A package was sitting outside Apartment 3B, but the label said Apartment 3D. Nina saw it first and said, “This is not ours.” Her neighbor Carla walked by and said, “Maybe someone dropped it off at the wrong door.” Nina’s brother Malik opened the door and said, “Should we knock on 3D?” Nina picked up the package and said, “Yes. I don’t want anyone to think we held on to it.”

They knocked on 3D, and a man named Eric opened the door. Nina said, “This turned up by our door, but it looks like it belongs to you.” Eric looked relieved and said, “Thank you. I was about to call the delivery company.” Malik said, “No problem. We just wanted to clear it up.” Eric smiled because he understood the message behind Malik’s words.

SPEAK

Think about the phrases. Answer in complete sentences.

1. Carla said someone may have “dropped it off at the wrong door.” What probably happened?

2. Nina said she did not want anyone to think they “held on to it.” What was she trying to avoid?

3. Nina said the package “turned up” by their door. Where did they find it?

4. Eric said he was “about to call” the delivery company. What was he almost ready to do?

5. Malik said, “We just wanted to clear it up.” What did they want to explain?

6. Which phrase shows that something appeared in a place?

7. Which phrase shows keeping something for a while?

8. Did Nina and Malik act responsibly? 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 Nina and Malik were careful because they did not ignore the package or keep it by their door. They checked the label and took it to the correct apartment.”

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 neighbors handled the package.

NOTES

drop off

• What it means:
  To deliver or leave something somewhere.

• How we use it:
  We use this phrase for packages, people, papers, food, and items.

• Why we use it:
  It is common everyday language for deliveries and transportation.

• Example:
  The package was dropped off at the wrong door.

hold on to

• What it means:
  To keep something for a time.

• How we use it:
  We use this phrase for objects, papers, receipts, tickets, bags, or information.

• Why we use it:
  It shows that someone is keeping something instead of giving it back or passing it on.

• Example:
  Nina did not want anyone to think they held on to the package.

turn up

• What it means:
  To appear or be found.

• How we use it:
  We use this phrase when something appears in a place, sometimes unexpectedly.

• Why we use it:
  It sounds natural when talking about found items.

• Example:
  The package turned up by Nina’s door.

about to

• What it means:
  Ready to do something very soon.

• How we use it:
  We use this phrase when an action is going to happen soon.

• Why we use it:
  It shows timing.

• Example:
  Eric was about to call the delivery company.

clear it up

• What it means:
  To explain or solve confusion.

• How we use it:
  We use this phrase when there is a misunderstanding, mistake, or unclear situation.

• Why we use it:
  It shows that someone wants the situation understood correctly.

• Example:
  Malik wanted to clear up the package mistake.