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A2

English Speaking Exercises for A2 – Making a complaint

8 exercises

1. Label the gadgets with the words below.

  • digital camera digital radio DVD player
  • e-book reader games console headphones
  • mobile MP3 player tablet
9 G Speaking pre-intermediate 01

2. Match the parts of the gadgets (1-10) with the words below (a-j).

9 G Speaking pre-intermediate 02
9 G Speaking pre-intermediate 03
  • a)
    battery
  • b)
    remote control
  • c)
    case
  • d)
    screen
  • e)
    on/off button
  • f)
    USB port
  • g)
    power lead
  • h)
    volume control
  • i)
    strap
  • j)
    charger

3. Listen to a customer complaining in a shop. The answer the questions.

Audio
  • 1)
    Which gadget from exercise 1 is faulty?
  • 2)
    Which three parts of the gadget are mentioned? (Choose from the parts in exercise 2.)
  • 1)
  • 2)
  • 3)

4. Listen again and complete the sentences with the words below. Circle the correct speaker (C – customer or SA – shop assistant) for each sentence.

Audio
  • credit happy money receipt refunds something wrong
  • 1)
    What’s with it? C / SA
  • 2)
    There’s wrong with the volume control. C / SA
  • 3)
    Can I have my back? C / SA
  • 4)
    We don’t give , I’m afraid. C / SA
  • 5)
    I’m not about that. C / SA
  • 6)
    I can give you a note. C / SA
  • 7)
    Have you got the with you? C / SA

Speaking Strategy

When you are doing a speaking task, make sure you refer to all of the points in the task. It is also important that you react and respond properly to what is said during the conversation.

5. Read the Speaking Strategy. Then read the speaking task and write answers to all the questions below.

  • You are returning a gadget to a shop because one part of it is faulty. Discuss these four issues during your conversation with the shop assistant:
  • – What the gadget is and how much you paid for it.
  • – Which part of the gadget has a problem.
  • – When the problem started.
  • – What you want the shop to do.
  • 1)
    What type of gadget did you buy?
  • 2)
    How much did you pay for it?
  • 3)
    Which part of the gadget has stopped working?
  • 4)
    When did the problem start?
  • 5)
    Do you want to exchange it or do you want to refund?

6. Now do the task using your notes from exercise 5.

Extra exercises

7. Read the Strategy. Then tick the statements that can be used to ask the examiner to repeat a question.

Strategy

Listen carefully to the instructions that the examiner gives and the questions that you are asked. If you do not understand the examiner’s question, it is OK to ask him / her to repeat it.

  • A I’m sorry?
  • B I don’t know.
  • C Excuse me?
  • D Could you repeat that, please?
  • E I can’t hear you.
  • F Pardon?
  • G Don’t speak so quietly.
  • H Sorry, I didn’t catch that.

8. Now do the exam task.

  • These two photos show children learning in different ways. Compare and contrast them and say which lesson you prefer and why. The following ideas may help you:
  • – the places and the atmosphere
  • – the people and their feelings
  • – the activities
  • After comparing the photos, answer the questions.
  • 1)
    How do you think children learn best? Why?
  • 2)
    Which style of learning suits you best? Why?
9 G Speaking pre-intermediate 04

How to Practice

  1. 1Read each question carefully
  2. 2Write your answer or select the correct option
  3. 3Click 'Show Answer' to check your work
  4. 4Review any mistakes and try similar exercises
  5. 5Move to the next exercise when ready

Related Practice Exercises

View all Speaking exercises