At the grocery store, Priya, her husband Nate, and their teenage son Evan were checking out. The cashier scanned the items quickly. Nate looked at the screen and said, “That total doesn’t add up.” The cashier paused and said, “Let me check.” Evan pointed to a bag of rice and said, “I think that rang up at the wrong price.” Priya looked at the shelf tag in her cart and said, “The sign said it was two dollars less.”

The cashier called a manager over. The manager looked at the screen and said, “You’re right. The sale price didn’t go through.” The cashier corrected the price and said, “Thanks for pointing that out.” Nate smiled and said, “No problem. We just wanted to make sure.” Priya looked at Evan because she understood the message behind Nate’s words.

SPEAK

Think about the phrases. Answer in complete sentences.

1. Nate said, “That total doesn’t add up.” What made him question the price?

2. Evan said the rice “rang up at the wrong price.” What happened at the register?

3. Priya said, “The sign said it was two dollars less.” What information did she use?

4. The manager said, “The sale price didn’t go through.” What was the problem?

5. The cashier said, “Thanks for pointing that out.” What did the family notice?

6. Which phrase shows that the total seemed incorrect?

7. Which phrase shows that the register did not apply the sale?

8. Did Nate sound rude or careful? 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 Nate questioned the total in a calm way. The family checked the price without accusing the cashier of doing something wrong.”

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 how they help the reader understand the problem at the register.

NOTES

add up

• What it means:
  To make sense or seem correct.

• How we use it:
  We use this phrase when numbers, facts, or explanations do not seem right.

• Why we use it:
  It shows that someone notices a problem.

• Example:
  The total did not add up to Nate.

ring up

• What it means:
  To show a price when an item is scanned at a register.

• How we use it:
  We use this phrase in shopping situations.

• Why we use it:
  It is natural everyday language for prices at checkout.

• Example:
  The rice rang up at the wrong price.

go through

• What it means:
  To be accepted, processed, or applied.

• How we use it:
  We use this phrase for payments, discounts, forms, calls, messages, and orders.

• Why we use it:
  It explains whether a system completed something.

• Example:
  The sale price did not go through.

point that out

• What it means:
  To show or mention something important.

• How we use it:
  We use this phrase when someone notices a detail that others missed.

• Why we use it:
  It can sound polite and helpful.

• Example:
  The cashier thanked them for pointing out the price mistake.