Evaluating a Cheap Used Camera with Weak Warranty

Dialogue script

Each entry shows the English sentence first, with the translation on the line below it. To practise speaking, cover the translation and repeat after the audio.

1. Tom 0:00

   I found a used camera at a great price, but warranty is minimal.

   Line 1
2. Emma 0:04

   Is seller reputation strong, and do you know shutter count history?

   Line 2
3. Tom 0:08

   Reputation is mixed, and shutter count was only shown in chat.

   Line 3
4. Emma 0:13

   Then risk is higher than the sticker price suggests.

   Line 4
5. Tom 0:16

   I thought saving now would help me buy lenses later.

   Line 5
6. Emma 0:19

   But a faulty body could erase that lens budget quickly.

   Line 6
7. Tom 0:23

   Option one is buying used only after in-person inspection.

   Line 7
8. Emma 0:27

   Option two is waiting one month for a certified refurbished unit.

   Line 8
9. Tom 0:32

   I'll inspect tomorrow and bring a test card and laptop.

   Line 9
10. Emma 0:36

    Good, test autofocus, sensor spots, and battery cycle details.

    Line 10
11. Tom 0:41

    If anything is unclear, I'll walk away without hesitation.

    Line 11
12. Emma 0:45

    That's wise. Missing one deal is better than buying trouble.

    Line 12

Native audio, line-by-line recording and pronunciation scoring for this dialogue are in the EngTalk app.

Key vocabulary

Content words from this dialogue, ranked by the CEFR level at which they appear across the whole 500-dialogue library. Function words and proper nouns are excluded.

• count /kaʊnt/ verb

  to say numbers in order or calculate a total

• mixed /mɪkst/ adjective/past tense verb

  combined or varied

• risk /rɪsk/ noun/verb

  a chance of harm; to take a chance

• higher /ˈhaɪər/ adjective

  greater in level, amount, or position

• sticker /ˈstɪkər/ noun

  a small label with a sticky back

• suggests /səɡˈdʒɛsts/ verb

  offers an idea or indicates a possibility

• saving /ˈseɪvɪŋ/ noun

  the act of keeping money, time, or something else from being wasted

• erase /ɪˈreɪs/ verb

  remove writing, data, or a mark

• buying /ˈbaɪɪŋ/ noun

  the process or act of purchasing goods or services

• test /tɛst/ noun/verb

  an exam, trial, or to check how well something works

• hesitation /ˌhɛzəˈteɪʃən/ noun

  a pause caused by uncertainty

• missing /ˈmɪsɪŋ/ adjective/verb

  not present or unable to be found

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