Everyday English · Read, listen and speak
Donating Unwanted Items
Check which items a donation point accepts, explain their condition and agree where to hand them over.
Your speaking goal
Offer unwanted items for donation, check the acceptance conditions and respond if an item cannot be accepted.
Before you start: Imagine a fictional community donation point. Choose two items you no longer use. The acceptance rules in this dialogue are examples, not rules for every organisation.
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: Donor and Volunteer
Browser-generated English voice; availability and sound vary by device. Use the written dialogue if audio is unavailable.
Donor: Hello. I have some children’s books I’d like to donate. Do you accept them?
Volunteer: Yes, if they’re clean and all the pages are there.
Donor: They are. One cover has a small mark. Is that all right?
Volunteer: Let me have a look. Yes, we can accept that one.
Donor: I also have a small lamp. Can I bring that?
Volunteer: Sorry, we’re not accepting electrical items at the moment.
Donor: No problem. I’ll just bring the books.
Volunteer: Thank you. Please hand them to someone at this desk.
Donor: Can I leave the box outside if the desk is closed?
Volunteer: Please don’t. Bring it when the desk is open so we can receive it.
Donor: Understood. I’ll hand the books over here.
Volunteer: Thank you for checking.
Useful phrases and what they do
- I have some ___ I’d like to donate. — Offer items to help an organisation or other people.
- Do you accept ___? — Check whether a type of item can be received.
- The cover has a small mark. Is that all right? — Describe a small defect and ask whether the item is still acceptable.
- We’re not accepting ___ at the moment. — Explain a current limit politely.
Say it clearly
Make the item and condition clear: ‘CHILDREN’S BOOKS / a small mark on the COVER’. ‘Donate’ has two common stress patterns: do-NATE in British English and DO-nate in American English. Both are valid.
Build your own replies
Do you accept ___? → Yes, if ___. / Sorry, we’re not accepting ___ at the moment.
Ask and check
Do you mean no electrical items, or just no lamps? → No electrical items at the moment.
Common mistakes and alternatives
To ‘donate’ an item is to give it for a helpful purpose without selling it. ‘Donate these books to the centre’ is natural. ‘At the moment’ describes the current situation; it does not mean the rule will never change. Check the organisation’s conditions and handover arrangements rather than assuming it can accept every item.
Check what you understood
Answer aloud before revealing each explanation. Natural replies with the same meaning also count.
Question 1
Can the donation point accept the book with a small mark on its cover?
Show answer 1 and explanation
Yes, after the volunteer looks at it. The dialogue also says the books are clean and complete. This is an example decision, not a rule for every donation point.
Question 2
Which offered item is not accepted at the moment?
Show answer 2 and explanation
The lamp, because this fictional donation point is not currently accepting electrical items.
Question 3
Should the donor leave the box outside a closed desk?
Show answer 3 and explanation
No. The volunteer asks for it to be handed to someone while the desk is open. ‘When can I bring it in?’ would be a useful follow-up question.
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
Offer two imaginary items for donation. Describe their condition, check what is accepted and confirm how to hand over the accepted items.
Role B
Explain the fictional acceptance conditions. Accept one item, politely decline another and describe the handover arrangement.
Make it easier: Keep the model visible and change one detail at a time.
Add a challenge: An item is too worn to be accepted. Acknowledge the answer and ask whether the volunteer knows another suitable place to ask, without assuming they do.
Ready to move on?
Try again with less reading. Use these checks and repeat any part that needs more practice.
- I can ask which items are accepted.
- I can describe an item’s condition honestly.
- I can confirm a handover arrangement and accept a refusal.