Complete the 12 sentences below. Choose the best answer for each one.
1Thanks for the tea, but ...............
Wrong!
Use "I’m fine" to politely refuse an offer when you do not want more.
2Would you like a lift? ...............
Wrong!
Use "No, thank you" to refuse an offer politely.
3Can I help you carry those bags? ...............
Wrong!
Use "That’s kind of you, but no" to thank someone and refuse the offer.
4A sandwich? I’ll pass, but ...............
Wrong!
Use "thanks" after "I’ll pass, but" to refuse politely.
5Thanks for inviting me, but I’d rather ............... tonight.
Wrong!
Use "stay home" after "I’d rather" when you prefer not to accept an invitation.
6Lunch today sounds nice, but I’m ...............
Wrong!
Use "busy" to give a simple reason for refusing an offer or invitation.
7Do you want to play tennis after work? ...............
Wrong!
Use "I can’t today" to refuse because you are not able to do it today.
8Would you like some coffee now? ...............
Wrong!
Use "Maybe another time" to refuse now but leave the offer open for later.
9Thanks for offering me a pen, but I don’t ...............
Wrong!
Use "need one" after "I don’t" to refuse an offered object you already have or do not need.
10Come to dinner with us tonight? I’m afraid ...............
Wrong!
Use "I can’t" after "I’m afraid" to refuse politely with regret.
11More cake? No ...............
Wrong!
Use "thanks" with "No" in the polite refusal "No thanks".
12The soup is lovely, but I’m ...............
Wrong!
Use "full" to refuse more food because you cannot eat more.
Answers
- Thanks for the tea, but I’m fine.
- Would you like a lift? No, thank you.
- Can I help you carry those bags? That’s kind of you, but no.
- A sandwich? I’ll pass, but thanks.
- Thanks for inviting me, but I’d rather stay home tonight.
- Lunch today sounds nice, but I’m busy.
- Do you want to play tennis after work? I can’t today.
- Would you like some coffee now? Maybe another time.
- Thanks for offering me a pen, but I don’t need one.
- Come to dinner with us tonight? I’m afraid I can’t.
- More cake? No thanks.
- The soup is lovely, but I’m full.
