Missing a class

Missing a class

Listen to a student explain why she can't come to class to practise and improve your listening skills.

Do the preparation task first. Then listen to the audio and do the exercises.

Transcript

Student: Excuse me, Ms Henderson?

Teacher: Yes, Diana. How can I help you?

Student: I'm sorry, but I can't come to class next Wednesday. I have a doctor's appointment.

Teacher: OK. Thanks for letting me know.

Student: Is there anything to do at home?

Teacher: Let me just check my notebook. OK, first of all … you need to read chapters 17, 19 and 20 in the book. There are also some articles and a video to watch – those are online. I'll post the links online in the usual place.

Student: Chapters 17 to 20.

Teacher: Yes, except chapter 18. Chapters 17, 19 and 20.

Student: Ah, OK. Um ... is there a deadline?

Teacher: Yes, this Friday. But there's something else. I was going to give you all a practice test.

Student: A practice test?

Teacher: Yes, to help people prepare for the mid-term exam.

Student: Ah. All right.

Teacher: Don't worry, I can send you the practice test by email on Wednesday. Can you send it to me before Friday?

Student: Sure, no problem.

Teacher: And don't forget to bring a certificate from the doctor to the office.

Student: Thanks, Ms Henderson! I'll do that.

Teacher: You're welcome, Diana. Take care.

Task 1

Task 2

Discussion

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Average: 4.1 (91 votes)

Submitted by yslove914 on Fri, 04/09/2026 - 12:18

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I am not a student and don't have any homework because I graduated from university about 15 years ago. 

However, I think homework is essential for students for several reasons. First, it helps students to review the lessons they have learned in class. Also, it allows them to check whether they fully understood the details of lessons. Moreover, doing home regularly helps them develop a good study habit.

From my perspective as an adult, I think there can be a significant gap between who doing homework regularly and those who doing not.

Submitted by flower123 on Tue, 18/08/2026 - 00:37

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No, I don't have much homework because I don't study at the moment. But I practice English and work on developing my personal skills.

 

Submitted by Okaser on Fri, 07/08/2026 - 23:59

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No , I don't have homework , I'm not studying actually.

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Submitted by LidiaQuicano on Wed, 29/04/2026 - 22:37

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I sometimes have a lot of homework but I try do it. It is my responsible. I like homework that I understand and I do it step by step. I take my time and finally I feel confident myself. 

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Submitted by Arafat bepari on Fri, 10/04/2026 - 07:27

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I don't like lot of home work because I can't finished this on time If the teacher give some home work I can finished this on time 

Submitted by Florence_Norguet on Mon, 23/03/2026 - 20:11

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A student can't come to the next class on wednesday because she has a doctor's appointment. The teacher sais her she should read chapters 17, 18, 19 and 20 in the book. The teacher will send a links on line some articles and the video to watch.

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Submitted by Eskafeca on Fri, 13/02/2026 - 13:49

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No, I don't have a lot of homework. I like to read essays and analyze them.

Submitted by fullempty on Wed, 28/01/2026 - 14:54

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Teacher: Yes, this Friday. But there's something else. I was going to give you all a practice test.

If we change the sentence "i was going to give you all a practice test" to "i am going to give you all a practice test", will it change the meaning of the context?

Hello fullempty,

We use the form was/were going to to describe plans which are no longer true or possible. In this case, the teacher says I was going to give... because the plan is no longer possible as the student has a doctor's appointment and will be absent.

The teacher would use am going to if the plan were still true.

 

Peter

The LearnEnglish Team