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 (31 votes)

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.

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Submitted by f4phantom on Thu, 05/06/2025 - 13:46

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I prefer call them. Because when I send a message my friends cannot see my message so I think I need to call them. Actually it is depend on the position. For example if that problem is urgent I got to call them.

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Submitted by Anis-Anis on Wed, 21/05/2025 - 22:34

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

I believe it depends on what I have to say. If it's something urgent and I need them to respond right away, I prefer calling them. If it's not urgent, a message is enough, even though I may have to wait a while for their response.

Submitted by Daniela.Bonilla on Thu, 08/05/2025 - 10:02

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In my opinion,it depend on the occasion, because I live outside of my country, so with my mum and my friend, i prefer to call them because it feels more personal. But for the other things I prefer to send a message because  people could be busy or something like that

 

Submitted by Ziad34 on Mon, 21/04/2025 - 05:56

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it depends on the situation, if something urgent or something complicate to explain the then I call, otheweise I mostely messge

Submitted by floririarte on Thu, 10/04/2025 - 20:44

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I mostly prefer sending messeges to my friends because it is easier, I can answer their messeges when I'm free, for example during the lunch time. We can also send photos and audios to explain a situation. I only call them if I'm in a hurry or we have to meet personally.

On the other hand, I prefer phoning my mother, I used to do it once a week.

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Submitted by Maria80 on Tue, 21/01/2025 - 11:35

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

I prefer to send a messages in my friends because is easy and fast also, don't disturb them. Always me when , is not a urgent message, then I prefer call them.

Submitted by Bulent Oner on Mon, 07/10/2024 - 15:07

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It depends on the intimacy of your friendship, the topic, the timing, etc.
If the topic is not easy and complicated to send a message, I prefer to write first if you are available. If the answer is available, I call.
Sometimes it also depends on my mood. If I don't want to talk to someone and need to give urgent information, I write instead of calling.
However, written communication can cause some misunderstandings. There may be some conflicts because people do not see each other. So if you don't have the chance to meet face to face, one-to-one telephone communication is always better than writing.

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Submitted by abby_extra on Thu, 15/08/2024 - 02:02

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In my preference, I like texting, is fast, and more over people use the shorter ways to explain the same idea, but with less details. It happens to me, that I get bored esaly by phoning. Summarasing I am more to talk face-to-face than phone.