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General English · Speaking · B1

Explaining problems and solutions

Describe an observable problem, its effect and a practical next step.

Lesson 7 · About 22 minutes

Learn: your objectives

  • Separate an observation from a guessed cause.
  • Propose a solution with a way to check it.

Warm-up

Think about these questions. Say a short answer aloud.

  • What makes a complaint useful rather than just negative?
  • How would you explain a booking problem?

Useful language

From issue to action

The main issue is …

Identify the specific problem.

The main issue is that two groups booked the same room.

As a result, …

Explain its practical effect.

As a result, one group has nowhere to meet.

One possible solution would be to …

Offer a practical action without claiming it is the only one.

One possible solution would be to move the smaller group upstairs.

Notice: model speaking

Read aloud. Notice how the speakers use the phrases and respond to each other.

Coordinator: What's the problem with tonight's meeting?

Nodir: Two groups have booked the same room. As a result, the reading group has nowhere to sit.

Coordinator: Do we know why that happened?

Nodir: Not yet. For tonight, we could use the upstairs room. After that, we should check the booking list and send one confirmation message for each booking.

Coordinator: Good. Let's check that the upstairs room is free before we tell them.

Speaking strategy

Explain what happened and who is affected before proposing action. If you do not know the cause, say so; a useful solution does not require blaming someone.

Pronunciation & fluency focus

Use separate thought groups for issue, effect and action. Keep ‘As a result’ with the effect, so the logical connection stays clear.

Teaching guidance, not an analysis of your voice.

Use: controlled practice

Choose a useful response for each situation. Check when all questions are answered. These are phrase exercises, not a speaking assessment.

1. Which statement is an observation rather than an unverified accusation?
2. Explain the effect of a double booking.
3. What should happen before promising a replacement room?
4. You do not know the cause. Say so honestly.
5. Which follow-up could reduce repeated double bookings?

Build your answer

Write a few keywords. Then look away and speak. Notes stay on this page only.

Speak: your challenge

Explain a group booking problem for 90 seconds. State the impact, propose an immediate solution and suggest a follow-up without inventing a cause.

Use a fictional room, activity or appointment. Keep blame separate from facts.

Speak aloud. This page does not record, listen to or assess your speech. There is no automatic speaking score.

Self-check

Open to everyone. Answers, notes and checklists are not saved to an account. These original lessons use level labels to organize learning; completion is not official CEFR certification or proof of a level.