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B1 · Organizing Group Activities

Backup Plan for an Absent Book Club Host

CEFR level:
B1
Sentences:
12
Duration:
1 min
Speakers:
Emma & Tom

"Backup Plan for an Absent Book Club Host" is a B1-level English conversation about organizing group activities, 12 lines long (about 1 minute) between Emma & Tom. Read the full script below with the translation next to each line, then try speaking one of the roles out loud.

Dialogue script

Each entry shows the English sentence first, with the translation on the line below it. To practise speaking, cover the translation and repeat after the audio.

  1. Emma 0:00

    Our book club host got sick two hours before tonight's session.

    Line 1
  2. Tom 0:04

    Do we cancel, or can someone step in with a simpler format?

    Line 2
  3. Emma 0:08

    Last time this happened, discussion became chaotic without timing control.

    Line 3
  4. Tom 0:13

    Then we need structure first, not a perfect replacement speech.

    Line 4
  5. Emma 0:17

    I worry members expect the host's deep analysis style.

    Line 5
  6. Tom 0:21

    Set expectations early, and people will usually cooperate.

    Line 6
  7. Emma 0:25

    I can moderate check-ins and keep each person to two minutes.

    Line 7
  8. Tom 0:29

    I'll handle the closing summary and next-week reading assignment.

    Line 8
  9. Emma 0:33

    Great, we'll announce the adjusted format in the group now.

    Line 9
  10. Tom 0:37

    I'll also bring printed question cards for smoother transitions.

    Line 10
  11. Emma 0:41

    If turnout drops, we'll record key points for absent members.

    Line 11
  12. Tom 0:46

    Good call. Tonight, staying consistent matters more than being perfect.

    Line 12

Native audio, line-by-line recording and pronunciation scoring for this dialogue are in the EngTalk app.

Key vocabulary

Content words from this dialogue, ranked by the CEFR level at which they appear across the whole 500-dialogue library. Function words and proper nouns are excluded.

  • host /hoʊst/ noun/verb

    a person who receives guests, or to receive guests

  • simpler /ˈsɪmplər/ comparative adjective

    easier or less complicated

  • chaotic /keɪˈɑtɪk/ adjective

    in a state of complete confusion and disorder

  • control /kənˈtroʊl/ verb

    to determine the behavior or supervise the running of something

  • structure /ˈstrʌktʃər/ noun

    the way parts are arranged

  • expect /ɪkˈspɛkt/ verb

    believe something will happen

  • people /ˈpipəl/ noun

    human beings; persons

  • moderate /ˈmɑdərət/ (adjective); /ˈmɑdəˌreɪt/ (verb) adjective; verb

    not extreme; to guide or control

  • adjusted /əˈdʒʌstɪd/ adjective

    altered to fit new circumstances or settings

  • question /ˈkwɛstʃən/ noun, verb

    something asked; to ask or doubt

  • staying /ˈsteɪɪŋ/ present participle; noun

    remaining in a place or condition

  • matters /ˈmætərz/ noun

    subjects, problems, or things of importance

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