Listening: Problem Solving Conversations Flashcards

A tenant tells a landlord that the heating has not worked for three days in winter. What is the tenant most likely requesting?

Answer: An urgent repair of the heating

A broken heater in winter is an urgent issue requiring prompt repair.

A speaker says, 'That works for me.' What does this expression mean?

Answer: They agree to the proposed plan

'That works for me' is an idiomatic way of agreeing to a suggestion.

When two friends discuss how to split a restaurant bill that was charged incorrectly, the problem is about:

Answer: A billing error they need to resolve

An incorrectly charged bill is a billing error the friends must address.

A clerk says, 'Unfortunately, that item is out of stock.' What is the implied problem?

Answer: The desired product is unavailable

'Out of stock' means the product the customer wants cannot currently be bought.

If a speaker proposes 'How about we meet halfway and you pay for shipping?', this is an example of:

Answer: A compromise

'Meet halfway' describes a compromise where each side gives something.

A customer is told the repair will take two weeks but says, 'I need it by Friday.' What is the new problem introduced?

Answer: A timing conflict between the repair and the deadline

The customer's Friday deadline conflicts with the two-week repair estimate.

Which phrase signals that a speaker is about to offer an apology in a Problem Solving conversation?

Answer: 'I'm so sorry about the inconvenience'

'I'm so sorry about the inconvenience' is a standard apologetic phrase in customer-service exchanges.