Comprehension Based on a Given Conversational Passage

Comprehension Based on a Given Conversational Passage.

Note for Students: How to Understand Conversational Passages

Hello! This lesson will teach you how to read and understand conversational passages, which are a common feature in exams. A conversational passage is simply a written dialogue between two or more people. Your task is to read it carefully and answer questions based on what is said.

To do this well, you need to be a bit like a detective. Here are five key things to look for:

1. Understand the Context: Where is the conversation happening? Is it a formal setting like an office (professional), a classroom (academic), or a casual one like a bus stop (social)? The context tells you a lot about the relationship between the speakers.
2. Know the Speakers (Interactants): Who is talking? Are they friends, colleagues, a student and a teacher, or strangers? Understanding their relationship helps you understand why they are speaking the way they do.
3. Find the Purpose: Why are they talking? Are they trying to make a request, share information, express thanks, or solve a problem? Identifying the goal of the conversation is crucial.
4. Make Inferences: In real conversations, people don’t always say exactly what they mean. You need to “read between the lines” and infer meaning from hesitations (like “umm…”), tone, and what is not said.
5. Note Compressed Language: Spoken English often uses contractions like “I’m,” “he’s,” and “can’t.” Recognizing these helps you understand the natural flow of the dialogue.

By keeping these points in mind, you can confidently analyze any conversation and answer the questions accurately.

Exercise: Read these conversations and answer the questions that follow.

Here are the complete questions and beautifully written answers for each conversation.

Conversation 1

Animesh Barua: Good afternoon, ma’am!
Tapani Das: Good afternoon!
Animesh Barua: Ma’am, … err… sorry to disturb you but I’m looking for the lab assistant. I needed my Physics lab record that I’d submitted for correction.
Tapani Das: He’s gone out on some work. Let me see if I can help you. What’s your name? Which batch are you from?
Animesh Barua: I’m Animesh Barua from HS 2nd year – Class 2C.
Tapani Das: Okay, here’s a stack of record books. Would you like to check if yours is in it?
Animesh Barua: Yes, ma’am. Thank you! Here it is (holding the book aloft).
Tapani Das: You can take it. Just leave a note on the table for the lab assistant mentioning your name, class and roll number.
Animesh Barua: Will do, ma’am. Thank you so much!
Tapani Das: You’re welcome!
Animesh Das: Ma’am, if you don’t mind can I also request a copy of the lab timetable for my class? I’m the class monitor, and I’d like to paste it on our class notice board.
Tapani Das: I’m sorry, Animesh. For that you will have to approach the lab assistant when he’s back.
Animesh Barua: Will do, ma’am. Thank you once again and have a nice day.
Tapani Das: You too Animesh!
Animesh Barua: Bye, Ma’am.
Tapani Das: Bye, Animesh.

Questions and Answers:

1. Where is the conversation taking place? Is the context social, academic or professional?

• Answer: The conversation is taking place in a school or college laboratory. The context is academic.

2. Who are the two people talking?

• Answer: The two people talking are Animesh Barua, a student (HS 2nd year, Class 2C), and Tapani Das, who appears to be a teacher or a staff member in the lab.

3. What are the two things that Animesh is looking for?

• Answer: Animesh is looking for two things: his corrected Physics lab record and a copy of the lab timetable for his class.

4. What is the meaning of ‘stack’?

• Answer: The word ‘stack’ means a pile of objects, typically one that is neatly arranged. In this context, it refers to a pile of record books.

5. Why did Tapani Das suggest that Animesh leave a note for the lab assistant?

• Answer: Tapani Das suggested that Animesh leave a note so that the lab assistant would have a proper record of who took the lab record book, including the student’s name, class, and roll number.

Conversation 2

Sandeep Sen: Hi Prayojita! Are you busy?
Prayojita Roy: Hi Sandeep … umm … kind of …
Sandeep Sen: I need some urgent help with my project. I am facing a deadline of 3 pm today and I’m not done with my budget sheets. Can you help me complete them?
Prayojita Roy: How many sheets do you need help with?
Sandeep Sen: Oh … there are plenty. I’m to submit the entire budget for the quarter! Eight or nine spreadsheets at least!
Prayojita Roy: Umm … Sandeep, any other time I would have gladly helped you, but today I’m facing a deadline myself.
Sandeep Sen: Oh! That’s too bad. Can you not spare an hour at least? Besides, I’m not too good with formulae on Excel sheets. I’ll be in deep trouble with my line manager if I miss my deadline.
Prayojita Roy: Sandeep, why don’t you search online for some videos that can quickly help you with the formulae. You could just reach out to me if you are stuck somewhere. That way my own work can also go on.
Sandeep Sen: Good idea, Prayojita! Let me try that. Thanks for the suggestion.
Prayojita Roy: You’re welcome… but please plan your time better to avoid such emergencies in future. We need to respect our colleagues’ time as well (chuckles)!
Sandeep Sen: Yes, you’re right. Will do that. Thanks once again for the suggestion.
Prayojita Roy: You’re welcome. Good luck!

Questions and Answers:

1. Where is the conversation taking place? Is the context social, academic or professional?

• Answer: The conversation is taking place at a workplace or office. The context is professional.

2. Who are the two people talking?

• Answer: The two people talking are Sandeep Sen and Prayojita Roy, who are colleagues.

3. What is Sandeep requesting Prayojita for? How much help does he need?

• Answer: Sandeep is requesting Prayojita’s help with his project’s budget sheets. He needs help completing at least eight or nine Excel spreadsheets.

4. Do you think Prayojita is reluctant to give Sandeep all the time that he needs? How has she conveyed her reluctance in a positive way?

• Answer: Yes, Prayojita is reluctant because she is also facing a deadline. She conveys her reluctance positively by first explaining her own situation (“today I’m facing a deadline myself”) and then offering a helpful alternative instead of a direct refusal.

5. What is the alternative that Prayojita is suggesting? What is the advantage of her suggestion?

• Answer: Prayojita suggests that Sandeep search for online videos to learn the Excel formulae himself. The advantage is that Sandeep can solve his problem independently while allowing Prayojita to continue with her own urgent work.

Conversation 3

Jacob Francis: Hi Sohail! What a surprise! Didn’t expect to see you here.
Sohail Shaik: Hello Jacob! Ha ha … yes … it’s been quite a while, hasn’t it?
Jacob Francis: The last time we met was also while travelling. I remember we met at the Gauhati Airport four years ago. I was travelling to Delhi … and where were you headed then? Can’t seem to remember …
Sohail Shaik: I was flying to Chennai for an interview.
Jacob Francis: It’s so good to catch up after all these years. Where do you get off by the way?
Sohail Shaik: I’m headed for the Dibrugarh Station. I’m meeting a family friend there.
Jacob Francis: Great! I’m going to Dibrugarh too … but for a different reason. There’s some urgent official work I’m to attend to.
Sohail Shaik: Hey, do you know any decent Hotel in Dibrugarh that I can stay at while I’m there? I don’t wish to trouble my friend.
Jacob Francis: Sure. I can share some good recommendations if you can share your current mobile number. I’ve changed phones and don’t seem to have your number saved.
Sohail Shaik: Here it is … on my visiting card (handing out the card).
Jacob Francis: Thanks, Sohail. Hey, you are a Senior Manager now! Congratulations!
Sohail Shaik: Ha ha … Thanks … got promoted last year …
Jacob Francis: Let me also share my business card with you … although I’ve not yet been promoted like you. Ha ha …
Sohail Shaik: Don’t worry … it will happen in good time. I remember you as one of my most sincere and hardworking classmates in college.
Jacob Francis: That I was! (with a mischievous grin)
Sohail Shaik: By the way, these coaches have really improved over time. I don’t remember ever seeing them so clean and tidy. The pantry car too serves great food I hear.
Jacob Francis: Yes, Sohail. These services have improved a lot. Oh, here comes the TC.
Sohail Shaik: Let’s chat up after we are done with the ticket checking. Have lots to catch up on.
Jacob Francis: Yes, let’s do that. After all it’s not so frequently that we get to run into each other! Ha ha …
Sohail Shaik: True.

Questions and Answers:

1. Where is the conversation taking place? Is the context social, academic or professional?

• Answer: The conversation is taking place on a train, as indicated by references to “coaches,” “pantry car,” and the arrival of the “TC” (Ticket Checker). The context is primarily social.

2. Who are the two people talking? Are they already acquainted with each other?

• Answer: The two people talking are Jacob Francis and Sohail Shaik. Yes, they are already acquainted; they are former college classmates who haven’t seen each other in four years.

3. What cards do the two of them exchange? What is the purpose of such cards?

• Answer: They exchange business cards (or visiting cards). The purpose is to share their contact information and professional details, such as their job titles and mobile numbers.

4. Which of them has been promoted on his job? What is his current designation?

• Answer: Sohail Shaik has been promoted on his job. His current designation is Senior Manager.

5. What is a ‘pantry car’? Where is it found?

• Answer: A ‘pantry car’ is a coach on a train that is equipped with a kitchen for preparing and serving food to passengers. It is found on long-distance trains.