Alfie: Daisy: So, how’s it going with Jack? Not great. I mean, I like him a lot, but it’s impossible! During the week I have swimming practice on Mondays, I do taekwondo on Tuesday... Alfie: Daisy: So, how’s it going with Jack? Not great. I mean, I like him a lot, but it’s impossible! During the week I have swimming practice on Mondays, I do taekwondo on Tuesdays and tennis on Thursdays. Alfie: Daisy: Oliver: Alfie: Daisy: Do you see him on Wednesdays, then? No, he watches black and white films at his cinema club on Wednesdays. Yeah, and they’re not just really old films, Alfie, they watch foreign ones with subtitles too! Well, there’s always the weekend. Do you go out together at the weekends? That’s just it, it’s tricky. He works in the bookshop all day Saturday and he goes out with his mates from the book club on Saturday evenings. Alfie: Daisy: Whoa! Book club? So, he loves old films and books!? Mmm ... Does he like sports? Not really. He thinks chess is a sport! Well, he watches football on the telly sometimes, but he doesn’t play any sports. Alfie: Mmm ... I think you’re right. It’s impossible! Daisy: Right, I’m late. See you later. Alfie / Oliver: See you, Daisy. Sophie: Hi, love. Oliver: All right, Mum? Sophie: Yeah, I’m fine. Oliver: Good trip? Sophie: Not bad, but Thailand’s really hot at this time of year. I’m off to Chiang Mai tomorrow to do a three-day trek. The train leaves at 5 in the morning. How’s Daisy? Is she with you? Oliver: Sophie: No, she has tennis on Thursdays. Ah, of course. No problem. Listen, ask Daisy to phone me later, OK? The number of the hotel is on the fridge and I’m in room 37. Oliver: Sophie: Alfie: Oliver: Alfie: All right, Mum. Speak later. Watch out for the snakes! Thanks, Ollie! Bye, love. See you Sunday. Is your mum in Thailand this week? Yeah. Trekking in Chiang Mai for three days. Wow – that beats going to college. Imagine, three days in the jungle! I can’t imagine my mum doing that. Cool. Does she like walking? Oliver: No, not really. Only if it’s to go shopping on the high street! Alfie: See you tomorrow. Oliver: Yeah, see you tomorrow.
Understand the Problem
The text is a dialogue between multiple characters discussing their lives, interests, and schedules. It highlights challenges in social interactions and hobbies, specifically focusing on Daisy's interest in Jack and their conflicting schedules.
Answer
Busy schedules make it hard for Daisy and Jack to meet.
Daisy finds it difficult to date Jack because their schedules do not align. Daisy has various activities during the week and Jack has his commitments on weekends, leaving them with no free time to meet.
Answer for screen readers
Daisy finds it difficult to date Jack because their schedules do not align. Daisy has various activities during the week and Jack has his commitments on weekends, leaving them with no free time to meet.
More Information
Daisy has activities like swimming, taekwondo, and tennis during the week, while Jack watches films and joins book club. Their weekend schedules also clash with Jack’s work and commitments.
Tips
Sometimes people do not calculate the time they have left accurately, which leads to misunderstandings in scheduling.
Sources
- Grammar videos: The present simple - transcript | LearnEnglish Teens - learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org
- Present simple - LearnEnglish Teens - British Council - learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org
