At a small café, Jasmine was supposed to work until 4:00, and Marco was supposed to come in at 4:00 to cover the evening shift. At 3:55, Marco called and said, “I’m running behind. Can you cover for me for twenty minutes?” Jasmine looked at the line of customers and said, “I can, but I need you to be straight with me. Is it really twenty minutes?” Marco was quiet for a second.

“It may be closer to forty,” he said. Jasmine looked at her coworker Beth and said, “I don’t want to leave the team short-handed.” Beth answered, “I can stay at the counter while you finish the drink orders.” When Marco arrived, he said, “Thanks for pulling through for me.” Jasmine nodded because she understood the message behind his words.

SPEAK

Think about the phrases. Answer in complete sentences.

1. Marco said, “I’m running behind.” What was happening to him?

2. Marco asked Jasmine to “cover for” him. What did he want her to do?

3. Jasmine said, “I need you to be straight with me.” What did she want from Marco?

4. Jasmine said she did not want to leave the team “short-handed.” What problem was she trying to avoid?

5. Marco said, “Thanks for pulling through for me.” What did Jasmine and Beth do?

6. Which phrase shows being late or delayed?

7. Which phrase shows helping someone by taking their place?

8. Did Marco’s first words sound fully clear? 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 Jasmine was willing to help, but she needed Marco to be honest about the time. She was thinking about the whole team, not only herself.”

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 they mean and how they connect to the café situation.

NOTES

run behind

• What it means:
  To be late or delayed.

• How we use it:
  We use this phrase when someone is not on schedule.

• Why we use it:
  It is a natural way to explain lateness.

• Example:
  Marco was running behind before his shift.

cover for someone

• What it means:
  To do someone’s work or take someone’s place for a short time.

• How we use it:
  We use this phrase at work, school, home, and in group responsibilities.

• Why we use it:
  It shows temporary help.

• Example:
  Jasmine covered for Marco at the café.

be straight with me

• What it means:
  Be honest and direct with me.

• How we use it:
  We use this phrase when we need the truth, not a soft answer.

• Why we use it:
  It shows that clear communication matters.

• Example:
  Jasmine asked Marco to be straight with her.

short-handed

• What it means:
  Not having enough people to do the work.

• How we use it:
  We use this phrase in workplaces, teams, offices, stores, and restaurants.

• Why we use it:
  It explains why one person’s absence affects others.

• Example:
  Jasmine did not want to leave the café short-handed.

pull through

• What it means:
  To succeed or help in a difficult moment.

• How we use it:
  We use this phrase when someone manages to handle a hard situation.

• Why we use it:
  It shows appreciation and relief.

• Example:
  Jasmine and Beth pulled through during the busy shift.