English - C1 — Advanced

Discussing a colleague's career crossroads

Your close colleague Matt has just received a lucrative job offer from a rival firm. He's asked to meet you at the pub after work because he values your honesty — he wants your genuine perspective on whether he should take it.

Asking for More Time on a Deadline

A junior colleague needs to request a deadline extension from their line manager for an urgent project deliverable.

Challenging an incorrect phone bill

You call the customer services helpline for your mobile network provider to query a charge on your latest bill that you believe is incorrect.

Negotiating contract terms

You are a project manager calling a client to renegotiate the terms of a contract that is due to expire next month. The client has been profitable but has recently threatened to take their business elsewhere.

Explaining a Gap in Employment During an Interview

You are being interviewed for a senior marketing role. The interviewer has noticed a two-year gap on your CV and asks about it directly, with a raised eyebrow.

Addressing a town planning meeting

You are a resident attending a local council meeting to raise formal objections to a proposed housing development near a protected green space, and to propose viable alternatives.

Requesting a sabbatical from your line manager

You have arranged a formal meeting with your line manager to request a three-month sabbatical from work to pursue a personal project. You need to present a well-structured case while navigating their potential concerns about team coverage and project continuity.

Negotiating a Hybrid Working Request

You've arranged a one-to-one meeting with your line manager to discuss transitioning to a hybrid working model, combining two days remote with three days in the office.

Requesting an unpaid sabbatical

You are a mid-level manager seeking to take a three-month unpaid sabbatical to work on a research fellowship abroad. You have a meeting with your director to present your proposal and address any concerns.

Negotiating a pay rise

You're a senior marketing manager at a mid-sized agency having your annual review. You've consistently exceeded targets and believe you're underpaid relative to market rates. You need to make a compelling case to your director for a significant salary increase.

Requesting Flexible Working Arrangements

You are an employee meeting with your line manager to formally request a change to your working pattern, specifically transitioning to a hybrid remote arrangement with two days working from home each week.

Lodging a hotel noise complaint

You are a hotel guest experiencing chronic noise disturbance from adjacent rooms. You have already reported this twice to reception with no improvement, so you have requested to speak with the duty manager to seek a satisfactory resolution.

Requesting a Departmental Transfer

You have arranged a meeting with your line manager to formally request a transfer from your current department to a different team within the same company. You need to articulate your reasons professionally and explore next steps.

Giving constructive feedback on a colleague's draft

You're a senior team member. Your colleague Priya has asked you to review her draft report before she submits it to the board tomorrow. You have several substantial concerns about the structure, data interpretation, and conclusions that she will need to address tonight.

Requesting a character reference from a former manager

You are a candidate who has reached the final stage of interviews for a senior role. You need to arrange a reference from your former line manager, so you call them to ask if they'd be willing to vouch for you.

Mediating a Team Conflict

You are a senior team lead mediating a conversation between two colleagues, Priya and Daniel, who have had ongoing friction due to their differing work styles.

Escalating a warranty claim for a faulty laptop

Your laptop, purchased eight months ago, has developed a persistent screen fault. After two unsuccessful repair attempts at a high-street electronics store, you're now speaking with the store manager to request a full replacement under the Consumer Rights Act.

Mediating a Friendship Crisis

Two of your closest friends, Priya and Chloe, have had a spectacular falling out after a misunderstanding at a dinner party. Both have asked you to meet them separately this afternoon, and now you're preparing to help them reconcile.

Appealing a parking fine at tribunal

You are appealing a £130 parking fine at a council tribunal. You believe the signage was inadequate and you have photographic evidence showing your vehicle was clearly parked within the markings of a bay that has since been repainted.

Championing a Colleague for Promotion

You are a team lead meeting with your department director to advocate for your high-performing team member, Priya, to be put forward for a senior role. You need to make a compelling case that substantiates her promotion, addressing the director's likely concerns about seniority and team dynamics.

Appealing a rejected insurance claim

You are a policyholder calling your insurance provider to formally appeal against the rejection of a claim for a damaged item. You have new evidence to present and need to be persuasive yet professional.

Contesting an academic misconduct allegation

You are a final-year university student accused of plagiarism in a research essay. You have arranged a formal meeting with the academic integrity officer to contest the allegation and present your case.

Managing an angry client after a product failure

You are a senior account manager who has just received a frantic call from Sarah, a long-standing client whose company's annual report—produced by your firm—contained a serious factual error. She is furious, her CEO is demanding answers, and she has warned that she will post a scathing review online if you cannot make this right.

Requesting a formal HR meeting about a workplace concern

You have recently witnessed behaviour in your team that you believe constitutes a breach of the company's own workplace conduct policy. You have decided to request a confidential meeting with an HR business partner to raise your concerns through the proper internal channels.

Navigating a UK Spouse Visa Interview

You are attending an immigration interview at a UK visa application centre. A caseworker will ask probing questions to verify the genuineness of your relationship with your British spouse, whom you met abroad.

Requesting the return of borrowed specialist equipment

A colleague is leaving the company and has taken home a piece of expensive specialist equipment you lent them for a project. You've discovered they have no intention of returning it, claiming it was a 'gift'. You need to arrange a meeting to resolve this diplomatically.

Navigating a heated book club debate

You're a regular member of a monthly book club. Tonight's book has sparked strong opinions — some members find its themes deeply uncomfortable, while others defend it as important literature. You need to navigate the discussion thoughtfully.

Explaining an Emergency Medical Absence to Your Manager

You need to inform your line manager that a sudden health issue means you'll need to take immediate leave, and discuss arrangements for covering your responsibilities during your absence.

Requesting a Reference Letter from a Former Mentor

You are a recent graduate arranging a video call with Dr. Harrison, your former university supervisor, to ask them to provide a professional reference for a competitive internship position you are applying for.

Proposing a new team initiative

You are a mid-level analyst who has identified a gap in your team's current workflow. You have arranged a meeting with your line manager to pitch a concrete proposal for implementing a new reporting tool that you believe will significantly improve efficiency.

Pitching Corporate Charity Sponsorship

You are a team coordinator who has secured a meeting with your department head to pitch for the company to become the main sponsor of a local youth charity's annual fundraising gala. You need to build a compelling business case for corporate social responsibility.

Navigating a Redundancy Consultation

You are attending a formal consultation meeting with your HR manager following a company restructuring announcement. Your role is at risk, and you need to understand the selection criteria, explore alternatives to redundancy, and discuss your severance entitlements.

Resigning from a job to pursue a new venture

You are having a face-to-face meeting with your direct line manager to hand in your resignation. You are leaving to launch your own consultancy and need to resign professionally while negotiating your notice period and handover arrangements.

Negotiating authorship credit on a shared paper

You are a postdoctoral researcher meeting with your PhD supervisor, Professor James, to discuss the authorship order on a paper you've co-written together.

Requesting a change of PhD supervisor

You are a doctoral student meeting with your programme director to formally request a change of supervisor. The relationship has become professionally untenable, though you harbour no personal grievance. You must navigate this delicately.

Proposing a Job Share Arrangement to Your Line Manager

You are meeting with your line manager, James, to formally propose transitioning to a job share arrangement with your colleague Sarah. You want to work three days per week while she covers the remaining two, dividing your current role between you.

Resigning from a Job with Professional Boundaries

You are a marketing analyst who has just accepted a new role at another firm. You have arranged a meeting with your line manager, Helena, to formally tender your resignation and negotiate your remaining notice period.

Discussing medication side effects with a specialist

You are meeting with your consultant psychiatrist to review your ADHD medication. You've been experiencing some unwanted side effects and need to discuss whether to adjust the dosage or try an alternative treatment option.

Requesting an employment bridging letter for a mortgage

You have an informal catch-up with your line manager about a mortgage offer you've received. Your current employer needs to provide a bridging letter confirming your employment terms, as the lender requires it before finalising the mortgage documents.

Reconnecting with an estranged friend

You are at a close friend's wedding. During the reception, you find yourself seated next to Alex, a former best friend with whom you had a falling out two years ago over a misunderstanding. You both want to mend the friendship but are unsure how to begin.

Requesting Compassionate Leave

You call your line manager, David, to inform him that your grandmother has passed away, and to formally request a week of compassionate leave to attend the funeral and support your family.

Discussing a Parent's Driving Ability

You're meeting your elderly father for Sunday lunch. Over the past few months, you've noticed concerning changes in his driving — near-misses, confusion at familiar junctions, and a minor scrape in the supermarket car park. You need to raise the subject sensitively, as his licence renewal is approaching and he's always fiercely proud of his independence behind the wheel.

Navigating a Settlement Agreement Discussion

You are attending a formal meeting with your HR Business Partner to discuss a settlement agreement proposal following a mutual agreement to part ways. You wish to negotiate the terms before signing.

Attending a Parent-Teacher Meeting About Your Child's Progress

You are a parent attending a scheduled meeting with your child's Year 4 class teacher, Mrs. Hargreaves, at a UK primary school. You've come because you've seen the recent end-of-term report and noticed your child has been moved to a lower maths set.

Consulting a professional declutterer about a parent's hoarding

You have arranged for Jo, a certified professional organiser and declutterer, to visit your elderly father's home. His late wife's belongings remain untouched, and the accumulation has become a safety concern. You need Jo's guidance on how to approach this sensitively while also addressing the practical challenges of sorting, discarding, and creating safe living spaces.

Requesting TOIL After Compulsory Weekend Work

You are a marketing specialist. Your company has scheduled a mandatory all-day Saturday strategy retreat after the rota was already published. You need to request the following Tuesday off as time off in lieu (TOIL) by making a formal request to HR.

Civil Parking Penalty Adjudication

You are participating in a telephone hearing with an independent adjudicator from POPLA (the Parking on Private Land Appeals service), contesting a civil parking penalty you believe was unfairly issued. The adjudicator will ask you to present your case and respond to specific questions about the circumstances.

Consulting a Solicitor About Estate Planning

You are visiting a solicitor for your first-ever appointment to discuss making a will and setting up a lasting power of attorney. You have a young family and want to ensure your affairs are in order.

Navigating an Exit Interview

You are a senior analyst attending a structured exit interview with your HR business partner, James, during your final week at the company. You have decided to be candid about your reasons for leaving and to offer constructive feedback about management culture.

Giving a guarded employment reference

You are a former line manager receiving an unexpected call from a reference-checking agency about Priya, a former employee who left under a formal performance improvement plan. You must balance honesty with professional caution.

Discussing a colleague's unexpected departure

Your colleague James is currently on annual leave. A senior manager pulls you aside and asks whether you've heard anything about his plans, hinting that there may be news. You must navigate this delicate conversation while maintaining professional boundaries and discretion.

Discussing memory concerns with your GP

You visit your GP to discuss concerns about recent memory lapses that have been affecting your work and daily life. You need to describe your symptoms clearly, understand the possible next steps, and decide together with the doctor how to proceed.

Raising a Formal Concern at Your Child's School

You have arranged a formal meeting with the headteacher at your child's primary school to raise concerns about their academic progress and recent behavioural changes that you believe may be linked to an unresolved bullying situation.

Requesting a Rent Reduction During Financial Hardship

You are a tenant who has been renting a flat for three years with an excellent track record. Due to recent unexpected financial difficulties, you have arranged a meeting with your private landlord, Mr. Hughes, to request a temporary reduction in your monthly rent.

Discussing dietary modifications with a nutrition specialist

You are attending an appointment with Dr. Okoye, a specialist dietician at a hospital clinic, to discuss adapting your diet following a recent diagnosis of coeliac disease. You need to understand the implications, ask practical questions, and discuss how to manage social situations.

Escalating a faulty goods complaint to a store manager

You are a customer in an electrical retailer, requesting to speak with the store manager after two repair attempts have failed to resolve a fault with a laptop you purchased. You are invoking your statutory rights under the Consumer Rights Act 2015.

Discussing a pet's quality of life with a vet

Your beloved fifteen-year-old Labrador, Buster, has been showing signs of declining health. You have an appointment with your veterinary surgeon, Dr. Patel, to discuss his quality of life and explore treatment options, including the difficult possibility of end-of-life decisions.

Negotiating a flat lease renewal

You've arranged a meeting with your private landlord, Mr. Hughes, to discuss renewing your tenancy agreement for another two years. You want to negotiate on the rent, the deposit, and request permission to make some minor renovations.

Discussing a Care Needs Assessment with an Elderly Parent

Your father, recently widowed, is living alone in the family home. Following a minor fall last week, you gently raise the idea of arranging a care needs assessment to help him remain safely independent at home for as long as possible.

Discussing Pet Euthanasia Options with a Vet

Your beloved 14-year-old cat, Whiskers, has been diagnosed with late-stage kidney disease. You're meeting with your vet, Dr. Patel, to discuss quality of life and whether the kindest option now is humane euthanasia.

Negotiating a Car Insurance Claim After an Accident

You are on a telephone call with your insurance claims handler, Sarah, following a road traffic incident last week. You believe the damage to your vehicle is worse than the initial estimate, and you wish to discuss the settlement offer and the possibility of the insurer declaring the car a write-off.

Requesting Flight Delay Compensation

Your return flight was delayed by seven hours due to an earlier mechanical issue. The airline offered no explanation at the gate and rebooked you without your consent. You are now calling the airline's customer relations department to submit a formal compensation claim under UK flight delay regulations.

Exploring Gene Therapy Options with a Specialist

You are attending an initial consultation with a genetic counsellor at a specialist clinic to learn about an experimental gene therapy treatment that may be relevant to your inherited condition. You have questions about efficacy, risks, and eligibility criteria.

Requesting a Deadline Extension Due to Mental Health Difficulties

You are a second-year university student. You have an essay deadline tomorrow but have been experiencing worsening mental health symptoms that have made it impossible to make satisfactory progress. You have arranged a meeting with your module tutor, Dr. Foster, to formally request a short extension.

Discussing an HMRC Self-Assessment Investigation with Your Accountant

You are a self-employed graphic designer who has received a formal letter from HMRC regarding your last three years of self-assessment returns. You've arranged an urgent appointment with your accountant, Sarah, to understand exactly what they are querying and to discuss your options going forward.

Requesting a Mental Health Referral from Your GP

You visit your GP to discuss persistent anxiety symptoms that have been affecting your work and daily life for several months. You would like to explore the possibility of a referral to a specialist for further assessment and discuss treatment options.

Negotiating an Overpayment Recovery Plan with HR

You receive a letter from your HR department informing you that a payroll error has resulted in a £1,400 overpayment over the past two months. You need to call the HR payroll team to discuss the situation and negotiate a manageable repayment instalment plan.

Discussing Promotion Readiness with Your Line Manager

You've arranged a one-to-one meeting with your line manager, Catherine, to have an honest conversation about whether you're ready to be put forward for a senior role that's been advertised internally.

Claiming Flight Compensation After a Missed Connection

You arrive at Heathrow to discover your inbound flight from Edinburgh was delayed by three hours, causing you to miss your connecting flight to Lisbon. After an eight-hour wait for the next available departure, you are now at the airline's service desk to formally request compensation under UK261 regulations.

Negotiating a garden fence replacement with a neighbour

A longstanding boundary dispute has come to a head — your neighbour Kevin has removed the shared fence without consulting you and now expects you to contribute half the £1,200 replacement cost. You've invited him round for a direct but civil conversation to find a resolution.

Seeking a second opinion on a dental treatment plan

You are attending a routine NHS dental appointment. The dentist has recommended a crown for your upper left molar, but a private practice dentist you visited last week suggested an extraction instead. You would like to understand the alternatives and make an informed decision.

Addressing a Garden Boundary Dispute with a Neighbour

You are a homeowner who has discovered that your neighbour's newly built conservatory extends approximately 30 centimetres onto your property. You have arranged to speak with them calmly and diplomatically to discuss the issue.

Arranging a Social Care Needs Assessment

You are a recently discharged hospital patient who has been referred for a social care needs assessment. You call Adult Social Services to discuss your situation and request a home visit.

Raising a friend's relationship concerns

You're meeting your close friend Zara for coffee after she's been dating someone for several months. You've noticed she's become increasingly distant from her usual social circle, and you're gently raising your concerns with her.

Arranging a Civil Partnership Registration

You are meeting with a registrar at your local register office to finalise the arrangements for your civil partnership registration ceremony, including discussing the legal requirements, required documentation, and how you might personalise the event.

Updating Your Passport After a Legal Name Change

You are at a passport office enquiry desk, seeking guidance on how to update the name and gender marker on your passport following a legal name change by deed poll.

Seeking Listed Building Consent Guidance

You are a homeowner who has recently purchased a Victorian terrace with Grade II listed status. You have arranged a pre-application meeting with a heritage conservation officer at your local planning authority to discuss proposed works and understand the consent requirements.

Requesting an Environmental Health Noise Investigation

You are a homeowner who has endured months of persistent noise nuisance from a neighbouring commercial premises. Having exhausted informal resolution attempts, you are now at your local council's environmental health department to formally request a statutory noise investigation.

Requesting an industry award nomination

You are a mid-level UX designer who has been nominated by a colleague for a prestigious industry award. You have arranged a video call with your former manager, Clara, to ask if she would be willing to write you a supporting statement for the nomination.

Arranging Shared Parental Leave with HR

You are a expectant father meeting with your HR Business Partner, Rachel, to discuss your entitlement to Shared Parental Leave (ShPL) and to formally register your intention to take a period of leave in blocks alongside your partner following the birth of your child.

Applying for a Blue Badge Parking Permit

You are on a scheduled video call with a caseworker from your local council's Blue Badge team. You are applying for a parking permit due to a permanent mobility condition, and the caseworker needs to assess your eligibility through a structured conversation about your functional limitations.

Requesting a Mandatory Reconsideration of ESA

You have recently received a decision letter informing you that your Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) claim has been denied following a Work Capability Assessment. You are now calling the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to formally request a mandatory reconsideration of this decision.

Planning Ahead with a Solicitor

You are meeting with your solicitor, Ms. Thornton, to discuss putting legal arrangements in place for the future. You want to cover your will, advance decisions, and lasting power of attorney while your health is good.

Appealing a Rejected Parking Permit Decision

You are a resident who has applied for a resident's parking permit for a controlled zone near your home. Your application has been rejected on a technicality — the vehicle is registered to a different address. You believe there are compelling circumstances that merit a discretionary review, and you have arranged a formal appointment with a senior officer at the local authority to present your appeal.

Negotiating research publication rights with an industry partner

You are a postdoctoral researcher who has secured a collaborative research grant with a pharmaceutical company. Before signing the agreement, you need to call Dr. Sarah Chen, the company's head of research partnerships, to negotiate terms around authorship, data sharing, and publication rights.

Discussing a workplace pension transfer with an advisor

You are attending a scheduled consultation with a financial adviser from your workplace's pension provider. You've been considering transferring your accumulated pension pot into a new scheme after accepting a job offer elsewhere, and you need to discuss the implications, including any exit fees and tax considerations.

Contesting a botched tailoring job

You are a customer who paid £350 for a rush alterations job on a suit at an independent tailors. The sleeves are uneven, the lining has been damaged, and the fit is noticeably wrong. You have returned twice already without satisfaction, and are now requesting to speak with the proprietor to demand a full refund.

Challenging a taxi fare overcharge

You are a passenger in a licensed London taxi. Upon arrival at your destination, the driver insists on a fare significantly higher than the meter's displayed amount, citing a surcharge for tolls that weren't incurred. You need to address this diplomatically while ensuring a fair outcome.

Seeking advice on staging a gambling addiction intervention

You contact GamCare, the UK's leading gambling support charity, seeking guidance on how to stage a family intervention for your brother, whose gambling habit has escalated severely over the past year.

Questioning a Medical Diagnosis

You have an appointment with your specialist, Dr. Okonkwo, to discuss why a treatment you began three months ago hasn't produced the expected results. You suspect the initial diagnosis may have been incomplete, and you want to explore alternative explanations without undermining the doctor's expertise.

Reviewing Workplace Adjustments with Occupational Health

You are attending a scheduled review meeting with Dr. Simmons, an Occupational Health adviser, to evaluate how well your current workplace adjustments are working and to discuss whether any new accommodations are needed.

Approaching a friend about gambling addiction

You meet your friend Alex at a café after not seeing him for a few weeks. You're increasingly worried because mutual friends have mentioned that Alex has been displaying classic signs of a gambling addiction — secretive behaviour, borrowed money, and mood swings. You've decided this conversation cannot wait any longer.

Contesting a school transport decision

You are a parent attending a video call with the school transport coordinator at your local council. Your child's free bus pass has been withdrawn following a route review, and you need to make a compelling case for its reinstatement.

Requesting religious observance leave

You are a software developer who needs to request time off for a significant religious festival. You arrange a brief one-to-one with your line manager, James, to discuss how to manage this while minimising disruption to your team's deliverables.

Consulting a Solicitor About a Cohabitation Agreement

You are meeting with Ms. Thornton, a specialist family solicitor, to discuss drawing up a cohabitation agreement with your long-term partner before you purchase a property together. You want to understand your legal position and protect both parties' interests.

Pre-planning a funeral with a director

You are visiting a local funeral directors to begin pre-planning your own funeral arrangements. You want to discuss your wishes with their pre-planning adviser, including the type of service, burial versus cremation, and how to manage costs within your budget.

A wine tasting at a boutique vineyard

You're attending an intimate guided wine tasting at a small English vineyard. The sommelier, James, is a knowledgeable and articulate host who will walk you through four wines. You want to ask insightful questions and express your impressions using sophisticated vocabulary.

Commissioning a Bespoke Suit at a Savile Row Tailor

You visit a historic Savile Row tailoring house to commission your first bespoke suit. You meet with Edward, the head cutter, to discuss cloth choices, styling preferences, and the fitting schedule.

Clarifying cryptocurrency tax obligations with your accountant

You are a self-employed graphic designer who began investing in cryptocurrency last year. Your accountant, Margaret, has flagged several transactions on your bank statement that require explanation ahead of your self-assessment deadline. You're meeting her at her office to clarify your tax position and understand which events trigger a capital gains liability.

Delivering Difficult Post-Show Feedback

You are the artistic director of a regional theatre. The opening night of a new production was underwhelming, and you need to have an honest but compassionate conversation with the lead actor, Marcus, about the performance before tomorrow's evening show.