Problem-Solving
Ben reached into his pocket during lunch and realized his phone was missing. He remembered using it earlier in the morning during class. What is the solution?
Ben should check the classroom for his phone.
Lena poured herself a cup of coffee, took one sip, and made a face. She walked back to the counter, added sugar and cream, and stirred it again before taking another drink. What can you infer about Lena's coffee?
It tasted to strong or bitter before she added sugar and cream.
Jeremiah was having difficulty focusing during science class. He couldn't stop thinking about his exciting weekend plans. He had a championship basketball game on Saturday, and he wanted to watch the final episode of his favorite TV show. Jeremiah didn't hear his teacher call his name to answer the question. She said, "You have your head in the clouds."
Idiom: You have your head in the clouds
Meaning: A daydream or getting lost in thoughts.
Jordan is working a part-time job and realized he double-booked his shifts with a friend’s birthday party. The party is important to him, but he also shouldn't miss work. What should he do?
Ask someone to cover his shift or communicate with his friend that he cannot come or can only come for a portion of the time.
Nina handed the cashier her card, but the machine made a loud beep. The cashier looked at the screen and said, “I’m sorry.” Nina sighed, checked her wallet, and then pulled out some cash. What likely happened?
Her card was declined or didn’t work.
Ethan usually loved playing soccer after school, but today he sat quietly on the bench while his teammates ran across the field. His coach walked over and asked if he was okay. “I’m just feeling a little under the weather,” Ethan said, rubbing his head. He hadn’t slept well and felt tired and achy all day. The coach nodded and told him it was okay to rest. Ethan watched the game instead, hoping he would feel better soon and be ready to play again tomorrow.
Idiom: feeling a little under the weather
Meaning: To feel sick or unwell.
Priya has rented an apartment for college, but she realizes that the electricity bill is much higher than she expected. She needs to stay within her budget for the rest of the semester. What should she do?
Priya could turn off lights and appliances when they are not being used.
Daniel’s alarm went off at 6:00 a.m., but he pressed snooze three times. When he finally got up, the sun was already higher in the sky. He rushed through getting dressed, skipped breakfast, and grabbed his bag as he ran out the door. Why is Daniel rushing?
He is probably late for an obligation like work, school, or an appointment.
Sofia looked at the science worksheet and felt nervous at first, but once she read the directions, she realized she already knew how to do every problem. She answered each question quickly and checked her work twice. When her friend Marcus asked how it was going, Sofia smiled and said, “This is a piece of cake.”
Idiom: A piece of cake
Meaning: something is easy to do.
Ethan is in charge of organizing a company picnic in the park. Everything is ready: food, games, and seating. Suddenly, it starts raining heavily an hour before the event. Guests are expected to arrive soon, and he knows the weather could ruin the entire day if nothing is done. What could Ethan do?
Ethan could try to move the event inside somewhere or put up some tents.
Mark had been staring at his computer screen for nearly an hour. The same sentence was still at the top of the page. He leaned back in his chair, rubbed his eyes, and then got up to take a short walk outside before coming back to his desk. Why did Mark clear his mind?
He was getting frustrated or stuck and needed to clear his mind.
Alex and Sam had been planning a small business together, but they couldn’t agree on where to open their shop. Alex wanted a busy downtown spot, while Sam thought a quieter neighborhood would be better. After talking through the pros and cons, Alex said, “I’m okay with either choice—the ball is in your court.” Sam realized it was now his turn to decide, so he chose the downtown location, and the two partners moved forward with their plan.
Idiom: The ball is in your court
Meaning: You are responsible for what happens next.
Taylor just got a summer internship in a new city. She is supposed to move in next week, but the landlord informs them that the apartment won’t be ready yet. Taylor has no other place to stay and can’t cancel the internship. What should she do?
She should get a temporary Airbnb or hotel to stay at.
Nora placed her finished report on her supervisor’s desk and walked back to her own desk without saying much. A few minutes later, she kept glancing toward the office door, tapping her pencil lightly. When her supervisor finally stepped out and called her name, Nora quickly stood up. Why might Nora keep glancing at her supervisor's door?
She is waiting for feedback and feels anxious about how her report will be received.
Taylor needed to ask their boss for a day off, but they felt nervous. Instead of saying it clearly, Taylor started talking about how busy work had been and how tired they felt. After a few minutes, the boss smiled and said, “You’re beating around the bush—what do you need?” Taylor took a deep breath and finally asked for the day off. The boss nodded and said yes, and Taylor felt relieved for being honest.
Idiom: Beat around the boat
Meaning: To avoid saying something directly or not get to the main point.