CAE Use of English Part 2, Test 1 – Conflict resolution

Answers and explanations

9. From. We show a range of possible situations – from one to another. The word ‘anything’ suggests the many possible options.
10. Reach. A common collocation – people reach an agreement with one another. A similar phrase is ‘to come to an agreement’, but we cannot be using it here.
11. Goes. If something goes without saying, it means that it is obvious, there cannot be two opinions on the matter. Be careful not to say ‘it comes without saying’ as it is not the set phrase we are looking for.
12. Rather. ‘Rather than’ is used to show one thing is more likely or preferable than the other. In this particular case, talks are better than fighting.
13. In. ‘In the end’ refers to a time after everything has been said and considered thoroughly. ‘At the end’ is grammatically correct, but it means ‘at the end of something’ and requires an object, e.g. ‘at the end of the day’.
14. Therefore/thus. Both options mean ‘as a result, as a consequence.
15. Out. If you talk it out (or talk things out), you sit down and have a discussion about an issue, in this case about one that involves a conflict. Note that ‘to talk something over’ simply means a discussion.
16. Little/no. Having little or no doubt means that you are fairly certain that something is true. ‘Any’ is wrong, as it would require a negative structure coming before it.