We are usually more polite to people who we respect or who we don’t know well.
We tend to use more direct language with our friends and close relatives.
Match the polite sentence with the direct sentence that has the same meaning. Use only the lowercase alphabet from a - j for the answers.
| Polite | Direct | ||
| 1 | Can I have a cake? ___ | a | Sit down. |
| 2 | Would you be able to keep the noise down please? ___ | b | Get a move on. |
| 3 | Can you pass me the lemonade please? ___ | c | Who are you? |
| 4 | Would you like to sit down? ___ | d | What’s the time? |
| 5 | Can you tell me how long you are going to be please? ___ | e | Give me a cake. |
| 6 | I wondered if I would possibly be able to borrow the newspaper after you have finished with it. ___ | f | I’m coming with you. |
| 7 | Excuse me. I’m afraid I don’t know your name. ___ | g | Give me a drink. |
| 8 | I’m sorry but I’ve got to go home now. ___ | h | I want the paper now! |
| 9 | Would you mind if I came with you and Diane to the cinema? ___ | i | Shut up! |
| 10 | Excuse me. I’m ever so sorry to bother you. I hope you don’t mind but would it be possible at all for you to tell me the time please? ___ | j | I’m off. |