Identifying Emotions
Sam planned a big party, but only two people showed up. Sam can’t stop thinking that no one likes them.
Embarrassed, rejected
Your coach says, “Make sure you bring your uniform, water bottle, and cleats to practice tomorrow. We’ll be working on passing drills and strategy.”
“You want us to bring our uniforms, water bottles, and cleats, and we’ll focus on passing and strategy tomorrow.”
Your friend says, “I stayed up all night to finish that project, but I’m running on fumes today.”
"They mean they’re very tired and have little energy left."
You walk into a classroom where everyone is sitting silently, looking at their notes. The teacher hasn’t started talking yet.
"The role is to stay quiet and prepare for class or an upcoming test."
Your friend says, “I’m reading a book about anti-gravity. It’s impossible to put down!”
"This is a pun on the word 'impossible.' It plays on both the literal idea of anti-gravity (something that cannot be held down) and the figurative meaning of being so interesting that you can't stop reading."
Taylor’s team was winning the championship game, but a mistake in the last few seconds caused them to lose.
Devastated, guilty
Your friend says, “Let’s meet at the coffee shop at 4:30, and then we can work on our project there until 6.”
“So, we’re meeting at the coffee shop at 4:30 to work on the project until 6?”
A classmate says, “I tried to explain the math problem to her, but it went right over her head.”
"They mean the person didn’t understand what they were explaining."
At a group project meeting, everyone is brainstorming ideas. Your group keeps looking at you for input.
"The role is to participate and share your ideas with the group."
A classmate says, “I couldn’t figure out how to put my seatbelt on. Then it clicked.”
"This is a joke playing on the word 'clicked,' meaning both the sound a seatbelt makes when it’s fastened and the realization of understanding something."
Jordan’s teacher praised their artwork in front of the whole class. Everyone clapped, but Jordan felt uncomfortable being the center of attention.
self-conscious or awkward
Your parent says, “After dinner, take out the trash and load the dishwasher before starting your homework.”
“You want me to take out the trash, load the dishwasher, and then do my homework?”
Your friend says, “I thought I’d fail the test, but I actually passed with flying colors.”
They mean they did very well on the test."
: During lunch, your friends are talking about a serious topic, and one of them looks upset.
The role is to listen, be supportive, and avoid making jokes or interrupting."
Someone says, “I used to be a baker, but I couldn’t make enough dough.”
"This joke uses 'dough' as a double meaning, referring both to the bread mixture and slang for money."
Mia spent hours helping her friend study for a test, but her friend didn’t say thank you or even acknowledge the effort.
unappreciated, hurt
Your teacher says, “For tomorrow, I need you to read pages 10 through 20 and highlight three important points.”
“So, I need to read pages 10 to 20 and highlight three key points, right?”
Someone says, “You really hit the nail on the head with that answer in class.”
"they mean you gave a very accurate or correct response."
At a party, people are starting to clean up, and someone hands you a trash bag.
The role is to help clean up and pitch in with the group effort."
Your friend says, “I’ve got a great job at a bakery. I knead the dough!”
"This joke uses 'knead' (to work dough) and 'need' (to require) for a play on words."
Alex has been keeping a secret about their personal life and just told their best friend, who responded with kindness and understanding.
Relieved, vulnerable
Your group partner says, “Let’s divide the presentation. I’ll handle the introduction, and you can do the conclusion. We’ll split the body slides.”
“Got it. You’re doing the intro, I’m doing the conclusion, and we’ll share the body slides.”
After the group presentation, Sarah says, “I can’t believe Jason threw me under the bus in front of the teacher. He totally blamed me for the missing section of the project, even though we all agreed to divide the work.”
"Sarah is saying that Jason blamed her unfairly to avoid taking responsibility himself."
In class, the teacher is explaining something, but a classmate keeps whispering to you.
"The role is to focus on the teacher and politely let your classmate know you’ll talk later."
A student says, “I really wanted to become a comedian, but my career never took off. I guess I wasn’t a good fit for the role.”
"This joke plays on the word 'role,' which can mean both a part in acting and a physical shape (like a bread roll), creating a double meaning."