A1 · Beginner · House and home
Things around the home
5 short A1 English scripts to practise how to things around the home. Read one out loud, record yourself, listen back and try again.
Key phrase How do I turn on the…?
Eighty-seven buttons
Welcome to my flat! This is the TV, and this is the remote control. It has eighty-seven buttons. I use two.
The washing machine is in the kitchen. It's old, so it's noisy. The oven is new, but I never use it. The microwave is my best friend. Pizza in two minutes. Perfect.
American English
Welcome to my apartment! This is the TV, and this is the remote control. It has eighty-seven buttons. I use two.
The washing machine is in the kitchen. It's old, so it's loud. The oven is new, but I never use it. The microwave is my best friend. Pizza in two minutes. Awesome.
Hello, reception?
Hello, reception? It's room 212. My phone charger doesn't fit the socket. The plug is from Turkey. Do you have an extension lead?
Also, I can't find the light switch. Is it behind the curtain? And the light bulb over the bed is out. Sorry, I know, it's a lot. Thank you so much!
American English
Hello, front desk? It's room 212. My phone charger doesn't fit the outlet. The plug is from Turkey. Do you have an extension cord?
Also, I can't find the light switch. Is it behind the curtain? And the light bulb over the bed is out. Sorry, I know, it's a lot. Thank you so much!
Gran, don't press that
Gran, first, plug in the router. It's the little black box on the shelf. Now turn on the TV. Can you hear me? Turn up the volume.
Gran, that's too loud! Turn down the volume! No, not the red button! Gran? Gran, why is the Wi-Fi now in Spanish?
American English
Grandma, first, plug in the router. It's the little black box on the shelf. Now turn on the TV. Can you hear me? Turn up the volume.
Grandma, that's too loud! Turn down the volume! No, not the red button! Grandma? Grandma, why is the Wi-Fi now in Spanish?
A message for the host
Hi Mrs Ford, quick question. The dishwasher is great, but the kettle doesn't work. The freezer is also full of ice.
And the air conditioning? Nothing. We're using the fan, and it's thirty-five degrees. Don't worry, we're fine. We're just very hot and very hungry. Thanks!
American English
Hi Mrs. Ford, quick question. The dishwasher is great, but the kettle doesn't work. The freezer is also full of ice.
And the air conditioning? Nothing. We're using the fan, and it's ninety-five degrees. Don't worry, we're fine. We're just very hot and very hungry. Thanks!
Cleaning day, rock band edition
Right, it's cleaning day! Kaan, take the broom and do the kitchen. No, the broom is not a guitar. Put it down, please.
It's freezing in here. Is the heater broken? Oh, it's off. Who turned it off? Thanks, that's better.
And why is the ironing board in the sitting room? Oh, it's your desk. Of course it is. Never mind. Just don't iron your homework.
American English
Okay, it's cleaning day! Kaan, grab the broom and do the kitchen. No, the broom is not a guitar. Put it down, please.
It's freezing in here. Is the heater broken? Oh, it's off. Who turned it off? Thanks, that's better.
And why is the ironing board in the living room? Oh, it's your desk. Of course it is. Never mind. Just don't iron your homework.
Key words
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| TV noun | a screen where you watch programmes |
| remote control noun | a small thing you use to change TV channels |
| washing machine noun | a machine that washes your clothes |
| oven noun | a hot box in the kitchen for baking and roasting |
| microwave noun | a machine that heats food very fast |