Four coworkers were traveling to a training meeting in another city. They planned to take the 8:15 train, but the line at the ticket machine was moving slowly. James looked at the clock and said, “We’re cutting it close.” Mina said, “If we miss this train, the whole morning could get thrown off.” Omar checked the schedule on his phone while Kelly looked for another ticket machine.

When they finally reached the front, the train announcement came over the speaker. Kelly said, “We still have time if we move quickly.” They bought the tickets and hurried to the platform just as the doors opened. James sat down and said, “That was too close for comfort.” Mina looked at the others because she understood the message behind his words.

SPEAK

Think about the phrases. Answer in complete sentences.

1. James said, “We’re cutting it close.” What showed that they did not have much time?

2. Mina said the morning could “get thrown off.” What could happen if they missed the train?

3. Kelly said, “We still have time if we move quickly.” What did she think they should do?

4. James said, “That was too close for comfort.” What had just happened?

5. What part of the story shows that the group barely made the train?

6. Which phrase shows a time problem?

7. Which phrase shows that a plan could be affected?

8. Did the group solve the problem calmly or carelessly? 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 the group was under pressure, but they did not panic. They noticed the problem, checked the schedule, and moved quickly.”

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 happened at the train station and why each phrase fits the situation.

NOTES

cut it close

• What it means:
  To have very little time before something happens.

• How we use it:
  We use this phrase when someone almost misses a deadline, appointment, train, meeting, or event.

• Why we use it:
  It shows pressure and limited time.

• Example:
  They were cutting it close at the ticket machine.

get thrown off

• What it means:
  To be disturbed, delayed, or changed from the original plan.

• How we use it:
  We use this phrase when one problem affects the rest of a schedule or plan.

• Why we use it:
  It helps explain how one delay can affect many things.

• Example:
  Missing the train could throw off the whole morning.

move quickly

• What it means:
  To act fast.

• How we use it:
  We use this phrase when there is not much time.

• Why we use it:
  It gives clear, simple direction without sounding too emotional.

• Example:
  Kelly said they could make the train if they moved quickly.

too close for comfort

• What it means:
  Something almost went wrong, and it felt stressful.

• How we use it:
  We use this phrase after a situation is barely avoided.

• Why we use it:
  It shows relief but also stress.

• Example:
  Catching the train at the last second was too close for comfort.