Agreeing or disagreeing

Which of these ways of agreeing is least appropriate here?The traffic in town’s worse than ever today.

• a You’re telling me. It took me ages to get home from work.

• b You can say that again. It took me ages to get home from work.

• c I agree entirely. It took me ages to get home from work.

• d It certainly is. It took me ages to get home from work.

Which of these responses expresses tentative agreement? I think it’d be better to postpone the meeting till next week.

• Exactly. Too many people are away this week.

• I’m inclined to agree. Too many people are away this week.

• I couldn’t agree more. Too many people are away this week.

• It would. Too many people are away this week.

Which of these responses express reluctant agreement? (There is more than one correct answer.) It’s getting late. I think we’d better go home, without calling round to see your parents.

• I suppose so. Let’s just phone them instead, shall we?

• You’re right. Let’s just phone them instead, shall we?

• I know. Let’s just phone them instead, shall we?

• I guess so. Let’s just phone them instead, shall we?

Which of these responses express partial agreement? (There is more than one correct answer.) Listening to English is really impossible.

• Absolutely, but speaking it’s even worse!

• I agree up to a point, but it gets easier with practice.

• I wouldn’t go as far as to say that. It’s difficult, but it’s really just a matter of getting used to it.

• That’s right – so many of the words are unclear.

Which of these responses gives an impression of politeness?

The 1960s were the best decade for music.

• Rubbish! Have you listened to any music since then?

• I’m sorry, but have you listened to any music since then?

• How can you say that? Have you listened to any music since then?

• Are you kidding? Have you listened to any music since then?

Which of these responses expresses disagreement most strongly?

What use is history? Do you remember our history lessons at school? Most of what they taught us was completely useless, wasn’t it?

• I don’t know. I don’t think it’s fair to say that, actually.

• I take your point, but that was probably because of the way it was taught.

• You’ve got a point there, but the problem was that the teachers didn’t really show how it was relevant to us.

• That’s true, but I think it’s taught a bit differently nowadays.

Which of these responses is the most polite? I think we all agree that the writing was the hardest part of the test.

• Speak for yourself.

• Excuse me, but I’m not sure whether everyone thought so.

• We all agree? You must be joking!

• Nonsense! The listening was far worse.

Which of these responses is the most polite?

All public transport in cities should be free.

• Don’t make me laugh. How on earth would it be financed?

• Nothing of the kind! How on earth would it be financed?

• I’m afraid I can’t agree with you. How on earth would it be financed?

• Of course not. How on earth would it be financed?