Everyday activities
Use practical English for routines, food, health and getting around.
Section Paper 2 · Reading
Exam scope and assessment notes
Mapped to Cambridge IGCSE (9–1) English (as an Additional Language) 0772. The 2029–2030 syllabus states there are no significant changes affecting teaching; revised specimen questions support bilingual learners. All four skills carry equal weight. Spoken prompts use browser text-to-speech, not Cambridge recordings; speaking recordings stay in the page and are not automatically scored. Check the exam-year syllabus, June series and centre availability.
Before you begin
- The syllabus is designed for learners whose first language is not English. Use familiar everyday situations, and practise asking for repetition or clarification when you need it.
Work on paper. Try each question before revealing help, and explain why your method works.
Quick readiness check
What should you do first when a question asks for a specific detail?
What you will learn
- Understand main ideas and relevant details in familiar spoken and written material
- Communicate simply and clearly in everyday situations
- Use topic vocabulary and common language structures accurately enough for the purpose
Topic vocabulary
Build a small, reusable word bank for time and dates · meals and ingredients · body and health · journeys and transport. Learn each word in a phrase or situation, not as an isolated translation.
Notice which words name a person, place, action or quality. A context sentence helps you remember the word and select the right form later.
Language and communication focus
Use the present simple for routines, question words to ask for details, and polite can/could requests.
When you do not know a word, keep listening or reading for context. Use a simpler expression, ask a polite question or check your understanding rather than stopping the conversation.
Practise all four skills
Read the original short text and identify its main point and a supporting detail. Then answer the questions in your own words where appropriate.
Listen to the original spoken prompt, answer before opening the transcript, then use the speaking recorder only if you want a private playback. The browser voice and checklist are practice aids, not Cambridge audio or official assessment.
Sources for this lesson
Pause and explain
What makes a short spoken or written answer clear?
Worked example
A learner wants a weekday appointment and plans to travel by bus. What two details should they check?
Show the worked solution
- The clinic's weekday opening time is 8.30.
- A new appointment must be requested by phone before 4 p.m.
- The number 12 bus stops outside, but it does not run on Sundays.
Answer Call before 4 p.m.; check that the journey is on a weekday.
Try a topic test
Choose Easy, Normal or Difficult. Save your answers and open worked review after finishing.
Test this topic →From guided practice to a new situation
Write your answer and reasoning first. Use a hint only if you are stuck. The model solution is for self-checking; your written work is not automatically marked.
A bus leaves at 9.10 and reaches the clinic at 9.35. Your appointment is at 10.00. How long is the journey, and how much time remains before the appointment?
Give me a hint
Read both times carefully and separate journey time from waiting time.
Compare my reasoning
- From 9.10 to 9.35 is 25 minutes.
- From 9.35 to 10.00 is another 25 minutes.
- State each interval with its purpose.
Journey: 25 minutes. Time before the appointment: 25 minutes.
Look for these in your work
- Both intervals calculated
- Times not confused
- Answer clearly labelled
Write a short message asking a friend to meet for lunch. Include a day, a time and one food preference.
Give me a hint
Use a greeting, a clear invitation and a simple closing.
Compare my reasoning
- Name a day and time.
- Say what food you would like or avoid.
- Ask your friend to reply and close politely.
An original message that includes the requested day, time and food preference.
Look for these in your work
- All three details included
- Simple connected sentences
- Friendly tone
At a shop, an item costs £8.50. You pay with £10. How much change should you receive? Ask politely for a receipt.
Give me a hint
Subtract the cost from the amount paid, then form a polite request.
Compare my reasoning
- Calculate 10.00 − 8.50 = 1.50.
- Use a question such as 'Could I have a receipt, please?'.
- Keep the request courteous and clear.
£1.50 change; 'Could I have a receipt, please?'
Look for these in your work
- Correct change
- Polite question form
- Relevant everyday vocabulary
Hear an original prompt, then review your own response
The spoken clips use browser speech synthesis in English when a matching voice is available. Voices, accents and pacing vary; these are not Cambridge recordings. Microphone recordings stay in this page and are not uploaded or graded.
Listening practice
A change to a lunch order
Listen for the time and the change to the order.
Transcript unlocks after you check each answer.
Speaking rehearsal
You are arranging a visit to a local clinic. Ask about an appointment, explain when you are available and check how to get there.
Use about 1 minute to plan your practice response, then speak for about 45 seconds. This practice timer does not reproduce exam preparation rules.
The recording is not transcribed. This optional text and the audio both stay in the open page.
Review your recording
- Did I answer each part of the prompt?
- Did I give one relevant detail or reason?
- Did I link my ideas with a clear connector?
- Could my partner understand my key words?
This self-review is not an official speaking mark. A teacher or examination centre must assess the speaking endorsement.
Common mistakes
- Choosing a detail that is true but does not answer the question
- Translating word for word instead of checking meaning and sentence order
- Giving an opinion without a reason or relevant detail
- Speaking or writing in long sentences that make the main point unclear
What can you explain now?
What is a useful response when one unfamiliar word does not stop you understanding the whole message?
Compare with the explanation
Use surrounding words and the situation to infer a likely meaning
Context helps you keep the overall message while avoiding an unsupported guess.
After trying it yourself, choose your next review. This is your self-assessment.
Your review choice appears on Today. Sign in to sync it across devices.
Make it stick
Name two useful words or expressions from everyday activities and use one in a new sentence.
If you needed the solution, close it and solve the problem again from a blank page. A correct answer is stronger when you can explain the reason for each step.