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

Matching_MjIzMzU=

Reading text

You there, Beatriz?

Hang on, Andrew.

OK. What's up?

It's Caroline's birthday tomorrow.

Oh yeah, that's right!

You thought about what to get her?

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

I'm sorry! It totally slipped my mind!

And I'm working 'til late.

So …

Could you pick up a gift today?

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

Dunno. Got any ideas?

One sec. Phone.

OK, I'm back.

Just had an idea for a gift.

Go on.

New headphones?

Nah. Jeremy said he was getting her headphones.

OK. What then?

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

She'd love that!

I'll pick it up today then.

Thanks a million. Appreciate it.

No worries. See you tomorrow then?

Yep.

What time was it again? 4?

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

CU then.

Bye for now.

Task 2

Exercise

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Discussion

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

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Language level

B2 English level (upper intermediate)

What do you prefer – sending messages to your friends or phoning them? I prefer often to phone with my friends but, if I guess they haven't enough time to respond, I will send messages to them.

After this reading test, I have known many useful instant messages. They can help me chat or reply my friend quickly so I can save my time.

Nowadays people of all ages use smartphones to connect with others sending messages or phoning them. Often young people prefer chatting than phoning because, in this way, they could answer whenever they want and it's faster than typing the telephone number, calling them and hoping they will pick up the phone at that moment. However I prefer sending messages to my friends but sometimes I call them when I have to tell them something important or when I need an aswer very quickly.

As most of introverts, I prefer sending messages. But sometimes it is impolite and I strongly agree that if you really want to know someone's feelings and want to avoid eventually misunderstandings, phoning is quite better.

I prefer phoning my friends rather than messaging them .Hearing their voices helps me to understand them better and figure out their real state of being . As you know sometimes we send a smile by message while we are crying.

Send messages is the better way to avoid unnecessary talk so far ; by the way, you can answer anytime

I prefer phoning my friends, because I am very happy to hear my friend`s voice. But when they are not available, I used to send message.

it deppent on how highly urgue of matters. if I need a fast respon, i preffer to make a call because commonly peoples would have a fast response when the phone is ringing. its different with message, sometime we dont get a direct replied.

I prefer to sending messages because it's so simply and cheap

I prefer to send messages most of time because it cheaper and can avoid time consuming which is happen by making phone , but in emergency case or when I need immediate response I make a phone call.

I always call my mother because she is old and she lives alone so she needs to talk and hear voices . I prefer send messages to my husband, my children and my friends they ares very busy and I don’t like to disturb them. Of course I ‘ll call them if it's necessary.

Sending message is my last choice i prefer call

If you ask me , I'd say it depends on the situation I'm in which means if it's so important to talk to them about something , therefore I would rather make a phone call , but personally I would prefer sending messages to making a phone call since it's cheaper and better in a way which it does not disturb them as well .

it depends the thing we talk about and the situation we are. if I want to get the response immediately or something is important I'd like phoning my friends. on the contrary, if we are just having small talk or something not emergency I prefer sending messages to them.

I prefer sending messages to my friends rather than call them . Actually i always prefer sending message when i try to contact a person , becuase messages are archived and i can back to them if forget something , for example , Beatriz can back to the conversation with Andrew if she forget the time .

I prefer sending a message rather than a phone call. because it makes both of us go straight to the main point and prevents wasting time.

I prefer phoning my friends,because it is great to hear voices and I can express myself better by talking than writting a letter.

I prefer sending messages. This is mainly because most of my friends are always busy. It's impolite to disturb them especially at work, unless its very important then I will phone.

I prefer phoning them, because i can really express myself well and is also an opportunity for me to hear their voice expecially when they are very far away from me.

I prefer sending messages to my friends rather than phoning them, because if I phone them I force them to give me attention that moment, instead they talked to me whenever they want

I prefer phoning my friends - in most cases it takes less time!

Messages are cheaper and u can send them any time without bothering who u're texting.

It depends on the situation. If I want to talk about urgent matters, I prefer talking on the phone.

I prefer sending a message to a phone call.

I always prefer to text them because I can make sure they are available and it is cheap. You can remember them anything with a photo, video, recording..etc and you can have a chat with more than one.

It depends on what I have to tell them. If it's something brief with less than two or three informations, then I prefer to send a message. On the opposite, if I am waiting for their answer, I prefer to call them on the phone. Or when I have something delicate to say I prefer to call them to avoid to be misunderstood.

Instant messages

Preparation

Task 1

Task 2

Discussion

Language level