Short Stories in English for Intermediate Readers

Synopsis

An unmissable collection of eight unconventional and captivating short stories for young adult and adult intermediate learners of English.

Olly's top-notch language-learning insights are right in line with the best of what we know from neuroscience and cognitive psychology about how to learn effectively. I love his work - and you will too! - Barbara Oakley, PhD, Author of New York Times bestseller A Mind for Numbers

Short Stories in English for Intermediate Learners has been written especially for students from a low-intermediate to intermediate level, designed to give a sense of achievement, and most importantly - enjoyment! Mapped to B1-B2 on the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) for languages, these eight captivating stories will both entertain you and give you a feeling of progress when reading.

What does this book give you?

· Eight stories in a variety of exciting genres, from science fiction and crime to history and thriller - making reading fun, while you learn a wide range of new vocabulary
· Controlled language at your level to help you progress confidently
· Realistic spoken dialogues, to help you learn conversational expressions and improve your speaking ability
· Accessible grammar so you learn new structures naturally, in a stress-free way
· Beautiful illustrations accompanying each story, to set the scene and support your understanding
· Pleasure! Research shows that if you're enjoying reading in a foreign language, you won't experience the usual feelings of frustration - 'It's too hard!' 'I don't understand!'

With intriguing plots that will spark your imagination and keep you reading, Short Stories in English for Intermediate Learners will take your grasp of English to the next level with key features to support and consolidate your progress, including:

· A glossary for bolded words in each text
· A bilingual word list
· Full plot summary
· Comprehension questions after each chapter.

As a result, you will be able to focus on enjoying reading, delighting in your improved range of vocabulary and grasp of the language, without ever feeling overwhelmed or frustrated. From science fiction to fantasy, to crime and thrillers, Short Stories in English for Intermediate Learners uses reading as the perfect tool to not only delight in learning English, but to accelerate your journey towards fluency.

Summary

Chapter 1: The Tell-Tale Heart

Summary:
A narrator, who is clearly delusional and unstable, confesses to murdering an elderly man. He meticulously describes his victim's appearance and his own creeping obsession with his clouded blue eye. The narrator believes the eye is evil and haunts him day and night, eventually driving him to commit the crime.

Example:
"For many nights I lay awake and watched, for many long nights, just watching him as he slept. And every night, near midnight, I would cautiously open his door, so slowly that the hinges creaked not at all. Then I would slide in and sit down by his bed, and stay there for hours, looking at his sleeping face. Ah, his face!"

Chapter 2: The Cask of Amontillado

Summary:
Montresor, a vengeful nobleman, lures his rival Fortunato into a dark cellar under his palace, claiming to have discovered a rare Amontillado wine. As they descend deeper into the catacombs, Montresor chains Fortunato to a wall and begins to brick him in alive. He revels in his victim's fear and helplessness, declaring that his revenge is complete.

Example:
"The vaults were suffocatingly damp, but the stone walls kept the cold at bay. Fortunato started to shiver and cough, his voice echoing feebly in the darkness. 'My friend,' he pleaded, 'you are surely joking. Let us turn back. I am feeling unwell.' But I had no intention of turning back. 'Never fear,' I said, 'Your cough is nothing. The Amontillado will cure you.'"

Chapter 3: The Monkey's Paw

Summary:
The White family receives an enigmatic monkey's paw from a mysterious stranger. It is said to grant three wishes, but with dire consequences for each fulfilled desire. The Whites initially make cautious wishes, but their greed and reckless abandon ultimately lead to tragedy.

Example:
"Mr. White blinked. 'And you actually believe that a paw like that can grant wishes?' The old soldier nodded. 'I do not know whether it is a joke or not,' he said, 'but I have had three wishes granted to me since I have had that paw.'"

Chapter 4: The Ghost Ship

Summary:
A group of sailors on a merchant vessel encounter a ghostly ship in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. The ship is abandoned and eerily quiet, with no signs of life aboard. As the sailors explore, they discover a mysterious cargo and a horrifying secret from the past.

Example:
"The ship looked like it had been abandoned for years. Its rigging was in tatters, its deck covered in seaweed, and its hull was pierced in several places. As we cautiously boarded, a strange silence fell over us. There was no creak of rigging or lapping of waves, just an eerie stillness."

Chapter 5: The Man from the South

Summary:
Marco, a struggling writer, encounters a mysterious man from the South who claims to be a cattleman. The man tells Marco a gripping tale of his adventures in the wild frontier, but Marco soon begins to suspect that the man is not who he seems and that he has something sinister planned.

Example:
"The man was tall and lean, with a rugged face weathered by years spent outdoors. He wore a broad-brimmed hat, a leather vest, and a pair of worn-out boots. He had a casual, friendly manner, but his eyes held a strange intensity."