DIALOGUE
In this lesson, your tutor will help you go over this topic: making excuses. First, read the following dialogue out loud with your tutor, then switch roles and try again.
Kevin and Dorothy are talking about making excuses.
Kevin: Dorothy, the other day a student didn’t hand in his homework. He gave me a lame excuse.
Dorothy: What was his reason?
Kevin: He said his dog ate it. I prefer when people are honest.
Dorothy: I agree. Sometimes I mess up too, and then I start by saying, “I’m terribly sorry, but…”
Kevin: The other day, my son made an excuse for not cleaning his room. He said, “I ran out of time.”
Dorothy: I wanted to go to the movies the other day with my friend. But she said, “Sorry, I can’t afford to go.”
Kevin: I asked my boss for a pay raise. He said, “I wish I could, but I can’t now.”
Dorothy: I like when people give a good reason. For example, “I can’t go because I’m sick.”
Kevin: Someday I will stop making excuses.
Dorothy: I don’t think that’s possible.
VOCABULARY
Go over the following vocabulary and expressions with your tutor. Read the word/expression and definition out loud, and your tutor will go over anything you do not understand. Practice creating a sentence or two to make sure you know how to use the word/expression properly.
Vocabulary/ Expressions
| lame excuse | (adj) weak and unsatisfactory excuse
Saying you’re too tired to see me is a lame excuse. |
| reason | (n) the cause of an event or situation
I quit my job for a personal reason. |
| honest | (adj) truthful
Honest people don’t lie. |
| I’m terribly sorry, but | (expression) to start making an excuse
I’m terribly sorry, but I will finish it tomorrow. |
| ran out | (v – phrase) past tense form; not enough
He ran out of money. |
| Sorry, I can’t afford to go. | (complete sentence) when someone doesn’t have enough money to go somewhere
Do you want to go bowling with me? Sorry, I can’t afford to go. |
| I wish I could, but | (expression) to start making an excuse
I wish I could, but I’m sick. |
| because | (conj) to give a reason for something
She doesn’t like to read because it’s boring. |
| someday | (adv) at some time in the future
Someday he will buy a house. |
| possible | (adj) able to happen or be done
Is it possible to learn English in one month? |
EXERCISE
Practice answering the following questions with your tutors. You can use the sample answers to come up with your own answer. Use the vocabulary you learned above.
- How would you give an excuse for being late for work?
- I’m terribly sorry, but I missed the bus.
- I was late because my car broke down.
- Your answer:
- How would you give an excuse for not being able to go to the movies with your friend?
- I wish I could, but I’m busy studying for a test.
- Is it possible for us to go another day?
- Your answer:
- What is an example of a lame excuse?
- I forgot your birthday because I was on vacation.
- I don’t want to go outside because it’s too cold.
- Your answer:
- How would you give an honest excuse?
- I’m sorry, but I don’t feel well.
- I wish I could go, but I’m busy cleaning the house.
- Your answer:
- How would you make an excuse for someone else?
- She can’t afford to go on vacation because it’s too expensive.
- He can’t go because he’s tired.
- Your answer:
CONVERSATION
Use the following questions as a guideline to form an interesting conversation with your tutor. Feel free to diverge from these suggestions if anything interesting comes up.
- Tell me about a time you made an excuse.
- Why do some people give lame excuses?
- What’s a good reason not to go to work?
- Are people always honest when they make excuses? Why or why not?
- Have you ever made an excuse for someone else? Why or why not?
WRAP-UP
Go over any new expressions or vocabulary that you learned today.
