Your goal
Select the problem, response and outcome from an account, then connect them with 그러던 중 and 결국.
The purpose here is to summarize how a problem arose and was resolved. Decide whether details such as time or clothing colour are necessary for that purpose; they are not unimportant in every story.
Before you start
- 핵심
- main point
- 부연
- supporting detail
- 그러던 중
- while that was going on
- 결국
- in the end
- 잃어버리다
- lose an item
- 도움을 요청하다
- ask for help
Explore the situation
The day Yuna found her phone
토요일 오후에 도서관에 갔어요. 밖은 흐렸고 저는 파란 가방을 가지고 있었어요.
Check the meaning
I went to the library on Saturday afternoon. It was cloudy and I had a blue bag.
창문 옆 책상에서 책을 읽고 있었어요. 그 책은 한국 생활에 관한 책이었어요.
Check the meaning
I was reading at a desk by a window. The book was about life in Korea.
그러던 중 휴대전화가 없다는 것을 알았어요. 가방 안과 의자 아래를 봤지만 찾지 못했어요.
Check the meaning
Then I noticed my phone was missing. I checked my bag and under the chair, but could not find it.
직원에게 도움을 요청했어요. 직원과 함께 제가 앉았던 곳을 다시 봤어요.
Check the meaning
I asked staff for help. We checked where I had been sitting.
결국 책상 위의 책 아래에서 휴대전화를 찾았어요. 찾아서 안심했고 직원에게 고맙다고 말했어요.
Check the meaning
In the end, I found the phone under a book on the desk. I felt relieved and thanked the staff member.
Learn the expressions
그러던 중 needs an ongoing preceding situation: 책을 읽고 있었어요. 그러던 중 휴대전화가 없다는 것을 알았어요.
| Role | Example |
|---|---|
| Ongoing background | 도서관에서 책을 읽고 있었어요. |
| New problem | 그러던 중 휴대전화가 없다는 것을 알았어요. |
| Response | 직원에게 도움을 요청했어요. |
| Final outcome | 결국 휴대전화를 찾았어요. |
결국 marks reaching an outcome through a process, not merely a later time. The outcome does not have to be bad.
Read the conversation
A short summary
무슨 일이 있었어요?
Show meaning
What happened?
휴대전화가 없어서 직원에게 도움을 요청했어요.
Show meaning
My phone was missing, so I asked staff for help.
결국 찾았어요?
Show meaning
Did you find it in the end?
네. 책상 위에서 찾았어요.
Show meaning
Yes, I found it on the desk.
A supporting question
가방은 무슨 색이었어요?
Show meaning
What colour was the bag?
파란색이었어요.
Show meaning
It was blue.
Build a sentence
Check the details shown on the cards and try a sentence before revealing the example. Then assemble the sentence pieces.
Compare the flow and express it
From setting to problem
- Setting
- 도서관에서 책을 읽음
- Problem
- 휴대전화를 찾지 못함
Example and explanation
책을 읽고 있었어요. 그러던 중 휴대전화가 없다는 것을 알았어요.
The two sentences establish the start of the incident.
From response to outcome
- Response
- 직원에게 도움 요청
- Outcome
- 책상 위에서 휴대전화 발견
Example and explanation
직원에게 도움을 요청했어요. 결국 책상 위에서 휴대전화를 찾았어요.
Connect the response and the final outcome.
Sentence-piece practice
1. Add the new event after the background.
Sentence pieces
- 휴대전화가 없다는 것을
- 그러던 중
- 알았어요.
2. Mark the final outcome.
Sentence pieces
- 휴대전화를
- 결국
- 찾았어요.
Practice
Choose a response that fits the situation using the expressions you learned.
1. What must remain in a problem-resolution summary?
- 시간만 다섯 개
- 문제·대응·결과
- 날씨·가방 색·옷 색
2. Fill the connector after 책을 읽고 있었어요.
- 결국 찾았어요
- 읽기 전에
- 그러던 중
3. What is the final outcome after asking staff?
- 결국 휴대전화를 찾았어요.
- 결국 휴대전화가 없었어요.
- 결국 내일 찾을 거예요.
4. Which explanation of 결국 fits?
- It is used only before the first action.
- It can introduce the final outcome of a process.
- It always means failure.
Try a new situation
Use the new role information. Write the required details in Korean and try saying them.
Jun’s journey to a meeting
토요일 아침에 친구와 모임이 있었어요. 저는 파란 셔츠를 입고 버스를 탔어요.
Check the meaning
I had a meeting with a friend on Saturday morning. Wearing a blue shirt, I boarded a bus.
창문 옆에 앉아서 밖을 보고 있었어요. 그런데 버스가 제가 가려던 곳의 반대 방향으로 가고 있었어요.
Check the meaning
I sat by the window looking outside. But the bus was going in the opposite direction from my destination.
반대 방향 버스를 탔다는 것을 알고 기사에게 도움을 요청했어요. 기사에게 가려는 곳도 말했어요.
Check the meaning
Realizing I was on the wrong bus, I asked the driver for help and stated my destination.
기사는 갈아탈 곳을 알려 주었어요. 안내를 다시 확인한 후에 버스에서 내렸어요.
Check the meaning
The driver explained where to change. I confirmed the directions and got off.
결국 다른 버스로 갈아타고 모임에 도착했어요. 친구가 입구에서 기다리고 있었어요. 저는 도착해서 안심했어요.
Check the meaning
I changed to another bus and finally arrived. My friend was waiting at the entrance. I felt relieved.
Select three events that explain the resolution
Jun’s journey to a meeting
토요일 아침에 친구와 모임이 있었어요. 저는 파란 셔츠를 입고 버스를 탔어요.
Check the meaning
I had a meeting with a friend on Saturday morning. Wearing a blue shirt, I boarded a bus.
창문 옆에 앉아서 밖을 보고 있었어요. 그런데 버스가 제가 가려던 곳의 반대 방향으로 가고 있었어요.
Check the meaning
I sat by the window looking outside. But the bus was going in the opposite direction from my destination.
반대 방향 버스를 탔다는 것을 알고 기사에게 도움을 요청했어요. 기사에게 가려는 곳도 말했어요.
Check the meaning
Realizing I was on the wrong bus, I asked the driver for help and stated my destination.
기사는 갈아탈 곳을 알려 주었어요. 안내를 다시 확인한 후에 버스에서 내렸어요.
Check the meaning
The driver explained where to change. I confirmed the directions and got off.
결국 다른 버스로 갈아타고 모임에 도착했어요. 친구가 입구에서 기다리고 있었어요. 저는 도착해서 안심했어요.
Check the meaning
I changed to another bus and finally arrived. My friend was waiting at the entrance. I felt relieved.
- 파란 셔츠를 입었어요. ____
- 반대 방향 버스를 탔어요. ____
- 창문 옆에 앉았어요. ____
- 기사에게 도움을 요청했어요. ____
- 친구가 입구에서 기다리고 있었어요. ____
- 버스를 갈아타고 모임에 도착했어요. ____
Choose three events showing the problem, response and outcome.
Tasks
Try the tasks first, then compare with the answers and examples in step 10.
1. As Jun, state the problem: boarding the opposite-direction bus.
Show a hint
Use the pattern and keep the supplied information.
2. State the action taken with the driver.
Show a hint
Use the pattern and keep the supplied information.
3. Start the final outcome with 결국.
Show a hint
Use the pattern and keep the supplied information.
4. After the ongoing bus ride, state what Jun noticed. Begin with 그러던 중.
Show a hint
Use the pattern and keep the supplied information.
5. Summarize Jun’s experience in three sentences: problem, response, outcome.
Show a hint
Use the pattern and keep the supplied information.
Check your learning
Read the new conditions and distinguish the key information.
1. What problem occurred in Jun’s story?
- 도서관 책을 잃어버렸어요.
- 식당 예약이 취소됐어요.
- 반대 방향 버스를 탔어요.
2. What did Jun do to solve it?
- 기사에게 도움을 요청했어요.
- 가방 색을 바꿨어요.
- 버스에서 책을 샀어요.
3. What was Jun’s final outcome?
- 어디에도 도착하지 못했어요.
- 버스를 갈아타고 모임에 도착했어요.
- 계속 반대 방향으로 갔어요.
4. In this problem-resolution summary, what role does the blue shirt play?
- The cause determining which bus to change to
- The meeting place
- A detail that can be omitted without losing the resolution
5. Which orders Jun’s three key events?
- 잘못 탐 → 도움 요청 → 갈아타고 도착
- 도착 → 도움 요청 → 잘못 탐
- 도움 요청 → 모임 취소 → 귀가
6. When can supporting details be useful?
- When inventing missing facts
- When someone asks for more detail
- When replacing the main event with a different one
Reflect on your reading
Tick only what you actually checked. Feedback from another person is optional and is not required to finish the lesson.
Answers and explanations
Show answers and explanations
Practice questions
1. What must remain in a problem-resolution summary?
Answer: 문제·대응·결과
These explain what happened and how it ended.
- 시간만 다섯 개 — Times alone do not convey the events.
- 날씨·가방 색·옷 색 — These do not explain this resolution.
2. Fill the connector after 책을 읽고 있었어요.
Answer: 그러던 중
A new event arises during the background.
- 결국 찾았어요 — This does not connect to the following event.
- 읽기 전에 — It was during, not before, reading.
3. What is the final outcome after asking staff?
Answer: 결국 휴대전화를 찾았어요.
The text says it was found.
- 결국 휴대전화가 없었어요. — This reverses the outcome.
- 결국 내일 찾을 거예요. — A future plan does not match this account.
4. Which explanation of 결국 fits?
Answer: It can introduce the final outcome of a process.
The context may have a positive or negative outcome.
- It is used only before the first action. — Here it concludes a process.
- It always means failure. — It is not restricted to failure.
Learning check
1. What problem occurred in Jun’s story?
Answer: 반대 방향 버스를 탔어요.
Jun realized the bus was going the other way.
- 도서관 책을 잃어버렸어요. — This is not about a lost book.
- 식당 예약이 취소됐어요. — No cancellation is mentioned.
2. What did Jun do to solve it?
Answer: 기사에게 도움을 요청했어요.
Asking for help is the response.
- 가방 색을 바꿨어요. — Changing colour is not the response.
- 버스에서 책을 샀어요. — No book purchase appears.
3. What was Jun’s final outcome?
Answer: 버스를 갈아타고 모임에 도착했어요.
Jun changed buses and arrived.
- 어디에도 도착하지 못했어요. — This conflicts with the arrival.
- 계속 반대 방향으로 갔어요. — Jun corrected the direction after asking.
4. In this problem-resolution summary, what role does the blue shirt play?
Answer: A detail that can be omitted without losing the resolution
It is not central for this purpose.
- The cause determining which bus to change to — The shirt colour did not determine the bus.
- The meeting place — Clothing is not a place.
5. Which orders Jun’s three key events?
Answer: 잘못 탐 → 도움 요청 → 갈아타고 도착
This is problem, response, outcome.
- 도착 → 도움 요청 → 잘못 탐 — The sequence is reversed.
- 도움 요청 → 모임 취소 → 귀가 — Cancellation and going home are not stated.
6. When can supporting details be useful?
Answer: When someone asks for more detail
Use them for follow-up detail after summarizing.
- When inventing missing facts — Supporting detail also needs a basis.
- When replacing the main event with a different one — Do not change core facts.
Example answers
Written responses are examples. Other wording can also meet the same conditions.
1. As Jun, state the problem: boarding the opposite-direction bus.
반대 방향 버스를 탔어요.
버스를 잘못 탔어요.
State the problem briefly.
2. State the action taken with the driver.
기사에게 도움을 요청했어요.
기사님에게 도움을 요청했어요.
Keep the action actually taken.
3. Start the final outcome with 결국.
결국 버스를 갈아타고 모임에 도착했어요.
결국 모임에 도착했어요.
The process ended in arrival at the meeting.
4. After the ongoing bus ride, state what Jun noticed. Begin with 그러던 중.
그러던 중 반대 방향이라는 것을 알았어요.
그러던 중 버스를 잘못 탔다는 것을 알았어요.
A new event or realization follows this connector.
5. Summarize Jun’s experience in three sentences: problem, response, outcome.
반대 방향 버스를 탔어요. 기사에게 도움을 요청했어요. 결국 버스를 갈아타고 모임에 도착했어요.
버스를 잘못 탔어요. 기사님에게 도움을 요청했어요. 결국 모임에 도착했어요.
The resolution stays clear without incidental details.
Select three events that explain the resolution
Jun’s journey to a meeting
토요일 아침에 친구와 모임이 있었어요. 저는 파란 셔츠를 입고 버스를 탔어요.
Check the meaning
I had a meeting with a friend on Saturday morning. Wearing a blue shirt, I boarded a bus.
창문 옆에 앉아서 밖을 보고 있었어요. 그런데 버스가 제가 가려던 곳의 반대 방향으로 가고 있었어요.
Check the meaning
I sat by the window looking outside. But the bus was going in the opposite direction from my destination.
반대 방향 버스를 탔다는 것을 알고 기사에게 도움을 요청했어요. 기사에게 가려는 곳도 말했어요.
Check the meaning
Realizing I was on the wrong bus, I asked the driver for help and stated my destination.
기사는 갈아탈 곳을 알려 주었어요. 안내를 다시 확인한 후에 버스에서 내렸어요.
Check the meaning
The driver explained where to change. I confirmed the directions and got off.
결국 다른 버스로 갈아타고 모임에 도착했어요. 친구가 입구에서 기다리고 있었어요. 저는 도착해서 안심했어요.
Check the meaning
I changed to another bus and finally arrived. My friend was waiting at the entrance. I felt relieved.
- 반대 방향 버스를 탔어요.
- 기사에게 도움을 요청했어요.
- 버스를 갈아타고 모임에 도착했어요.
The purpose is problem → response → outcome: wrong bus, help request, change buses and arrive. Clothes, seat and the friend’s position are supporting details for this purpose.
Sentence-piece practice
1. Add the new event after the background.
그러던 중 휴대전화가 없다는 것을 알았어요.
Something changed during the ongoing situation.
2. Mark the final outcome.
결국 휴대전화를 찾았어요.
This closes the search process.
Review and continue
Come back to these
Recall with the example closed
Select the problem, response and outcome from an account, then connect them with 그러던 중 and 결국.
Change one detail
Change a person, action or time and make two sentences.
Combine with earlier expressions
Make a short exchange with a question and response.
Review what felt difficult
Review this expressionSeparate key events from supporting details →Earlier learningReconnect the foundation →Look separately at activity completion and core learning results.