Lesson 15: High School

DIALOGUE
In this lesson, your tutor will help you go over this topic: high school. First, read
the following dialogue out loud with your tutor, then switch roles and try again.
Kevin and Dorothy are talking about when they were in high school.
Kevin:
Dorothy, do you remember being in high school?
Dorothy:
Yes, I do. I can still remember my graduation.
Kevin:
I remember mine also. What was your favorite subject?
Dorothy:
I loved math, but I didn’t like my teacher. I was tardy a lot for his class.
Kevin:
Were you absent a lot?
Dorothy:
My attendance at school was perfect, but I skipped class two times.
Kevin:
I was absent a lot. The principal talked with my parents about me not being in school.
Dorothy:
How many times were you absent during the first semester?
Kevin:
I was absent about twenty times. I didn’t like my class schedule.
Dorothy:
Even though I was late and skipped some classes, I passed with flying colors.

VOCABULARY
Go over the following vocabulary and expressions with your tutor. Read the
word/expression and definition out loud, and your tutor will go over anything you
do not understand. Practice creating a sentence or two to make sure you know
how to use the word/expression properly.
Vocabulary/ Expressions

graduation (n) a ceremony where degrees or diplomas are handed out

My high school graduation was very long.

subject (n) an area of knowledge that is studied in school

I think math is a hard subject to learn.

tardy (adj) to be late for something

He was tardy for English class.

absent (adj) not being present at an expected place

She was absent from school today.

attendance (n) a record of how often a person goes to class, meetings,

etc.
Her class attendance was high.

skipped class (idiom) to purposely miss a class at school

She skipped class yesterday.

principal (n) the person in charge of a school

The principal doesn’t like when students are late for
class.

semester (n) the periods that make up a school year

The second semester of school will start tomorrow.

class schedule (n) a list of times and days when a student has classes
According to his class schedule, he has classes every Friday
in the morning.

with flying (idiom) to greatly succeed at something

colors She passed the English test with flying colors.
 EXERCISE
Practice answering the following questions with your tutor. You can use the
sample answers to help come up with your own answer.

1. What would you say to your teacher if you were tardy for class?
1. I’m sorry for being late, but I missed the bus.
2. I was late for class because I overslept.
3. Your answer:
2. Did most of your teachers take attendance?
1. Absolutely because it was mandatory by the principal.
2. I never really noticed if they did or not.
3. Your answer:
3. What are some excuses for being absent from school?
1. Someone in my family passed away.
2. I was on a family vacation.
3. Your answer:
4. What are some other classes students like or dislike in high school?
1. I always disliked science classes.
2. I liked physical education, history, and world geography.
3. Your answer:
5. Which semester do you like the most? Why?
1. I like the first semester because I get to see my friends again.
2. I like the second semester because it has more holidays.
3. Your answer:

CONVERSATION
Use the following questions as a guideline to form an interesting conversation
with your tutor. Feel free to diverge from these suggestions if anything interesting
comes up.

1. What was your favorite subject in high school? Why?

2. Have you ever skipped class? If yes, why?
3. Were you ever tardy for a class? If yes, why?
4. Which year did you graduate from high school?
5. Have you ever passed a test with flying colors? If yes, tell me about it.