🎧 Listening Practice:
Emergency Calls
Objective: To improve your listening skills by understanding real-life emergency phone calls. This activity is ideal for learners preparing for exams such as KET, TOEFL, or anyone wanting to build confidence in spoken English.
💭 Think About It
• What’s the emergency number in your country?
• Have you ever had to call it? Why?
• What types of emergencies do they deal with?
• Is it the same number for all emergency services?
• How efficient are the emergency services in your country?
• What questions do they ask when you call?
🚨 Pre-Listening: Give Advice
What advice would you give in these situations?
- There’s a fire in the house and it’s spreading fast.
Example: Leave the house immediately and call 999. - Someone has fallen off a ladder and hurt themselves.
Example: Don’t move them. Call an ambulance and keep them calm.
🎧 Listening I
You’re going to listen to two emergency phone calls. Listen once. Was any of the advice you thought of mentioned?
🎧 Listening II
Listen again. Then, complete the table.
| Caller I (Fire) | Caller II (Ambulance) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Emergency service required | ||
| 2. Caller’s street address | ||
| 3. Caller’s city/town | ||
| 4. Problem |
🎧 Listen & Read: Emergency Calls
Click the play button ▶️ below to listen. Read the transcript as you listen to improve your comprehension.
🚒 Call 1: Fire Emergency
Operator: 999. Which emergency service do you require?
Caller: The fire brigade!
Operator: OK. I’m just connecting you.
Fire Service: Fire and rescue. What’s the address of the incident?
Caller: 28 Marlborough Avenue in Steepsden.
Fire Service: OK. What’s the problem?
Caller: There’s a fire in the kitchen! I tried to put it out, but it’s getting worse!
Fire Service: Is there anyone else in the house?
Caller: No, I’m on my own.
Fire Service: OK, shut the kitchen door and leave the house as soon as you can. A fire engine is on its way right now. Would you like me to stay on the line until it arrives?
Caller: No, I’ll be all right. Thanks.
Fire Service: OK. Bye.
🚑 Call 2: Ambulance Emergency
Operator: 999. Which emergency service do you require?
Caller: The ambulance service, please.
Operator: OK. I’ll just put you through.
Ambulance: The ambulance service. What’s the address of the incident?
Caller: 19 Swixton Road in Noxton.
Ambulance: OK, what’s the problem?
Caller: It’s my sister — she was on a ladder cleaning the upstairs window when she slipped and fell off. She can’t move. I think she’s broken a bone or something.
Ambulance: OK, an ambulance and paramedic team is on its way. Make sure she lies perfectly still and don’t move her. Would you like me to stay on the line?
Caller: No, that’s OK.
Ambulance: Bye.
✅ Answer Key (for reference)
| Caller I (Fire) | Caller II (Ambulance) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Emergency service | The fire brigade | The ambulance service |
| 2. Street address | 28 Marlborough Avenue | 19 Swixton Road |
| 3. City/Town | Steepsden | Noxton |
| 4. Problem | Fire in the kitchen, spreading | Sister fell off a ladder; possible broken bone |
