English dictation exercises

Killer asteroids

A headline says killer asteroid, but the scientist uses much calmer language. Which statement describes the known risk rather than the headline's emotion?

5-second sample
American, British, Australian

Learn English faster: a daily study plan

4-second sample
American, British, Australian

Leave out

A missing name, ingredient, or detail may be accidental, but a person who is left out can feel unwanted. Context shows whether the omission is practical or social.

5-second sample
American, British, Australian

Less or Lesser: Choose the Right Word

3-second sample
American, British, Australian

Let off

A teacher may let a student off with a warning, while people may let fireworks off at a celebration. The object tells you whether the topic is punishment or an explosion.

5-second sample
American, British, Australian

Listen, then check: capital letters in everyday messages

5-second sample
American, British, Australian

Live up to

Excellent reviews create a picture in your mind before you arrive. The real experience lives up to them only if it is as good as that picture.

5-second sample
American, British, Australian

Live with

Some problems cannot be removed immediately. Learning to live with one means accepting its presence and managing life around it, not enjoying it.

3-second sample
American, British, Australian

Lock out

Leaving your keys inside can lock you out of your home. Too many wrong passwords can create the same problem online: you are outside the access boundary.

4-second sample
American, British, Australian

Look forward to

Plans feel more motivating when you imagine enjoying them. Look forward to turns that positive anticipation into one useful phrase.

4-second sample
American, British, Australian

Look into

When you cannot resolve a problem or answer a question immediately, saying 'I will look into it' is useful and honest. It promises investigation, not an instant solution.

3-second sample
American, British, Australian

Look up to

A role model does more than impress you. You look up to that person because their character or achievements earn your respect.

4-second sample
American, British, Australian

Make up

Friends can make up after an argument, but one of them might also make up an excuse. The object and situation reveal whether something is repaired or invented.

3-second sample
American, British, Australian

Material nouns: rules and simple examples

5-second sample
American, British, Australian

Measure up

A product can have impressive features yet still fail the test that matters. If it does not meet the required standard, it does not measure up.

3-second sample
American, British, Australian

Medicine instructions

A pharmacist gives four connected instructions. Can you match each number and warning to the correct action?

3-second sample
American, British, Australian

Meeting times across time zones

Three times are mentioned, but one is the old schedule and the others describe the same new meeting in two cities.

4-second sample
American, British, Australian

Monday or Mondays: Choose the Right Form

4-second sample
American, British, Australian

More than or more then: choose the right word

5-second sample
American, British, Australian

Moving Day: Hearing “A Lot” and “Allot”

3-second sample
American, British, Australian

Much, Many, or Several: Choose the Right Word

4-second sample
American, British, Australian

Myself and John: How to Choose

5-second sample
American, British, Australian

N.B. in email: meaning and clear use

3-second sample
American, British, Australian

Nag

One reminder can be helpful. Repeating the same criticism or request again and again may feel like nagging, even when the goal is reasonable.

4-second sample
American, British, Australian