Page 87 - Speaking at Length with covers

How to say it?

Language Focus: Asking and Stating Problems

To ask existing problems, we can use the following expressions.
✓ ”Is everything alright?”
✓ ”Is there anything you want to share with me?”
✓ ”What’s on your mind?”
✓ ”Do you have a problem with ....”
✓ ”What do you think is the biggest problem in ....”

To express that there are existing problems, we could use the following expressions.
✓ ”The problem with that is ....”
✓ ”The issue here is ....”
✓ ”It all comes down to ....”
✓ ”Something is not quite right with ....”
✓ ”I think we are facing a problem with ....”
✓ ”I’ve got a bit of problem with ....”
✓ ”I think I’ve made a mistake on ....”
✓ ”The root of the problem seems to be ....”
✓ ”This doesn’t seem the best thing to do.”
✓ ”I’m not sure this is working.”
✓ ”This doesn’t seem like the best approach.”
✓ ”I have a feeling this might cause a problem later on.”

Let’s get some practice!

Read the conversation below. Rama is having a conversation with Lara about their study project. Complete
the conversation using the expressions of asking and stating problems from the list above.

Rama, you look a bit worried
today.
1) __________________? I’m not sure everything is okay.
2)_________________________ our
next presentation in history class.

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