Complete the 12 sentences below. Choose the best answer for each one.
1To avoid sounding accusatory, the manager said, "............... dismiss Priya's input whenever deadlines are tight."
Wrong!
"It sometimes feels as if you" softens the criticism by presenting the problem as a perception rather than a direct accusation.
2Before this turns into a formal complaint, we should ............... and agree on what actually happened.
Wrong!
"take a step back" means pause and reduce tension, which matches the need to calm the discussion before it gets worse.
3In the mediation notes, please focus on ............... so the feedback stays constructive.
Wrong!
"the issue, not the person" is correct because constructive conflict language focuses on the problem rather than attacking a colleague.
4The policy recommends that employees ............... raise concerns with their line manager before contacting HR.
Wrong!
"should" gives advice or a recommendation, which fits the non-binding policy reminder in the sentence.
5I'm sorry for the confusion; I ............... my part in the misunderstanding and will make sure the client gets a corrected update.
Wrong!
"own" means accept responsibility, which fits the apology and the promise to fix the mistake.
6Rather than let the tension affect the whole team, I think we need to ............... the tension in tomorrow's one-to-one.
Wrong!
"address" means deal with a problem directly, which matches the plan to schedule a conversation.
7Please bring your ............... to the meeting, but keep the discussion calm and specific.
Wrong!
"concerns" is neutral and professional, while the sentence says the goal is to keep the discussion calm and specific.
8After the email exchange became tense, Leo asked for a private conversation to ............... instead of copying the whole team again.
Wrong!
"clear the air" means remove tension by discussing a problem openly, which fits the private conversation after an email exchange.
9In yesterday's review, you came across as ............... because you rejected suggestions before people had finished explaining them.
Wrong!
"defensive" means reacting as if criticised, which matches the behaviour of rejecting suggestions immediately.
10A useful way to de-escalate is to ............... the other person's frustration before explaining your own perspective.
Wrong!
"acknowledge" is correct because the sentence is about showing that you have heard the other person's frustration before explaining your view.
11If you think the approval process is unfair, ............... the missing sign-off in the meeting and ask the group to review it before the deadline slips.
Wrong!
"bring up" means mention an issue for discussion, which matches asking for a review before the deadline slips.
12We may not share the same view of what happened, but by the end of the call we need to agree ............... next steps.
Wrong!
"on" is used in "agree on" when people decide or settle a plan, such as next steps.
Exercise complete
0 out of 12
correct answers
Answers
- To avoid sounding accusatory, the manager said, “It sometimes feels as if you dismiss Priya’s input whenever deadlines are tight.”
- Before this turns into a formal complaint, we should take a step back and agree on what actually happened.
- In the mediation notes, please focus on the issue, not the person so the feedback stays constructive.
- The policy recommends that employees should raise concerns with their line manager before contacting HR.
- I’m sorry for the confusion; I own my part in the misunderstanding and will make sure the client gets a corrected update.
- Rather than let the tension affect the whole team, I think we need to address the tension in tomorrow’s one-to-one.
- Please bring your concerns to the meeting, but keep the discussion calm and specific.
- After the email exchange became tense, Leo asked for a private conversation to clear the air instead of copying the whole team again.
- In yesterday’s review, you came across as defensive because you rejected suggestions before people had finished explaining them.
- A useful way to de-escalate is to acknowledge the other person’s frustration before explaining your own perspective.
- If you think the approval process is unfair, bring up the missing sign-off in the meeting and ask the group to review it before the deadline slips.
- We may not share the same view of what happened, but by the end of the call we need to agree on next steps.