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 rebo

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

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 ach

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 day

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 wh

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 unex

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. To

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. Y

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 program

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 y

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 discu

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 letti

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

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 you

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

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

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'v

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

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 croo

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 serv

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

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

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

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 c

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

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 wit

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

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 a

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

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 retri

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 necessa

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

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 servic

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 th

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 cl

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 y

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

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 underg

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 c

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 th

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 prov

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

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

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

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 pl

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 p

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'

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

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 auth

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 N

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 Ba

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 explain

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 i

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

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 communit

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

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 pe

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 que

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

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 you

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 assi

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 per

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 o

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 universit

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 o

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 progr

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

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 accre

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

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

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

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

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 whethe

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 yo

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

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 ser

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 offic

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 qual

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 t

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

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

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 a

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

Hosting a Foreign Exchange Student

A host family is meeting their foreign exchange student's arrival coordinator at the language school to discuss the student's dietary requir

Requesting an Official University Enrollment Letter

You need an official letter from your university confirming your enrollment status for a visa application. You're visiting the Student Servi

Requesting a Free Home Fire Safety Check

You are a homeowner who has decided to be proactive about fire safety. You are calling your local fire and rescue service to request a free

Receiving MOT Test Results at a Garage

You've dropped your car off for its MOT test, and you've just arrived back at the garage to collect it. The mechanic is explaining the resul

Booking a portrait photography session

You've decided to treat yourself to a professional portrait session for your upcoming birthday. You're calling a local photography studio to

Booking a Professional Headshot Session

You are calling a professional photography studio to book a headshot session for your updated LinkedIn profile. You need to discuss the opti

Rights of Light Survey Consultation

You've contacted a RICS surveyor to arrange a Rights of Light assessment after your neighbour submitted a planning application for a two-sto

Enrolling in a Pottery Class

You've decided to take up a new hobby and have visited your local community centre to find out about their pottery classes. A friendly tutor

Renegotiating freelance contract terms

You work as a freelance graphic designer for a small design agency. You've received a call from Sarah, the studio manager, who wants to disc

Arranging Home Adaptations for Disability Access

You are a homeowner who has recently been diagnosed with a condition affecting your mobility. You have come into the local council's housing

Requesting Your Data Under GDPR

You have applied for a graduate programme and need to obtain copies of your academic records from your previous university. You're telephoni

Travel Health Pre-Departure Consultation

You have a holiday booked to a tropical destination in two weeks. You are sitting in a travel health clinic, meeting with the nurse practiti

Attending a Community Mediation Session

You are attending a community mediation session at the local mediation service to resolve a dispute with your neighbour about the height of