Keeping aConversation Going
Follow-up questions · short reactions · natural fillers
Your level · You are here
Get Talking · Section 1
5 minStart the conversation
When does a conversation in English stop for you? What usually happens?
What's the last thing someone told you that made you say 'Really?' or 'No way!'?
Tell your partner ONE small fact about your week. They must ask THREE follow-ups.
Grammar · Section 2
8–10 minFollow-up questions: word order & form
- Follow-up questions keep a conversation alive.
- In Present Simple/Past Simple, use auxiliary do/does/did + base verb.
- With 'be' or modals, invert: 'Are you…?' 'Can you…?'.
- Short reaction questions ('Did you really? / Have you?') mirror the tense of what was just said.
A: I'm learning Japanese. — B: Oh really? How long have you been learning?
A: I went to Lisbon last summer. — B: Did you? Where did you stay?
A: I can't stand horror films. — B: Can't you? Why not?
A: I'm really into running these days. — B: Are you? How often do you go?
Question 1.A: 'I work in finance.' Choose the natural follow-up:
Question 2.A: 'I've been to India three times.' Choose the natural follow-up:
Question 3.Complete the follow-up: 'I went hiking at the weekend.' → '____ you? Where did you go?'
Question 4.Best filler before answering a hard question:
Build the sentence → spot the natural chunks → say it aloud → reply like a real conversation.
1.Rebuild the sentence — then say it aloud.
2.Rebuild the sentence — then say it aloud.
3.Rebuild the sentence — then say it aloud.
Quick check 1.Which is NOT a natural follow-up?
Vocabulary · Section 3
5–7 minWords & phrases to learn
Tell me more.
polite, encouraging way to ask for details
In context
"Oh really? Tell me more — when did you start?"
Now try it yourself
Your partner shares one piece of news. Reply with 'Tell me more' + a specific follow-up question.
How come?
informal way of asking 'why?'
In context
"You're learning Korean? How come?"
Now try it yourself
Ask your partner 'How come?' about something on their desk, phone or bag right now.
What's that like?
asks for a description of an experience
In context
"You work night shifts? What's that like?"
Now try it yourself
Ask 'What's that like?' about something your partner does that you've never tried.
Really?
shows interest / mild surprise
In context
"Really? I had no idea you played the violin."
Now try it yourself
React with 'Really?' to two true facts your partner tells you — each time, add a follow-up.
No way!
shows strong surprise (informal)
In context
"No way! You actually met her in person?"
Now try it yourself
Share something genuinely surprising about yourself so your partner naturally says 'No way!'.
Hang on a sec…
buys thinking time politely
In context
"Hang on a sec… let me think about that properly."
Now try it yourself
Use 'Hang on a sec…' before answering the next hard question your partner asks you.
Pick at least three words from above and use each one in a sentence about your real life. Say each one aloud before you write.
Ask your teacher (or a partner) a question that uses one of today's words. They reply using a different word.
Rank today's words from most to least useful for you this week. Defend your top choice.
Finish: "Honestly, I'd say…" using one of today's words.
Tip: aim to reuse at least two of these words later in the Speaking and Writing tasks.
Tap an item on the left, then tap its match on the right.
Pronunciation · Section 4
3–4 minRising intonation in short reaction questions
Short reaction questions like 'Did you? / Have you? / Are you really?' usually rise at the end, showing interest. Falling intonation can sound flat or even sarcastic.
- • Did you? ↗ (interested)
- • Have you? ↗ (interested)
- • Are you really? ↗ (encouraging)
- • Oh… did you. ↘ (sounds bored — avoid!)
Reading · Section 5
8–10 minWhy conversations die — and how to save them
Most learners stop a conversation without realising. They give a full, correct answer — and then wait silently for the next question. That's not how English speakers usually talk. A natural exchange is more like a tennis rally: hit, react, hit back, react again.
Three small habits make a huge difference. Firstly, react before you reply: 'Oh really? That's interesting.' Secondly, ask a quick follow-up: 'How come? How long?'. Thirdly, bounce the question back: 'How about you?' Try one of these in every exchange and your English will instantly feel more natural — even if your grammar is the same.
Question 1.What mistake do many learners make in conversation, according to the text?
Question 2.Which of the three habits involves saying 'How about you?'
Question 3.What does the writer mean by saying your English will feel more natural 'even if your grammar is the same'?
Question 4.Why does the writer say learners 'stop a conversation without realising'?
Q1.A natural conversation is like a tennis rally.
Q2.The article says you must improve grammar before fluency improves.
Listening · Section 6
8–10 minTwo friends catching up after a long break
Listening audio
Tap play to listen. Replay as many times as you need.
Show transcript
Isla:So, how have you been? It's been ages!
George:Yeah, far too long. I've actually just moved flat, so it's been a bit chaotic.
Isla:Have you? Whereabouts?
George:Just up the road, near the park. It's much quieter than the old place.
Isla:Oh nice. And what made you decide to move?
George:Honestly? The neighbours. They were lovely, but unbelievably loud.
Isla:No way! How long did you put up with that?
George:About a year. Anyway, what about you? Anything new?
Isla:Well, I've started a pottery class, of all things.
George:Pottery? That's brilliant. What's that like?
Question 1.Why did George move to a new flat?
Question 2.How long did George put up with the noise before moving?
Question 3.When George says his neighbours were 'lovely, but unbelievably loud,' what does he imply?
Question 4.George reacts to Isla's pottery news by saying 'That's brilliant' and asking 'What's that like?' What does this show?
Exam tip · Section 7
5 minSpeaking Part 1 / 3 — keeping the conversation alive
Task
After answering a personal question, add a reaction and ask a follow-up.
Strategy
Answer + small reason or example + bounce back. Examiners reward learners who treat the exam like a real conversation, not a test.
Example
Q: Do you enjoy cooking? — A: Yeah, I really do, especially at the weekend when I've got more time. I usually try one new recipe every Sunday. Do you enjoy cooking yourself?
Practice · Section 8
8–10 minFill in the blank
Question 1.A: 'I've just got back from Japan.' B: '____ you? How was it?'
Question 2.A: 'I can't stand small talk.' B: '____ you? How come?'
Question 3.A: 'I started a new job last month.' B: '____ you? Whereabouts?'
Question 4.A: 'I'm thinking of moving abroad.' B: '____ you? Where to?'
There isn't one "right" answer — write a natural version, then compare with the model.
Q1.React + follow up: 'I've just adopted a puppy.'
Q2.React + follow up: 'I cycled to work today.'
Q3.Bounce back: 'I love thrillers.' →
Writing · Section 9
5 minPut it in writing
Your task
Write a short 6-turn WhatsApp-style conversation (Person A and Person B) where Person B keeps the conversation alive using at least 3 follow-up techniques.
Your answer
Your work saves automatically0 words
Show model answer
A: I've just signed up for a half-marathon. B: Have you?! That's brilliant. When is it? A: In about three months, in October. B: How are you training for it? A: I'm running three times a week and doing yoga at the weekend. B: Sounds intense — I really admire that. How are you feeling about it?
Speaking · Section 10
10–15 minMake it a real conversation
With your teacher (or a partner), A shares ONE piece of recent personal news. B must keep the conversation going for at least 6 turns using reactions, follow-ups and a 'bounce back'. Then swap roles. Group extension: rotate so each student shares the same news with a new listener and notices what changes.
Useful phrases
- • Oh really? / No way!
- • Have you? / Did you? / Are you?
- • How come? / What's that like?
- • How long have you been doing that?
- • How about you?
Speaking reflection & notes
Your work saves automatically0 words
- AI'm learning to drive at the moment.
- B_______________
- AHonestly, it's harder than I expected. The roundabouts!
- B_______________
Homework · Section 11
Take-homeTake it home
Record a 1-minute conversation with a partner / yourself, using at least 5 different follow-up phrases.
Find a short English podcast clip (1–2 mins) and write down 3 reaction phrases the speakers use.
Write 4 mini-dialogues (A says something / B reacts + follow-up).
Homework notes
Your work saves automatically0 words
Recap · Section 12
2–3 minWhat you've learned
- A natural conversation is a rally, not a one-shot answer.
- React first (Really? / No way! / That's interesting).
- Ask a follow-up (How come? / How long? / Tell me more).
- Use rising intonation in short reaction questions.
- Always bounce back: How about you?