Conversation between Peter (caregiver) and Mrs Jones (resident)

Situation: Peter asks Mrs Jones if she wishes to take a walk with him. Mrs Jones is concerned that the weather may not be good and that she may feel tired from walking. Together they decide to go on a walk to the library.

Audio: Listen to the audio file here.

Grammar points:

Second and Third conditionals

Modals

Persons: Peter (caregiver), Mrs Jones (resident) Location: Care facility sitting room

Peter:	Good morning Mrs. Jones, how are you today?
Mrs Jones:	Oh I could be better. If I had more energy I might be able to go outside more.
Peter:	Would you like to go outside today? We could go for a walk together if you want to.
Mrs Jones:	The weather forecast in the newspaper said that it would probably rain today.
Peter:	It might rain today but I think that will be later, right now there are no clouds in the sky.
Mrs Jones:	I saw Mrs. Brown going out to the shopping centre earlier. She was wearing a coat so it must be cold.
Peter:	It's not very cold outside, but you could wear your coat too. Shall I fetch it for you?
Mrs Jones:	I'm not sure, I may decide not to go for a walk at all.
Peter:	Well it's up to you, but I am happy to walk with you. We could walk to the library to change your books.
Mrs Jones:	I don't know really, I worry about getting tired.
Peter:	We could walk to the shopping centre. We might meet Mrs. Brown there. Which do you prefer, the library or the shopping centre?
Mrs Jones:	Well I do need to change my books but the library is quite far. I can't walk so far these days.
Peter:	You've walked to the library before. If you get tired we could come back on the bus.
Mrs Jones:	OK we can walk to the library. I must remember to take my library card.
Peter:	Don't worry I will get it for you, and your coat. Would you like me to fetch your scarf too?
Mrs Jones:	Yes please, it might be windy outside, or a little chilly.
Peter:	I know that's the problem with the British weather. One minute it might be sunny, the next it might rain.
Mrs Jones:	I know. I would like to live somewhere where the weather is more predictable.
Peter:	Do you mean somewhere where the weather is always sunny?
Mrs Jones:	Yes I do. I could sit out in the sun all day. I might even go swimming.
Peter:	I thought you couldn't swim.
Mrs Jones:	I can't swim, but if it was sunny everyday I would learn to swim like an Olympic swimmer. Maybe I could win some medals.
Peter:	If it was sunny everyday I would invest in an ice cream business. People like to eat ice cream when it's sunny.
Mrs Jones:	It’s more likely to rain every day in Britain.
Peter:	If it rained every day I would invest in an umbrella business or a raincoat business. Ok, are you ready to leave?
Mrs Jones:	I think so, now did I pick up my library card?
Peter:	Yes you put it in your purse. You can't change your books without your library card.
Mrs Jones:	And have you got my books Peter?
Peter:	Yes I have them in my bag. They’re quite heavy.
Mrs Jones:	I am sorry about that. Perhaps I may not get so many next time.
Peter:	It’s ok, I can carry them. If I had read more books when I was younger I might have been your doctor now.
Mrs Jones :	Well you do a good job as my carer.
Peter:	Let's go then.
Mrs Jones :	(Mrs Jones looks out of the window) It still looks as if it might rain.
Peter:	(Peter holds up an umbrella) That’s why I'm bringing this along. In Britain you can never be too sure about the weather.
Mrs Jones :	That’s true. If I had known that when I was younger I would have moved to a different country...a sunny one.