https://test-english.com/grammar-points/c1/advanced-participle-clauses/2/  

https://en.islcollective.com/english-esl-video-lessons/speaking-practice/discussion/history/ted-ed-what-really-happened-during-the-salem-witch-trials/1296854

The Case of the Missing Prototype

Text: Last spring, Apex Tech filed a lawsuit against former employee Julian Vance, accusing him of stealing a top-secret smartphone prototype right before leaving the company to join a rival firm. According to the prosecution, Vance downloaded confidential files and snuck the physical prototype out in his briefcase. He was formally charged with corporate espionage and breach of contract.

During the trial, the prosecution presented key evidence, including security footage that showed Vance entering the research lab late at night. They also called an expert witness to testify about the digital trail Vance left behind on the company server.

However, Vance’s defense attorney argued that his client was innocent until proven guilty. She claimed that Vance had working authorization to be in the lab late at night and argued that the server logs were unreliable. Vance pleaded not guilty to all charges.

After two days of deliberation, the jury returned a verdict of "not guilty" due to a lack of conclusive physical evidence. Although Vance was acquitted, the judge issued a stern warning about confidentiality, and the company stated they plan to appeal the decision.

 

Evidence Evaluation: Do you think security footage alone is enough to convict someone of theft, or is digital evidence necessary? Why?

Legal Principles: The text mentions that a person is "innocent until proven guilty." Why is this principle crucial in modern legal systems?

Corporate Responsibility: If you were on the jury, would you have acquitted Julian Vance based on the facts provided? What additional evidence would you have required?  

  

  

  

 

 

22.10.2026

  

If you were forced to completely change your field tomorrow, what core skills or personal traits would you carry over to build your new identity from scratch?

  

"Hey, I’m finally updating my LinkedIn page, but honestly, pitching myself feels super awkward—I don't wanna sound like I'm full of myself!"

«Да я тебя понимаю! Но крутой селфбрендинг — это же не про самохвальство, а про то, чтобы просто нормально объяснить, чем ты можешь быть полезен.»

"Fair enough! It’s just that every time I try to write down my strengths, I end up using super cheesy words like 'driven' or 'expert'."

«Забей на эти заезженные словечки. Лучше просто расскажи пару реальных историй о том, как ты разруливал сложные задачи на работе — это работает гораздо лучше.»

"Oh, so focusing on real experiences instead of hype? I like that! How often should I actually post stuff without being annoying though?"

«Главное — не спамить. Пары качественных постов в неделю с личными мыслями или кейсами будет вполне достаточно, чтобы тебя заметили!»

 https://test-english.com/grammar-points/c1/advanced-participle-clauses/  

  

  

12,10,2026

   

1. A: Я вважаю, нам потрібно поговорити про те, що сталося під час учорашньої зустрічі. Твій тон здався мені трохи зневажливим, коли я презентував свою доповідь.

2. B: "I’m sorry, I didn't mean to offend you. It’s just that the meeting was dragging on, and I was worried we wouldn't have time to discuss the budget."

3. A: Я розумію, що ти відчував тиск, але критика моєї пропозиції перед усією командою справді підірвала мій авторитет.

4. B: "You’re right, I should have discussed my concerns with you in private. I acted unprofessionally."

5. A: Дякую, що визнаєш це. Я просто хочу переконатися, що ми однаково розуміємо ситуацію надалі, особливо коли строки дуже стислі.

6. B: "I agree. What’s the best way to handle it if we have disagreements about deadlines again?"

7. A: Давай домовимося висловлювати будь-які зауваження напряму один одному до того, як піднімати їх на загальному обговоренні.

8. B: "Deal / Agreed. Let's clear the air and focus on solving our current tasks."

Корисний вокабуляр для студентів (B2 Vocabulary Focus):

• dismissive tone — зневажливий тон

• to drag on — затягуватися (про час)

• under pressure — під тиском / у стресовій ситуації

• to undermine someone's authority — підривати чийсь авторитет

• in private — наєдинці / приватно

• to be on the same page — бути на одній хвилі / однаково розуміти ситуацію

• tight deadlines — стислі терміни / дедлайни

• to raise concerns — висловлювати занепокоєння / зауваження

• to clear the air — розрядити обстановку / зняти напругу

  

 

1. Outbreak & Escalation of Conflict

• Blow up (at someone)

  • Definition: To suddenly lose one’s temper and express intense anger.

  • Example: "Instead of addressing the issue calmly, he blew up at his team during the meeting."

• Flare up

  • Definition: To suddenly erupt or intensify, often describing dormant or underlying tensions.

  • Example: "Tensions between the two departments flared up again after the budget cuts were announced."

• Simmer away / Simmer under the surface

  • Definition: To exist in a suppressed, quiet state of anger or resentment that threatens to break out.

  • Example: "Unresolved grievances had been simmering under the surface for months before the strike began."

• Spark off / Set off

  • Definition: To trigger or cause a sudden conflict or argument.

  • Example: "A casual remark about workload sparked off a fierce debate among the senior partners."

• Lash out (at someone)

  • Definition: To attack someone verbally or physically, often impulsively out of frustration or defensiveness.

  • Example: "When criticized, people often lash out at others rather than accepting responsibility."

2. Dynamic During a Dispute

• Play down

  • Definition: To minimize the significance or severity of a problem or dispute.

  • Example: "Management tried to play down the conflict, claiming it was just a minor misunderstanding."

• Fall out (with someone over something)

  • Definition: To stop being on friendly terms with someone after a major disagreement.

  • Example: "The co-founders fell out over the future strategic direction of the company."

• Back down

  • Definition: To concede a point, withdraw a demand, or yield in an argument.

  • Example: "Neither party was willing to back down, leading to an absolute deadlock."

• Dig in (one’s heels)

  • Definition: To stubbornly refuse to alter one’s opinion, stance, or position.

  • Example: "Instead of searching for common ground, both sides dug in and refused to negotiate."

3. Mediation & Resolution

• Smooth (things) over

  • Definition: To reduce tension or repair damage after an argument, often by reassuring those involved.

  • Example: "The mediator managed to smooth things over before the final negotiations."

• Iron out

  • Definition: To resolve small problems, details, or discrepancies through discussion.

  • Example: "We need a follow-up meeting to iron out the remaining points of contention."

• Patched up

  • Definition: To temporarily or partially repair a damaged relationship or agreement.

  • Example: "They managed to patch up their working relationship, though underlying trust issues remained."

• Thraw out / Unbend (often used as: Rule out / Step in)

  • Step in

    • Definition: To intervene in a dispute in order to assist, mediate, or prevent further escalation.

    • Example: "HR had to step in when the workplace environment became toxic."

• Talk (someone) down

  • Definition: To persuade someone to calm down or abandon a hostile stance through gentle persuasion.

  • Example: "An experienced leader knows how to talk down an agitated colleague."

4. Post-Conflict & Aftermath

• Simmer down

  • Definition: To gradually become calm after a period of excitement, anger, or agitation.

  • Example: "Give them a few hours to simmer down before attempting a serious discussion."

• Clear the air (Idiomatic Phrasal Verb)

  • Definition: To engage in an open conversation to remove lingering mistrust or misunderstandings.

  • Example: "Holding an honest debrief allowed the team to clear the air and start fresh."

Suggested C1 Task Integration

To help students internalize these phrasal verbs, you can ask them to:

1. Rephrase sentences: Convert formal statements into idiomatic expressions (e.g., "They refused to compromise" $\rightarrow$ "They refused to back down / They dug in").

2. Role-play: Conduct a mediation scenario where one student acts as a neutral third party using phrasal verbs like step in, smooth over, and iron out.

Would you like a fill-in-the-blank exercise or a set of targeted discussion questions centered specifically on using these phrasal verbs

12.10.2026

    

 

C1 Vocabulary: Phrasal Verbs for Conflict

Score: 0 / 10

12.10.2026

https://en.islcollective.com/english-esl-video-lessons/vocabulary-practice/general-vocabulary-practice/psychology/learn-how-to-navigate-conflict/1292069 

  

1. A: Я вважаю, нам потрібно поговорити про те, що сталося під час учорашньої зустрічі. Твій тон здався мені трохи зневажливим, коли я презентував свою доповідь.

2. B: "I’m sorry, I didn't mean to offend you. It’s just that the meeting was dragging on, and I was worried we wouldn't have time to discuss the budget."

3. A: Я розумію, що ти відчував тиск, але критика моєї пропозиції перед усією командою справді підірвала мій авторитет.

4. B: "You’re right, I should have discussed my concerns with you in private. I acted unprofessionally."

5. A: Дякую, що визнаєш це. Я просто хочу переконатися, що ми однаково розуміємо ситуацію надалі, особливо коли строки дуже стислі.

6. B: "I agree. What’s the best way to handle it if we have disagreements about deadlines again?"

7. A: Давай домовимося висловлювати будь-які зауваження напряму один одному до того, як піднімати їх на загальному обговоренні.

8. B: "Deal / Agreed. Let's clear the air and focus on solving our current tasks."

Корисний вокабуляр для студентів (B2 Vocabulary Focus):

• dismissive tone — зневажливий тон

• to drag on — затягуватися (про час)

• under pressure — під тиском / у стресовій ситуації

• to undermine someone's authority — підривати чийсь авторитет

• in private — наєдинці / приватно

• to be on the same page — бути на одній хвилі / однаково розуміти ситуацію

• tight deadlines — стислі терміни / дедлайни

• to raise concerns — висловлювати занепокоєння / зауваження

• to clear the air — розрядити обстановку / зняти напругу