Exercise 1: Picture Conversation A. Read the dialogue below.
次の会話を読んでみましょう
Intermediate Conversation
Material #20
I’M SORRY, BUT I COULDN’T
POSSIBLY…
Refusing an offer
I’m sorry, but I couldn’t possibly do that. I know how much you care for your toy car collection. Hey, take this home with
you. It’s my old toy car collection. I’m sure your
B. Quick Q&A (2-3 minutes)
1. Have you ever refused an offer/help from another person? 2. Do you often refuse help from other people?
3. What types of offers do you often extend? 4. What types of offers can you not refuse?
5. Why is it important to be polite when rejecting an offer?
Exercise 2: Say It! (3 minutes)
Read the following words and sample sentences below. 次の単語と例文を読んでみましょう。
A. Vocabulary ボキャブラリー decline
断る
I declined his dinner invitation since I already have plans. 彼が夕食に招待してくれたが、予定があったので断った。
offer 提供する
He was kind enough to offer me a drink. 親切なことに彼は私に飲み物をくれた。
politely 丁寧に
She politely asked if her brother can lend her money. お金を貸してもらえないかと彼女は弟に丁寧に頼んだ。
apologize 謝る
My brother apologized for not coming with me today. 一緒に行けなくてすまなかったと兄は私に謝った。
offense 侮辱
He wants you to know that he meant no offense when he refused your offer.
B. Expressions 表現
I’m sorry, but I couldn’t possibly…
（申し訳ありませんが、）とても…でき ません
※丁寧な表現
I’m sorry, but I couldn’t possibly accept all this money. I think it’s too much.
お気持ちはありがたいのですが、このお金を受け取るわけにはいき ません。大金すぎます。
I’m afraid I can’t…
（申し訳ありませんが、）…できません
I’m afraid I can’t help you review tonight. I have to babysit my brother.
悪いけど、今夜は復習を見てあげられないわ。弟の面倒を見ないと いけないの。
No worries. 心配しないで。
A: I’m sorry if I can’t help you cook dinner.
B. No worries. I understand that you have lots of things to do as well.
A: 夕飯の支度を手伝えなかったらごめんなさい。 B: いいのよ。あなたも忙しいんだから。
Exercise 3: Role-Play (4 minutes)
Read the dialogues below. The vocabulary words and expressions from the previous exercise are highlighted for your reference.
次の会話を読んでみましょう。太字で示されているのはエクササイズ 2 で学習した単語と表現です。
A.
Student Can you come with me to the grocery store later?
Tutor I’m afraid I can’t go with you. I have to go to the library later. Student I see. No worries. You don’t have to apologize.
Tutor I’ll go with you next time, I promise.
B.
Student Jake offered to give me a ride last night. Tutor Really? Did you accept it, or did you decline?
Student Of course, I refused. I told him I couldn’t possibly go with him. I hardly even know him.
Tutor You could’ve refused more politely.
Exercise 4: Answer It! (5 minutes)
A. Complete the dialogue using the new vocabulary words and expressions we learned. 今日学習した単語と表現を使って会話を完成させましょう。
Student I heard your mom to help you pay your rent. Tutor Yes, she did. But I refused.
Student Why did you ? That would’ve helped you a lot.
Tutor continue depending too much on her. I have to stand on my own feet.
B. Complete the dialogue using your own answers. You can use any of new vocabulary words and expressions, if possible.
好きな言葉を入れて会話を完成させましょう。今日学習した単語や表現を使っても構いません
Tutor When was the last time your offer for help got refused? Student It was .
Tutor How did you feel when s/he rejected your offer? Student I felt .
Exercise 5: Conversation Starter (10 minutes)
Pick one of the four scenarios below, and start a conversation with your tutor. 次の 4 つのシナリオの中から好きなものを選んで、講師と会話をしてみましょう。
You are an executive of a company and your most promising employee wants to resign. Convince him to stay by making an offer (e.g. higher salary, promotion, etc.) that s/he cannot refuse.
あなたはある企業の重役ですが、もっとも目を かけている部下が退職の意向を示しています。 魅力的な提案（例：昇給、昇進）をして翻意さ せてください。
Name three common reasons why you refuse an offer (e.g. help, gift, job offer, etc.). Briefly discuss it with your tutor.
あなたが申し出（例：援助、プレゼント、仕事の 依頼など）を断る理由を 3 つ挙げてください。そ れについて講師と簡単に話し合ってください。
Tell your tutor about the rudest way a person can reject a well-intentioned offer. Share how you would react to a rejection like that.
善意の申し出に対するとても無礼な断り方はどんなも のだと思いますか。また、そういう断り方をされたら あなたはどんな反応を示しますか。
Give two instances in which you had to refuse an offer. Discuss what happened during those times.
誘いを断らざるを得なかった実例をふたつ挙げ、その ときの状況をおしえてください。
