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Checking Previous Winnings

The customer asks the clerk to check if a previously purchased lottery ticket is a winner.

Dialogue

Listen and follow along with the conversation

1
Emily (Female)
Hi, I bought this lottery ticket last week. Could you check if it's a winner?
2
Michael (Male)
Certainly! Let me see that for you. Is this a scratch-off or a draw ticket?
3
Emily (Female)
It's a draw ticket, from the Powerball game.
4
Michael (Male)
Powerball, got it. Just a moment while I scan it for you. The machine will tell us.
5
Michael (Male)
Alright, it looks like... not this time, I'm afraid. No winnings on this ticket.
6
Emily (Female)
Oh, too bad! Thanks for checking anyway.
7
Michael (Male)
You're welcome. Would you like to try your luck with a new ticket today?
8
Emily (Female)
Not today, maybe next time. Have a good one!

Vocabulary

Essential words and phrases from the dialogue

lottery ticket

A piece of paper you buy to play a game of chance where you might win money or prizes. It's common in stores like convenience stores.

winner

Someone or something that has won a prize or game. Here, it means if the ticket has a winning result.

scratch-off

A type of lottery ticket where you scratch off a covering to see if you won immediately. It's quick and fun to play.

draw ticket

A lottery ticket where numbers are drawn randomly later, like in a big event, to decide winners. You wait for the results.

scan

To use a machine to read or check something electronically, like scanning a ticket to see the results.

winnings

The money or prizes you get when you win a game or lottery. It's the reward for a winning ticket.

Key Sentences

Important phrases to remember and practice

Could you check if it's a winner?

This is a polite request using 'could you' for asking help. It's useful when you need someone to verify something, like a ticket or receipt. The structure is 'Could you + verb?' for courteous questions.

Is this a scratch-off or a draw ticket?

This question uses 'or' to offer choices. It's practical for clarifying types of items in a store. Helps in situations where you need to specify or ask about options.

Just a moment while I scan it for you.

'Just a moment' means 'wait a second.' This polite phrase buys time during a task. Useful in service interactions to keep the customer informed and patient.

It looks like... not this time, I'm afraid.

'I'm afraid' softens bad news politely. This expression is common for disappointing results. The ellipsis (...) shows hesitation. Great for customer service to be empathetic.

Thanks for checking anyway.

'Anyway' adds politeness when something didn't go as hoped. This shows gratitude even in negative outcomes. Use it to end interactions positively after help.

Would you like to try your luck with a new ticket today?

'Try your luck' is an idiom for taking a chance. This sales question uses 'would you like' for polite offers. Useful in retail to suggest buying more.