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

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

Exercise

Task 2

Exercise

Discussion

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

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Worksheet129.04 KB

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Language level

B2 Upper intermediate

Topics

social media

Hello again RuthYong,

Thanks for letting me know that you got my response. Someone will be in touch via email soon.

All the best,

Kirk

The LearnEnglish Team

I would certainly prefer to call instead of sending messages. To me, calling my friends would lead to faster response and clear unnecessary doubts. This is also more convenient for me due to my visual impairment.

I hate talking to people. That's why I always choose to send messages. Sometimes I just send an emoji, and that works even better. But remember - formal situations require emailing, not text messaging.

The most certain way to communicate is talking face to face. Other ways like sending sms couse mistake, specially when we communicate with strangers. Nevertheless communicate with new technologies has several merits.

I definitely prefer sending text messages to my friends. I think nowadays this is the main way to communicate with others, and also it's more simple and fast. Nevertheless, a phone call can be very useful depending on the context.

I prefer sending messages, because it is quicker and practice.

Considering the economic cost I prefer to use social messengers like WhatsApp. I often text them and sometimes make a voice or video relation with them.

I honestly prefer more to message them. I mean... I don't always have the time to call someone and be on a call with them for long periods of time (only in serious situations though). So, messaging is my go-to method all the time :)

Always I prefer messaging instead calls but as usual sometimes the best options is make a call, if you need to discuss something important and if you want to avoid the other person ignore your messages, for instance, when you’re selling something or collect money it is better make a call. But if the conversation is between friends the matter is chill more and there is no be problem.