Situation 1: Mark is late for work
Mark is late for work, so he thinks of five possible excuses. Maybe he says there was a lot of traffic. Maybe he missed the bus. Perhaps his alarm clock didn’t ring. He could say his car broke down, or he had to help an old lady in the street. Which excuse is the best? Which excuse is the worst? Which excuse do you believe?
Language support box: giving excuses
Starting an excuse
- Maybe…
- Perhaps…
- He / She could say…
- He / She can say…
- The excuse is that…
Explaining the problem
- There was…
- There were…
- He / She missed…
- He / She forgot…
- He / She broke…
- He / She lost…
- He / She couldn’t…
- He / She had to…
Adding a reason
- because…
- so…
- but…
- and then…
- unfortunately…
Giving your opinion
- I believe this excuse.
- I don’t believe this excuse.
- This excuse is possible.
- This excuse is impossible.
- This excuse is funny.
- This excuse is terrible.
- The best excuse is…
- The worst excuse is…
Excuse frames
Situation 2: Tina forgot to buy her son’s chocolate
Tina went to the supermarket, but she forgot to buy her son’s chocolate. Now her son is waiting at home. Tina needs a good excuse.
Invent five excuses
- Maybe Tina says _____________________________________________.
- Perhaps she ________________________________________________.
- She could say that __________________________________________.
- The excuse is that __________________________________________.
- She had to _________________________________________________.
Discuss
- Which excuse is the best?
- Which excuse is the worst?
- Which excuse do you believe?
- Would her son believe it?
Situation 3: Leonel forgot his towel at the gym
Leonel went to the gym, but he forgot his towel for the benches. He knows this is a problem. He needs an excuse quickly.
Invent five excuses
- Maybe Leonel says __________________________________________.
- Perhaps he ________________________________________________.
- He could say that __________________________________________.
- The excuse is that __________________________________________.
- He couldn’t _______________________________________________.
Discuss
- Which excuse is polite?
- Which excuse is ridiculous?
- Which excuse do you believe?
- What should Leonel do now?
Situation 4: John broke his wife’s favourite vase
John broke his wife’s favourite vase. She is coming home soon. He has to think of something very quickly.
Invent five excuses
- Maybe John says ____________________________________________.
- Perhaps he ________________________________________________.
- He could say that __________________________________________.
- The excuse is that __________________________________________.
- He had to _________________________________________________.
Discuss
- Which excuse is believable?
- Which excuse is impossible?
- Should John tell the truth?
- What would you say?
Tell the Story
Tell the story
Look at the pictures and tell the story.
You can invent the names, the place and extra details.
Think about:
- Who are they?
- Where are they going?
- What problem do they have?
- Who helps them?
- What happens in the end?
Lingua-Franca 