Conversation Topics

What is small talk?

• Polite talk about unimportant topics in a social setting.

• Talking with your friends for small periods of time.

• Arguing with people and saying whatever comes to mind.

• Having a heated debate with whoever disagrees with you.

Which one of the following is the best way to have small talk?

• Politely and quietly about topics that aren't controversial (=kiistanalainen)

• Rudely and loudly and brutally honestly

• Overdoing and over acting everything and being really fake

• Only with people you like and ignore everyone else

Which one of the following questions would be considered as too personal?

• How was your day?

• What's your favorite restaurant?

• What are some of you hobbies?

• What's your address?

One reason people use small talk is to eliminate an uncomfortable silence.

• True

• False

What shouldn't you do when engaging in small talk?

• Make normal eye contact and keep the conversation flowing.

• Smile normally and ask questions when needed.

• Stare at the person you're talking to intensely, unblinking.

• Ask them how they are doing.

It is inappropriate to make small talk with your mailman.

• True

• False

It is okay to discuss the weather in an elevator.

• True

• False

Which of the following is a suitable topic for a formal conversation?

• Weather

• Gossip

• Personal finances

• Favorite movies

Identify the grammatically correct sentence for a conversation starter.

• How is you doing today?

• What are your plans for the weekend?

• Where you going?

• Is the weather nice today?

Choose the best word to complete the sentence: 'In a conversation, it's important to _______ actively.'

• listen

• speak

• interrupt

• ignore