Lesson 8: Working Late

DIALOGUE
In this lesson, your tutor will help you go over this topic: Working Late. First,
read the following dialogue out loud with your tutor, then switch roles and try
again.
Kevin and Dorothy are talking about what happened last night.

Dorothy: What happened to you last night? You missed the party!

Kevin: It’s a long story. My boss asked me to do something for

him very last minute.

Dorothy: What time did he give you the work?

Kevin: Just before I was about to get off from work, maybe 7pm?

Dorothy: That is terrible. What took you so long?

Kevin: He told me I just needed to give him a file, but in fact, I had
to do some research and make a new file for him.

Dorothy: Bummer! And you had to finish it last night?

Kevin: He told me it was urgent.

Dorothy: Geez. Anyways, you missed out on an awesome party.

Kevin: Tell me about it.

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

Expression Definition Example

what – Do you know what happened to Kevin?

happened He’s not here.
to…

miss to fail to be present She missed three days of school when

for (something) she was sick.

it’s a long – How did you end up in the

story hospital? It’s a long story.

last minute the latest possible My brother waits till the last
time minute to take a shower in the
morning.

just before immediately before The bus left just before I got to
the station.
 be about to to be going to (perform I‘m about to leave the office.
(verb) an action)

get off from having left one’s work I usually get off from work at 7pm.
work at the end of the day.

in fact in reality or actuality I have to send you the email. In

fact, I will send it to you right now.

urgent very important and We’ve come to deliver

needing immediate an urgent message.
attention

miss out lose a chance for Ruth came late to the party
on… and missed out on all the fun.

EXERCISE
Practice answering the following questions with your tutors. You can use the
sample answers to come up with your own answer.

1. What did you do last night?

1. I was working till late.
2. I went out with my friends.
3. Your answer:_______________________________
2. How late do you normally stay at work?
1. I get off from work at 7pm sharp.
2. I usually stay till late.
3. Your answer:_______________________________
3. Do you get a lot of last minute requests at work?
1. No, my boss is very good at time management.
2. Yes, and I hate it.
3. Your answer:_______________________________
4. Do you get to go out with your friends often?
1. I try to meet up with friends twice a week.
2. I don’t see them often.
3. Your answer:_______________________________
5. What do you do when you meet with your friends?
1. We normally get dinner and some drinks.
2. We try to do something fun.
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 time do you usually get off from work?

2. What time do you normally arrive at the office?
3. What time of day do you feel you are most productive in your work or study?
4. What do you usually do when you get last minute requests at work?
5. How often do you go out with your friends?