Four students were preparing a poster for their evening class. Mia wanted to add pictures, charts, long explanations, and three colors of headings. Rob looked at the poster and said, “I think we might be going overboard.” Mia stepped back and said, “I just want it to look complete.” Dena pointed to the assignment sheet and said, “It says one short explanation and two examples.”

Sam looked at the clock and said, “We also need to keep an eye on the time.” Mia sighed and said, “So you think we should cut back?” Rob nodded and said, “Not because your ideas are bad. We just need to stick to the directions.” Mia erased one section and moved the chart to the center. Dena smiled because she understood the message behind Rob’s words.

SPEAK

Think about the phrases. Answer in complete sentences.

1. Rob said they might be “going overboard.” What was Mia adding to the poster?

2. Dena pointed to the assignment sheet. What did the directions require?

3. Sam said they needed to “keep an eye on the time.” What was he worried about?

4. Mia said, “So you think we should cut back?” What did she understand?

5. Rob said, “We just need to stick to the directions.” What did he want the group to follow?

6. Which phrase shows doing too much?

7. Which phrase shows watching something carefully?

8. Did Rob insult Mia’s ideas? 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 Rob corrected the group carefully. He did not say Mia’s ideas were bad. He said the poster needed to follow the directions.”

1. What did the speaker say?

2. Do you agree or disagree with the speaker? Why?

WRITE

Write 5–7 sentences.

Choose two phrases from the reading. Explain what they mean and how they show the group’s problem.

NOTES

go overboard

• What it means:
  To do too much or add more than necessary.

• How we use it:
  We use this phrase when effort, detail, emotion, or spending becomes more than needed.

• Why we use it:
  It helps show that something may be excessive.

• Example:
  Mia was going overboard with the poster details.

keep an eye on

• What it means:
  To watch or pay attention to something.

• How we use it:
  We use this phrase for time, people, objects, progress, and problems.

• Why we use it:
  It shows careful attention.

• Example:
  Sam wanted to keep an eye on the time.

cut back

• What it means:
  To reduce or use less.

• How we use it:
  We use this phrase for words, spending, food, time, details, or activities.

• Why we use it:
  It shows that something needs to be made smaller or simpler.

• Example:
  Mia cut back on the extra poster information.

stick to the directions

• What it means:
  To follow the instructions.

• How we use it:
  We use this phrase when someone needs to stay with the given plan or rules.

• Why we use it:
  It reminds people not to add unnecessary things.

• Example:
  The group needed to stick to the poster directions.