Сборник рассказов для старшеклассников и изучающих английский на уровне B1–B2. Истории, задания и полезная лексика для школьников

Story

It was a sunny Monday morning, and Emma was feeling nervous. Today was her first day at a new school. She had moved to a different city last week because her father got a new job. As she walked to school, she tried to imagine what her classmates would be like.

When she entered the classroom, all eyes turned to her. She felt a little shy and hoped she could make some friends. The teacher, Mr. Lewis, smiled warmly and said, «Everyone, meet Emma. She just joined our class.» Emma waved and smiled back.

At first, it was difficult. Everyone seemed to already know each other. During lunch, she sat alone at a table, feeling a little sad. All of a sudden, a girl named Lily came over and said, «Hi! Do you want to sit with us?» Emma felt relieved and joined them. They started talking about music and movies, and she realized that making friends wasn’t so hard after all.

In the afternoon, the class had a small project. Emma was nervous because she didn’t know anyone well enough to work with them. However, Lily invited her to join their group. Together, they worked on the project, laughed, and shared ideas. Emma felt happy and included for the first time that day.

By the end of school, Emma thought about her day. She realized that starting at a new school could be scary, but it could also bring new opportunities. In the end, she felt excited about tomorrow.

Glossary

sunny – солнечный

nervous – нервный

new school – новая школа

move – переезжать

city – город

imagine – представлять

classmate – одноклассник

shy – стеснительный

wave – махать рукой

smile – улыбаться

at first – сначала

lunch – обед

sit alone – сидеть в одиночестве

relieved – чувствующий облегчение

join – присоединяться

talk – разговаривать

music – музыка

movie – фильм

after all – в конце концов

afternoon – после обеда

project – проект

nervous – нервный

group – группа

laugh – смеяться

share ideas – делиться идеями

happy – счастливый

include – включать

opportunity – возможность

end – конец

excited – взволнованный

Discussion Questions

Why was Emma nervous in the morning?

Who invited Emma to sit with them at lunch?

How did Emma feel during the project in class?

What subjects did Emma and Lily talk about?

What did Emma think about the day at the end?

Fill in the Gaps

Emma felt ______ because it was her first day at a new school.

Mr. Lewis asked the class to ______ Emma.

Emma waved and ______ back to the class.

During lunch, she sat ______ at a table.

Lily invited her to ______ their group.

They laughed and shared ______ while working on the project.

Emma realized that making friends wasn’t so hard ______.

In the end, she felt ______ about tomorrow.

Answers

Discussion Questions:

She was nervous because it was her first day at a new school.

Lily invited Emma to sit with them.

She felt happy and included.

They talked about music and movies.

She thought starting at a new school could be scary but also exciting.

Fill in the Gaps:

nervous

meet

smiled

alone

join

ideas

after all

excited

Story

It was Wednesday, and Alex was walking to school when he noticed something unusual on the sidewalk. There was a small piece of paper, folded carefully. He picked it up and opened it. On the note, there was only one sentence: «Meet me behind the old library at lunch.»

Alex felt curious but also a little worried. Who could have left the note? He didn’t know anyone well in his new school. At first, he thought it might be a prank, but the handwriting looked serious. He decided to go and see.

At lunchtime, Alex walked to the old library. He saw a shadow moving near the back door. «Hello?» he called. Suddenly, a girl stepped out. «Hi, Alex,» she said. «I saw you helping Sarah yesterday with her project. That was really kind of you.» Alex was surprised. The girl introduced herself as Mia.

They started talking and found out that they had many common interests: books, music, and sports. Alex felt happy that someone noticed his efforts. After a few minutes, Mia handed him a small notebook. «It’s my secret journal,» she said, «and I want you to see it.» Alex was amazed.

From that day, Alex and Mia became good friends. The mysterious note had turned into the start of a strong friendship. In the end, Alex realized that sometimes unexpected things could lead to something wonderful.

Glossary

unusual – необычный

sidewalk – тротуар

piece of paper – кусок бумаги

folded – сложенный

open – открывать

sentence – предложение

meet – встретиться

behind – за

library – библиотека

lunch – обед

curious – любопытный

worried – обеспокоенный

prank – розыгрыш

handwriting – почерк

serious – серьёзный

shadow – тень

step out – выйти

introduce – представляться

interest – интерес

books – книги

music – музыка

sports – спорт

kind – добрый

effort – усилие

notebook – блокнот

secret journal – секретный дневник

amazed – поражённый

friendship – дружба

unexpected – неожиданный

wonderful – замечательный

Discussion Questions

What did Alex find on the sidewalk?

Why was Alex curious about the note?

Who left the note for Alex?

What interests did Alex and Mia share?

What did Alex learn at the end?

Fill in the Gaps

Alex found a small ______ on the sidewalk.

The note said to ______ behind the old library.

Alex was both curious and ______.

A girl named ______ stepped out from the shadow.

She thanked Alex for helping ______ with her project.

They discovered they shared many ______.

Mia gave Alex a small ______ to look at.

In the end, Alex realized that unexpected things could be ______.

Answers

Discussion Questions:

He found a small piece of paper.

He was curious because he didn’t know who left it.

Mia left the note.

They shared interests in books, music, and sports.

He learned that unexpected things can lead to something wonderful.

Fill in the Gaps:

piece of paper

meet

worried

Mia

Sarah

interests

notebook

wonderful

Story

It was a quiet Saturday morning, and Leo was playing football in his backyard. Suddenly, he noticed a moving van in the house next door. «I wonder who is moving in,» he thought.

Later, Leo saw a boy about his age carrying boxes. Leo decided to go and introduce himself. «Hi! I’m Leo. Do you need any help?» he asked. The boy smiled. «Thanks! I’m Max. That would be great,» he replied.

Together, they carried boxes into the house. Leo learned that Max had just moved from another city. They talked about their favorite games, movies, and sports. Leo felt excited to have someone new to hang out with.

In the afternoon, Max invited Leo to explore the neighborhood with him. They rode their bikes, discovered a small park, and even found a pond with ducks. Leo couldn’t believe how much fun he was having.

By the evening, Leo realized that new neighbors could become good friends quickly. In the end, he felt happy that Max had moved in next door.

Glossary

quiet – тихий

Saturday – суббота

backyard – задний двор

moving van – грузовик для переезда

wonder – интересно, задаваться вопросом

neighbor – сосед

carry – нести

box – коробка

introduce – представиться

help – помогать

smile – улыбка

reply – отвечать

favorite – любимый

game – игра

movie – фильм

sport – спорт

excited – взволнованный

hang out – проводить время вместе

afternoon – после полудня

invite – пригласить

explore – исследовать

neighborhood – район

ride – кататься

bike – велосипед

discover – открывать

park – парк

pond – пруд

duck – утка

fun – веселье

quickly – быстро

Discussion Questions

What did Leo notice in the morning?

Who did Leo meet?

How did Leo help Max?

What did they do in the afternoon?

How did Leo feel at the end of the day?

Fill in the Gaps

Leo was playing football in his ______.

He saw a ______ moving into the house next door.

Leo asked Max if he needed any ______.

Max had just moved from another ______.

They talked about games, movies, and ______.

Max invited Leo to ______ the neighborhood.

They rode their ______ and found a small park.

In the end, Leo felt ______ that Max had moved in.

Answers

Discussion Questions:

He noticed a moving van next door.

He met a boy named Max.

He helped Max carry boxes.

They explored the neighborhood, rode bikes, and found a pond.

He felt happy at the end of the day.

Fill in the Gaps:

backyard

moving van

help

city

sports

explore

bikes

happy

Story

Liam loved adventures. One afternoon, while walking home from school, he found a small note under a park bench. It said: «Do you want to join the Secret Team? Meet us at 5 PM near the old oak tree.»

Liam was curious. He wondered who the Secret Team could be. At first, he thought it might be a joke, but his excitement was stronger than his doubt. At exactly 5 PM, he went to the park.

Near the old oak tree, three kids were waiting. «Hi, I’m Sarah, and this is Tom and Mia,» said one of them. «We have a club for solving small mysteries around the neighborhood. Do you want to join?» Liam smiled. «Yes, of course!»

Their first mission was to find a lost cat. They asked neighbors, checked gardens, and even climbed a small fence. All of a sudden, they heard a soft meow from a bush. The cat was hiding there. Liam carefully picked it up and returned it to its owner.

By the end of the day, Liam felt proud. He had joined a new team, made new friends, and even solved a mystery. In the end, he realized that some adventures could start with just a small note.

Glossary

adventure – приключение

afternoon – после обеда

note – записка

park bench – скамейка в парке

Secret Team – Секретная команда

meet – встретиться

oak tree – дуб

curious – любопытный

wonder – задаваться вопросом

joke – шутка

excitement – волнение

doubt – сомнение

mission – миссия

lost – потерянный

cat – кот

neighbor – сосед

garden – сад

climb – залезать

fence – забор

meow – мяуканье

bush – куст

pick up – поднимать

return – возвращать

owner – владелец

proud – гордый

team – команда

friend – друг

solve – решать

mystery – тайна

small note – маленькая записка

Discussion Questions

What did Liam find under the park bench?

Who invited Liam to the Secret Team?

What was their first mission?

How did they find the lost cat?

How did Liam feel at the end of the day?

Fill in the Gaps

Liam found a ______ under the park bench.

The note invited him to join the ______.

The team met near an old ______.

Sarah, Tom, and Mia asked Liam if he wanted to ______.

Their first mission was to find a ______.

They checked gardens and climbed a small ______.

The cat was hiding in a ______.

In the end, Liam felt ______ for joining the team.

Answers

Discussion Questions:

He found a note.

Sarah, Tom, and Mia invited him.

Their first mission was to find a lost cat.

They asked neighbors, checked gardens, and heard the cat meowing in a bush.

Liam felt proud at the end of the day.

Fill in the Gaps:

note

Secret Team

oak tree

join

lost cat

fence

bush

proud

Story

Sophie was walking home from school when she noticed something on the sidewalk. It was a small, leather-bound diary. She picked it up and opened it. The pages were full of neat handwriting, but there was no name inside.

Sophie felt curious. Who could have lost such an important diary? At first, she thought about leaving it at the school office, but then she decided to read a little. The diary was full of drawings and stories about everyday life. Sophie felt like she was discovering a secret world.

The next day, Sophie asked her friends if they had lost a diary. Nobody claimed it. Finally, she decided to make a plan. She put a note in the school hallway: «Found a diary. Please come to the library if it’s yours.»

Later that day, a boy named Ethan came to the library. «That’s my diary!» he said. «I thought I had lost it forever. Thank you for keeping it safe.» Sophie smiled. She returned the diary to Ethan, feeling happy that she had helped someone.

In the end, Sophie learned that small acts of kindness could make a big difference.

Glossary

diary – дневник

leather-bound – в кожаном переплёте

sidewalk – тротуар

pick up – поднять

open – открыть

page – страница

handwriting – почерк

name – имя

curious – любопытный

important – важный

school office – школьная канцелярия

read – читать

drawing – рисунок

story – история

everyday life – повседневная жизнь

secret world – тайный мир

ask – спрашивать

claim – заявлять права

plan – план

note – записка

hallway – коридор

library – библиотека

lost – потерянный

forever – навсегда

thank – благодарить

keep safe – хранить в безопасности

smile – улыбаться

return – вернуть

help – помочь

act of kindness – добрый поступок

Discussion Questions

What did Sophie find on the sidewalk?

Why was Sophie curious about the diary?

What did Sophie do to find the owner?

Who claimed the diary?

What lesson did Sophie learn in the end?

Fill in the Gaps

Sophie found a ______ on the sidewalk.

The diary was ______ and full of neat handwriting.

At first, Sophie thought about leaving it at the ______.

She read a little and saw drawings and ______.

Sophie put a ______ in the school hallway.

Ethan came to the ______ to claim his diary.

Sophie returned the diary to Ethan and felt ______.

In the end, she learned that small acts of ______ can make a big difference.

Answers

Discussion Questions:

She found a diary.

She was curious because she didn’t know who had lost it.

She put a note in the school hallway asking the owner to come to the library.

A boy named Ethan claimed the diary.

She learned that small acts of kindness can make a big difference.

Fill in the Gaps:

diary

leather-bound

school office

stories

note

library

happy

kindness

Story

It was Monday morning, and Mia felt nervous. The teacher, Mrs. Carter, announced a big school project. Every student had to work in groups and create a presentation about their city. Mia didn’t know anyone well, so she worried about finding a good team.

During the break, Mia tried to talk to other students. Some were busy, and others already had teams. All of a sudden, a boy named Daniel approached her. «Hi, do you want to join our group? We still need one more member,» he asked. Mia felt relieved and happily agreed.

Over the next few days, the group met after school. They divided tasks: Daniel and Mia worked on researching famous landmarks, while two other students prepared slides. Mia enjoyed learning new facts and sharing ideas with the team.

On the presentation day, Mia felt nervous again. However, their teamwork paid off. The presentation went smoothly, and the teacher praised their work. Mia realized that joining a group was easier than she expected and that helping each other made the project fun.

In the end, Mia felt proud of her team and excited to work on new projects in the future.

Glossary

Monday – понедельник

morning – утро

nervous – нервный

teacher – учитель

announce – объявлять

big school project – большой школьный проект

student – ученик

group – группа

create – создавать

presentation – презентация

city – город

know – знать

worry – волноваться

break – перемена

talk – разговаривать

approach – подходить

join – присоединяться

relieved – облегчённый

agree – соглашаться

meet – встречаться

after school – после школы

divide tasks – распределять задания

research – исследовать

famous landmark – известная достопримечательность

slide – слайд

enjoy – наслаждаться

fact – факт

teamwork – командная работа

praise – хвалить

proud – гордый

Discussion Questions

What project did the teacher announce?

Why was Mia nervous at first?

Who invited Mia to join a group?

What tasks did Mia and Daniel do?

How did Mia feel after the presentation?

Fill in the Gaps

The teacher announced a big ______.

Mia felt ______ because she didn’t know anyone well.

Daniel asked Mia if she wanted to ______ their group.

Mia felt ______ when Daniel invited her.

They met ______ school to work on the project.

Daniel and Mia worked on ______ famous landmarks.

The teacher praised their ______ at the presentation.

In the end, Mia felt ______ of her team.

Answers

Discussion Questions:

The teacher announced a big school project about their city.

Mia was nervous because she didn’t know anyone well.

Daniel invited her to join the group.

Mia and Daniel researched famous landmarks.

Mia felt proud and excited after the presentation.

Fill in the Gaps:

school project

nervous

join

relieved

after

researching

work

proud

Story

It was Friday morning, and the school was buzzing with excitement. Today was the day of the annual sports tournament. Everyone had been preparing for weeks, and the gym was decorated with colorful banners.

Jake felt nervous. He was part of the basketball team, and this was his first tournament. At first, he doubted his skills, but his coach, Mr. Roberts, encouraged him: «Take your time and do your best. Remember, teamwork is the key.»

The first game started, and Jake passed the ball to his teammates. They worked together, communicated, and scored points. All of a sudden, Jake saw an opportunity to make a winning shot. He took a deep breath and aimed carefully. The ball went through the hoop! The crowd cheered loudly.

By the end of the tournament, Jake’s team had won second place. He felt proud of his effort and teamwork. Even though they didn’t get first, Jake realized that playing together and supporting each other was the most important thing.

In the end, Jake couldn’t wait for the next tournament.

Glossary

Friday – пятница

morning – утро

school – школа

buzz – оживление

excitement – волнение

annual – ежегодный

sports tournament – спортивный турнир

prepare – готовиться

gym – спортзал

decorate – украшать

colorful – яркий

banner – баннер

nervous – нервный

basketball team – баскетбольная команда

first tournament – первый турнир