The moment

Sunday brunch near campus in New York. Amelia, a transfer student from Edinburgh, is catching up with her friend Liam about her first month: a sorority open event, a party she left early, a smoker on the stairs. Then Liam invites her to his fraternity's charity dinner, and she hesitates because she's worried she'll be the only one not drinking. Listen for the phrases from the whole unit, and for how Liam answers her worry.

The conversation

LiamAmelia
  1. Liam
  2. Amelia
  3. Liam
  4. Amelia
  5. Liam
  6. Amelia
  7. Liam
  8. Amelia
  9. Liam
  10. Amelia
  11. Liam
  12. Amelia
  13. Liam
  14. Amelia

Words to know

manage to go to an event

decide not to react to a small problem

I understand your reason and I agree

yes, I'll join the plan

Check yourself

1Why did Amelia leave the party before midnight?
2What is Amelia's worry about the charity dinner?
3What does Amelia mean by "I can see the appeal, but I'm going to wait"?

Practice · 3 min

Round one: repeat every line after you hear it. Round two: mute Amelia and tell her story in her lines: the party, the smoker, the sorority. Round three: mute Liam and practice inviting someone and answering their worry. Then tell a friend, out loud, about the last event you went to, how long you stayed and how you left.

  1. LiamSo how's your first month been? Have you made it to any parties yet?
  2. AmeliaTwo, actually. I stopped by one on Friday, but I headed out before midnight.
  3. LiamWas it that bad? I heard it got shut down around one.
  4. AmeliaNo, it was fun, but it was packed, and a guy kept smoking on the stairs.
  5. LiamDid you say anything to him, or did you let it go?
  6. AmeliaI asked if he'd mind stepping outside. He said sorry and went right away.
  7. LiamNice. And the sorority thing? Are you thinking about rushing?
  8. AmeliaI went to their open event. I can see the appeal, but I'm going to wait.
  9. LiamMakes sense. Hey, my fraternity's having a charity dinner on Saturday. Want to come?
  10. AmeliaMaybe. Honestly, I don't drink, and I don't want to be the only one.
  11. LiamYou won't be. Half my brothers are under 21, and there's a whole mocktail table.
  12. AmeliaReally? Okay, then I'm in. Should I bring anything?
  13. LiamJust yourself. It's ten dollars a ticket, and it all goes to the food bank.
  14. AmeliaPerfect. Text me the address, and I'll meet you there at seven.

Say it today

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