HEAAADERLOGORIGHT
GENERAL ENGLISH · PRACTICAL ENGLISH · INTERMEDIATE (B1-B2)
PROBLEMS
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1 Warm up
In pairs, discuss the following questions.
1. What different kinds of problems can people have?
2. What do you think is the cause of most problems?
3. What general advice can you give to people when dealing with a problem?
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HEAAADERLOGORIGHT
INTERMEDIATE (B1-B2)
PROBLEMS
2 Focus on vocabulary
Look up the vocabulary below and use them to complete the sentences below.
attempted bossing considerate inconvenience
nosey offensive tactless whining
1. If it isn’t too much of an , would you be able to give me a lift to the
station in the morning?
2. I didn’t think his show was funny at all, it was just and was aimed
at people who can’t defend themselves.
3. It was really of you to help her with shopping. She’s found it very
difficult since the operation.
4. Sorry, I don’t want to be , but is that watch you’re wearing a Rolex?
5. He kept talking about how much money he was making which was really
given she’d just lost her job.
6. He’s always about his job, but he never does anything about finding
a different one.
7. I heard there was an robbery at the Post Office yesterday, but
someone drove by and they ran away.
8. He’s always everyone around, and I think someone’s going to hit
him soon if he keeps doing it.
3 Listening for details
Complete the box by ticking the conversation where you hear each item of vocabulary from the
previous section.
Vocabulary Conversation A Conversation B Conversation C
attempted (adj.) 1
boss sb around (v) 2
considerate (adj.) 3
inconvenience (n) 4
nosey (adj.) 5
offensive (adj.) 6
tactless (adj.) 7
whine (v) 8
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HEAAADERLOGORIGHT
INTERMEDIATE (B1-B2)
PROBLEMS
4 Listening comprehension
Part A: Answer the questions with A, B or C depending on which conversation is the answer. There
may be more than one answer to the question.
Which conversation(s)...
1. ...resulted in an apology? →
2. ...was not resolved? →
3. ...involved a clash of personalities? →
4. ...was a complaint? →
5. ...required something to be rescheduled? →
Part B: In each situation, what could the people involved have done differently to improve the situation?
Tick all the suggestions that apply.
Conversation A
1. Given the correct address.
2. Been more communicative when there was a problem.
3. Read the details more carefully.
Conversation B
1. Approached the situation more calmly.
2. Given other people more privacy.
3. Been more considerate of other people.
Conversation C
1. Not gone to another country.
2. Asked, not given an order.
3. Informed themselves about a situation.
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INTERMEDIATE (B1-B2)
PROBLEMS
5 Reading comprehension
Part A: You are going to read the text about finding the solution (page four). Match the following
sentences (A-G) to the gaps 1-5 in the article. You will not need all of the sentences.
A) The last point is often the reason why there is so much stress and it’s worth taking the time to see
what information you can find, as there is an enormous amount available online.
B) Doing this will involve a considerable amount of effort, but is often the best solution.
C) Consider whether the problem will still be a problem in a few weeks, or a month or a year.
D) But how we approach them makes a world of difference to our chances of finding an agreeable
solution.
E) There you may be able to ask others for advice, or possibly read advice already given about the same
situation.
F) The options available can be limited in this situation.
G) However, if you’re trying to pretend the problem doesn’t exist at all, it will start to have a negative
effect, as you can’t trick your mind.
Finding the Solution
How to address problems
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I. Problems are obviously stressful. Research shows that being confident about
the outcome affects your chances of finding one. It’s not always easy for some people to have confidence in their
abilities, but it’s important to remember that dealing with difficulties is how we grow and learn.
II. A common reaction is to attempt to hide from the problem. Should you need to take some time to prepare yourself
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and wait for a suitable time to address the issue, this is a reasonable strategy.
You may even increase the size of the problem. Take the time to think about the issue and what may prevent you
from solving it. Reasons may include the reaction of other people, unexpected situations happening, or not having
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enough information.
III. You should also consult with others. This could be with a professional, such as a lawyer or doctor, or people who
have experience of the same situation. Online forums can be a good place to find information as chances are, if
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you have a problem, someone else will have had a similar one. Simply talking
about it with friends or family is also a good idea. Even if they don’t have direct experience with your particular
issue, explaining it to someone else can help you clarify the situation in your mind.
IV. Finally, see the problem as a challenge rather than a difficulty. Think back to other problems you’ve had in the
past and how you resolved them. Even if it was a struggle, you learned from it and grew as a person. Should you
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encounter the same situation again, you’ll know what action to take. It’s likely
that it will be just another experience and you will have grown into a better person as a result.
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HEAAADERLOGORIGHT
INTERMEDIATE (B1-B2)
PROBLEMS
Part B: Match the sentences to their endings. You will not need all of the endings
1. When faced with any problem, it’s important to...
2. It’s not helpful to...
3. It’s a good idea if you do...
4. Remember that there will...
5. Even if they can’t directly help you,...
6. Try to see the problem as...
7. Always remember that you have...
a. discussing the situation with those close to you can improve the way you feel about it.
b. been able to deal with problems in the past and this will be no different.
c. something you can learn from that will help you grow as a person.
d. approach it with a positive attitude.
e. as much research as possible before trying to resolve the problem.
f. try to avoid the issue.
g. usually be people who have had the same difficulty and professionals who can help.
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HEAAADERLOGORIGHT
INTERMEDIATE (B1-B2)
PROBLEMS
6 Scanning for vocabulary
First, find vocabulary in the article (page four) that has the same meaning as the following definitions.
1. (n, para. I): the final result of a situation or event
2. (n, para. I): a feeling of trust in a person or situation
3. (adj., para. II): being a surprise in a particular situation
4. (v, para. III): ask someone for advice about a particular situation
5. (n, para. III): a website or webpage where people can ask and answer
questions
6. (v, para. III): make something easy to understand
7. (v, para. IV): find an answer to a problem
8. (n, para. IV): something that is difficult to achieve or obtain
7 Talking point
In pairs, discuss the following questions.
1. Have you had any problems similar to the ones in the listening section? What did you do about
them?
2. What kind of problems do you find the most difficult to deal with? Why?
3. When have you had a problem that you managed to deal with successfully? What happened?
4. Did you find the advice in the article useful? Why/Why not?
5. Do you feel comfortable giving advice to friends about their problems? Why/Why not?
8 Optional extension / homework
Write about a problem you have had and what you did to resolve it. Use the following questions to
help you. You should write at least 150 words and check your grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
• What caused the problem?
• How did it make you feel?
• Who else was involved in the problem?
• Did you ask anyone for their advice?
• What did you do about the problem?
• What was the result of your actions to resolve the problem?
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