Problem-Solving
Emma is about to leave for class when she notices her backpack zipper is broken and her books are falling out. What should Emma do?
She should she use a different bag for her books for the day.
Mia notices her professor returning graded tests and most students look disappointed as they received their tests. What can be inferred?
The students did not receive good grades on their tests.
Maya had two very different lives. During the week, she lived in a busy city and worked as an architect, designing tall buildings and rushing to meet deadlines. But on weekends, she went to a quiet lake where she stayed in a small cabin and enjoyed the peaceful nature. At first, she thought she had to choose one life or the other. Then one day, while sitting by the lake and working on a design, she got an idea. She mixed the calm shapes of nature with her modern building style. Her new design turned out better than ever. That’s when Maya realized she didn’t have to choose—she could enjoy both her busy city job and her peaceful time at the lake. She had found the best of both worlds.
Idiom: the best of both worlds
Meaning: An ideal situation where someone enjoys two opportunities.
Alex puts his burrito in the microwave to warm up. He goes into the living room to turn on the TV while it's warming up, but he starts to smell smoke. What should Alex do?
Alex should turn off the microwave, let the burrito cool down, and take it out.
Sarah submits a college assignment and later receives an email saying, “Please see me after class to discuss your work." Why do you think the professor wants to talk to Sarah after class?
Sarah probably did not do the assignment correctly or doesn't understand the concept and her professor wants to talk to her about it.
When Jessie didn’t get the job she really wanted, she felt disappointed and thought all her hard work had gone to waste. However, a few days later, another company she had applied to contacted her with a better offer, including higher pay and a more positive work environment. At that moment, Jessie realized that losing the first opportunity was actually a blessing in disguise, because it led her to something even better than she had originally hoped for.
Idiom: A blessing in disguise.
Meaning: A good thing that seemed bad at first.
David wanted to apply for a summer internship, but the application asked for a recommendation letter. What should David do?
David should ask a professor or employer for a letter of recommendation.
Alex puts his burrito in the microwave to warm up. He goes into the living room to turn on the TV while it's warming up, but he starts to smell smoke. Why do you think Alex starts to smell smoke?
Alex likely put his burrito in the microwave for too long.
Jordan and his sister Mia were planning their weekend, but they did not see eye to eye. Jordan wanted to go to the park and play soccer, while Mia preferred staying home to watch movies. They both tried to explain why their idea was better, but neither of them wanted to change their mind. Finally, their mom suggested a compromise: they could go to the park in the morning and watch a movie in the afternoon. Even though Jordan and Mia didn’t always see eye to eye, they learned that listening and working together could help them solve their disagreements.
Idiom:see eye to eye
Meaning: to agree on something.
Mia has back to back classes and typically packs her lunch. Once she arrives at school, she discovers that she left her lunch on the kitchen counter, and she won’t be able to go back home until after classes end. What should Mia do?
Mia could see if her roommate or someone else at home could bring her lunch. Mia could also buy lunch on campus.
Caleb walks into his college classroom and notices the professor has already handed out review sheets and is writing “Exam Review” on the board. What can we infer given this scenario?
Caleb has an exam coming up in that class.
On Friday, the class was planning a surprise party for their teacher. Ava knew all the details and was very excited, but she was also supposed to keep it a secret. During lunch, her friend asked why everyone had been staying after school. Ava almost spilled the beans, but she stopped herself just in time. Instead, she smiled and said it was just a group project. Later that day, she felt proud of herself for not spilling the beans and ruining the surprise.
Idiom: Spill the beans
Meaning: Reveal a secret
Reese is in college and receives conflicting advice from two advisors about what classes to take. What should Reese do?
Reese should ask for clarification, check degree audit, and potentially ask for a third opinion.
Carlos arrives at his dorm and sees his roommate has not been there for several days, and the bed is neatly made with empty hangers in the closet. What can you infer based on this situation?
Carlos probably moved out.
On the first day at his new school, Liam felt nervous because he didn’t know anyone in his class. When the teacher assigned a group activity, he was paired with two classmates, but at first no one spoke. The silence made Liam uncomfortable. Finally, one student smiled and said, “I’ll break the ice—what’s your favorite hobby?” Liam relaxed and shared that he liked playing soccer, and soon everyone was talking. By the end, they were laughing, and Liam realized that breaking the ice can help people feel comfortable.
Idiom: break the ice
Meaning: to say or do something to make people feel less shy and start talking.