Adult Literacy Intermediate Quiz: Explaining Problems And Proposing Solutions
10 questions · exam conditions
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Explaining Problems And Proposing SolutionsQuestion 1 of 10

During a call, Elena says, "My pay was supposed to be deposited Friday, but it still was not there Monday. Payroll emailed me that my bank-update form was missing my signature. I can come to the office Tuesday morning to sign it, but I need to know how I will receive this week's pay."

Which response best shows that the listener understands Elena's problem and is proposing a useful next step?

Your deposit was delayed because the update form was unsigned, and you can sign it Tuesday. Shall I ask payroll how this week's pay will be issued?
You changed banks, so the bank probably rejected your pay. You should call the bank before visiting the payroll office on Tuesday.
You did not receive your pay Friday, but you can wait until Tuesday. The deposit may appear after the form is signed.
Payroll forgot to process your deposit and now requires another form. I will tell them to deposit the money before you arrive Tuesday.
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Adult Literacy Intermediate Quiz

Adult Literacy Intermediate Quiz: Explaining Problems And Proposing Solutions

Practice Explaining Problems And Proposing Solutions in Adult Literacy Intermediate with focused quiz questions that help you check what you know, review explanations, and build confidence with test-style prompts.

What this quiz covers

This quiz focuses on Explaining Problems And Proposing Solutions, giving you a quick way to practice the rules, question types, and explanations that matter most for Adult Literacy Intermediate.

How to use this quiz

Try each quiz question before looking at the correct answer. Use the explanations to review missed ideas, then come back to similar questions until the pattern feels familiar.

All questions

Question 1

During a call, Elena says, "My pay was supposed to be deposited Friday, but it still was not there Monday. Payroll emailed me that my bank-update form was missing my signature. I can come to the office Tuesday morning to sign it, but I need to know how I will receive this week's pay."

Which response best shows that the listener understands Elena's problem and is proposing a useful next step?

  1. Your deposit was delayed because the update form was unsigned, and you can sign it Tuesday. Shall I ask payroll how this week's pay will be issued? (correct answer)
  2. You changed banks, so the bank probably rejected your pay. You should call the bank before visiting the payroll office on Tuesday.
  3. You did not receive your pay Friday, but you can wait until Tuesday. The deposit may appear after the form is signed.
  4. Payroll forgot to process your deposit and now requires another form. I will tell them to deposit the money before you arrive Tuesday.
Explanation: When a question asks you to evaluate a listener's response, focus on two things: accuracy (does the response correctly reflect what was said?) and usefulness (does it move the situation forward?). Elena's message contains three clear facts — her deposit was delayed because her form lacked a signature, she can come in Tuesday, and she needs to know how she'll receive this week's pay. Answer A earns full marks on both criteria. It accurately summarizes the problem (unsigned form caused the delay), confirms the plan Elena already proposed (signing Tuesday), and then directly addresses her actual question by offering to contact payroll about this week's payment. That's active listening paired with a concrete next step. Answer B introduces information Elena never mentioned — that she changed banks or that the bank rejected the deposit. The email from payroll made the cause clear: a missing signature. B misdiagnoses the problem and sends Elena in the wrong direction entirely. Answer C is passive and unhelpful. Telling Elena she "can wait until Tuesday" and that the deposit "may appear" ignores her explicit concern about how she'll be paid this week. It acknowledges the delay but proposes no meaningful action. Answer D contains a false claim — payroll did not "forget" to process the deposit; the delay was caused by Elena's incomplete form. It also makes a promise (depositing money before Tuesday) that the listener has no authority to guarantee. Strategy tip: On active-listening questions, eliminate any response that adds unverified information or ignores the speaker's direct question. Accuracy plus action equals a strong response.

Question 2

A warehouse worker tells a team leader, "Shipping labels have printed with blurry barcodes since we changed to a new roll of label paper. Replacing the ink did not help, and two cartons were returned because scanners could not read them. I think we should test the old label paper before requesting printer service."

Which reply best confirms the worker's explanation and proposed next step?

  1. The printer began failing after the ink was replaced, and two labels were returned. You want maintenance to repair the printer before more cartons ship.
  2. The barcodes became blurry after the paper roll changed, and new ink did not help. You suggest testing the old paper before requesting printer service. (correct answer)
  3. Two cartons were returned because the shipping information was incorrect. You suggest printing replacement labels with another printer before testing the paper.
  4. The new paper and the printer both appear defective. You want to replace the paper, ink, and printer before sending any more cartons.
Explanation: When a question asks you to "confirm" someone's explanation and proposed next step, your job is to find the answer that accurately restates — without adding, removing, or changing — both the cause identified and the action suggested. Think of it as a paraphrase check: every key detail must match the original statement. The worker made two clear points: (1) blurry barcodes started when the paper roll changed, and new ink didn't fix it, and (2) the suggested fix is to test the old paper before calling for printer service. Answer B mirrors both points exactly — it restates the paper change as the suspected cause, acknowledges that new ink failed to help, and correctly identifies testing the old paper as the proposed next step. That's your correct answer. Answer A misidentifies the timeline and cause, claiming the problem began after the ink was replaced rather than after the paper changed. It also wrongly says the worker wants maintenance to repair the printer — the opposite of what was suggested. Answer C introduces two errors that never appeared in the passage: it claims the cartons were returned for incorrect shipping information (the passage says scanners couldn't read the barcodes) and suggests using a different printer, which the worker never proposed. Answer D overstates the situation by concluding both the paper and printer are defective and recommending replacing all three components — the worker only suspected the paper and wasn't ready to call for printer service yet. A useful strategy: when a question asks you to confirm or summarize someone's statement, underline the cause and the proposed action in the passage, then eliminate any answer that changes, adds to, or contradicts either one.

Question 3

Omar's monthly phone plan costs $45. Last month, he purchased one $10 travel pass. His new bill is $75 and lists the regular plan plus two $10 travel passes. His account history shows that he purchased only one pass.

Which explanation and request would be most effective when Omar calls the phone company?

  1. My usual bill is $45, but this bill is $75. Please cancel every travel pass and lower the bill to its regular amount.
  2. I bought one $10 travel pass, but the bill lists two. Please review the duplicate charge and correct the bill if it was added by mistake. (correct answer)
  3. The bill increased by $30 this month, so the regular plan must have changed. Please return my plan to the old monthly price.
  4. Someone charged me for travel services I never ordered. Please remove both charges and block all future additions to my account.
Explanation: When resolving a billing dispute, the most effective approach is to be specific, accurate, and polite — stating exactly what went wrong and requesting a focused correction. Vague or overly broad complaints often create more confusion and delay. In Omar's situation, the facts are clear: his regular plan costs $45, he purchased one $10 travel pass, so his correct bill should be $55. Instead, he was charged $75 — meaning two $10 passes appear on the bill, but he only bought one. The issue is a single duplicate charge, not a plan change or fraud. Answer B is correct because it accurately describes the problem (one pass purchased, two listed) and makes a reasonable, targeted request (review and correct the duplicate if it was an error). This kind of precise communication helps customer service resolve the issue quickly. A is too extreme — asking to cancel every travel pass would remove even the one Omar legitimately bought, leaving his bill inaccurate in the other direction. C misidentifies the cause of the increase. Omar assumes the plan changed, but the passage tells you it didn't — the problem is the extra travel pass charge, not a rate increase. D escalates the situation beyond what the facts support. Calling it fraud and demanding both charges removed plus a permanent block is an overreaction — the evidence only shows a likely billing error, not unauthorized account access. A useful tip: on questions like this, match your response only to what the facts actually show. Avoid answer choices that assume more than the passage states.

Question 4

A customer rented a floor-cleaning machine until 5 p.m. The machine ran for about ten minutes and then stopped. By phone, an employee guided the customer through the reset procedure twice, but the machine still did not run. A replacement is available, but the employee needs a manager's approval to exchange it and adjust the return time.

Which statement should the employee make to the manager?

  1. The rented cleaner stopped after about ten minutes, and two guided resets both failed to fix it. May I exchange it for the available replacement machine and adjust the customer's return time accordingly? (correct answer)
  2. The customer may have operated the cleaner incorrectly, because it stopped running twice during the rental period. May I provide a different machine only if the customer returns it before the 5 p.m. deadline?
  3. The rented cleaner is defective and clearly cannot be repaired today at the store. I will go ahead and exchange it right away and also give the customer a full extra rental day.
  4. The customer called to report that the cleaner stopped, and the reset instructions were already completed once. Should I ask the customer to attempt the same reset procedure one more time before we decide?
Explanation: When a question asks you to choose what an employee should say to a manager, think about two things: accuracy and appropriate boundaries. The employee's job is to report the facts clearly and ask for permission — not make assumptions, minimize the problem, or take unauthorized action. Choice A does exactly this. It accurately summarizes what happened (the machine stopped after ten minutes, two resets both failed), identifies the solution available (a replacement machine), and politely asks the manager to approve both actions needed — the exchange and the time adjustment. It stays within the employee's role while giving the manager everything needed to make a decision. Choice B contains two problems: it speculates that the customer may have operated the machine incorrectly (a fact not supported by the passage), and it proposes restricting the replacement to the original 5 p.m. deadline, which contradicts the need to "adjust the return time." It introduces blame and conditions not warranted by the situation. Choice C oversteps the employee's authority entirely. The passage says the employee needs manager approval — yet C states "I will go ahead and exchange it right away" and independently offers a full extra rental day. This is the opposite of asking permission. Choice D misrepresents the facts: the passage states resets were attempted twice, not once. It also suggests asking the customer to try again, ignoring that two attempts already failed. This wastes everyone's time and shows poor reading of the situation. Your strategy: when workplace communication questions appear, ask yourself — does this choice stick to the known facts, stay within the speaker's authority, and ask for what's actually needed? That's your checklist.

Question 5

Nadia received a clinic text that said, "Reply C to confirm your appointment." She replied "YES." When she arrived, the receptionist explained that the appointment had been canceled because the system did not recognize her reply. Nadia still needs a routine prescription review within the next two weeks.

Which response best explains the misunderstanding and proposes a reasonable solution?

  1. I replied to the clinic's message, so the system should have confirmed me. Please have the doctor see me today despite the cancellation.
  2. The reminder was unclear because it asked for a reply. Please restore my canceled appointment and stop sending automated messages.
  3. I replied "YES" instead of "C," so the system did not confirm me. Could we schedule a review within two weeks and confirm it now? (correct answer)
  4. My appointment disappeared after I answered the reminder. Could you contact the computer company and explain why the system canceled it?
Explanation: When a question asks you to explain a misunderstanding and propose a solution, look for the answer that does both things accurately and reasonably — without blaming others or making demands beyond what the situation calls for. Answer C does exactly this. It correctly identifies what went wrong — replying "YES" instead of "C" meant the automated system couldn't recognize the response — and then makes a simple, realistic request: reschedule the appointment within the two-week window she needs. This shows both self-awareness and practical problem-solving, which is what effective communication looks like. Answer A is the most common trap here. It shifts blame onto the clinic's system rather than acknowledging the error, and demanding to see the doctor today is an unreasonable escalation for a routine prescription review. A takes no responsibility and asks for more than the situation requires. Answer B also misreads the situation. Calling the reminder "unclear" is inaccurate — "Reply C to confirm" is direct and specific. Demanding the clinic stop using automated systems altogether is an overreaction that goes far beyond solving her immediate problem. Answer D avoids taking responsibility entirely by framing the issue as the appointment mysteriously "disappearing." Asking the receptionist to contact the software company is impractical and unhelpful — it doesn't address Nadia's actual need. A useful strategy for these communication questions: the best answer almost always acknowledges your own role in the misunderstanding, keeps the tone cooperative rather than confrontational, and asks only for what is truly needed. Watch for answer choices that blame others or demand extras — those are usually traps.

Question 6

A restaurant expected four boxes of food supplies. The driver delivered three boxes during the lunch rush, and Lee signed quickly before counting them. After the driver left, Lee checked the packing slip, which lists four boxes. The three delivered boxes are labeled 1, 2, and 4.

Which statement should Lee make when calling the delivery company?

  1. Our packing slip lists four boxes, but we received only boxes 1, 2, and 4. Could you trace box 3 and let us know when it can be delivered? (correct answer)
  2. Your driver left box 3 at another restaurant, because I signed for only three boxes. Please send the driver back with the missing box immediately.
  3. I signed before counting the delivery, so the missing box may be my responsibility. Could I place a new order for all four boxes to correct this?
  4. One box may be missing from our delivery, which arrived during the lunch rush. Could you ask the driver whether the packing slip was filled out correctly?
Explanation: When resolving a business dispute, the goal is to communicate clearly, accurately, and professionally — stating the facts you know, avoiding blame or assumptions, and requesting a reasonable next step. Keep that standard in mind as you evaluate each option. Answer A does exactly this. It cites the packing slip (an objective document) to establish that four boxes were expected, reports precisely which boxes arrived (1, 2, and 4), identifies the missing box by number (3), and makes a calm, specific request. It neither overstates what Lee knows nor understates the problem. Answer B is tempting because Lee did sign for three boxes — but B adds an accusation ("left box 3 at another restaurant") that Lee has no evidence for. It also misreads what signing means: signing confirmed receipt of what arrived, not that everything was delivered correctly. Making an unfounded claim weakens Lee's credibility and could create conflict unnecessarily. Answer C goes too far in the other direction. Lee made a mistake by signing before counting, but that doesn't make the missing box Lee's responsibility. Offering to reorder all four boxes would mean paying for items that may have already been shipped — and it abandons a legitimate claim before the company has even been contacted. Answer D is vague and unhelpful. Suggesting the packing slip "may have been filled out incorrectly" deflects from the real issue (a box is missing) and gives the delivery company no concrete information to act on. The key strategy here: in professional communication questions, choose the answer that is factual, specific, and solution-focused — and never assigns blame without evidence.

Question 7

On Monday, Rosa noticed a slow drip under her kitchen sink and placed a bowl beneath it. On Tuesday morning, the bowl was full and the cabinet floor was wet. She has not used the sink since then. Her lease directs tenants to report leaks promptly and avoid making plumbing repairs themselves.

Which message should Rosa leave for the property manager?

  1. The kitchen pipes are worn out and need to be replaced. I put down a bowl, but I may tighten the connections if no one comes today.
  2. A slow drip under my kitchen sink filled a bowl overnight and wet the cabinet floor. I stopped using the sink; please arrange a prompt inspection. (correct answer)
  3. There is water in the cabinet under my sink, although I do not know when it started. Please tell me whether I should continue using it.
  4. My kitchen sink cannot be used because the cabinet is wet. I need the entire sink replaced before the water causes additional damage.
Explanation: When answering a question like this, ask yourself two things: Does this message accurately report what the tenant knows (not guesses), and does it follow the rules in the lease? Rosa's lease has two clear rules — report leaks promptly and don't make repairs yourself. The best message will match both. Answer B does exactly this. It reports only confirmed facts: a slow drip, a bowl that filled overnight, a wet cabinet floor, and Rosa stopping her use of the sink. It also requests a prompt inspection, which satisfies the "report promptly" requirement — without overstepping into repairs. B is accurate, responsible, and lease-compliant. Answer A fails on two counts. First, Rosa doesn't know whether the pipes are "worn out" — that's a guess, not a fact. Second, threatening to tighten the connections herself directly violates the lease's rule against tenants making plumbing repairs. This answer could expose Rosa to liability. Answer C undersells the urgency. Saying she doesn't know when it started ignores the clear timeline Rosa observed. It also asks whether she should keep using the sink, which suggests she might continue using it — risky when a leak is worsening. Answer D overclaims. Rosa doesn't have enough information to demand full sink replacement. Exaggerating the problem in an official message can damage a tenant's credibility and isn't supported by what she actually witnessed. The broader tip: when choosing a professional message or report, stick to what you observed, follow stated rules or policies, and avoid guessing causes or demanding specific solutions unless you have the expertise to back them up.

Question 8

Dev has been scheduled to work Thursday evening, when he attends a job-training class approved by his employer. A coworker has agreed to exchange Dev's Thursday shift for her Saturday shift. Company policy requires a supervisor to approve all exchanges before either employee changes shifts.

What should Dev say to his supervisor?

  1. I cannot work Thursday because of my class, so my coworker will cover the shift and I will report for her Saturday shift.
  2. You scheduled me during an approved class, so the schedule needs to be corrected before Thursday by assigning someone else.
  3. My coworker may work Thursday for me, although I have not discussed another shift. Can you remove me from Thursday's schedule?
  4. My Thursday shift conflicts with my approved class. A coworker agreed to exchange it for her Saturday shift; may we have approval for that exchange? (correct answer)
Explanation: When a workplace situation involves a specific policy — like requiring supervisor approval for shift exchanges — the right communication must follow that process completely and respectfully. Ask yourself: does this response give the supervisor all the information they need and make a proper request through the correct channel? Option D does exactly that. It names the conflict (Thursday shift overlaps with an employer-approved class), presents the proposed solution (a coworker has agreed to swap her Saturday shift), and formally asks for approval — which is precisely what company policy requires. It's complete, professional, and follows the rules. Option A fails because Dev announces what will happen rather than asking for approval. Saying his coworker "will cover" and he "will report" for Saturday treats the exchange as already decided, bypassing the supervisor's required authorization entirely. Option B is confrontational rather than cooperative. Dev frames the scheduling error as the supervisor's problem to fix and demands a correction, without proposing the already-arranged solution. This ignores the coworker's offer and misses an opportunity to resolve the situation constructively. Option C is incomplete in a different way — Dev mentions the coworker working Thursday but admits he "has not discussed another shift," meaning no actual exchange has been arranged. Asking to simply be removed from Thursday without offering coverage puts the burden unfairly on the supervisor and doesn't reflect the real situation. A useful tip: when workplace communication questions involve policy, always check whether the response follows the stated procedure and includes all relevant facts. The best answer is the one that is honest, complete, and works within the rules — that's D.

Question 9

At 10:15 a.m., Mina loaded paper into Tray 2 of the office printer. She heard a click, and the paper stopped moving. She removed one loose sheet as the posted instructions directed, but the message "Side door open" remained. Invoices must be printed by noon. Office rules say only a supervisor may open the side panel.

Which statement should Mina make to her supervisor to explain the problem and propose an appropriate next step?

  1. The printer is broken again, and someone should open it soon because I cannot finish any of my work.
  2. I loaded Tray 2 incorrectly at 10:15, so the printer jammed; I will open the side panel and repair it.
  3. After I loaded Tray 2, the paper stopped and the side-door message remained after I removed a loose sheet. Could you check the panel before noon? (correct answer)
  4. The message says the side door is open, although it looks closed. I will keep restarting the printer until the invoices print.
Explanation: When a question asks you to choose the best statement for a workplace situation, look for a response that is accurate, professional, and respects the rules of the workplace. You're essentially being tested on communication skills and workplace judgment at the same time. Choice C does all three things well. It gives the supervisor the key facts in order — Mina loaded Tray 2, the paper stopped, she followed the posted instructions by removing the loose sheet, and the error message remained. Then it makes a specific, rule-following request: asking the supervisor (the only authorized person) to check the side panel, with a clear deadline mentioned. It's calm, factual, and actionable. Choice A is vague and dramatic. Saying "the printer is broken again" and "I cannot finish any of my work" exaggerates the situation without giving the supervisor enough detail to help. It also doesn't propose a clear next step tied to the actual rule. Choice B contains a false admission — Mina has no evidence she loaded Tray 2 incorrectly — and then proposes to open the side panel herself, which directly violates the office rule that only a supervisor may do so. This answer is both inaccurate and against policy. Choice D misreads the situation. The message says "side door open," but that doesn't mean Mina should repeatedly restart the printer and hope it resolves. It also ignores the rule about the side panel and fails to involve the supervisor at all. A good workplace communication tip: when something goes wrong, your message should include what happened, what you've already tried, and what you need — all within whatever rules apply.

Question 10

Because of a Monday holiday, neighborhood trash collection moved from Tuesday to Wednesday. Luis placed his cart outside Tuesday night and left it there until Wednesday evening. The other carts on his street were emptied Wednesday afternoon, but his was not. The city's recording says missed pickups should be reported after 6 p.m.

Which report should Luis make after 6 p.m. Wednesday?

  1. My trash was not collected Tuesday because the holiday changed the schedule. Please make sure the truck follows the normal route next week.
  2. I left my cart outside for two days, but the driver emptied only my neighbors' carts. Please explain why the driver skipped my address.
  3. The collection schedule was confusing, and my cart may have been placed outside too early. Could you confirm whether Wednesday was the correct day?
  4. My cart was outside before Wednesday's delayed collection, and nearby carts were emptied, but mine was missed. Please arrange a missed-pickup collection. (correct answer)
Explanation: When a report needs to be made about a missed service, accuracy matters — you need to include what happened, when, and what action you're requesting. Questions like this test whether you can identify the clearest, most complete, and most accurate communication based on the facts given. Looking at the passage, here's what we know: the pickup was rescheduled to Wednesday, Luis had his cart out in time, neighboring carts were emptied Wednesday afternoon, and his was skipped. That's a missed pickup — and a report filed after 6 p.m. Wednesday should reflect exactly that. Answer D does this precisely. It confirms the cart was out before the delayed collection, notes that nearby carts were emptied, and makes a specific, appropriate request: a missed-pickup collection. Every detail is accurate and actionable. Answer A is inaccurate because it says the trash wasn't collected Tuesday due to the holiday — but the problem isn't the schedule change itself, it's that his cart was skipped on Wednesday. Reporting Tuesday as the issue would mislead the city. Answer B introduces a demanding, accusatory tone ("explain why the driver skipped my address") and frames the situation as if Luis wants an explanation rather than a resolution — it's also not the most productive way to request service. Answer C is problematic because it suggests Luis isn't sure Wednesday was the correct day, which casts doubt on whether a pickup was even owed. This would likely result in no action being taken. A good tip: when choosing the best report or message, look for the option that is factually accurate, free of blame, and ends with a clear, solution-focused request.