Four relatives were trying to plan a short visit to the city. Aunt Rosa wanted to visit the museum, Uncle Ben wanted to see the river walk, Maya wanted time for lunch, and Leo wanted to leave early to avoid traffic. Rosa looked at the list and said, “This plan is still up in the air.” Ben nodded and said, “We need to nail down the time before we choose anything else.”

Maya said, “Lunch can be flexible, but the museum closes at five.” Leo looked at the map and said, “Then we need to work around the closing time.” Rosa crossed out one stop and said, “That makes sense. Let’s keep the plan simple.” Ben smiled because he understood the message behind her words.

SPEAK

Think about the phrases. Answer in complete sentences.

1. Rosa said the plan was “up in the air.” What had not been decided?

2. Ben said they needed to “nail down the time.” What did he want the group to decide?

3. Maya said lunch could be “flexible.” What part of the plan could change?

4. Leo said they needed to “work around” the museum closing time. What did they need to consider?

5. Rosa said, “Let’s keep the plan simple.” What did she do to the list?

6. Which phrase shows that something is undecided?

7. Which phrase shows making a clear decision?

8. Did the group become more organized by the end? 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’s problem was not the places they wanted to visit. Their problem was that they needed a clearer schedule before they added more activities.”

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 planning problem.

NOTES

up in the air

• What it means:
  Not decided yet.

• How we use it:
  We use this phrase when plans, times, decisions, or details are not settled.

• Why we use it:
  It shows uncertainty.

• Example:
  The visit plan was still up in the air.

nail down

• What it means:
  To decide or confirm something clearly.

• How we use it:
  We use this phrase for times, dates, plans, details, and agreements.

• Why we use it:
  It shows that a decision needs to become clear.

• Example:
  They needed to nail down the time.

flexible

• What it means:
  Able to change.

• How we use it:
  We use this word for schedules, plans, times, rules, or arrangements.

• Why we use it:
  It shows that something can adjust.

• Example:
  Lunch was flexible, but the museum closing time was not.

work around

• What it means:
  To plan around a limit, problem, or schedule.

• How we use it:
  We use this phrase when something cannot change, so the plan must change around it.

• Why we use it:
  It shows practical planning.

• Example:
  They had to work around the museum closing time.