Instant messages

Instant messages

Read a conversation by instant messages to practise and improve your reading skills.

Do the preparation task first. Then read the text and do the exercises.

Preparation

Reading text
Andrew
online

You there, Beatriz?

10:24

Hang on, Andrew.

10:24

OK. What's up?

10:27

It's Caroline's birthday tomorrow.

10:27

Oh yeah, that's right!

10:27

You thought about what to get her?

10:28

You mean a present? Weren't you buying one from both of us?

10:28

I'm sorry! It totally slipped my mind!

10:28

😳

10:28

And I'm working 'til late.

10:28

So …

10:29

Could you pick up a gift today?

10:29

I guess. What sort of thing were you thinking of?

10:30

Dunno. Got any ideas?

10:30

One sec. Phone.

10:30

OK, I'm back.

10:37

Just had an idea for a gift.

10:37

Go on.

10:38

New headphones?

10:38

Nah. Jeremy said he was getting her headphones.

10:38

OK. What then?

10:38

Have you seen those gift certificates for a spa? Maybe one of those?

10:39

She'd love that!

10:39

I'll pick it up today then.

10:39

Thanks a million. Appreciate it.

10:39

No worries. See you tomorrow then?

10:40

Yep.

10:40

What time was it again? 4?

10:40

4.30. I can pick you up at your house if you like.

10:40

👍 👍 👍 👍

10:40

CU then.

10:40

Bye for now.

10:41

 

 

Task 1

Task 2

Discussion

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Average: 4.5 (37 votes)

Submitted by Maysem on Fri, 12/12/2025 - 18:32

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Well, I prefer sending a message, because my friends are quite busy, Idont like to disturb them. So they ll see the message when they have time. 

Submitted by Aquiles Miranda on Thu, 27/11/2025 - 22:20

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What do you prefer – sending messages to your friends or phoning them?

Well, it depends on the level of our friendship. I use to phone my best friend when I can and she is at home for talking about so many things. I really appreciate it. But when there are so many time since my last conversation with a friend, I use to send them a message.

Submitted by Safe_Mode on Sun, 23/11/2025 - 16:44

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I prefer to phone. Things get dicisions much faster in this way.

Submitted by RitaFerreira on Wed, 12/11/2025 - 21:57

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I prefer sending messages, if we consider an audio a message. When I was in Brazil, I learned to send audio messages for all kinds of communication: to invite a friend, order a pizza, or talk with a teacher. Nowadays, WhatsApp is my preferred way of communicating. The conversations are a mix of text and audio, and it’s so funny to have talks with different types of stimuli. Instagram is my second preferred way to communicate. I have people I talk to only through Instagram, I don’t even know why! And there are friends with whom I talk through both WhatsApp and Instagram. However, the conversations are about different things. It’s a strange way to organize communication, but it’s functional.

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Submitted by YolimaRC on Wed, 15/10/2025 - 13:07

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What do you prefer – sending messages to your friends or phoning them? I prefer call them if they are close friends, it´s friendly. But if we are not closely, I normaly send the message. In my case, I prefer that my friends phone me, but I knowed someone´s are busy, so one message it is very well.

Submitted by abdallahdalvi on Wed, 27/08/2025 - 13:34

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To Be Honest, I prefer non. I usually try to avoid any type of communication, be it texting or face-to-face.

Submitted by luungochan on Wed, 27/08/2025 - 06:10

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I tend to gravitate towards instant messaging because all of my friends they use apps like messenger, instagram, and I do not have their phone numbers, we just communicate via social media platforms, so it's usually more convenient compared to phone calls. If I do not remember any information, I can go back and see the messages again at anytime. On the other hand, when it comes to emergency situations, I prefer phoning them over sending messages. 

Submitted by Gemina on Fri, 22/08/2025 - 13:07

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I do not prefer texting, I prefer phone calls for communication.

Submitted by KhanhsGMD on Mon, 21/07/2025 - 03:57

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Well, I know face2face is better but sometimes you're more shy when you're talking directly..... I would still prefer texting.

Submitted by NaderYn on Sat, 28/06/2025 - 18:22

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I would say it depends on the situation, whether to phone or send messages. Whereas the majority of people nowadays prefer using messages, for example, through WhatsApp or WeChat, because of the availability of internet connection, messages are considered more affordable and cheaper than phone calls. Personally, I tend to use WhatsApp to contact my friends and family. I also have group chats for close friends and relatives, which makes it easier to reach them.