Versión de HTML Básico
Rights and wrongs 61
Apologizing and accepting apologies
5
SPEAKING
When might you make
a formal apology and when might
you make an informal one? When
might you hear a formal apology?
6
1.24
Listen to dialogues 1–6
and match them to speakers a–f:
a
a teacher and a parent
b
a parent and a child
c
a shop assistant and a customer
d
a teacher and a student
e
two friends
f
train station announcer
7
1.24
Read the phrases in the table. Then listen to
dialogues 1–6 again. Which of the phrases in the table do you hear?
In which dialogues do the people make formal apologies?
Apologizing
Informal apologies
I’m very / so / really sorry.
I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to.
Formal apologies
I (do) apologize for … .
I’d like to apologize for … .
Please accept our apologies.
We regret to inform you that … .
It was very inconsiderate of me.
Accepting apologies
Accepting informal apologies
That’s OK.
It (really) doesn’t matter.
Don’t worry about it.
Never mind.
Accepting formal apologies
That’s quite all right.
Let’s say no more about it.
Showing the speaker you are not happy
Don’t let it happen again.
You’ve really let me down.
8
1.25
Complete the dialogue with phrases a–f. There is one phrase that you do not need.
How does Ben feel? Then listen to a different version of the dialogue. How does Ben feel now?
a
I regret to inform you
b
I didn’t expect that from you.
c
I’m really sorry,
d
Please forgive me.
e
you’ve really let me down.
f
I feel really bad about it.
Ben
Hi, Kate. I’m really looking forward to Saturday. What time did we say we’d meet?
Kate
Saturday? We didn’t arrange to meet on Saturday, did we?
Ben
Don’t you remember? You said you’d help me choose a suit for my brother’s wedding.
Kate
Oh, no! I’d completely forgotten, Ben.
1
but I’ve made other plans.
I’m going to visit my cousins in Oxford. Perhaps we could go the following Saturday?
Ben
No, that will be too late. The wedding’s next weekend. I can’t believe you forgot.
Kate
2
.
Ben
Well, you should because
3
.
Kate
4
. You know I’ve got an awful memory.
Ben
Yes, I know, but
5
.
9
SPEAKING
Work in pairs, A and B. Choose a situation and prepare a dialogue. Student A
explains the situation and apologizes, student B listens and accepts or does not accept the
apology. Then swap roles and choose a new situation.
1
You borrowed your friend’s jacket for a party. You ripped it.
2
You were using your dad’s laptop to do some homework when you spilt some tea on it.
3
You work in a shop. A customer brings back some new jeans he / she bought at the weekend.
There is a problem with them.
4
You broke one of the pictures in the school corridor while you were playing with a ball during the
break.
5C