The moment

It's finals week at a university in Sydney. Oliver missed the last economics class, and he thinks he knows what's on the final. His classmate Li Na was there. Listen for the moment Oliver finds out he's wrong, and how Li Na turns his panic into a plan.

The conversation

OliverLi Na
  1. Oliver
  2. Li Na
  3. Oliver
  4. Li Na
  5. Oliver
  6. Li Na
  7. Oliver
  8. Li Na
  9. Oliver
  10. Li Na
  11. Oliver
  12. Li Na
  13. Oliver
  14. Li Na
  15. Oliver

Words to know

asks if someone is prepared for something

you just heard surprising news

stay calm; there's a way to fix this

you want to thank someone by doing something back

Check yourself

1What did Oliver think the final covered?
2Why didn't Oliver know the exam was cumulative?
3What does Li Na mean by "Don't panic"?

Practice · 3 min

Round one: repeat every line. Round two: mute Oliver and say his lines; let "Wait, what?" jump up in pitch, then drop to a flat "This is bad." Round three: mute Li Na and give the calm answers, short and clear. Then write down the three questions you'd ask about your own next exam: what it covers, how long it is, what you can bring.

  1. OliverHey, Li Na. Ready for the economics final?
  2. Li NaAlmost. I'm reviewing the first chapters tonight.
  3. OliverThe first chapters? It's only the second half, right?
  4. Li NaActually, no. She said it's cumulative.
  5. OliverWait, what? When did she say that?
  6. Li NaIn the last class. You weren't there.
  7. OliverI was sick. So it covers everything?
  8. Li NaEverything. Chapters one to twelve.
  9. OliverI only studied the second half. This is bad.
  10. Li NaDon't panic. There's a review session tomorrow at six.
  11. OliverCan anyone go?
  12. Li NaAnyone in the class. And she's posting practice questions.
  13. OliverOK. How long is the exam?
  14. Li NaThree hours. We can bring one page of notes.
  15. OliverThanks. I owe you a coffee after finals.

Say it today

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