Day 54: Panic Before the Chemistry Exam
At home in Pachuca, María José (A), sixteen, has something to confess to her mother Graciela (B) about her chemistry exams.
How to study this lesson 3 steps
- Read the situation under the title. It says who is talking and how they know each other, which decides how politely they speak.
- Read the dialogue line by line with its translation, until every line makes sense. Point at (or tap) a Spanish word to see what it means.
- Spend at least 30 minutes listening to native Spanish, for example from the Resources page. It doesn't matter if you don't understand it yet.
Dialogue
Audio recordings are on the way. For now, each lesson is the dialogue with its English translation.
Keys: E hide English · ← → previous / next day · point at a word to see its meaning
-
A
Mamá, te tengo que confesar algo: en el examen de química estuve a punto de salirme.
Mom, I've got something to confess: during the chemistry exam I nearly walked out.
-
B
¿Salirte? ¡Si estudiaste toda la semana y hasta me explicabas los enlaces covalentes!
Walk out? But you studied all week, you were even explaining covalent bonds to me!
-
A
Me lo sé todo, pero en cuanto reparten el examen me pongo a temblar y me quedo en blanco.
I know it all, but as soon as they hand out the test I start shaking and my mind goes blank.
-
B
Mi amor, eso ya no es estrés: es pánico. ¿Por qué no me lo dijiste antes?
Sweetheart, that's not stress anymore: that's panic. Why didn't you tell me before?
-
A
Me daba vergüenza: mis amigas entran tan tranquilas, y yo, con un nudo en el estómago.
I was embarrassed: my friends walk in so calmly, and there's me with a knot in my stomach.
-
B
¿Y si vas con la orientadora? Habrá visto mil casos como el tuyo y sabrá cómo ayudarte.
What if you went to see the school counselor? She must have seen a thousand cases like yours, and she'll know how to help you.
-
A
Va, pero háblale tú primero: si me pongo a explicarle yo, me desmayo ahí mismo.
OK, but you talk to her first: if I start explaining it myself, I'll faint right there.
-
B
Hecho, mañana le hablo. Para el examen final ya habrás aprendido a respirar antes de voltear la hoja.
Done, I'll call her tomorrow. By the final exam you'll have learned to breathe before you turn over the test.
Your progress is saved in this browser only, with no sign-up. The course page and the menu show where you left off. Well done! Next up: Day 55: Where Chiles en Nogada Were Born
If this free course has helped you in your Spanish journey, please consider supporting the project. It's a one-person effort, and even small contributions help keep it running and free for everyone.