Task 6 — Dealing with a Difficult Situation

What you'll learn: how Task 6's choice between two options works, why the answer itself is really two mini-tasks in one (explain a problem, then propose a fix), a structure that keeps both parts balanced, and the polite-but-firm tone that raters expect.

What Task 6 actually tests

Task 6 presents an awkward or difficult situation — a noisy neighbor, a coworker who missed a deadline that affects you, a friend who borrowed something and hasn't returned it — and then gives you two options, labelled (a) and (b). Often they're two different people you could speak to, such as the neighbor or the landlord. You must choose one of the two, and then you get 60 seconds to prepare and 60 seconds to respond, speaking directly to the person you chose (leaving them a voicemail, or explaining the problem to their face). Either option is fine; what matters is that the listener can tell which one you picked, and that you stay with it. This task is unusual because it blends description (what's the problem) with interpersonal tone (how do you raise it without being either too passive or too aggressive). Task Fulfillment requires choosing one option and actually addressing the situation with that person, not just narrating it to a neutral listener.

The problem-plus-resolution structure

1. Choose (a) or (b), then open with context that makes your choice clear, addressing that person directly (e.g., "Hi Sam, it's Alex from next door...").
2. State the problem clearly but without excessive blame — describe impact, not just complaint.
3. Propose a specific solution or ask, not just a vague complaint.
4. Soften the tone with an acknowledging or empathetic line.
5. Close with a clear next step.

Worked example

Prompt: "Your neighbor's music has been very loud late at night for the past week, and it's affecting your sleep. Choose one of the following and speak to that person: (a) your neighbor, or (b) your landlord."

This answer chooses (a), the neighbor, and says so in its first line.

Hi, I'm Alex, from the apartment across the hall. Do you have a minute? I wanted to bring something up, and I hope it doesn't come across the wrong way. Over the past week or so, the music from your place has been pretty loud late at night, sometimes past midnight, and it's been making it hard for me to fall asleep before work. I get that everyone likes to unwind differently, and I'm not trying to tell you what to do in your own space. But I was wondering if you could keep it a bit quieter after about eleven, or maybe use headphones if you're up later than that. And if anything on my end ever bothers you, please just tell me. I'd much rather we talk things through directly. Thanks for hearing me out, and I hope we can find something that works for both of us.

This makes the choice clear straight away (a neighbor, from across the hall), names the specific problem (timing, impact on sleep) without accusatory language, proposes a concrete, reasonable solution (quiet after 11 p.m. or headphones), and closes on a collaborative note rather than a demand.

Tone phrase bank

• Raising the issue gently: "I wanted to bring something up...", "I hope this doesn't come across the wrong way, but...", "I noticed that..."
• Proposing a fix: "Would it be possible to...", "I was wondering if we could...", "Maybe we could try..."
• Softening: "I get that...", "I know this isn't intentional, but...", "I appreciate you hearing me out."

Timing plan for 60 seconds

• 0–10s: Context/opening
• 10–30s: State the problem + impact
• 30–45s: Propose the solution
• 45–60s: Soften + close

Common mistakes

• Being too aggressive or blunt ("You need to stop doing this") — tone is part of Task Fulfillment, and a blunt demand doesn't fit a considerate conversation with a neighbor.
• Never making it clear which option you chose, or switching from the neighbor to the landlord halfway through.
• Being so vague or apologetic that no actual problem or solution is ever stated — this misses Task Fulfillment.
• Forgetting to speak to the person named in the prompt and instead narrating the situation in the third person to an imaginary neutral audience.

Recap

Task 6 is a balancing act between clearly naming a real problem and staying considerate toward the person you're addressing. Choose one of the two options and stay with it. The problem-plus-resolution structure — context, problem with impact, specific proposed fix, softening line, clear close — keeps both halves proportionate, and the tone phrase bank keeps the delivery realistic rather than either too timid or too confrontational.