Speaking Task 6

Dealing with a Difficult Situation

Preparation: 60 sec Talk Time: 60 sec

In Task 6, you are presented with an everyday

life problem with a difficult choice to make. You
must first choose between options 1 and 2 with
60 seconds as preparation. Then you’ll be
given another 60 seconds to speak to 1 of the 2
people(friend, colleague or family member) and
tell what you’ve decided to do and explain why.
TIP 1: Speak in a rational and friendly
tone. DO NOT come across as being
aggressive or temperamental.

TIP 2: Support your choice with 1-2

convincing reasons for persuasion.
STRUCTURE FOR DEALING WITH A
DIFFICULT SITUATION

1.INTRODUCTION WITH GREETING

2.CLEARLY STATE YOUR CHOICE/
DECISION
3.DESCRIBE REASONS (to accept/
persuade/convince)
4.OFFER SOLUTION/RESOLUTION
5.END STATEMENT
TIP: Pay attention to whether use
formal or informal tone pending on
situation and who you are addressing
the speech to. Subtle differences in
speech pattern will enhance score.
Vocabulary knowledge is highly
suggested. For further help, please
contact CELPIP TEST PREP.
 SAMPLE QUESTION
You are the manager at an auto repair. You have
ordered an auto part and collected payment from
client, but the supplier who’s supposed to send the
parts cancelled and you are forced to find another
supplier. However, the cost is now much higher
because it’s imported.
Choose ONE:
EITHER
●Explain to the client that he/she needs to pay
more for the part
●Explain to the client to cancel and refund his/her
money
 INTRODUCTION WITH GREETING

●Hi (name), I need to discuss/talk with/to you on/

about…. (paraphrase situation)
●Hi (name), I know that you had asked me on/
about/to…..(paraphrase situation)
●Hi (name), I have been putting a great deal of
thinking on/about……(paraphrase situation)
●Hi (name), this isn’t easy to ask, but we should
discuss/talk about/on….(paraphrase situation)
TIP: use appropriate introduction depending
on situation.
 CLEARLY STATE YOUR CHOICE/
DECISION

Lead in:
●I have some disappointing news/food
for thought. Please hear me out.
●I am sorry to have to tell you the bad
news/about this.
●You may like (the bad news)/what I
am about to say.
 Followed by:
●Please forgive me, but……
●I apologize for not being able to…..
●I don’t think I’ll be able to….
●I’m afraid I can’t…..
●Unfortunately, I won’t be able to….
●I think you should……..
●If I were you, I would…..
Describe the reasons:
●The reasons being that …..1)since/as/
because…… 2)so/therefore/….. 3)for that
reason/as a result…..
●Please hear me out. 1)since/as/
because…… 2)so/therefore/….. 3)for that
reason/as a result…..
●Please allow me to explain. 1)since/as/
because…… 2)so/therefore/….. 3)for that
reason/as a result…..
TIP 1: Although 2-3 reasons would be
best, watch timer to improvise in order
to achieve task successfully with
enough time for end statement.
TIP 2: Add depth to reasons by
providing more detail in order to score
high
 OFFER SOLUTION/
RESOLUTION
●I will make this right by….
●I’ll try to check with another…..to
●It is really something that we have
never encountered before, so to
make up for it, I’ll….
●Once I’ve taken care of this, allow
me to buy/give you….
 END STATEMENT
●This isn’t easy but I hope you can
understand.
●I understand that this is not an easy
decision but I do hope you can see
this is the best option.
●I realize this isn’t what you had in
mind but I think this is what’s best for
me/us/everyone.
 SAMPLE QUESTION
You are the manager at an auto repair. You have
ordered an auto part and collected payment from
client, but the supplier who’s supposed to send the
parts cancelled and you are forced to find another
supplier. However, the cost is now much higher
because it’s imported.
Choose ONE:
EITHER
●Explain to the client that he/she needs to pay
more for the part
●Explain to the client to cancel and refund his/her
money
 SAMPLE ANSWER
Good afternoon Mr. Paul. I know you asked me to order the brake/
wheel/window for your car. I am terribly/very sorry to tell you some bad
news.
I’m afraid the part didn’t arrive so we checked and found out the
supplier cancelled our order without notice or even explanation. This has
never happened before so I called another supplier immediately who has
the identical part in stock but unfortunately, it is 50 dollars more. The
reason for that is because it is imported from Europe. However, they do
offer a 2 year warranty along with next day delivery so we could install it
right after. So in a way, it is a good alternative solution.
I can imagine this is a major disappointment/inconvenience. That is
why I am going to give you a discount next time when you visit/treat you
to dinner at your favorite restaurant/at the newly opened restuarnt.
I understand this is not what you had in mind but hope you can see
that this is the best option. // Again, I am sorry/I apologize. Hope you can
understand (this is the best I can do).
• I am afraid that the brake is not here, the reason being the
supplier cancelled my order without a notice. But
fortunately, I found another supplier, who has the same
brake. However, it costs $50 more.
 Task 6 结构
Good afternoon Mr. Paul. I know you asked me
to 动词 (题⽬内容改写). I am terribly/very sorry
to tell you some bad news.
I’m afraid I can’t V, the reason being 坏消息，
理由
I can imagine this is a major disappointment/
inconvenience. That is why I am going to V.…
补偿措施
I understand this is not what you had in mind
but hope you can see that this is the best option.
Again I am sorry. I hope you can understand.
 Exercise 1
Your friend is getting married on Saturday and you
told him you would be there. However, your brother
has nobody to pick him up from the airport on
Saturday and he has just asked if you could help him
out.

Choose ONE of the following options:

- Explain to your friend why you will not be able to
attend the wedding.
- Explain to your brother why you won’t be able to pick
him up.
• Hi Paul, I know you asked me to pick you up on Saturday.
I am terribly sorry to tell you some bad news.

• I am afraid I can’t drive you home/give you a ride, the

reason being I have promised my best friend that I will
attend his wedding, which happens to be on the same
day. A wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime event. Also, I am
the best man/the bride’s maid. (A wedding is NOT ONLY a
once in a lifetime event, BUT I am ALSO the best man/
bride’s maid. => NOT ONLY is a wedding a once in a
lifetime event, BUT I am ALSO the best man.)

• I understand this is a major disappointment. That’s why I

am going to ask Mom to pick you up.

• Again, I am sorry. I hope you can understand.

• I like singing. I enjoy dancing.

• Not only…but also…

• I not only like singing, but also enjoy dancing.

• Not only do I like singing, but also enjoy dancing.

• I love not only singing, but also dancing.

• I am a singer. I am also a dancer.

• I am not only a singer but also a dancer.

• Not only am I a singer but also a dancer.

 Introduction
Good afternoon Mr. Paul. I know you had
asked me to order the console display for
your Honda and it was supposed to arrive a
week ago. I am terribly sorry to tell you
some bad news.

Hi, John. I know you had asked me to

pick you up at the airport on Saturday, but
I am terribly sorry to tell you some bad
news.
 Reason
I’m afraid the part didn’t arrive so we checked and found out the
supplier cancelled our order without notice or even explanation.
This has never happened before so I called another supplier
immediately who has the identical part in stock but unfortunately, it
is 50 dollars more. The reason for that is because it is imported
from Europe and an OEM product. However, they do offer a 2 year
warranty along with next day delivery so we could install it right
after. So in a way, it is a good alternative solution.

Unfortunately, I won’t be able to give you a ride, the reason

being I have promised my friend to attend his wedding on the
same day. His wedding invitation was sent out a month ago
and I made my commitment shortly after. More importantly, not
only is he my best friend, but a wedding is also a once-in-a-
lifetime event. Therefore, I don’t want to miss this opportunity
to celebrate his wedding.
 Solution
I can imagine this is a major inconvenience and we
value your business. That is why we are going to
provide a free tune up and a car wash as well. We’ll
put a priority rush on your vehicle once you make
the decision.

I can imagine this is a major inconvenience for

you. That’s why I am going to pay for your cab
ride. On top of that, I’ll treat you to dinner at your
favourite restaurant where they are introducing a
new dish which I guarantee you’ll enjoy.
 End Statement
I understand this is not what you had
in mind but hope you can see that this
is the best option.

This isn’t easy but I hope you can

understand. And I can’t wait to see
you.
 Exercise 2
You’ve just been offered a new job and they
require you to start immediately. However, you
have a 7 day family vacation that starts next
week.

Choose ONE of the following options:

- Explain to your family why you cannot make
the family vacation.
- Explain to your potential employer why you
cannot start immediately.
• Hi Mom, I know I promised to go on a family vacation with
you guys. I am terribly sorry to tell you some bad news.

• I am afraid I can’t go, the reason being I have just got an

offer/I just got hired, which is my dream job being a
reporter. The thing is they asked me to start tomorrow. If I
don’t, I may miss the opportunity.

• I understand this is a major disappointment. That’s why I

am going to treat everyone to dinner after you come back.

• Again, I am sorry. Hope you can understand.

 Exercise 3
Your partner has just surprised you with two tickets
to the big game this weekend. However, your mom
has asked you and your brothers to help your
uncle move into his new apartment this weekend.

Choose ONE of the following options:

- Explain to partner why you can’t go to the game.
- Explain to your mother why you can’t help your
uncle this weekend.
 Exercise 4
You and Mike work in a department store, and Mike is
talking to a customer who wants to return a coffeemaker
he bought there. The customer doesn’t have his receipt,
but you remember selling him the coffeemaker the day
before. Mike is refusing to refund the coffeemaker, but the
customer is getting upset and just wants his money back.

Choose ONE of the following:

• Explain to Mike that you sold the coffeemaker to the

man the day before, and he should give a full refund.

• Explain to the customer that the store policy is that you

must have the original receipt to return an item, so he
cannot get a refund for the coffeemaker.
 Exercise 5
Your co-worker, John, has invited you to his
birthday party. You agreed to go to his party weeks
ago. However, you just found out that your cousin,
Lily, is graduating university the same day and your
family is having a graduation party for her.
Choose ONE of the following:

• Talk to John. Explain why you cannot go to his

birthday party.

• Talk to Lily. Explain why you cannot go to her

graduation party.