Everyday English · Read, listen and speak
Asking a Neighbour to Keep the Noise Down
Explain a noise problem calmly, make a specific request and agree on a practical change.
Your speaking goal
Ask for a quieter environment, respond to an apology and confirm a simple agreement.
Before you start: Imagine music coming from a neighbouring flat. Choose a specific, reasonable request for the role-play.
Your six-step practice plan
- Understand: Read the goal and check the useful phrases.
- Listen or read: Follow both roles. Audio is optional.
- Repeat: Say one short line at a time, then join the words smoothly.
- Change details: Replace two details with imaginary ones.
- Role-play: Read the other person’s question, cover your reply and answer aloud. Then swap roles.
- Review: Use the “I can” checks below. Repeat any part that still needs help.
Work at your own pace. A clear message matters more than copying a particular accent.
Listen, read and notice
Roles: Resident and Neighbour
Browser-generated English voice; availability and sound vary by device. Use the written dialogue if audio is unavailable.
Resident: Hi. Sorry to bother you. Could you turn the music down a little, please?
Neighbour: Oh, I’m sorry. Is it too loud?
Resident: Yes, I can hear it clearly in my bedroom, and I’m trying to sleep.
Neighbour: I didn’t realise. I’ll turn it down now.
Resident: Thank you. I appreciate it.
Neighbour: Is that better?
Resident: Yes, much better. Thanks for checking.
Neighbour: Please let me know if it’s still too loud.
Resident: I will. Have a good evening.
Neighbour: You too.
Useful phrases and what they do
- Sorry to bother you. — Politely introduce an interruption or request.
- Could you turn ___ down? — Ask for a lower volume or setting.
- I’m trying to ___. — Explain what the situation is interrupting.
- I appreciate it. — Thank someone for their help or consideration.
Say it clearly
Practise ‘Could you turn the music DOWN / a little, please?’ Keep your pace calm and make the requested change clear. Politeness comes from the words and delivery together; you do not need to imitate a particular accent.
Build your own replies
Could you ___, please? I’m trying to ___. → Of course. I’ll ___ now.
Ask and check
Do you mean turn it down or switch it off? → Turning it down would help, thank you.
Common mistakes and alternatives
‘Turn it down’ means reduce the volume; ‘turn it off’ means stop it completely. Put the pronoun between the verb and particle: ‘turn it down’, rather than ‘turn down it’. ‘Neighbour’ is British spelling; ‘neighbor’ is American spelling.
Check what you understood
Answer aloud before revealing each explanation. Natural replies with the same meaning also count.
Question 1
Does the resident initially ask for the music to stop completely?
Show answer 1 and explanation
No. The resident asks for the volume to be reduced a little. Asking someone to turn it off would be a different request.
Question 2
How does the neighbour check whether the change helped?
Show answer 2 and explanation
By asking ‘Is that better?’. The resident confirms that it is much better.
Question 3
The music is still too loud. Give a clear, polite reply.
Show answer 3 and explanation
‘It’s a little better, thank you, but could you lower it a bit more?’ acknowledges the change and makes a specific further request. Other calm replies with the same meaning also work.
Your turn: make it a real exchange
Practise alone: read the other person’s line, cover your reply and answer aloud. Then swap roles. No partner is needed.
Role A
Explain where you can hear the music and make a specific request. Say whether the change helps.
Role B
Respond to the request, offer a change and check whether the new volume is better.
Make it easier: Keep the model visible and change one detail at a time.
Add a challenge: The first change is not enough. Make one further specific request, then confirm the agreed change.
Ready to move on?
Try again with less reading. Use these checks and repeat any part that needs more practice.
- I can explain a noise problem calmly.
- I can request a specific change.
- I can check and acknowledge whether the change helps.