telephone conversation:

Helen: Midtown Computer Solutions, Helen speaking. How can I help you? Ryan: Hello, this is Ryan Bardos. May I speak with Natalie Jones, please? Helen: One moment please – I’ll put you through. Helen: Mr. Bardos? I’m sorry, Natalie’s in a meeting at the moment. Would you like to leave a message? Ryan: Yes, could you ask her to call me back as soon as possible? It’s pretty urgent. Helen: Of course. Does she have your number? Ryan: She has my office number, but let me also give you my cell – it’s 472-555-8901. Helen: Let me read that back to you – 472-555-8901. Ryan: That’s right. Helen: And could you spell your last name for me? Ryan: B as in Boston – A – R – D as in dog – O – S as in September Helen: Okay, Mr. Bardos. I’ll give her the message. Ryan: Thanks a lot. Bye.

Now let’s listen to the second part of the conversation, when Natalie calls Ryan back. Ryan: Hello? Natalie: Hi, Ryan, this is Natalie returning your call. Ryan: Hi Natalie, thanks for getting back to me. I was calling about the shipment of keyboards for our office – we haven’t gotten them yet. Natalie: Oh, that’s not good – they were supposed to be delivered three days ago. Ryan: Exactly, and we have a new group of employees starting on Monday, so we really need those keyboards as soon as possible. Natalie: Okay, I’ll look into it right away – if necessary, we can send you an emergency overnight shipment. Ryan: Thanks, Natalie, I appreciate it. Natalie: No problem, Ryan. I’ll call you back a little later, as soon as I have more information. Ryan: Sounds good – talk to you soon. Natalie: Bye.

Linda: Hello? Ryan: Hi Linda, it’s Ryan. How’s it going? Linda: Pretty good, thanks. How about you? Ryan: I’m fine. Sure glad it’s Friday. Hey, is Peter there? Linda: Yeah, hold on, I’ll get him. Peter! Ryan’s on the phone. Peter: Hey Ryan, what’s up? Ryan: Not much. Are you up for going fishing this weekend? Peter: What? There’s a lot of background noise – I can barely hear you. Ryan: Sorry about that – I’m at the train station. I was wondering if you wanted to go fishing this weekend. I’m heading up to Mountain Lake with some friends early tomorrow morning. Peter: Uh, hang on a sec, let me just check with my wife to make sure we have no other plans. Ryan: Sure. Peter: Okay, she’s given me the green light! Ryan: Sweet! We’ll pick you up at 6 tomorrow morning, is that OK? Peter: Yup. Do you need directions to my place? Ryan: Uh, you still living on Willow Street, near the community center? Peter: Yeah, that’s right. The yellow house, number 30. Ryan: Gotcha. I know how to get there. Peter: All right – see you tomorrow, then. Ryan: Take care. Peter: Bye.

Quiz - Telephone English Phrases Question 1 "Greentree Financial Services. How may I ________ your call? A connect B direct C hold Question 2 "I'm calling ________ a problem with a product I bought yesterday." A about B to C with Question 3 "I'm sorry, John's not in his office right now. Would you like to ________ a message?" A give B have C leave Question 4 "May I speak with Mrs. Black?" "Yes, of course. Please ________." A hang B hold C pause Question 5 "I'm sorry, the director has ________ for the day. You can call back in the morning." A left B out C went Question 6 "___________ I should get going. Talk to you later." A Although B Anyway C However Question 7 "I'm calling ________ find out more about your English courses." A about B for C to Question 8 "I'll get in ________ later this week." A back B care C touch Question 9 "How's it going?" ___________ A Great! B Nothing much. C Take care! Question 10 "Hey Bob, is Karen ________?" A here B present C there Question 11 "Actually, she's still at ____________. You can call her at the office." A job B occupation C work Question 12 "We have a bad connection. You're ___________ up." A breaking B catching C speaking Question 13 "_________ did you say?" A How B What C Which Question 14 "Could you speak a little __________?" A louder B noisier C stronger Question 15 "Can I talk to Henry?" "Sure - just a ______." A bit B min C sec