30 CELPIP Speaking Task 6 Practice Questions with Sample Answers
This post contains 30 CELPIP Speaking Task 6 practice questions with answers, covering Dealing with a Difficult Situation. Each practice question includes a sample answer from Arno's reviewed practice bank. This task appears in both CELPIP-General and CELPIP-General LS.
Practice Question 1
You are hosting a family gathering at a neighbourhood community centre. Your neighbour Nora asks you to let several local families join the gathering on the outdoor patio. However, the centre has not confirmed that the patio railing is safe after recent repairs. Speak directly to Nora. Explain firmly but considerately why you will not allow the extra guests onto the patio and suggest a reasonable alternative.
Sample answer
Nora, I appreciate that you want to include the other families, and normally I would be happy to welcome them. However, I cannot let anyone use the patio today. The community centre still has not confirmed that the repaired railing passed its safety inspection. Even if it looks secure, I am not willing to risk someone getting hurt, especially with children attending. I need to keep our gathering inside and limit it to the guests we already planned for. Please let the other families know that this is a safety decision, not a personal one. We could organize another neighbourhood get-together once the centre provides written confirmation that the patio is safe.
Practice Question 2
You are organizing a family barbecue for residents of your neighbourhood. Nora asks you to add her cousin Simon to the guest list, even though Simon did not confirm by the deadline. Earlier, you refused Adrian's identical request to add an unconfirmed guest because seating and food had already been arranged. Speak directly to Nora. Explain why you cannot accept her extra request, while remaining considerate but firm.
Sample answer
Nora, I understand that you would really like Simon to join us, and I am sorry this is disappointing. However, I cannot add him to the barbecue now because he did not confirm before the deadline. We have already arranged the tables and ordered food for the confirmed guests. More importantly, I refused Adrian's same request earlier today. Allowing your cousin to attend after turning down Adrian's guest would be unfair. I need to apply the same rule to every local family. If someone cancels, I will contact you immediately, but until then, I have to keep the current guest list.
Practice Question 3
You coordinate a weekly badminton program for local residents at a recreation club. Ethan has arrived late for the last three sessions, leaving his partner, Leila, waiting and shortening her playing time. This week, Ethan also failed to confirm that he would attend. You have decided to give his reserved place to Owen and ask Ethan to join the drop-in list until he can arrive consistently. Speak directly to Ethan. Explain your decision in a considerate but firm way.
Sample answer
Hi Ethan, I need to let you know that I’m giving your reserved badminton place to Owen this week. You’ve arrived late for the last three sessions, which has left Leila waiting and reduced her playing time. I also didn’t receive your confirmation for this session, so I couldn’t be sure you were coming. It would be unfair to keep the place unavailable when Owen is ready to attend on time. For now, please use the drop-in list. Once you’re able to arrive consistently and confirm by the deadline, I’ll be happy to consider restoring your regular place.
Practice Question 4
You work at a neighbourhood employment centre that lends presentation equipment to local residents. Your coworker Jonah borrowed the centre's projector for an evening workshop, but the required extension confirmation was never received. Jonah wants to keep it for another day. However, Amara, a local resident, has a confirmed booking and needs it for a job fair tomorrow morning. Speak directly to Jonah. Explain, in a firm but considerate way, why you have decided that he must return the projector today.
Sample answer
Jonah, I understand that keeping the projector until tomorrow would make your workshop easier, and I know you expected the extension to be approved. However, we never received the required confirmation, so I need you to return it before the centre closes today. Amara has a confirmed booking for tomorrow morning, and she is relying on the projector for a local job fair. Letting you keep it would be unfair to her because she followed the booking process and planned around our commitment. I can help you reserve another projector for your next session or contact a nearby community centre, but this one must be returned today.
Practice Question 5
You and Emmett coordinate a Saturday garden-building project for local residents. Avery volunteered to open the storage shed and arrange the tools at 6:30 a.m. However, the shed's exterior light recently stopped working, and Noah has not received confirmation that it was repaired. You have decided that Avery's setup duty must begin at 8:00 a.m., when there is enough daylight, and cannot start earlier. Speak directly to Avery. Explain this change in a considerate but firm way.
Sample answer
Hi Avery, thank you for agreeing to open the shed and organize the tools for our garden project. I need to change your start time from 6:30 to 8:00 on Saturday. The exterior light stopped working recently, and Noah still has not received confirmation that it has been repaired. Since the path and lock are difficult to see before sunrise, I am not comfortable having you begin the setup in the dark. I realize the later start gives you less time, and I appreciate your flexibility. However, the 8:00 start is firm. Emmett and I will ask residents to arrive a little later, so you can complete the same setup duty safely in daylight.
Practice Question 6
Your volunteer group reserved a neighbourhood hall for a dinner for local residents. A damaged ceiling panel was recently reported, and the property manager has not confirmed that it has been repaired. Your fellow volunteer Nadia wants to keep the original reservation because invitations have already been sent. You have decided to move the dinner to two smaller rooms at the local library. Speak to Nadia and explain your decision in a considerate but firm way.
Sample answer
Hi Nadia, I truly appreciate all the work you put into arranging the dinner and sending the invitations. Still, I’ve decided to change our reservation from the neighbourhood hall to the two library meeting rooms. The damaged ceiling panel may have been repaired, but the property manager has not confirmed that the hall is safe to use. I don’t think we should take that risk with residents and volunteers. I realize the library rooms are smaller and that updating everyone will be inconvenient. We can divide guests between the rooms, keep the same meal and start time, and call anyone who may miss the email. Safety has to come first, so I’m firm about moving the event.
Practice Question 7
Your community organization is holding a neighbourhood parade in Regina, Saskatchewan. Iris, the event coordinator, asked you to serve as the volunteer marshal responsible for directing local residents across a busy intersection. She urgently needs your help because another volunteer cancelled. However, the city has not confirmed that police or trained traffic officers will be present, and you believe the role would be unsafe without them. Speak directly to Iris. Decline the role in a considerate but firm way, explain your safety concern, and suggest how you could help instead.
Sample answer
Iris, I understand that the cancellation has left you in a difficult position, and I appreciate that you trusted me with this responsibility. Still, I cannot serve as the marshal at the busy intersection. The city has not confirmed that police or trained traffic officers will be there, and I do not have the training to direct vehicles safely. I need to be firm about declining because I could put residents, drivers, and myself at risk. I am still willing to support the parade in another way. I could staff the welcome table, hand out route maps, or contact volunteers today. If qualified officers are confirmed, I can also help them organize pedestrians away from traffic.
Practice Question 8
Iris coordinates a neighbourhood cultural evening for a community organization in Regina. She asked you to manage the event's sound equipment for local residents. The rental company has increased its price, and the organization has not confirmed that it will reimburse volunteers for event expenses. Iris still expects you to accept the role and pay the deposit yourself. Speak directly to Iris. Decline the role in a considerate but firm way, explain how the changed cost and missing confirmation affect your decision, and suggest a practical alternative.
Sample answer
Iris, I appreciate you trusting me to manage the sound equipment, and I would still like to support the cultural evening in another way. However, I cannot accept this role under the current arrangement. The rental price has increased substantially, and I have not received confirmation that the organization will repay the deposit. I am not comfortable risking that much of my own money for a volunteer position. My decision is final unless the organization pays the supplier directly or provides written reimbursement approval before the deadline. As an alternative, I can contact the public library about borrowing a small speaker system, or I can help another volunteer prepare the event schedule.
Practice Question 9
You and Chloe organize weekend trips for a group of local residents. Chloe wants to keep the planned bus trip to Niagara-on-the-Lake, but Samir never received confirmation that his accessible seat was booked. The bus company is now full, and travelling without suitable seating would be unfair to him. You have decided to change the trip to a nearby destination that everyone can reach comfortably. Speak directly to Chloe. Explain why you are changing the trip and respond firmly but considerately to her likely disappointment.
Sample answer
Chloe, I understand that you have spent a lot of time planning the Niagara-on-the-Lake trip, and I know changing it now is disappointing. However, I have decided that we need to choose a nearby destination instead. Samir never received confirmation of the accessible seat we requested, and the bus company cannot provide one now. Continuing with the original plan would leave him behind or force him to travel in an unsuitable seat. Neither option is fair. I have found a local lakeside park that everyone can reach comfortably, and our reservation can be moved there at no extra cost. I hope you will support this change because the trip should include every member of our group.
Practice Question 10
You and several local residents belong to a travel group. Chloe believed you were responsible for confirming the campground reservation, but you understood that she would handle it. Because neither of you received a confirmation, the group no longer has a guaranteed campsite for the planned weekend. You have decided to move the trip to the following weekend, although Chloe wants everyone to keep the original dates and search for another site. Speak directly to Chloe. Explain firmly but considerately why the trip must be changed and how the group can avoid this problem in the future.
Sample answer
Chloe, I understand why you want to keep the original weekend, and I am sorry our responsibilities were unclear. I thought you were confirming the campground, while you believed I was doing it. Since neither of us received a confirmation, we cannot ask the group to travel without a guaranteed campsite. Therefore, I have decided to move the trip to next weekend. I know this may inconvenience some local members, but it gives us time to secure a proper booking and share the details before anyone leaves. In future, we should assign each reservation in writing, set a confirmation deadline, and have the responsible person send the booking receipt to everyone.
Practice Question 11
You work at a community centre that borrowed six power tools from a municipal maintenance office for a repair workshop for local residents. Your coworker Jonah wants to keep the tools until the workshop is over. However, one drill became unusually hot during testing, and you have not received confirmation that the equipment passed its electrical safety inspection. You have decided to return all six tools today. Speak to Jonah and explain your decision in a considerate but firm way.
Sample answer
Hi Jonah, I know you promised the residents that the repair workshop would have all six borrowed power tools, and I’m sorry this creates extra work. However, I’m returning them to the municipal maintenance office today. We still have not received written confirmation that the tools passed the electrical safety check, and one drill became unusually hot during yesterday’s test. I cannot ask volunteers or residents to use equipment that may be unsafe. We can still demonstrate repairs with our centre’s two inspected tools and let residents practise in smaller groups. Once the maintenance office confirms the inspection and returns the tools, we can schedule another session. I hope you understand why I need to be firm about this.
Practice Question 12
You coordinate a weekly evening badminton program for local residents at a recreation club. Ethan, a volunteer, has repeatedly arrived late to unlock the equipment room, delaying the program. The club now charges an additional staffing fee whenever activities run past their scheduled time. You asked Ethan to confirm that he could arrive fifteen minutes early from now on, but he did not respond. You have decided to give the unlocking duty to another volunteer and assign Ethan a role that begins after the program starts. Speak directly to Ethan. Explain your decision in a considerate but firm way.
Sample answer
Hi Ethan, I appreciate the time you have given to our badminton program, and I know evenings can be difficult to manage. However, your late arrivals have delayed several sessions. The recreation club now charges us an extra staffing fee when we finish late, so we cannot continue taking that risk. I also asked you to confirm that you could arrive fifteen minutes early, but I did not receive a reply. Therefore, Leila will take over the equipment-room duty starting next week. I would still like you to help residents check out equipment after the games begin. I hope you understand that this change is necessary to keep the program affordable.
Practice Question 13
You are attending a family gathering in Simon's backyard. You promised Nora that several local residents could join the celebration because you expected a large rented tent to provide enough space. However, the rental company never confirmed the tent, so you can no longer keep that promise. Adrian now asks whether he may invite another neighbourhood family as well. Speak directly to Adrian. Explain why you must refuse his extra request, show consideration for the people involved, and offer a reasonable alternative.
Sample answer
Adrian, I understand why you would like to invite that family, and I am sorry to disappoint you. Unfortunately, I cannot agree to any more guests. I had promised Nora that some neighbours could attend because I believed our large rental tent was confirmed. The company never sent the confirmation, and Simon's house and smaller shelter cannot comfortably accommodate everyone. This means I may already have to limit the invitations I approved earlier. It would be unfair to add another family now. Please do not invite them today. Instead, I can ask Simon about arranging a casual neighbourhood picnic next weekend, when we can choose a space large enough for everyone.
Practice Question 14
You are at a tool-rental counter with Gavin. You, Gavin, and Marcus, who are local residents, planned to share the cost of renting a power washer for a neighbourhood cleanup. The rental price has increased, and Marcus has not confirmed that he will pay his share. Speak directly to Gavin. Explain your firm but considerate decision about how to handle the shared cost.
Sample answer
Gavin, I know we came here expecting to rent the power washer today, but I do not think we should divide the new total between just the two of us. The rental price is higher than the amount we originally discussed, and Marcus still has not confirmed that he will contribute. It would not be reasonable for us to cover his share without his agreement. I have decided that we should postpone the rental until all three of us confirm the revised cost. I realize that this may delay the cleanup, so I am sorry for the inconvenience. For today, we could borrow basic equipment from the community centre and complete the smaller jobs.
Practice Question 15
You and Chloe organize affordable day trips for local residents through a Kingston travel group. The group planned to visit Prince Edward County, but the bus company never confirmed its original quote. Its new price is much higher. Chloe wants to keep the destination and ask everyone to pay more, but you have decided to replace it with a less expensive trip to a nearby conservation area. Speak directly to Chloe. Explain your decision in a considerate but firm way and address her likely concerns.
Sample answer
Chloe, I know you put a lot of effort into planning the Prince Edward County trip, and I understand why you want to keep it. However, I have decided that we need to change the destination. The bus company never confirmed the original quote, and the new price would force every resident to pay considerably more. That is not fair to people who joined because we promised an affordable outing. The nearby conservation area still offers trails, picnic space, and a guided activity within our budget. I am happy to help revise the schedule and explain the change to everyone, but I cannot support charging members the higher price.
Practice Question 16
You coordinate evening activities at a recreation club in Halifax. You promised Ethan that you would hold a table tennis table for him until 6:20 p.m. However, Ethan has arrived late repeatedly, and he did not send the required confirmation for tonight. Several local residents are waiting to play, so you have decided that the table will now be released at 6:05 p.m. if Ethan has not arrived. Speak directly to Ethan. Explain your decision in a firm but considerate way.
Sample answer
Ethan, I need to change our arrangement for the table tennis table. I know I promised to hold it for you until 6:20, but I can no longer keep that promise. You have arrived late several times, and I did not receive your confirmation for tonight. Meanwhile, other local residents are waiting for a chance to play. Starting tonight, I will release the table at 6:05 if you are not here. I understand that unexpected delays happen, and you are still welcome at the club. For future sessions, please confirm your booking and arrive by the start time. If your punctuality improves consistently, I will be happy to reconsider holding the table longer.
Practice Question 17
Theo coordinates a neighbourhood festival for a community organization serving local residents. He has asked you to lead the welcome team. However, Iris was previously promised the role, and she is still waiting for confirmation from Theo. You believe accepting before her status is settled would treat her unfairly. Speak directly to Theo. Decline the role firmly but considerately, explain your reason, and suggest a practical way you could still help with the festival.
Sample answer
Theo, thank you for asking me to lead the welcome team. I appreciate your confidence in me, but I have to decline the role for now. Iris told me she was promised this position and is still waiting for your confirmation. If I accepted before you clarified the situation with her, she could reasonably feel that she had been replaced without an explanation. That would be unfair, especially after she began preparing volunteers for the festival. Please speak with Iris and confirm her role first. I am still happy to help by managing the information table or organizing volunteer schedules. If Iris decides not to lead the team, you can contact me again, but I will not accept until she has received a clear answer.
Practice Question 18
You and your neighbour Chloe belong to a travel group for residents of Nanaimo, British Columbia. The group planned a day trip to hike a coastal trail, and Chloe has already arranged her weekend around it. However, heavy rain has damaged part of the trail, and the park office has not confirmed that the route is safe to reopen. You have decided to replace the hike with a visit to a nearby museum and waterfront market. Speak directly to Chloe. Explain your decision in a considerate but firm way and address her likely disappointment.
Sample answer
Chloe, I know you were really looking forward to the coastal hike, and I am sorry that we need to change our plan. However, I am not comfortable taking the group onto a trail that may have been damaged by the rain. The park office still has not confirmed that the route is open and safe, so I have decided we will not hike there this weekend. Instead, we can visit the local museum and waterfront market together. I realize that is not the outdoor trip you expected, but everyone’s safety has to come first. Once the park confirms the trail is secure, I will gladly arrange the hike for another date.
Practice Question 19
You organize volunteers for a neighbourhood garden project involving local residents. Avery was assigned to collect tools before Saturday’s work session but did not confirm by the deadline, despite two reminders. Noah has already covered this duty twice and would have to do it again if nobody else were assigned. You have decided to move Avery to the afternoon cleanup team and give the tool collection duty to Emmett. Speak directly to Avery. Explain your decision in a considerate but firm way.
Sample answer
Hi Avery, I’ve decided to move you to the afternoon cleanup team and assign the tool collection duty to Emmett. I sent two reminders, but I didn’t receive your confirmation by the deadline. We need to know in advance that the tools will arrive before the residents begin working. Otherwise, Noah would have to collect them again, even though he has already covered that duty twice, and that would be unfair to him. Your help is still valuable, so I hope you can join the cleanup team. Please confirm that assignment by Thursday so I can finalize the volunteer schedule.
Practice Question 20
You coordinate volunteers for a neighbourhood project that is installing new house-number signs for local residents in Winnipeg. You promised Emmett that they could assemble and install the signs on Saturday. However, the supplier has not confirmed that the mounting hardware will arrive in time, so installation cannot proceed safely. You have decided that Emmett will instead visit participating homes with you to verify sign locations and update the project map. Speak directly to Emmett. Explain your decision in a firm but considerate way.
Sample answer
Emmett, I need to change your volunteer duty for Saturday. I know I promised that you could assemble and install the new house-number signs, and I understand that you were looking forward to it. Unfortunately, the supplier still has not confirmed delivery of the mounting hardware. Without the correct brackets and screws, we cannot install signs securely on residents’ homes. I have therefore postponed all installation work. Instead, I need you to come with me to verify each approved location and update our project map. That preparation will let the whole team work efficiently once the hardware arrives. I realize this is disappointing, but I cannot keep the original promise when the required materials may not be available.
Practice Question 21
You are at a community equipment rental counter with Gavin. You and Hana planned to share the cost of renting a portable sound system for an event organized by local residents. You promised Gavin that you would pay the full rental fee today and collect Hana's share later. However, Hana has not confirmed that she can contribute, so you can no longer keep that promise. Gavin asks you to put the entire charge on your card anyway. Speak directly to Gavin. Explain your firm decision and suggest a fair way to resolve the shared-cost problem.
Sample answer
Gavin, I know we need the sound system for the residents' event, but I cannot put the entire rental charge on my card today. I promised to do that only because Hana was supposed to confirm that she could repay her share. I have called and messaged her, but I still have no confirmation. I cannot responsibly take on a cost that may not be shared. I am sorry this changes our plan, but my decision is final. Let's ask the clerk whether a smaller system is available for less money. We could also each pay a separate portion now and reserve the larger system only after Hana confirms her contribution.
Practice Question 22
You work at a community centre that lends equipment to local residents. Your coworker Amara wants to keep a borrowed sound system for one more day so residents can use it at an evening workshop. However, the extension fee has increased, and the supplier has not confirmed that the loan can be extended. You have decided that the equipment must be returned this afternoon. Speak to Amara and explain your decision in a firm but considerate way.
Sample answer
Hi Amara, I understand why you want to keep the sound system for tonight's workshop, and I know the residents were looking forward to using it. However, we need to return it this afternoon. The supplier has raised the extension fee, so keeping it would put us over our event budget. More importantly, we still have not received confirmation that an extra day is available. If we hold onto the equipment without approval, the centre could face an additional charge. I realize this creates extra work for you, but the decision is final. I can help you set up our smaller speakers or contact the library to see whether they have equipment available.
Practice Question 23
You and two other local residents, Gavin and Hana, are paying together for a community-centre room rental. At the service counter, Hana says Marcus promised to cover her share of an added cleaning fee, but the centre has no confirmation from Marcus. Hana asks you to divide her portion between yourself and Gavin so the booking can proceed. Speak directly to Hana. Explain how you will resolve the shared-cost problem without treating Gavin unfairly, while remaining considerate but firm.
Sample answer
Hana, I understand that you believed Marcus would pay your part of the cleaning fee, and I realize this puts you in an awkward position. However, there is no message or confirmation from him, so I cannot add your share to Gavin's payment. Gavin agreed only to the original equal split, and charging him more without his consent would be unfair. For now, each of us must pay the amount we originally accepted. We can ask the clerk to hold the booking briefly while you contact Marcus. If he confirms that he will cover your portion, we can update the payment arrangement then.
Practice Question 24
You are helping organize a family gathering at a neighbourhood community hall. Nora asks you to add another table and meals for six local residents. However, the caterer has recently increased the price, and the additional guests never confirmed that they would attend or help cover the cost. Speak directly to Nora. Explain why you have decided not to accept her request while remaining considerate but firm.
Sample answer
Nora, I understand that you want our neighbours to feel welcome, and I appreciate your generosity. However, I cannot add another table and six meals at this point. The caterer has raised the price since we made the original booking, so this change would cost much more than we expected. Also, none of those guests confirmed that they were coming or agreed to contribute. It would be unfair to ask our family to cover an unexpected expense for people who may not attend. I am going to keep the reservation as it is. We can still invite them to visit after dinner, or include them next time if they confirm early.
Practice Question 25
You organize a neighbourhood garden project for local residents. Avery volunteered to collect soil and plants from a supplier using a borrowed van, but has not confirmed that the van will be available. The supplier recently increased its delivery fee, and the project cannot afford a last-minute delivery if Avery has no transportation. You have decided to ask Noah, who owns a truck, to collect the supplies and move Avery to the welcome table. Speak directly to Avery. Explain this change in a considerate but firm way.
Sample answer
Hi Avery, thank you for volunteering to collect the garden supplies. I realize you may still be waiting to hear whether you can borrow the van. Unfortunately, the supplier has raised its delivery fee, and our neighbourhood project does not have enough money to pay that charge if transportation falls through. Since I have not received confirmation from you, I have asked Noah to collect the soil and plants in his truck. This decision is final because we need a reliable plan before Saturday. I still need your help, though. I would like you to manage the welcome table and direct local residents to their work areas. Your support there will make the day run smoothly.
Practice Question 26
You and Leila organize an evening badminton program for local residents at a recreation club. Ethan, a volunteer, has arrived late for the last three sessions. Yesterday, he also failed to confirm that the emergency exit check was complete before residents entered the gym. You have decided to remove Ethan from the opening shift for one month and assign him a later duty instead. Speak directly to Ethan. Explain your decision in a considerate but firm way.
Sample answer
Hi Ethan, I need to talk with you about the evening badminton program. You have arrived late for the last three sessions, and yesterday you did not confirm that the emergency exit check had been completed. Because local residents were already entering the gym, we could not be certain the space was ready and safe. I know you are balancing work and family responsibilities, and I appreciate your help. However, I have decided that you cannot supervise the opening shift for the next month. Leila will handle it, and you can take the later equipment desk shift instead. If you arrive reliably and complete every confirmation during that month, we can review the opening role together.
Practice Question 27
Your community organization is planning a neighbourhood festival for local residents. Iris asked you to coordinate the welcome table, and you agreed because you believed the role only involved making a volunteer schedule. You later learned that you would also be responsible for collecting cash donations and supervising the table all day. Iris never confirmed these additional duties with you. You have decided to decline the role, although Iris says it is too late to find someone else. Speak directly to Iris. Explain your decision firmly but considerately and suggest a practical next step.
Sample answer
Iris, I know the festival is approaching, and I do not want to leave the organization in a difficult position. However, I need to decline the welcome table coordinator role. When I agreed, I understood that I would only prepare the volunteer schedule. I never received confirmation that I would also collect cash donations and supervise the table for the entire day. Those extra duties require availability and responsibility that I cannot provide. I can still finish the schedule and send it to you tonight, but someone else must manage the table and donations. Perhaps two experienced volunteers could share those tasks. For future events, confirming every duty in writing before assigning a role would prevent this kind of misunderstanding.
Practice Question 28
You belong to a volunteer group that is organizing a dinner for local residents. Your fellow volunteer Nadia wants to keep the original reservation for a large banquet room. However, the venue has increased the price, and several invited residents have not confirmed whether they will attend. You have decided to change the reservation to a smaller room. Speak to Nadia and explain your decision in a firm but considerate way.
Sample answer
Hi Nadia, I appreciate all the work you have put into organizing the community dinner, and I understand that the large room would give everyone more space. Still, I have decided to change our reservation to the smaller room. The venue's new price is much higher than the amount our volunteer group approved, and several residents have not confirmed that they are coming. Keeping the large room could use money that we need for food and transportation. I know this is not the arrangement you originally planned, but we need to make the change today before the deposit becomes non-refundable. I will contact the venue myself and help you adjust the seating plan so the smaller space remains welcoming.
Practice Question 29
You and your neighbour Marcus agreed to share the cost of renting a pressure washer for a community cleanup. At the rental counter, the employee cannot confirm that the machine passed its latest safety check. Marcus wants both of you to pay and take it anyway. Speak directly to Marcus. Explain firmly but considerately how you will handle the shared cost and propose a reasonable solution.
Sample answer
Marcus, I know we planned to divide the rental fee, and I understand that delaying the cleanup is inconvenient. Still, I am not prepared to pay for or use this pressure washer today. The employee cannot confirm that it passed its latest safety check, so we do not know whether it is safe for residents to operate. I do not want either of us to get injured or become responsible if someone else is hurt. Let us ask the store to hold our reservation without charging us until the inspection is confirmed. If that is not possible, we should cancel it and split the cost of renting a verified machine from another local shop.
Practice Question 30
You volunteer with a group organizing a dinner for local residents. Lucas asked you to reduce the restaurant reservation because several guests from his team might not attend, but he has not confirmed their cancellations. Nadia has already invited two residents from the waiting list and promised them the available places. Speak directly to Lucas. Explain, in a firm but considerate way, why you have decided not to alter the group reservation until his team provides confirmation.
Sample answer
Lucas, I understand that you are worried we may pay for empty seats, and reducing the reservation might seem sensible. Still, I cannot change it until your team confirms exactly who is cancelling. Nadia has already contacted two local residents on the waiting list and told them they could attend if places became available. If we reduce the booking without confirmed numbers, those residents could lose their seats even though they responded promptly and followed our instructions. That would be unfair to them. Please send me the final attendance list by noon tomorrow. Until then, I am keeping the current reservation. Once we have confirmation, I will call the restaurant and make the appropriate change.