Listening Part 1: Problem Solving

The disadvantage or negative part of something that otherwise seems like a good choice.

“The downside of the basement suite is there's hardly any natural light.”

“The only downside is we'd have to pay for parking every day.”

Often used: the only downside · the downside is · upside and downside

CELPIP tip: Match each downside to the correct option in your notes. Speakers compare several choices, and questions often ask which problem belongs to which one.

A delay that stops something from moving forward as planned.

“What's the hold-up with the permit? We applied back in March.”

“Sorry, there's a hold-up at the warehouse, so your couch won't arrive till Monday.”

Often used: what's the hold-up · a hold-up with · cause a hold-up

CELPIP tip: When someone asks what's the hold-up, the next speaker usually explains the cause of the delay. That explanation is prime material for a question.

To choose one option after thinking about several, often said at the moment a decision is made.

“Okay, I think we'll go with the cheaper mover and just pack the dishes ourselves.”

“If the clinic can't see him today, let's go with the walk-in on Bloor.”

Often used: go with the first option · I'd go with · let's go with

CELPIP tip: This is one of the clearest signals of a final decision. Listen for what follows it, because the object of go with is usually the answer to a 'what did they decide' question.

To phone several businesses or people in turn to find information, prices or availability.

“I'll call around and see which garage can fit us in this week.”

“She called around all morning, but no one had that part in stock.”

Often used: call around for quotes · call around to see · I'll call around

CELPIP tip: When someone offers to call around, it often becomes their assigned task. Watch for questions about who is responsible for what next.

To reduce a long list of possibilities to a smaller number that are worth looking at closely.

“I've narrowed it down to two daycares, but they both have waiting lists.”

“Can we narrow down the dates first? Then we'll book the hall.”

Often used: narrow it down to · narrow down the options · narrow down the search

CELPIP tip: The phrase is often followed by a number and the names of the remaining choices. Write those down, because the rest of the conversation usually compares only them.

To decide that an option is not possible or not suitable, so you stop considering it.

“Well, that rules out the Friday flight, since you can't leave work before six.”

“Let's not rule out the used-car lot on Main Street just yet.”

Often used: rule out an option · rule it out completely · can't rule out

CELPIP tip: When a speaker rules something out, cross that option off your notes immediately. Questions often test whether you noticed which choice was dropped.

To explain a process to someone one step at a time, often while they do it.

“Don't worry, I'll walk you through resetting the router over the phone.”

“The agent walked me through the whole claim form, which really helped.”

Often used: walk you through it · walk me through the steps · walk someone through the process

CELPIP tip: Steps usually follow in order after this phrase. Number them in your notes, since a question may ask what should happen first or last.

To depend mainly on one deciding factor, after the less important details have been set aside.

“Honestly, it comes down to whether the landlord will let us break the lease early.”

“So it really comes down to price, doesn't it? Both repair shops are close by.”

Often used: it all comes down to · comes down to money · really comes down to

CELPIP tip: Whatever follows comes down to is the speaker's key factor. Note it, since questions about why a choice was made often point straight at it.

To fail to happen, usually said of an arrangement or deal that people were counting on.

“The sublet fell through, so now I need somewhere to stay in September.”

“If the carpool falls through, I'll just take the GO train.”

Often used: the deal fell through · plans fell through · if it falls through

CELPIP tip: Learners sometimes hear fall and think of a physical accident. In a planning conversation it almost always means an arrangement failed, which is often the problem that starts the whole discussion.

To tell someone about an idea or plan so they can give an opinion or approval.

“Sounds good, but let me run it by my roommate before we sign anything.”

“Can I run something by you? I'm thinking of switching to the night shift.”

Often used: run it by someone · run something by you · let me run it by

CELPIP tip: This means the decision is not final yet because another person must agree. Do not mark the plan as settled if someone still needs to run it by a partner or boss.

To find a way to continue despite a problem or limit, without removing the problem itself.

“We can work around the road closure if we take the side streets past the arena.”

“My shifts change every week, but I'm sure we can work around them.”

Often used: work around the problem · work around someone's schedule · find a way to work around

CELPIP tip: Listen for what the obstacle is and how they plan to avoid it. Questions may ask how the problem will be handled rather than whether it disappears.

An alternative arrangement you prepare in case your main plan fails or is not possible.

“If the ferry's cancelled again, what's our backup plan for getting to Victoria?”

“My backup plan is to ask my sister to watch the kids on Saturday.”

Often used: have a backup plan · come up with a backup plan · our backup plan is

CELPIP tip: Speakers in problem-solving talks often agree on a main plan and a backup plan. Keep them separate in your notes so you do not confuse the two in the questions.

The specific issue that stops people from agreeing or moving ahead with a plan.

“The price is fine. The sticking point is the move-in date.”

“For my wife, the real sticking point was the long drive to her office.”

Often used: the main sticking point · a real sticking point · the sticking point is

CELPIP tip: This names the core obstacle in the conversation. If a question asks what problem remains, the sticking point is a strong candidate.

A friendly way to begin a suggestion, inviting the other person to consider a new idea.

“What if we split the cost of the storage unit three ways?”

“What if we ask your manager for the morning off instead of the whole day?”

Often used: what if we just · what if we tried · what if we asked

CELPIP tip: A suggestion is not yet a decision. After what if we, wait for the other person's reaction, which tells you whether the idea is accepted or turned down.

A spoken way to introduce a hidden problem or condition attached to an offer that sounds good.

“The gym's only twenty bucks a month. The catch is you have to sign up for two years.”

“Sure, they'll deliver the fridge tomorrow, but the catch is someone has to be home all day.”

Often used: the only catch is · what's the catch · there's a catch

CELPIP tip: An option that seemed perfect often gets dropped right after this phrase. Do not choose an answer based on the attractive offer until you have heard the catch.

To manage with something that is not ideal because nothing better is available right now.

“We'll have to make do with the old laptop until the new one ships.”

“There's no proper table, so we made do with a couple of folding chairs and a board.”

Often used: make do with what we have · have to make do · make do for now

CELPIP tip: This phrase shows a temporary compromise, not a real solution. If a question asks what the speakers will do for now, the answer is often what they make do with.

Describes an arrangement that works at present but may change later.

“For now, you can use the spare laptop until IT fixes yours.”

“Let's keep the meeting in Room B for now and look for a bigger room next week.”

Often used: for now, let's · that will do for now

CELPIP tip: It signals a temporary solution. If a question asks what the speakers will do first, the for now plan is often the answer.

Introduces the purpose or result of an action someone suggests.

“Let's leave at seven so that we miss the traffic on the Gardiner.”

“I will email the landlord today so that he can send a plumber tomorrow.”

Often used: so that we can · so that it will

CELPIP tip: The words after so that explain why a solution was chosen. Questions often ask about a reason, so note that part carefully.