In the meeting: chairing, contributing, closing — Workbook
1. Vocabulary in context
Complete each sentence with ONE word or phrase from the box. Two items are extra.
- Sorry to interrupt — can I drop here?
- Interesting point. Just to drop that, we could also try…
- Let's drop that for now and revisit it at the end.
- OK, let's drop up: what are our action items?
- Ana will drop today's meeting since it's her project.
- We finished with three clear drop and owners for each.
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2. Diplomatic reformulation
Rewrite each sentence in a more diplomatic, professional register.
- That's a bad idea.
- You didn't understand me.
- We need to stop talking about this.
- You're wrong.
- Nobody agrees with you.
- Shut up, let her finish.
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3. Which sentence is more natural in a professional meeting?
Choose the more professional option.
You want to interrupt politely.
You want to paraphrase before disagreeing.
You want to close with clear ownership.
You want to disagree with your boss diplomatically.
You want to postpone a topic.
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4. Find and fix the mistake
Each sentence has ONE mistake. Rewrite it correctly.
- Can I to add something?
- I am agree with you.
- Let's to wrap up.
- If I understanding correctly, you want to delay.
- She chair the meeting every Monday.
- We must to reach a decision today.
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5. Listening — a budget decision in a three-person meeting
Nadia (chair), Tomas and Priya decide how to spend the remaining budget. Listen (or read the transcript) and answer.
- What decision does Nadia have to take in this meeting?
- What is Tomas's argument, and what is Priya's?
- How does Nadia manage the disagreement?
- What is the final agreement, with owners and deadlines?
Show transcript
Nadia (Chair):Right, twenty minutes, one decision: the leftover budget — offsite or training? Tomas, your view first.
Tomas:Training can wait. Half of this team has never met face to face. Honestly, that costs us every single week.
Priya:Sorry, but that's not really—
Nadia (Chair):Priya, let Tomas finish and then I'll come to you.
Tomas:That's all, really. One day together and the emails get easier.
Priya:Thank you. My point is simple: two of my people can't run a client call in English. That's not a nice-to-have, that's revenue.
Nadia (Chair):So, to check I've understood: Tomas, you're worried about a team that doesn't know each other; Priya, you're worried about people who can't do part of their job. Fair?
Tomas:Fair.
Priya:Yes, exactly.
Nadia (Chair):I don't think this is either-or. What about a one-day local offsite in June — no hotel, no flights — and then eight training sessions from July?
Priya:That would work for me if the sessions really start in July.
Tomas:And I can organise the offsite day. Local is fine.
Nadia (Chair):Perfect. Tomas owns the June day, Priya owns the training plan. Both send me the costs by Friday and I'll send the summary tonight.
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6. Writing — meeting summary email (100–120 words)
Write the follow-up email for the meeting above. Include: a one-sentence recap of the decision, action items with owners and deadlines, an invitation to flag anything missing, and a next check-in date. Use at least ONE paraphrase structure ('To confirm…') and ONE polite reminder ('Could you send…').
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7. Reading & discursive reflection
Re-read the classbook article 'Chairing is a skill, not a title'. Then answer in 100–130 words.
- The article argues that the person who books the meeting should not automatically chair it — the owner of the topic should. Do you agree? What could go wrong if this rule were applied strictly in your organisation?
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