How to Fight With the People We Care About, Illustrated

Study the questions and tasks

Work through the material below, or start the interactive practice above to complete an attempt. Try the exercises before opening any answer or transcript sections, then use them to review your work.

Practice level

B2. Try this level if you can follow the instructions and understand most of the language; choose an earlier level if you need more support.

Question formats

Single choice

How to approach this practice

Read the questions, then listen before opening the transcript. Notice names, numbers and any corrections the speaker makes.

1. Question 1 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   According to the narration, when can arguments become difficult?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. Only after a relationship ends
   2. Before the argument begins
   3. After everyone reaches agreement
   4. Only during public discussions
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   Before the argument begins

   The narration emphasizes that difficulty can begin before the actual conversation starts.

   Arguments with the people closest to us can be difficult even before they begin.

2. Question 2 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   Which three fears can add pressure to a tense situation?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. Being ignored, interrupted, or criticized
   2. Losing time, money, or privacy
   3. Saying the wrong thing, being misunderstood, or worsening matters
   4. Forgetting details, changing plans, or leaving early
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   Saying the wrong thing, being misunderstood, or worsening matters

   The narration lists saying the wrong thing, being misunderstood, and worsening the problem.

   The fear of saying the wrong thing, being misunderstood, or making the problem worse can add pressure to an already tense situation.

3. Question 3 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What does Parker’s approach aim to ease?

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   1. Competition between journalists
   2. Dread surrounding conflict
   3. Differences between partners
   4. The need for difficult conversations
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   Dread surrounding conflict

   The narration directly states that her method can ease dread for everyone involved.

   Parker explains how to start and end a fight in a way that can ease dread for everyone involved.

4. Question 4 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What may people need to do when starting a difficult discussion?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. Avoid recognizing the issue’s seriousness
   2. Approach the other person without preparation
   3. Recognize seriousness while showing care
   4. Insist immediately on being right
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   Recognize seriousness while showing care

   The narration combines seriousness with a careful approach toward the other person.

   Starting a difficult discussion may require people to recognize that the issue is serious while still approaching the other person with care.

5. Question 5 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What does the narration say may not happen immediately?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. The relationship’s complete failure
   2. The disagreement’s immediate disappearance
   3. The conversation’s careful beginning
   4. The participants’ willingness to listen
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   The disagreement’s immediate disappearance

   It states that disagreement itself may continue after a conversation ends.

   A disagreement may not disappear immediately, but a more thoughtful ending can reduce some of the anxiety surrounding it.

6. Question 6 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What can affect how manageable a disagreement becomes?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. The location of the argument
   2. The length of the relationship
   3. The way people approach it
   4. The number of people hearing it
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   The way people approach it

   The narration identifies people’s approach to disagreement as an influential factor.

   However, the way they approach a disagreement may affect how manageable it becomes for everyone involved.

7. Question 7 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   How does the speaker characterize arguments in the conclusion?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. Uncomfortable but potentially manageable
   2. Always destructive and unavoidable
   3. Usually entertaining and beneficial
   4. Unimportant within close relationships
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   Uncomfortable but potentially manageable

   The conclusion acknowledges discomfort while rejecting the idea that dread is unavoidable.

   Arguments can remain uncomfortable, but they do not have to be treated as events that people must simply dread.

What to review next

Listen again to difficult sections, then open the transcript to check what you heard. Repeat a useful phrase aloud and try the recording once more without the text.

A focused practice result shows how you did on these tasks. Use several activities across skills to decide what to study next; one practice score does not certify an overall CEFR level.

Before you practise: a worked example

Listen for the final information, especially when a speaker corrects or changes an earlier statement.

Example transcript: “Let’s meet at five — actually, half past five would be better.” What is the final suggested time?

The final suggested time is 5:30. Actually signals a correction; the first time is replaced by the later suggestion.

This teaching example is separate from the scored questions. After your test, compare any mistakes with the explanation and revisit the topic before trying again.