🔧 Talking to Clients: No Hot Water – A2

English for Plumbers | Everyday Scenarios

Vocabulary

Study these words before doing the exercises.

hot water
water that has been heated for use at taps and showers
"There is no hot water coming out of the shower."
lukewarm
slightly warm but not hot enough — a sign something is wrong
"The water is only lukewarm. It is not heating up properly."
cylinder
a large tank that stores hot water in a home without a combi boiler
"The cylinder in the airing cupboard stores the hot water."
immersion heater
an electric heating element inside the hot water cylinder
"Switch on the immersion heater as a backup if the boiler fails."
airlock
a pocket of trapped air inside a pipe that stops water flowing
"There may be an airlock in the hot water pipe."
thermostat
a device that controls the temperature of the water
"Set the thermostat on the cylinder to sixty degrees."
temperature
how hot or cold the water is, measured in degrees
"Check the temperature at the tap. It should be at least fifty degrees."
timer
a device that sets when the hot water heating switches on and off
"Check the timer. It may not be set to come on in the morning."
boost
a button or switch that turns on the hot water heating for a short time
"Press the boost button to heat the water quickly."
element
the part inside an immersion heater that produces heat
"The element inside the immersion heater has failed."
supply
the flow of water coming into the home from the mains
"Check the cold water supply to the cylinder is open."
tank
a container that holds water, either cold or hot
"The cold water tank in the loft feeds the hot water cylinder."
switch
a button or lever used to turn something on or off
"Switch off the immersion heater when the water is hot enough."
check
to look at or test something to see if it is working correctly
"Check the timer setting before calling a plumber."
run
to turn on a tap and let water flow to test it
"Run the hot tap for one minute and see if the temperature changes."

Exercise 1 – True or False?

Read each sentence. Is it true or false?

Exercise 2 – Multiple Choice

Choose the correct word to complete each sentence.

Exercise 3 – Matching

Match each word (1–8) with the correct description (A–H).

Exercise 4 – Gap Fill

Type the correct word in each gap. The word is given in brackets.

Exercise 5 – Word Order

Put the words in the correct order to make a sentence.

Exercise 6 – Word Sort

Click a word to place it in the correct category.

🚿 Describing the Problem

🔧 Checking and Fixing

Exercise 7 – Complete the Conversation

Choose the correct word to complete the conversation.

Exercise 8 – Listening

Listen to the conversation, then answer the questions.

🎧 Listen to the conversation

Press Play to listen.
Client: Hello, there is no hot water at any of the taps this morning.

Plumber: Is the water completely cold, or is it lukewarm?

Client: Completely cold. I have a cylinder in the airing cupboard, not a combi boiler.

Plumber: OK. First, check the timer setting. Is it set to come on in the morning?

Client: I checked. It looks correct.

Plumber: Then press the boost button to heat the water manually for now.

Client: I pressed it but the water is still cold. Could it be an airlock in the pipe?

Plumber: Possibly. Or the element inside the immersion heater may have failed. I will come and check.

Part A – Comprehension Questions

Listen and choose the correct answer.

Part B – Listen and Fill the Gap

Each sentence is from the conversation. One word is missing. Listen and type it.

🏆 Your Scores

ExerciseScoreOut of
1 – True / False–8
2 – Multiple Choice–8
3 – Matching–8
4 – Gap Fill–8
5 – Word Order–8
6 – Word Sort–8
7 – Conversation–8
8a – Listening: Comprehension–5
8b – Listening: Gap Fill–5
Total–66

Complete all exercises to see your total score.