asking for and giving services, things, clarification, asking and expressing opinion, and giving personal responses.

UNIT 7
Could You Help Me Please?
• Could you take my picture, please?
• Sure.
• Thank you.
• Sorry, I’m in a hurry.
• It’s OK.
Pic 7.1 (Cliparts Office, 2003)

Section One:



Asking for and giving things, services, clarification; asking and expressing opinion; and giving personal responses
Presentation
Asking for and giving things Activity 1

Listen and repeat after your teacher. Pay attention to the stress.

1. Borrow 7. Can you
2. May 8. May I
3. Lend 9. I’m sorry.
4. Give 10. I’m using it.
5. Can 11. Here you are.
6. CanI 12. Thanks


Activity 2

Listen and and repeat after your teacher. Pay attention to the falling intonation.
1. A : Can I borrow your pencil, please? Notes:
B : Sure, here you are. To ask for things, we can use:
A : Thanks Can I...., please?
May I...., please?
2. A : May I borrow your pen, please? Can you...., please?
B : Here you are. To give the things, we can use:
A : Many thanks Here you are.
Sure.
3. A : Can you lend me a bag, please? Of course.
B : I’m sorry. I’m using it. To refuse to give the things, we can
A : Thanks anyway. use:
I’m sorry. I’m using it.
4. A : Can I borrow your dictionary? Not now. I’m using it/them
B : Sorry, I’m using it right now. myself. Sorry.
A : It’s OK. Thanks anyway. Sorry, I’m using it/them right now.
To show our gratitude, we say:
Thanks.


144 Bahasa Inggris SMP Kelas VII

Activity 3



Take turns with your partner asking and giving something.
1. a colouring pencil
2. a pen
3. an atlas book
4. an eraser
Use the following model:
Andi : Can I borow your ?
Budi : Yes, sure.
Activity 4

Take turns with your friend asking and refusing to give:
1. a crayon
2. a telephone
3. an eraser
4. a bicycle
5. a help

Use the following model:
Andi :CanI ?
Budi : Sorry, I’m using it myself. Andi : It’s OK
Asking for and giving services Activity 5
Listen and repeat after your teacher.
Dialogue 1
Santi is in the classroom during the class.
Santi : Excuse me, Sir. Could you help me, please? I cannot do this
homework?
Teacher : OK. Now, listen carefully. Just complete the sentences with the
appropriate verbs.
Santi : Thank you, Sir.

Dialogue 2
Dona is in the library.
Dona : Excuse me, could you help me to find a grammar book by Betty
Azar?
Librarian : Sure. Let’s check the catalogue.
Dona : Thank you.
Dialogue 3
Susan is at the stationery to buy some school supplies. Here is her dialogue with the shop assistant.
Shop assistant : Can I help you?
Susan : Yes, please. I need some pencils.
Shop assistant : What make do you want?
Susan : Any make but it should be of good quality.
Shop assistant : OK, you should buy “Best Pencil”.
Susan : Could you tell me the price?
To ask for services, use:
Can you help me? Could you tell me ?
To give services, use: OK.
Sure.
Of course.
To offer services, use:
Can I help me?
To respond to offering services, use:
Yes, please.
No, thank you.
(Adapted from Forstorm et.al., 2008)

Activity 6
You are showing some friends the pictures of some animals at the zoo.
Here are the names of the animals and the pictures. Ask them to find which is which.
You may ask: What’s this in English? Answer : It’s a or
It’s an ....
Monkey Panda Leopard Lion
Zebra Kangaroo Ostrich Hippopotamus
Elephant Tiger Giraffe Bear


Pic 7.2 (Microsoft Corporation, 1999)

Activity 7

Read and practise the following dialogues.
Notes:
1. Andi : Do you think bears can swim? To ask for an opinion, we
Budi : I think so. say:
2. Jainul : Do you think panda eat meat? What do you think
Cecep : I don’t think so. about...?
3. Dewi : I think ostriches are not birds. Do you think ?
Dina : I don’t think so. Why do you think so? To give an opinion, we say:
Dewi : Because they don’t fly. Ithink...
4. Wendi : What do you think about lions? I don’t think ...
Santi : I think they are fierce. I think so.
I don’t think so.

Activity 8
Work with a partner. Practise the dialogues below. Pay attention to pronunciation and intonation.

Dialogue 1
A : Excuse me. What do you think about this shirt?
B : I think it’s nice. It fits you.
A : I think so. OK. Thanks.
Dialogue 2
A : Excuse me. What do you think about Borobudur temple?
B : I think it’s an ordinary temple.
A : I don’t think so. It’s a great temple. Look at this picture. A : You’re right. I guess I made a mistake.
Dialogue 3
A : Excuse me. I think that’s my jacket.
B : Hmm, I don’t think so. I think this is my jacket. A : You’re right. I guess I made a mistake.
Dialogue 4
A : Excuse me. I think those are my books.
B : Hmm, I don’t think so. I think these are my books. A : You’re right. I guess I made a mistake.
(Adapted from Forstorm et.al., 2008)
Asking for and giving clarification Activity 9

Listen and repeat after your teacher.
Dialogue 1
Andi : Excuse me, I don’t think we have met. I’m Andi. What’s your name,
please?
Sandrina : Sandrina.
Andi : Sorry? Could you repeat it, please?
Sandrina : SANDRINA
Dialogue 2
Tina : Hi, Mike. Were you at Andy’s party?
Michael : Sorry, what did you say?
Tina : I said, “Were you at Andy’s party?”
Michael : O yeah, I was. It was fun. Andy is 13 now.
Tina : Really? Are you kidding? I thought he was just about 12 like us.

Michael : Why?
Tina : You know, we are in the same grade.
Michael : Sorry, I must go now. Bye.
Tina : Bye. See you.
To ask for clarification, start with
“excuse me...” or “sorry?”
To give clarification, just repeat what you have said.
Activity 10
Study how some sentences in Activity 9 are formed below. Past form of “be”



Questions
Were you at Andy’s party?

Was it fun?

Past form of “do”
Statements I
said that yesterday.

I thought about him last week.

She wanted a grammar book yesterday.

Questions



Notes:
To write about past action, we use past form of verbs (such as was, were, thought, etc.).
To ask questions about past, we can start with “was/were” and “did.”

Activity 11

Study the differences between the regular and irregular past verbs below.
Regular verb pattern
Verb+ed/ d Irregular verb pattern
Present form Past form Present form Past form
need needed be was/were
play played grow grew
stop stopped buy bought
borrow borrowed make made
arrange arranged go went
group grouped become became
name named have had
place placed begin take
fly began took
flew


Activity 12
Using the information in Activity 11, change the verbs in brackets into past forms.

1. He (be) in Jakarta yesterday.
2. They (play) football last Sunday.
3. Scientists (stop) the experiment last year.
4. They (make) wooden table last week.
5. He (arrange) the books in the library two days ago.
6. The teacher (buy) a microscope.
7. Biologists (group) lions and leopards in one cage in the past.
Giving interpersonal responses Activity 13

Listen and repeat after your teacher.
1. Rani : Did you hear about Budi? Tika : No. What happened to him? Rani : He broke his leg.
Tika : Oh, poor Budi.
2. Rani : Have you heard about Andi? Tika : No. What happened with him? Rani : He won the badminton game. Tika : Excellent.

To attract others’ attention we often say:
Did you hear about...?
Have you heard about...?
When we hear something bad about others we can say:
Oh no, that’s too bad.
Ohpoor,....
When a friend of yours has an outstanding achievement, and you are happy for it you may say:
Excellent.

Activity 14

Read the following text. Then, answer the questions.
Tina met her Australian friend, Mary, at her house. They are pen friends. Mary is in Indonesia for a holiday.
Tina : Hi, Mary. Where were you last week?
Mary : Hello, Tina. Well, I visited mount Bromo.
Tina : That sounds great! What do you think of it?
Mary : It was very beautiful, you know.
Tina : Was it?
Mary : Yeah. The scenery was very amazing. Well, Tina, I must go now. Bye
bye.
Tina : See you, mary.
After a week, Tina met Mary, at school.
Mary : Hello, tina. How are you?
Tina : Fine, thanks. And you? Tell me. What did you see at Mount Bromo?
Mary : The beautiful sunrise. The sky was yellow, orange, and red. It was
really beautiful.
Tina : Wow! I want to go there too.
Mary : Well, Tina, I must be leaving. Bye for now.
Tina :Bye.
Questions.
1. How did Tina and Mary open the conversations?
2. Do you think they enjoyed the conversation?
3. Are they nice to one another?
4. What expression is used to ask for information?
5. What did Tina say to ask for Mary’s opinion?
6. Say the expressions used to close the conversations.

Notes:
Conversations have opening and closing. We usually begin a conversation by saying hi, hello, or excuse me. That is what we normally do.
The expressions: “Was it?”, “Well, ...” in the dialogue above make a conversation go on and on.

Practice
Asking for and giving things Activity 1
Work with a partner. Practise the dialogues below.
Dialogue 1
A : Can I borrow your pencils, please?
B : Yes, sure. Here you are.
A : Thanks.

Dialogue 2
A : Is this your bicycle?
B : Yes, it is.
A : May I use it for a moment?
B : Sorry, I’m using it right now.
Activity 2

Write a dialogue based on the roles of A or B below. Practise the dialogue you write with your partner.
Use the models:
CanI ?
May I ?
Coud you ?
Roles: A B
1. Ask B to lend you his/her notebook. 1. You give A the book.
2. Thank B. 2. Tell A to return it soon.
3. Promise B you will return it soon.

A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
Activity 3



Activity 4
In pairs, practise asking for the following things. You can grant or reject it. Use the model in Activity 2 on the previous page.

1. A calculator
2. A watch
3. A correcting pen
4. A story book
Asking for and giving services Activity 5

Work with a partner. Practise the dialogue below.
Dialogue 1
A : Can you pass the book, please?
B : Yes, sure. Here you are.
A : Thanks.

Dialogue 2
A : Is this your bicycle?
B : Yes, it is.
A : Can you park it there? It’s not safe here.
B : OK. Thanks.
Dialogue 3
A : Can I help you?
B : Yes, please. I’m looking for a pair of shoes.
A : Here are nice shoes.
B : But they are expensive. I want the cheap ones.
A : That’s OK. They are discounted.
B :Thankyou.
Activity 6

Complete the following dialogues with the appropriate expressions.
Dialogue 1
You are at the stationery to buy some school supplies. Shop assistant : Can I help ?
You : Yes, please. I need some
Shop assistant : What make do you? You : Any make but it should be of
Shop assistant : OK, you should buy “Best Pencil”
You : Could you give me , please?
Shop assistant : Here you are. That will be
Susan :
Shop assistant : Come again.
Dialogue 2
You are in the classroom during the class.
You : Excuse me, Sir. Could you again ?
Teacher : OK. Now,..
You : Thank you, Sir.
Dialogue 3
You are in the library.
You : Excuse me, to find . book by
Librarian : Sure. Let’s check the catalogue.
You :

Dialogue 4
You have a class. You need to wash your hands. You : Excuse me, wash my hand?
Librarian : Sure. Don’t be long
You :
Activity 7
Work with a partner. Practise the dialogues in Activity 6 above. Pay attention to your intonation.

Activity 8

In pairs, practise asking and giving services below.
No A B
1 Help/math exercise Agree
2 Pass/English book Disagree
3 Agree Turn down/music
4 Disagree Lend/money
5 Clean/the board Agree


Asking for and giving opinion Activity 9



Work in pairs. Ask your friend’s opinion about the following animals. Use the model:
A : What do you think about Monkeys?
B : I don’t think they are the same as human.
1. Monkeys/the same as human
2. Leopards/like cat
3. Lions/can be tame
4. Zebras/run faster than horse
5. Kangaroos/can walk
6. Cheetahs/swim
7. Hippopotamus/dangerous

Activity 10
Using the model below to ask your friends’ opinion about the following issues.

Andi : Do you think elephants can run fast? Budi : I don’t think so.
1. English is important for our life.
2. Students have to relax everyday.
3. School text books should be free.
4. Using typewriter is not eficient for modern life now.
Activity 11

Work with a partner. Complete the following dialogues with the expressions in the box.
bag
my glasses
think so
You’re right
I think these
What do you think
Dialogue 1
A : Excuse me. about this painting?
B : I think it’s great. It looks real.
A : OK. Thanks.
Dialogue 2
A : Excuse me. I think that’s my
B : Hmm, I don’t ..I think this is my
A : You’re right. I guess I made a mistake.
Dialogue 3
A : Excuse me. I think those are ..
B : Hmm, I don’t think so. .are my glasses.
A : . I guess I made a mistake.

Activity 12
Work with a partner. Ask his or her opinions based on the following situations.

1. You think that your friend’s bicycle is yours.
2. Your friend thinks that whales live in rivers.
3. You think that money is not important in life.
Asking for and giving clarification Activity 13

Complete the following dialogues with the appropriate expressions.
Dialogue 1
Beni : Excuse me, I don’t think we have met. I’m Beni. What’s your name,
please?
Murti : .
Andi : Sorry? it, please.
Sandrina : M-U-R-T-I

Dialogue 2
Laila : Hi, Mike. Are you alright?
Mamat : , what did you say?
Laila : I said, “ ?”
Mamat : Oh yeah, I’m fine. Thanks..
Activity 14
Work with your partner. Write dialogues about asking and giving clarification based on the situations below.

1. Your friend tells you her opinion about the weather today. You don’t hear it. You ask for clarification.
2. You met your friend’s parents. They mention their names, but you don’t hear them. Ask for clarification.
3. Your teacher asks you to clean the board. You don’t hear that. Ask for clarification.
Activity 15
Work with your partner. Perform the dialogues you just wrote.

Giving interpersonal responses Activity 16
Read Dedi’s past activities below. Ask and answer about his activities as the example.

Example:
A : Did you hear about Andi?
B : No. What happened with him?
A : He won the badminton match at the sport center.
B : Well, he really worked hard for it.
Then change the roles.
DEDI’S LAST WEEK ACTIVITIES
Monday ... won badminton match at the Sport Centre ...
Wednesday ... lost a football match at the Stadium ...
Thursday ... lost wallet at school ...
Friday ... passed English examination ...
Sunday ... sank when swimming at the Borobudur Pool
Activity 17
In pairs, practise asking past activities above. Use the following model.
Model:
Joko : Where was Dedi on Monday?
Budi : He was at the Sport Centre. He played badminton.

Activity 18

In pairs, take turn to give interpersonal responses using really, well, are you kidding? and others to make the conversation going.
Ask and tell where you were on the different days in a week.
Do as the example.
Andi : Where are you on Monday? Budi : I am at swimming pool.
Andi : Really? And what do you do? Budi : I learn to swim.

Production
Asking for and giving things Activity 1



Ask the following things. You can refuse or give them. Use the model.
Model:
Andi : Can I borrow your pencil? Budi : Sure.
Andi : Can I have a glass of water? Budi : I’m sorry, I don’t have it.

1. Correcting pen/for examination.
2. Camera/for picnic on weekend.
3. Tape recorder/for recording conversation.
4. English dictionary/for assignment.
5. Ball/for playing soccer.
Asking for and giving services Activity 2

Ask your partner to give the following services. You can agree or refuse to do that. Use the example as model.
Example:
A : Can you get me that book?
B : Sure.
A : Can you help me carry this box?
B : I’m sorry. I’m busy right now.
1. Call your teacher at 1:00 today.
2. Buy ice cream for the class.
3. Clean the floor.
4. Go to school on Sunday.
5. Do homework for you.

Asking for and giving opinion Activity 3
Ask your partner’s opinion about the following things. You can agree or disagree with her/his opinion.

1. Bali and Yogyakarta.
2. Children should go to school.
3. Students should take English course.
4. The sweater you are wearing.
5. The T-shirt you just bought.
Activity 4
Survey on what your friends say about the following topics. Put the talley in the chart. And report to the class orally.




1. Students must have breakfast before class.
2. Cleaning the classroom floor is the cleaning service responsibility.
3. We should avoid eating “kerupuk”.
4. School uniform is not important.
5. Extracurricular activity is not important.



Asking for clarification Activity 5

Work with your partner. Ask and give clarification based on the situations below.
1. Your friend is telling his/her activities yesterday. You don’t hear it. You ask for clarification.
2. You go home late. Call your parents. They don’t hear you. Give clarification to them.
3. Your teacher asks the class to open page 100 of the English book. You don’t hear that. Ask for clarification.

Giving interpersonal responses Activity 6



Ask and answer the follwing situation. Use the example as model. Example
Andi : Did you hear Andi lost wallet?
Budi : Really?
Andi : Yeah, he lost it during the lesson.
Budi : I’m sorry to hear that.

1. Andi cut his finger when cooking.
2. Susanto finished math test fast.
3. Hadi got prize on TV quiz
4. Beni was admitted to SMP 1
5. Dina twisted her ankle.
Activity 7
In pairs, take turns to give interpersonal responses using really, well, are you kidding? and others to make the conversation going.
Ask them where they were last Saturday and Sunday. Fill in the chart.

Example:
Andi : Where were you last Saturday? Budi : I was at market.
Andi : Really? And what did you do? Budi : I went shopping.
Names
What they do on
Saturdays What they do on
Sundays

Section Two:



Short functional texts ( greeting cards and lost notices)
Presentation
Activity 1

Read the words aloud after your teacher.
1. Male
2. Female
3. Called
4. Lost
5. Named
6. Found
7. New
8. Old
9. New bag
10. Lost wallet
11. Named bobo
12. Found watch

Activity 2
Please read a lost notice below. Then, answer the questions.


162 Bahasa Inggris SMP Kelas VII

1. What’s the dog name?
2. What colour is it?
3. What happened with the dog?
4. Where was it lost?
5. What is phone number of the owner?
6. What will be given to the finder?
Activity 3
Read and practise the dialogues below.
1. Andi : Jono, thank you for the present. It’s a lovely book. Budi : You’re welcome. I’m glad you like it.

2. Andi : Yeni, thanks so much for the hair bow. I like the color. Budi : Don’t mention it. I’m happy you wear it.
Activity 4
Read the following information.

On special occasions we often get some presents from our family, relatives or friends.
To appreciate it we may write a greeting card to:
thank them.
say something good about the presents.
Here are some expressions we might use:
Thank you/thanks (very much, a lot) for the...
It’s so.... (beautiful, cute, etc.)
I like it (very much).
I like the... .(model, colour, etc.)
Activity 5
Read the following greeting card.
On her birthday, Ella got a school bag from her aunt in Bandung. Here is a short note she sent to her aunt to thank her for the gift.

6/8/2006 Dear Aunty,
Thank you very much for the bag. It’s very cute. I like the model. And I love the colours, too.
With love,
Ella
Activity 6
Read the following greeting card.
Adit was admitted to SMPN 1 Makasar.
His uncle in Jakarta sent him a set of picture dictionaries. He wrote a short letter to thank him.

15 August 2007
Dear Uncle Sam,
Thank you very much for the dictionaries you sent me. They are useful for my hobby. They give me ideas for what to paint.
Yours, Adit

Practice
Activity 1
With your friend(s) write a short notice about your lost pencil case. You lost it at school yesterday.
Describe the colour, what it is made of (plastic, metal, etc.), the content, and the contact number.

Use the following format:

LOST........
A case yesterday morning.
Made
Containing .
If found, please call
(Reward will be given)
Activity 2
Work in pairs.
You have just passed your final exams.
And your grandma in Medan sent you some money. Please write a short note or letter to thank her.
Tell her how you will spend the money.
Work with your friend next to you.

(date)
Dear .,
Thank you very much for the sent me. It really
.me and will surely be very useful in my study. I
will use it for
Love,
Adit

Production
Activity 1

Write a notice to be published at the public information board about your lost cat. Inform the readers about:
Its name and colour;
The place and time when it lost;
Who or where to contact, and
The reward will be given.


LOST Kenari





Activity 2
Individually, write a notice for the school wall-magazine about a picnic held by the Boy Scout. Include:

1. the place of picnic.
2. the date and time.
3. the cost.
4. the time of departure.
5. who or where to contact.
6. what reward will be given.
Activity 3

Individually, write a short letter to thank your close friend. He moved to another town and left you his story books. Send him the letter.
Tell her that the books will always make you remember her/him.
(date)
Dear .,
Yours,

Homework
1. Practise asking your sisters or brothers to do something for you.
2. Practise asking permisssion to do something to your sisters or brothers.
3. Practise asking for clarification in conversations with your classmates.
4. Practise giving interpersonal responses in conversations with your classmates.
5. Ask yor parents’ opinion about what you learned at school.
6. Write a greeting card to your brother for helping you with books.
7. Find other greeting cards and lost notices. Read them and compare with the greeting cards and lost notices in this unit.
8. Visit the following website for lost and found things. Study how lost and found things are published on the internet. www.lostandfound.com/index.html.
Summary
In this unit you have learned how to:
1. ask for a thing and service.
2. give a thing and service.
3. refuse to give a thing and service.
4. ask for and give opinion.
5. ask for and give clarification.
6. give interpersonal responses.
7. write write a card to thank somebody.
8. write lost notices.
Evaluation
A. Choose the best answer.
1. Can you help me, please?
a. Yes, I can b. Of course.
2. Can I borrow your car, please?
a. Sorry, I’m using it. b. No, you can’t.
3. What do you think about Mount Bromo?
a. I think so. b. I think it’s wonderful.
4. Do you think rabbit is fast?
a. No, I think not b. I don’t think so.
5. Andi : ?
Budi : MAMAT
a. Sorry. Can you repeat your name, please?
b. Sorry. I’m using it now.

6. A : Andi lost his book yesterday.
B :.
a. Really? b. I’m happy for him.
7. Andi : Budi, you can have my pencil case.
Budi : ? Thanks
a. Really b. Well
B. What will you say when your brother tells you that he has a new job?
C. Write a short greeting card to thank your uncle for the bicycle he gave you.
F. Write a notice to be published at the school information board about your lost English Book. Inform the readers about:
its title and colour;
the place and time when it lost; who or where to contact, and what reward will be given

Cultural Notes

1. In the US a waiter or waitress receives a tip, about 15 % of the total bill. Most people leave the tip on the table. What is the tipping custom in Indonesia?
2. In theory the American custom is to say “thank you” when someone compliments you, but many people find that accepting a compliment is difficult. They feel uncomfortable, and are embarrassed by it. What about Indonesian people? What do they say?
3. The Americans are very assertive, speak up when you don’t know or have problem in certain matter. Your teacher probably can show you how to solve your problems. What about Indonesian people? Are they assertive?
Pic 7.4 (Adobe, 2003)

Reflection
1. This unit gives me (put a tick):
new experiences.
useful learning experiences.
no useful learning experiences.
useful learning strategy.
no useful learning strategy.
2. The most interesting part in this unit is .
3. Things that I want to study more are
4. Read the statements. Then, give a tick (√) to yes, no, some.

Vocabulary List

Words Parts of
Speech Phonetic
Transcriptions Indonesian
Equivalents
bitten v ['bitn] digigit
borrow v ['borou] meminjam
deserve v [di'zo:v] layak
excellent adj ['eksolont] hebat
granted v [gra:ntid] dikabulkan
happen v ['hwpon] terjadi
here you are expression [hioju:r] Ini, silakan
outstanding adj [aut'stwndiij] menonjol
rejected v [ri'd3ektid] ditolak
reply v [ri'plai] menjawab
request v [ri'kwest] meminta
sure adj [foo] tentu saja
take turns v [teik to:nz] bergantian
thanks n [Owijks] terimakasih
watch n [wDtf] arloji