LISTEN with understanding
→ After listening to the recording, sum up what you heard in a few sentences. You can use the questions to help you summarize. Read the transcript if needed.

Fixing a Misunderstanding

Sum up what was said by answering the following questions. The final summary should be in sentence form.

  1. What problem happened between the friends?

  2. How did they resolve the issue?

  3. What lesson did the friend say she learned?

IDIOM USE

Learn the hard way – We use this idiom when someone discovers the truth through difficulty or mistakes.

Ways we use it:

  1. School: failing before improving.

  2. Work: making errors before success.

  3. Daily life: learning lessons from challenges.

Examples:

  • “I learned the hard way to back up my files.”

  • “She learned the hard way not to skip studying.”

  • “They learned the hard way to lock their doors.”

PHRASAL VERB USE

Sort out – We use this phrasal verb when organizing or solving a problem.

Ways we use it:

  1. Fixing misunderstandings.

  2. Organizing items or tasks.

  3. Resolving conflicts.

Examples in different tenses:

  • Present: “We always sort out problems together.”

  • Past: “They sorted out the mistake yesterday.”

  • Continuous: “She is sorting out the files now.”

  • Future: “He will sort out the issue tomorrow.”

TRANSCRIPT

“Yesterday, my friend seemed upset with me, and I couldn’t understand why. She didn’t answer my messages and avoided eye contact. Finally, we sat down together and started to sort out what had happened. It turned out she had misunderstood something I said, and her feelings were hurt. I apologized sincerely and explained my real meaning. She admitted she had jumped to conclusions and said she had learned the hard way not to assume the worst. After our talk, the tension faded, and we both felt relieved. The misunderstanding reminded us that clear communication is the best way to protect a friendship.”