Intro
1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.
2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.
Have you ever visited an all-you-can-eat buffet? You take a plate and walk past all of the items, choosing everything that looks good. Unfortunately, people often take much more than they can actually eat, and they end up throwing away a lot of food.
We do that in our personal and professional lives, too. We say “yes” too often, agreeing to hang out with friends or family when we’re busy, or saying we can complete another project at work when we’re already doing a lot. But the truth is that we don’t have enough time to see everyone we want to see, or take on all of the work our bosses ask of us. It’s easy and common to bite off more than we can chew.
Amanda is afraid that she and Mason have bitten off more than they can chew. Does Marni agree? Read on to find out in this English lesson about life’s responsibilities.
3. Watch - Watch the video without reading the dialog.
Dialog
1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.
2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.
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Marni: So, what is so important that you cancelled your meeting to talk?
Amanda: I’m kind of freaking out.
Marni: About what?
Amanda: I don’t know. The baby.
Marni: Amanda, that’s totally normal.
Amanda: I just think that maybe Mason and I bit off more than we can chew.
Marni: Amanda, it’s natural to be anxious.
Amanda: You think?
Marni: I know. I was a nervous wreck before Dawn was born.
Amanda: Are you just saying that to make me feel better, or were you really?
Marni: Don’t you remember? I bit my fingernails down to the nubs, I broke out in hives, I couldn’t sleep!
Amanda: Actually, I do remember the hives. That was a little bit gross.
Marni: Yeah, thanks. My point is that every new mother feels the same way you do.
Amanda: But what if I just can’t hack it?
Marni: Seriously, Amanda, you’re going to be great. Have you been talking to Mason about all this?
Amanda: A little bit. He just keeps telling me I’m going to be a good mom, and…
Marni: Because you are going to be a good mother. No one can be totally prepared. You just learn along the way!
Amanda: Yeah, well that sounds terrible. I want to be ready right now.
Marni: Amanda, I assure you. It’s going to be fine. You have not bitten off more than you can chew.
Amanda: OK, fine. But I’m going to hold you personally responsible if I mess everything up!
Marni: OK. Whatever. Come here.
Amanda: OK.
Marni: You’re going to be fine.
Grammar Point
Go Super to learn "Phrasal Verbs" from this lesson
Quizzes
Lesson MP3
The iTEP® test
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Discussion
Amanda had a meeting, but she cancelled it to talk with Marni. She’s feeling anxious about everything that’s going on in her life, but especially the baby. Amanda has always been a hard worker, but she’s wondering if she has taken on too many responsibilities.
Marni tells Amanda that she can stop freaking out. Being a new mom is hard, but Marni knows that Amanda can handle it. It’s impossible to know how to do everything before the baby comes, anyway. Marni gives Amanda a hug and tries to make her feel ready for the future.
What do you do when you’ve bitten off more than you can chew? Do you do everything anyway, or do you change your plans?