Make a short call and leave a useful message if the person is unavailable.
The idea
Identify yourself with Hello, this is Sam Lee speaking. Ask Could I speak to Dana, please? If Dana is unavailable, say Could you take a message? Give your name, reason and contact number, and ask the listener to repeat the number to check it. End by asking the person to call you back.
Examples
- Hello, this is Sam Lee speaking.
- Could I speak to Dana, please?
- She is not available right now.
- Could you take a message, please?
- Please ask her to call me back.
- Could you repeat the number slowly?
Read-aloud uses a synthetic English voice on your device. Quality and availability vary; it does not assess pronunciation.
No English device voice is available. You can still read the examples.
Watch out
On the phone, This is Sam speaking identifies the caller. A request to call back asks for a return call, not an immediate answer.
Try it yourself
Hello, this is Sam Lee ___. (speaking / listening)
Show answer or example answer
speaking
This is ... speaking identifies the caller.
Ask someone to write down your message. Could you ___ a message? (take / leave)
Show answer or example answer
take
Take a message means write down information for someone.
Ask her to return your call. Please ask her to call me ___. (back / in)
Show answer or example answer
back
Call back means return a phone call.
Practice round
Answer questions and rebuild English sentences to practise. Your score is shown.
Hello, this is Sam Lee ___. (speaking / listening)
Ask someone to write down your message. Could you ___ a message? (take / leave)
Ask her to return your call. Please ask her to call me ___. (back / in)
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Keep your progress
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Role-play a call: identify yourself, ask for someone and leave your name and a callback request.