Everyday English · Read, listen and speak
Sharing Household Chores
Agree who will do shared household tasks, suggest a fair swap and confirm when each task will be done.
Your speaking goal
Divide three household tasks and check who is responsible for each one and by when.
Before you start: Imagine sharing a home. Choose three tasks and a time to finish them. Use fictional arrangements.
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: Alex and Kim
Browser-generated English voice; availability and sound vary by device. Use the written dialogue if audio is unavailable.
Alex: Could we sort out the chores for this evening?
Kim: Sure. What needs doing?
Alex: The washing-up, the rubbish and the kitchen floor.
Kim: I can take out the rubbish and sweep the floor. Could you do the washing-up?
Alex: Yes. Would you mind sweeping after dinner, so the floor stays clean?
Kim: Not at all. I’ll sweep it after we’ve eaten.
Alex: Thanks. I’ll wash the dishes straight after dinner.
Kim: Great. Could we swap tasks tomorrow?
Alex: That sounds fair. I’ll take out the rubbish and sweep tomorrow.
Kim: And I’ll do the washing-up. Let’s put it on the list.
Useful phrases and what they do
- What needs doing? — Ask which tasks need attention.
- I can ___ . Could you ___? — Offer a task and ask someone to do another.
- Would you mind doing ___? — Make a polite request using an -ing form.
- Could we swap tasks? — Suggest exchanging responsibilities.
Say it clearly
Make the person and task clear: ‘I’ll wash the DISHES / and you’ll sweep the FLOOR.’ Pause between tasks when checking the agreement.
Build your own replies
I can ___. Could you ___? → Yes. Could we swap tomorrow?
Ask and check
Just to check, who is sweeping tonight? → I am. You’re washing the dishes.
Common mistakes and alternatives
Use ‘Would you mind doing …?’, rather than ‘Would you mind do …?’. In reply, ‘Not at all’ means the person does not object and is agreeing. ‘Do the washing-up’ is common in British English; ‘wash the dishes’ works in both British and American English.
Check what you understood
Answer aloud before revealing each explanation. Natural replies with the same meaning also count.
Question 1
Who will sweep the floor this evening?
Show answer 1 and explanation
Kim will sweep it after dinner. Alex will do the washing-up.
Question 2
Does Kim refuse by saying ‘Not at all’?
Show answer 2 and explanation
No. After ‘Would you mind …?’, ‘Not at all’ means Kim does not object and agrees to the request.
Question 3
How could someone politely decline a task they cannot do?
Show answer 3 and explanation
‘I’m sorry, I can’t do that tonight. Could I do it tomorrow?’ gives a clear reply and offers an alternative. Other workable suggestions are also natural.
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
List three chores, offer to do one and ask about the others. Check the timing.
Role B
Agree or suggest an alternative, then repeat who will do each task.
Make it easier: Keep the model visible and change one detail at a time.
Add a challenge: One person cannot do their task tonight. Agree on a specific swap or a different time without leaving the responsibility unclear.
Ready to move on?
Try again with less reading. Use these checks and repeat any part that needs more practice.
- I can offer to do a task.
- I can make and answer a polite request.
- I can confirm who will do each chore and when.