Everyday English · Read, listen and speak
Asking About a Mobile Phone Plan
Ask what a phone plan includes, check its limits and monthly cost, and request the details before deciding.
Your speaking goal
Ask about the monthly price, included services, data limit and minimum length of a phone plan.
Before you start: A ‘data allowance’ is the amount of mobile internet included. A ‘minimum term’ is the shortest period you agree to keep a plan. All prices and terms in this example are fictional.
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: Customer and Assistant
Browser-generated English voice; availability and sound vary by device. Use the written dialogue if audio is unavailable.
Customer: I’m comparing mobile phone plans. What does this one include?
Assistant: It includes ten gigabytes of data each month for twelve pounds.
Customer: Does that price include calls and texts?
Assistant: Yes, calls and texts within this country. International calls cost extra.
Customer: What happens if I use all the data?
Assistant: On this plan, mobile data stops until your next monthly allowance begins, unless you buy extra data.
Customer: Is there a minimum contract length?
Assistant: This one has a twelve-month minimum term.
Customer: So that’s twelve pounds a month for at least twelve months?
Assistant: Yes. Here are the full terms, including any extra charges.
Customer: I’d like to read those before I decide.
Assistant: Of course. Take your time.
Useful phrases and what they do
- What does this plan include? — Ask which services are covered by the price.
- What happens if I use all the data? — Check what happens when you reach the included limit.
- Is there a minimum contract length? — Ask how long the commitment lasts.
- I’d like to read the terms before I decide. — Request time to review the details without agreeing yet.
Say it clearly
Separate the amount from the period: ‘TWELVE pounds / a MONTH’ and ‘at least TWELVE / MONTHS’. Emphasise ‘EXTRA’ in ‘International calls cost extra’ so the limit is clear.
Build your own replies
Does ___ include ___? What happens if ___? → It includes ___. You would pay extra for ___.
Ask and check
When you say ‘twelve months’, do you mean the minimum term? → Yes, the minimum term is twelve months.
Common mistakes and alternatives
‘Twelve pounds a month’ is a monthly price, not the price for the whole year. ‘Included’ does not mean every service is covered: the dialogue names an exception for international calls. ‘Mobile phone’ and American ‘cell phone’ are both natural. Real plans can have different limits and terms.
Check what you understood
Answer aloud before revealing each explanation. Natural replies with the same meaning also count.
Question 1
Are international calls included in the quoted monthly price?
Show answer 1 and explanation
No. The assistant says they cost extra. Calls and texts within the country are included in this fictional plan.
Question 2
What happens when the included data is used up in this example?
Show answer 2 and explanation
Mobile data stops until the next monthly allowance begins, unless the customer buys more data first. This describes this particular plan; it is not a rule for every phone company.
Question 3
Has the customer agreed to take the plan by the end?
Show answer 3 and explanation
No. ‘I’d like to read those before I decide’ means the decision is still open. Asking questions or requesting written details does not express acceptance in this exchange.
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
Ask about an imaginary phone plan. Check the monthly cost, included services, data limit and minimum term, then ask for time to read the details.
Role B
Describe an invented plan with a clear price, data amount, minimum term and one extra charge. Answer follow-up questions without assuming the customer has agreed.
Make it easier: Keep the model visible and change one detail at a time.
Add a challenge: Compare two invented plans with different data amounts and minimum terms. Summarise one difference and ask one more question before deciding whether either suits you.
Ready to move on?
Try again with less reading. Use these checks and repeat any part that needs more practice.
- I can ask what is included and what costs extra.
- I can distinguish a monthly price from the minimum contract length.
- I can ask for details before making a decision.