English dictation exercises

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

Choose she and I or her and me

4-second sample
American, British, Australian

Choose the verb that fits the subject

3-second sample
American, British, Australian

Choosing Between Onto and Unto

4-second sample
American, British, Australian

Choosing an evening course

One course is cheaper and online; the other offers classroom practice but clashes with work. Which factor finally determines the choice?

6-second sample
American, British, Australian

Collective nouns: choose the right group

3-second sample
American, British, Australian

Come across

You may come across an old photograph, come across as confident, or make sure your main idea comes across clearly.

5-second sample
American, British, Australian

Come down with

A scratchy throat and sudden tiredness may make you say, I think I am coming down with something.

4-second sample
American, British, Australian

Come up with

When a problem needs a plan, a name or some money, someone has to come up with what is missing.

4-second sample
American, British, Australian

Common English idioms: everyday listening guide

3-second sample
American, British, Australian

Concrete nouns: simple rules and examples

4-second sample
American, British, Australian

Conditionals

When you say, "If I have time," are you describing a real possibility or only imagining a different life?

4-second sample
American, British, Australian

Confirming an appointment

A receptionist corrects the weekday and asks you to arrive before the appointment time. Can you record both times without mixing them up?

3-second sample
American, British, Australian

Could, would, or should: choose the right verb

4-second sample
American, British, Australian

Count on

When a plan depends on a reliable person or an expected event, you are counting on them.

4-second sample
American, British, Australian

Course feedback

The speaker liked the practical work but still recommends a change. Is the feedback positive, negative or mixed?

8-second sample
American, British, Australian

Cut corners: avoid harmful shortcuts

4-second sample
American, British, Australian

Cut down

You can cut down on coffee, cut a report down to one page, or cut down a damaged tree.

4-second sample
American, British, Australian

Cut off

A failed signal can cut off a call, while deep snow can cut off an entire village.

4-second sample
American, British, Australian

Daytime or day time: choose the right spelling

5-second sample
American, British, Australian