Family Gathering Preparations
Family members coordinate tasks like cooking, cleaning, setting up, or assigning roles for a large family reunion or holiday meal.
Dialogue
Listen and follow along with the conversation
Vocabulary
Essential words and phrases from the dialogue
reunion
A family reunion is a gathering of family members who may not see each other often, usually to celebrate or catch up. It's common during holidays.
assignments
Assignments here mean tasks or roles given to people to prepare for an event. Use this when dividing work in group planning.
handle
To handle something means to take responsibility for it or manage it. It's a useful verb for offering to do a job, like 'I can handle the cooking.'
take charge
To take charge means to lead or be in control of something. It's polite to say when volunteering to organize a part of an event.
crowd-pleaser
A crowd-pleaser is something that most people like and enjoy. Use this for food or activities that are popular at parties.
appetizers
Appetizers are small snacks served before the main meal to stimulate appetite. Common at gatherings like family reunions.
heavy lifting
Heavy lifting means doing physically hard work, like moving furniture. It's an idiom often used for setup tasks at events.
signature
Signature here means your special or famous version of something, like a recipe. Say 'my signature dish' to mean your best one.
Key Sentences
Important phrases to remember and practice
We need to start finalizing the assignments.
This sentence uses 'finalizing' to mean making final decisions. It's useful for organizing group tasks; the structure 'need to start + verb-ing' shows beginning an action. Use it when planning events to assign roles clearly.
I can definitely handle the BBQ and grilling.
This offers help confidently with 'definitely' for emphasis. 'Handle' means manage; it's a common pattern 'I can + verb' for volunteering. Great for family planning to show reliability.
I'm happy to take charge of the desserts again.
This politely volunteers using 'happy to' for willingness and 'take charge of' for leading. 'Again' refers to repeating a past role. Use in conversations to assign tasks positively.
Does anyone have any special requests this year?
This is a polite question to ask for preferences, using 'does anyone have' for group inquiries. It's useful at planning stages to include others' ideas, showing consideration.
That leaves drinks, appetizers, and setting up the tables and chairs.
'That leaves' means what's remaining after assignments. This lists tasks with 'and' for coordination. Helpful for summarizing what's left in group planning discussions.
Thanks everyone, this is really coming together!
'Coming together' is an idiom meaning plans are progressing well. This thanks the group; use it to end planning positively, with 'really' for emphasis on success.