The moment

Arjun is a freshman at an international university in Tokyo. He got a bad grade on his first statistics quiz, and now he wants to drop the class. His friend Sofia, a sophomore, took the same class last year. Listen for how she slows him down: she asks questions first, then gives one piece of advice.

The conversation

SofiaArjun
  1. Sofia
  2. Arjun
  3. Sofia
  4. Arjun
  5. Sofia
  6. Arjun
  7. Sofia
  8. Arjun
  9. Sofia
  10. Arjun
  11. Sofia
  12. Arjun
  13. Sofia
  14. Arjun

Words to know

a casual way to ask what's wrong

a friendly reaction to someone's bad news

shows what happens as a result

do one thing first and choose later

Check yourself

1Why does Arjun want to drop the class?
2Why does Sofia ask if the class is required?
3What does Arjun decide to do?

Practice · 3 min

Round one: repeat every line in the gap. Round two: mute Arjun and say his lines, including the worried ones; let your voice drop on "I think I'm going to drop it." Round three: mute Sofia and be the calm friend. Keep her questions short. Then think of one class or course you found hard, and say what you'll do before you give up on it.

  1. SofiaHey, Arjun. You look stressed. What's up?
  2. ArjunI got a D on my statistics quiz.
  3. SofiaOuch. Is that the class with Professor Tanaka?
  4. ArjunYeah. I think I'm going to drop it.
  5. SofiaWait. Is it a required class for your major?
  6. ArjunActually, yes. I need it to graduate.
  7. SofiaThen you'll have to take it again later.
  8. ArjunTrue. But it's harder than I thought.
  9. SofiaI know. He's tough but fair. Have you gone to office hours?
  10. ArjunNo. Isn't that only for students with problems?
  11. SofiaAnyone can go. He really likes it when students come.
  12. ArjunWhen is the drop deadline?
  13. SofiaNext Friday. So try office hours first, then decide.
  14. ArjunOK. I'll go on Monday and ask about the quiz.

Say it today

Use it once in a real conversation before tomorrow. Out loud counts, even to yourself.