SPECIAL NEWS QUIZ: 2019 IN REVIEW

Happy Holidays!

Suggesting Ideas

In this activity you are going to listen to a dialogue between two friends planning a weekend break and practise asking for, making and responding to suggestions. The lesson plan also includes an animated video version of the dialogue, which can be played instead of the audio file. It also teaches vocabulary for describing and discussing ideas.

Alice and Simon are planning a weekend break. Listen to their conversation and answer the questions.
1. Why do they think Prague is a bad idea?
2. Why do they decide to go to Krakow?
3. What does George need to check before he can come?
4. Why do they prefer hostels to hotels?
5. Why do they decide to book the flight early?

Answers    Transcript 

ASKING FOR A SUGGESTION

(Where/What/Who) shall we/I...?

(Where/What/Who) do you have in mind?

What do you suggest we do?

MAKING A SUGGESTION

Why don't we...?

I was thinking about...

What about...?

What do you think about...?

I suggest we...

How about...?

ACCEPTING A SUGGESTION

I suppose we could do that. (unenthusiastic)

Yes, that might be worth trying.

That sounds like a good idea.

Right, that makes sense.

REJECTING A SUGGESTION

I'm not sure about that, to be honest.

I don't really think that's a good idea.

You must be joking! (strong)

ROLEPLAY

Work in pairs or groups. Take turns to select a situation from the list below and ask the other students for suggestions. You may invent additional details. Practise asking for, making, accepting and rejecting suggestions . Give reasons for rejecting ideas where necessary. 

1. You are going to a friend's birthday party, and you don't know what present to get him.
2. You need a new smartphone, and you don't know which model to buy.
3. You have won $50,000 in a lottery. You don't know what to do with the money.
4. You have a meeting with an old friend who you haven't seen in years. You want to take him/her out somewhere nice but you don't know where.
5. You want to watch a film or series on Netflix, but you don't know which one.
6. You have a free day tomorrow and you don't know what to do.
7. You have started a new job and you have to get up much earlier than usual. This is a problem for you.
8. You are not happy with your job.

Speaking Topics