have more than one appropriate
response.
1. What is he like? a. Actually, he does.
2. What does he do? b. Actually, he is.
3. What does he like? c. Actually, he likes pizza.
4. Is he a singer? d. Actually, he’s really nice.
5. Does he play the piano? e. As a matter of fact, he doesn’t.
6. Is he in a fraternity? f. As a matter of fact, he likes video
games.
7. Does he call you a lot? g. Hardly ever.
8. When does he work? h. He doesn’t have a job.
i. He looks like a movie star.
j. He’s a carpenter.
k. He’s a movie star.
l. He’s awesome.
m. He’s nice.
n. He’s quite the character.
o. As a matter of fact, he is.
Circle the word or expression that best completes each of
the following sentences.
1. Let’s go home. I’m -----------------tired.
a. feel like b. basically c. really d. at least
2. We need another player for the team. ------------------Tom?
a. What about b. Actually c. As a matter of fact d. Hardly ever
3. It’s a really hard course. , ------------------I’m up all night studying.
a. What about b. Then c. Hardly ever d. I mean
4. She talks a lot.-------------- , she’s on the telephone from the time she
gets up ’til she goes to bed.
a. So b. Then c. Plus d. Basically
5. This chair is ------------comfortable. I could sit here all day.
a. so b. plus c. no wonder d. seems like

Circle the most appropriate response to each of the

following questions or remarks.
1. Ben never showed up last night.
a. Well, he hardly ever goes out. c. At least he’s sick.
b. Come on, let’s go out. d. Actually, he’s a party animal.
2. I don’t think I’ll go to the concert. It’s too expensive.
a. At least it costs $25.
b. Come on, you have plenty of money.
c. So you’re going?
d. I wonder if you have enough money.

3. What do you think of the new mayor?

a. No wonder he is the mayor. c. What about Janice?
b. I’ll call him. d. At least he shows up at meetings.

4. There’s a lot of traffic on Route 66.

a. So where are we going? c. Then we’ll get there quickly.
b. What about Route 95? d. No wonder we like Route 66.

5. So, what do you like about your fraternity?

a. In the first place, the guys are really cool.
b. Dude, you’re quite the character !
c. I mean, she really likes her sorority.
d. No wonder you’re in a fraternity.
Striking up a conversation
Conversation: Running into a friend
Nicole: Hi, Jen. What’s up? I haven’t seen you for ages.
Jen: Nicole! Fancy running into you here. Do you have time for a
cup of coffee?
Nicole: Sure. We really need to catch up. Do you work around here?
Jen: At the dress shop across the street. I’m a sales assistant for the
time being, but I’m hoping they’ll promote me to buyer after I have
some experience on the floor.
Nicole: Oh—I love that shop. Their clothes are so trendy and different
from the run of the mill. You look fantastic—I’ll bet their sales have
gone up since you started working there.
Jen: Well—I try! The thing is, I enjoy the work, because I love the
clothes, and I like helping people find what works for them. It’s
actually quite fulfilling.
Nicole: Good for you. And I think the idea of becoming a buyer is
great. Before you know it, you’ll be working on your own designs. I
remember how you used to dream of being a fashion designer.
Jen: Yeah, and I think this is a step in the right direction. Now, what
are you up to?
The last I heard, you were about to move across country. I hope you’re
back to stay!
Nicole: As a matter of fact, I just got back a couple of months ago. I’m
glad I went, because now I know I really want to be here. I’m working
as a waitress right now but am hoping to get a teaching job. I’ve
applied to most of the local school districts so have my fingers
crossed I’ll get something this fall.
Jen: What do you want to teach? I’ve heard there are openings for
high school teachers in Howard County.
Nicole: No way! I haven’t even applied there. I’ll do it as soon as I get
home. Man, that’ll be awesome if they need a biology teacher. Thanks
for the tip! Which reminds me—waiting tables isn’t all bad. On
weekends I get pretty good tips. And banking on the info you just
gave me, I think I’ll follow you back to work and splurge on a new
dress!
Jen: Great. I already have in mind some things for you to try on.
Later:
Nicole: Wow. I love this one. I guess I’m getting ahead of myself, but
I have a feeling this is just what I need for the interview with the
principal.
Jen: And for the first day of school!
Nicole: Thanks so much for your help. Now I’m really pumped! I’m
so happy I ran into you today.
Jen: Me, too. Let’s make sure we get together more often.
Nicole: Yeah. I promise I’ll keep in touch.
Jen: Take care, and let me know what happens. Bye for now.
Nicole: Bye—and thanks again!

Exercises
Choose between There is and There are to complete the
following sentences.
1. ---------------only twenty-eight days in February.
2. ---------------a lot of people in this city.
3. ---------------a big pothole in this street.
4. ---------------too many cars on the road.
5. ---------------too much traffic here.
Fill in each blank with the correct form of the indicated verb.
1. We’re not used to-------------- (live) in such a small space.
2. We used to -------------- (live) in a big house.
3. He’s fine now, but he used to-------------- (get) into trouble all the
time.
4. She used to -------------- (smoke) . I’m so glad she quit.
5. I can’t get used to -------------- (get) up so early.
6. I used to -------------- (stay) up late every night.
7. Are you used to -------------- (work) this hard?
8. I know that guy. He used to -------------- (go) to my school.
9. They are used to-------------- (be) cold in January.
10. It’s hard to get used to -------------- (drive) in traffic.

Circle the word or words that best complete each of the

following sentences.
1. Always ---------------your best.
a. try to do b. try doing c. trying on d. trying out
2. I love these shoes. I’m going to----------- .
a. try buying them b. try them out c. try them on d. try
3. Before you buy any machine you should first ------------- .
a. try buying it b. try it on c. try it out d. try it
4. You’re a very good driver! Thanks,--------------------.
a. I try to. b. I try. c. Try me. d. I’m trying to.
5. I can’t get my finger to stop bleeding. -------------a bandage on it.
a. Try to put b. Try out c. Try on d. Try putting
Match the words or expressions in the first column
with those in the second column that have a similar
meaning. Note: There may be more than one match
for each expression.
1. What a coincidence. a. before you know it
2. That’s a wise decision. b. Fancy meeting you here.
3. I’ll bet. c. for ages
4. I agree. d. get ahead of yourself
5. speaking of which e. I don’t think so.
6. hopefully f. I have my fingers crossed.
7. count your chickens before they hatch g. Me, neither.
8. soon h. No way!
9. for a long time i. Me, too.
10. I don’t agree. j. That’s a step in the right
direction.
k. What a surprise.
l. which reminds me
m. Wow!
Match the words or expressions in the first column with those in the
second column that have a similar meaning. Note: There may be
more than one match for each expression.
1. be hopeful a. be on the floor
2. be all fired up b. be on the job
3. be accustomed to c. be pumped
4. see if something fits d. be used to
5. test something e. catch up
6. be working f. get together
7. spend a lot g. go overboard
8. meet h. have a feeling
9. write, call, or text i. have your fingers crossed
10. make up missed work j. keep in touch
11. get news k. let someone know
12. suspect l. make sure
13. not forget to do m. splurge
n. try it on
o. try it out