Making enquiries

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Anita

Today, you are going to practise making enquiries*. You are going to make phone calls to ask for information. During these calls, you will need to say why you are calling, ask for specific information, and clarify the information while remaining polite.

*In British English these are enquiries. We also have the word ‘inquiry’, but that means an official investigation, usually by the police or a government department. However, in the USA, they use inquiry for simple information requests as well as the big government investigations.

First, read the following ads and answer the questions below.

A

City Cookery School

Italian Cooking for Beginners

Learn to make delicious Italian food in a friendly, relaxed class.

  • Saturday mornings
  • Small groups
  • Starts September
Call 0131 555 0142 for prices and more information.
B

Room to Rent

Bright double room in a shared flat

A comfortable double room in a friendly shared flat, close to the city centre.

  • Near city centre
  • From 1 September
  • £650 per month
Call Maya on 07700 912345 for more information.
C

Highland Adventures

Weekend Walking Trips

Explore some of Scotland’s most beautiful countryside on one of our weekend walks.

  • Transport included
  • Small groups
  • Beginners welcome
Trips every weekend. Call 0131 555 0188 for times and prices.
D

Guitar Lessons

Acoustic and electric guitar

Friendly lessons with an experienced teacher. Suitable for new and developing players.

  • Beginners welcome
  • Adults & teenagers
  • Evening lessons
Call Ben on 07700 945621 to find out more.
E

Riverside Café

Weekend Staff Wanted

We’re looking for friendly people to join our busy city-centre café team.

  • Saturday & Sunday
  • No experience needed
  • City centre
Call Anna on 0131 555 0167 for details.

Which advert…

  1. is offering somewhere to live?
  2. says you don’t need previous experience?
  3. offers transport?
  4. offers classes in the evening?
  5. doesn’t tell you how much it costs?
  6. might interest someone who wants to learn a practical skill?
  7. is looking for someone rather than selling a service?
  8. would you personally be most likely to call?

Listen to a telephone conversation.

  1. Which advert is the caller phoning about?
  2. Is the caller happy with the result of the call?
  3. What information does the caller ask for?

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