Speaking Exercise "Asking and Giving Information"

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🧩 Worksheet: Prioritising Tasks at Work

Case Study Activity

Case: “A Busy Monday Morning”

You arrive at work at 9:00 a.m. and have several things to do today.
Here’s your task list:

TaskDetailsDeadline

1. Reply to an important client emailThe client is waiting for your answer before they can continue their work.Morning

2. Prepare a report for your managerThe report is due by 3 p.m. today.Afternoon

3. Help a new colleague with system accessThey can’t start their job until you help them.No fixed time

4. Attend a team meetingStarts at 10:00 a.m.10:00 a.m.

5. Finish checking last week’s dataNeeded for tomorrow’s presentation.Tomorrow

Part 1 – Discussion Questions

1. Which task should you do first? Why?
2. Which task can wait until later in the day?
3. What tasks can you delegate to someone else (if possible)?
4. How would you manage your time so that everything is completed?
5. What tools or strategies would help you stay organised?

Part 2 – Group / Padlet Task

• In pairs or groups of 3–4, create your priority plan (rank the 5 tasks from 1 = most urgent to 5 = least urgent).
• Write a short explanation (3–5 sentences) justifying your decision.
• Post your plan on Padlet and read others’ posts.
• Comment on one post: “I agree because…” or “I would do it differently because…”

Part 3 – Useful Language

FunctionExample Phrases

Giving reasons“I would do this first because…” / “This is more urgent since…”

Expressing opinion“In my opinion…” / “I think it’s better to…”

Agreeing / Disagreeing“I agree with…” / “I would choose differently because…”

Managing time“I would make a schedule…” / “I’d use a reminder app to…”

read the instructions carefully

Read the conversation, and then write the expressions to show agreement or disagreement in the corresponding column.