Making a complaint about a broken appliance

Everyday English Conversations

A printable worksheet for conversation-based English lessons.

Difficulty: Intermediate B1

PDF: Making a complaint about a broken appliance

Warm-up

What are some household appliances? (A washing machine, ...)

Vocabulary Match

check •• issue
flat •• apartment
problem •• in the middle
repair service •• fixing company
comes up •• look at
halfway through •• happens

Vocabulary Answers

checklook at
flatapartment
problemissue
repair servicefixing company
comes uphappens
halfway throughin the middle

Conversation

Fill in the blanks with words from above.

Emily tells Mr Khan about a problem with her washing machine. He promises to arrange a repair service to fix it soon.
Emily:Excuse me, Mr Khan. There's a small ________ with the washing machine in my ________.
Mr Khan:Oh, I'm sorry to hear that, Emily. What's wrong with it?
Emily:It makes a loud noise when I use it, and sometimes it stops ________.
Mr Khan:That doesn't sound good. I'll get someone to come and ________ it.
Emily:Thank you. Do you know when they might come? I really need to do my laundry soon.
Mr Khan:I'll call the ________ today. They should be able to come tomorrow.
Emily:That's great. Thanks so much for your help.
Mr Khan:You're welcome, Emily. Just let me know if anything else ________.
Emily:Excuse me, Mr Khan. There's a small problem with the washing machine in my flat.
Mr Khan:Oh, I'm sorry to hear that, Emily. What's wrong with it?
Emily:It makes a loud noise when I use it, and sometimes it stops halfway through.
Mr Khan:That doesn't sound good. I'll get someone to come and check it.
Emily:Thank you. Do you know when they might come? I really need to do my laundry soon.
Mr Khan:I'll call the repair service today. They should be able to come tomorrow.
Emily:That's great. Thanks so much for your help.
Mr Khan:You're welcome, Emily. Just let me know if anything else comes up.

Quiz

  1. What is the problem with Emily's washing machine?
  2. What will Mr Khan do?
  3. When does Mr Khan say the repair service will come?
  4. What does Emily need to do soon?

Quiz Answers (examples)

  1. It makes a loud noise and sometimes stops halfway through.
  2. He'll get someone to come and check it. / He'll call the repair service.
  3. They should be able to come tomorrow.
  4. She needs to do her laundry.

True or False

  1. Mr Khan will fix the washing machine himself. T F
  2. Emily needs to do her laundry soon. T F
  3. The repair service will come today. T F

True or False Answers

  1. False
  2. True
  3. False

Discussion

  1. Does your washing machine sometimes stop halfway through?
  2. What things in your house have broken or stopped working?
  3. Do you often complain or stay quiet? Why?
  4. What is the most important appliance in your home?
  5. Have you ever fixed something yourself instead of calling for help?

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