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Olympus Mons

Short real-world texts with quick comprehension checks.

Core Expression Engine - Day 13
Date: 2026-02-13

Daily Core Expressions

Meeting changes

Today's Useful Phrases
  • Would it be possible to move the pickup time?
  • I will take a rain check.
  • That makes sense, but it is after the deadline.
Phrases
  • Would it be possible to move the pickup time? - Polite request to move the pickup time.
  • I will take a rain check. - I cannot do it now.
  • That makes sense, but it is after the deadline. - Soft disagreement. Reason: it is after the deadline.
Examples
  • Email: Would it be possible to move the pickup time? Please reply.
  • Note: I will take a rain check. Thanks for letting me know. I will move the pickup time by the end of the day.
Exercises
  • What action is needed? Choices: (a) move the pickup time (b) adjust the order (c) email me the details
  • Is the tone polite or direct? Choices: (a) Polite (b) Direct (c) Not sure
Core Expression Archive →

Level 1

Read short messages, signs, and labels.

Lesson 1
Clinic Signs

Short real-world texts and quick comprehension questions.

  • SIGN: CHECK IN HERE -> What should you do?
  • SIGN: PLEASE WAIT -> What should you do?
  • SIGN: MASK REQUIRED -> What is required?
Lesson 2
Pharmacy Labels

Short real-world texts and quick comprehension questions.

  • LABEL: TAKE WITH FOOD -> When do you take it?
  • LABEL: TWICE A DAY -> How often?
  • LABEL: REFILL 0 -> Can you refill?
Lesson 3
Grocery Ads

Short real-world texts and quick comprehension questions.

  • AD: APPLES 2 FOR 5 -> What is the price?
  • AD: BREAD 50% OFF -> What is the deal?
  • AD: BUY 1 GET 1 -> What is the offer?
Lesson 4
Short Texts

Short messages and quick comprehension questions.

  • TEXT: I am outside. -> Where is the person?
  • TEXT: Please call me. -> What is the request?
  • TEXT: Running late 10 minutes. -> What is the status?
Lesson 5
Transit Notes

Short real-world texts and quick comprehension questions.

  • NOTICE: BUS 6 DELAYED -> What is delayed?
  • NOTICE: TAXI STAND THIS WAY -> Where is it?
  • NOTICE: EXIT TO MAIN ST -> Where is the exit?

Level 2

Read short instructions and appointment notes.

Lesson 1
Appointment Notes

Short real-world texts and quick comprehension questions.

  • NOTE: ARRIVE 15 MIN EARLY -> When to arrive?
  • NOTE: BRING ID AND CARD -> What to bring?
  • NOTE: RESCHEDULED TO FRIDAY -> What changed?
Lesson 2
Store Instructions

Short instructions and quick checks.

  • INSTRUCTIONS: PAY FIRST -> What comes first?
  • INSTRUCTIONS: PICK UP AT COUNTER -> Where to go?
  • INSTRUCTIONS: KEEP RECEIPT -> What should you keep?
Lesson 3
Bank Messages

Short messages and quick comprehension questions.

  • MESSAGE: TRANSFER COMPLETE -> What happened?
  • MESSAGE: CARD READY FOR PICKUP -> What is ready?
  • MESSAGE: PIN CHANGED -> What changed?
Lesson 4
Neighbor Notes

Short real-world texts and quick comprehension questions.

  • NOTE: LEFT PACKAGE AT DOOR -> Where is it?
  • NOTE: PLEASE LOWER MUSIC -> What is the request?
  • NOTE: MEETING AT 7 -> When is the meeting?

Level 3

Read everyday adult texts and pick the needed action.

Lesson 1
Work Emails

Short realistic texts and quick checks.

  • EMAIL: I was wondering if you could review the draft today. -> Purpose?
  • EMAIL: Please confirm the meeting time. -> Action needed?
  • EMAIL: The report has been delayed to Friday. -> What changed?
Lesson 2
Delivery Notifications

Short realistic texts and quick checks.

  • NOTICE: Your package is delayed to Monday. -> Action needed?
  • NOTICE: We missed you. Please reschedule delivery. -> Action needed?
  • NOTICE: Delivered at the front desk. -> What happened?
Lesson 3
Appointment Reminders

Short realistic texts and quick checks.

  • REMINDER: Your appointment is at 3 PM tomorrow. -> Purpose?
  • REMINDER: Please arrive 10 minutes early. -> Action needed?
  • REMINDER: Reply YES to confirm. -> Action needed?
Lesson 4
Friend Texts

Short realistic texts and quick checks.

  • TEXT: Running late, see you in 15. -> Action needed?
  • TEXT: It slipped my mind. Can we reschedule? -> Purpose?
  • TEXT: That makes sense. -> What is the response?

Level 4

Read tone-heavy texts and understand meaning.

Lesson 1
Polite Complaint Email

Tone and meaning questions.

  • EMAIL: I do not want to complain, but the room was very noisy. -> Tone?
  • EMAIL: I was hoping for a quick fix if possible. -> What do they expect?
  • EMAIL: Please let me know what you can do. -> Action needed?
Lesson 2
Passive-Aggressive Message

Tone and meaning questions.

  • TEXT: No worries, do what you want. -> Tone?
  • TEXT: I guess I will handle it myself. -> Meaning?
  • TEXT: I just thought you would help. -> What do they expect?
Lesson 3
Apology Message

Tone and meaning questions.

  • TEXT: I did not mean it like that. I am sorry. -> Tone?
  • TEXT: It slipped my mind, but I can fix it today. -> Meaning?
  • TEXT: Thanks for understanding. -> What do they expect?

Level 5

Infer meaning from short dialogues and stories.

Lesson 1
Hidden Frustration

Inference questions.

  • A: You said 3 PM, but it is 4:30 now. B: Yeah, sorry. -> Who is frustrated?
  • A: I have been waiting. B: I will be there soon. -> What is the real issue?
  • A: No worries. B: Thanks for being patient. -> What do they feel?
Lesson 2
Relationship Clues

Inference questions.

  • A: Can you cover my shift? B: I can do it this time. -> Relationship?
  • A: Please confirm the meeting time. B: Sure, I will send a calendar invite. -> Relationship?
  • A: The package is at the front desk. B: Thanks for the update. -> Relationship?
Lesson 3
True Intention

Inference questions.

  • A: I was wondering if you could take a look. -> True intention?
  • A: That makes sense. Let us move it. -> True intention?
  • A: I guess we can do it your way. -> True intention?