Short Stories in English for Beginners

lift a small box that takes people up and down in a building
fate an unknown and uncontrollable power that seems to make things
happen

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be taken aback to be surprised, often in an unpleasant or unwanted way
impossible not possible, not able to do or happen
realize to know and understand something that you did not know or
understand before
awkwardly in an odd or uncomfortable way
celebration a happy event or party
burst out laughing to suddenly start to laugh
un día loco a Spanish expression meaning ‘a crazy day’
Comprehension Questions
Select one answer only for each question.
16) The old man and Daniel go first to ___.
a. Armando’s flat
b. a phone box
c. The Crazy Paella restaurant
d. the airport
17) When they get to the flat ___.
a. Julia and Armando are there
b. only Julia is there
c. only Armando is there
d. no one is there
18) The first thing Daniel does is ___.
a. charge his mobile
b. make dinner
c. call Armando
d. call his parents
19) Next, Daniel calls ___.
a. his parents
b. Armando
c. Julia

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d. the lorry driver
20) For the celebration, Julia suggests they go to ___.
a. The Crazy Paella
b. a pizza restaurant
c. London
d. Valencia

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A Very Unusual Excursion
Chapter 1 – The Creature
Lake
Ullswater is in the north-west of England. It’s in a well-known area
called the Lake District. It is a popular place for families to visit. People
often go there to take photos. They also go to enjoy nature in the summer
season.
The Lake District is a region with very