📝 Unit 4: Let's Talk
Dialogues · question forms · polite requests · agreement · future perfect
Task 1 — Form the question (5 marks)
(5 marks)
Complete the question to fit the underlined answer. The first
one is done for you.
(1) Mr. Perera teaches English. → Who teaches English? (example)
(2) She has lived in Galle for ten years. → How long ........... ?
(3) The bus leaves at 6.30 a.m. → What time ........... ?
(4) They went to the museum yesterday. → Where ........... ?
(5) Nimali is reading a Sinhala novel. → What ........... ?
(6) My father drives a blue Toyota. → What kind ........... ?
one is done for you.
(1) Mr. Perera teaches English. → Who teaches English? (example)
(2) She has lived in Galle for ten years. → How long ........... ?
(3) The bus leaves at 6.30 a.m. → What time ........... ?
(4) They went to the museum yesterday. → Where ........... ?
(5) Nimali is reading a Sinhala novel. → What ........... ?
(6) My father drives a blue Toyota. → What kind ........... ?
(2) How long has she lived in Galle?
(3) What time does the bus leave?
(4) Where did they go yesterday?
(5) What is Nimali reading?
(6) What kind of car does your father drive?
5 marks.
(3) What time does the bus leave?
(4) Where did they go yesterday?
(5) What is Nimali reading?
(6) What kind of car does your father drive?
5 marks.
Task 2 — Dialogue fill-in (5 marks)
(5 marks)
Fill in the blanks using the words in the box. The first one is done for you.
Word box: could · please · welcome · wait · message · sorry
Receptionist: Good morning, Hilltop Hotel. How may I help you?
Caller : Good morning. (1) ...Could... I speak to Mr. Rajan in room 204,
(2) ...........?
Receptionist: I'm (3) ........... sir, Mr. Rajan is at the breakfast table at
the moment. Would you like to (4) ........... or leave a (5) ...........?
Caller : I'll leave a message. Please tell him his daughter called and ask
him to call back.
Receptionist: Certainly.
Caller : Thank you.
Receptionist: You're (6) ........... .
Word box: could · please · welcome · wait · message · sorry
Receptionist: Good morning, Hilltop Hotel. How may I help you?
Caller : Good morning. (1) ...Could... I speak to Mr. Rajan in room 204,
(2) ...........?
Receptionist: I'm (3) ........... sir, Mr. Rajan is at the breakfast table at
the moment. Would you like to (4) ........... or leave a (5) ...........?
Caller : I'll leave a message. Please tell him his daughter called and ask
him to call back.
Receptionist: Certainly.
Caller : Thank you.
Receptionist: You're (6) ........... .
(2) please
(3) sorry
(4) wait
(5) message
(6) welcome
5 marks.
(3) sorry
(4) wait
(5) message
(6) welcome
5 marks.
Task 3 — Agreement responses (So do I / Neither do I) (5 marks)
(5 marks)
Respond to each statement to show that you agree with it. The
first one is done for you.
(1) Sara: I love listening to music. → So do I. (example)
(2) Sara: I have been to Yala. → ...
(3) Sara: I am tired today. → ...
(4) Sara: I don't like coffee. → ...
(5) Sara: My sister can swim very well. → ...
(6) Sara: I didn't watch yesterday's match. → ...
first one is done for you.
(1) Sara: I love listening to music. → So do I. (example)
(2) Sara: I have been to Yala. → ...
(3) Sara: I am tired today. → ...
(4) Sara: I don't like coffee. → ...
(5) Sara: My sister can swim very well. → ...
(6) Sara: I didn't watch yesterday's match. → ...
(2) So have I.
(3) So am I.
(4) Neither do I.
(5) So can mine.
(6) Neither did I.
5 marks.
(3) So am I.
(4) Neither do I.
(5) So can mine.
(6) Neither did I.
5 marks.
Task 4 — Future perfect tense (5 marks)
(5 marks)
Complete each sentence using the future perfect form of the verb
in brackets.
(1) By 2027, my brother (finish) ........... his university degree.
(2) By 5 o'clock, the workers (build) ........... the wall.
(3) By next month, the bakery (open) ........... three new branches.
(4) By December, we (sit) ........... the O/L examination.
(5) By the time you arrive, mother (cook) ........... lunch.
in brackets.
(1) By 2027, my brother (finish) ........... his university degree.
(2) By 5 o'clock, the workers (build) ........... the wall.
(3) By next month, the bakery (open) ........... three new branches.
(4) By December, we (sit) ........... the O/L examination.
(5) By the time you arrive, mother (cook) ........... lunch.
(1) will have finished
(2) will have built
(3) will have opened
(4) will have sat
(5) will have cooked
5 marks.
(2) will have built
(3) will have opened
(4) will have sat
(5) will have cooked
5 marks.
Task 5 — Comprehension: A job interview (5 marks)
(5 marks)
Read the conversation and answer the questions.
Mr. Wijesinghe is the manager of a small construction company in Colombo.
Today he is interviewing Muralitharan for the post of database manager.
Mr. W : Good morning. Please take a seat. Could you tell me a little about
yourself, Mr. Muralitharan?
Mr. M : Good morning, sir. I am twenty-six years old. I completed my BSc in
Information Technology in 2024 and since then I have worked for two
years at a private bank, handling their customer database.
Mr. W : What made you apply for this job?
Mr. M : I have always wanted to work for a company that builds things people
actually use — and your firm is famous for the new housing scheme in
Maharagama.
Mr. W : What qualifications do you have for the post?
Mr. M : Apart from my degree, I am certified in MySQL and Microsoft Power BI.
I can also speak Sinhala, Tamil and English fluently.
Mr. W : What is your weakness?
Mr. M : I sometimes spend too long checking my work — I'm afraid of making
mistakes.
Mr. W : Thank you. We will let you know our decision by next Friday.
Mr. M : Thank you, sir. Have a nice day.
(1) Where is Mr. Wijesinghe's company?
(2) For which post is the candidate being interviewed?
(3) Write the sentence which tells you why the candidate chose this company.
(4) What is the candidate's weakness?
(5) Underline the correct answer. By Friday next week, the candidate ...........
(a) will have been promoted.
(b) will have started the new job.
(c) will have received the result of the interview.
Mr. Wijesinghe is the manager of a small construction company in Colombo.
Today he is interviewing Muralitharan for the post of database manager.
Mr. W : Good morning. Please take a seat. Could you tell me a little about
yourself, Mr. Muralitharan?
Mr. M : Good morning, sir. I am twenty-six years old. I completed my BSc in
Information Technology in 2024 and since then I have worked for two
years at a private bank, handling their customer database.
Mr. W : What made you apply for this job?
Mr. M : I have always wanted to work for a company that builds things people
actually use — and your firm is famous for the new housing scheme in
Maharagama.
Mr. W : What qualifications do you have for the post?
Mr. M : Apart from my degree, I am certified in MySQL and Microsoft Power BI.
I can also speak Sinhala, Tamil and English fluently.
Mr. W : What is your weakness?
Mr. M : I sometimes spend too long checking my work — I'm afraid of making
mistakes.
Mr. W : Thank you. We will let you know our decision by next Friday.
Mr. M : Thank you, sir. Have a nice day.
(1) Where is Mr. Wijesinghe's company?
(2) For which post is the candidate being interviewed?
(3) Write the sentence which tells you why the candidate chose this company.
(4) What is the candidate's weakness?
(5) Underline the correct answer. By Friday next week, the candidate ...........
(a) will have been promoted.
(b) will have started the new job.
(c) will have received the result of the interview.
(1) In Colombo.
(2) Database manager.
(3) "I have always wanted to work for a company that builds things people actually use — and your firm is famous for the new housing scheme in Maharagama."
(4) He spends too long checking his work because he is afraid of making mistakes.
(5) (c) will have received the result of the interview.
5 marks.
(2) Database manager.
(3) "I have always wanted to work for a company that builds things people actually use — and your firm is famous for the new housing scheme in Maharagama."
(4) He spends too long checking his work because he is afraid of making mistakes.
(5) (c) will have received the result of the interview.
5 marks.
Task 6 — Write a notice for a debate competition (40–50 words)
(5 marks)
You are the secretary of the English Debating Society. Write a
notice inviting Grade 10 students to take part in the inter-house debate. Use
about 40–50 words.
Include:
• topic of the debate
• date, time and venue
• how to register
• name of the chief guest.
notice inviting Grade 10 students to take part in the inter-house debate. Use
about 40–50 words.
Include:
• topic of the debate
• date, time and venue
• how to register
• name of the chief guest.
ENGLISH DEBATING SOCIETY — INTER-HOUSE DEBATE
All Grade 10 students are warmly invited to take part in the inter-house
debate on the topic 'Social media does more harm than good'. The debate will
be held in the school main hall on Friday, 20th February 2027 at 1.30 p.m.
The chief guest will be Mrs. Anoma Perera, news anchor of Sirasa TV. Please
register with the undersigned by 17th February.
— Tharindu Silva, Secretary.
50 words. 5 marks.
All Grade 10 students are warmly invited to take part in the inter-house
debate on the topic 'Social media does more harm than good'. The debate will
be held in the school main hall on Friday, 20th February 2027 at 1.30 p.m.
The chief guest will be Mrs. Anoma Perera, news anchor of Sirasa TV. Please
register with the undersigned by 17th February.
— Tharindu Silva, Secretary.
50 words. 5 marks.
Task 7 — Short paragraph (50–60 words)
(5 marks)
Write a paragraph on ONE of the following. Use about 50–60 words.
(a) The importance of speaking English
(b) My telephone manners
(c) A useful interview tip
(a) The importance of speaking English
(b) My telephone manners
(c) A useful interview tip
MODEL — The importance of speaking English (60 words)
English opens doors that no other subject can. Two-thirds of all websites,
most airport signs and every international job interview use it as a common
language. A Sri Lankan student who speaks English clearly can work anywhere
in the world, and even at home they earn the respect of customers and
bosses. That is why I practise speaking it every single day.
5 marks.
English opens doors that no other subject can. Two-thirds of all websites,
most airport signs and every international job interview use it as a common
language. A Sri Lankan student who speaks English clearly can work anywhere
in the world, and even at home they earn the respect of customers and
bosses. That is why I practise speaking it every single day.
5 marks.
Task 8 — Letter / data description (~100 words, 10 marks)
(10 marks)
Answer (a) OR (b). Use about 100 words.
(a) Write a letter to the manager of an English Speakers' Club asking how to
join. Include: how you heard about the club, your level of English, why you
want to join, when you can attend.
(b) The table below shows the languages spoken by 200 students at your school.
Write a description. Use: most, least, equal, more than, less than.
Table: Sinhala 150 · Tamil 100 · English 80 · Hindi 25 · Japanese 18 · French 12.
(a) Write a letter to the manager of an English Speakers' Club asking how to
join. Include: how you heard about the club, your level of English, why you
want to join, when you can attend.
(b) The table below shows the languages spoken by 200 students at your school.
Write a description. Use: most, least, equal, more than, less than.
Table: Sinhala 150 · Tamil 100 · English 80 · Hindi 25 · Japanese 18 · French 12.
(b) MODEL — Table description (104 words)
The table shows the languages spoken by 200 students at our school. Sinhala
is by far the most widely spoken language: 150 students out of 200 speak
it. Tamil comes next at 100, while English is spoken by 80 — more than Tamil
but clearly less than Sinhala. Hindi attracts 25 speakers and Japanese a
slightly smaller 18, while French is the least popular language at just 12.
In summary, the three official / link languages dominate; foreign languages
together account for less than a third of all speakers.
10 marks — uses every comparison phrase, accurate data, opens and closes
with insight.
The table shows the languages spoken by 200 students at our school. Sinhala
is by far the most widely spoken language: 150 students out of 200 speak
it. Tamil comes next at 100, while English is spoken by 80 — more than Tamil
but clearly less than Sinhala. Hindi attracts 25 speakers and Japanese a
slightly smaller 18, while French is the least popular language at just 12.
In summary, the three official / link languages dominate; foreign languages
together account for less than a third of all speakers.
10 marks — uses every comparison phrase, accurate data, opens and closes
with insight.
Task 9 — Article / dialogue (~200 words, 15 marks)
(15 marks)
Write on ONE of the following. Use about 200 words.
(a) An article for a school magazine titled 'Lessons I have learnt from
talking to strangers'.
(b) A speech you would make at the assembly on 'The art of listening'.
(c) Complete the following dialogue. Rasini and Mevan have met after the
G.C.E. (O/L) examination.
Rasini: Now the exam is over. What's next? Have you planned anything to do?
Mevan : Yes, I have a lot of plans. .........
(a) An article for a school magazine titled 'Lessons I have learnt from
talking to strangers'.
(b) A speech you would make at the assembly on 'The art of listening'.
(c) Complete the following dialogue. Rasini and Mevan have met after the
G.C.E. (O/L) examination.
Rasini: Now the exam is over. What's next? Have you planned anything to do?
Mevan : Yes, I have a lot of plans. .........
(c) MODEL — Dialogue completion (210 words)
Rasini: Now the exam is over. What's next? Have you planned anything to do?
Mevan : Yes, I have a lot of plans. First, I am going to sleep for a week!
Rasini: (laughs) So am I. What about after that?
Mevan : I want to learn to drive. My father has promised me lessons.
Rasini: That's a great idea. By December you will have your licence.
Mevan : Exactly. And you?
Rasini: I want to do a one-month course in spoken English at the British
Council. I always feel shy when foreigners speak to me at temples.
Mevan : Neither did I have the courage before, but the speech competition
cured me. You should join too.
Rasini: I will think about it. By the way, have you decided on the A/L stream?
Mevan : Bio Science. I want to be a doctor like my mother.
Rasini: Wow! Then I should call you Doctor Mevan from now on.
Mevan : Not yet — six more years of study! What about you?
Rasini: Commerce. My grandfather has a small business in Pettah and I want
to grow it into a chain of shops by the time I am thirty.
Mevan : So you will be busy too! Best of luck, Rasini.
Rasini: Thanks, Mevan. You too.
15 marks — natural turn-taking, polite agreement ("So am I"), future perfect
in use ("will have your licence", "by the time I am thirty"), warm closing.
Rasini: Now the exam is over. What's next? Have you planned anything to do?
Mevan : Yes, I have a lot of plans. First, I am going to sleep for a week!
Rasini: (laughs) So am I. What about after that?
Mevan : I want to learn to drive. My father has promised me lessons.
Rasini: That's a great idea. By December you will have your licence.
Mevan : Exactly. And you?
Rasini: I want to do a one-month course in spoken English at the British
Council. I always feel shy when foreigners speak to me at temples.
Mevan : Neither did I have the courage before, but the speech competition
cured me. You should join too.
Rasini: I will think about it. By the way, have you decided on the A/L stream?
Mevan : Bio Science. I want to be a doctor like my mother.
Rasini: Wow! Then I should call you Doctor Mevan from now on.
Mevan : Not yet — six more years of study! What about you?
Rasini: Commerce. My grandfather has a small business in Pettah and I want
to grow it into a chain of shops by the time I am thirty.
Mevan : So you will be busy too! Best of luck, Rasini.
Rasini: Thanks, Mevan. You too.
15 marks — natural turn-taking, polite agreement ("So am I"), future perfect
in use ("will have your licence", "by the time I am thirty"), warm closing.