Scene to read · Empathy, Communication
Her handwriting
You hand out parcels at a university mailroom.
You work alongside Eko, who is 75 and has run the mailroom for decades. It is the lunchtime rush. Wei, a first-year international graduate student in his fifties who arrived three weeks ago, has opened a parcel from home at the counter and is quietly in tears.
The scene
Eko: Sir, there's a side table if you'd like. People are waiting.
Wei: Sorry. Sorry. I'm fine, really. It's just my wife's handwriting.
Eko: Don't hover. My generation, you leave a man his privacy. Take the next one.
Wei: I'm fine. I'm holding everybody up, I know. I'm fine.
The two questions
- 1What would you do, and what would you say to Wei and Eko?
- 2Describe a time you were unsure whether someone who was upset wanted company or space. What did you do?
What raters look for
- Empathy
- Recognizes what others feel and need, and lets that shape the response without losing judgment.
- Communication
- Listens first, speaks clearly and respectfully, and adapts the message to the listener.
Answer scenarios like this on the real timers
Answer both questions on the clock, and get each one scored 1–9 the way raters score. Your first set is free, no card.
Practice free
