Free everyday English listening practice for daily life: listen to Mel and Josh, read along with the transcript, learn the key words and check your understanding with a short quiz.
1. Before you listen: key words
Press 🔊 to hear each word or phrase. You'll hear all of them in the conversation.
- vet an animal doctor, or the clinic where they work
- not be yourself act differently from normal, often because you're unwell
- off your food not wanting to eat as much as usual
- consultation a meeting with a vet or doctor to check a problem
- rule out check that something is not the cause of a problem
- estimate the price someone expects to charge, given before the work
- follow-up a later check or visit after the first one
- back to your old self normal and healthy again
2. Listen to the episode
Press Play. The line being spoken lights up so you can read along. Start with Slow if you're a beginner, then try Normal. For a challenge, hide the transcript the first time you listen.
Josh: Hi, welcome to the Listening Room. I'm Josh.
Mel: And I'm Mel. Today we're at the vet. My dog, Biscuit, hasn't been himself this week.
Josh: Oh no. 'Hasn't been himself' means he's acting differently from normal, right?
Mel: Exactly. So first I called the clinic: 'Hi, I'd like to make an appointment for my dog. He's been a bit unwell.'
Josh: The receptionist will usually ask, 'Is it urgent?' If your pet is badly hurt or very sick, say so straight away. Many clinics will see an emergency quickly.
Mel: Biscuit wasn't an emergency, so I got an appointment for the next morning.
Josh: In the consultation, the vet wants a clear description. What's different, and since when?
Mel: So I said, 'He's been off his food for about three days, and he seems really tired.'
Josh: 'Off his food' is a useful phrase. It means he doesn't want to eat as much as usual.
Mel: Then the vet asked lots of questions. 'Is he drinking normally?' 'Has he been sick?' 'Could he have eaten something unusual?'
Josh: It helps to think about those before you go. Maybe write a few notes on your phone.
Mel: After the examination, the vet suggested a blood test, just to rule out anything serious.
Josh: 'Rule out' means check that something is not the problem. It's a phrase doctors and vets use a lot.
Mel: Before saying yes, I asked, 'Could you give me an estimate of the cost?' An estimate is the price they expect, before they do the work.
Josh: That's smart. Vet bills can be a surprise, and it's completely normal to ask.
Mel: The good news: the tests were fine. Biscuit just had an upset stomach. The vet gave me some tablets and said, 'Bring him back if he's not eating by Friday.'
Josh: That's the follow-up. Before you leave, check the instructions: 'How often should I give him the tablets?' and 'Should he have them with food?'
Mel: And now he's back to his old self, eating everything in sight!
Josh: So: describe what's changed and since when, answer the vet's questions, ask for an estimate, and check the instructions before you go.
Mel: Thanks for listening, everyone. Give your pets a pat from us. See you next time!
3. Check your understanding
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4. Shadow the hosts
Shadowing means repeating a line straight after you hear it, copying the speed, stress and rhythm. Press 🔁 next to any line in the transcript, then press 🎤 and say it. Your browser shows what it heard. Try 3 to 5 lines a day.
5. Talk about it
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Keep learning: Everyday English lesson: making an appointment by phone.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a transcript for this English listening practice?
Yes. The full transcript is on this page and each line lights up as it's read. You can also print a worksheet with the transcript, questions and answers.
What English level is this episode?
Intermediate (about B1–B2). Beginners can use the Slow speed and read along.
Which words will I learn in this episode?
vet, not be yourself, off your food, consultation, rule out, estimate, follow-up, back to your old self. Each one has audio and a simple meaning.
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