Listening Exercises A1 – Banks and post offices

In a bank: b, d, e

In a post office: a, c, f, g

a   first class stamps

b   bank account

c   letter to Mexico

d   cheque book

e   balance

f   parcel by registered mail

g   letter by special delivery

Transcript

a   Can I have ten first class stamps, please?

b   I’d like to open a bank account.

c   How much is it to send this letter to Mexico?

d   I need to order a new cheque book.

e   I’d like to check my balance, please.

f   I’d like to send this parcel by registered mail.

g   I’d like to send this letter special delivery, please.

Proof of identity: passport, driving licence, ID card

Proof of address: telephone or electricity bill, rental contract

Other documents: letter from school/employer

Transcript

(Bank clerk = Canadian)

We need proof of your identity, so that means your passport, of course, and one other form of ID such as your driving licence … or, if you have one, an ID card is fine. We also need proof of where you live, so something official with your name and address on … a telephone or electricity bill, for example, or if you rent, then your rental contract showing your name and address. Oh, also, if you are a student we need a letter from your school, or, if you have a job, then a letter from your employer.

take out money, pay in cash/cheques, have a cash card

Transcript

(Bank clerk = Canadian)

Well, this is a basic bank account, so you will get a cash card to use when you want to withdraw money. You can deposit money, too, of course … that’s cash and cheques, free, but you can’t have a cheque book or a credit card, I’m afraid, with this account, and there’s no loan facility.

a   open a bank account

b   cash a cheque

c   transfer some money to his savings account

a   fill in a form

b   write her address on the back of the cheque

c   show his bank card

Transcript

a   Customer:   I’d like to open an account.

     Clerk:   Certainly. Can you fill in this form? Our New Accounts Manager will see you shortly.

b   Customer:   I want to cash this cheque, please.

     Clerk:   Please can you write your address on the back?

c   Customer:   I need to transfer some money to my savings account.

     Clerk:   No problem. Can you show me your bank card, please?

a   send three postcards to France by airmail

b   send a parcel to Poland by airmail

c   send a letter to Japan

d   send a letter to Australia by special delivery

a   £1.50      b   £11.70      c   £3      d   £6

Transcript

a   Customer:   Oh, er, hello. Er. Yes. Can I send this by airmail, please?

     Clerk:   One postcard? Where do you want to send it?

     Customer:   To France. Oh, I have three actually.

     Clerk:   Three postcards will be £1.50.

     Customer:   OK. Thanks.

b   (Customer = Russian)

     Customer:   How much is it to send this parcel by airmail?

     Clerk:   Where’s it going to?

     Customer:   To Poland?

     Clerk:   How much does it weigh?

     Customer:     Sorry, I not know.*

     Clerk:   If you give it to me, please, I’ll weigh it for you.

     Customer:   Oh, yes, Thank you.

     Clerk:   Let me see … er, normal airmail will be £11.70.

     Customer:   OK. Thanks.

* Did you notice?

The Russian man says I not know. A native speaker would say I don’t know.

c   Customer:   Can I send this letter by airmail, please?

     Clerk:   Of course. Where’s it going to?

     Customer:   To Japan. How much is it please?

     Clerk:   That’s £3.

     Customer:   Ok, thanks. How long will it take?

     Clerk:   About five days.

     Customer:   Ok. Thanks a lot.

d   (Customer = Australian)

     Customer:   Hello. I’d like to send this letter to Australia, please. It’s quite urgent.

     Clerk:   OK. If it’s urgent, you should probably send it by special delivery.

     Customer:   How much will that cost?

     Clerk:   That’ll be £6.

     Customer:   Thanks a lot.