Passive Voice in English Dialogue with Exercise: The Invitation

A. English Dialogue: The Invitation

The following dialogue focuses on the use of the passive voice in everyday English conversations. It presents Jim and Betty, a couple having a lively discussion about an invitation to a farewell party. The dialogue highlights several examples of passive constructions in a natural context, helping learners understand how and when to use them. By studying the dialogue and completing the exercises, students will improve both their comprehension and ability to use the passive voice effectively.

Jim: "Betty, something interesting happened this afternoon."

Betty: "This is such an interesting article in the paper, Jim."

Jim: "Now, Betty! There's something I want to tell you."

Betty: "Jim! You know I don't like being disturbed while I'm reading the paper."

Jim: "But Betty, Hadi has invited us to a party at the University!"

Betty: "At the University! Why didn't you tell me?"

Jim: "I've been trying to tell you, but you didn't want to be disturbed."

Betty: "Well, I want to be told all about it. Who invited us?"

Jim: "Hadi phoned me this afternoon and invited us."

Betty: "What sort of party will it be?"

Jim: "Hadi's professor is giving a farewell party for him. The professor told him that some of his best friends could be invited too."

Betty: "And Hadi thought of us! I'm very happy to be invited to the party. and I'm very proud of being included among Hadi's best friends!"

Jim: "Well, I hope to be introduced to Hadi's professor. I've heard so much about him."

Betty: "Jim! What shall I wear?"

Jim: "Oh, you have plenty of beautiful clothes. Of course, my best suit should be dry cleaned."

Betty: "Jim, your best suit needn't be dry cleaned. It looks quite all right. But I'll need a new dress for the party. I wouldn't like to be seen at the party in an old dress."

Jim: "Well, I know you like being invited to parties, and I know you enjoy being admired when you're wearing new clothes, but the expense must be thought of!"

Betty: "Oh, the money for a new dress could be saved if you gave up smoking for a few weeks!"

Jim: "Now, Betty, let's be sensible. You have that wonderful blue dress that you wore to Nancy's party. Hadi and Yati weren't at that party, so they haven't seen it yet. Nobody at Hadi's party will have seen that dress, so you'll be able to wear that."

Betty: "I suppose you're right, Jim. But I'll need a new bag - and some new shoes!"

B. Exercise

I. Multiple Choice Questions

Answer the following questions.

1. What do the speakers mainly talk about?
   1. The newspaper article Betty is reading.
   2. Jim’s best suit and Betty’s old dress.
   3. An invitation to a farewell party.
   4. Hadi’s professor’s achievements.
2. Where does the conversation most probably take place?
   1. At Jim and Betty’s house.
   2. At the University.
   3. At a party venue.
   4. At Hadi’s house.
3. What is Betty doing at the start of the dialogue?
   1. Preparing for the party.
   2. Talking on the phone.
   3. Reading the newspaper.
   4. Cleaning the house.
4. What does Jim want to tell Betty?
   1. That Hadi’s professor is retiring.
   2. That Hadi has won an award.
   3. That he needs a new suit.
   4. That they’ve been invited to a party.
5. Who will hold the party?
   1. Hadi.
   2. Hadi’s professor.
   3. Jim and Betty.
   4. Nancy.
6. How does Betty feel about being invited?
   1. Proud and excited.
   2. Indifferent.
   3. Unhappy.
   4. Nervous.
7. What dress does Betty want to wear?
   1. Her blue dress from Nancy’s party.
   2. An old dress from her closet.
   3. A dress Jim suggested.
   4. A new dress she wants to buy.
8. Does Jim agree with Betty? Why?
   1. Yes, because Betty looks better in new clothes.
   2. No, because he dislikes her new dresses.
   3. No, because he thinks the expense should be avoided.
   4. Yes, because he wants to save money for a suit.
9. What does Jim think about his best suit?
   1. It doesn’t need to be dry cleaned.
   2. It needs to be dry cleaned.
   3. It’s too old to be worn.
   4. It needs to be replaced.
10. Why does Betty disagree with Jim about his suit?
    1. She thinks it looks dirty.
    2. She believes it doesn’t need cleaning.
    3. She wants him to wear a different suit.
    4. She thinks the suit is too formal.
11. What does Betty suggest to save money for her dress?
    1. Jim should give up smoking.
    2. Cancel the party plans.
    3. Jim should wear a different suit.
    4. Jim should borrow money.
12. What does Jim suggest Betty wear instead of buying a new dress?
    1. Her red dress.
    2. A dress borrowed from Yati.
    3. A casual outfit.
    4. Her blue dress from Nancy’s party.
13. What is implied by Betty’s response, "I suppose you're right, Jim"?
    1. She is excited about the dress.
    2. She plans to buy a dress anyway.
    3. She agrees reluctantly.
    4. She doesn’t want to go to the party.
14. Which word in the dialogue is closest in meaning to “farewell”?
    1. Goodbye.
    2. Celebration.
    3. Invitation.
    4. Departure
15. What does the phrase “being included among Hadi’s best friends” indicate about Betty’s feelings?
    1. She feels unimportant.
    2. She feels indifferent.
    3. She feels confused.
    4. She feels honored.

II. True-False Exercise

Decide whether the following statements are true or false.

1. Jim interrupts Betty while she is cooking.
   1. True
   2. False
2. Hadi invited Jim and Betty to the party over the phone.
   1. True
   2. False
3. Betty is proud to be one of Hadi’s best friends.
   1. True
   2. False
4. The party is for Nancy’s farewell.
   1. True
   2. False
5. Jim needs a new suit for the party.
   1. True
   2. False
6. Betty suggests saving money by buying second-hand clothes.
   1. True
   2. False
7. Jim thinks Betty can wear her blue dress again.
   1. True
   2. False
8. Betty insists on buying a new dress no matter what.
   1. True
   2. False
9. Instead of a new dress, Betty wanted to buy a new bag and some new shoes.
   1. True
   2. False
10. The party will be held at the University.
    1. True
    2. False

III. Discussion Questions

• Have you ever been to a farewell party? How did you feel about it?
• In your culture, what are the common customs for farewell events?

Updated: Jan 28, 2025
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