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Your friend Sam lent you their laptop for the weekend. You left it on a train on Saturday. You have reported it to lost property, but it has not been handed in. Sam has a coursework deadline in five days and much of their work was saved only on the laptop. Sam is about to arrive. You have 6 minutes.
Say your answer out loud first, then jot down the key points you made. Writing it helps you spot gaps — and it's what the AI feedback reads.
0 words
Breaking bad news, honesty and taking responsibility, empathy with strong emotion, and agreeing a constructive plan.
A structure to build your own answer on — not a script.
Setting
Greet Sam, sit down, check it's a good time.
Warning shot
'I'm really sorry, I've got some bad news about your laptop.'
Knowledge
Explain clearly and honestly what happened, without excuses.
Emotion
Pause; acknowledge anger or panic; apologise sincerely; don't argue.
Plan
Offer concrete help: replacement, help recovering files (cloud backup, email, school system), telling the teacher about the deadline.
Close
Summarise, check how they're feeling, agree when you'll next speak.
A strong but not perfect answer. Read the notes to see why it works — then make your own version with your experiences.
Candidate stands to greet Sam, gestures to sit.
"Hi Sam, thanks for coming. Have you got a few minutes? I need to talk to you about something important."
"I'm really sorry — I've got some bad news about your laptop." Pause.1 "On Saturday I was on the train back from my aunt's and I left it on the luggage rack. I realised as soon as I got off. I reported it to lost property straight away and I've called every day since, but it hasn't been handed in."
Sam reacts angrily: 'Are you serious? My whole coursework is on there!'
"I know — I'm so sorry. You've got every right to be angry2. I know how much work you've put into that coursework, and the deadline's on Friday." Pause, lets Sam speak.
"I want to do everything I can to put this right. First, I'll pay for a replacement laptop — I've already looked at getting the same model. Second, can we check whether any of your work is saved somewhere else — have you emailed any drafts to yourself or saved anything to the school system? I'll help you go through it tonight. And if the deadline's still a problem, I'll come with you to explain to your teacher3 that it was my fault, so you're not penalised for something I did."
"How are you feeling about that? … Is there anything else you need from me right now?4
Real interviews are won and lost here. Answer each one aloud.
"I really am sorry, Sam. I'll message you tonight once I've heard back from lost property again, and let's meet tomorrow to work through the files."