Section 1: Dialogue
Lisa and Mark are on a business trip when they face an unexpected problem at the airport.
Lisa: I can’t believe our flight was canceled! We need to figure out what to do next.
Mark: Let’s not freak out. We should check out other options first.
Lisa: Good idea. Maybe we can sort out another flight or even take a train.
Mark: I’ll call the airline while you look into train schedules.
Lisa: Okay. If we can’t get another flight today, we’ll have to deal with staying overnight.
Mark: I hope it doesn’t come to that. But if it does, we’ll just go with the flow and make the best of it.
Lisa: Yeah, no point in getting frustrated. Sometimes, you just have to roll with the punches.
Section 2: Vocabulary List
Phrasal Verbs:
- Figure out → Find a solution to a problem.
- Freak out → Panic or become very worried.
- Check out → Investigate or look into something.
- Sort out → Solve a problem or organize something.
- Look into → Research or investigate.
- Deal with → Handle a problem or situation.
- Go with the flow → Adapt to unexpected changes without stress.
- Roll with the punches → Accept and adjust to difficult situations.
Idioms:
- Hit a snag → Encounter an unexpected problem.
- Think on your feet → React quickly and effectively to an unexpected situation.
Section 3: Conversation Questions Using the Expressions
- How do you usually figure out solutions when things don’t go as planned?
- Have you ever seen someone freak out in a stressful situation? How did you react?
- What’s the first thing you do when you need to check out new information quickly?
- How do you sort out problems when traveling?
- When was the last time you had to look into alternative plans at the last minute?
- How do you usually deal with unexpected delays or cancellations?
- Do you find it easy to go with the flow, or do you prefer to plan everything in advance?
- Can you think of a time when you had to roll with the punches in a difficult situation?
- Have you ever hit a snag when working on an important project? What happened?
- Do you consider yourself good at thinking on your feet? Why or why not?
Section 4: Comprehension and Creative Writing Questions
- What unexpected problem do Lisa and Mark face at the airport?
- How does Mark suggest handling the situation instead of freaking out?
- What two alternative solutions do they consider?
- What does Lisa mean when she says they need to roll with the punches?
- Write about a time you had to figure out a solution to an unexpected problem.
- Describe a situation where you had to think on your feet to resolve an issue quickly.
- Imagine you’re on a trip, and your plans change suddenly. How would you go with the flow?
- What strategies do you use to sort out problems under pressure?
- Have you ever hit a snag at work or in your studies? How did you handle it?
- Describe a situation where you had to deal with a challenge that wasn’t your fault.