A: good morning. I understand that you’ve got a problem with your washing machine. I’m from the repair company.
B: excellent. Come in please. The washing machine is in the bathroom upstairs. It keeps breaking down.
A; when did it first break down?
A: about ten days ago. I’ve tried to use it since then. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t. it’s very frustrating¹.
B: is it still under warranty². If it is and I can’t fix it, it would be quicker and easier to exchange it for a new one.
A: yes, it’s still under warranty. Over the last few weeks, it’s also been making a high-pitch noise when it’s in use.
a: ok. I’ll start by looking at the motor. I’ll just unplug it and take a look inside the machine…..oh, yes. There’s the problem. It’s quite simple. I’ll sort it out in a few minutes.
b: what’s wrong with it?
A: part of the motor is loose. I can put it back in place quite easily.
B: that’s great. Thanks very much. Would you like a cup of tea or coffee?

Intermediate³
A: so, you friend’s getting married on Saturday. What have you bought her as a wedding gift. I find is so hard to choose the right gift.
B: my friend and her fiancé had a really good idea. They have cut out pictures from catalogues and pasted them in a notebook. The picture are of things they want. People sign their name by the item they will buy.
A; that’s clever! Then everyone knows that they are buying something the couple really want and there’s no chance of two people buying the same gift. What things were in the notebook?
B: most of the things were household appliance. You know, everything from an iron through a vacuum cleaner to a cooker. I think it’s an excellent way for everyone who knows the couple to help them set up home.
A: so , what did you get them?
B: I bought a sewing machine. I know that my friend likes making her own clothes, but her current sewing machine is quite old and has some problems.
A: what’s wrong with is?
B: she says that after several years of use, it’s not working properly. When she uses it, it makes a funny noise.
A: household appliance don’t seem to last for a long time nowadays.
B: I think it’s because the manufactures are constantly bringing out new models. Because they know that we will buy the new models, the appliances don’t need to last more than five or ten years at most.

words
gadget device music centre speaker tv set dvd player microwave iron switch socket battery
plug in / out extensive lead wire electric toothbrush electric shaver sewing machine hair drier vacuum cleaner fan press run on (batteries) break function telephone button repair fix