Excursion Orientation: Updating Classmates After a Listening Announcement
Listen to a conversation between Mika, a class representative, and Mr. Sato, the teacher in charge of the second-year excursion.
Sato: The departure time has changed. We now meet at 7:40 at the south gate, not 8:00. Mika: The south gate? Last year we used the east gate. Sato: The east gate is closed for repairs until June. Also, the bus company asked us to load luggage first, so bring your bag to the gym at 7:30. Mika: Should we wear our uniforms? Sato: No, wear the blue excursion T-shirt and a cap. The forecast says 31 degrees. Mika: What about the attendance cards? Sato: I'll hand them out on the bus. You don't need to bring them from home. Mika: And lunch? Sato: The school will provide lunch, but students with allergies must tell me by Wednesday. Mika: So I should collect allergy notes by Tuesday? Sato: Yes, Tuesday after school.
1. What three changes does Mr. Sato announce compared with the original plan? Be precise about times and places.
Read the worked answer
Three changes: (1) meeting time and gate: 8:00 at the east gate becomes 7:40 at the south gate, because the east gate is closed for repairs; (2) luggage: students must bring bags to the gym at 7:30, not keep them until departure; (3) attendance cards: Mr. Sato will hand them out on the bus, so students do not bring them from home. Clothing is also specified (blue T-shirt and cap), but the dialogue does not say this is a change from an earlier plan. The allergy deadline is Wednesday for telling Mr. Sato, with notes collected by Tuesday.
2. Mika must send one short message to the class group. What should it say about clothing, cards, and allergy notes? Include the deadline.
Read the worked answer
Message: Meet at the south gate at 7:40, not 8:00. Bring your bag to the gym at 7:30. Wear the blue excursion T-shirt and a cap, not your uniform; it will be 31 degrees. Do not bring attendance cards-Mr. Sato will give them on the bus. If you have allergies, give your note to Mika by Tuesday after school so Mr. Sato gets the information by Wednesday.
The key is to separate the two deadlines: Mika collects notes by Tuesday after school, but Mr. Sato's deadline is Wednesday. Also, cards are not needed from home, so saying 'bring your card' would be wrong.
3. A student arrives at the south gate at 7:35 with a bag and no attendance card. Is that a problem? Explain.
Read the worked answer
Partly a problem. 7:35 is before the 7:40 meeting time, so he is not late for the group. However, bags were supposed to be at the gym at 7:30, so his bag is five minutes late for luggage loading. He should go to the gym immediately and ask Mr. Sato or a teacher where to put it. The missing attendance card is not a problem because cards are handed out on the bus. If luggage has already been loaded and locked, he may have to carry the bag or ask for help; he should not leave it unattended.