Asking for Help Around the House

This lesson introduces learners to common questions a mom might ask when asking her child or partner for help around the house. The focus is on making requests politely, expressing needs, and encouraging teamwork. The lesson will help moms practice asking for help with various household tasks in English.

Mom: Hey, could you help me with something?
Partner: Sure, what do you need?
Mom: I need help with folding the laundry. There’s a lot to do, and it’s taking me longer than I thought.
Partner: Of course! I’ll get started right away. Do you want me to sort the clothes first?
Mom: Yes, please. Can you separate the dark colors from the light ones? The dark clothes tend to fade if they’re washed with the light ones.
Partner: Got it. I’ll make sure to keep them apart. Anything else?
Mom: Well, after the laundry, could you also take out the trash? The bin is full, and it’s starting to smell.
Partner: No problem. I’ll do that. I’ll take it out when I’m done folding the clothes.
Mom: Thanks! It will be so much faster if we work together. By the way, do you have time to help with dinner later? I’m planning to make pasta, and I could use some extra hands.
Partner: Sounds good! I can help with dinner. What do you need me to do?
Mom: Maybe you can chop the vegetables while I boil the water for the pasta?
Partner: Sure, I can do that. Do you want me to set the table too while I’m at it?
Mom: That would be amazing! It will make things go a lot faster if we divide up the tasks.
Partner: Absolutely. Teamwork makes everything easier and faster. Plus, it’ll be nice to sit down and enjoy dinner together once we’re done.
Mom: I agree. I’m really glad we can help each other out. Thank you!

Vocabulary List

  • Fold [foʊld] (verb) – To bend something (usually clothes or fabric) so that one part covers another.
    Example: “Can you fold the towels, please?”
  • Sort [sɔːrt] (verb) – To arrange things into groups or categories.
    Example: “I need to sort the clothes by color.”
  • Separate [ˈsɛpəreɪt] (verb) – To divide things into different parts or groups.
    Example: “Please separate the dirty dishes into plates and cups.”
  • Trash [træʃ] (noun) – Waste or things that are thrown away.
    Example: “Don’t forget to take out the trash.”
  • Set the table [sɛt ðə ˈteɪbəl] (phrase) – To arrange dishes, silverware, and glasses on the table for a meal.
    Example: “Can you set the table while I prepare the food?”

Grammar Tips:

  • Polite Requests with “Could”: Use “Could” to ask for help or make a request in a polite way.
    Example: “Could you help me with the laundry?”
    Example: “Could you take out the trash?”
  • Using “While” for simultaneous actions: When talking about doing two things at the same time, use “while.”
    Example: “I can set the table while you cook.”
    Example: “I’ll fold the clothes while you sort them.”
  • “Anything else?” for adding more tasks: When asking if there’s more to be done, use “Anything else?”
    Example: “Anything else I can help with?”
    Example: “Do you need anything else?”

FILL IN THE BLANK

Story with Missing Words

Mom: "Hey, could you help me with something?"
Partner: "Sure, what do you need?"
Mom: "I need help with folding the . There’s a lot to do, and it’s taking me longer than I thought."
Partner: "Of course! I’ll get started right away. Do you want me to sort the first?"
Mom: "Yes, please. Can you separate the dark colors from the light ones? The dark clothes tend to if they’re washed with the light ones."
Partner: "Got it. I’ll make sure to keep them apart. Anything else?"
Mom: "Well, after the laundry, could you also take out the ? The bin is full, and it’s starting to smell."
Partner: "No problem. I’ll do that. I’ll take it out when I’m done folding the clothes."
Mom: "Thanks! It will be so much faster if we work . By the way, do you have time to help with dinner later? I’m planning to make pasta, and I could use some extra hands."
Partner: "Sounds good! I can help with dinner. What do you need me to do?"
Mom: "Maybe you can chop the while I boil the water for the pasta?"
Partner: "Sure, I can do that. Do you want me to set the too while I’m at it?"
Mom: "That would be amazing! It will make things go a lot faster if we divide up the ."
Partner: "Absolutely. Teamwork makes everything easier and faster. Plus, it’ll be nice to sit down and enjoy dinner together once we’re done."
Mom: "I agree. I’m really glad we can help each other out. Thank you!"

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