Problem-Solving
Carlos accidentally parks in a spot reserved for faculty and gets a parking ticket. What can Carlos do to avoid this problem in the future?
Carlos could read parking signs carefully, park in student-designated areas, and check campus rules before leaving his car.
Ava asks her friend, “Did I miss anything important yesterday?” Her friend hands her several pages of notes and says, “You should really read all of this.” What can you infer about the class that Ava missed?
Ava missed an important class with a lot of information
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 your thoughts"
Carlos is on his way to meet a friend on campus and notices his phone battery is almost dead. He needs it to call the friend. What should Carlos do?
Carlos should charge his phone.
The professor is still talking, but she keeps looking at the clock on the wall. Some students slowly start putting their notebooks away. A few others close their laptops and glance at the door. Why do you think the students are putting their notebooks away?
The class is about to end
Nicholas and James were playing soccer in the house again, despite their mother's wishes. Their mother always warned them to be careful in the house and to play sports outside. After Nicholas kicked the soccer ball to James, it accidentally hit a vase, causing it to shatter into pieces when it hit the tile floor. "Oh no!" Nicholas gasped. "We're in hot water."
Idiom: "We're in hot water."
Meaning: To be in trouble.
During an internship, Jordan is given three tasks to complete by the end of the day. One task is complicated, another takes a long time, and the last is urgent. He is unsure which task to do first. Which task do you think that Jordan should do first?
Jordan should do the urgent task first.
Before giving his presentation, Tyler keeps practicing quietly and looking at his note cards. He takes a deep breath and avoids talking to others. When his name is called, he walks to the front slowly. How might Tyler be feeling?
Tyler might be feeling nervous.
Bobby waited until the night before his science project was due to get started. He looked at the assignment and realized that he needed Styrofoam to design his own planet. Bobby ran to his mother to ask if they had any in the house. When she said they didn't have any and wouldn't be able to get any until the next morning, Bobby knew he wouldn't finish the project in time. He said, "I'm in a pickle"
Idiom: "In a pickle"
Meaning: To be in a difficult situation.
Jamal gets on an elevator in his dorm, but it stops working and he is stuck inside for a few minutes. What should Jamal do?
Jamal should press the emergency button in the elevator and wait for assistance.
During a group discussion, Rachel keeps suggesting ideas, but each time someone else interrupts or talks over her. She smiles politely but stops raising her hand after a while. At the end, she quietly packs her notes and leaves without speaking. What can you infer about Rachel's experience in the group?
Rachel likely feels frustrated or ignored and decides not to continue contributing.
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 very easy to do.
Rebecca lost her credit card and has not been able to find it even after retracing her steps. What should Rebecca do?
Rebecca should report her missing card and freeze her bank account. If she still cannot find it after a few days, she should order a new credit card.
At the internship, Carlos finishes his assigned tasks early and asks his supervisor if there is anything else he can do. Over time, the supervisor begins giving him more important work and checking in with him less often. What can you infer about the supervisor’s view of Carlos?
The supervisor trusts Carlos and sees him as responsible and capable.
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: Under the weather
Meaning: To feel sick or unwell.