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B1 · Misunderstandings and Apologies

Softening a Harsh Message and Making Amends

CEFR level:
B1
Sentences:
12
Duration:
1 min
Speakers:
Emma & Tom

"Softening a Harsh Message and Making Amends" is a B1-level English conversation about misunderstandings and apologies, 12 lines long (about 1 minute) between Emma & Tom. Read the full script below with the translation next to each line, then try speaking one of the roles out loud.

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

    My feedback sounded too hard, and Jian looked upset right away.

    Line 1
  2. Tom 0:04

    What exact phrase triggered him most?

    Line 2
  3. Emma 0:07

    I said, "This makes no sense," during his draft review.

    Line 3
  4. Tom 0:12

    I see. The point may be valid, but wording felt personal.

    Line 4
  5. Emma 0:16

    I meant the structure, not his ability, but I rushed.

    Line 5
  6. Tom 0:20

    Then reframe around the work and your goal.

    Line 6
  7. Emma 0:23

    I'll say, "The logic jumps here; can we bridge these steps?"

    Line 7
  8. Tom 0:28

    Good. Add one strength first, then one concrete revision.

    Line 8
  9. Emma 0:33

    I'll talk to him now and offer to revise together.

    Line 9
  10. Tom 0:36

    Great, and keep your pace slower so tone stays softer.

    Line 10
  11. Emma 0:40

    If he still feels bad, I'll ask what tone works better.

    Line 11
  12. Tom 0:45

    That openness can turn tension into better collaboration.

    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.

  • sounded /ˈsaʊndɪd/ past verb

    seemed or made a sound

  • upset /ʌpˈsɛt/ adjective, verb, noun

    unhappy; to make unhappy or disturb

  • sense /sɛns/ noun

    meaning, feeling, or good judgment

  • personal /ˈpɝsənəl/ adjective

    relating to one individual or private life

  • meant /mɛnt/ verb

    past tense of mean; intended or signified

  • structure /ˈstrʌktʃər/ noun

    the way parts are arranged

  • rushed /rʌʃt/ adjective

    done too quickly or in a hurry

  • goal /ɡoʊl/ noun

    something you aim to achieve

  • logic /ˈlɑdʒɪk/ noun

    clear reasoning or a system of rules

  • concrete /ˈkɑnkrit/ adjective

    existing in a material or physical form; specific and definite

  • revision /rɪˈvɪʒən/ noun

    a change or improved version

  • tension /ˈtɛnʃən/ noun

    stress, strain, or a feeling of conflict

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