Family Gatherings
visited Grandma / Did you enjoy the cake she baked? / loved
We visited Grandma for her birthday last weekend.
Did you enjoy the cake she baked?
Yes, we all loved it and had a great time.
Conversation Question: When was the last time you visited the family matriarch/patriarch?
attended / Did the manager discuss the new project? / received our assignments
I attended a team meeting this morning.
Did the manager discuss the new project?
Yes, and we all received our assignments.
Conversation Question: What's the most interesting project you've worked on at a job?
studied / Did you feel prepared [math test] this morning? / was awarded
I studied for the math test all night.
Did you feel prepared [math test] this morning?
Yes, and I was awarded a perfect score.
Conversation Question: Have you ever pulled an all-nighter studying for an exam?
traveled / Did you visit the Eiffel Tower? / loved
We traveled to Paris last summer.
Did you visit the Eiffel Tower?
Yes, and we loved the view from the top.
Conversation Question: Have you ever been to a famous landmark? Which one?
attended / Did you enjoy the wedding ceremony? / loved
I attended a friend's wedding last weekend.
Did you enjoy the wedding ceremony?
Yes, I loved it very much.
Conversation Question: What's the most memorable wedding you've attended?
cooked / Did Uncle Bob prepare his famous lasagna? / appreciated
Uncle Bob cooked a big dinner for everyone.
Did he prepare his famous lasagna?
Yes, and everyone appreciated his cooking skills.
Conversation Question: What's your favorite dish that a family member cooks?
completed / Did the boss praise the team's efforts? / commended
We completed the quarterly report last week.
Did the boss praise the team's efforts?
Yes, he commended us for our hard work.
Conversation Question: Have you ever been recognized for your work at a job?
finished reading / Did the teacher give you a quiz on it? / challenged
We finished reading the novel in English class.
Did the teacher give you a quiz on it?
Yes, and everyone was challenged.
Conversation Question: What was your favorite book that you read in school?
booked / Did you learn a lot about ancient ruins from the guide? / explained
I booked a tour of the ancient ruins.
Did you learn a lot about ancient ruins from the guide?
Yes, the guide explained everything in detail.
Conversation Question: What's the most interesting tour or excursion you've been on?
hosted / Did many people show up for your bbq? / turned out
We hosted a barbecue at our place.
Did many people show up for your bbq?
Yes, lots turned out.
Conversation Question: Have you ever hosted a big gathering at your home?
shared stories / Did anyone tell the story about Grandpa's fishing trip? / laughed
We gathered around the table and shared stories.
Did anyone tell the story about Grandpa's fishing trip?
Yes, and it made everyone laugh.
Conversation Question: Do you have any funny family stories that are always told at gatherings?
emailed / Did they respond promptly? / replied
I emailed the client about the updates.
Did they respond promptly?
Yes, they replied within an hour.
Conversation Question: What's your preferred method of communicating with clients or colleagues?
joined / Did science club do any experiments? / conducted
I joined the science club last semester.
Did science club do any experiments?
Yes, we conducted a few interesting ones.
Conversation Question: Were you involved in any school clubs or extracurricular activities?
explored / Did you buy any souvenirs in the local markets? / purchased
We explored the local markets.
Did you buy any souvenirs in the local markets?
Yes, I purchased a beautiful handmade vase.
Conversation Question: Do you like to buy souvenirs when you travel? What's the best one you've gotten?
organized / How many candles on your sister's cake? / surprised-remembered
I organized a surprise birthday party for my sister.
How many candles on your sister's cake?
Too many. She was surprised I remembered her age.
Conversation Question: Have you ever been part of organizing a surprise party?
Jane announced / Did your cousin mention the wedding date? / planned for June
Cousin Jane announced her engagement.
Did your cousin mention the wedding date?
Yes, she said they planned it for next June.
Conversation Question: Have you ever attended a family member's wedding?
organized / Did everyone contribute to the retirement gift? / collected
We organized a farewell party for a colleague.
Did everyone contribute to the retirement gift?
Yes, we collected money and bought a nice present.
Conversation Question: Have you ever organized or attended a farewell party at work?
decorated / Did many students attend the dance? / enjoyed
We decorated the gym for the dance.
Did many students attend the dance?
Yes, and everyone enjoyed the music.
Conversation Question: Did you go to school dances or proms?
relaxed / Did you swim in the ocean? / refreshed
We relaxed on the beach every afternoon.
Did you swim in the ocean?
Yes, I was refreshed by the water.
Conversation Question: Do you prefer beach vacations or mountain getaways?
watched / Did you like the film? / entertained
We watched a movie at the theater.
Did you like the film?
Yes, we were very entertained.
Conversation Question: What's the best movie you've seen in theaters recently?
played / Did you join any of the board games? / loved the company
We played board games after dinner.
Did you join any games?
No, but I loved the company.
Conversation Question: What's your favorite board game to play with family?
scheduled meeting / Did she seem nervous? / relaxed+talked
I scheduled a meeting with the new intern.
Did she seem nervous?
Yes, but she relaxed after we talked.
Conversation Question: Do you remember your first day at a new job? How did it go?
completed / Did the teacher like your art work? / complimented
I completed my art project yesterday.
Did the teacher like your art work?
Yes, she complimented my creativity.
Conversation Question: Did you have a favorite subject or class in school?
hiked / Did you see any wildlife at the national park? spotted
We hiked through the national park.
Did you see any wildlife at the national park?
Yes, we spotted a few deer and birds.
Conversation Question: What's the best hiking or nature experience you've had?
attended / Did the charity raise a lot of money? / raised
I attended a charity gala last month.
Did the charity raise a lot of money?
Yes, they raised a million dollars!
Conversation Question: Have you ever attended a charity event? What was it like?