Lesson 12 – Step 1 – Reading

Goal

Let’s start the lesson with some reading. You can read it on your own, or play the audio and follow along.

Once you have finished, you can go to the next step.

The worst presentation of my life

Last Wednesday, I gave a presentation at school. What an embarrassing situation! I was scared to death, and to make matters worse, I was sweating a lot. Everyone was dying of boredom; including the teacher! She was yawning and looking at some birds out the window. Some students were doing their homework or playing video games. Others had literally put their heads on their desks to sleep. I even heard one classmate snoring. As for me, I had my notes in front of me and my hands were shaking. I was talking very fast, way too fast. Curiously, after I finished, everyone kindly said that it was very good. Of course, I didn’t believe them. And no amount of congratulations calmed my shame. I didn’t understand anything: my teacher gave me a good mark, but she told me to speak more slowly next time. Anyway, I’m glad it’s over.

Reflection

• What do the phrases in blue have in common?

• What do the phrases in green have in common?

The answers are on step 3.

Conclusion

Have you finished? Then you can move on to step 2.