Task 6: Difficult Situation Template
The Template¶
Prep time: 60 seconds | Speaking time: 60 seconds | Blanks to fill: 2
Everything outside the brackets is memorized word for word. Only fill in the topic and the bad news.
"Hi [NAME]. Hope you're doing well. Listen, I have
something a bit delicate to discuss with you
regarding the situation with [TOPIC], so if I could
have a moment of your time, I'd really appreciate
it.
I know you feel strongly about this, and I
completely understand where you're coming from.
However, unfortunately, the issue is [THE BAD NEWS].
I think the best approach would be for us to find
a compromise that works for everyone. This way, we
can avoid any further problems and keep things
fair.
I hope you can agree with me on this, even though
I know it is a difficult situation. I can't wait
to work this out together."
Your 60-Second Prep¶
Scribble 2 things on your notepad:
1. the situation with ___
2. the issue is ___
That's it. Everything else is already memorized.
What to Fill In¶
| Label | Ask yourself | Example |
|---|---|---|
| "the situation with ___" | What's this about? | the EV charging stations / your guitar practice / the meetings |
| "the issue is ___" | What's the bad news? | other residents can't charge their cars / the noise is keeping me up |
Built-In Polite Language¶
The template automatically includes everything the examiner wants to hear:
| What examiner wants | Where it is in template |
|---|---|
| Soft opening | "something a bit delicate to discuss" |
| Polite request | "if I could have a moment of your time, I'd really appreciate it" |
| Validate their feelings | "I know you feel strongly about this, and I completely understand" |
| Soft modal (would) | "the best approach would be for us to" |
| Inclusive language (we) | "for us to find a compromise" |
| Explain benefit | "This way, we can avoid any further problems" |
| Persuasive close | "I hope you can agree with me on this" |
Examples¶
EV Charging Stations¶
Prompt: Your neighbor leaves her car plugged in overnight, preventing others from charging. Talk to her about it.
"Hi Sarah. Hope you're doing well. Listen, I have something a bit delicate to discuss with you regarding the situation with [the EV charging stations in the garage], so if I could have a moment of your time, I'd really appreciate it.
I know you feel strongly about this, and I completely understand where you're coming from. However, unfortunately, the issue is [leaving your car plugged in overnight is preventing other residents from charging their vehicles].
I think the best approach would be for us to find a compromise that works for everyone. This way, we can avoid any further problems and keep things fair.
I hope you can agree with me on this, even though I know it is a difficult situation. I can't wait to work this out together."
Loud Guitar at Night¶
Prompt: Your roommate keeps playing loud guitar late at night when you have early morning classes. Talk to your roommate about it.
"Hi Jake. Hope you're doing well. Listen, I have something a bit delicate to discuss with you regarding the situation with [your guitar practice late at night], so if I could have a moment of your time, I'd really appreciate it.
I know you feel strongly about this, and I completely understand where you're coming from. However, unfortunately, the issue is [the noise is keeping me up and I have early morning classes].
I think the best approach would be for us to find a compromise that works for everyone. This way, we can avoid any further problems and keep things fair.
I hope you can agree with me on this, even though I know it is a difficult situation. I can't wait to work this out together."
Meetings During Lunch¶
Prompt: Your coworker keeps scheduling meetings during your lunch break. Talk to your coworker about it.
"Hi Lisa. Hope you're doing well. Listen, I have something a bit delicate to discuss with you regarding the situation with [the meetings during lunch hour], so if I could have a moment of your time, I'd really appreciate it.
I know you feel strongly about this, and I completely understand where you're coming from. However, unfortunately, the issue is [I'm missing my lunch break almost every day this week].
I think the best approach would be for us to find a compromise that works for everyone. This way, we can avoid any further problems and keep things fair.
I hope you can agree with me on this, even though I know it is a difficult situation. I can't wait to work this out together."
Birthday Party Dog¶
Prompt: Your friend wants to bring her dog to your birthday party, but some guests are allergic. Talk to your friend about it.
"Hi Sarah. Hope you're doing well. Listen, I have something a bit delicate to discuss with you regarding the situation with [my birthday party this weekend], so if I could have a moment of your time, I'd really appreciate it.
I know you feel strongly about this, and I completely understand where you're coming from. However, unfortunately, the issue is [some of the guests are allergic to dogs, so we can't have pets at the party].
I think the best approach would be for us to find a compromise that works for everyone. This way, we can avoid any further problems and keep things fair.
I hope you can agree with me on this, even though I know it is a difficult situation. I can't wait to work this out together."
Delivery Tips — Sound Natural, Not Robotic¶
Pause with Purpose¶
| Bad pause | Good pause |
|---|---|
| "um... I have something..." | "Listen... (pause) ...I have something a bit delicate to discuss." |
| "uh... however..." | "However, unfortunately... (pause) ...the issue is..." |
Emphasize Key Words¶
| Line | How to say it |
|---|---|
| "something a bit delicate" | Slow down, sound serious but caring |
| "I completely understand" | Sound sincere |
| "Unfortunately, the issue is..." | Pause before the bad news |
| "I hope you can agree" | Sound warm, not demanding |
The Secret: Smile While Speaking¶
The examiner can hear a smile in your voice. Even when delivering bad news, a warm tone shows you're being diplomatic, not aggressive.
Memorization Checklist¶
Practice saying the template out loud until you can do it without looking:
- Opening: "Hi . Hope you're doing well. Listen, I have something a bit delicate to discuss with you regarding the situation with , so if I could have a moment of your time, I'd really appreciate it."
- Validate + Bad news: "I know you feel strongly about this, and I completely understand where you're coming from. However, unfortunately, the issue is ___."
- Solution: "I think the best approach would be for us to find a compromise that works for everyone. This way, we can avoid any further problems and keep things fair."
- Closing: "I hope you can agree with me on this, even though I know it is a difficult situation. I can't wait to work this out together."