Module 07 —Everyday Transactions
Speaking Part 1 recycle · Writing Part 1 short reply · polite requests and offers
PET parts in this lesson · mixed-skill spiral
Why this lesson now? Recycles Speaking 1 and Writing 1 with functional language.
CEFR Pathway · You are here
Get ready · 01
5 minGet talking
In pairs, act out a customer asking a shop assistant for help. Use at least one polite request.
Compare 'Give me a coffee' with 'Could I have a coffee, please?' Which sounds more polite, and why?
Tell your partner about the last time you asked someone for a favour.
Grammar for the Exam · 02
8–10 minPolite requests and offers
Requests: Could/Would you… ? · Could I… ? Offers: Shall I… ? / I'll… , shall I?
In everyday transactions — shops, cafés, offices, on the phone — we soften direct requests to sound polite. Instead of 'Give me the menu', we say 'Could I have the menu, please?' or 'Would you mind bringing the menu?'. To offer to do something for someone, we often use 'Shall I…?' or 'Would you like me to…?'. These modal verbs make language sound more natural and are exactly what PET Speaking Part 1 and Writing Part 1 reward, because they show a wider range of structures than simple statements.
→ Could I have a receipt, please?
→ Would you mind waiting a moment while I check?
→ Shall I carry that bag for you?
→ Would you like me to book the table for eight o'clock?
Question 1.Which is the most polite request?
Question 2.'____ you mind opening the window?'
Question 3.Which offers to help?
Question 4.'Would you like me ____ carry your bags?'
Question 5.Best reply to an offer you accept:
Quick check 1.In everyday transactions, why do we soften requests with 'Could' or 'Would'?
Exam Vocabulary · 03
5–7 minWords & phrases to own
a polite way to ask for something
Ask politely for a glass of water using this phrase.
a very polite request, followed by -ing
Ask a classmate politely to lend you a pen.
a polite way to offer help
Offer to book a table for a friend using this phrase.
used to accept an offer politely
Accept an offer of a lift home using this phrase.
used to politely refuse or give bad news
Politely refuse an invitation using 'I'm afraid…'.
to arrange a table in advance at a restaurant
Have you ever had to book a table for a special occasion?
to ask for food, drink or goods formally
Describe the last time you placed an order online.
Tap an item on the left, then tap its match on the right.
Activation · Personalise · Recycle
Practise the functional language in real transaction contexts.
Ask your partner
- Ask your partner politely for a menu.
- Offer to open the door for your partner.
- Ask your partner if they would mind moving their bag.
"Would you like me to…"Would you like me to…?
Do you think British people use polite requests more than in your country? Give an example.
Give your answer + one reason.
Write 35 words describing a short conversation in a café using at least two polite phrases.
Pronunciation for Speaking · 04
3–4 minRising tone of voice in polite requests
Polite requests and offers usually rise slightly at the end, sounding gentle rather than demanding.
- • Could I have the bill, please?
- • Shall I get that for you?
- • Would you mind waiting a moment?
Reading Skills · 05
8–10 minReading recycle — Good customer service
A recent survey asked customers what made them return to the same café or shop. The top answer was not the price or even the quality of the products — it was how polite and helpful the staff were.
One customer described a waiter who noticed she was in a hurry and asked, 'Would you like me to bring your coffee to go instead?' She said this small offer made her feel valued, and she has been a regular customer ever since. Another customer remembered a shop assistant who said, 'I'm afraid we don't have that size, but shall I check another branch for you?' rather than simply saying no.
The survey also found that customers notice when staff use polite requests instead of direct orders. Phrases like 'Could I just check your order?' sound much friendlier than 'Give me your order'. Businesses that train staff to use this kind of language often see customers return again and again, because good manners cost nothing but make a lasting impression.
Question 1.According to the survey, what makes customers return to a café or shop?
Question 2.What did the waiter offer the customer in a hurry?
Question 3.What did the shop assistant do instead of just saying no?
Question 4.Which phrase does the text say sounds friendlier than a direct order?
Question 5.What is the overall message of the text?
Listening Skills · 06
8–10 minListening recycle — At the café counter
Listening audio
Tap play to listen. Replay as many times as you need.
Show transcript
Assistant:Good morning. What can I get you?
Customer:Could I have a large coffee and a sandwich, please?
Assistant:Of course. Would you like that to eat in or take away?
Customer:To eat in, thanks. Actually, could you also check if you have oat milk?
Assistant:I'm afraid we've just run out, but shall I bring you soya milk instead?
Customer:That would be great, thanks.
Assistant:No problem. Would you mind waiting a couple of minutes for the sandwich? It's just being toasted.
Customer:That's fine. Could I also get a receipt, please?
Assistant:Of course — I'll bring it with your order.
Customer:Thank you very much.
Question 1.What does the customer order?
Question 2.Where will the customer eat?
Question 3.Why can't the customer have oat milk?
Question 4.What does the assistant offer instead of oat milk?
Question 5.Why does the customer have to wait?
Question 6.What else does the customer ask for at the end?
Question 1.What does the assistant offer to bring instead of oat milk?
Exam Strategy · 07
5 minSpeaking Part 1 — examiner-led interview (recycle)
Extend answers and weave in polite requests/offers naturally, don't just list facts.
Task
Answer the examiner's opening questions about yourself, then extend your answers using natural, polite language, including offers and requests where relevant.
Example
Examiner: 'Tell me about your last holiday.' Candidate: 'Well, I went to Portugal with my family. At one restaurant I remember asking the waiter, "Could you recommend something local?", and he brought us an amazing fish dish. Shall I tell you more about the trip?'
Writing Task · 08
5 minPut it in writing
Q1.Rewrite politely: 'Give me a coffee.'
Q2.Offer to help someone with their bags using 'Shall'.
Quick orientation — Writing Part 1 short replies are marked on how many content points you cover and how natural your polite language sounds. Now do the full task below.
Your writing draft
0 words SavedShow model answer & examiner comment
See the full stimulus task below for a worked example.
Examiner comment
| 5 | All content points covered; consistent style; range of structures; minor errors only. |
| 3 | Content mostly covered; mostly suitable style; some range; errors don't stop the reader understanding. |
| 1 | Limited content; intrusive errors; very basic structures; under-length. |
Hi! I could really do with some help at the café this Saturday — one of my staff is off sick. Would you be free to come in for a few hours? If so, what time suits you best, and is there anything I should know before you start (like allergies or things you can't do)? Let me know soon, thanks! Sam
Your reply must cover:
- Confirm whether you are free on Saturday.
- Give a specific time using natural language.
- Mention one relevant detail about yourself politely.
- Make an offer using 'Shall I…?' or 'Would you like me to…?'.
Show model answer
Hi Sam, Of course, I'd be happy to help on Saturday! I'm free from 10am, so shall I come in a bit earlier to help you set up? Just one thing — I'm allergic to nuts, so I'm afraid I can't work near the pastry section, but I'm happy to help on the tills or with customers instead. Would you like me to bring anything with me? Let me know what time you'd like me there. See you Saturday! Ellie
Speaking Task · 09
10–15 minMake it a real conversation
In pairs, role play a short transaction (café, shop, or office reception) using at least three polite requests or offers.
Phase 1 — short factual questions
1.Examiner: "What's your name?"
Tip: One short sentence — name only.
2.Examiner: "Where do you live?"
Tip: Town/city + one detail.
3.Examiner: "Do you work or are you a student?"
Tip: Job/study + one extra detail.
4.Examiner: "Do you often go shopping or eat out?"
Tip: Say what you do, then add a routine detail.
Phase 2 — extended question (aim for 3–5 sentences)
Examiner: "Now, please tell me about a time you asked someone for help in a shop, café or restaurant."
Tip: Aim for 3-5 sentences: what happened + what you said + how it was resolved. Try to quote a polite request or offer.
Show model extended answer
Well, last month I went to a restaurant with friends and I asked the waiter, 'Could you recommend a vegetarian dish, please?' He was really helpful and suggested a lovely pasta dish. Later he even asked, 'Shall I bring some extra bread?' which was a nice touch. I always think polite staff make a meal much more enjoyable.
Optional · Teacher-led
Teacher Activities
Use if class finishes early. ~14 min total
Homework · 10
Take-homeTake it home
Self-study — everything you need is included below. All four skills are covered so you keep the spiral going between lessons; pick the order that suits you.
Write five short exchanges (request + reply) set in different shops or cafés.
Your response
0 words SavedMaterials included
Task
Example
Complete five gap-fill sentences with the correct polite phrase.
Your response
0 words SavedMaterials included
Gaps
Attempt the task first, then check your answers.
Record a one-minute Speaking Part 1 style answer describing a transaction experience, using at least two polite phrases.
Your response
0 words SavedMaterials included
Checklist
Recap · 11
2–3 minWhat you've learned
- Soften requests with 'Could I…?' and 'Would you mind…?' to sound polite in everyday transactions.
- Offer help with 'Shall I…?' or 'Would you like me to…?'.
- Use 'I'm afraid…' to politely refuse or give bad news.
- In Speaking Part 1, extend answers naturally and include polite functional language where relevant.
- In Writing Part 1, cover all four content points and use natural offers/requests to sound communicative.