English Language Practice: Key Phrases & Comprehension

Essential Vocabulary and Phrases

Customer Service & Complaints

• Poor quality / Bad service
• Delivery (repartiment)
• Refund (retornar)
• Exchange (intercanvi)
• Free of charge (gratis)
• Disappointed with the service

Complaint Phrases:

• "I am writing because I would like to complain about the [product/service] which I ordered by post from your factory."
• "I think that you should..."
• "I would appreciate it if you would..."
• "Please reply as soon as possible."

Movie Review Terminology

• Dramatic (espectacular)
• Disappointing
• A masterpiece (obra mestra)
• A box-office hit (èxit de taquilla)
• "It's directed by..."
• "Is well worth seeing" (va valdre la pena)
• "You won't regret it" (no te'n penediràs)
• "Reported that..."
• "Added that..."

Reading Comprehension Exercises

Athlete Retirement Challenges

1. According to Nancy, it's hard for athletes to retire because they love being the center of attention.
2. Some sports stars retire suddenly because they get injured.
3. Most of the stars who work as sportscasters were lucky to get their position.
4. When athletes retire, some of their friends are successful in their own careers.
5. After retirement, most athletes need to develop their educational skills.
6. Many former athletes end their marriages.
7. Athletes who were superstars have a hard time adjusting to their new life.
8. Some athletes deal with depression by going back to school.

Time Management & Productivity Tips

1. Tessa was late because she forgot her schoolbag.
2. Patricia thinks Tessa should lay out her clothes before bedtime.
3. Patricia says it's a bad idea to do one last thing if you've got extra time.
4. Tessa thinks that she wrote the test date on a piece of paper.
5. Patricia thinks that Tessa needs to think about her priorities.
6. In her bag, Tessa found things she didn't need.
7. Patricia suggests that Tessa check her bag every day.
8. Patricia apologized for being critical.

Computer Recycling for Social Impact

1. Bill invited Jill to his house to show her his new computer.
2. Jill was disappointed that Bill hadn't recycled his old computers.
3. Computers for Africa is an organization that donates recycled computers.
4. In Scotland, secondary-school students volunteered to collect, fix, and package old computers.
5. Recycled computers are sent to Africa both (a) and (b).
6. Computers for Africa focuses on remote areas.
7. The volunteers' jobs end when schools can use the computers on their own.
8. Jill's cousin is in contact with some of the African students.