APIEIELTS Speaking: Phone Calls and Messages
Phone calls and leaving messages
Answers and an explanation for each question appear once you add this activity to your own library.
Unit: Phone Calls & Leaving Messages
Module 1: Vocabulary Review & Key Sentence Patterns
How to Use This Lesson
👩🏫 For the Teacher:
Use this 10-minute warm-up module to introduce essential phone vocabulary and key speaking phrases.
Check the answers together after each part.
🧑🎓 For the Learner:
Read the key words and sentence patterns carefully before starting the activities.
Then, complete the vocabulary review and collocation matching exercises below.
In this lesson, you will learn essential words for talking on the telephone and practice simple sentences to leave clear messages.
Part 1: Vocabulary Practice
Fill in the blank with the correct word from our topic list.
Word Bank:
1. Please leave a message after you hear the sound of the ____.
2. I called you this morning, but you didn't answer, so I left a ____.
3. The hotel ____ helped connect my call to the manager.
4. The line was busy, so I decided to press the button to ____ the number.
5. We put the call on ____ so all team members could listen.
Part 2: Match Common Phrases
Match each phone word combination (left) with its correct meaning (top).
Part 3: Key Sentence Patterns
Learn these 3 essential speaking patterns to make and answer calls confidently.
💡 Pattern example: "Hold on, please, I will get my mother."
Hello, this is ... speaking.
Why this works: Use this simple phrase at the start of a call to say who you are.
Example:
"Hello, this is Sarah speaking. How can I help you today?"
Please ask ... to call me.
Why this works: Use this when the person you want to talk to is busy or away.
Example:
"Please ask Mr. David to call me back when he arrives."
Could I leave a message for ...?
Why this works: A polite way to ask to give a short note for someone else.
Example:
"Could I leave a message for Anna? I want to confirm our meeting time."
Module 2: IELTS Speaking Part 1 Practice
Phone Calls & Leaving Messages - Recorded Practice
Now it is your turn to speak. Answer each question in your own words, record your response, and open the model answer to learn useful phrases.
Do you prefer to call or to send a message?
Record your answer. You will be graded on Fluency and Coherence, Lexical Resource, Grammatical Range and Accuracy, and Pronunciation.
[Bài tập luyện nói]
💡 Model Answer & Helpful Phrases (Click to expand after recording)"Well, to be honest, I prefer sending a text because it's much faster. When I'm busy at work, I don't have time to make a long call, so texting is easier."
Phrase Notes:
- • Well, to be honest: A natural way to start giving your real opinion.
- • prefer sending a text: Used to say you like texting more than phoning.
- • it's much faster: Explains that something takes less time.
- • I don't have time: A simple way to say you are busy.
- • texting is easier: Says sending messages is easier.
Who do you call most often?
Record your answer. You will be graded on Fluency and Coherence, Lexical Resource, Grammatical Range and Accuracy, and Pronunciation.
[Bài tập luyện nói]
💡 Model Answer & Helpful Phrases (Click to expand after recording)"I usually call my mom almost every day. We like to talk about our daily life, um, for a few minutes. It's really nice to check in with my family."
Phrase Notes:
- • I usually call: Used to talk about your regular calling routine.
- • almost every day: Means happening nearly every day of the week.
- • We like to talk: A simple phrase to express enjoying a conversation.
- • It's really nice: A warm, natural way to express a good feeling.
- • with my family: Mentions your parents or relatives.
What do you do when a friend does not answer the phone?
Record your answer. You will be graded on Fluency and Coherence, Lexical Resource, Grammatical Range and Accuracy, and Pronunciation.
[Bài tập luyện nói]
💡 Model Answer & Helpful Phrases (Click to expand after recording)"If my friend doesn't answer, I usually wait for a bit. Then, I send a short message to ask them to call me back when they are free."
Phrase Notes:
- • If my friend doesn't answer: Describes what happens when someone misses a call.
- • I usually wait: Means doing nothing for a short time.
- • I send a short message: Texting a brief note.
- • call me back: Asking someone to return your telephone call.
- • are free: Means when they have time.
Do you leave a message when nobody answers?
Record your answer. You will be graded on Fluency and Coherence, Lexical Resource, Grammatical Range and Accuracy, and Pronunciation.
[Bài tập luyện nói]
💡 Model Answer & Helpful Phrases (Click to expand after recording)"Well, not really. I don't leave a voicemail very often. I just text them instead because it's quicker, and, um, most people check texts first anyway."
Phrase Notes:
- • Well, not really: A casual, polite way to say "no".
- • I don't leave a voicemail: Means you do not record a message.
- • I just text them: Says you send a text instead.
- • it's quicker: Simple phrase to show saving time.
Do you like talking on the phone for a long time?
Record your answer. You will be graded on Fluency and Coherence, Lexical Resource, Grammatical Range and Accuracy, and Pronunciation.
[Bài tập luyện nói]
💡 Model Answer & Helpful Phrases (Click to expand after recording)"To be honest, I don't really like long phone calls. It gets tiring, you know? I prefer short chats to plan things quickly with my friends."
Phrase Notes:
- • To be honest: A phrase for saying what you really think.
- • I don't really like: A polite way to say you do not like it.
- • you know: A common spoken English filler word.
- • I prefer short chats: Says short chats are better for you.
When do you turn your phone off?
Record your answer. You will be graded on Fluency and Coherence, Lexical Resource, Grammatical Range and Accuracy, and Pronunciation.
[Bài tập luyện nói]
💡 Model Answer & Helpful Phrases (Click to expand after recording)"I usually turn off my phone at night before I go to sleep. Um, I also switch it off during important meetings at work to stay focused."
Phrase Notes:
- • I usually turn off: Describes your regular phone shutdown habit.
- • at night: Means in the evening, before bed.
- • I also switch it off: Another way to say turn it off.
- • to stay focused: Means keeping your mind on one thing.
Is it polite to answer the phone at the table?
Record your answer. You will be graded on Fluency and Coherence, Lexical Resource, Grammatical Range and Accuracy, and Pronunciation.
[Bài tập luyện nói]
💡 Model Answer & Helpful Phrases (Click to expand after recording)"In my opinion, it's not very polite. If I get an urgent call, I say excuse me and walk away from the table to answer."
Phrase Notes:
- • In my opinion: Used to say what you think.
- • it's not very polite: Says it is bad manners.
- • If I get an urgent call: Getting an important call.
- • I say excuse me: A polite thing to say before you leave.
- • walk away from the table: Going away from the table for a short time.
What do you say first when a number that you do not know calls you?
Record your answer. You will be graded on Fluency and Coherence, Lexical Resource, Grammatical Range and Accuracy, and Pronunciation.
[Bài tập luyện nói]
💡 Model Answer & Helpful Phrases (Click to expand after recording)"When an unknown number calls, I usually answer and say hello. Then I wait for the caller to speak first to see who it is, you know."
Phrase Notes:
- • When an unknown number calls: Talking about a person you do not know.
- • I usually answer: Stating your standard habit when the phone rings.
- • say hello: The most common greeting on the telephone.
- • to see who it is: Finding out who is calling.
- • you know: A small word you say while you think.
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