Checking Seating for a Weekly Support Group
Venue coordinator (speaking English) and Group organiser (speaking Mandarin) talk through “Checking Seating for a Weekly Support Group”. You interpret both ways — English into Mandarin, and Mandarin into English — one segment at a time, exactly as in the CCL test.
Practise this dialogue with AI marking →Read it first if you like, then practise it cold: the recording plays one segment, you interpret, the next segment plays. Marking shows, segment by segment, what you kept, left out or changed.
Full transcript with model answers
Under each segment: a model interpretation, the information points an examiner checks, and the easiest thing to miss. Try the segment yourself first, then open it. The model is one good way to say it; other wordings that keep every point score just as well.
Before we finalise the layout for your support group at our Blacktown community centre, could you confirm how many people will attend the November session?
Model answer and marking points
在我们确定您互助小组在我们布莱克敦社区中心的场地布置之前，能请您确认一下，十一月那次活动会有多少人参加吗？
What an examiner checks here:
- Before finalising the support group's layout
- At the centre's Blacktown location
- question: how many people will attend the November session
Easy to miss: Keep the attendance request as a question and retain November.
算上我，一共十四个人。我们订的是十一月三日下午五点的场地，可是预订表上只写了十把椅子，我想先核对一下。
Model answer and marking points
There will be fourteen people altogether, including me. We've booked the space for five pm on the third of November, but the booking sheet only lists ten chairs, so I'd like to check that first.
What an examiner checks here:
- Fourteen people in total, including the speaker
- Space booked for 3 November at 5 pm
- Booking sheet lists only ten chairs
- Wants to check the discrepancy first
Easy to miss: The fourteen people include the speaker; they are not fourteen plus the speaker.
Your turn — don't read the rest yet. Hear this dialogue at native speed and interpret each segment aloud; AI marks what you kept, left out or changed, segment by segment. Your first full dialogue is marked free.
Interpret it aloud now →Thanks for pointing that out. The booking sheet lists ten chairs, but we can arrange fourteen. Would a circle suit your group, or would you prefer tables?
Model answer and marking points
谢谢您指出这一点。预订表上写的是十把椅子，不过我们可以安排十四把。椅子围成一圈适合你们小组吗，还是你们更希望摆上桌子？
What an examiner checks here:
- Thanks the speaker for pointing out the discrepancy
- Booking sheet lists ten chairs
- Can arrange fourteen chairs
- question: would a circle suit the group, or would they prefer tables
Easy to miss: Distinguish the ten chairs on the sheet from the fourteen that can be arranged.
围成一圈就行，不用每个人面前都放桌子。不过，有位组员用助行器，能不能在入口那边留个宽一点的空当，方便进出？
Model answer and marking points
A circle will be fine. We don't need a table in front of each person. However, one group member uses a walking frame. Could you leave a wider gap near the entrance so they can get in and out easily?
What an examiner checks here:
- A circle is suitable
- No table needed in front of each person
- One group member uses a walking frame
- question: can a wider gap be left near the entrance for easy entry and exit
Easy to miss: A walking frame is not a wheelchair.
We can leave a wide opening in the circle near the entrance. Would you also like a small table beside the door for signing in?
Model answer and marking points
我们可以在靠近入口的地方给椅子圈留一个宽一点的开口。您还需要在门边放一张小桌子，用来签到吗？
What an examiner checks here:
- Can leave a wide opening in the circle
- Opening near the entrance
- question: would they also like a small table beside the door for signing in
Easy to miss: The opening is in the circle of chairs, not a change to the doorway.
好的，小桌子放签到表正合适，只要别挡住门口就行。另外，大家会聊一些私人的事情，讨论的时候可以把门关上吗？
Model answer and marking points
Yes, a small table would be perfect for the sign-in sheet, as long as it doesn't block the doorway. Also, we'll be discussing some personal matters. Can we close the door during the discussion?
What an examiner checks here:
- Accepts a small table for the sign-in sheet
- Condition: table must not block the doorway
- Group will discuss personal matters
- question: can the door be closed during the discussion
Easy to miss: Keep the condition that the table must not block the doorway.
Yes, you can close the door during the discussion. Please keep the doorway clear, and let me know if you need help moving any furniture.
Model answer and marking points
可以，讨论的时候可以把门关上。请保持门口畅通，如果需要帮忙搬动家具，请告诉我。
What an examiner checks here:
- Door may be closed during the discussion
- Must keep the doorway clear
- Tell the staff member if help moving any furniture is needed
Easy to miss: Permission to close the door does not remove the requirement to keep the doorway clear.
明白，我们会把门口留出来。那我能不能提前一点过来看看？我想在大家到之前，确认椅子够不够，助行器进出方不方便。
Model answer and marking points
Understood. We'll keep the doorway clear. Could I come a little early to have a look? I'd like to check that there are enough chairs and that it's easy to get in and out with a walking frame before everyone arrives.
What an examiner checks here:
- Will keep the doorway clear
- question: can the speaker come a little early to inspect
- Check before everyone arrives
- Check there are enough chairs
- Check ease of entry and exit with a walking frame
Easy to miss: The speaker asks to check before the others arrive.
Your session is booked for the third of November at five pm. I can meet you fifteen minutes beforehand to check the chairs, access and layout together.
Model answer and marking points
您预订的活动时间是十一月三日下午五点。我可以提前十五分钟跟您见面，一起检查椅子、进出是否方便，以及场地布置。
What an examiner checks here:
- Session booked for 3 November at 5 pm
- Can meet fifteen minutes before the session
- Will check chairs, access and layout together
Easy to miss: The meeting is fifteen minutes before five pm, not after.
好，那我下午四点四十五分来找您。以后每周人数应该都差不多，能不能把这个安排记下来，免得每次都要重新解释？
Model answer and marking points
All right, I'll come and see you at four forty-five pm. The number of people should be about the same each week from now on. Could you make a note of this arrangement so I don't have to explain it again every time?
What an examiner checks here:
- Will meet the staff member at 4:45 pm
- Attendance should stay approximately the same each week
- question: can this arrangement be recorded
- Purpose: avoid explaining it again every time
Easy to miss: Weekly attendance is expected to be roughly the same, not guaranteed to be identical.
Certainly. I'll update the booking notes to show fourteen chairs, an open circle and the entrance table, and record that arrangement for your weekly meetings.
Model answer and marking points
当然可以。我会更新预订备注，写明十四把椅子、留有开口的圆圈，还有入口处的桌子，并把这个布置记录下来，供你们每周开会时使用。
What an examiner checks here:
- Will update the booking notes
- Fourteen chairs
- Circle with an opening
- Table at the entrance
- Arrangement recorded for weekly meetings
Easy to miss: An open circle means a circle of chairs with a gap.
谢谢，这样就方便多了。那我们十一月三日见。如果人数有变化，我会提前告诉您；当天要是需要挪动大件家具，我就找您帮忙。
Model answer and marking points
Thank you, that'll make things much easier. I'll see you on the third of November. If the number of people changes, I'll let you know in advance. If we need to move any large pieces of furniture on the day, I'll ask you for help.
What an examiner checks here:
- Thanks the staff member; arrangement makes things easier
- Will meet on 3 November
- Will give advance notice if attendance changes
- Will ask the staff member for help if large furniture needs moving on the day
Easy to miss: Preserve both conditions: attendance changes and needing to move large furniture.
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