Everyday Situations B2

Waking Up and Getting Ready

I hit snooze twice before I finally drag myself out of bed.
Honestly, the first ten minutes of the day are a complete blur.
A cold shower wakes me up faster than any coffee ever could.
Do you ever wake up before your alarm and feel strangely proud?
I set two alarms because I do not trust myself with one.
My back is stiff every morning until I stretch for a few minutes.
The bathroom mirror is not my friend at seven in the morning.
I have never been a morning person, and I have stopped pretending.
Some mornings I get dressed in the dark so I do not wake my wife.
It takes me ages to decide what to wear when the weather is unpredictable.
Is it just me, or does the snooze button make mornings worse?
I brush my teeth while scrolling through the news, which is a terrible habit.
On weekdays I am out of the shower by twenty past seven.
A quick shave and a splash of cold water, and I look almost human.
My daughter takes forever in the bathroom, so I go first.
Nothing ruins a morning like a phone that died overnight.
By half past seven I am dressed, awake and almost cheerful.

Breakfast and Plans for the Day

I cannot function without a proper breakfast, so I never skip it.
Porridge with a spoonful of honey keeps me full until lunch.
The smell of fresh coffee is the best part of my morning routine.
What do you usually have for breakfast on a busy weekday?
I scribble a to-do list while the kettle is boiling.
Three meetings before noon is not my idea of a good day.
We burned the toast again, and the smoke alarm went off.
My son refuses to eat anything except cereal with chocolate.
I check the weather forecast so I know whether to take an umbrella.
Do you plan your day in advance or just go with the flow?
A second cup of coffee is a mistake I make every single morning.
I am trying to cut down on sugar, so no jam on my toast.
The kids argue over the last pancake while I hunt for my keys.
Today is going to be hectic, so I eat standing at the counter.
I never leave the house without a quick look at my calendar.
Mornings run smoothly only when I prepare everything the night before.
Whatever happens today, at least breakfast was good.

Leaving the House

Keys, wallet, phone: I pat my pockets three times before I leave.
I am running late again, and the lift is stuck on the ninth floor.
Did I lock the door, or am I imagining it?
Halfway down the stairs I realised I had left my lunch on the table.
The neighbour's dog barks at me every morning as if we have never met.
I grab my jacket, glance at the sky and risk it without an umbrella.
Leaving five minutes earlier saves me twenty minutes in traffic.
My wife reminds me to take the rubbish out, and I pretend not to hear.
I double-check that the stove is off before I close the door.
Do you ever go back home just to make sure the iron is unplugged?
The front door sticks in wet weather, so I have to slam it.
I wave to the caretaker, who is sweeping the yard as usual.
Nothing beats stepping outside on a crisp, sunny morning.
I have not forgotten anything, which is a small miracle.
My headphones are on before I even reach the gate.
Off we go: the day officially begins the moment the door clicks shut.

On Public Transport

The bus was packed, so I stood squashed against the door for half an hour.
I missed my train by seconds and watched it pull away from the platform.
Could you tell me which line goes to the city centre?
My travel card ran out of money right at the barrier, of course.
Rush hour on the underground is a sport, not a journey.
I always give up my seat to older people, even when I am exhausted.
Do you read on the train or just stare out of the window?
The announcement was so muffled that nobody understood the delay.
I dozed off and nearly missed my stop.
Is this seat taken, or may I sit here?
Someone's music was leaking out of their headphones the whole way.
The tram is slower, but at least you can see the city.
I have got into the habit of taking the earlier train to avoid the crush.
The ticket inspector turned up just as I was looking for my pass.
Twenty minutes on the bus is exactly one podcast episode.
Excuse me, is this the right platform for the airport express?
When the trains are cancelled, the whole city seems to grind to a halt.
I do not mind the commute as long as I get a seat.
We got stuck between stations for ten minutes without any explanation.
A stranger helped me lift the pram onto the bus, which was kind of him.
Change at the next stop and take the number twelve.
The new app tells me exactly when the bus comes, and it is usually wrong.
I have stopped checking the time on the train; it only makes me anxious.
Nothing wakes you up like a bus braking sharply at the lights.
By the time I get off, I feel like I have done a day's work.

Driving and Walking

I would rather walk twenty minutes than sit in a traffic jam for forty.
The traffic on the ring road was bumper to bumper this morning.
Someone cut me off at the roundabout without even looking.
I finally found a parking space, but it was two streets away.
Do you use a navigation app, or do you know the city by heart?
The petrol light came on, so I had to stop and fill up.
Walking to work clears my head better than any meditation.
I got flashed by a speed camera and have been worrying about it ever since.
The pedestrian crossing near our house is a real death trap.
Cyclists here weave through traffic as if they were invisible.
I have never learned to parallel park properly, and I am not ashamed.
Could you drop me off at the corner, please?
My windscreen wipers gave up in the middle of a downpour.
It is faster to cut through the park than to go around it.
The lights on this street are out of sync, so you stop at every one.
I put on a podcast and the jam suddenly does not seem so bad.
Watch out, that puddle is deeper than it looks.
Do you honk at other drivers, or is that a waste of energy?
I took a wrong turn and ended up on the motorway going the other way.
My shoes are not made for walking, and my feet are letting me know.
Since the road works started, the whole neighbourhood has been gridlocked.
I keep a spare umbrella in the car for exactly this kind of weather.
Nobody signals in this city, so you learn to expect anything.
A brisk walk in the morning air beats sitting behind the wheel.
We made it with five minutes to spare, which for us is early.

The Working Day

I switch on my laptop and forty unread emails greet me.
The first hour of the day is the only time I get anything done.
Our office coffee machine breaks down at least once a week.
I have been snowed under with reports since Monday.
How do you stay focused when the open-plan office is so noisy?
My boss dropped by with an urgent task, as he does every Tuesday.
Working from home sounds great until the neighbours start drilling.
I try to take a proper lunch break instead of eating at my desk.
The printer jammed again right before the deadline.
I have a habit of leaving the hardest task until the afternoon slump.
Do you get a second wind after lunch, or is that just a myth?
Our team chat never stops, even when nobody has anything to say.
I finally cleared my inbox, and five new emails arrived immediately.
The new colleague picked things up quickly, which took the pressure off me.
I put my phone in a drawer so I stop checking it every five minutes.
By four o'clock the whole office runs on tea and stubbornness.
Leaving on time is not laziness; it is a skill I am still learning.

Meetings and Tasks

This meeting could easily have been an email.
Could we move the call to Thursday? My afternoon is completely booked.
I muted myself and forgot, so nobody heard my brilliant idea.
We spent an hour discussing the agenda and never got to the actual point.
Let me get back to you on that by the end of the day.
I have taken on too much this month and it is starting to show.
Who is in charge of the presentation for Friday?
The deadline was brought forward by a week without anyone asking us.
I would rather delegate than stay late three nights in a row.
Can we wrap this up? I have another call in two minutes.
My manager keeps moving the goalposts, and it is exhausting.
I prefer a short stand-up to a two-hour review any day.
We finally signed off on the project after three rounds of edits.
The client changed their mind again, so we are back to square one.
I am not against overtime, but not every single week.
Let's put a pin in that and come back to it after lunch.
Ticking the last task off my list is the best feeling of the day.

At University

The lecture started at nine, and half the group turned up at half past.
I took notes so fast that I cannot read my own handwriting now.
Do you revise a little every day or cram the night before?
The professor explains things clearly, but he talks incredibly fast.
I have got the hang of the new software after two weeks of struggling.
Group projects always end with one person doing all the work.
My essay is due on Monday, and I have not written a single word.
Could I borrow your notes from last week's seminar?
The library is the only place where I actually concentrate.
I failed the mock exam, but at least I know what to work on now.
Online courses are convenient, but I miss the discussions in class.
I am never going to leave an assignment until the last minute again.
Our study group meets in the canteen because the rooms are always full.
Has anyone actually read the whole textbook, or is that a legend?
I learn best by explaining the topic to someone else.
The results come out on Friday, and I am trying not to think about it.

Meeting People and Small Talk

I am terrible with names, so I repeat yours as soon as I hear it.
We got chatting in the queue and ended up talking for twenty minutes.
What do you do, if you do not mind me asking?
Small talk about the weather is boring, but it breaks the ice.
I have a feeling we have met before, maybe at Anna's party?
She struck me as a bit reserved, but she turned out to be great fun.
How long have you been living in this part of town?
I talk too much when I am nervous, so stop me if I ramble.
We hit it off straight away and swapped numbers before leaving.
I did not catch your name, sorry, could you say it again?
It is a small world: his sister went to school with my cousin.
Do you find it easy to start a conversation with strangers?
I could not get a word in edgeways, he talked non-stop.
Lovely to meet you, I have heard so much about you.
Nobody warned me that the party would be full of lawyers.
Let's keep in touch; I would love to hear how your project goes.
Awkward silences do not bother me as much as they used to.

Calls and Messages

Sorry, I missed your call, I was in a meeting.
Can I call you back in ten minutes? I am just getting on the bus.
My phone keeps buzzing, and every notification is a group chat.
You are breaking up, can you hear me now?
I left him three voice messages and he replied with a thumbs up.
Do you prefer texting or actually talking on the phone?
Hold on a second, I have got another call coming in.
I typed a long reply, deleted it, and sent an emoji instead.
Nobody leaves voicemails any more, do they?
My mother rings every evening at exactly eight, come rain or shine.
I put my phone on silent during dinner, and it feels like a holiday.
Could you text me the address? I will never remember it otherwise.
The signal in the basement is so bad that calls drop every minute.
Seen at nine, no reply by midnight: that tells you everything.
I finally muted the family chat and my life improved instantly.
Speak up a bit, the line is really crackly.
Let me hang up and call you from the landline.

Requests, Apologies and Thanks

Would you mind giving me a hand with these boxes?
I owe you one for covering my shift on Saturday.
Sorry for the short notice, but could we meet an hour later?
I really appreciate you staying late to help me finish this.
My apologies, I completely lost track of time.
Could you possibly lend me your charger until lunch?
It was my fault, and I should have told you sooner.
Thanks a million, you saved my day.
I hate to ask, but could you pick up my parcel on your way home?
Do not mention it, that is what friends are for.
Sorry, I did not mean to interrupt, please go on.
I cannot thank you enough for looking after the kids.
Is there any chance you could send me the file again?
I did not get a chance to say sorry yesterday, so here it is.
Let me make it up to you: dinner is on me next week.
No worries at all, these things happen.

At the Supermarket

I went in for milk and came out with three bags I did not need.
Never shop on an empty stomach; that is how I ended up with four cakes.
Excuse me, where can I find the baking powder?
The self-checkout keeps telling me there is an unexpected item in the bagging area.
I always compare the price per kilo, not the price on the label.
These strawberries look great, but they will go off by tomorrow.
Do you stick to a shopping list, or do you improvise in the aisles?
The queue at the deli counter was so long that I gave up.
I forgot my reusable bags again, so I paid for plastic ones.
Is this on offer, or is the sign from last week?
My trolley has a wobbly wheel, and it keeps pulling to the left.
The best bread is on the bottom shelf, where nobody looks.
I have started buying frozen vegetables; they are cheaper and last for ages.
Could I have a look at the receipt? I think they charged me twice.
The shop rearranged everything, and now I cannot find the eggs.
I try to buy local produce when it is in season.
Late in the evening they mark down the fresh bread, and I take advantage.
Whose idea was it to put the sweets right by the checkout?
Sorry, I only have a card; do you take contactless?
The cashier scanned my loyalty card, and I saved a whole two pence.
I stocked up on pasta and rice in case the prices go up again.
That is the last of the good tomatoes, and someone grabbed them before me.
Does anybody really need twelve kinds of yoghurt?
I bagged everything so carefully and then squashed the bread with the milk.
Home delivery is convenient, but they always substitute the one thing I really wanted.

Clothes and Shopping

Do you have this jacket in a medium? The large is swimming on me.
I tried on five pairs of jeans and hated every single one.
The changing rooms have terrible lighting, so everything looks worse.
Can I return it if it does not fit my husband?
These boots were a bargain: half price and my size.
I have a weakness for shirts I will never actually wear.
Is there a discount if I buy two?
The sales assistant was pushy, so I walked out without buying anything.
Online shopping is great until the parcel arrives and nothing fits.
I have been putting off buying a winter coat, and now it is snowing.
Does this colour suit me, or does it wash me out?
The zip broke after two weeks, so I took it back with the receipt.
I set myself a budget and blew it in the first shop.
Could you hold this for me until tomorrow? I need to sleep on it.
My wardrobe is full, and yet I have nothing to wear.
They only accept exchanges within fourteen days, so hurry up.
I do not follow trends; I buy things that last.
Where is the till? I have been wandering around this shop for ten minutes.
These trainers are comfortable, but the price makes my eyes water.
Do you think this tie is too loud for a job interview?
The second-hand shop round the corner has better stuff than the mall.
I finally treated myself to a decent pair of gloves.
Sorry, do you have a bigger size in the back?
Everything in that shop is dry-clean only, which is a deal breaker for me.
I have learned to ignore the sale signs; they are everywhere all year round.

Ordering at a Café

Could I get a flat white to go, please, no sugar?
I am still deciding, could you give me another minute?
What would you recommend for someone who cannot handle spicy food?
Is the soup of the day vegetarian, or does it have chicken stock?
We would like a table by the window if there is one free.
I will have the pasta, but could you leave out the mushrooms?
Do you do oat milk? My friend is lactose intolerant.
Can we share a starter and then each have a main?
Excuse me, we ordered twenty minutes ago and nothing has come yet.
A large cappuccino and a croissant, and that is it for now.
I always order the same thing, and I am not sorry about it.
How big is the portion? I do not want to waste food.
Could we have some tap water for the table, please?
Sorry, I asked for the salad without dressing.
The menu is in three languages, and the prices are still a mystery.
Is there anything gluten-free besides the salad?
Can I get the burger medium rare, with the sauce on the side?
We are in a bit of a hurry, what comes out quickest?
I will skip dessert today, I am trying to be good.
Does the breakfast deal include a drink?
Two teas, one with milk and one black, please.
Could you warm the muffin up a little?
The queue is out of the door, but their coffee is worth it.
I can never pronounce the pastry names, so I just point.
Actually, make that two croissants, it is going to be a long morning.

The Meal and the Bill

This is delicious, what on earth did they put in the sauce?
My steak is a bit overdone; could you take it back, please?
The portions here are huge; I will never finish this.
Could we get the bill, please? We are running a bit late.
Let's split it evenly, it is easier than working out who had what.
Is service included, or should we leave a tip?
I think there is a mistake: we did not order the wine.
Do you mind if I take the leftovers home?
The dessert was so rich that I could barely manage half of it.
Can we pay separately? We are three different companies.
Everything was lovely, please pass our compliments to the chef.
I could not eat another bite if you paid me.
The fish was fresh, but the chips were soggy.
Put it on my card, this one is my treat.
Do you accept cards, or is it cash only?
Sorry, we have been waiting for the bill for fifteen minutes.
That lunch cost more than my weekly shop, but it was worth every penny.
I left a generous tip because the waiter was genuinely lovely.
We lingered over coffee for an hour, and nobody rushed us.
Keep the change, and thanks for putting up with our noisy kids.
The place was overpriced, and I will not be going back.
Is there a minimum charge if we only order drinks?
I have got a voucher, can I use it on the whole bill?
Honestly, the bread basket was the highlight of the meal.
We stumbled out into the evening, full, happy and slightly poorer.

How I Feel

I have been feeling run down all week, and I cannot shake it off.
My throat is scratchy, which usually means a cold is on its way.
I am a bit under the weather today, nothing serious.
Do you get headaches when the weather changes suddenly?
I slept badly and now I cannot keep my eyes open.
A hot bath and an early night sorted me out completely.
My allergies flare up every spring, right on schedule.
I have got a nagging pain in my shoulder from sitting at the computer.
Is it normal to feel dizzy when you stand up too fast?
I am on the mend, but I still get tired by early afternoon.
Stress shows up in my stomach before I even notice it in my head.
I have cut out caffeine after lunch, and I sleep much better.
My eyes are sore from staring at the screen all day.
Do you push through a cold or stay in bed until it passes?
I twisted my ankle on the stairs and it has swollen up badly.
A brisk walk usually lifts my mood when I am feeling low.
I cannot stop sneezing, and I have gone through a whole box of tissues.
My blood pressure was a little high, so the doctor told me to relax.
It is probably nothing, but the cough has been hanging around for weeks.
I feel a hundred times better after a proper night's sleep.
Whenever I skip breakfast, I get shaky by eleven.
Nothing hurts exactly, I just feel worn out.
I should drink more water; I keep forgetting during the day.
Has anyone else caught this bug going round the office?
Touch wood, I have not been properly ill for two years.

At the Doctor's and the Pharmacy

I would like to book an appointment with a GP, ideally this week.
The pain started three days ago and gets worse in the evening.
Do I need a prescription for this, or can I buy it over the counter?
The doctor took my blood pressure and asked a hundred questions.
Could you check whether I am allergic to anything in this?
I am supposed to take these twice a day with food.
How long will it take for the antibiotics to kick in?
The waiting room was packed, and my appointment was forty minutes late.
Is there a cheaper generic version of this medicine?
The nurse gave me a jab and told me to sit still for ten minutes.
I was referred to a specialist, but the earliest slot is in March.
Can you recommend something for a dry cough that keeps me up at night?
The doctor signed me off work for a week and told me to rest.
Does this cream have any side effects I should know about?
I need to renew my prescription before it runs out on Friday.
The pharmacist explained the dosage far better than the leaflet did.
My test results came back clear, which was a huge relief.
Could I have a smaller pack? I only need it for a few days.
I put off the dentist for a year, and now I am paying for it.
The doctor said it was just a virus and to let it run its course.
Where can I get a flu jab without an appointment?
I would rather not take painkillers unless I really have to.
The chemist is open until ten, so I can pick it up after work.
Is it safe to take these with the tablets I am already on?
Two days of rest and I was back on my feet.

Cleaning and Tidying

Saturday morning is for cleaning, whether I like it or not.
I hoovered the whole flat and found a sock I lost in January.
The washing machine has been running non-stop since we had kids.
Do you separate colours and whites, or throw it all in together?
I keep meaning to declutter the wardrobe, but I never get round to it.
Dust settles on that shelf faster than I can wipe it.
The dishwasher is full again, and nobody but me ever empties it.
A tidy desk really does help me think straight.
I have put off ironing for so long that the pile has become furniture.
Whose turn is it to take out the recycling this week?
The windows have not been cleaned since last spring, and it shows.
I bought a fancy mop and now I almost enjoy washing the floor.
We share the chores, but somehow the bathroom is always mine.
Ten minutes of tidying every evening saves me a whole Sunday.
The fridge smelled odd, so I threw out half of what was in it.
Do you make your bed every morning, or is that a lost cause?
The flat looks spotless for about an hour, and then the kids come home.

Cooking at Home

I chop the onions first and then cry about it for five minutes.
Nothing fancy tonight, just pasta with whatever is left in the fridge.
The recipe said thirty minutes, and it took me an hour and a half.
Could you keep an eye on the rice while I set the table?
I have finally mastered a decent omelette after years of failures.
Do you follow recipes to the letter or just wing it?
The sauce needs a pinch more salt and maybe a squeeze of lemon.
My wife bakes bread every weekend, and the whole flat smells amazing.
I burned the garlic, so the whole dish tasted bitter.
Leftovers taste better the next day, and that is a scientific fact.
We cook in bulk on Sunday and freeze portions for the week.
Is the chicken done, or should I give it another ten minutes?
I cannot cook without music and a glass of something.
Takeaway is tempting, but home cooking is half the price.
The smoke alarm goes off every time I fry anything.
Grate the cheese over the top and pop it under the grill for two minutes.
Dinner was a disaster, so we ate cereal and laughed about it.

Breakdowns and Repairs

The tap has been dripping for a week, and it is driving me mad.
I tried to fix the shelf myself and made a bigger hole in the wall.
Could you send someone round to look at the boiler? We have no hot water.
The light in the hallway flickers every time the fridge switches on.
The plumber quoted a price that made me consider learning plumbing.
Our internet goes down every evening at exactly eight o'clock.
How much would it cost to replace the lock on the front door?
I unplugged the router and plugged it back in, and it still does not work.
The neighbours upstairs flooded our bathroom, and the ceiling is stained.
Is this still under warranty, or am I paying for the repair?
The electrician turned up two hours late and fixed it in five minutes.
A drawer handle came off in my hand this morning, which sums up my week.
I watched three tutorials and still could not get the washing machine to drain.
The radiator is stone cold on one side; I think it needs bleeding.
We finally called a professional, which we should have done a month ago.
Nothing in this flat works properly, but somehow I still love it.