At a restaurant, Mr. Kim and his daughter Hana were seated at a small table near the kitchen door. Every few minutes, workers walked past them with trays. Mr. Kim looked at the menu but kept moving his chair. Hana said, “This doesn’t sit right with you, does it?” Mr. Kim smiled a little and said, “I don’t want to complain, but this spot is distracting.”

The server came by and asked if everything was okay. Hana said, “Would it be possible to move to a quieter table?” The server looked around and said, “Let me smooth this over. I have another table opening in a minute.” A few minutes later, they moved near the window. Mr. Kim said, “Thank you. That makes a big difference.” Hana nodded because she understood the message behind his words.

SPEAK

Think about the phrases. Answer in complete sentences.

1. Hana said, “This doesn’t sit right with you.” What did she notice about her father?

2. Mr. Kim said the spot was “distracting.” What was happening near the table?

3. Hana asked for “a quieter table.” What did she want?

4. The server said, “Let me smooth this over.” What did he try to do?

5. Mr. Kim said, “That makes a big difference.” What changed after they moved?

6. Which phrase shows that something feels wrong or uncomfortable?

7. Which phrase shows fixing a small problem calmly?

8. Did Hana complain rudely or ask respectfully? 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 Hana understood her father’s discomfort before he said much. She helped by asking for another table in a respectful way.”

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 each phrase means and what message it sends in the restaurant.

NOTES

not sit right with someone

• What it means:
  To feel wrong, uncomfortable, or not okay to someone.

• How we use it:
  We use this phrase when something bothers a person, even if they are calm about it.

• Why we use it:
  It shows discomfort without sounding too strong.

• Example:
  The table near the kitchen did not sit right with Mr. Kim.

distracting

• What it means:
  Taking attention away or making it hard to focus.

• How we use it:
  We use this word for noise, movement, people, phones, or busy places.

• Why we use it:
  It explains why someone cannot relax or focus.

• Example:
  The busy kitchen door was distracting.

smooth this over

• What it means:
  To fix a problem calmly and help people feel better.

• How we use it:
  We use this phrase when there is a small issue, misunderstanding, or uncomfortable situation.

• Why we use it:
  It shows effort to make things right without making the problem bigger.

• Example:
  The server smoothed things over by finding another table.

make a big difference

• What it means:
  To improve or change something in an important way.

• How we use it:
  We use this phrase when a change helps more than expected.

• Why we use it:
  It shows appreciation or importance.

• Example:
  Moving to a quieter table made a big difference.