This book lets you learn almost 4,000 most important English words and more than 2,000 common phrases by using them in conversations on various topics. The vocabulary ensures efficient communication in everyday situations at home, on the street, in class, at work, on a trip, and so on. New words and phrases are highlighted in bold in the text and are listed below each conversation. The tutorial can be used by learners of English as a second language when preparing for English language tests such as TOEFL or IELTS. It might also be useful for teachers of English as a foreign language who wish to create real-life situations in class. All conversations are original and fully written by the author, and edited by David Christian in the USA.

Greetings and Farewells

1. Hey there!

(Informal style.)

Hey there!

Hi!

How are you?

I’m fine. You?

Not bad.

Glad to hear that!

See you!

Bye!

* * *

Words

am (base form: be), and, are (base form: be), bad, farewell, fine, glad, greeting, hear, hey, hi, how, I’m = I am, informal, not, see, style, that, there, to, you

* * *

Phrases

greetings and farewells

informal style

I’m fine

not bad

glad to hear

see you

2. Hello!

(Formal style.)

Hello! It’s good to see you!

Likewise. How are you doing?

I am doing great. How are you?

I’m good, too. How’s your family?

Not bad. How’s your spouse?

She’s doing great.

Give her my best wishes.

Thank you! See you soon!

* * *

Words

best (base form: good), do, doing (base form: do), family, formal, give, good, great, hello, her (base form: she), how’s = how is, is (base form: be), it’s = it is, likewise, my, she’s = she is, soon, spouse, thank, too, wish, your (base form: you)

* * *

Phrases

It’s (= It is) good to…

How’s (= How is) your…

I am / she is doing great

Give her…

best wishes

thank you

see you soon

3. Good morning!

Good morning!

Morning.

Did you get enough sleep?

Not really.

Why did you get up so early?

I have a lot of work to do.

Good luck to you!

Thank you!

* * *

Words

a, did (base form: do), early, enough, get, have, lot, luck, morning, of, really, sleep, so, up, why, work

* * *

Phrases

good morning

not really

get up

I have…

a lot of

a lot of work to do

Good luck to…

4. Good afternoon!

Good afternoon!

Afternoon!

Where are you going?

To the cafe. I have a meal break.

May I join you?

Of course! What will you have?

A sandwich and a cup of coffee. You?

A cake and a glass of juice.

* * *

Words

afternoon, break, cafe, cake, coffee, course, cup, glass, going (base form: go), join, juice, may, meal, sandwich, the, what, where, will

* * *

Phrases

good afternoon

to the cafe

a meal break

join you

of course

a cup of coffee

a glass of juice

5. Good evening!

Good evening!

Evening!

How was your day?

All right.

Any news?

Nothing much. Are you tired?

Yes, I’m tired. I want to sleep.

Go to bed. Good night!

* * *

Words

all, any, bed, day, evening, go, much, news, night, nothing, right, tire, tired, want, was (base form: be), yes

* * *

Phrases

good evening

How was…

all right

nothing much

I’m tired

I want to…

go to bed

good night

6. How do I greet a stranger?

How do I greet a stranger?

Say to him, “Good morning, sir!”

What if it’s a woman, not a man?

Then say to her, “Good morning, madam”!

What if we met after noon?

Use the phrase “Good afternoon”.

When can I say “Good evening”?

Perhaps after five p.m.

* * *

Words

a.m., after, can, five, greet, him (base form: he), if, madam, man, meet, met, noon, p.m., perhaps, phrase, say, sir, stranger, then, use, we, when, woman

* * *

Phrases

How do I…

greet a stranger

say to him/her

What if…

not a man

after noon

Use the phrase…

When can I…

after five p.m.

Acquaintance

7. What’s your name?

(Informal style.)

What’s your name?

Anna. What’s yours?

Mark. Where are you from?

Russia. How about you?

I’m from the United States.

What city are you from?

New York. You?

Moscow.

* * *

Words

about, Anna, city, from, Mark, Moscow, name, new, Russia, state, states, unite, united, what’s = what is, York, yours

* * *

Phrases

your name

How about…

the United States

What city…

I’m from…

8. What is your first name?

(Formal style.)

What is your first name?

Mark.

What is your last name?

Black.

Where do you come from?

I come from the USA.

Where do you reside now?

In Moscow.

* * *

Words

first, last, black, come, USA, reside, now, in

* * *

Phrases

first name

last name

come from

the USA

9. Where were you born?

(Informal style.)

Where were you born?

In Moscow.

When were you born?

In April 2000. How about you?

I was born in 1995 in London.

So you’re English, aren’t you?

Yes. What’s your nationality?

Russian.

* * *

Words

April, aren’t = are not, born (base form: bear), English, London, nationality, Russian, were (base form: be), you’re = you are

* * *

Phrases

Where were you…

When were you…

in April

I was born in…

in London

you’re English

your nationality

10. What is your citizenship?

(Formal style.)

What is your citizenship?

Russia.

Your place of birth, please.

St. Petersburg.

What is your date of birth?

The first of January, 1986.

What is your home address?

Nevsky Avenue, 74.

* * *

Words

address, avenue, birth, citizenship, date, home, January, Nevsky, Petersburg, place, please, St. = Saint

* * *

Phrases

place/date of birth

St. Petersburg = Saint Petersburg

the first of January

home address

Nevsky Avenue

11. Where do you live?

Where do you live?

In a small town. How about you?

In a village.

Do you have a house?

Yes, I do. What about you?

No, I don’t. I live in an apartment.

Do you live alone?

No, there are four of us.

* * *

Words

alone, an, apartment, don’t = do not, four, house, live, no, small, town, us, village

* * *

Phrases

in a small town

in a village

have a house

No, I don’t

live in an apartment

live alone

there are…

four of us

12. How old are you?

How old are you?

Eighteen. I’m an adult already!

I’m older than you!

How many years older?

Eight!

So, are you twenty-six?

Yes, I will be twenty-seven soon.

That can’t be! You look younger.

* * *

Words

adult, already, can’t = cannot, eight, eighteen, look, many, old, older, than, twenty-seven, twenty-six, year, young, younger

* * *

Phrases

How old…

older than

I will be…

can’t be

look younger

13. Have you finished school?

Have you finished school?

Yes, I finished it last year.

Do you work?

No, I entered college.

What is your specialty?

Construction.

Do you like studying?

Oh yes, very much.

* * *

Words

college, construction, enter, finish, it, like, oh, school, specialty, study, studying, very

* * *

Phrases

finish school

finished school

last year

enter college

entered college

your specialty

like studying

very much

14. What’s your level of education?

What’s your level of education?

I graduated from university.

What is your profession?

I’m a designer.

Why did you choose this profession?

I chose it because I like to draw.

How long have you been drawing?

Since I was a kid.

* * *

Words

because, been (base form: be), choose, chose, designer, draw, education, graduate, kid, level, long, profession, since, this, university

* * *

Phrases

level of education

graduate from university

graduated from university

your profession

choose this profession

How long have you been…

Since I was…

15. What do you do for a living?

What do you do for a living?

I’m an engineer. How about you?

I’m a doctor. Where do you work?

For a construction company. You?

At a hospital.

Do you like the job?

Yes, very much. You?

No, I want to change my profession.

* * *

Words

at, change, company, doctor, engineer, for, hospital, job, living

* * *

Phrases

What do you do…

for a living

for a construction company

like the job

at a hospital

change my profession

16. Do you speak Russian?

Do you speak Russian?

Of course! It’s my native language.

Do you know any foreign languages?

Yes, I do. English, Spanish, and French.

What about German?

No, I don’t speak German.

What other language would you like to learn?

Chinese. I really enjoy learning languages!

* * *

Words

Chinese, enjoy, foreign, French, German, know, language, learn, learning, native, other, Spanish, speak, would

* * *

Phrases

Do you speak…

speak Russian

my native language

Do you know any…

foreign languages

I don’t speak…

other language

enjoy learning

Family

17. Do you have a family?

Do you have a family?

Yes, I have a large family.

Do you live with your parents?

No, they have their own home.

What does your father do?

He’s a musician.

And your mother?

She’s a teacher of English. I want to take up teaching, too!

* * *

Words

does, father, he’s = he is, large, mother, musician, own, parent, take, teach, teacher, teaching, their, they, with

* * *

Phrases

have a family

have a large family

live with

their own home

your father

your mother

a teacher of English

take up teaching

18. Are you married?

Are you married?

I’m single. How about you?

I’m married. I got married five years ago.

Do you have any children?

Yes, two children.

Boys or girls?

One boy and one girl.

A wife, a son and a daughter! That’s a nice family!

* * *

Words

ago, boy, child, children, daughter, girl, got (base form: get), married, marry, nice, one, or, single, son, that’s = that is, two, wife, wives

* * *

Phrases

I’m single

I’m married

I got married

five years ago

any children

two children

boys or girls

one boy

one girl

a nice family

19. What is your husband’s name?

What is your husband’s name?

Mark. And your wife’s name?

Anna. What does Mark do?

He’s a lawyer. What about Anna?

An economist, but she is not working right now.

Why not?

We have recently had a baby.

Congratulations!

* * *

Words

baby, but, congratulation, economist, had (base form: have), husband, lawyer, recent, recently, she

* * *

Phrases

your husband’s name

your wife’s name

is not working

right now

why not

We have recently had…

20. Who looks after your infant?

Who looks after your infant?

My wife and I do.

Do you have a nanny?

No, we manage ourselves.

How often do you feed the baby?

Several times a day.

Do you get enough sleep?

To tell the truth, no. We have to get up often at night!

* * *

Words

feed, infant, manage, nanny, often, ourselves, several, tell, time, truth, who

* * *

Phrases

Who looks after…

my wife and I

manage ourselves

How often do you…

feed the baby

several times a day

get enough sleep

To tell the truth…

get up at night

get up often at night

21. Do you have any brothers or sisters?

Do you have any brothers or sisters?

I have an older brother. What about you?

I have a younger sister.

How old is she?

Nineteen.

Is she married?

No, she isn’t. Is your brother married?

He used to be married. Now he is divorced. Many marriages end in divorce nowadays!

* * *

Words

brother, divorce, end, he, isn’t = is not, marriage, nineteen, nowadays, sister

* * *

Phrases

brothers or sisters

an older brother

a younger sister

is married

isn’t married

He used to be…

is divorced

end in divorce

22. Are your grandparents alive?

Are your grandparents alive?

Yes, but not all of them. One grandfather died. He is buried in his village.

So you have two grandmothers and one grandfather?

Yes, and one great-grandmother.

Wow! How old is she?

One hundred and two years. She is a widow.

Who’s taking care of her?

No one. She’s in good health!

* * *

Words

alive, buried, bury, care, die, grandfather, grandmother, grandparent, great-grandmother, health, his (base form: he), hundred, them, who’s = who is, widow, wow

* * *

Phrases

all of them

not all of them

is buried in

one hundred and two

take care of

taking care of

no one

be in good health

23. Do you have an aunt or an uncle?

Do you have an aunt or an uncle?

I have one aunt and one uncle.

Where do they live?

In this town.

Do you see each other often?

Once or twice a year.

Why is it so rare?

Because we have no free time!

* * *

Words

aunt, each, free, once, rare, twice, uncle

* * *

Phrases

an aunt or an uncle

one aunt and one uncle

each other

see each other

once or twice

once a year

twice a year

have free time

have no free time

24. How many nephews do you have?

How many nephews do you have?

Not a single one. You?

Two. They’re my brother’s kids.

Do you have any nieces?

Only one. She’s my sister’s daughter.

Well, I have three nieces.

Whose children are they?

My only sister’s.

* * *

Words

nephew, niece, only, they’re = they are, three, well, whose

* * *

Phrases

not a single one

my brother’s kids

only one

my sister’s daughter

three nieces

Whose children…

my only sister

my only sister’s

25. Do you have any cousins?

Do you have any cousins?

Yes, I do. Two girls and two boys.

Do they live in this city?

No, in the country.

Are they older or younger than you?

One girl is older. The rest are younger.

Are you on good terms with them?

Yes, I’ve known them since I was a kid!

* * *

Words

country, cousin, I’ve = I have, known, on, rest, terms

* * *

Phrases

two girls and two boys

in this city

in the country

younger than

older or younger than

the rest

on good terms with

I’ve known them since

26. Do you love your relatives?

Do you love your relatives?

Yes, but not all of them.

Who do you love most?

Mom and dad.

Do you hate anyone?

No, I have no enemies.

Do you love me?

Yes, auntie!

* * *

Words

anyone, auntie, dad, enemies, enemy, hate, love, me, mom, most, relative

* * *

Phrases

love your relatives

mom and dad

Do you hate…

have no enemies

love me

27. Does your neighbor have a family?

Does your neighbor have a family?

No, he’s an orphan.

Has he ever been married?

As far as I know, no.

That’s weird. He’s cute!

Yes, and he’s got a good job!

Can you introduce me to him?

Yes, I can!

* * *

Words

as, cute, ever, far, has (base form: have), introduce, neighbor, orphan, weird

* * *

Phrases

Has he ever been…

As far as I know…

that’s weird = that is weird

he’s got = he has got

introduce me to

28. Did your best friend have a happy childhood?

Did your best friend have a happy childhood?

No, her real mother abandoned her as an infant.

Why did she do so?

Nobody knows. Multiple attempts to contact the mother were not successful.

Who brought up your friend?

She grew up in an orphan home. Luckily, a married couple adopted her as a teenager.

How old was she at that time?

Thirteen. She had to establish new family bonds. Just imagine for a moment how hard it was for a teenage girl!

* * *

Words

abandon, adopt, attempt, bond, brought (base form: bring), childhood, contact, couple, establish, friend, grew, happy, hard, imagine, just, luckily, moment, multiple, nobody, real, successful, teenage, teenager, thirteen

* * *

Phrases

best friend

a happy childhood

as an infant

nobody knows

attempts to contact

bring up

brought up

grow up

grew up

a married couple

as a teenager

family bonds

Just imagine…

for a moment

29. Are you going to marry your girlfriend?

Are you going to marry your girlfriend?

Yes, I’m engaged to her.

When is your wedding day?

We haven’t settled on a date yet.

Does she have a family?

Yes, her parents and a twin sister.

Can you distinguish the sisters from each other easily?

It was hard when I first made their acquaintance. Now the difference between them is obvious!

* * *

Words

acquaintance, between, difference, distinguish, easily, engage, girlfriend, haven’t = have not, made, obvious, settle, twin, wedding, yet

* * *

Phrases

to marry your girlfriend

engaged to her

your wedding day

haven’t (= have not) settled on a date

a twin sister

from each other

made their acquaintance

the difference between them

30. Were there many guests at the marriage ceremony?

Were there many guests at the marriage ceremony?

A few dozen. The bride’s and groom’s families and friends.

Did young and old folks attend the wedding, too?

Yes, there were all generations, from the juniors to the seniors.

The ceremony cost them a fortune, didn’t it?

Indeed, they exceeded their household budgets.

Did they have to borrow money for the wedding?

To my knowledge, yes. Everybody was happy, though!

* * *

Words

attend, borrow, bride, budget, ceremony, cost, didn’t = did not, dozen, everybody, exceed, few, folk, fortune, generation, groom, guest, household, indeed, junior, knowledge, money, senior, though

* * *

Phrases

many guests

at the marriage ceremony

a few dozen

the bride’s and groom’s families

young and old folks

attend the wedding

all generations

from the juniors to the seniors

cost them a fortune

household budgets

to borrow money

To my knowledge…

31. Why do married people wear rings?

Why do married people wear rings?

They want to demonstrate to everybody that they are taken.

Can the rings link people on a spiritual level?

Hardly. I don’t believe in magic. Nevertheless, it is a symbol of their commitment to each other.

Which finger should I wear a wedding ring on?

On the ring finger of your left hand.

May I wear other rings on all ten fingers?

It’s up to you.

* * *

Words

believe, commitment, demonstrate, finger, hand, hardly, left, link, magic, nevertheless, people, ring, should, spiritual, symbol, taken, ten, wear, which

* * *

Phrases

wear rings

demonstrate to everybody

link people

on a spiritual level

I don’t believe in…

commitment to each other

wear a wedding ring

the ring finger

left hand

ten fingers

up to you

Fundamental Needs

32. I want to eat

I want to eat.

Buy yourself some food.

Shall I buy anything for you?

No, I’m not hungry.

Are you thirsty?

A little.

What would you like to drink? Shall I buy you some juice?

No, I’ll drink some mineral water.

* * *

Words

anything, buy, drink, eat, food, fundamental, hungry, I’ll = I shall/will, little, mineral, need, shall, some, thirsty, water, yourself

* * *

Phrases

some food

anything for you

I’m not hungry

a little

What would you like to…

some juice

buy some juice

mineral water

drink some mineral water

33. I’m cold

I’m cold.

Put on your leather jacket!

I’ll be hot again.

Don’t zip it up.

Why aren’t you wearing a jacket?

I’m warm.

But you’re dressed lightly!

Don’t worry, I won’t catch a cold.

* * *

Words

again, catch, cold, dress, hot, jacket, leather, lightly, put, warm, won’t = will not, worry, zip

* * *

Phrases

I’m cold

put on

leather jacket

I’ll be hot = I will be hot

zip up

wearing a jacket

I’m warm = I am warm

dressed lightly

don’t worry = do not worry

catch a cold

34. It’s hard for me to breathe

It’s hard for me to breathe.

Are we going too fast?

Yes, we are. I am tired.

Let’s stop.

No, let’s just walk slower.

Okay. Breathe deeply!

I am. Aren’t you tired?

No, I’m used to walking fast.

* * *

Words

breathe, deep, deeply, fast, let’s = let us, okay, slow, slower, stop, walk

* * *

Phrases

It’s hard for me to…

too fast

I am tired

let’s stop = let us stop

walk slowly

walk slower

breathe deeply

I’m used to…

walking fast

35. Where’s the bathroom?

Where’s the bathroom?

Over there.

Is it payable?

Yes, prepare the money.

Where is the entrance to the men’s?

I think it’s on the right.

A woman came out of there!

So it’s the women’s then. The men’s is on the left.

* * *

Words

bathroom, came, entrance, men’s, out, over, payable, prepare, think, where’s = where is, women’s

* * *

Phrases

over there

prepare the money

entrance to

on the right

came out of

on the left

36. I want to sleep

I want to sleep.

It’s too early.

Really? What time is it now?

Eight o’clock in the evening.

What time do you usually go to bed?

At eleven o’clock in the evening.

What time do you get up?

At seven in the morning.

* * *

Words

eleven, o’clock, seven, usually

* * *

Phrases

want to sleep

too early

eight o’clock

in the evening

What time do you usually…

at eleven o’clock

in the morning

37. Do you have a family?

Do you have a family?

Yes, I have my parents, brother and sister.

Are your neighbors good?

Yes, they are all nice people.

How about friends?

I have some.

It looks like you have everything for a happy life!

Yes, I agree!

* * *

Words

agree, everything, life

* * *

Phrases

nice people

It looks like…

have everything for

a happy life

I agree

38. Do you have a boyfriend?

Do you have a boyfriend?

I had one, but we broke up.

For what reason?

We didn’t get along. Do you have a girlfriend?

Yes, we just met.

Do you love each other?

Yes, we do. I fell in love with her at first sight. We’re getting married!

I’m happy for you. Congratulations!

12 След.