English dictation exercises

Back down

A manager changes a policy after staff challenge it. She does not move backwards, but people say she backed down.

5-second sample
American, British, Australian

Back up

A colleague backs you up, research backs up a claim, and software backs up a file. What changes when the object changes?

3-second sample
American, British, Australian

Beside, Besides, or Except: Choose the Right Word

5-second sample
American, British, Australian

Blow away

A performance blows the audience away while a gust blows the programmes away. Emotion and wind create different meanings with the same form.

6-second sample
American, British, Australian

Booking a hotel room

A guest books three nights and asks for one room feature. Which services are included, and when does free cancellation end?

4-second sample
American, British, Australian

Bored or boring: Talk about your class

4-second sample
American, British, Australian

Bother

Noise can bother you, a thought can bother you, and you may not bother to reply. The first two affect feelings; the last describes effort.

3-second sample
American, British, Australian

Break up

A couple breaks up, a meeting breaks up, and a phone call starts breaking up. Only one involves a romantic relationship.

5-second sample
American, British, Australian

Breathe when public speaking: Pause before each point

3-second sample
American, British, Australian

Bring about

A small decision can produce a large result. Bring about connects the cause to the change that follows.

5-second sample
American, British, Australian

Bring up

You can bring up a difficult topic, bring up a child, or bring up a file on a screen. Context tells you which action is happening.

3-second sample
American, British, Australian

Bump into

If you bump into an old friend, you meet unexpectedly. If you bump into a table, the surprise may hurt a little more.

3-second sample
American, British, Australian

Burn out

A worker, a campfire and a motor can all burn out, but each one reaches a different kind of end.

4-second sample
American, British, Australian

Call off

You can call off a match before it starts, call off a search already in progress, or call a threatening dog off.

3-second sample
American, British, Australian

Cancelling a subscription

The customer cancels renewal today but keeps access until the thirtieth. Does that mean another monthly payment is due?

5-second sample
American, British, Australian

Catch up

Fall behind on a walk, at work or in a friendship, and catch up helps you close the gap in three different ways.

3-second sample
American, British, Australian

Changed appointment time

A caller mentions Thursday, Monday morning and Monday afternoon. Only one is the new appointment. Can you track the change?

4-second sample
American, British, Australian

Changed museum tour

The planned first gallery is closed, so the tour changes order and finishes in a different place. Which locations remain part of the route?

5-second sample
American, British, Australian

Changing a plan

A friend cannot meet at the agreed time. Can you hear why the plan changes, identify the new time, and notice how the request stays polite?

4-second sample
American, British, Australian

Changing a restaurant booking

The booking begins with four people at seven. By the end, both the number and time have changed, but the seating request has not.

5-second sample
American, British, Australian

Checking a café order

A customer orders for two people, changes one ingredient, and mentions an allergy. Can you separate preference from essential safety information?

4-second sample
American, British, Australian

Checking a hotel bill

Breakfast appears on the bill, parking does not, and a minibar charge belongs to another room. What remains in the final total?

4-second sample
American, British, Australian

Chip away

A huge task may not disappear at once, but each small action can chip away at it.

4-second sample
American, British, Australian

Choose between at night and in the night

3-second sample
American, British, Australian