SPEAKING PART 2 – VOICEMAILS

 Talk for forty seconds per voicemail

 Twenty seconds’ preparation time
 Voicemail 1: Leave a voicemail
 Voicemail 2: Reply to a voicemail

 You have an appointment with a dentist this afternoon, but you cannot
go to the appointment. Leave a voicemail message for the dentist and:

 explain who you are

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  say why you cannot go to the appointment

 suggest a time for another appointment.

Erik:

Good morning. I would like to speak to Dr Smith about an appointment to check

my teeth. My name is Erik. I have a very bad toothache. It started two days ago,
and it is getting worse and worse. Please can you give me an appointment for
tomorrow morning, as early as possible? Please call me back on this number.
Thank you. Bye.

Commentary: Erik only partly answers the question. He explains who he is, but
only gives his first name; in this situation, giving both first name and last name
would be better – the dentist may have more than one patient called ‘Erik’. Erik
also doesn’t say that he already had an appointment. He doesn’t respond to the
second prompt to why he can’t come to the appointment today. For the third
prompt, he suggests a time for an appointment, but he could give more
information, for example the time he is available (e.g. ‘Please can you give me an
appointment for tomorrow morning between 9.00 and 12.00?’).

Anna:

Hello. This is a message for my dentist, Dr Smith. My name is Anna Bandura and
I have an appointment with you for this afternoon at 2.30 p.m. I’m afraid I need to
cancel the appointment because I have to attend a meeting at work that I didn’t
know about when I arranged the appointment. I’m sorry about this. Could I have
another appointment for later this week? Is Friday afternoon at four o’clock
possible for you? Please call me back to let me know. Thank you.

Commentary: Anna answers all three prompts. She explains who she is, she says
why she can’t go to the appointment today, and she suggests another time for an
appointment.

 You recently went to a library. You think you left your bag in the
library. Leave a voicemail message for the library manager and:

 explain who you are

 describe your bag and what’s in it

 say what you would like the library manager to do.

Peter:

Hello. My name’s Peter Horvat. I was studying in the library this morning. When I
got home I realised I didn’t have my rucksack. It’s black with yellow straps. Inside
there are two notebooks with my name on. Please could you ring me on this
number if anyone has found it? Thanks.

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Commentary: Peter has used his own words wherever possible. This shows Peter’s
range of grammar, vocabulary and organisation, and his ability to paraphrase.

Alice:

Hello. My name’s Alice Cho. I recently went to your library, and I think I left my
bag in the library. My bag is blue and there are some books in it. I would like the
library manager to keep my bag in the reception. Thank you.

Commentary: Alice has used more words from the question. To improve her score,
Alice should use her own words to show her range of grammar, vocabulary and
organisation.

 Listen to the message from your friend about a free course she has won
as a prize. Then, leave a voicemail message for your friend. In your
message you should:

 congratulate your friend

 ask some questions about the course

 say what you think your friend should do.

Now listen to the message.

Hi. It’s Anya here. I’ve won a prize in a competition. It’s a three-week English course
next summer, with everything paid. It sounds great, but the problem is it’s at the
same time as my family holiday by the seaside. I’m not sure what to do. What do
you think?

Samir:

Hi Anya. This is Samir. That’s fantastic news. Congratulations! Where’s the course
going to be? Can you change the course dates? I think it’s a brilliant opportunity,
so why don’t you ask your parents to change the dates of the family holiday? Then
you can do both. Hope this helps. Bye.

Commentary: Samir has tried to extend his answers. The first point is answered in
a natural way: ‘That’s fantastic news. Congratulations!’ He asks two questions:
‘Where’s the course going to be?’ and ‘Can you change the course dates?’ He also
says what he thinks Anya should do: ‘I think it’s a brilliant opportunity, so why
don’t you ask your parents to change the dates of the family holiday? Then you
can do both.’

Clara:

Hi Anya. Congratulations! Where is the course going to take place? I think you

should do the course. Bye Clara.

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Commentary: Clara’s response is much shorter. Her response to the first prompt
is just one word and she answers the last prompt with just one short sentence.
The answer should be:

Hi Anya. Congratulations! What a fantastic prize! It is really unfortunate that it’s

at the same time as your family holiday, but there must be a solution. Have you
checked the terms and conditions of the prize to see if you can change the dates,
or could your family change the dates of their holiday? Our summer break is quite
long, so there should be enough time to do both. If you have to make a choice, I
suggest you go on the course because it’s such a good opportunity to practise your
English, have a great time, and make a lot of new friends. Let me know what you
decide. Bye.

Sample answer

Hi Anya. This is John. I’m so happy you won a competition! Congratulations! But I
can see your problem. Can you change the date of the family holiday? Or perhaps
you change the date of the course? If you can’t, I really think you should do the
course. It will be a fantastic experience and you can improve your English, too!

 Listen to the message from your friend about a competition. Then,

leave a voicemail message for your friend. In your message, you should:

 congratulate your friend

 ask some questions about the competition

 suggest what your friend could do to celebrate.

Now listen to the message.

M Hi, it’s Josh. You won’t believe this, but I just won a writing competition! I want to
celebrate with you and some other friends. The thing is, I’m not sure what to do. Do
you have any ideas?

Sample answer

Hi Josh! Congratulations! I think you write very well. What type of writing was it?
Was it a poem or a story? I know you write both. Did you win a prize? I think we
should go to the cinema together. We can see The Endless Adventure. What do you
think?

Sample answer

Hi Josh! That’s fantastic – well done! I’ve always loved your writing, and I was sure
you would win a prize one day. What was the prize, by the way? And what did you

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send to the competition: was it a short story or a poem? I would love to go out with
you. How about watching The Endless Adventure at the cinema? Let me know!

Sample answer

Hi Josh! That’s brilliant news. I’m thrilled for you! Not that I’m surprised – you’ve
always written great stuff. I was absolutely sure one day your talent would be
recognized. Was it for one of your poems or short stories? So, why don’t we
celebrate at the movies? There’s a great film about Terens, who wrote The Queen of
Lost World. Maybe you can get some inspiration for your next book!

 You have booked an English study holiday in another country.

However, you are now unable to go. Leave a voicemail message for the
course manager and:

 give details of the study holiday you booked

 explain why you are unable to go on the study holiday

 say what you want the manager to do.

Irem:

Hi. I can’t make it to the study holiday I booked for next June – I’ve found a new
job so need to do that – so I want my money back. Can you sort that out for me?
Cheers!

Commentary: Irem answers all three prompts, but the language she uses is too
informal.

Roberto:

Hello. My name’s Roberto Romano. I booked an English course at your college for
the first week of June. I’m afraid I can no longer come as I have a family issue I
need to take care of. I understand that I am giving you enough notice for a full
refund, so could you arrange this? I would appreciate it if you could call me back
on this number.

Commentary: Roberto answers all three prompts, and he also uses quite formal
language.

 You heard an interview on the radio with the organizer of a club which
helps to keep your local area clean. You would like to join the club.
Leave a voicemail message for the club organizer and:

 explain why you want to join the club

 ask some questions about the club

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  say how you could help.

Paolo:

Hi. My name’s Paolo Alvarez. I heard you talking about the environment club on
the radio today and I’m really interested in becoming a member. I’m a big believer
in the environment and want to do what I can to protect it. You didn’t mention
how old you have to be to join the club. I’m only 15 – am I old enough to join? I
think I could really help out by collecting litter in our local park or planting some
flowers. Let me know what you think!

Commentary: Paolo only asked one question for the second prompt. He responds
to the first prompt well by giving more information. Paolo expands all his
responses.

Olivia:

Hi. It’s Olivia. I heard an interview on the radio about a club which helps to keep
my local area clean and I wanna join the club because I like my local area. I also
wanna ask some questions about the club. How many people are there in the club
and when do you meet? Give us a ring on this number and let me know. Bye.

Commentary: Olivia did not give a response to the third prompt (say how you
could help). She repeats a lot of the highlighted words from the question. She gives
a very short answer for the first prompt. Although she says why she wants to join
the club (‘because I like my local area’), she needs to explain more about this.
Paolo and Olivia do not know the person they are calling (the organizer of the
club), so their responses should not be informal. However, Olivia uses informal
language such as ‘wanna’ (for ‘want to’).

 You would like to go to a new sports club with your friend. Leave a
voicemail message for your friend and:

 invite your friend to the sports club

 explain what you can do there

 suggest a time and place to meet.

Sample answer

Hi Roberto. It’s Martin here. I’m ringing about the new sports centre. Do you want
to go with me? There’s a really good gym and swimming pool, too. Maybe we can
go to the gym together? Are you free at 6 o’clock this evening? We could meet
there. Let me know. Bye.

Sample answer

Hi, John. It’s Anna here. Would you like to come to the new gym they opened up? I
managed to get a couple of VIP passes. They grant us access to their guided

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spinning classes, to the weight’s room, and to the Spa! You know I love the Spa!
How does Friday at 17:00 sound? I can’t wait to go! Let me know. Bye.

 You went to a party at your friend’s house yesterday. You left

something there. Leave a voicemail message for your friend. In your
message, you should:

 Explain who you are

 Describe the problem

 Say what you want your friend to do

Sample answer

Hi Debbie – it’s Sandra. The party yesterday was great. Thank you very much for
the invitation. I left my jacket at your house – I think it’s in the kitchen. Can you
bring it to school today? We have a history class together, so you can give it to me
then. See you later!

Sample answer

Hi Debbie. It’s Sandra. I had a really nice time yesterday. Thank you very much for
inviting me. The problem is I left my jacket at your house. I think it’s in the
kitchen. Do you think you could bring it to school and give it to me in the history
lesson? Thanks a lot. Talk to you soon!

Sample answer

Hi Debbie – Sandra here. Thank you so much for inviting me yesterday. I had such
a great time. The only thing is that I forgot my jacket at your place! I must have
left it in the kitchen because we were chatting there before I left, remember? Could
you possibly bring it with you to school, so I can get it from you in the history
lesson? Let me know.

 You have an English lesson today with a private language teacher. You
have transport problems and cannot get to the lesson. Leave a
voicemail message for your teacher. In your message you should:

 say who you are and when your lesson is.

 apologize and describe your transport problems.

 arrange another lesson.

Sample answer

Hello, this is Anna Roberto. It’s about my English lesson today at 2pm.
Unfortunately, my car has broken down so I’m sorry, but I can’t come to the

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lesson. I could get the bus, but then I would be too late. Do you think we could
meet tomorrow if possible? I have some time between 11am and 3pm. Please could
you call me? Thanks.

Sample answer

Hello, I am John. I’m calling because there is a problem for me today, I cannot
make it to this afternoon’s class because my car has broken down. I have called
the insurance and the tow truck is on its way, but I need to take the car to the
mechanic. Do you think we could arrange to make up for this class last week?
Please, let me know. Thanks.

 You are on a two-week study holiday in England, staying in a room in a

college. However, there are problems with the accommodation, making
it difficult for you to study. Leave a voicemail for the manager of the
accommodation. In your message you should:

 say who you are.

 describe the problems.

 say what you want the manager to do.

Sample answer

Good afternoon. My name is Andrea Miller and I’m staying in the accommodation
at your college. I’m afraid that I have some problems with my room, and I would
like you to help me. The thing is my room is next to the kitchen. In the evening,
some students sit in there and talk very loudly, so I can’t sleep. In the morning,
some other students make breakfast very early and this wakes me up. Please
could you find another room for me that is quieter, so that I can sleep better?
Thank you.

 You recently took your car to a garage to have a problem fixed. You are
not satisfied with the work that was carried out. Leave a voicemail
message for the garage manager. In your message, you should:

 say who you are.

 explain why you are not satisfied.

 say what you want the garage owner to do.

Sample answer

Hello, this is Enrique Gonzales speaking. Yesterday I left my car with you because
the engine was making a strange sound. Your mechanic said it had been fixed, but
I’m afraid I’m not happy at all with the repairs you carried out. The engine was
making the same noise again this morning when I was driving into town. I’d like to

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bring my car in again so you can take another look at it, and obviously I don’t
expect to have to pay for this. I look forward to hearing from you.

 You were recently asked to attend a job interview. However, you are
now unable to attend the interview. Leave a voicemail message for the
manager of the company. In your message, you should:

 say who you are.

 explain why you are unable to attend the interview.

 suggest an alternative date for the interview.

Sample answer

Good morning. My name is Neville Fletcher. I was invited to attend an interview for
the role of Design Manager on Monday 20 June, which I had accepted.
Unfortunately, due to the fact my wife is unwell, I will not be able to come on that
date. Would it be possible to rearrange the interview for Friday 24 June, because
my mother-in-law will be with us by then to care for my wife? I would really
appreciate it and apologize for any inconvenience.

 You are going to leave a voicemail message. You want to apply for a
part-time job working in a restaurant. You would like some information
about the job. Leave a voicemail message for the restaurant and:

 Say why you want the job

 Ask some questions about the job

 Explain which days and times you can work

 Listen to the message from your friend Mike about a shopping trip.
Then, leave a voicemail message for your friend. In your message, you
should:

 say how you feel about the situation

 ask some questions about his weekend

 make another suggestion for meeting.

Now listen to the message.

Hi, it’s Mike here. You know we planned to go shopping together next weekend?
Well, I have to

cancel – sorry. I’m going away with my parents from Friday till Sunday. Really
sorry – another time

maybe?

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  Listen to a message from your friend who has just started at the college
where you are a student. Then, leave a voicemail message for your
friend. In your message you should:

 welcome your friend.

 give your friend some advice about clubs.

 suggest a time and place to meet.

Now listen to the message.

F I’ve just had my first day here, and, wow, this place is so big! I keep getting lost.
Anyway, could you call me because I need some advice about clubs. We’ve got to
decide tomorrow which ones to join. One other thing – if you’re free this weekend,
shall we meet up?

Sample answer

Hi, Anna. Welcome to the college! I think you’ll have a really great time here. For
clubs, I think you should join a sports club because it’s important to keep fit. I
think the tennis club is really good, or you could join the gym. I know you like
music, so you could join the choir or the orchestra. I’d love to meet up with you at
the weekend. Do you know the café on the High Street? We could meet there at
1pm and talk about the clubs. Let me know if this is OK.

 Listen to a message from your friend about going to watch a film at the
cinema. Then, leave a voicemail message for your friend. In your
message, you should:

 ask some questions about the film.

 explain which evening is best for you.

 suggest something to do before the film.

Now listen to the message.

M Hi, Jack here. Listen, I’m free every night next week and was wondering if you
want to go out. There’s a new film on – ‘Behind the Green Door’. Do you fancy doing
something before the cinema as well? Let me know what you think. Bye.

Sample answer

Hi, Jack! I’d love to go to the cinema this week. I don’t know that film, though.
What’s it about? Do you know which actors are in it? I think Thursday is the best
time to go, because there are cheap tickets for students on that day. Before the
film, we could go to that new pizza restaurant and have some dinner. My friend
went there last week and he said it was very good. Let me know if this is OK. Bye!

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  Listen to the message from your friend about a party. Then, leave a
voicemail message for your friend. In your message, you should:

 thank your friend for the suggestion.

 tell your friend why you don’t like the suggestion.

 say which place you prefer for the party and why.

Now listen to the message.

F Hi, it’s Sam. We said we were going to discuss the best place for our joint
birthday party next month. I think the Italian restaurant on the High Street would be
perfect. Let me know what you think about that or where you’d like to go, OK?
Thanks.

Sample answer

Hi Sam! Thanks for getting back to me with your suggestion. I’ve been to Gino’s a
few times and to be honest I wasn’t very impressed. The food was pretty average
and the service was so slow! I don’t think we’d have a great night if we went there.
How about Luca’s near the river? The food’s fantastic and it’s really reasonable,
too. Anyway, I’ve got to rush … let’s chat soon!

 Listen to the message from your friend about a holiday. Then, leave a
voicemail message for your friend. In your message, you should:

 accept your friend’s invitation.

 ask for information about the cost.

 tell your friend when you can go.

Now listen to the message.

F Hi, it’s Jo. I think we should get away for a couple of days. How about going to
London? We could book a weekend break … I’ve seen a really cheap deal online. I
can’t do next weekend, but I’m free the one after that. Would that suit you? Let me
know, OK?

Sample answer

Thank you so much for your invitation, Jo. It’s a great idea and after studying so
hard we deserve a break! There’s so much to do in London – it’s the perfect choice.
It sounds like you have found a good offer online, too. That’s good news as my
budget for the holiday will be quite limited. How much do you think the total cost
for the flights and the hotel will be? I’m happy to stay in a cheap hotel. We’re not
going to spend much time in our room, after all. I’m busy this weekend, but the
one after works for me if that suits you. I can’t wait! Speak soon. Bye.

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