03 / Practise the language
Explain. Ask. Check.
Use the order and delivery below. Practise a request for the coat and one for the suitcase.
You help a small film crew. Filming starts at 8 am tomorrow. The delivery is wrong. Call the hire shop and agree on replacements.
What you need
- The coat must be red.
- The suitcase must look old. Brown or black is OK.
- The two chairs must match. Any colour is OK.
- The table lamp is correct. Keep it.
Everything must arrive by 5 pm today.
Check the order and delivery
Your marks stay in this browser tab as you move between Steps 2, 3, and 4.
Explain the problem
There is a problem with our order.
We ordered …, but we received …
Ask for a change
Could you send …, please?
Do you have …?
Check an alternative
Is it …?
That works. / Sorry, we need …
Confirm the plan
When can you deliver it?
So, that’s … at … Is that right?
If you did not hear“Could you say that again, please?”
“We ordered a red coat, but …”
“Could you send …, please?”
A quick politeness check · optional
“Send a red coat.”
“Could you send a red coat, please?”
Which would you use with the shop? Say your request in a calm, clear voice.
Word help
ordered
Asked a shop to send something.
received
Got something that was sent to you.
matching
The same colour and style.
replacement
Something that takes the place of another thing.
delivery
Things brought to you by a shop or driver.
deliver
Bring something to a person or place.
Read an example call
Read this with your teacher. What will arrive, and when?
Film assistantHello. There is a problem with our order.
SupplierI’m sorry about that. What is the problem?
Film assistantWe ordered a small mirror, but we received a large one. Could you send a small one, please?
SupplierWe have a small round mirror. Is that OK?
Film assistantYes, that works. When can you deliver it?
SupplierAt three o’clock today.
Film assistantSo, one small round mirror at three today. Is that right?
SupplierYes, that’s right. We’ll collect the large mirror then.