MAKING EXCUSES

*Warm-Up Discussion

1. When was the last time you made

an excuse? Yesterday What was it
for?

-I didn't want to go out with my friends.

because I didn't have transportation

2. What excuses do you often hear?

-I can't go to work, I feel sick

3. Do you agree with George Washington’s quote?

-Yes, I agree

*Reading: Read these excuses and decide which one is the best

1. -Jose: Hey Casey. Want to go to a movie tonight?

-Casey: Sorry, I can’t tonight.

-Jose: Why not? Are you working tonight?

-Casey: No, I have to finish a project for school.

-Jose: How about tomorrow night?

-Casey: I’m sorry. I’m busy tomorrow, too.

-Jose: Maybe another time.

2. -Rebecca: Hey Jose. Do you want to go out for dinner tomorrow?

-Jose: Sorry Rebecca. I can’t.

-Rebecca: Why not? Are you busy?

-Jose: My mother wants me to drive with her to Monterrey.

-Rebecca: How about Sunday?

-Jose: I’m not free Sunday; maybe another day next week.
3. -Teacher: Jorge, did you finish your homework?

-Jorge: I finished it but I think my dog ate it.

-Teacher: How did that happen?

-Jorge: I forgot to feed him and he was hungry so he ate all of my homework.

-Teacher: Your dog must have been very hungry.

*Activity #1: Write questions or responses in the spaces. Use the words in parenthesis to
write complete sentences and practice making excuses and questions.

1. -Maria: Are you coming to the meeting tonight?

-John: ________sorry , can’t make it _____(can’t make it)

2. -Miguel: Why aren’t you coming to the party?

-Rodrigo: ___________i am hurry ,I am working ________ (working)

3. -Veronica: You’re going to lunch with us, aren’t you?

-Jessica: _____I can’t go , I am broke_____________ (sorry, no money)

-Veronica: Can you go tomorrow?

-Jessica: _______sorry, I’m busy too______________________ (busy, too)

4. -The Boss: You’re late! Where were you?

-Mario: ____I’m very late , I missed the bus _________________ (missed the bus)

5. -Rafael: ____Do you want to go to the movies this week?

-David: Sorry, I’m going on vacation.

6. -Angelica: ___ Do you want to go shopping today ?

-Sandy: I can’t. I have to work.

7. -Raul: ___Do you want to accompany me a soccer game at 5:00 ?

-Ruben: No, I can’t make it. I don’t get off work until 8pm.

*Activity #2: Match the following sentences with the picture

1. Sorry Sandra. I’m too tired to help you right now.

2. Sorry Lizeth. I’m too full.

3. I can’t help you. It’s too cold outside.

4. Sorry, I’m very busy. I have too much to do.

5. I can’t do that. I’m too old.

6. I’m too scared.

2 6 3

5 4 1

*Activity #3: Practice making sentences with the following structure

-I WISH I COULD BUT...

1. -Ale: Hi Mike, will you help me move tomorrow?

-Mike: I wish I could but I won’t be in town. I have to go to Mexico City .

2. -Diana: You are coming to my birthday party, right?

-Felipe: I wish I could but __________________________________________________

3. -Mary: Are you going to dinner with us tonight?

-Valentin: I wish I could but ________________________________________________

4. -Chris: I’m going to the movie theater. Do you want to come?

-William: I wish I could but _________________________________________________

5. -Ron: Do you want to watch the FIFA World Cup this weekend?

-Nancy: I wish I could but __________________________________________________

*Activity #4: Make a dialogue using the information on excuses you have learned today