Clearing Up a Misread Reminder

Dialogue script

Each entry shows the English sentence first, with the translation on the line below it. To practise speaking, cover the translation and repeat after the audio.

1. Emma 0:00

   I reacted badly because I thought your reminder was pressure.

   Line 1
2. Tom 0:04

   I only wanted to help, so what made it sound harsh?

   Line 2
3. Emma 0:08

   Last week my manager kept pushing deadlines, so I was already tense.

   Line 3
4. Tom 0:13

   That context helps, and I see why you read it negatively.

   Line 4
5. Emma 0:17

   I replied too sharply and made it seem like you were rude.

   Line 5
6. Tom 0:21

   Thanks for saying that. I felt confused, not angry.

   Line 6
7. Emma 0:25

   Next time I'll ask your intention before I assume the worst.

   Line 7
8. Tom 0:29

   I can also add context like "just a friendly reminder".

   Line 8
9. Emma 0:33

   Let's use that, and I'll rewrite my earlier message now.

   Line 9
10. Tom 0:37

    Good plan. Send it in the group so everyone sees the reset.

    Line 10
11. Emma 0:41

    If I sound stressed again, please ask if I'm overloaded.

    Line 11
12. Tom 0:45

    Deal, and we keep feedback direct but kind from now on.

    Line 12

Native audio, line-by-line recording and pronunciation scoring for this dialogue are in the EngTalk app.

Key vocabulary

Content words from this dialogue, ranked by the CEFR level at which they appear across the whole 500-dialogue library. Function words and proper nouns are excluded.

• pressure /ˈprɛʃər/ noun

  force, stress, or strong influence

• sound /saʊnd/ noun; verb; adjective

  something heard; to seem; healthy or reliable

• harsh /hɑrʃ/ adjective

  severe, rough, or unpleasant

• kept /kɛpt/ verb

  continued to have, hold, or do something

• pushing /ˈpʊʃɪŋ/ verb

  pressing or moving something away

• context /ˈkɑntɛkst/ noun

  the circumstances that form the setting for an event, statement, or idea

• rude /rud/ adjective

  not polite or respectful

• saying /ˈseɪɪŋ/ verb

  speaking or expressing words

• felt /ˈfɛlt/ verb

  experienced a feeling; past tense of feel

• angry /ˈæŋɡri/ adjective

  feeling or showing strong annoyance or hostility

• intention /ɪnˈtɛnʃən/ noun

  a plan or purpose

• assume /əˈsum/ verb

  to accept something as true without question or proof

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