TASK 1 (30%)

For each of the following conversational snippets, rewrite the underlined text using the
specified technique so that it comes across as more diplomatic. The first one has been done
for you.
Note: Your answers will be marked for appropriate use of diplomatic language, as well as
grammar and mechanics (spelling, punctuation, capitalization, etc.).

Snippet 0 (Example)
Amran: I look forward to receiving your feedback during our meeting scheduled for this
afternoon.
Harry: I have to cancel the meeting. [Using softeners]
Answer: Unfortunately, something has come up and I have to cancel the meeting.

Snippet 1
Hari: Mr Chan, when do you need the signed contract to be delivered to you?
Mr Chan: I want it today. [Using modal verbs]
Answer: 1. It would be so helpful if I could get it by today.
Answer: 2. If you don’t mind, I want it by today.

Snippet 2
Naimah: Please could you email me the documents by this Friday?
Haikal: I can’t do it. [Rephrasing a negative sentence]
Answer: 1. I’m afraid I wouldn’t be able to email you the document by this Friday.
Answer: 2. I’m so sorry that I can’t email the document to you by this Friday.

Snippet 3
Seng Tat: Are we going to deliver the urgent parcel on time?
Michael: We are having problems with the packaging. [Using qualifiers]
Answer: 1. We are having one or two problems with the packaging.
Answer: 2. We are having some issue on the packaging and maybe little bit delay.

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Snippet 4
Angelina: We should change the way we do things instead of changing the people we put
in charge. [Using negative question form]
Anita: Please could you explain a bit more?
Answer: 1. Shouldn’t we change the way we do things instead of changing the
people we put in charge?
Answer: 2. Couldn’t we change the way we handling things instead of replacing the
person in charge?

Snippet 5
Anita: I plan to call for a meeting next week. Can you help to set it up? [Using the past
continuous]
Hamid: Certainly.
Answer: 1. I was planning the call for a meeting by next week. Would you please
help me to organize it?
Answer: 2. I was planning to call for a meeting next week, so can you help me to
organize this meeting?

Snippet 6
Anwar: My apologies, but when can we meet?
Nathan: You said we were meeting today at 5 p.m. [Using the passive voice]
Answer: 1. It was agreed that we will meet today by 5 pm.
Answer: 2. As agreed, we should meet by today at 5 pm.

Snippet 7
Selvi: Could you share your views on Anwar’s proposal?
Umpang: I disagree! [Using softeners]
Answer: 1. To be honest, I found it hard for me to agree with Anwar proposal.
Answer: 2. I’m sorry, actually I’m not interested on Anwar proposal.

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Snippet 8
Terence: How much time do we have to resolve this?
Siew Peng: Give me a solution by the end of the day. [Using modal verbs]
Answer: 1. Could you please provide me with choice of solutions by end of the day.
Answer: 2. I hope that you can provide me the choice of solution by end of the day.

Snippet 9
Fattah: Any discount on these items?
Maulana: No. [Rephrasing a negative sentence]
Answer: 1. I’m afraid that currently there are no discounts for these items that
interest you, sir.
Answer: 2. I’m so sorry sir, there is no discounts for these items.

Snippet 10
Tan Sri: Will you be able to arrive here on time?
Ganesh: I’m going to be late. [Using qualifiers]
Answer: 1. I’m afraid that it seems I will arrive a little bit late than the promise
time.
Answer: 2. I’m so sorry due to traffic problem, I will be little bit late as promise a
time.

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TASK 2 (30%)
Rewrite the following statements. Use one or more strategies to make the statements more
diplomatic. The first two have been done for you.
Note: Your answers will be marked for appropriate use of diplomatic language, as well as
grammar and mechanics (spelling, punctuation, capitalization, etc.).

Statement 0 (Example)
We should wait for Ahmad.
Answer: Shouldn’t we wait for Ahmad?

Statement 00 (Example)
That will not work.
Answer: That might not work.

Statement 1
I think we should include Dr Khoo in the meeting if he’s available.
Answer: If Dr Khoo is available we should definitely include him in the meeting.

Statement 2
We should delay the project.
Answer 1: Unfortunately, we should delay the project.
Answer 2: I’m so sorry, we should delay the project.

Statement 3
I want more time to finish this presentation.
Answer 1: If possible I would like to request more time to finish this presentation.
Answer 2: Unfortunately, can I request more time to finish this presentation.

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Statement 4
It is better if he were replaced by someone with the right skills.
Answer: Wouldn’t it be better if he was replaced by someone with the right skills.

Statement 5
We have a problem with the accounts.
Answer 1: We have one or two problems with the account.
Answer 2: We are facing some problems with the account.

Statement 6
There has been a bad accident.
Answer: I’m afraid there has been a bad accident.

Statement 7
You made a lousy decision.
Answer 1: To be honest, you made a lousy decision.
Answer 2: Sorry to said that you made a lousy decision.

Statement 8
I don’t like it.
Answer 1: I’m so sorry but I don’t like it.
Answer 2: To be honest, I don’t like it.

Statement 9
You don’t understand me.
Answer 1: To be honest, you don’t understand me.
Answer 2: Honestly, you don’t understand me.

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Statement 10
I don’t know what you mean.
Answer 1: Actually, I don’t know what you mean.
Answer 2: I’m so sorry, I don’t know what you mean.