An Eventful Weekend, Then Back to Business
CEFR: B2
Read/Listen first
On Monday morning, I called a colleague before a team meeting, and we started with small talk about her eventful weekend. She said she had accepted every invitation, so she had dinner with close friends, joined a ceramic‑painting workshop, and visited a place of worship with her cousin. While she was describing the ceremony, I was thinking about how different traditions can be, although the goal is often the same: feeling connected. I’ve read a little about these communities, so I asked a few questions and listened carefully. She explained that her child has started lessons at school and has already experienced two ways of celebrating. After that, we moved to work: our HR meeting has been postponed, and we need to rewrite a reply for the leadership team. Next week, we’re going to wrap up the last tasks, and I’ll share a clear schedule. If time allows, we could also plan a short trip in the mountains to reset before January.⚡ Learning goals
- Can summarise an eventful weekend and transition smoothly into work topics.
- Can compare traditions respectfully while asking follow‑up questions.
- Can discuss changes to a schedule and propose next steps and suggestions.
✨ Key language
- It was an eventful weekend, so… “It was an eventful weekend, so I’m a bit tired.”
- While I was …, I realised … “While I was listening, I realised we needed a new plan.”
- If time allows, we could … “If time allows, we could meet again next week.”
⚙️ Rules & Grammar — 4 Structures
1️⃣ Past simple (finished actions)
Rule: Use the past simple to report completed events in the past, often in a sequence.Examples: She had dinner with close friends.; She joined a ceramic‑painting workshop.; We moved to work after that.
Common pitfall + fix: Using present tense for finished events — Shift to past simple: “She joined…”, not “She joins…”..
Choose the correct form: She ____ dinner with close friends.
Tip: Use past simple for a finished action.
Fill with the best answer: She ____ a ceramic‑painting workshop with friends.
Tip: Use the past simple verb for a completed action.
2️⃣ Past continuous with while (background)
Rule: Use past continuous to describe an ongoing background action, often with while + past simple/continuous.Examples: While she was describing the ceremony, I was thinking about traditions.; While we were talking, the meeting time was approaching.; I was listening carefully while she explained.
Common pitfall + fix: Using past simple for the background action — Use -ing: “was thinking / was describing”..
Choose the best option: While she ____ the ceremony, I was listening.
Tip: While + was/were + -ing sets the background scene.
Fill with the best answer: While I ____ about traditions, she continued speaking.
Tip: Past continuous = was/were + -ing.
3️⃣ Present perfect for experience / recent change
Rule: Use present perfect to talk about experience up to now or a recent situation with a present link.Examples: I’ve read a little about these communities.; She has started lessons at school.; She has already experienced two ways of celebrating.
Common pitfall + fix: Adding a finished time word like “yesterday” — Use past simple with finished time: “I read… yesterday”..
Choose the correct sentence.
Tip: No finished time expression with present perfect.
Fill with the best answer: She ____ already experienced two ways of celebrating.
Tip: Present perfect = has/have + past participle.
4️⃣ Future forms (going to / will) for plans and decisions
Rule: Use going to for planned actions; use will for a decision/promise made now.Examples: Next week, we’re going to wrap up the last tasks.; I’ll share a clear schedule.; If time allows, we could plan a short trip.
Common pitfall + fix: Using will for fixed plans — Use going to for plans: “We’re going to wrap up…”..
Choose the best option: Next week, we ____ wrap up the last tasks.
Tip: Going to = planned action.
Fill with the best answer: I’ll ____ a clear schedule after the meeting.
Tip: Will + base verb for a promise/decision.
✍️ Vocabulary
eventful
Meaning: Full of activities and important things happening; not quiet or routine.Synonyms: busy, packed, hectic
Chunk/Idiom: an eventful weekend
Example: It was an eventful weekend, so I needed a slow morning.
Morphology: adj.; noun: eventfulness; adv.: eventfully.
Self-practice: Describe an eventful day you’ve had at work in 2 sentences.
invitation
Meaning: A request asking someone to go to an event or meeting.Synonyms: request, invite, call
Chunk/Idiom: accept an invitation
Example: She accepted every invitation and still arrived on time.
Morphology: noun; verb: invite; adj.: inviting.
Self-practice: Write one polite invitation to a colleague for coffee.
place of worship
Meaning: A location where people go for religious ceremonies and prayer.Synonyms: temple, church, shrine
Chunk/Idiom: visit a place of worship
Example: They visited a place of worship before dinner.
Morphology: noun phrase; verb: worship; adj.: worshipful; adv.: worshipfully.
Self-practice: Explain why you might visit a place of worship when travelling.
postponed
Meaning: Moved to a later time or date; delayed.Synonyms: delayed, rescheduled, put off
Chunk/Idiom: a postponed meeting
Example: Our HR meeting was postponed, so we adjusted the agenda.
Morphology: verb: postpone; adj.: postponed; noun: postponement.
Self-practice: Rewrite this: “The call is cancelled” → “The call is postponed to …”.
leadership team
Meaning: The group of people who manage and guide an organisation or department.Synonyms: management, executives, decision-makers
Chunk/Idiom: reply for the leadership team
Example: We drafted a clear reply for the leadership team.
Morphology: noun phrase; noun: leader; verb: lead; adj.: leading.
Self-practice: Write one sentence reporting an update to the leadership team.
wrap up
Meaning: To finish something and bring it to a close.Synonyms: finish, conclude, complete
Chunk/Idiom: wrap up the last tasks
Example: We’re going to wrap up the last tasks by Friday.
Morphology: phrasal verb; verb: wrap up; noun: wrap‑up; adj.: wrapped‑up.
Self-practice: Plan your day: list 3 tasks you want to wrap up.
☁️ Examples (+ audio)
I called her before the meeting and asked about her weekend.
While she was describing the ceremony, I was thinking about traditions.
I’ve read a little about these communities, so I listened carefully.
Next week, we’re going to wrap up tasks and I’ll share the schedule.
✏️ Exercises
Grammar
Choose the correct option: We ____ to wrap up the last tasks next week.
Tip: Use “going to” for a planned action.
Choose the best option: While she ____ the ceremony, I was listening.
Tip: Past continuous = was/were + -ing with “while”.
Fill with the best answer:
I’ve ____ a little about these communities.Tip: Present perfect: have/has + past participle.
Fill with the best answer:
Our HR meeting has been ____ until next week.Tip: Use “postponed” for a meeting moved to a later time.
Vocabulary & Comprehension
What does “eventful” mean in the text?
Tip: It describes a weekend with many things happening.
Why did the speaker say, “I’ll share a clear schedule”?
Tip: “I’ll…” often signals a decision or promise.
Fill with the best answer:
She accepted every ____ and felt busy.Tip: An invitation is a request to attend something.
Fill with the best answer:
We need to rewrite a reply for the ____ team.Tip: Leadership = management/executives.
✅ Guided practice
Mini-dialogue:
A: Morning! You look tired—was it an eventful weekend?B: Very. I accepted every invitation, and I barely rested.
A: While you were doing all that, I was preparing the agenda.
Why this matters:
Small talk builds trust before you discuss tasks. It also helps you switch politely from personal news to business. Clear planning language keeps meetings efficient.Verb & Adjective Pack:
postpone (a meeting) — “Let’s postpone it and agree a new slot.”wrap up (tasks) — “We’ll wrap up the last items by Friday.”
share (a schedule) — “I’ll share the schedule right after lunch.”
reset (your focus) — “A short break can help you reset.”
Try & compare:
Fill with the best answer: Next week, we’re ____ to wrap up the last tasks.
Tip: Use “going to” for plans: “we’re going to…”.
Self-correction: Fix the sentence: I read a little about these communities yesterday.
Tip: This one is already correct: past simple + “yesterday”.
Practice aloud: Listen, repeat, then type the sentence.
While she was describing the ceremony, I was thinking about traditions.
Tip: Focus on the rhythm of “was describing / was thinking”.