Stories for English Learners

08. Cut to the Chase

Aprende expresiones idiomáticas y phasal verbs con las historias de este detective.

This English mystery course features 11 lessons full of expressions (idioms, phrasal verbs, etc.) and characters that your intermediate to advanced students will grow to love. Each episode features a dialogue between the famous Detective Bossley and one of his prime suspects. 08. Cut to the Chase.

Juan Carlos Martinez
December 1, 2022
Idioms Course
More stories

Detective’s Log

The fire alarm went off again when I was talking to the computer teacher. The students all stood up and started filing out. It didn’t seem to catch any of them off guard. I guess they are all so used to it now. The only student that wasn’t accounted for was Sue Miller. Apparently, she’s one of the brightest kids in the class. To say that she is a prime suspect is an understatement. This case sure is becoming a cat-and-mouse game!

Exercise A

Vocabulary for the story

Audio

Difficulty: Intermediate (B2)

Audio

Transcript

DETECTIVE BOSSLEY: Sorry to interrupt you. It’s Sue, right?

SUE: I’m sorry. Is the photocopier off-limits?

DETECTIVE BOSSLEY: Uh, no. Be my guest

SUE: Oh, okay. Sorry, you caught me off guard. Nobody knows my name around here.

DETECTIVE BOSSLEY: Look, Sue. I’m going to cut right to the chase. The fire alarm went off about half an hour ago.

SUE: Yes, I know. I was in the middle of photocopying this graph.

DETECTIVE BOSSLEY: Is there anyone who could vouch for you on that? I tried to find you in the M lineup, but you weren’t there. Your last name is Miller, right?

DETECTIVE BOSSLEY: What’s wrong? Cat got your tongue? You don’t remember your surname?

SUE: It’s just…I heard the alarm, and I went to look for my computer class. I got lost in the halls and never found the exit. I’m new here.

DETECTIVE BOSSLEY: Look. I’m going to ask this question again. Is there anyone who can vouch for you on that?

SUE: I don’t really know anyone at this school yet. The only person who I talked to was Valerie.

DETECTIVE BOSSLEY: Valerie. Is she a friend? Let me guess. You asked her to cover for you.

SUE: No. Valerie’s the school president. She’s a social butterfly. She introduced herself when I was walking into the library. It was just before the fire alarm went off. I doubt she’ll remember

DETECTIVE BOSSLEY: Well, for your sake, I hope she does because she’ll clear your name. Do you have any idea where I might find this Valerie?

SUE: Sorry, I don’t have a clue. I can barely find my way around. Oh, wait. Speak of the devil.

Exercise B

Comprehension

How much time passes between the time that Detective Bossley talks with Mr. Murphy and Sue?
According to Sue, what did she do after the fire alarm went off?
a) She lined up with other students whose last name starts with M.
b) She began wandering the halls trying to find her classmates.
c) She stayed in the library to make a photocopy.
d) She met up with Valerie to discuss the student council agenda.
Why does Detective Bossley say, “Cat got your tongue?”
a) Because Sue doesn’t respond to a question right away.
b) Because Sue is the person who pulled the alarm.
c) Because Sue doesn’t actually seem quiet as a mouse.
d) Because Sue is obviously lying.
True or False? Detective Bossley has a feeling that Sue is the prankster.

Exercise C - Writing

Writing Task: “The Role of Social Interactions in New Students’ Adaptation to School Life”

Instructions:

Carefully read the provided story about the conversation between Detective Bossley and Sue Miller, a new student at Mountain Berry High.

Write an essay discussing the role of social interactions in new students’ adaptation to school life, using Sue Miller as an example.

Be sure to include at least 3 phrasal verbs from the story or any others you have learned in class. The phrasal verbs from the story include:

caught me off guard
speak of the devil
have a clue

In your essay, address the following points:

How do social interactions with other students, such as Valerie, affect new students’ sense of belonging and adaptation to the school environment?
What role do extra-curricular activities and clubs play in helping new students build connections and integrate into the school community?
How can unexpected incidents or situations, like the fire alarm mystery, create opportunities for new students to interact with their peers and school staff?
What can schools do to foster an atmosphere of openness, support, and collaboration, ensuring that new students have a smooth transition into their new environment?

Write a minimum of 250 words and a maximum of 500 words.

Remember to check your grammar, spelling, and punctuation before submitting the task. Use appropriate academic language and structure your essay with an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Good luck!