Module 02 —Keeping a Conversation Going
Speaking 4 discussion · Listening 2 longer dialogue · everyday interaction language
PET parts in this lesson · mixed-skill spiral
Why this lesson now? Recycles Speaking 4 and Listening 2 from Lesson 02.
CEFR Pathway · You are here
Get ready · 01
5 minGet talking
In pairs, ask 'Do you enjoy shopping?' — partner answers in a MINIMUM of 3 sentences (yes/no + reason + example). One-line answers lose marks in Speaking Part 4.
After your 3-sentence answer, end with 'How about you?'. PET examiners reward candidates who make Part 4 feel like a real exchange, not two separate speeches.
Listen to your partner's answer and ask ONE genuine follow-up question about it before moving on. Can you keep a topic going for a full minute?
Grammar for the Exam · 02
8–10 minFollow-up questions — turning an answer into a conversation
React first ('Really? / Oh, nice!'), then ask a follow-up that uses a question word or an auxiliary from what you just heard.
In Speaking Part 4 the examiner gives you and your partner a topic and then goes quiet. The exam rewards candidates who keep the exchange alive themselves. The easiest way to do this is the follow-up question: take one detail from your partner's answer and ask about it. If they say 'I went to a great restaurant last weekend', don't just say 'nice' — ask 'What did you have?' or 'Who did you go with?'. Follow-up questions also work with reaction questions that mirror the auxiliary you just heard: 'I've started swimming' → 'Have you? How often do you go?'
→ A: 'I bought a new phone last week.' B: 'Did you? What made you choose that one?'
→ A: 'I'm learning to cook properly at the moment.' B: 'Are you? What have you made so far?'
→ A: 'I hate queuing in shops.' B: 'Do you? What do you usually do instead?'
Question 1.A: 'I've just joined a gym.' Choose the best follow-up:
Question 2.A: 'I went to a concert on Saturday.' Choose the best follow-up:
Question 3.A: 'I'm thinking of changing my hairstyle.' Choose the best follow-up:
Question 4.Which turn keeps the conversation moving BEST?
Question 5.'How about you?' is used to…
Quick check 1.Which answer would score HIGHEST for Organising your ideas in Speaking Part 4?
Exam Vocabulary · 03
5–7 minWords & phrases to own
to meet and talk after not seeing someone for a while
Who would you like to catch up with soon?
polite, informal conversation about unimportant things
Name one topic you always use for small talk.
to introduce a topic in a conversation
What's a topic you'd never bring up with a stranger?
to continue communicating with someone regularly
How do you keep in touch with old friends?
to start talking about something different
Why might someone change the subject during a chat?
an uncomfortable pause when nobody is speaking
How do you fill an awkward silence?
to have a friendly relationship with someone
Who do you get on well with at work or school?
to share similar interests or experiences
Do you and your best friend have a lot in common?
Tap an item on the left, then tap its match on the right.
Activation · Personalise · Recycle
Use every phrase out loud before moving on — recognition alone won't help you in Speaking Part 4.
Ask your partner
- Who do you need to catch up with?
- How do you keep in touch with people who live far away?
- Do you have a lot in common with your best friend?
"When there's an awkward silence, I usually…"awkward silence
Do you think small talk is useful, or a waste of time? Give a reason.
Give your answer + one reason.
Write 35 words about a conversation you had recently — what topics came up and how it went.
Pronunciation for Speaking · 04
3–4 minRising tone of voice on reaction questions
Short reaction questions ('Did you? / Have you? / Are you?') rise at the end — falling tone of voice sounds bored or sarcastic.
- • Have you? ↗
- • Did you really? ↗
- • How about you? ↗
- • Oh, did you. ↘ — avoid this flat version
Reading Skills · 05
8–10 minReading Part 3 — Why some conversations just flow
Have you ever noticed that some people never seem to run out of things to say, while a chat with someone else quickly runs dry? Researchers who study conversation say the difference usually isn't about being interesting — it's about technique.
The first habit good conversationalists share is reacting before replying. Instead of jumping straight to their own point, they show they've listened with a small reaction — 'Oh really? / No way! / That's great.' This tiny pause tells the other person their words mattered.
The second habit is asking a genuine follow-up question rather than changing the subject. If a friend mentions a new hobby, a good listener asks 'How did you get into that?' instead of talking about their own weekend. This keeps one topic alive long enough for a real exchange to develop.
The third habit is the bounce-back: after answering a question themselves, they return it — 'That's my plan, anyway. What about you?' It costs nothing but doubles the amount of conversation you get in return.
None of these habits needs advanced vocabulary or perfect grammar. They just need attention. That, more than anything, is the real secret to keeping a conversation going.
Question 1.According to the text, what is the real difference between good and poor conversationalists?
Question 2.What is the first habit mentioned?
Question 3.What does a good listener do when a friend mentions a new hobby?
Question 4.What is the 'bounce-back'?
1.Why has Priya written?
CONVERSATION CLUB — drop in any Tuesday, 7–8pm. No booking needed, just come along.
2.What does the notice tell people?
Sorry I was quiet at dinner — long day at work. Let's properly catch up at the weekend instead!
3.What does the writer suggest?
4.What should members bring to the session?
SILENT READING HOUR
Wednesdays 5–6pm — no talking please, just reading and coffee. Chat freely before and after.
5.What does the poster ask customers to do during the hour?
Listening Skills · 06
8–10 minListening Part 2 — Two neighbours chatting after a long time (longer dialogue)
Listening audio
Tap play to listen. Replay as many times as you need.
Show transcript
Nadia:Ben! I haven't seen you in ages — how have you been?
Ben:Really good, thanks. Busy, though — I've just started a new job.
Nadia:Have you? What kind of job is it?
Ben:I'm working at a design studio in town, actually. It's smaller than my last place, but everyone's really friendly.
Nadia:That sounds great. What made you decide to move jobs?
Ben:Honestly, my old company kept changing my hours with no warning, and it made it impossible to plan anything. This place is much more relaxed about that.
Nadia:I don't blame you. Anyway — how's your sister? I heard she moved abroad.
Ben:She did, yes — she's living in Canada now. We video call most weekends, so we've actually stayed pretty close despite the distance.
Nadia:That's lovely. And are you still doing your pottery classes?
Ben:I am, though only once a month now instead of every week — the new job doesn't leave much free time. I still love it, though.
Question 1.1. Why did Ben change jobs?
Question 2.2. How does Ben feel about his new workplace?
Question 3.3. Where is Ben's sister now?
Question 4.4. How do Ben and his sister stay close?
Question 5.5. How often does Ben do pottery now?
Question 6.6. What does Ben say about his new job's effect on his free time?
Exam Strategy · 07
5 minSpeaking Part 4 — general conversation between the two candidates (≈3 minutes)
React + opinion + reason + bounce back.
Task
The examiner gives one topic linked to the Part 3 photos (e.g. 'keeping in touch with people'). The two candidates discuss it between themselves while the examiner stays silent.
Example
Q: 'Do you prefer keeping in touch by messaging or calling?' A: 'Well, I'd say messaging, to be honest — it's quicker and I can reply when I have time. I do call my grandparents though, because they find texting difficult. How about you?'
Writing Task · 08
5 minPut it in writing
Q1.Complete: 'A: I'm learning Italian. B: Are ____? How's it going?'
Q2.Make a follow-up question: your partner says 'I started a new hobby.'
Write a short message (35–45 words) to an old friend, suggesting you catch up and asking one follow-up question about their life.
Your writing draft
0 words SavedShow model answer & examiner comment
Hi Tom! It's been way too long — we really need to catch up. I heard you started a new job, so I'd love to hear how it's going. Are you free for coffee this Saturday? Let me know what suits you!
Examiner comment
| 5 | All content points covered; consistent style; range of structures; minor errors only. |
| 3 | Content mostly covered; mostly suitable style; some range; errors don't stop the reader understanding. |
| 1 | Limited content; intrusive errors; very basic structures; under-length. |
Speaking Task · 09
10–15 minMake it a real conversation
Speaking Part 4 simulation: examiner gives the topic 'keeping in touch with friends and family', then stays silent for 3 minutes. Candidates must keep the conversation going with reactions, opinions, reasons and bounce-backs.
Examiner
"Talk to each other about the different ways of keeping in touch shown above. Then decide which two are the best."
Discuss together
What's the best way to keep in touch with people who live far away?
Now decide together
Agree together on the TWO best methods and explain your reasons to the class.
Useful discussion language
- AI've just started volunteering at an animal shelter.
- B_______________
- AHonestly, I wanted to do something useful with my weekends.
- B_______________
Candidate A — Chatting at a café
Need help? Show prompts (try describing with no help first)
- • What can you see?
- • Where are they?
- • What do you think they're talking about?
- • How do they seem to feel?
- • Do you often chat with friends outdoors?
Candidate B — Walking and talking in a park
Need help? Show prompts (try describing with no help first)
- • What can you see?
- • How many people are there?
- • What might they be discussing?
- • How do they look?
- • Do you enjoy talking while you walk?
Useful phrases
- • In the photo I can see…
- • It looks as if…
- • They seem to be…
- • In the background…
- • I think they're probably…
Show model 1-minute description
In the photo I can see two people sitting outside a café, each with a drink in front of them. They're leaning towards each other, so it looks as if they're having a relaxed chat, maybe catching up after a while. They both seem happy and relaxed — I'd say they're good friends.
Optional · Teacher-led
Teacher Activities
Use these if the Part 4 discussion practice finishes early. ~14 min total
Homework · 10
Take-homeTake it home
Self-study — everything you need is included below. All four skills are covered so you keep the spiral going between lessons; pick the order that suits you.
Record yourself doing a 2-minute Speaking Part 4 mock on the topic 'catching up with friends'. Include at least four reaction/follow-up phrases from the lesson.
Your response
0 words SavedMaterials included
Prompt
Attempt the task first, then check your answers.
Rewrite these flat answers as full Speaking Part 4 exchanges with a reaction, a reason and a bounce-back.
Your response
0 words SavedMaterials included
Flat answers to expand
Attempt the task first, then check your answers.
Listening Part 2 practice: read the Nadia/Ben script aloud twice, then answer the six questions from memory before checking.
Your response
0 words SavedMaterials included
Task
Attempt the task first, then check your answers.
Recap · 11
2–3 minWhat you've learned
- Speaking Part 4 = 3-minute candidate-to-candidate discussion; going silent caps your Organising your ideas score.
- Turn formula: react + opinion with a reason + bounce back ('How about you?').
- Reaction questions must mirror the auxiliary you heard: 'I've…' → 'Have you?'; 'I went…' → 'Did you?'; 'I'm…' → 'Are you?'.
- Follow-up questions keep a topic alive — take one detail from your partner's answer and ask about it.
- New vocabulary to reuse: catch up, small talk, bring up, keep in touch, get on well, have a lot in common.