English - B2 — Upper-Intermediate

Discussing workload with a new colleague

You're on your first day at a new company. During the coffee break, a friendly colleague asks how you're finding the workload so far.

Claiming Flight Compensation at the Airport

Your flight has been cancelled due to industrial action, and you're at the airline's help desk trying to understand your rights and get rebooked.

Discussing a Delayed Furniture Delivery

You purchased a sofa three weeks ago, but the delivery date has passed without any update from the retailer. You are calling their customer service to find out what happened and agree on a solution.

Negotiating a salary increment

You are meeting with your line manager to discuss your annual review and are preparing to negotiate a better salary based on your recent achievements.

Reporting a faulty product

A customer calls the helpline of an electronics retailer to report that a recently purchased kitchen appliance stopped working after two days and to request either a replacement or a refund.

Discussing a disappointing meal

Two friends meet for coffee. One recently dined at a new restaurant and the meal was not as expected. They discuss the food, service, and whether to return.

Requesting a Deadline Extension from a Professor

A university student arranges a meeting with their dissertation supervisor to request an extension on their submission deadline, citing unexpected personal circumstances.

Asking a GP for a second opinion

You've been experiencing persistent back pain for several weeks. A specialist you saw recently recommended surgery, but you're uncertain. Today you've booked an appointment with your GP to discuss the diagnosis and explore whether there might be alternative treatment options worth considering first.

Booking a bespoke suit fitting

You've walked into a Savile Row tailor's shop to book a consultation for a made-to-measure suit. You're greeted by the tailor's assistant.

Requesting Flexible Working Arrangements

You've been with your company for two years and have arranged a meeting with your HR manager to discuss transitioning to flexible working. You need to present your proposal and address any concerns they might raise.

Requesting a Reference Letter

You are a recent graduate meeting your former university tutor during their office hours. You need a reference letter for a graduate programme you are applying to.

Seeking Career Advice

You're meeting your former mentor for lunch. They've offered to help you decide whether to accept a job offer at a tech startup or stay in your current stable government role.

Interviewing a Potential Lodger

You are a homeowner who has a spare room to rent. You've invited a potential lodger around for an informal meeting to see the room and discuss whether they'd be a suitable fit for your household.

Reporting a Noise Complaint to the Letting Agent

You are a tenant in a flat and have been unable to sleep for a week due to excessive noise from the flat above. You have come into the letting agent's office to report the nuisance and request that something be done.

Reporting a noise disturbance to the building manager

You've been woken up by loud music and stamping footsteps from the flat above for the third night in a row. You're at the building manager's office to report the disturbance and request that something be done.

Asking Your Employer About Flexible Working Arrangements

You arrange a meeting with your line manager to discuss adjusting your working pattern, perhaps to work from home occasionally or adjust your hours to better fit your personal circumstances.

Amending a library study room reservation

You have booked a study room at the university library for a group project meeting this afternoon, but two members of your group have fallen ill. You need to call the library reception to change the booking.

Renting a flat — what to ask at a viewing

You are searching for a new flat to rent. You've arranged a viewing with a letting agent at a property you're interested in. You need to ask the right questions and understand the terms before deciding whether to proceed.

Reporting a Persistent Heating Problem to a Landlord

Your gas boiler has been making strange noises and cutting out intermittently for the past week, leaving you without reliable heating. You've arranged to meet your landlord at the property to discuss the issue and request a professional repair.

Discussing retirement investment options

You are meeting with a financial advisor at your bank to discuss moving your pension savings into a new investment portfolio with different risk levels.

Complaining about a botched alteration

You paid a dry cleaner's forty pounds to have the legs of your new trousers tapered, but when you collected them, the seams are visibly crooked and one leg is noticeably shorter than the other. You're returning to speak with the manager.

Challenging a Higher-Than-Expected Energy Bill

You've received your quarterly electricity bill and it's significantly higher than usual. You've called your energy supplier's customer service line to query the charge and request an explanation or adjustment.

Getting a quote from a tradesperson

A landlord contacts a plumber to arrange a survey and quote for kitchen modifications ahead of new lodgers moving in.

Discussing a plumbing repair with a tradesperson

You rent a flat and have noticed a persistent leak under the kitchen sink that's getting worse. You've called out a plumber, and they're now at your flat to inspect the problem and give you a quote for the repair.

Asking a pharmacist for headache remedy advice

You have had a persistent headache for two days. Your usual paracetamol does not seem to be helping, so you've come to the pharmacy counter to ask whether there's a suitable over-the-counter alternative.

Booking a Personal Training Consultation

You've joined a new gym and have booked an initial consultation with a personal trainer to discuss your fitness goals and create a tailored exercise plan.

Arranging a Language Exchange Partnership

You've met someone at a language café who wants to improve their English in exchange for helping you learn their language. You're having a coffee to discuss the practical details of your partnership.

Choosing Optional Modules with Your Personal Tutor

You have a one-to-one meeting with your personal tutor to discuss which optional modules to select for your final year. You need to explain your career goals and weigh up which choices will best support your future plans.

Withdrawing a property from the market

You listed your flat for sale six weeks ago, but circumstances have changed and you've decided to take it off the market. You're meeting with your estate agent at their office to discuss the process and any contractual implications.

Inquiring about a Warranty Claim

You've discovered that your laptop, purchased six months ago, has a fault with the charging port. You've called the manufacturer's customer service helpline to discuss making a warranty claim.

Contesting a Parking Fine

You have received a parking ticket for overstaying at a car park you believe you left on time. You are calling the local council's parking appeals department to contest the penalty charge notice and request that it be cancelled.

Discussing Pet Treatment Options with a Vet

Your cat has been off-colour for several days, so you've taken her to the veterinary surgery. The vet has examined her and is now explaining the diagnosis and proposed treatment plan.

Reporting a Lost Item on a Train

You have left your briefcase on a train and you are now at the train station's lost property office to report it and inquire about the retrieval process.

Arranging a car diagnostic appointment

Your car's engine warning light has come on, so you're calling a local garage to book a diagnostic check and get an estimate for any necessary repairs.

Requesting a council tax reduction

You have recently lost your job and are now struggling to pay your council tax. You visit the council's revenues and benefits department to discuss whether you qualify for a reduction and what evidence you will need to provide.

Querying an Incorrect Mobile Phone Bill

You've just received your monthly mobile phone bill and noticed a charge you don't recognise. You're calling your provider's customer service to query the amount and request a refund if the charge is incorrect.

Requesting a character reference for a tenancy application

A young professional is applying to rent a flat and needs professional character references. They arrange to meet a former colleague from their previous job, hoping to ask them to act as a referee for their tenancy application.

Joining a Community Cycling Club

You've cycled recreationally for a few years and are interested in joining a local cycling club. You're meeting the club treasurer at the clubhouse to discuss membership options, the different categories of rides they offer, and what the subscription includes.

Checking passport renewal status

You submitted your UK passport renewal application three weeks ago, but you haven't received it yet. Your upcoming trip is in ten days, so you're calling the HM Passport Office to find out the status of your application.

Requesting Compassionate Leave

You have just received news that a close family member has passed away. You are meeting with your HR manager to discuss your entitlement to compassionate leave and to arrange time off.

Requesting a gym membership freeze

You are on the phone with the memberships manager at your local leisure centre. You've been signed up for six months but are about to undergo knee surgery and will be unable to exercise for approximately three months. You want to discuss freezing your membership rather than cancelling it outright.

Arranging Redelivery of a Missed Parcel

You weren't home when the courier attempted to deliver your online order yesterday. You've come into the delivery company's local depot to collect the parcel and discuss options for future deliveries.

Querying an incorrect taxi fare

You've just arrived at your hotel after a taxi ride from the airport. When you check the fare on the meter, it seems significantly higher than expected for the distance travelled. You're at the hotel reception desk, about to settle the fare with the driver.

Reporting a break-in to your insurer

Your flat was broken into yesterday evening while you were out, and several items have been stolen. You are calling your home insurance provider to report the theft and begin the claims process.

Planning a Cremation Service with a Funeral Director

Your mother has passed away, and you're meeting with a funeral director at a local funeral home to begin planning the cremation service she requested in her will.

Arranging a car pool with a neighbour

You live on a quiet residential street and have been chatting with Sarah, who lives three doors down. You both work in the same area and you've realised your commute times are similar. You bump into her at the local shop and raise the idea of sharing lifts to work to cut down on fuel costs and parking fees.

Requesting a birth certificate from the registry office

You need an official copy of your birth certificate for a passport application. You're calling the local registry office to find out how to request one and how long it will take.

Requesting a refund on a concert ticket from a resale platform

You purchased two tickets to a concert through an online ticket resale platform, but the event has been cancelled. You're now calling the platform's customer service to request a refund.

Objecting to a neighbour's planning application

A neighbour has submitted a planning application to convert their garage into a habitable room. You are concerned about the impact on your property's light and privacy. You visit the local council's planning department to understand the process and register an objection.

Querying a Service Charge at the Letting Agent's Office

Your letting agent has sent you the quarterly service charge statement for your flat, and several line items seem unclear or excessive. You've come into their office to request an itemised breakdown and an explanation for the charges.

Discussing a Name Change Deed with a Solicitor

You are meeting with a solicitor to discuss legally changing your name. You want to understand the process, the differences between enrolled and unenrolled deed polls, and what documentation you will need to update your records afterward.

Enquiring About Listed Building Status

You own a 1930s detached house and want to know whether it might qualify for listed building status. You're visiting the local planning authority's heritage officer for an initial consultation.

Asking About SEN Assessment

Your child has been struggling with certain aspects of their learning, and you've arranged a meeting with the school's Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) to discuss whether a formal assessment might be appropriate.

Calling the DBS Helpline About a Criminal Record Check

You've accepted a new role as a care assistant at a nursing home, which requires an enhanced DBS check. You're calling the Disclosure and Barring Service helpline to find out which identity documents you'll need to provide and how long the process typically takes.

Discussing dental treatment options

You are in the dental surgery chair for a routine check-up. The dentist has identified some issues that require treatment and is now explaining the options, costs, and procedures involved.

Asking for a Professional Introduction

You work in marketing and are having coffee with a colleague from a different department. You've learned that someone in their team has an interesting connection you'd like to explore, and you want to ask your colleague to introduce you.

Donating unwanted items to a charity shop

You are clearing out your spare room and have several bags of unwanted items. You visit your local charity shop to see what they can accept and discuss whether your donations are suitable.

Discussing a community garden plot

You've been on the waiting list for a council allotment for over a year. A plot has finally become available, so you've come to the community garden to meet the coordinator and learn what the tenancy involves.

Contesting a Planning Enforcement Notice

You received a letter informing you that the wooden shed in your back garden is an 'unauthorised structure' and you must demolish it. You're now at the local planning office to discuss the enforcement notice and understand your options.

Arranging a Ticket Transfer at the Theatre Box Office

You have tickets for a West End musical this evening, but a work emergency means you cannot attend. You're at the theatre's box office in person to arrange transferring the tickets to your sister, who lives nearby.

Requesting a Council Tax Band Review

You are a homeowner who believes your property has been placed in the wrong council tax band. You have come to the council tax office to query the banding and request a formal review of your assessment.

Renting an Allotment Garden Plot

You are interested in renting an allotment garden plot. You have arranged a meeting with the council's allotments officer to find out about availability, costs, and what is involved in taking on a plot.

Responding to a Plagiarism Allegation

You're a university student who has been asked to meet with your personal tutor after concerns were raised about potential plagiarism in your recent essay submission. You need to discuss the allegation, explain your work process, and understand the next steps.

Enquiring about accessibility at a theatre

You are partially deaf and want to attend a West End production. You are telephoning the theatre's box office to find out about hearing assistance facilities and accessible seating options before booking your tickets.

Applying for a Blue Badge parking permit

You are at the local council offices to enquire about the Blue Badge scheme and find out whether you are eligible to apply for a parking permit.

Booking a Piano Tuner

You've just moved into a new flat and discovered an old upright piano in the spare room left behind by the previous tenant. It's badly out of tune, so you're calling a local piano tuner to book a service visit.

Requesting a University Room Transfer

You are a university student who has been experiencing persistent problems with your flatmates and would like to move to different university halls. You have arranged a meeting with the accommodation officer to discuss your options.

Arranging Professional Carpet Cleaning for a Tenancy Deposit Return

You are moving out of your rental flat and your tenancy agreement specifies that all carpets must be professionally cleaned before the end of your tenancy. You have called a local cleaning company to book a deep clean and are discussing the quote, the process, and whether to add any optional extras.

Attending a Secondary School Parents' Evening

You are attending a parents' evening at your child's secondary school. Your child's form tutor has asked to speak with you about their progress in mathematics, which has been a concern this term.

Understanding listed building protections at a heritage site

You've joined a guided tour of a medieval tithe barn run by a local preservation trust. The guide is explaining why the building has special legal protections and how the trust funds its ongoing maintenance.

Discussing an EPC Assessment for Your Property

You've listed your house for sale and your estate agent has recommended obtaining an Energy Performance Certificate. You're calling an accredited domestic energy assessor to book a survey and understand what's involved.

Requesting a Booking Cancellation at a Hotel

You've made a non-refundable hotel reservation for a business trip, but the meeting has been postponed. You're calling the hotel to explain the situation and request a cancellation or credit for a future stay.

Presenting a Tax Assessment Appeal at a Tribunal

You are attending a First-tier Tax Tribunal hearing to challenge a HMRC decision regarding a self-assessment dispute. A judge will hear both your appeal and the HMRC officer's position before making a determination.

Arranging a Wedding Dress Fitting

You are visiting a bridal boutique for your first fitting appointment. The seamstress is going to assess what alterations will be needed on your off-the-peg wedding dress ahead of your summer wedding.

Discussing a Performance Improvement Plan with Your Manager

You've been called into a meeting with your line manager after a recent dip in your work performance. You're now sitting in their office to discuss the details of a performance improvement plan they want to implement.

Discussing Planning Permission for a Listed Property

You own a Victorian terrace in a conservation area and are meeting with a heritage officer at the local planning authority to discuss whether you need permission for proposed renovation works.

Discussing a Shared Driveway Easement with a Neighbour

You are standing at the boundary of your property with Mr Hughes from next door. You have arranged this meeting because you need to raise your concerns about the shared driveway: the existing informal arrangement is causing friction, and you need to find a clearer, fairer solution for both parties.

Reporting a neighbour's security light nuisance to the council

A residential neighbour's dusk-to-dawn security light is shining directly into your bedroom, making it impossible to sleep. You are visiting the environmental health department at your local council offices to report the light pollution and find out what action can be taken.

Initial enquiry about fostering a child

You are considering becoming a foster carer and have booked an informal meeting with a social worker at your local authority's fostering service to find out what the process involves.

Discussing University Housing Reallocation

Your university halls of residence have become unavailable due to a sudden structural issue, and you are meeting with an accommodation officer to discuss your options for alternative housing.

Heritage Grant Eligibility Consultation

You own a Victorian terrace and have contacted the local conservation team because you're interested in understanding whether you might qualify for any grants to help fund restoration work on the original features.

Reporting a Building Site Noise Nuisance to Environmental Health

A homeowner visits the council's environmental health department to report persistent noise and vibrations from a nearby construction site that has been operating outside permitted hours for the past three weeks.

Booking an Emergency Dental Appointment

You have been woken in the night by severe toothache that hasn't subsided. It's now early morning, and you're calling the dental surgery the moment it opens to request an emergency appointment.

Discussing Solar Panel Installation

A homeowner visits a renewable energy showroom to find out about installing solar panels on their property.

Challenging a Mid-Contract Price Increase

You've received a letter informing you that your broadband monthly price is rising mid-contract. You're now calling your provider's customer retention team to discuss your options.

Attending a planning consultation hearing

You are a local resident who has objected to a planning application in your neighbourhood. You are attending a public consultation hearing at the local planning office to present your concerns formally to the planning committee.

Discussing a Tree Preservation Order with the Council

You've noticed that a large oak tree at the bottom of your garden, which is partially overhanging your neighbour's property, has developed a significant crack in one of its main branches. You're visiting the council's planning department to discuss whether the council can intervene and what options are available.