To ask for a person, say Can I speak to … ? Hold on means wait a minute. When you call the wrong person, you have the wrong number.
Making a call
Try it: Man: Is this the front desk? ___ someone about my room? Woman: Yes, of course. What is the problem? Choose what the man says. (Can I speak to / Can I call back / Can you hold on) Answer: Can I speak to — He wants a person to help him, so he asks Can I speak to someone.
Word
Pronunciation
Example
Can I speak to …?
Hi. Can I speak to your mom, please?
hold on
Hold on. My other phone is ringing.
wrong number
That call was a wrong number.
When nobody answers
When nobody answers, you hear voicemail. You can leave a message, and the person can call back later.
Try it: Man: Did your sister answer? Woman: No, but I left a message. She's going to ___ tonight. Choose what the woman says. (call back / hold on / wrong number) Answer: call back — Her sister got the message, so she is going to call back.
Word
Pronunciation
Example
voicemail
Check your voicemail. You have two new messages.
leave a message
Please leave a message after the beep.
call back
The school called. Please call them back.
Changing plans
To cancel a plan is to stop it. To reschedule it is to move it to a new day or time.
Try it: Woman: I can't come to my haircut on Tuesday. Is Thursday okay? Man: Sure. Let's ___ it for Thursday at ten. Choose what the man says. (cancel / reschedule / call back) Answer: reschedule — The haircut moves to a new day, so they reschedule it.