Erica and her brother Marcus shared a small apartment. On Saturday morning, Erica found dishes in the sink again. She had asked Marcus three times that week to wash his dishes after eating. When Marcus walked into the kitchen, Erica pointed to the sink and said, “Are we doing this again?” Marcus looked at the dishes and said, “It’s just two plates. You’re making a mountain out of a molehill.” Erica crossed her arms and said, “It’s not about two plates.”

Marcus leaned against the counter and said, “Then what is it about?” Erica answered, “It keeps happening, and I feel like my words go in one ear and out the other.” Marcus did not answer right away. Then he picked up the sponge and said, “I hear you. I’ll wash them now.” Erica said, “Thank you. I’m not trying to start a fight.” Marcus nodded because he understood the message behind her words.

SPEAK

Think about the phrases. Answer in complete sentences.

1. Marcus said, “You’re making a mountain out of a molehill.” What did he think Erica was doing?

2. Erica said, “It’s not about two plates.” What shows that the problem was bigger than one morning?

3. Erica said, “My words go in one ear and out the other.” What was she saying about Marcus?

4. Marcus said, “I hear you.” What did he do after saying this?

5. Erica said, “I’m not trying to start a fight.” What message was she trying to send?

6. Which phrase sounds defensive?

7. Which phrase shows that someone feels ignored?

8. Did Marcus’s attitude change by the end? Use the reading to support your answer.

LISTEN

Listen to your teacher’s statement and question. Then answer in complete sentences.

Teacher recording:

“I think Marcus first treated the problem as small, but Erica was talking about a repeated pattern. Her message was not only about dishes. It was about being heard.”

1. What did the speaker say?

2. How do you respond to the speaker’s opinion?

3. Use the reading to support your response.

WRITE

Write 5–7 sentences.

Choose two phrases from the reading. Explain what the phrase means in the conversation and what message the speaker was sending.

NOTES

make a mountain out of a molehill

• What it means:
  To make a small problem seem much bigger than it is.

• How we use it:
  We use this phrase when someone thinks another person is overreacting.

• Why we use it:
  It shows that the speaker thinks the reaction is too strong.

• Example:
  Marcus thought Erica was making a mountain out of a molehill.

go in one ear and out the other

• What it means:
  Someone hears words but does not really listen or remember.

• How we use it:
  We use this phrase when advice, instructions, or reminders are ignored.

• Why we use it:
  It helps explain frustration when someone keeps repeating the same problem.

• Example:
  Erica felt her reminders went in one ear and out the other.

I hear you

• What it means:
  I understand what you are saying.

• How we use it:
  We use this phrase to show that we are listening and taking someone seriously.

• Why we use it:
  It can calm a conversation because it shows respect.

• Example:
  Marcus said, “I hear you,” and then washed the dishes.

start a fight

• What it means:
  To begin an argument.

• How we use it:
  We use this phrase when someone wants to make it clear that they are not trying to argue.

• Why we use it:
  It helps soften a difficult conversation.

• Example:
  Erica said she was not trying to start a fight.