Listen to a conversation between two English professors.
(man) Hi, Nancy, is something the matter?
(woman) Oh, I just realized that I've got a scheduling conflict tomorrow.
(man) What is it?
(woman) Well, the poetry class I'm teaching meets at 4 o'clock. My students have a test next week so tomorrow's class is the review session. It's important.
(man) OK?
(woman) The other thing is my cousin's retirement party. But I just realized it also starts at 4 o'clock. I haven't realized it was starting at the exact same time as my class.
(man) Oh, no! Well, I'm free tomorrow at 4, if you want, I could cover your class for you. Lead the review session.
(woman) Really? What a generous offer!
(man) I wouldn't mind. I mean, I haven't taught poetry for a few years. I am a little rusty.
(woman) Well, I have some materials prepared and you could certainly use them. So it might be tough but you could do it.
(man) I'll try anyway.
(woman) Well, my other option is to go to the class. Do the review session myself and arrive late at the retirement party.
(man) So you could prepare your students for the test yourself.
(woman) I could and I know it’d be good for my students. It’s just that I’d miss a lot of the party. My cousin and some others are giving speeches and I think it’ll be really interesting. It’ll be a shame to miss it."
