A Fight at School

Rahul gets into a small fight with a classmate during recess, and the teacher helps both boys talk it out and make up.

Meanings in Rahul, Classmate, Teacher

Key words and phrases

fighta physical or verbal clash between peopleThere was a small fight during recess.

blameto say someone is responsible for something badHe tried to blame his classmate first.

apologizeto say sorry for something you did wrongBoth boys apologized to each other.

calm downto become less angry or upsetThe teacher asked them to calm down first.

misunderstandinga failure to understand each other correctlyIt turned out to be just a misunderstanding.

witnessa person who saw what happenedTwo classmates were witnesses to the fight.

shake handsto hold hands briefly as a sign of friendshipThey shook hands and became friends again.

resolveto settle a disagreementThe teacher helped them resolve the issue calmly.

principal's officethe office of the school's headThey were sent to the principal's office.

make upto become friends again after an argumentThey decided to make up before class started.

argumenta heated exchange of differing opinionsThe argument started over a missing pencil box.

provoketo deliberately anger someoneHe didn't mean to provoke his classmate.

teaseto make fun of someone playfully or unkindlyStop teasing him about his lunch box.

forgiveto stop being angry with someone for a mistakeRahul forgave his classmate quickly.

warninga statement telling someone to stop before punishmentThe teacher gave both boys a warning.

bullysomeone who repeatedly hurts or scares weaker peopleNo one likes being called a bully.

complainto tell someone in authority about a problemShe wanted to complain to the teacher.

peacea state of calm without conflictThe teacher wanted peace between the two boys.

consequencea result that follows an action, often a punishmentFighting has serious consequences at school.

detentiona punishment where a student stays back after schoolThey avoided detention by apologizing quickly.

Useful sentences

Ask What happened between you two during recess?
Answer It was just a small misunderstanding, ma'am.
Ask Can you tell me who started the fight?
Answer I'm not sure, it happened very quickly.
Ask Would you like to apologize to him?
Answer Yes, I'm sorry for pushing you.
Ask Can you both shake hands now?
Answer Sure, let's be friends again.
Ask Do you understand why fighting isn't the answer?
Answer Yes, ma'am, we should talk things out instead.
Ask Did someone tease you before the fight started?
Answer Yes, he was teasing me about my bag.
Ask Have you forgiven him now?
Answer Yes, I forgive him completely.
Ask Do you understand the consequences of fighting?
Answer Yes, ma'am, it could lead to detention.
Ask Will you complain to your parents about this?
Answer No, it's already resolved, ma'am.
Ask Can we have peace between you two from now on?
Answer Yes, ma'am, we promise to get along.

Dialogue

TeacherRahul, Aryan, please calm down and tell me what happened.

RahulHe took my pencil box without asking, ma'am.

ClassmateI thought it was mine. I'm sorry, Rahul.

TeacherIt sounds like just a misunderstanding. Can you both apologize?

RahulI'm sorry too, for pushing you.

TeacherGood. Now shake hands and let's move on with the day.

TeacherRemember, if anyone provokes or teases you again, come and complain to me instead of fighting.

RahulI understand, ma'am. I don't want any consequences like detention.

ClassmateMe too. I'd rather keep peace with everyone.

TeacherThat's the right attitude, boys. I'm proud of you both.

Common mistakes

Saying "We did fight" instead of "We had a fight" or "We got into a fight" (use "have" or "get into," not "do," with "fight").
Saying "Sorry for that" only, instead of a specific apology like "I'm sorry for pushing you" (name what you're apologizing for).
Saying "We make friends again" instead of "We made up" or "We became friends again" (use "make up," the natural phrase after an argument).
Saying "He is doing tease to me" instead of "He is teasing me" (use the simple verb form, not "doing tease").
Saying "I complained about him to teacher" instead of "I complained about him to the teacher" (don't drop the article "the").
Saying "I forgive to him" instead of "I forgive him" (the verb "forgive" takes a direct object, no preposition "to").

Quick quiz

1. What word means a failure to understand each other correctly?

2. Complete: "They decided to ___ before class started."

3. What do you do to become friends again after an argument, as a gesture?

4. What word means to deliberately anger someone?

5. What is a punishment where a student stays back after school called?

6. What word means to stop being angry with someone for a mistake?

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