A2 · Message
Understanding a problem report and a clear request
Read for meaning first. Then return to the text for vocabulary, language choices, and evidence.
Before you read
Build the context out loud.
- Have you ever had a problem in your home that someone else had to fix?
- Do you prefer to report a problem by phone, by email, or in person? Why?
- What information does a manager need before they can fix a problem?
First pass: keep moving when one word is unfamiliar. Dotted words open optional help; every word also appears in the vocabulary bank below.
Dear Mr. Delgado,
I’m writing about a problem in my kitchen. On Sunday evening, I noticed water on the floor near the refrigerator. At first, I thought it came from the sink. Then I looked up and saw a large brown stainA dirty mark that is difficult to remove.Useful chunks: a brown stain · leave a stain on the ceiling. Water was coming through it, one drop at a time.
I knocked on the door of Apartment 4B, but nobody answered. I put a bucketAn open container with a handle, used for carrying or catching water.Useful chunks: put a bucket under · a full bucket under the leakA hole or crack where water or gas comes out by accident.Useful chunks: a water leak · fix a leak and moved my food and small appliancesElectric machines used in the home, such as a toaster or microwave.Useful chunks: kitchen appliances · small appliances into the living room. On Monday morning, I called your office twice and left a message, but nobody called me back.
The problem is getting worse. Last night, the bucket was almost full by midnight, and a piece of paint fell from the ceiling. There is a light right next to the wet area, so I’m not going to use the kitchen light until someone checks it.
I think this is urgentNeeding attention or action very soon.Useful chunks: an urgent problem · this is urgent. Someone must check the pipes in Apartment 4B this week, and an electricianA person whose job is to install and repair electrical wires and lights.Useful chunks: call an electrician · a licensed electrician should look at the light.
Here is my plan. I’m going to stay home on Thursday morning, so a plumberA person whose job is to install and repair water pipes, sinks, and toilets.Useful chunks: call a plumber · the plumber can come can come in any time between 8:00 and 12:00. I’m also going to knock on the door of 4B again tonight. I attached three photos of the ceiling to this email.
Could you please reply by Wednesday afternoon? You can also call me after 5:00 p.m.
Thank you for your help.
Best regards,
Farah Malik
Apartment 3B
Original text written for Thomas’s Classroom Reading Lab.
Words in context
Useful vocabulary and chunks
Learn the word with the partners it naturally keeps.
stain
A dirty mark that is difficult to remove.
a brown stain · leave a stainbucket
An open container with a handle, used for carrying or catching water.
put a bucket under · a full bucketleak
A hole or crack where water or gas comes out by accident.
a water leak · fix a leakappliances
Electric machines used in the home, such as a toaster or microwave.
kitchen appliances · small appliancesurgent
Needing attention or action very soon.
an urgent problem · this is urgentelectrician
A person whose job is to install and repair electrical wires and lights.
call an electrician · a licensed electricianplumber
A person whose job is to install and repair water pipes, sinks, and toilets.
call a plumber · the plumber can comeCheck your reading
Comprehension check
Choose the answer best supported by the text. Check your choices when you finish the whole set.
01When did Farah first notice the water?
02Where was the water really coming from?
03Why is Farah not using the kitchen light?
04Why did Farah decide to write an email?
05What is Farah going to do on Thursday morning?
Language in the text
What happened and what is going to happen
Farah uses past simple for finished events that explain the problem, such as noticed, called, and fell. She uses be going to for actions she has already decided to do next. This keeps the order clear for the reader. First come the facts, and then the plan.
A finished action at a clear past time, so the email uses past simple.
Three completed actions in a row. Left is the irregular past form of leave.
Farah decided this before she wrote the email, so she uses be going to for her plan.
A negative plan puts not between am and going to.
Check your reading
Language focus check
Use the surrounding meaning, not only the shape of one sentence.
01Choose the correct sentence about last night.
02Complete Farah’s plan for Thursday.
03Choose the correct negative plan.
04Which question asks the manager about a finished action?
Read like a writer
How a problem email gets a fast answer
Farah gives the facts in time order, shows why the problem is serious, and ends with a plan and a clear request, so the manager knows exactly what to do.
Specific subject line
The manager knows the problem and the apartment before opening the email.
Subject: Water leak in Apartment 3B
Facts in time order
The time phrases show that the problem started days ago and is getting worse.
On Sunday evening... On Monday morning... Last night...
Polite request with a deadline
A polite question with a clear time asks for action without sounding rude.
Could you please reply by Wednesday afternoon?
From reading to speaking
Build your response
Work through the stages in order. Answer before opening the model.
01GistWhat is the problem, and what does Farah want?
Useful ways to begin
Compare with a model response
Water is leaking through Farah’s kitchen ceiling, and she wants the manager to send a plumber and reply by Wednesday.
02Main pointsWhat did Farah already do, and what is she going to do next?
Useful ways to begin
Compare with a model response
She already put a bucket under the leak, moved her food, and called the office twice. Next, she is going to knock on the door of 4B again and stay home on Thursday morning.
03AnalyzeWhy does Farah include the paint and the light in her email?
Useful ways to begin
Compare with a model response
She mentions the falling paint because it shows the problem is getting worse. The light next to the water shows that the problem could also be dangerous, so it is urgent.
04ReactIs Farah’s email polite enough, or too strong? What would you change?
Useful ways to begin
Compare with a model response
I think it is polite but clear. I would not change much, but I would add a phone number so the manager can call her quickly.
Speak
Take a position
In one minute, explain a problem at home or at work. Say what happened, what you did, and what you are going to do next. End with a polite request.
Write
Make the reading useful
Write a 100-word email to a landlord, manager, or teacher about a real or invented problem. Use three past simple verbs, two plans with going to, and one clear request with a deadline.