1. A Caring Conversation
During the school break, Adam advised his shy friend to be more confident when talking to others. As he saw her approach a new group, she began to blush, but he smiled to give her energy. She tried to avoid nervous thoughts and clenched her fists slightly to stay calm. The bright afternoon sun made the place cheerful, and Adam’s caring attitude helped her feel comfortable. Their conversation developed easily because both were easy-going and kind. Soon, her face showed a confident smile, her eyebrows relaxed, and she even began to fancy the idea of meeting new people. The benefit of that moment was clear — friendship and self-belief grew stronger, and the contents of their hearts were full of peace.
Словарь
advise — советовать
approach — приближаться
avoid — избегать
benefit — польза, помощь, поддержка
bite — кусать, обкусывать
blush — краснеть от смущения
bright — яркий
caring — заботливый, внимательный
clench — сжимать, стиснуть
comfortable — удобный, спокойный
confident — уверенный
contents — содержание
conversation — разговор, диалог
cross — скрещивать
develop — развиваться
easy-going — лёгкий в общении
energy — энергия, сила
eyebrow — бровь
fancy — нравиться, любить
fist — кулак
2. A Positive Opportunity
When our class got the opportunity to perform on stage, everyone felt a bit nervous, but our teacher persuaded us to stay optimistic. She told us to be flexible and ready for changes. I made a small gesture of confidence, and it seemed to impress her. During rehearsals, one student became furious and irritable, but we tried to be patient and calm him down. I decided to narrate a short story that could make everyone smile. It was likely to succeed because the team’s passion was strong. Some students wanted to postpone the show, but others stayed positive and encouraged them to go on. Finally, we stood on stage, hands raised, palms open, ready to share our message. We couldn’t predict how the audience would react, but our purpose was clear — to bring joy and hope. Even if a few people looked puzzled, the quality of our effort made it all worthwhile.
Словарь
flexible — гибкий, податливый, мягкий
furious — разъярённый, свирепый
gesture — жест, телодвижение
impress — производить впечатление, поражать
irritable — раздражительный
likely — вероятно
narrate — рассказывать
nervous — нервный
opportunity — возможность
optimistic — оптимистичный
palm — ладонь
passion — страстное увлечение, страсть
patient — терпеливый
persuade — убеждать
pessimistic — пессимистичный
positive — позитивный, положительный
postpone — откладывать
predict — предвидеть, прогнозировать
purpose — цель
puzzled — озадаченный
quality — качество, особенность, черта
3. A Reliable Stranger
One day, while waiting for the bus, I noticed a stranger trying to break the ice with a small joke. At first, I stayed silent because I felt too sensitive to talk, but his sincere smile made me react kindly. He seemed reliable and calm, even though the weather made everyone sweat and look sweaty. When an old woman dropped her bag, he rushed to help out, showing he wasn’t selfish. That simple task made me care about how small actions can change moods. I decided to get involved and helped him pick up the things. We both raised the heavy bag together. I wanted to stay friendly, so I asked his name. He smiled again and said, “I always do things my own way, but I never forget kindness.” His words touched my heart deeply — there was a reason why we met that day. I realized that being kind and patient is always worth it.
Словарь
raise — поднимать
react — реагировать, отзываться
reason — причина
reliable — надёжный, заслуживающий доверия
scratch — царапать, чесать
selfish — самолюбивый, эгоистичный
sensitive — чувствительный, впечатлительный
silent — молчаливый, тихий
sincere — искренний, честный
stranger — незнакомец
stay — оставаться
stubborn — упрямый
sweat — вспотеть, запотевать
sweaty — потный, вспотевший
tap — стучать, постукивать
task — задача, задание
tip — подсказка, совет
Фразовые выражения и фразы
break the ice — нарушить молчание, начать общение
care about — заботиться о ком-либо или чем-либо
do things one’s own way — делать что-либо по-своему
get involved — быть вовлечённым во что-либо
help out — выручать, помогать
help sb through — помогать кому-либо в трудной ситуации
it’s worth it — это того стоит
4. Old-Fashioned Welcome
At the start of summer, our neighbourhood youth club planned a meet-up to welcome new students who had just moved in, and I walked in with enthusiasm but also a bit of worry because my cousin can look aggressive when he’s tired. We greet everyone at the door, and there was indeed a suspicious silence when Max, a very single and private gamer, arrived; his attitude often rises into sharp sarcasm, which has annoyed people for ages. When someone made an argument about phone rules, Max showed disbelief and let his voice rise, while my cousin looked annoyed. I suggested we hang out in the courtyard to give people some privacy, because the hall was pretty crowded and hot. The mood began to move up when our leader, who is old-fashioned about manners, asked us to get on well with one another and remember that friendships end up stronger after honest talks. We set up games on the roof, careful not to fall, and I shared my view that we should be rather patient with newcomers. Max admitted he would soon turn sixteen and wanted to improve his relationship with people; hearing that gave me real pleasure. By sunset, the tension had risen and then dissolved, we laughed at our earlier sarcasm, and even the “tough” cousin smiled; it was, indeed, the kind of evening where small kindnesses change everything.
Vocabulary
aggressive — агрессивный, злой, раздражённый
annoyed — раздражённый
argument — доказательство, аргумент; спор
attitude — отношение, позиция
disbelief — неверие, недоверие
enthusiasm — энтузиазм, воодушевление
fall — падать, опускаться
greet — здороваться, приветствовать
indeed — в самом деле, в действительности
move up — передвигаться, продвигаться
neighbourhood — округа, район
old-fashioned — старомодный
pleasure — наслаждение, удовольствие
pretty — довольно, достаточно
privacy — уединение, личное пространство
rather — немного, довольно, слегка
relationship — отношение; взаимоотношения
rise — подниматься
sarcasm — сарказм, колкость, ирония
single — одинокий, незамужний/неженатый
suspicious — подозрительный
turn (16) — достигать возраста (16 лет)
view — мнение, точка зрения
welcome — приветствовать
Phrasal Verbs & Phrases
a bit — немного
end up — в итоге оказаться, закончить чем-либо
get on well with — хорошо ладить с кем-либо
hang out — проводить время, общаться
for ages — давно, долгое время
5. Make Yourself at Home
When I moved into my new attic room, my intention was to study hard for my A level exams. My local friend Emma came to visit and said, “Make yourself at home!” She’s always so cool and cute, never afraid to put emphasis on small things that make life brighter. She asked, “Is this seat taken?” and then laughed. We started planning how to decorate the room; she suggested hanging fairy lights to make it cozy. The duration of our chat felt endless, even though the clock showed two hours. Suddenly, her phone rang and interrupted our laughter. It was her brother, the only child in the family still living with their parents, asking her to take care of their cat. She sighed, “It could be better if he helped more.” I smiled and said, “Don’t fail to see the good side — at least he calls.” “What’s up?” she asked, noticing my silence. “Nothing serious,” I replied, “just tired from studying literature; it’s been hard not to catch all the meanings.” She nodded wisely, saying, “Definitely! But keep your diary close — someday, you’ll read it and smile at these moments.”
Vocabulary
A level — экзамен по программе средней школы (продвинутого уровня)
attic — чердак, мансарда
cool — классный, крутой
cute — привлекательный, миловидный, сообразительный
definitely — определённо, ясно, точно
diary — дневник
duration — длительность
emphasis — особое значение, акцент
fail — терпеть неудачу, провалить (экзамен)
intention — намерение
interrupt — прерывать, перебивать
irritation — раздражение
literature — литература
local — местный
Phrases
Is this seat taken? — Это место занято?
It could be better — Могло бы быть и лучше
Make yourself at home — Чувствуй себя как дома
not catch sth — не расслышать, не понять что-либо
only child — единственный ребёнок в семье
take care of — заботиться
What’s up? — Что случилось? / В чём дело?