language learning center · B1 · Lesson 7
Solving a practical problem
Explain a problem, explore conditions, and agree on a workable solution.
Understand and learn
Work from a natural example to useful language, one small pattern, a spoken attempt, and a response that is relevant to your life.
Leo
The venue has cancelled our booking for Saturday.
Leo states the problem directly.
Maya
If the weather stays dry, we could move the event to the park.
Maya proposes a conditional solution.
Leo
That might work, but what if it rains?
Leo evaluates the idea and raises a risk.
Maya
Then the best option would be to book the community hall and ask everyone to contribute a little.
Maya gives a backup plan and practical next step.
Notice, try, and speak
Understand a natural example and learn a small set of useful words, phrases, and patterns.
Useful words and phrases
These items were selected by the lesson curriculum for practical use—not extracted as an every-word list.
The problem is that…
State the issue clearly.
The problem is that…
If…, we could…
Suggest a conditional solution.
If…, we could…
That might work, but…
Evaluate an idea and add a concern.
That might work, but what if it rains?
What if…?
Raise a possible risk.
That might work, but what if it rains?
The best option would be…
Recommend the strongest solution.
Then the best option would be to book the community hall and ask everyone to contribute a little.
Notice, try, and speak
Which sentence proposes a realistic conditional solution?
Make it yours
Present a real problem, two possible solutions, and one risk.
Use a small travel, schedule, technology, study, or event problem.
Use it with someone
Solve a practical problem in English
- 1. The problem is that…
- 2. If…, we could…
- 3. That might work, but…
- 4. What if…?
- 5. The best option would be…