Compensation That Actually Fits

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. Emma 0:00

   The hotel promised quiet rooms, but drilling started at seven both mornings and my room change request failed.

   Line 1
2. Tom 0:07

   Did the staff know about the construction beforehand, or are they acting as if the noise surprised them too?

   Line 2
3. Emma 0:14

   They admitted renovations were ongoing, yet described the noise as usually brief, which clearly wasn't true.

   Line 3
4. Tom 0:21

   Then they had relevant information and presented it in a way that understated the likely impact.

   Line 4
5. Emma 0:26

   Exactly, and I wouldn't mind some noise if it didn't destroy the sleep I specifically paid for.

   Line 5
6. Tom 0:33

   So the issue isn't silence in absolute terms, but that the disruption undermined the room's core purpose for you.

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7. Emma 0:40

   Right, because I arrived from a long flight and rest was the main reason I booked this place.

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8. Tom 0:46

   What remedy are they offering now that a room switch isn't possible?

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9. Emma 0:50

   They offered free breakfast, but breakfast was already included in my booking anyway.

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10. Tom 0:55

    Then explain why that remedy misses the actual loss instead of simply sounding ungrateful.

    Line 10
11. Emma 1:01

    I could ask for a partial refund or late checkout, because recovery time matters more than extra food.

    Line 11
12. Tom 1:08

    Late checkout helps only if tomorrow morning will actually be quieter, otherwise it just looks helpful.

    Line 12
13. Emma 1:14

    Good point, so partial refund plus confirmed quiet hours would match the problem more directly.

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14. Tom 1:21

    And if quiet hours can't be guaranteed, document that too because it strengthens the case for money instead.

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15. Emma 1:27

    I'll keep it specific and avoid drama, because the facts are already strong enough on their own.

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16. Tom 1:33

    Exactly, since the best complaint here is evidence, impact, and a remedy that actually fits the loss.

    Line 16

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.

• construction /kənˈstrʌkʃən/ noun

  the building of something, typically a large structure

• acting /ˈæktɪŋ/ noun

  the art or occupation of performing in plays or films

• surprised /sərˈpraɪzd/ adjective

  feeling shock or amazement because something was unexpected

• renovations /ˌrɛnəˈveɪʃənz/ noun

  repairs and improvements to a building

• ongoing /ˈɑnˌɡoʊɪŋ/ adjective

  continuing to happen or develop.

• presented /prɪˈzɛntɪd/ verb

  showed or explained something to others

• understated /ˌʌndərˈsteɪtɪd/ adjective

  simple and not too noticeable

• destroy /dɪˈstrɔɪ/ verb

  to damage something completely

• absolute /ˈæbsəlut/ adjective

  complete, total, and not limited

• undermined /ˌʌndərˈmaɪnd/ verb

  weakened gradually or secretly

• ungrateful /ʌnˈɡreɪtfəl/ adjective

  not thankful

• strengthens /ˈstrɛŋkθənz/ verb

  makes stronger

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