Proposals versus commitments
Choose the next action the speaker actually commits to.
“We could test it in autumn.” does not mean “The autumn trial is confirmed.”
B2
Choosing a community project
About this lesson
Choosing a community project · B2. Choose the next action the speaker actually commits to.
Listen to the complete conversation, then answer using what the speakers actually agree, explain or qualify.
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Save it to find it in My collection.
ListeningB2
Choosing a community project
Listen to the complete conversation, then answer using what the speakers actually agree, explain or qualify.
A little clarity first
Qualified agreement and priorities
Read the speaker’s reservations together with the support expressed.
“The idea has value, although the costs need checking.”
Evidence and alternative explanations
A second factor could explain the result; the result alone does not establish the proposed cause.
“Sales rose in a holiday week; the new display may not be the only cause.”
Learning material
ListeningB2
Choosing a community project
Listen to the complete conversation, then answer using what the speakers actually agree, explain or qualify.
01 / 8D01Save it to find it in My collection.
Choosing a community project
Why does Elliot question choosing the garden from the signatures alone?
Your learning route
01
Step 1 · Warm-up
0/2Warm-up
02
Step 2 · Build the skill
0/4Evidence and alternative explanations
A second factor could explain the result; the result alone does not establish the proposed cause.
“Sales rose in a holiday week; the new display may not be the only cause.”03
Step 3 · Related practice
0/1Related practice
04
Step 4 · Text challenge
0/1Text challenge
Practice notes in this unit
0Make mistakes useful.
Keep your first attempt, check the evidence and try another question. A follow-up on the same material does not prove transfer to a new text.
No practice notes yet. Try a short warm-up.
Lesson map
B2Choosing a community project
Lesson points
Proposals versus commitments
Choose the next action the speaker actually commits to.
“We could test it in autumn.” does not mean “The autumn trial is confirmed.”Qualified agreement and priorities
Read the speaker’s reservations together with the support expressed.
“The idea has value, although the costs need checking.”Evidence and alternative explanations
A second factor could explain the result; the result alone does not establish the proposed cause.
“Sales rose in a holiday week; the new display may not be the only cause.”Questions & answers
Opening an answer records help for that question.
Choosing a community project
Why does Elliot question choosing the garden from the signatures alone?
- Some signatures refer to an earlier version of the garden design.
- The signatures were collected before the proposed costs were revised.
- The signatures may mainly reflect an existing interested group.
- Most signatories said they preferred the repair workshop.
Answer & explanation
The signatures may mainly reflect an existing interested group.
Evidence: “The support matters, but signatures alone don't tell us who would actually use it. Most were collected at the gardening club, which already meets nearby.” Where the responses were collected may limit whose views they represent. Supported answer: “The signatures may mainly reflect an existing interested group.”
Choosing a community project
Why is the repair workshop not yet clearly the cheaper option?
- Its budget needs a higher rent allowance than the garden budget.
- Its listed costs exclude rent as well as insurance.
- It has included tools that the neighbourhood already owns.
- Its budget leaves out insurance.
Answer & explanation
Its budget leaves out insurance.
Evidence: “It might. However, their budget covers tools and rent but leaves out insurance. We shouldn't treat it as a cheaper option until we know the full cost.” Compare full costs, including the omitted expense. Supported answer: “Its budget leaves out insurance.”
Choosing a community project
What does Elliot value more than an impressive launch?
- A plan that can be maintained reliably.
- A scheme chosen chiefly for its existing public support.
- A launch likely to attract visitors from outside the area.
- A project that can start without a pilot event.
Answer & explanation
A plan that can be maintained reliably.
Evidence: “Exactly. I'd rather see a modest plan with reliable cover than an impressive launch that nobody can maintain.” The contrast identifies what the speaker values more. Supported answer: “A plan that can be maintained reliably.”
Choosing a community project
Why must the pilot events have the same spending limit?
- They have already agreed to split the annual grant equally.
- Different resources would weaken the attendance comparison.
- They want to compare which group can use up its allowance first.
- They want each group to contribute the same amount of its own money.
Answer & explanation
Different resources would weaken the attendance comparison.
Evidence: “I like that, as long as we set the same spending limit for both. Otherwise attendance would be a poor comparison.” Equal spending controls one difference; it does not guarantee identical or unbiased outcomes. Supported answer: “Different resources would weaken the attendance comparison.”
Choosing a community project
Why do they want to know how visitors heard about the events?
- They need to check that visitors heard about both events at the library.
- They want to choose one advertising channel for the winning project.
- Publicity could affect turnout independently of interest.
- They regard lower attendance as direct evidence of weaker interest.
Answer & explanation
Publicity could affect turnout independently of interest.
Evidence: “And we should ask visitors where they heard about the event. A smaller turnout could reflect weaker publicity rather than a lack of interest.” A second factor could explain the result; the result alone does not establish the proposed cause. Supported answer: “Publicity could affect turnout independently of interest.”
Choosing a community project
What is one reason for using both paper and online surveys?
- To check whether gardening club members signed the original list twice.
- To obtain a broader picture, including people who could not attend.
- To compare only the opinions of people who attended an event.
- To make the survey results fully representative of every resident.
Answer & explanation
To obtain a broader picture, including people who could not attend.
Evidence: “Right. We also need to hear from people who couldn't attend. Saturday mornings don't suit everyone.” “So an event plus a short survey, with paper copies at the library as well as an online version?” “Yes. That won't remove every bias, but it should give us a broader picture than the signatures we have now.” Preserve the limits of the claim; it is not an absolute guarantee. Supported answer: “To obtain a broader picture, including people who could not attend.”
Choosing a community project
What will Nora tell the applicants now?
- The garden has won the annual grant.
- Both groups have been promised full annual funding.
- They are being invited to run small pilot events.
- The council has cancelled both proposals.
Answer & explanation
They are being invited to run small pilot events.
Evidence: “I'll tell the applicants we're inviting small pilot events, not awarding the annual grant yet. Should we mention which project we prefer?” Choose the next action the speaker actually commits to. Supported answer: “They are being invited to run small pilot events.”
Choosing a community project
Which statement best describes their final decision?
- They will decide entirely on the highest attendance.
- They will spend the entire budget on the pilot events.
- They have selected a winner but will not announce it.
- They will gather comparable evidence before choosing a winner.
Answer & explanation
They will gather comparable evidence before choosing a winner.
Evidence: “I like that, as long as we set the same spending limit for both. Otherwise attendance would be a poor comparison.” “Yes. That won't remove every bias, but it should give us a broader picture than the signatures we have now.” “Let's not. We've identified questions, not a winner. We'll compare the evidence after both events and keep part of the budget aside for running costs.” Identify what the speakers are trying to achieve, rather than a side detail. Supported answer: “They will gather comparable evidence before choosing a winner.”