Part 1 vocabulary: Listening to Problem Solving

Introduces a possible solution.

CELPIP tip Speakers often signal the solution with this phrase. Listen closely after it.

Introduces a suggestion.

CELPIP tip Questions often contain the answer to 'What does the man suggest?'

States the preferred solution.

CELPIP tip Key signal for the final decision.

Rejects a suggestion with a reason.

CELPIP tip Distractors: the first solution mentioned is often rejected.

Shows the speaker has changed their mind.

CELPIP tip A change of mind often changes the correct answer.

Asks about the problem.

CELPIP tip Often starts the conversation and introduces the problem.

Asks what is happening.

CELPIP tip Often opens the conversation: the answer that follows usually tells you what the problem is.

Announces a problem.

CELPIP tip Listen for the exact problem after this.

Describes difficulty.

CELPIP tip The words right after it name the problem, which is often the first question.

Introduces the difficulty.

CELPIP tip Similar to 'the thing is'.

States the key worry.

CELPIP tip Questions often ask about the main concern.

Expresses worry.

CELPIP tip Shows the speaker's feelings.

Asks for advice.

CELPIP tip Signals advice is coming.

Suggests a solution.

CELPIP tip Signals a suggestion. Note it, then listen for whether the other speaker accepts or rejects it.

Offers a possible option.

CELPIP tip Introduces one more option. Keep a list of options: questions often ask which one they choose.

Introduces a suggestion.

CELPIP tip Followed by -ing or a noun.

Gentle suggestion.

CELPIP tip A soft suggestion. Listen to the reply to know whether it becomes the plan.

Suggests a better option.

CELPIP tip Often the final solution.

Suggests the simplest solution.

CELPIP tip Introduces a solution. Check whether it is the one they finally agree on.

Gives an alternative.

CELPIP tip A new option is coming. Track every option, because wrong answers often use rejected ones.

Accepts a suggestion.

CELPIP tip Acceptance often confirms the answer.

Agrees to a plan.

CELPIP tip Means they agree. What was said just before this is usually the final decision.

Shows a new idea was helpful.

CELPIP tip Signals the speaker accepts the idea.

Rejects a solution.

CELPIP tip Rejected options are often distractors.

Rejects a suggestion.

CELPIP tip The option before this is rejected. Cross it off: it is often a wrong answer choice.

Rejects a solution due to time.

CELPIP tip Rejects an option because of time. That option will not be the final plan.

Money is the problem.

CELPIP tip Money is a common constraint.

Time is the problem.

CELPIP tip Gives a reason an option will not work. Questions often ask why a plan was rejected.

Points out a drawback.

CELPIP tip Points out a drawback, so the idea just mentioned may be dropped.

On the condition that.

CELPIP tip Conditions are often tested.

Because of that.

CELPIP tip A decision follows, based on what was just said. Listen closely to the next sentence.

Proposes a simple action.

CELPIP tip Often the final decision.

Shows a decision to act.

CELPIP tip Signals what the speaker will do next.

Shows a reluctant decision.

CELPIP tip Signals a final, sometimes reluctant decision. This is often the answer to "What will the man do?"

Introduces the best method.

CELPIP tip Introduces the method a speaker recommends. Often the answer to a "What does she suggest?" question.

Gives advice.

CELPIP tip Introduces advice. The advice itself is often tested.

Agrees, sometimes reluctantly.

CELPIP tip Agreement, sometimes reluctant. The idea before it may become the plan.

Introduces a concern about an idea.

CELPIP tip Introduces a concern about an idea, so the idea may be rejected.

Asks for a solution.

CELPIP tip Next line usually contains the suggestion.

Promises to give an update.

CELPIP tip Usually near the end: the speaker promises an update later, so nothing is final yet.

Introduces a frank opinion.

CELPIP tip Often comes before disagreement or a frank opinion. Listen to the speaker's real feelings.

Introduces a positive point.

CELPIP tip Introduces a positive point after bad news. Questions may ask how the speaker feels.

The worst possible outcome.

CELPIP tip Introduces a backup plan. Do not mistake it for the main plan.

If nothing else works.

CELPIP tip Introduces the last-choice backup plan, not the first choice.

The final option when others fail.

CELPIP tip The option they will use only if nothing else works. Not usually the main plan.

Introduces a suggestion.

CELPIP tip Introduces a suggestion. Listen for the reply to know whether it is accepted.

Politely rejects.

CELPIP tip Politely rejects an option. That option is unlikely to be the answer.

Agrees to try something.

CELPIP tip Accepts a suggestion. The idea before it is likely what they will do.

That should solve the problem.

CELPIP tip Confirms that a solution will work. Often marks the final choice.

Can't make progress.

CELPIP tip Describes the problem. Listen for what the speaker cannot do and why.

Because something might happen, though it is unlikely.

CELPIP tip Shows a low-probability plan; watch for whether it actually works.

To find the answer to a problem.

CELPIP tip Often appears in the question: 'What are they trying to figure out?'

To think of an idea or plan.

CELPIP tip Listen for who comes up with the final idea.

To use all of something.

CELPIP tip Often describes the problem itself.

To find a way to avoid a problem.

CELPIP tip Signals a workaround solution.

To solve or organize.

CELPIP tip Means to solve or organize. Questions may ask what still needs to be sorted out.

To find a solution; to succeed.

CELPIP tip Two meanings: solve or succeed.

To handle a problem.

CELPIP tip Identifies who handles what.

To investigate.

CELPIP tip Action to be taken.

To cancel.

CELPIP tip Means to cancel. Listen for what is cancelled and why: both are often tested.

To postpone.

CELPIP tip Means to postpone, not cancel. Do not confuse it with "call off".

To withdraw from a commitment.

CELPIP tip Often the cause of the problem.

To fail to happen.

CELPIP tip Means a plan failed to happen. This is often the problem in the conversation.

To stop working.

CELPIP tip Means to stop working, often a car or machine. Usually the problem that starts the conversation.

To reply later.

CELPIP tip A promise to reply later. Questions may ask what the speaker will do next.

To look at or investigate.

CELPIP tip Means to look at or investigate. Often part of a suggested next step.

To test something.

CELPIP tip Means to test something. Often a suggestion before buying or deciding.

To ask several people.

CELPIP tip Means to ask several people. A common next step when looking for help.

To assist.

CELPIP tip Means to assist. Listen for who offers help and with what.

To handle.

CELPIP tip Identifies who will act.

To arrange or install.

CELPIP tip Means to arrange or install. Questions may ask what still needs to be set up.

To arrive.

CELPIP tip Often part of the problem.

To confuse two things.

CELPIP tip Common cause of problems.

To solve the small problems in something.

CELPIP tip Speakers often say this near the end of Part 1, when the problem is nearly solved.

To use something as a backup when other plans fail.

CELPIP tip Signals the backup plan, which is often what a question asks about.

To depend on something happening.

CELPIP tip "I wouldn't bank on it" means the speaker thinks it is unlikely.

To discuss something thoroughly to reach an agreement.

CELPIP tip Signals that the decision is still to come, not made yet.

Another possible choice.

CELPIP tip Listen for alternatives being compared.

The latest time something must be done.

CELPIP tip Numbers and dates are common test details.

A way to solve a problem.

CELPIP tip A key topic word: the final solution is usually tested.

An alternative plan.

CELPIP tip An alternative if the main plan fails. Keep it separate from the main plan.

A temporary solution until a better one is found.

CELPIP tip Questions often ask whether a solution is permanent or temporary.

A way of avoiding a problem without actually fixing it.

CELPIP tip Listen for what the workaround is; it is often the speaker's final plan.

A plan for what to do if something goes wrong.

CELPIP tip Questions often ask what the speakers will do if the first plan fails.

To delay to a later time.

CELPIP tip Common solution in scheduling problems.

To think again about a decision.

CELPIP tip Signals that the first plan may change.

To repair.

CELPIP tip Means to repair. Listen for who will fix it and when.

To succeed despite difficulty.

CELPIP tip Means to succeed despite difficulty. Shows how a problem was resolved.

To save something from a bad situation.

CELPIP tip Means the situation is bad but not completely lost.

To find a way around a rule or problem.

CELPIP tip Formal; in conversations it usually means a clever way around an obstacle.

Shows agreement with a suggestion.

CELPIP tip Agreement usually confirms the final plan.

Shows doubt or disagreement.

CELPIP tip Doubt signals a rejected option.

Something that has only a small chance of working.

CELPIP tip Tells you the speaker doesn't expect this option to be chosen.

Something sounds simple but is hard to do in reality.

CELPIP tip Signals that the speaker is rejecting a suggestion.

To solve two problems with one action.

CELPIP tip Questions may ask why a speaker chose a plan: this gives the reason.

An idea that has no chance of being accepted.

CELPIP tip A firm rejection; that option will not be the final answer.

We have to start again because a plan failed.

CELPIP tip Tells you an earlier solution was rejected.

In fact; often signals a correction.

CELPIP tip Often signals a change of plan.

As an alternative.

CELPIP tip Signals the chosen alternative.

Shows thinking or hesitation.

CELPIP tip Hesitation often comes before disagreement.