Main Lesson
Discussion
• What’s happening?
• What do you think happened just before this picture?
• What might happen next?
• What makes an explanation clear or unclear?
Useful words: bat; road rage; mortarboard; academic regalia; tumble;
1. Which one is better?
Angela
Mark
❓Who explained the situation well, and what made it effective?
2. Can you explain situations well?
Situation 1
Last week, you lost your bag.
• You left your bag on the bus.
• You realized it after you got home.
• You had to call the bus company.
Situation 2
Yesterday, you waved at the wrong person.
• You waved at someone.
• You realized it was the wrong person.
• They looked confused.
3. How do natives describe situations?
⭐ Start with the main point
→ A short headline sentence.
→ Example: “My flight got delayed for two hours.”
⭐ Give key details (3W: what, when, why if known)
→ Keep them short and logical.
→ Example: “It happened this morning at the airport. They said the weather was bad.”
⭐ Add your reaction or result
→ Makes the explanation sound natural.
→ Example: “So I had to wait, so… sorry I am late.”
Example 1
I accidentally scared my neighbor for no reason. Last night I was taking out the trash, and I sneezed super loudly right behind him — like, you know, one of those explosive sneezes you can’t control. He jumped so hard he dropped all his groceries. So I had to apologize like five times, and we both ended up cracking up.
Example 2
I locked myself out of my apartment the other day. It happened this morning when I rushed out to take out the trash, and the door closed behind me. I didn’t have my phone or my keys. So I had to wait outside for almost 30 minutes until my neighbor helped me contact the building manager.
4. Let’s practice!
Situation 1
Yesterday, you dropped your phone.
• You dropped your phone.
• The screen cracked badly.
• You couldn’t use it for two days.
Situation 2
Last week, you were angry with your classmate.
• Someone in your class was talking loudly.
• You couldn’t focus on your work.
• You …
Situation 3
When?
• What happened?