Read the messages and answer the questions.
Best Friends Forever
Mary: Hi guys! What’s up? Shall we meet at the cinema and watch a movie on Saturday?
Racheal: That sounds good. I’ll be there.
Harry: I’d love to but I
Micheal: I’m sorry, but my grandparents are coming tomorrow.
Emma: Of course, it’s ok for me. What time are we going to meet?
A) Who invites her friends for something?
B) What is the event?
C) When is the event?
D) Where is the event going to take place?
E) Who accepts the invitation?
f. Who refuses the invitation without an excuse?
g. Why can’t Micheal join the event?
Reading Comprehension: Invitations and Excuses
KEY FORMULA / RULE: In English communication units, questions about invitations require identifying the inviter (sender), the event/activity, the time/location, and categorizing responses into accepting, refusing with an excuse, or refusing without an excuse.
SOLUTION STEPS & ANSWERS
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a. Who invites her friends for something?
Mary invites her friends (“Shall we meet at the cinema and watch a movie on Saturday?”). -
b. What is the event?
The event is watching a movie (or going to the cinema). -
c. When is the event?
The event is on Saturday. -
d. Where is the event going to take place?
It is going to take place at the cinema. -
e. Who accepts the invitation?
Racheal and Emma accept the invitation (Racheal says “I’ll be there” and Emma says “Of course, it’s ok for me”). -
f. Who refuses the invitation without an excuse?
Harry refuses without an excuse (He only writes “I’d love to but I…” and does not give any reason). -
g. Why can’t Micheal join the event?
Because his grandparents are coming (“I’m sorry, but my grandparents are coming tomorrow”).
EXAM INSIGHT / PITFALL: Be careful to distinguish between refusing with an excuse (Micheal explains why he cannot come) and refusing without an excuse (Harry states he cannot make it but provides no reason).