A1 · Message
Understanding a change in someone’s routine
Read for meaning first. Then return to the text for vocabulary, language choices, and evidence.
Before you read
Build the context out loud.
- What do you normally do on Tuesday morning?
- What is different about your schedule this week?
- When do coworkers send each other short updates?
First pass: keep moving when one word is unfamiliar. Dotted words open optional help; every word also appears in the vocabulary bank below.
Hi Luis,
I normally work the morning shiftA scheduled period when someone works.Useful chunks: morning shift · cover a shift at our north office. I take the 7:40 train, buy coffee near the station, and start at nine. I usually finish at three because I have an evening class.
This Tuesday is different. I’m working at the downtown office and I’m taking the 6:55 train. Marta has a doctor’s appointmentAn arranged time to meet a professional or receive a service.Useful chunks: doctor’s appointment · make an appointment, so I’m coveringDoing another person’s work while that person is unavailable.Useful chunks: cover her shift · cover for someone her front-desk shift. It is only a temporaryExisting for a limited time, not permanently.Useful chunks: temporary schedule · temporary change change. I’m still finishing at three.
Could you send me the client notes before lunch? I’m preparing the reports for Friday’s deadlineThe latest time when a task must be finished.Useful chunks: meet a deadline · Friday deadline.
Thanks, Nina
Original text written for Thomas’s Classroom Reading Lab.
Words in context
Useful vocabulary and chunks
Learn the word with the partners it naturally keeps.
shift
A scheduled period when someone works.
morning shift · cover a shiftnormally
In the usual situation or on most occasions.
I normally start · normally workstemporary
Existing for a limited time, not permanently.
temporary schedule · temporary changecover
To do another person’s work while that person is unavailable.
cover her shift · cover for someoneappointment
An arranged time to meet a professional or receive a service.
doctor’s appointment · make an appointmentdeadline
The latest time when a task must be finished.
meet a deadline · Friday deadlineCheck your reading
Comprehension check
Choose the answer best supported by the text. Check your choices when you finish the whole set.
01Why is Nina working at the downtown office this Tuesday?
02What does Nina usually do before her morning shift?
03Which part of Nina’s schedule is still normal today?
04What does Nina ask Luis to do?
Language in the text
Routine or temporary situation?
Present simple describes Nina’s normal Tuesday. Present continuous describes the changed situation happening this Tuesday and around now.
Normally marks a repeated routine, so the message uses present simple.
This Tuesday is a temporary change, so the message uses present continuous.
Her usual ending time is part of the routine, so the message uses present simple.
This work is in progress around now, so the message uses present continuous.
Check your reading
Language focus check
Use the surrounding meaning, not only the shape of one sentence.
01Choose the sentence that describes Nina’s normal workplace.
02Choose the sentence for Nina’s temporary location today.
03What question asks about Nina’s usual transportation?
04What question asks about her transportation this morning?
Read like a writer
How a short message prevents confusion
Nina separates the normal routine from the temporary change and ends with one clear request, so Luis knows what is different and what action to take.
Time contrast
Two time markers let the reader compare the routine and today’s exception immediately.
Normally... This Tuesday...
Direct request
The final question turns background information into one specific next action.
Could you send me the client notes before lunch?
From reading to speaking
Build your response
Work through the stages in order. Answer before opening the model.
01GistWhy did Nina send this message?
Useful ways to begin
Compare with a model response
Nina sent the message to explain a temporary schedule change and ask Luis for client notes.
02Main pointsWhat is normal, and what is different today?
Useful ways to begin
Compare with a model response
Nina normally works at the north office and takes the 7:40 train. Today she is working downtown and taking an earlier train, but she is still finishing at three.
03ReactWhat schedule change would you need to explain to a coworker?
Useful ways to begin
Compare with a model response
I normally work from home on Friday, but this week I’m visiting a client. I would ask a coworker to send me any urgent updates by phone.
Speak
Take a position
Give a one-minute update that contrasts your normal day with one temporary change this week. Finish with a clear request.
Write
Make the reading useful
Write a 70-word message to a coworker. Include two routine facts, two temporary changes, and one request.