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B2-46 / CEFR B2 / EPISODE 46

Reference Letter

Connecting context with achievements in a reference

SceneFrank is drafting a fellowship recommendation for Leila, a junior researcher in his lab. He asks a senior colleague for advice.

Frank reviewing documents with a senior colleague in a laboratory.
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STORY English with optional Japanese translations

Narrator

Frank is drafting a fellowship recommendation for Leila, a junior researcher in his lab. He asks a senior colleague for advice.

フランクは、研究助成に応募する研究室の若手研究者レイラの推薦状を下書きしている。先輩の同僚に書き方を相談する。

Colleague01

How's Leila's recommendation letter coming along?

レイラの推薦状は進んでるかい？

Frank02

I'm stuck on last year's gap. She didn't publish any papers.

去年、論文が出ていないところで悩んでいます。

Colleague03

Because of the freezer failure?

例の冷凍庫の故障のせいだね？

Frank04

Yes. We lost eight months of samples, and she had to repeat the work.

はい。8か月分のサンプルが失われて、彼女はその分の研究をやり直すことになりました。

Colleague05

What worries you about mentioning that?

それを書くにあたって、何が気になるんだい？

Frank06

It could sound like an excuse. How would you approach it?

言い訳のように聞こえるかもしれません。どう書けばいいと思いますか？

Colleague07

Start with her achievements. What has she done since then?

彼女の成果から書き始めるといい。その後、何を成し遂げた？

Frank08

Two papers this year. She also introduced daily temperature checks to protect stored samples.

今年、論文が2本。それに、保管中のサンプルを守るため、毎日温度を確認する仕組みも導入しました。

Colleague09

To play devil's advocate, why mention the freezer at all? Couldn't the papers speak for themselves?

あえて反対の立場で聞くけど、そもそも冷凍庫の話は必要かな？論文の実績だけで十分じゃないか？

Frank10

I'd rather explain the gap than leave the committee guessing. I'll keep it brief.

委員会の推測に任せるより、空白の理由を説明したいです。短くまとめます。

Colleague11

Fair point. Lead with her results. What would you write?

それはもっともだね。成果を先に出して、どう書く？

Frank12

"Leila published two papers this year and improved our sample storage procedures after a freezer failure destroyed eight months of samples."

「レイラは今年2本の論文を発表し、研究室のサンプル保管の手順も改善しました。冷凍庫の故障で8か月分のサンプルを失った後の成果です」。

Colleague13

That works. It explains the gap and shows why you're recommending her.

いいね。空白の理由も、彼女を推薦する理由も伝わるよ。

WORDS & CONTEXT

Words & context

“To play devil's advocate”

Play devil's advocate means to argue an opposing position to test an idea or deepen discussion, regardless of your real opinion. The expression originated in an official role challenging a proposed saint's canonization. The colleague asks whether Leila's publication record is sufficient without mentioning the freezer incident.

“Couldn't the papers speak for themselves?”

Speak for itself or speak for themselves means that facts or achievements are persuasive without further explanation, as in The results speak for themselves. The colleague asks whether Leila's papers make explaining the gap unnecessary.

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