Summary
Rob’s late for work and has arrived out of breath. How could this be a wake-up call if his alarm went off on time? Feifei is on hand to offer him some useful advice and explain what a wake-up call really is. You can learn what it means too by watching The English We Speak.
Transcript
Feifei
Hello everyone. This is The English We Speak with me, Feifei… and… oh no, Rob is late again!
Rob
…Sorry I’m late, I missed my train and I had to wait for the next one…
Feifei
Are you OK, Rob? You’re very breathless.
Rob
Well, you would be if you had run to the station and from the station to the office.
Feifei
Hmmm, it’s not that far, Rob! I think this a wake-up call.
Rob
A wake-up call? No, I set my alarm – I got out of bed – it just seems to take longer to walk to the station these days.
Feifei
I didn’t mean your alarm, Rob. ‘A wake-up call’ is a warning that you need to change your current situation before it gets any worse.
Rob
And what is my ‘current situation’?
Feifei
You’re unfit – you need to do some more exercise! Let’s hear some examples of ‘a wake-up call’ shall we?
Examples
Martha’s bad test results were a wake-up call for her to work harder before her final exams.
The store’s poor sales results are a wake-up call for the business to move with times and sell more fashionable clothes.
The recent extreme weather is a wake-up call for us all to do something about climate change.
Feifei
This is The English We Speak from BBC Learning English, and in this programme we’re learning about the phrase ‘a wake-up call’, which means a warning to change your current situation and stop things from getting any worse. It’s time to change – like Rob’s fitness! So Rob, how are you going to change your current situation?
Rob
Well, that’s easy – I’m going to get a later train. More time in bed!
Feifei
I wouldn’t, Rob – otherwise you’ll get another ‘wake-up call’.
Rob
Who from?
Feifei
The boss – he hates people being late all the time. So if you’re not punctual, you might get the sack!
Rob
Oh right, I’m off!
Feifei
Where are you going?
Rob
To do some exercise. Like you said, I need to get fit – quickly! Bye.
Feifei
Good luck, Rob.