Exercises C1 : summarizing a discussion (answers)

These exercises are designed to sharpen your ability to summarize discussions in English at C1 level, focusing on capturing key arguments, consensus, and next steps with accuracy and neutrality.

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Exercice 1 — Choosing the Right Summary Phrase

Choose the most appropriate phrase to complete each discussion summary sentence. Consider register, neutrality, and precision.

1. After a lengthy debate about budget cuts, which sentence best summarizes the group's consensus?
   A) Everyone was pretty much fine with cutting the marketing budget.
   B) The group broadly agreed that reducing the marketing budget represented the most viable short-term measure.
   C) Most people said yes to cutting marketing money.
   D) The team didn't really disagree about the marketing budget thing.
2. A meeting ended without a final decision on hiring. Which sentence captures this outcome most precisely?
   A) Nobody could make up their mind about hiring anyone new.
   B) The hiring question was left hanging because people disagreed.
   C) It was acknowledged that the question of new recruitment would require further deliberation before a resolution could be reached.
   D) They said they'd think more about hiring later.
3. Two opposing views were expressed about remote working policy. Which sentence best reflects this neutrally?
   A) Some people liked remote work and others hated it.
   B) While one faction strongly advocated for a fully remote model, others maintained that in-person collaboration remained essential to team performance.
   C) The remote work debate got pretty heated with two sides.
   D) Employees were split about whether working from home is good or bad.
4. The discussion identified several action points. Which sentence introduces next steps most formally and precisely?
   A) They said they'd do a few things next.
   B) Some next steps were mentioned at the end.
   C) A number of follow-up actions were identified, to be implemented by the respective department leads prior to the next quarterly review.
   D) Everyone got some tasks to finish before the next meeting.

Correction

1. B) The group broadly agreed that reducing the marketing budget represented the most viable short-term measure.
2. C) It was acknowledged that the question of new recruitment would require further deliberation before a resolution could be reached.
3. B) While one faction strongly advocated for a fully remote model, others maintained that in-person collaboration remained essential to team performance.
4. C) A number of follow-up actions were identified, to be implemented by the respective department leads prior to the next quarterly review.

Exercice 2 — Completing a Discussion Summary

Complete each summary sentence with the most accurate and appropriate phrase. Each blank requires a complete clause or expression that reflects the tone and content described.

1. A participant raised concerns about the environmental impact of the new production process. Complete the summary: 'One key concern raised during the discussion was ___.'
   (Hint: the concern was about long-term environmental sustainability, not just short-term costs.)
2. The chairperson noted that two proposals had been put forward but no vote had taken place. Complete the summary: 'Although two distinct proposals were tabled, ___.'
   (Hint: the group did not reach a formal decision during this session.)
3. There was general agreement that communication between departments needed improvement. Complete the summary: 'A point of consensus that emerged clearly was ___.'
   (Hint: include the idea that this was seen as a priority.)
4. The finance director was asked to prepare a revised budget proposal. Complete the summary: 'As a next step, ___.'
   (Hint: mention the deadline and the purpose of the document.)

Correction

1. One key concern raised during the discussion was the potential long-term environmental impact of the proposed production process, which participants felt had not been adequately assessed.
2. Although two distinct proposals were tabled, the group did not proceed to a formal vote, and the matter was deferred to the following session.
3. A point of consensus that emerged clearly was that strengthening inter-departmental communication was widely regarded as an urgent organizational priority.
4. As a next step, the finance director was tasked with preparing a revised budget proposal to be submitted ahead of the board meeting scheduled for the following month.

Exercice 3 — Reformulating Informal Notes into Formal Summaries

Reformulate each informal or imprecise note into a complete, formal, and neutral summary sentence suitable for written minutes or a C1-level report.

1. Informal note: 'People argued a lot about the new software. Some liked it, some didn't. No decision yet.'
2. Informal note: 'The manager said the project is behind schedule because of supply chain stuff. Team needs to sort it out ASAP.'
3. Informal note: 'Everyone agreed training is important but nobody said who would do it or when.'
4. Informal note: 'Somebody brought up client complaints again. The group said they'd look into it more carefully this time.'

Correction

1. Considerable discussion arose regarding the proposed software implementation; while some participants expressed strong support for its adoption, others raised substantive objections, and no definitive conclusion was reached at this stage.
2. The project manager indicated that the current delays in the project timeline were attributable to supply chain disruptions, and emphasized that the team was expected to address these issues as a matter of urgency.
3. There was unanimous agreement among participants that staff training constituted a priority; however, the discussion did not yield a concrete decision regarding the responsible party or the proposed timeline for implementation.
4. The issue of recurring client complaints was once again raised for consideration, and the group committed to conducting a more thorough and systematic review of the matter in the coming weeks.