Magic Text activity, tailored to Level B1, focused on phrasal verbs and themed around the company SAAM Terminals 🌐🚢.
🔮 The Magic Text
Title: Staying on Track at SAAM Terminals
At SAAM Terminals, teamwork is essential. Every day, workers carry out inspections to ensure the equipment is safe. If they come across any problems, they report them immediately. Managers often look into these reports to figure out what needs to be fixed.
When there is a delay, teams work together to sort it out quickly. New employees usually pick up procedures fast, thanks to detailed training. If something goes wrong, supervisors always step in to help.
Despite the challenges, everyone keeps up with the fast pace of port operations. That’s why SAAM continues to stand out as a reliable logistics company.
❓ Challenging Questions
A. Text-Based (with Spanish translation):
- What do the workers carry out each day? ¿Qué realizan los trabajadores cada día?
- What should workers do if they come across a problem? ¿Qué deben hacer los trabajadores si se encuentran con un problema?
- How does SAAM stand out in the logistics industry? ¿Cómo destaca SAAM en la industria logística?
B. Personal/Professional (with Spanish translation):
- Have you ever had to sort out a problem at work? What happened? ¿Alguna vez tuviste que resolver un problema en el trabajo? ¿Qué pasó?
- What skills help someone keep up with a fast-paced job? ¿Qué habilidades ayudan a seguir el ritmo en un trabajo acelerado?
- What company do you think stands out in your industry? Why? ¿Qué empresa crees que destaca en tu industria? ¿Por qué?
🧠 Grammar Exploration – Phrasal Verbs
| Phrasal Verb | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| carry out | perform or complete | We carry out safety checks daily. |
| come across | find by chance | They came across a technical issue. |
| look into | investigate | We’ll look into the complaint. |
| figure out | understand or solve | Let’s figure out the cause. |
| sort out | resolve a problem | The team sorted out the delay. |
| pick up | learn quickly | He picked up the process easily. |
| step in | get involved to help | A supervisor stepped in. |
| keep up with | stay at the same level | Can you keep up with the workload? |
| stand out | be noticeable, exceptional | SAAM stands out in the sector. |
🎭 Character Perspective Activity
Imagine you are a new employee at SAAM Terminals.
Your supervisor asks you to report an issue and offer a solution using at least three phrasal verbs.
➡️ What would you say?
(Puedes responder en inglés o con apoyo en español si lo necesitas.)
✍️ Creative Expansion
Writing Prompt:
Write a short email (5–6 lines) to your manager explaining that your team has come across a problem with a crane and how you will sort it out.
Speaking Prompt:
Explain to a colleague how you picked up the job tasks quickly and what helped you keep up with the team.
🪄 Tip from Celestia (Pop-up Style)
✨ Phrasal verbs often have non-literal meanings. Don’t translate word-by-word—focus on context! For example, “pick up” doesn’t mean “levantar” here, but “aprender.”
🪞 Wrap-Up & Reflection
- Which phrasal verb from today’s activity do you find most useful at work?
- How could you practice using phrasal verbs in your emails or meetings?
