Conflict is the base of the story. Without conflict, the story has no plot, the characters don't experience anything, and there isn't really any developments at all. As for the second question, I think that's your own opinion.
I think that you first write it and take it apart based by syllables, then you separate the “tricky” part (eg. most likely “gh” in “eighth”) and then you write it again. I’m just guessing though. I hope he is able to understand it.
