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Beginner (A2-B1) Reading Lesson Students

A2: Apartment Repair: Explain the Problem

Quality checked lesson

Learn how to contact an apartment repair office and explain a problem at home. Say where the problem is. Give simple details about when it started. Explain how serious it is. Arrange a repair time. Confirm the next step.

Illustration 1: Explain an apartment repair problem clearly, with a resident showing a leaking sink or...

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Lesson Goal

how to contact an office and explain a problem at home. Say where the problem is.

Give simple about when it started. Explain how serious it is.

a time. the next step.

Introduction

Maria lives in an One morning, she sees water under the

The water is onto the She to contact the office.

A staff member answers the phone. Maria needs to explain the problem so the office can help her.

As the continues, she explains where the problem is, when it started, how serious it is, and when a can

Warm-Up Questions

  • Have you ever needed a in your home?

  • What problems can in an

  • Who do you contact when something is

  • Which problem is more a or a light? Why?

Introduction

Learn how to contact an apartment repair office and explain a problem at home.

Say where the problem is.

Give simple details about when it started.

Explain how serious it is.

Arrange a repair time.

Confirm the next step.

Maria lives in an apartment.

One morning, she sees water under the kitchen sink.

The water is slowly leaking onto the floor.

She decides to contact the apartment repair office.

A staff member answers the phone.

Maria needs to explain the problem clearly so the repair office can help her.

As the conversation continues, she explains where the problem is, when it started, how serious it is, and when a repair worker can visit.

Have you ever needed a repair in your home?

What problems can happen in an apartment?

Who do you contact when something is broken?

Which problem is more urgent: a leaking sink or a broken light?

Why?

Roleplay Practice

Step 1: Explain the Problem

Maria starts by saying what is wrong.

Dialogue Practice Role-play

Turn 1Maria

Hello. I need to report a problem.

Turn 2Staff

What seems to be the problem?

Turn 3Maria

My is

Try it:

Practice once. Then change one detail.

Step 2: Say Where It Is and Give Details

The staff member needs more information.

Dialogue Practice Role-play

Turn 1Staff

Where is the

Turn 2Maria

It is in the under the

Turn 3Staff

Can you tell me more?

Turn 4Maria

Water is coming from under the

Try it:

Practice once. Then change one detail.

Step 3: Say When It Started and How Serious It Is

The office wants to know if the problem is

Dialogue Practice Role-play

Turn 1Staff

When did the problem start?

Turn 2Maria

It started this morning.

Turn 3Staff

Is it serious?

Turn 4Maria

Yes. The is getting

Try it:

Practice once. Then change one detail.

Other Common Problems:

- The light is

- The is not working.

- The is hard to open.

Example sentences:

- The light stopped working

- The is not working, and the is cold.

- The is hard to open. I have getting inside.

Step 4: Arrange a Repair Time and Confirm the Next Step

Now Maria and the staff member a

Dialogue Practice Role-play

Turn 1Staff

A can come morning. Is that okay?

Turn 2Maria

Yes, that for me.

Turn 3Staff

Great. The will check the morning.

Turn 4Maria

Thank you. I will be home.

Try it:

Practice once. Then change one detail.

Short Dialogues to Practice

Dialogue 1 Role-play

Turn 1Resident

Hello. I need to report a problem.

Turn 2Staff

What is the problem?

Turn 3Resident

My is not working.

Turn 4Staff

When did it start?

Turn 5Resident

It started last night.

Turn 6Staff

We can send someone

Turn 7Resident

That for me.

Try it:

Practice once. Then change one detail.

Dialogue 2 Role-play

Turn 1Resident

Hello. The is hard to open.

Turn 2Staff

Which

Turn 3Resident

My front

Turn 4Staff

Is it difficult every time?

Turn 5Resident

Yes, almost every day.

Turn 6Staff

A will check it this week.

Turn 7Resident

Thank you.

Try it:

Practice once. Then change one detail.

Practice

What is the problem?

The kitchen sink is leaking.

Where is the problem?

It is under the kitchen sink.

Why is the problem serious?

The floor is getting wet.

When will the repair worker come?

Tomorrow morning.

Summary

Hello.

I need to report a repair problem.

My kitchen sink is leaking.

It started this morning, and the floor is getting wet.

I will be home tomorrow morning for a repair visit.

Thank you.

Final Reflection

Hello. I need to report a problem.

My is It started this morning, and the is getting

I will be home morning for a Thank you.

Useful Speaking Patterns

  • I need to report a problem.

  • My __________ is

  • My __________ is not working.

  • It is in the __________.

  • It started __________.

  • It is serious because __________.

Final Speaking Task

Practice Questions

  • How would you explain a

  • What information should you give about the location of a problem?

  • How can you explain when a problem started?

  • What can you say if a time is good for you?

  • How do you the next step before ending the

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