DIscourse Markers 2

Choose the correct discourse marker. Follow the conversation:

A- What a good film! I really enjoyed it. And you? 

B- Actually/Incidentally I didn't like it very much. 
A- Why not? B- Basically /After all, I thought the plot was completely unbelievable.

• Basically

• After all

Answer explanation

The correct answer is 'Basically' as it aligns with the speaker's opinion about the plot being completely unbelievable.

A- I wouldn't call it unbelievable. In other words / In any case, it wasn't supposed to be a true story.

• In other words

• In any case

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'In any case' because it fits the context of the sentence where the speaker is emphasizing that the story was not meant to be true, regardless of how unbelievable it may seem.

B- I know, but it was set in a specific historical period. Otherwise/Obviously, you can't expect the dialogue to be totally authentic,

• Otherwise

• Obviously

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'Obviously' because it acknowledges the fact that the dialogue may not be entirely authentic due to the specific historical period setting.

B- I mean /on the other hand, nobody knows exactly how people spoke in Roman times,

• I mean

• On the other hand

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'I mean' as it is the phrase used to introduce a clarification or explanation, while 'On the other hand' is used to introduce a contrasting point.

B- but besides/at least the details should be right.

• besides

• at least

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'at least' because it fits the context of the sentence better than 'besides' in expressing the idea that the details should be accurate.

B- There were cannons in the battle scene and they weren't invented till a thousand years later! All in all /That is to say, I thought it was a pretty awful film.

• All in all

• That is to say

Answer explanation

The correct answer is 'All in all' because it is used to summarize the speaker's overall opinion after providing a specific example of cannons being historically inaccurate in the film.

A- We'll have to agree to disagree then. By the way/As a matter of fact, do you know what time the last bus leaves? I don't want to miss it.

• By the way

• As a matter of fact

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'By the way' because it is used to introduce a new topic or question in a conversation, which is the case in the given context.

A- Otherwise/In any case, I'll have to get a taxi home.

• Otherwise
• In any case

B - Don't worry, we've got plenty of time. In fact/Besides, I think we've even got time to have something to eat. There's a good Italian restaurant just round the corner.

• In fact

• Besides

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'In fact' because it is used to provide additional information or emphasize a point, which fits the context of the conversation.

A- Good idea. As I was saying/Talking of Italian food, I made a wonderful mushroom risotto last night...

• As I was saying

• Talking of

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'Talking of' as it is used to introduce a related topic in a conversation, which fits the context of discussing Italian food.