OPIc English · Korean-English · 80 cards · Free

OPIc problem and solution phrases for Korean speakers

A free deck of English frames for OPIc problem-and-solution answers, with Korean prompts. Eight common troubles, from a delayed train to a missing reservation, each run through ten moves: what happened, why it was hard, what you did, how it ended and what you learned.

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What this deck teaches

A problem answer can easily become a long pause if you have to build the structure from scratch. These cards make the structure speakable: "One problem I had was...", "The first thing I did was..." and "Fortunately, the situation got better...".

The scenarios are common enough to reuse: delayed trains, reservation mistakes, product trouble, getting lost, deadline pressure, schedule changes, message misunderstandings and feeling unwell.

The point is not to memorize one incident. The point is to have the repair language ready, then plug in your own details during the test.

Three problems, and the cards that explain them

Eight everyday troubles each get the same ten moves: what happened, why it was hard, what you did and how it ended.

A reservation that is not in the system

Say what the problem was, then say who you asked. Those two sentences already answer most of the question.

예약 실수: 문제 이야기 시작하기

One problem I had was that my reservation was not in the system.

예약 실수: 도움 요청하기

I asked someone for help because my reservation was not in the system.

Something you bought does not work

Name the problem and explain why it was difficult before you describe the fix.

상품 문제: 문제 이야기 시작하기

One problem I had was that the item I bought did not work properly.

상품 문제: 곤란했던 이유 말하기

It was difficult because the item I bought did not work properly.

Late or lost on the way somewhere

Start with the delayed train. End with what the experience taught you, which is the sentence that closes the answer.

기차 지연: 문제 이야기 시작하기

One problem I had was that my train was delayed on the way to an important appointment.

길을 잃었을 때: 문제 해결 이야기 마무리하기

It was stressful, but I learned how to handle a situation where I got lost in an unfamiliar neighborhood.

Korean gives the reason before the result, joined with -아서/어서 or -(으)니까. The English frames give the result first and the reason after "because", as in "It was difficult because ...".

How to practice problem answers

Say the full arc. Practice from problem to result. If you only drill the first sentence, your answer will still stall in the middle.
Keep it calm. Use the phrases to slow the story down: first reaction, first action, second approach and result.
Reuse the same situation. Try one situation with several frames in a row, then switch topics. This makes the language flexible.

Sample cards

기차 지연: 문제 이야기 시작하기

One problem I had was that my train was delayed on the way to an important appointment.

기차 지연: 곤란했던 이유 말하기

It was difficult because my train was delayed on the way to an important appointment.

기차 지연: 처음 반응 말하기

At first, I did not know what to do because my train was delayed on the way to an important appointment.

기차 지연: 바로 한 일 말하기

The first thing I did was stay calm, even though my train was delayed on the way to an important appointment.

기차 지연: 도움 요청하기

I asked someone for help because my train was delayed on the way to an important appointment.

기차 지연: 다른 방법 시도하기

When my first idea did not work, I tried another way because my train was delayed on the way to an important appointment.

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