Listen to a conversation between two students.
W: How's it going Tom?
M: So so. I've got a problem.
W: What's up?
M: Well, the theater club's going to be doing this play I really want to try out for. A production of Hamlet. It's my favorite Shakespeare play.
W: OK.
M: And I thought the auditions were next week but it turns out they are tomorrow morning. So I haven't prepared at all.
W: Prepared what?
M: Well, to audition, you have to perform a monologue. You choose a small part of the play, like two or three minutes, and you perform it for the director. And based on that, the director chooses which actors will get parts in the play.
W: Oh OK. But you still have tonight to prepare.
M: Well the problem is, I promised a friend I'd help him study for a big physics test tonight. He's not doing well in the class, and I got an A in that class last semester.
W: OK.
M: I mean I could just cancel, you know, just tell him sorry I can't help you tonight.
W: Could he find someone else to study with?M: Yeah, he probably could, but I did promise him.
W: Hmm.
M: Another option would be, I can help my friend study for his exam, and then after we finish, I can just stay up late. All night if necessary, and prepare for the audition.
W: That will still leave you enough time to prepare?
M: Yes, I think so. I mean, it'll definitely be better to have more time, but...
W: And you might not perform very well if you are tired.
M: Yeah, hmm.