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Beyond the basics · connected conversation · About 12 min

Explain a problem and ask for help

Say what failed, when you bought it and when you need help. In this example the shop promises an inspection, not an exchange.

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Build your message

01

Compré estos auriculares ayer, pero un lado no funciona.

I bought these earphones yesterday, but one side doesn't work.

02

Lo siento. ¿Tiene el recibo?

I'm sorry. Do you have the receipt?

03

Sí, aquí está. ¿Podría cambiarlos?

Yes, here it is. Could I exchange them?

04

Primero tenemos que revisarlos. ¿Tiene diez minutos?

We need to check them first. Do you have ten minutes?

05

Me voy mañana. ¿Podrían revisarlos hoy?

I'm leaving tomorrow. Could you check them today?

06

Sí. Espere aquí diez minutos, por favor.

Yes. Please wait here for ten minutes.

Conversation practice

Listen, then hide your lines and answer aloud. Read the meaning only when needed. Try the changed situation before revealing a model response. These speaking tasks are self-practice, not automatically graded.

Other person

I bought these earphones yesterday, but one side doesn't work.

Show / hide this line

Compré estos auriculares ayer, pero un lado no funciona.

You

I'm sorry. Do you have the receipt?

Show / hide this line

Lo siento. ¿Tiene el recibo?

Other person

Yes, here it is. Could I exchange them?

Show / hide this line

Sí, aquí está. ¿Podría cambiarlos?

You

We need to check them first. Do you have ten minutes?

Show / hide this line

Primero tenemos que revisarlos. ¿Tiene diez minutos?

Other person

I'm leaving tomorrow. Could you check them today?

Show / hide this line

Me voy mañana. ¿Podrían revisarlos hoy?

You

Yes. Please wait here for ten minutes.

Show / hide this line

Sí. Espere aquí diez minutos, por favor.

Change the situation

Now neither earphone works. Explain the problem and ask for an inspection today.

One possible response

No funciona ninguno de los dos lados. ¿Podrían revisarlos hoy?

Both sides don't work. Could you check them today?

Did you include all the changed details? Now switch roles and ask one follow-up question of your own.

Lo siento. ¿Tiene el recibo?

Up to 20 seconds per recording. Recordings are not uploaded. For longer answers, practice in sections.

Check understanding · three questions

01What does the shop agree to do now?
02Which response comes immediately after this line in the dialogue? Compré estos auriculares ayer, pero un lado no funciona.
03Choose the response that fits the changed situation. Now neither earphone works. Explain the problem and ask for an inspection today.

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