A Day at the Office

     As the sun peeked through the blinds, Sarah knew she had to hit the ground running. Today was the big presentation, and she had been burning the midnight oil all week to get everything ready. She knew that every detail had to be perfect; after all, the company’s future was hanging in the balance.

     As she walked into the office, she decided to touch base with John, the project manager. John was a seasoned professional who always went the extra mile. “Morning, John. Ready for the big day?” she asked, trying to keep her nerves in check.

     John looked up from his desk, a reassuring smile on his face. “Absolutely, Sarah. We’ve left no stone unturned in preparation. This is our chance to shine.”

     The team gathered in the conference room, and Sarah felt a lump in her throat. She knew she couldn’t let her nerves get the best of her. John kicked off the meeting, cutting straight to the chase. “We need to focus on the big picture today. Remember, this presentation is about showing the client that we’re ahead of the curve.”

     Sarah took a deep breath and began her segment. She spoke with confidence, making sure to hit all the key points. The client, Mr. Thompson, seemed impressed. “You’ve really outdone yourselves,” he said. “This is exactly what we’re looking for.”

     After the presentation, John and Sarah debriefed in his office. “You nailed it, Sarah. You really hit the nail on the head with your analysis,” John praised.

     Sarah beamed. “Thanks, John. I couldn’t have done it without the team’s support. We’re really in this together, through thick and thin.”

     “Absolutely,” John agreed. “Now, let’s not rest on our laurels. We’ve got to keep the momentum going and make sure we meet our next deadline.”

     As Sarah left the office that evening, she felt a sense of accomplishment. They had faced numerous challenges, but by working together and keeping their eyes on the prize, they had achieved their goal. She knew that there would be more hurdles ahead, but she was ready to face them head-on.

Comprehension Questions:

1. What idiom describes Sarah’s need to start her day energetically?
2. Which idiom indicates that Sarah was working late into the night?
3. What does it mean when John says they have “left no stone unturned”?
4. What phrase does John use to emphasize focusing on overall objectives rather than minor details?
5. What idiom did John use to praise Sarah’s precise and effective analysis?
6. How does Sarah describe the team’s unity and resilience?
7. What does John mean by “not rest on our laurels”?
8. What feeling does Sarah have as she leaves the office?

1. Answer: “Hit the ground running.”
2. Answer: “Burning the midnight oil.”
3. Answer: It means they have thoroughly prepared and looked into every detail.
4. Answer: “Focus on the big picture.”
5. Answer: “Hit the nail on the head.”
6. Answer: “Through thick and thin.”
7. Answer: He means they should not become complacent after their success and should continue working hard.
8. Answer: A sense of accomplishment.