Do the preparation task first. Then listen to the audio and do the exercises.
Preparation
Transcript
Ayako: Hello, sales department. This is Ayako speaking. How can I help you?
Sam: Hi, Ayako, this is Sam from Events-4-U. I'm calling about the piano you want at your Christmas party next month.
Ayako: Oh, good. It would be a great surprise to have one there for our boss for the night. He can play and it would be a great addition for the party. Have you been able to source one?
Sam: Well, yes, I have, but …
Ayako: But what?
Sam: Well, we're going to either have an issue with the logistics or the budget, or possibly both.
Ayako: Oh dear.
Sam: Well, we've found a baby grand piano, as you requested, and it's available for the date you want.
Ayako: OK, great. So what's the issue? Is it too expensive?
Sam: No, it's within the budget you gave me, so everything there is OK. But it's too wide for the entrance doorway into the building.
Ayako: Oh, I see. So what are our options? Could we dismantle it outside and reassemble it inside?
Sam: Er, no. Unfortunately, you can't really do that with pianos. But don't worry, I'm sure we can find some inventive solution.
Ayako: Do you have any ideas?
Sam: Well, we could hoist it up to the first-floor balcony. The door there would be large enough to fit it through.
Ayako: Great. That sounds like a good plan.
Sam: That would work, though it would increase the cost considerably as we'd need a crane, an extension on the insurance policy and probably two to three additional people to manage getting it successfully into the building.
Ayako: Oh, I see. Well, we can definitely stretch the budget by about ten per cent, but we shouldn't go over that. If we exceed the budget by more than ten per cent, then other areas of the party budget will have to be cut. And we don't really want that.
Sam: OK, so this idea won't work then. Sorry if I wasn't being clear. The considerable budget increase I was referring to would add a further fifty per cent. You know, cranes are expensive.
Ayako: Oh … um … OK. So what other options do we have?
Sam: Well, how fixed are you on the piano being a baby grand? Would an upright piano be an option?
Ayako: Hmm. I don't know.
Sam: It would fit through the door on the ground floor and cause fewer problems. I've also got the option on a really nice white vintage upright piano, with black design work.
Ayako: OK. That sounds like it might work. Could you send me over some photos of it?
Sam: I'll do it now, together with the rental and delivery information and costs.
Ayako: Great. Thanks, Sam. Let me think about it and I'll call you back later today.
Sam: Sure, no problem. I'll wait for your call.
When was the last time you had to discuss a problem on the phone?
Two days ago, the water motor in our house broke down. Whenever I turned it on, the breaker would trip. So, I called a plumber and discussed the problem with him. He explained some ways to determine whether the issue was with the motor or if there was a problem with the electrical wiring. After following his instructions, I discovered that the electrical wire was burnt. Replacing the wire solved the problem.
Revised Version by AI
Here’s a revised version of your text with the above suggestions incorporated:
When was the last time you had to discuss a problem on the phone?
I think that discussing a problem on the phone can take two forms: technical and personal. When addressing technical issues, such as an internet or power outage or a poor delivery service, we usually don’t need to speak for long with the person in charge. The problem is resolved promptly, often within moments, hours, or days.
In contrast, discussing personal problems can be much more time-consuming. This is something I’ve experienced recently with a relative—an elderly woman who lives alone. Since her mother passed away three years ago, she has been struggling with loneliness. Lately, she has turned to the internet to find companionship, but every time she meets someone online, they don’t match what she is looking for. This has left her deeply disappointed, and her mental health is nearing depression.
During our conversations, I listen carefully and offer advice, such as engaging in activities she enjoys, consulting a psychologist, or meeting people in real life. Each time, she responds with, “You’re right,” but she doesn’t follow through. These discussions often last over an hour, and she repeats the same stories without pause. When I interject to share my thoughts or suggestions, she either remains silent or simply agrees.
From time to time, we go for walks together, shop, or visit libraries and museums. However, these outings often become another opportunity for her to talk about her struggles. While discussing a problem doesn’t always lead to a solution, we can still help those in need by listening, showing empathy, and offering support.
When was the last time you had to discuss a problem on the phone?
I remembered in last month I had a problem with EE company phone, I was bother with them , because all problem only discussing by phone and sometimes they can not solve your problem.
Dear British Council team,
Please kindly tell me the meaning of "Work" in the phrase "Black design work". I don't know why The upright piano aforementioned which is white vintage, but has the BLACK DESIGN... Could you explain it to me?
Thanks so much,
Rose
Hello Rose,
There are two parts to this phrase: 'black' and 'design work'. I suppose in this case 'design work' refers to visual decorations on the piano. These design elements are black in colour.
Best wishes,
Kirk
LearnEnglish team
Hi Bristish council team and everyone,
Pleas help me show the pronounciation of the phrase ""we're going to either have an issue with the logistics or the budget"
I try to listen this video but I can not understand how they prounce the pharse "We're going to either..." It seems to link the words. So, that makes me listen the phrase above like "Wake can a high...."
Thanks so much for helping me
Hi RoseNguyen,
Connected speech in English has many features. If you're interested in learning more about it, here are two links:
A link for learners:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/grammar/pron/features/connected.shtml
This is a link for teachers but it gives a very good summary of how connected speech works in English:
https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/professional-development/teachers/knowing-subject/articles/connected-speech
As far as your sentence goes, the best thing is to listen to the natural model in the recording. Breaking it down too much can be just confusing. That said, some of the features are as follows:
we're going to > we're gonna
either have > eye-the-have
an issue > anishoo
Between these phrases we use linking sounds, so there is a delicate /r/ sound between going to and either, making it sound something like this:
we're gonna reye-the-have vanishoo
I hope that helps somewhat.
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team
In fact, I'm not sure if I can remember it, but I'll give it a shot.
I think the problem was a technical issue with the internet; the connection was weak and slow.
The technician told me to make sure that the wires are connected to their places well.
Finally, the problem was solved.
I usually have a very unstable internet service in my home so usually I'm the one that call the internet company to ask them to fix the service. Rarely they take long solving that problem.
About three months ago we discussed about our friend who was absent a long time on his birthday we reached him and found out about his illness and he came back greatly