Conference Rush: Finding Your Badge Before the Pitch

CEFR: B2

Read/Listen first

Yesterday, I arrived early at a big tech conference, but my morning turned into a rush. While I was checking my laptop bag in the lobby, I realised my badge was missing, and the keynote was about to start. I have already emailed myself an online copy of my ticket, so I showed it to reception and asked if they had seen this situation before. They printed a temporary pass, and a colleague said I could still network before the first session. After we found the original badge in a side pocket, I felt relieved, but I knew the deadline for my pitch was still coming. If I had more time, I would polish the slides, yet I had to focus on the client meeting we had scheduled for noon. By the time the client arrived, we had discussed the agenda, and I was ready to present clearly.

⚡ Learning goals

Can describe a conference problem and explain what happened step by step.
Can ask for help politely and clarify whether something has happened before.
Can prioritise tasks and explain what you would do with more time.

✨ Key language

in a rush “I was in a rush all morning.”
meet a deadline “We must meet the deadline today.”
polish the slides “I’ll polish the slides before noon.”

⚙️ Rules & Grammar — 4 Structures

1️⃣ Present perfect (already / by the time / before now)

Rule: Use have/has + past participle to link a past action to the present moment (often with already, just, or life experience).
Examples: I have already emailed myself an online copy of my ticket.; We have discussed the agenda, so we can start on time.; The receptionist has seen this situation before.
Common pitfall + fix: Using past simple without a present link — Use present perfect when the result matters now (e.g., I have already emailed it)..

Which sentence fits a situation where the result matters now?

Tip: Choose present perfect for a current result (already).

Fill with the best answer: I _ already _ the agenda, so we can begin.

Tip: Use have/has + past participle.

2️⃣ Past continuous with while (background action)

Rule: Use was/were + -ing for an ongoing past action, often interrupted or framed by another event; while introduces the background.
Examples: While I was checking my laptop bag, I realised my badge was missing.; I was waiting at reception when they printed a temporary pass.; While we were networking, the keynote was starting.
Common pitfall + fix: Using past simple for the background action — Use past continuous for the longer action (was checking) and past simple for the event (realised)..

Choose the best option: While I ___ my bag, I realised the badge was missing.

Tip: Use past continuous after ‘while’ for background.

Fill with the best answer: While they _ (print) the pass, I _ (wait) nearby.

Tip: Match ongoing past actions with was/were + -ing.

3️⃣ Past simple with finished time (yesterday)

Rule: Use past simple for completed actions at a finished time in the past (e.g., yesterday, last week).
Examples: Yesterday, I arrived early at the conference.; I realised my badge was missing.; We found the original badge in a side pocket.
Common pitfall + fix: Using present perfect with a finished time marker — Say I arrived yesterday, not I have arrived yesterday..

Which sentence is correct with ‘yesterday’?

Tip: Finished time → past simple.

Fill with the best answer: Yesterday, we ___ (find) the badge in a side pocket.

Tip: Use the past form for a completed event.

4️⃣ Second conditional (If I had…, I would…)

Rule: Use the second conditional for unreal or hypothetical situations now: If + past simple, would + base verb.
Examples: If I had more time, I would polish the slides.; If we missed the deadline, the client would be frustrated.; If you lost your badge, you would need to speak to reception.
Common pitfall + fix: Mixing verb forms (would in the if-clause) — Don’t say If I would have; say If I had..

Choose the correct sentence.

Tip: If + past, would + base.

Fill with the best answer: If we _ more time, we _ (prepare) a stronger pitch.

Tip: Second conditional: had … would + base.

✍️ Vocabulary

rush

Meaning: a period when you must move fast because there is little time
Synonyms: hurry, time pressure
Chunk/Idiom: in a rush
Example: I was in a rush before the keynote.
Morphology: noun: rush; verb: rush; adj.: rushed; adv.: —
Self-practice: Say one thing you do when you’re in a rush.

badge

Meaning: an ID card you wear to enter an event or building
Synonyms: ID card, pass
Chunk/Idiom: wear a badge
Example: My badge was missing in the lobby.
Morphology: noun: badge; verb: badge (rare); adj.: badged; adv.: —
Self-practice: Explain where you keep your badge at work.

keynote

Meaning: the main talk at a conference (often by a major speaker)
Synonyms: main speech, headline talk
Chunk/Idiom: keynote speech
Example: The keynote was about to start.
Morphology: noun: keynote; verb: keynote (present); adj.: keynote; adv.: —
Self-practice: Describe a keynote you would like to attend.

network

Meaning: to talk to people to build professional contacts
Synonyms: make contacts, connect
Chunk/Idiom: network with people
Example: I could still network before the first session.
Morphology: verb: network; noun: networking; adj.: networked; adv.: —
Self-practice: Write one question you ask when networking.

deadline

Meaning: the latest time by which something must be finished
Synonyms: due date, cutoff
Chunk/Idiom: meet a deadline
Example: The deadline for my pitch was still coming.
Morphology: noun: deadline; verb: —; adj.: deadline-driven; adv.: —
Self-practice: Say how you track deadlines in your week.

pitch

Meaning: a short, clear presentation to sell an idea or product
Synonyms: presentation, proposal
Chunk/Idiom: deliver a pitch
Example: I was ready to present the pitch clearly.
Morphology: noun: pitch; verb: pitch; adj.: pitch-ready; adv.: —
Self-practice: In one sentence, pitch a simple idea.

☁️ Examples (+ audio)

I have already emailed myself the ticket, so I can check in quickly.

While I was searching my bag, the keynote was about to start.

After we found the badge, we met the client and reviewed the agenda.

If I had more time, I would polish the slides before the pitch.

✏️ Exercises

Grammar

Which option is correct? (finished time)

Tip: Use past simple with ‘yesterday’.

Choose the best option: If I had more time, I ___ the slides.

Tip: Second conditional → would + base verb.

Fill with the best answer: I _ already _ my ticket to myself. (email)

Tip: Present perfect: have/has + past participle.

Fill with the best answer: While I _ (check) my bag, I _ (realise) the badge was missing.

Tip: Background action → was/were + -ing; event → past simple.

Vocabulary & Comprehension

What does ‘meet a deadline’ mean?

Tip: A deadline is the final time to finish.

Which word best fits? The ___ was about to start, so the room filled up.

Tip: Keynote = main talk.

Fill with the best answer: I was in a ___ because the client arrived soon.

Tip: Use ‘rush’ for time pressure.

Fill with the best answer: Before the pitch, I tried to ___ with a few attendees.

Tip: Network = build professional contacts.

✅ Guided practice

Mini-dialogue:

A: I’ve lost my badge—have you seen this before?
B: Yes. Show your ticket, and they’ll print a temporary pass.
A: If I had more time, I would polish the slides first.

Why this matters:

This language helps you stay calm in a stressful moment. It also shows you can manage priorities professionally. Clients trust you when you communicate clearly.

Verb & Adjective Pack:

meet a deadline — We met the deadline despite the rush.
temporary pass — They gave me a temporary pass at reception.
polish the slides — I’ll polish the slides before I pitch.

Try & compare:

Fill with the best answer: If I had more time, I would ___ the slides.