English For Today chapter 2: Congratulations Well Done

Congratulations! Well Done !

After completing the lesson students will be able to

• ask and answer questions
• read and understand written instructions
• participate in short dialogues and conversations on familiar topics

A. We often use some routine expressions in our everyday conversations. Read the following conversations and see some of the different ways in which we can respond to good or bad news.

i) Lily goes to a school in Dhaka and her parents live in a small town in Tangail district. Lily is talking to her father over telephone.

Lily Hello, Baba!

Baba Lily? How are you?

Lily Fine, Baba. I just got my exam result. I've got an A in my English test!

Baba Well done, daughter ! I'm so proud of you!

Lily Thanks, Baba. By the way, I have to go now. I'll call you again.

Baba Bye, daughter. Take care.

Lily You too, Baba. Bye!

ii) Rahul is a good singer. He loves to sing folk songs and is quite popular with the young generation. His new album has just come out.

Nina Hello, Rahul! You look very happy today!

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Rahul I am happy. I just heard that my new album of Lalon's songs has been a hit!

Nina Oh, great! Congratulations!

Rahul Thanks, Nina. I can't tell you how happy I am!

iii) Manzoor is a student of class six in a government high school in Rajbari. Recently there was an inter-school essay competition on the occasion of our Independence Day. Manzoor had participated and got a prize.

Raj Hello, Manzoor! What's the matter? You look excited!

Manzoor Do you remember the competition I took part?

Raj Yes, I do. What happened?

Manzoor I am happy that I've won the competition! In fact, I've won the first prize!

Raj Oh, that's marvelous! Congratulations!

Manzoor Thanks, Raj.

Language Focus

When we are glad or happy to hear about any good news, we usually express our happiness with these expressions: Congratulations! Well done! That's marvelous! That's wonderful! Great!, etc. In return, the other person usually says, 'Thanks' or 'Thank you'.

A1. Discuss the meanings of 'generation,' 'album,' and 'hit' as they have been used in the conversations above.

The words album and hit can be used in more than one meaning. Discuss in groups and see if you can guess the other meanings.

A2. Practise the conversations above in pairs.

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B. Let's now see what we say when we hear about something not good or not happy. Read the following dialogues.

i)

Bobby Hi, Sujan! Why didn't you come to school last week?

Sujan I had the flu. I was in bed most of the time.

Bobby Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. How do you feel now?

ii)

Shakil Hello, Manik! Why are you so quiet today?

Manik Did you see that pen my father gave me? I've lost it. It was very dear to me!

Shakil Oh, I'm so sorry! How did you lose it?

Manik I don't know! I think I dropped it somewhere.

iii)

Shanu Hi, Munira! Have you seen the result?

Munira Yes. I've failed in my math test.

Shanu Oh, that's bad luck!

Munira I don't know how to tell my parents.

Shanu I think they will understand. I know you'll do better next time.

Language Focus

When we hear about any bad news, we say, 'I'm sorry to hear that' or 'That's bad luck', etc. In response, the other person usually doesn't say anything.

B1. Practise saying the above conversations in pairs.

B2. Answer the following questions.

What would you say to somebody who:

• a. has won a lottery?
• b. has lost a football match?
• c. has just congratulated you on your good result?
• d. has been ill?
• e. has been selected for a music programme on TV?

B3. Work with a partner. Make short conversations on the situations given in B2.