Asking for Help: The Heavy Couch
Asking for help politely is a formula: soften the request ('Could you possibly…?'), name the size of the job honestly, and leave the door open for 'no'. Sam needs his neighbor's help — and offers the magic words: pizza. · A2 · Role-Play
How to practice: first listen to the whole dialogue. Then play BOTH roles out loud — or take one role and answer the other from memory. When it flows, record the full dialogue below.
Sam Hi, Mrs. Parker. Sorry to bother you — could I ask you a favor?
Mrs. Parker Of course, Sam. What do you need?
Sam My new couch arrives this afternoon, and it's, well, huge. Could you possibly help me carry it up the stairs? It'll take ten minutes, tops.
Mrs. Parker This afternoon? I have my grandson until three.
Sam No problem at all — the truck comes at four. Would four-fifteen work for you?
Mrs. Parker Four-fifteen is fine. These old arms are stronger than they look.
Sam You're a lifesaver. And dinner's on me — pizza Friday, your pick of toppings.
Mrs. Parker Pepperoni. And Sam — next time, measure the stairs BEFORE you buy the couch.
Sam Ha! Lesson learned. See you at four-fifteen.
The full dialogue with real voices. Listen first, then take your role.
Record yourself, play it back, and compare with the model. Recordings stay in your browser — nothing is uploaded.
Your task
Ask for three favors out loud, each with the full formula: softener (Sorry to bother you / Could I ask a favor?) + honest size of the job + an easy escape ('No problem if you can't') + a thank-you with a return favor. Try: borrowing a ladder, a ride to the airport, help with a computer problem.
Coach tips
- 'Could you possibly…?' is the politest everyday request form — steal it.
- Honest size wins help: 'ten minutes, tops' beats a vague 'a little help'.
- Always offer the return: help given is help banked.
Self-Assessment — Your Honest Checklist
There is no automated speaking score here — and we will not fake one. Play your recording, judge these five areas honestly, and tick what you truly did. Next session, pick ONE unticked box to fix.
Fluency
Grammar
Vocabulary
Pronunciation
Organization
Speaking connects to everything
🗣️ Pronunciation Lab — train the sounds in this lesson🎧 Listening Lab — hear these patterns in real dialogues🌱 Vocabulary Builder — grow the words you reached for📘 Grammar Course — fix the pattern you noticed🩺 Say It Right — Real-Life English, mistake by mistakeKeep going
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