English - B1 — Intermediate

Arranging Regular Garden Maintenance

You are a homeowner who has just moved into a new house with a large garden. You call a local gardening service to ask about arranging regular garden maintenance.

Reporting a leak to the landlord

A tenant calls their landlord to report a water leak in their kitchen ceiling.

Talking about a film or TV show

You meet a friend at a café and they ask about a film or TV series you recently watched. You describe the plot, talk about the characters, and say whether you recommend it.

Renting a Car at the Airport

You are at the car rental desk of an international airport and need to rent a car for your trip. You would like to ask about insurance, the type of transmission, a GPS device, and arrange pick‑up and drop‑off times.

Swapping a work shift

A retail assistant needs to swap a shift with a colleague because of a personal appointment, and they're asking if it's possible.

Asking a pharmacist for advice

You have been feeling unwell for a couple of days, so you visit the pharmacy to explain your symptoms and ask for advice.

Reporting a Faulty Product

You're at an electrical goods shop, speaking with a customer service assistant about a kettle you bought last week that has stopped working.

Rescheduling a Doctor's Appointment

A learner calls their doctor's surgery to change an upcoming appointment to a different date and time.

Reporting a Missing Delivery

You call the customer service helpline of an online retailer because your parcel has not arrived, even though the tracking shows it was delivered.

Booking a guided tour

You are visiting a new city and call a tourism company to ask about a guided walking tour. You want to know if it's available on your preferred date, how long it lasts, how much it costs, and how to book.

Booking a restaurant for a special occasion

You need to call a restaurant to reserve a table for a special dinner with friends. You want to arrange a celebration with dietary requirements and a quiet corner.

Talking to a neighbour about late-night noise

It's Sunday morning. Your neighbour had a loud party last night that went on until 2am, disturbing your sleep. You've decided to politely raise the issue with them directly.

Booking a kennel for your pet

You are planning a short holiday and need to arrange care for your dog. You call a local kennels to ask about availability, prices, and what's included in the service.

Returning an overdue library book

You've just returned to the library after a long holiday and realise your borrowed book is now five days overdue.

Renting a self-storage unit

You need to store some belongings for a few months while you're between flats. You call a self-storage company to ask about available units, sizes, prices, and access arrangements.

Cancelling a gym membership

You call the reception desk of your local leisure centre to cancel your gym membership, as you've decided to exercise at home instead. You need to discuss the notice period and any final payments.

Joining a leisure centre gym

A learner visits their local leisure centre reception to ask about joining the gym. They want to know about membership options, prices, facilities, and whether they can try before they commit.

Arranging a plumber to fix a leak

A homeowner calls a plumbing service to report a burst pipe under the sink and arranges for a plumber to visit and provide a quote.

Asking about a resident parking permit

You need to park near your flat, so you call your local council to ask about getting a resident parking permit.

Reporting slow broadband speeds

You've been experiencing very slow internet at home for the past few days. You call your internet service provider to report the problem and ask about possible solutions.

Reporting a Lost Passport at the Consulate

A British tourist is abroad and has discovered their passport is missing. They call the British consulate to report it and ask about emergency travel documents.

Reporting a faulty product under warranty

You bought a vacuum cleaner three months ago, but it's stopped working properly. You call the shop's customer service line to report the fault and ask about your options under the warranty.

Reporting a Pest Problem to the Letting Agent

You are a tenant in a rented flat and have discovered mice in the kitchen. You call the letting agent to report the problem and request pest control treatment.

Reporting a lost item on the train

You boarded a train this morning and accidentally left your handbag on the seat. You are now calling the train company's lost property office to report the missing item and ask how to claim it.

Checking your electoral registration

You are calling your local council's electoral services department to check whether you are registered to vote, because you haven't received a polling card recently and want to make sure your details are up to date.

Enquiring about evening classes

You are thinking of taking up a new hobby and would like to join an evening class at your local community centre. You call to ask about available courses, timetables, prices, and how to enrol.

Registering to Vote After Moving House

You have recently moved into a new flat and need to register to vote at your new address. You call your local council's electoral services department to find out what information you need, what the deadline is, and whether there is a fee.

Ringing an estate agent about a flat

You are looking for somewhere new to live. You call a local estate agent about a flat you saw advertised online, to ask about availability and arrange a viewing.

Requesting a council tax band review

You have recently moved into your flat and believe your council tax band is too high for the size of the property. You call the council tax department to request a review of your band.

Reporting a Broken Streetlight to the Council

A streetlight near your home has stopped working, leaving the area very dark at night. You call the local council to report the fault and ask when it will be repaired.

Appealing a parking fine

You are at the parking services office of your local council, speaking with an officer about a penalty charge notice you received for parking on yellow lines. You want to explain your circumstances and ask whether the fine can be reduced or cancelled.

Reporting a stolen phone to the police

You are calling your local police station to report that your mobile phone was stolen yesterday evening while you were walking home.

Reporting a Fraudulent Bank Transaction

You are calling your bank's fraud department because you noticed an unfamiliar transaction on your online bank statement. You need to report it and request a reimbursement.

Reporting a delayed flight to the airline

Your flight was delayed by six hours this morning, so you call the airline's customer service to ask about the reason for the delay, whether you can claim compensation, and what your options are for rebooking.

Enquiring about a nursery place

You are a parent calling a local nursery to ask about available places for your child. You want to know about availability, session times, costs, and how to register.

Requesting a pet vaccination record from the vet

You need to travel abroad with your dog next month, so you're calling your veterinary practice to request a copy of your pet's vaccination record.

Reporting a Missed Bin Collection

You put your wheelie bin out for collection yesterday morning, but when you came home from work, you noticed it hadn't been emptied. You call the local council to report the missed collection.

Calling the Passport Office to check your renewal

You applied to renew your British passport four weeks ago. You have a holiday abroad in three weeks and are worried it may not arrive in time. You call the Passport Office to check the status of your application.

Enquiring about music lessons

A learner calls a local music school to ask about available music lessons and to find out about prices, scheduling, and how to enrol.

Reporting a Lost Driving Licence to the DVLA

You have just discovered your driving licence is missing. You call the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) to report it lost and request a replacement.

Discussing your child's progress with the class teacher

A parent visits their child's primary school to meet with the class teacher. They want to raise concerns about their child's progress and find out what extra support might be available.

Arranging a Bulky Waste Collection

You need to dispose of some large household items that are too big for your normal bin. You call your local council to arrange a bulky waste collection.

Confirming a plumber's quote

You called a plumber about a leaking pipe under your bathroom sink last week and received a quote. You are now calling back to confirm the final price, ask what's included, and arrange a visit.

Calling the dentist about a treatment plan

You are calling your dental practice to follow up on a recent dental examination. You want to find out about the recommended treatment plan, how long it will take, and what it will cost.

Reporting damp and mould to a letting agent

You are a tenant in a rented flat. You've noticed damp patches and black mould growing on the bathroom walls. You call the letting agent to report the problem and request that it be treated professionally.

Requesting a Fit Note from the GP

You have been off work sick for over a week and need a medical fit note (statement of fitness for work) to give to your employer. You call your GP surgery to request one.

Arranging a regular domestic cleaner

You have a busy schedule and would like help with housework. You call a local cleaning agency to enquire about arranging a regular domestic cleaner for your home.

Asking About Planning Permission for a Home Extension

You are a homeowner considering building an extension on your house. You call your local council's planning department to ask about the application process, required documents, fees, and how long approval takes.

Complaining about hotel room noise

You are a guest staying at a city centre hotel. Your room overlooks a main road where roadworks have started early this morning, making it impossible to sleep. You call reception to request a room change.

Filing a home insurance claim

Your kitchen was damaged by a burst pipe last night. You are calling your home insurance provider to report the incident and start the claims process.

Enquiring about a funeral plan

You are calling a funeral plan provider to ask about arranging a prepaid funeral plan for yourself. You want to understand the options available, what is included, and how the payments work.

Enquiring about paternity leave entitlements

You call the HR department of your company to ask about your entitlements for paternity leave ahead of the birth of your baby next month.

Following up on a job application

You applied for a job at a local company a week ago. You are now calling the company's HR department to check the status of your application and ask about the next steps.

Checking your EHIC card validity

You are planning a trip to Europe next month. You call the NHS Overseas Healthcare Services helpline to check whether your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is still valid and to find out how to renew it if necessary.

Reporting a collapsed drain

You are a homeowner who has noticed a large sinkhole forming over a drain in the road outside your property. You call your local council's highways department to report the hazard and request urgent action.

Reporting a power cut to the electricity supplier

A severe storm has caused a power cut in your neighbourhood. Your home has no electricity, and your mobile phone battery is running low. You need to call your electricity supplier to report the outage and find out when power is expected to be restored.

Reporting poor service to a hotel manager

You recently stayed at a hotel and the service was unsatisfactory. You are now calling the hotel to speak with the manager about your experience and to request appropriate compensation.

Checking your National Insurance number appointment

You recently applied for a National Insurance number so you can work in the UK. You are calling the Department for Work and Pensions to check the status of your appointment and confirm what documents to bring.

Reporting a gas leak to the emergency line

You smell gas in your home early on a Saturday morning. You call the National Gas Emergency line to report the leak and arrange for an engineer to visit.

Reporting a Home Heating Breakdown

Your home heating has stopped working overnight. You call a local heating engineer to report the problem and arrange for someone to visit and fix it.

Changing a University Module

You are a university student who wants to swap one of your modules before the new term starts. You call your personal tutor to explain your situation and ask about alternatives.

Enquiring about a Blue Badge application

You have been experiencing difficulties walking long distances and would like to apply for a Blue Badge for parking closer to the places you need to visit. You call your local council's Blue Badge team to ask about eligibility, how to apply, and how long the process takes.

Calling HMRC about your tax code

You received a Notice of Coding from HMRC with your new tax code, but it looks different from last year and you don't understand it. You need to call HMRC to ask what it means and check whether you are on the correct code.

Complaining to a dry cleaner's about a damaged garment

You took a favourite jacket to a local dry cleaner's last week. When you collected it, you noticed the jacket has been badly scorched by the cleaning press and is now ruined. You are calling the shop to complain and request either a refund or compensation.

Calling about a package held at customs

You are expecting a parcel from abroad, but you have received a notification that it is being held at customs. You need to call the courier company to find out why, what documents are required, and how long the delay might be.

Enquiring About a Young Person's Railcard

You are a learner who is eligible for a Young Person's Railcard but would like to know more before you buy one. You call the train company's customer service line to ask about eligibility, the discount offered, and how to apply.

Querying your first energy bill

You've just moved into a new flat and received your first electricity and gas bill. The amount seems higher than you expected, so you call the energy supplier to ask for an explanation and an itemised breakdown of the charges.

Asking Permission to Keep a Pet

You are a tenant in a rented flat and would like to get permission to keep a small dog. You call your letting agent to discuss this with them.

Making a hotel room complaint

You have just arrived at your hotel after a long journey. When you get to your room, you discover the room type does not match your booking. You go to the reception desk to speak with a member of staff and make a formal complaint.

Calling the vet about a sick cat

Your pet cat, Luna, hasn't eaten for two days and seems very tired. You call the veterinary practice to describe Luna's symptoms and ask whether she needs to be seen today.

Asking permission to install a satellite dish

You live in a rented flat and want to install a satellite dish on the outside wall. You call your landlord to ask whether this is allowed, what the restrictions are, and how to get permission.

Checking Recycling and Waste Collection Rules

You have recently moved into a new flat and are unsure about the local recycling and household waste collection rules. You call the council's waste management department to ask what you can recycle, when collections happen, and how to get the right bins.

Requesting a TV licence refund

You have a TV licence but you no longer watch or record live television, so you are eligible for a refund. You call the TV Licence customer service to request the refund and confirm the amount you should receive.

Arranging a Funeral

You have recently lost a close relative. You call a local funeral directors to discuss the funeral arrangements and ask about options for the service.

Querying an Unexpected Utility Bill

You have received your quarterly electricity bill, but the amount is much higher than you expected. You call the energy supplier to query the charges and ask for an explanation.

Applying for a Blue Badge

You have been experiencing difficulty walking long distances, so you call your local council's Blue Badge team to ask about applying for a parking permit that allows you to park closer to the places you need to visit.

Following up on a house offer

You recently made an offer on a flat you viewed, and you are now calling the estate agent to check whether the seller has responded and what happens next in the process.

Querying a mobile phone contract end date

Your current mobile phone contract is ending soon, and you want to know exactly when it finishes so you can decide whether to renew or switch to a different provider. You call your mobile network's customer service.

Calling Citizens Advice about benefits after losing your job

You have recently lost your job and need to understand what state benefits you may be entitled to. You call the Citizens Advice Bureau to ask about eligibility, how to make a claim, and what information you will need.

Discussing a phone contract upgrade

You are calling your mobile phone provider to discuss your current phone contract. You've had the same phone for two years and want to know what options are available for upgrading to a new handset.

Booking an Eye Test at the High Street Optician's

You need to book an eye test at a high street optician's practice. You want to ask about the cost, available appointment times, and whether you might qualify for a free NHS test.

Reporting an Abandoned Vehicle

A car has been left on your residential street for several weeks with no tax or number plates. You call your local council to report it.

Cancelling a package holiday

You booked a package holiday to Spain three months ago, but your circumstances have changed and you can no longer travel. You call the travel agent to cancel the booking and ask about your refund options.

Enquiring about a DBS check for a first job

You are a 17-year-old who has just been offered your first part-time job at a local supermarket. The employer has asked you to obtain a basic DBS check before you start. You call the Disclosure and Barring Service to ask about the process.

Booking a hair and makeup appointment for a special occasion

You are calling a beauty salon to book hair and makeup services for a friend's wedding you are attending this weekend.

Booking an MOT test for your car

You own a car and its MOT certificate is due to expire soon. You call a local MOT test centre to book your vehicle in for its annual MOT test.

Discussing a phone contract renewal

You are calling your mobile phone provider because your current contract is coming to an end. You want to discuss the options for renewing your contract, including both SIM-only deals and contracts that include a new handset.

Checking in for a flight

You are calling your airline's automated check-in line the day before your flight. You need to check in, select your seat, and confirm your luggage allowance.

Calling a solicitor about a boundary dispute

A homeowner calls a solicitor's office to discuss a boundary dispute with their neighbour, seeking legal advice about a fence that was moved without permission.

Checking a Council Tax Reduction Application

You applied for a council tax reduction three weeks ago but haven't heard anything yet. You call your local council's council tax department to check on the status of your application.

Registering a rescue pet with a vet

You've recently adopted a rabbit from a local animal rescue centre. You're calling a veterinary practice to register your new pet and ask about routine care.

Enquiring about a train season ticket

You commute to work by train every weekday. You've been paying with a contactless bank card but wonder whether a season ticket might work out cheaper. You call the train company's customer service line to ask about your options.

Applying to volunteer at a charity shop

You call the coordinator of a local charity shop to inquire about volunteering. You want to know what roles are available, what commitment is expected, and how to apply.

Reporting Noise from Building Work

You have been disturbed by loud building work starting very early in the morning near your home for the past week. You call your local council to report the noise and ask about permitted working hours.

Claiming Gift Aid tax relief on a charity donation

You made a charitable donation to a UK registered charity last month and would like to understand whether you are entitled to claim back tax relief on your donation. You call HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to ask about this.

Arranging a Charity Furniture Collection

You have some good quality unwanted furniture at home. You call a local charity shop to ask whether they accept furniture donations and whether they can arrange to collect it from your address.

Deferring a University Place

You have received a conditional offer from a university, but you would like to start your course a year later. You call the university's admissions office to ask about the deferral process.

Enquiring about Apprenticeship Employment Rights

You are a young person considering applying for an apprenticeship. You call the Acas (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service) helpline to ask about your rights as an apprentice, including minimum wage, working hours, and whether your employer must give you time off for training.

Requesting a Birth Certificate Copy

You need a copy of your birth certificate for a passport application. You call the local Register Office to find out how to apply, what documents you need, how long it takes, and how much it costs.

Requesting a provisional driving licence

You have lost the counterpart part of your provisional driving licence. You need to call the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) to request a replacement.