The Missed Opportunity
John had always dreamed of becoming a famous musician. He practiced every day, honing his skills on the guitar. One day, he received an invitation to audition for a well-known band. John was thrilled and prepared meticulously for the audition. However, the night before, he stayed up late celebrating with friends.
When the morning came, John overslept. By the time he woke up, the audition had already started. He rushed to the venue, but the doors were closed. He was too late.
John was devastated. He kept thinking about what could have been different. “If I had gone to bed early, I would have woken up on time,” he thought. “If I had woken up on time, I would have made it to the audition,” he mused. “If I had made it to the audition, I might have joined the band,” he sighed.
Over the next few weeks, John couldn’t shake off the regret. He realized that his actions the night before had a huge impact on his future. “If I hadn’t stayed up late, I wouldn’t have missed the chance of a lifetime,” he lamented. John promised himself he would never let a similar opportunity slip away again.
Discussion Questions
- What was John’s dream, and what opportunity did he miss?
- How did John feel after missing the audition?
- What does John regret doing the night before the audition?
- Can you identify the third conditional sentences in the story?
- How do you think John’s life might have changed if he had attended the audition?
Practice Exercise
- Write sentences about what would have happened if John had made it to the audition. Use the third conditional.
- Think about a time you missed an opportunity. Write a short paragraph using the third conditional to describe what could have been different.
