Истории на английском для развития речи (B1). Упражнения, вопросы и модели ответов

© Том Сториз, 2026

ISBN 978-5-0070-4260-4

Создано в интеллектуальной издательской системе Ridero

Введение

Настоящее издание представляет собой сборник учебных текстов на английском языке, предназначенных для учащихся уровня B1. Основная цель материалов — развитие навыков чтения, расширение активного и пассивного словарного запаса, а также формирование устойчивых речевых моделей, необходимых для устной и письменной коммуникации.

В основу пособия положен тематический принцип организации содержания. Каждый текст посвящён отдельной жизненной ситуации или опыту, знакомому учащимся средней школы. Такой подход позволяет обеспечить контекстуальное усвоение лексики и грамматических конструкций, а также способствует более эффективному запоминанию языкового материала.

Особое внимание уделено формированию навыков самостоятельного высказывания. После каждого текста представлены задания, направленные на развитие продуктивной речи: вопросы для обсуждения, модели ответов, а также упражнения на использование ключевых выражений. Это позволяет не только проверить понимание прочитанного, но и закрепить изученные языковые средства в речи.

Лексический материал отобран с учётом частотности и функциональной значимости. В каждом разделе представлены устойчивые выражения и коллокации, которые используются в современном английском языке и необходимы для повседневного общения.

Структура пособия ориентирована на последовательное формирование языковой компетенции. Тексты сопровождаются заданиями различного уровня сложности, что обеспечивает постепенное развитие навыков от понимания к самостоятельному использованию языка.

Данное издание может быть использовано как в условиях аудиторного обучения, так и для самостоятельной работы. Оно предназначено для учащихся, стремящихся повысить уровень владения английским языком и развить уверенность в использовании языка в различных ситуациях общения.

My First Day at a New School

I still remember my first day at a new school. I didn’t sleep well the night before because I felt nervous and a little scared. Everything was going to be different — new classmates, new teachers, and a new place. I kept thinking about what could go wrong.

In the morning, I got up earlier than usual. I chose my clothes very carefully because I wanted to make a good impression. While I was having breakfast, I didn’t feel very hungry, but I knew I had to eat something. My parents tried to support me and said that everything would be fine, but I was still worried.

When I arrived at school, the building looked bigger than I expected. There were many students, and everyone seemed busy. Some were talking to their friends, while others were checking their phones. I felt like I didn’t belong there.

At first, I didn’t know where to go. I looked around and tried to find my classroom, but I couldn’t see any signs. Finally, I decided to ask a teacher for help. She smiled and showed me the way, which made me feel a bit more comfortable.

When I entered the classroom, everyone looked at me for a moment. That was probably the most uncomfortable part of the day. The teacher introduced me to the class, and I had to say a few words about myself. My voice was a little shaky, but I managed to finish.

Later, I sat next to a boy named Alex. He seemed friendly and asked me a few simple questions. We talked about our favorite subjects and hobbies. It wasn’t a long conversation, but it helped me relax. I realized that not everyone was scary — some people were actually quite nice.

During the break, I didn’t know what to do, so I just walked around the school. I saw different classrooms, the cafeteria, and the sports hall. Everything was new, but also interesting. Slowly, I started to feel more confident.

By the end of the day, I was still tired, but not as nervous as before. I even smiled a few times and had a short conversation with another classmate. It wasn’t a perfect day, but it wasn’t as bad as I expected either. And I thought that maybe, just maybe, things would get easier tomorrow.

Here are some useful expressions you might have noticed:

feel nervous — чувствовать себя нервно

a little scared — немного испуганный

make a good impression — произвести хорошее впечатление

feel worried — чувствовать беспокойство

look bigger than expected — выглядеть больше, чем ожидалось

seem busy — казаться занятым

feel like I didn’t belong — чувствовать себя не на своём месте

look around — осматриваться

ask for help — попросить помощи

feel more comfortable — чувствовать себя более комфортно

introduce someone — представить кого-то

say a few words — сказать несколько слов

voice was shaky — голос дрожал

manage to do something — суметь что-то сделать

seem friendly — казаться дружелюбным

help me relax — помочь расслабиться

during the break — во время перемены

walk around — ходить вокруг / гулять

start to feel more confident — начать чувствовать себя увереннее

by the end of the day — к концу дня

You can use patterns like these in your own speech:

I didn’t sleep well because… — Я плохо спал, потому что…

I wanted to… so I… — Я хотел…, поэтому я…

At first, I didn’t know… — Сначала я не знал…

I decided to… — Я решил…

It helped me… — Это помогло мне…

I realized that… — Я понял, что…

Not everyone was… — Не все были…

By the end of…, I… — К концу…, я…

Now think about your own experience:

How do you usually feel on your first day in a new place?

What do you do to make a good impression?

Do you find it easy to talk to new people? Why or why not?

What helps you feel more comfortable in a new situation?

Have you ever felt like you didn’t belong somewhere?

What do you usually do during school breaks?

How do you make new friends?

Here are some possible answers:

I usually feel nervous at first, but I try to stay calm. It helps me relax when I understand the situation better.

I try to be polite and friendly so I can make a good impression. I also smile and ask simple questions.

It’s not always easy for me to talk to new people because I feel a little shy. But I try to start with small conversations.

It helps me feel more comfortable when someone talks to me first. I also try to look around and understand the place.

Yes, I once felt like I didn’t belong in a new class. But later I started to feel more confident.

During the break, I usually talk to my friends or walk around. Sometimes I just relax and check my phone.

I make new friends by asking questions and being open. It helps when people seem friendly.

Try to give a more detailed answer. Use 2—3 expressions from the list and explain your idea with a reason or an example.

Example:

I usually feel nervous on my first day because everything is new. But I try to make a good impression and ask for help if I need it. For example, I often start with a simple question to begin a conversation.

Complete the sentences:

I felt nervous because I wanted to ________.

At first, I didn’t know where to go, so I ________.

It helped me relax when someone ________.

By the end of the day, I started to ________.

During the break, I usually ________.

A Teacher I Will Never Forget

When I think about my school years, there is one teacher I will never forget. Her name was Mrs. Ivanova, and she taught us English. At first, I didn’t expect anything special. For me, it was just another subject, and I wasn’t very interested in it.

Everything started to change in the first few weeks. Mrs. Ivanova didn’t just follow the textbook. She told stories, asked interesting questions, and made us speak a lot. Sometimes it was difficult, and I felt nervous, but her lessons were never boring.

One thing I remember clearly is how she reacted to mistakes. When someone gave a wrong answer, she didn’t say «No, that’s wrong.» Instead, she smiled and said, «That’s an interesting idea, but let’s try again.» Because of this, I wasn’t afraid to speak anymore. I understood that mistakes were part of learning.

She also tried to connect lessons with real life. For example, we practiced ordering food, talking about our plans, and describing our daily routines. It felt useful, not just something for a test. I started to see that English could help me in real situations.

There was one moment that really changed my attitude. We had to give a short presentation in front of the class. I was very nervous and almost decided not to do it. But Mrs. Ivanova talked to me after class and said, «You don’t have to be perfect. Just try.» Her words stayed with me.

On the day of the presentation, my hands were shaking, and my voice wasn’t very strong. But I started speaking anyway. I made a few mistakes, but I didn’t stop. When I finished, the teacher smiled and said, «Good job. You did it.» That moment made me feel proud of myself.

After that, I became more confident. I started to participate more in class and even enjoyed learning English. It wasn’t always easy, but I didn’t want to give up. I think the teacher believed in me, and that made a big difference.

Even now, I remember her lessons and her attitude. She showed me that learning can be interesting and that it’s okay to make mistakes. Sometimes one person can change the way you see things, and for me, that person was my teacher.

Here are some useful expressions you might have noticed:

I will never forget — я никогда не забуду

at first — сначала

expect anything special — ожидать чего-то особенного

everything started to change — всё начало меняться

follow the textbook — следовать учебнику

feel nervous — чувствовать себя нервно

never boring — никогда не скучно

react to mistakes — реагировать на ошибки

be afraid to speak — бояться говорить

part of learning — часть обучения

connect with real life — связывать с реальной жизнью

real situations — реальные ситуации

change my attitude — изменить моё отношение

almost decided not to — почти решил не

stay with me — остаться в памяти

hands were shaking — руки дрожали

feel proud of myself — гордиться собой

become more confident — стать более уверенным

give up — сдаваться

make a big difference — иметь большое значение

You can use patterns like these in your own speech:

When I think about…, I… — Когда я думаю о…, я…

At first, I… but then… — Сначала я…, но потом…

One thing I remember is… — Одна вещь, которую я помню…

Because of this, I… — Из-за этого я…

It helped me… — Это помогло мне…

I almost decided to… — Я почти решил…

After that, I… — После этого я…

I think that… — Я думаю, что…

Now think about your own experience:

Do you have a teacher you will never forget? Why?

What makes a teacher interesting?

Are you afraid to make mistakes in class?

What helps you become more confident?

Have you ever given a presentation? How did you feel?

Do you think teachers can change students’ attitudes?

What is your favorite subject and why?

Here are some possible answers:

Yes, I have a teacher I will never forget because she made lessons interesting. She also helped me become more confident.

A teacher is interesting when they don’t just follow the textbook. It makes a big difference when they connect lessons with real life.

Sometimes I am afraid to make mistakes because I feel nervous. But I understand it is part of learning.

It helps me become more confident when I practice more. Support from teachers also makes a big difference.

Yes, I have given a presentation, and I felt very nervous. But after that, I felt proud of myself.

Yes, I think teachers can change students’ attitudes. They can make learning interesting and help students feel more confident.

My favorite subject is English because I can use it in real situations. It also helps me communicate with other people.

Try to give a more detailed answer. Use 2—3 expressions from the list and explain your idea with a reason or an example.

Example:

I am sometimes afraid to make mistakes because I feel nervous in class. But I know it is part of learning, so I try not to give up. For example, when I speak more, I become more confident.

Complete the sentences:

I will never forget my teacher because she ________.

At first, I felt nervous, but then I ________.

It helped me become more confident when I ________.

I almost decided not to ________ because I was afraid.

Making mistakes is ________.

When I Forgot My Homework

I still remember the day I forgot my homework. It was a normal morning, and nothing seemed unusual at first. I got up, got dressed, and quickly packed my bag. I thought everything was ready, so I didn’t check it carefully. That was my first mistake.

On the way to school, I felt quite relaxed. I was talking to my friend and thinking about the day ahead. We even laughed about a test we had the day before. Everything was fine until I suddenly remembered something important.

My homework.

At first, I tried to stay calm. I opened my bag and looked inside, hoping I was wrong. But the notebook wasn’t there. I checked again, even though I knew it wouldn’t change anything. I had definitely left it at home.

I started to feel nervous. My teacher was quite strict, and she didn’t like it when students forgot their homework. I began to think about possible excuses, but none of them sounded good. I didn’t want to lie, but I also didn’t want to get into trouble.

When the lesson started, I couldn’t focus. I kept thinking about what would happen. My heart was beating faster, and I felt uncomfortable. Then the teacher said, «Please take out your homework.» That was the moment I was afraid of.

One by one, students showed their work. When it was my turn, I took a deep breath and told the truth. I said that I had forgotten my homework at home. For a second, the teacher didn’t say anything, and the silence felt very long.

Finally, she looked at me and said, «It happens sometimes, but you need to be more careful.» I expected a stronger reaction, so I was a bit surprised. She asked me to bring the homework the next day and continue working in class.

I felt relieved. The situation wasn’t as bad as I had imagined. After that, I tried to concentrate on the lesson again. It was still a little difficult, but at least I wasn’t so stressed anymore.

Later, I thought about what had happened. I realized that I should always check my bag before leaving home. It’s a small habit, but it can save a lot of stress. Since that day, I try to be more organized, although I still forget things sometimes.

Here are some useful expressions you might have noticed:

forget my homework — забыть домашнее задание

nothing seemed unusual — ничего не казалось необычным

pack my bag — собирать рюкзак

check carefully — проверять внимательно

on the way to — по дороге в

think about the day ahead — думать о предстоящем дне

suddenly remember — внезапно вспомнить

stay calm — сохранять спокойствие

look inside — заглянуть внутрь

leave something at home — оставить что-то дома

feel nervous — чувствовать себя нервно

get into trouble — попасть в неприятности

couldn’t focus — не мог сосредоточиться

take a deep breath — сделать глубокий вдох

tell the truth — сказать правду

for a second — на секунду

feel relieved — почувствовать облегчение

not as bad as I imagined — не так плохо, как я представлял

try to concentrate — пытаться сосредоточиться

be more organized — быть более организованным

You can use patterns like these in your own speech:

It was a normal day, and… — Это был обычный день, и…

At first, I… but then… — Сначала я…, но потом…

I suddenly realized that… — Я вдруг понял, что…

I started to feel… — Я начал чувствовать…

I didn’t want to…, but I… — Я не хотел…, но…

When it was my turn, I… — Когда настала моя очередь, я…

I expected…, but… — Я ожидал…, но…

After that, I… — После этого я…

Now think about your own experience:

Have you ever forgotten your homework? What happened?

How do you usually feel in stressful situations?

What do you do to stay calm?

Do you always tell the truth in difficult situations? Why or why not?

What helps you be more organized?

Do you check your bag before school?

What do you usually forget?

Here are some possible answers:

Yes, I have forgotten my homework once, and I felt very nervous. I told the truth and felt relieved later.

I usually feel stressed at first, but I try to stay calm. It helps me think more clearly.

I take a deep breath and try to relax. Sometimes I also think about something positive.

I try to tell the truth because it is better in the long run. It helps me avoid bigger problems.

It helps me be more organized when I make a list. I also try to check everything carefully.

I don’t always check my bag, but I try to do it more often. It helps me avoid problems.

I usually forget small things like pens or notebooks. Sometimes I leave them at home.

Try to give a more detailed answer. Use 2—3 expressions from the list and explain your idea with a reason or an example.

Example:

I sometimes forget my homework because I don’t check my bag carefully. Then I feel nervous and worried about getting into trouble. For example, last week I left my notebook at home and couldn’t focus in class.

Complete the sentences:

I forgot my homework because I didn’t ________.

On the way to school, I suddenly ________.

I felt nervous because I didn’t want to ________.

When it was my turn, I decided to ________.

Now I try to be more organized and always ________.

Group Project Problems

Last month, our class had to do a group project for science. At first, it sounded like a good idea. The teacher said we could work together, share ideas, and make something creative. I thought it would be easy and maybe even fun.

Our group had four students, and we all had different personalities. One person was very active and had a lot of ideas. Another didn’t say much but agreed with everything. The third student often came late and didn’t seem very interested. And then there was me — trying to understand how to make everything work.

In the beginning, we tried to plan our project. We needed to choose a topic and decide who would do what. It sounded simple, but it wasn’t. Everyone had different opinions, and it was hard to agree. We spent a lot of time discussing small things and didn’t make much progress.

After a while, we finally chose a topic, but new problems started. Some group members didn’t do their part of the work. One person forgot to prepare their section, and another said they were «too busy.» I started to feel frustrated because I didn’t want the whole project to fail.

I didn’t want to do everything myself, but I also didn’t want to get a bad grade. So I decided to talk to the group. It wasn’t easy, but I said that we needed to work together and be more responsible. At first, it was a bit uncomfortable, but it helped.

After that conversation, things slowly improved. We divided the tasks more clearly and set small deadlines. It wasn’t perfect, but at least everyone started doing something. We also began to communicate more and support each other.

On the day of the presentation, I was still a little worried. I didn’t know if everything would go well. But in the end, we managed to present our project successfully. Some parts were better than others, but overall, it was a good result.

This experience taught me something important. Working in a group is not always easy, but it can be useful. You learn how to communicate, solve problems, and understand other people. And sometimes, a difficult situation can help you grow.

Here are some useful expressions you might have noticed:

group project — групповой проект

at first — сначала

share ideas — делиться идеями

have different personalities — иметь разные характеры

try to plan — пытаться спланировать

decide who would do what — решить, кто что делает

have different opinions — иметь разные мнения

make progress — продвигаться

do their part — выполнять свою часть

feel frustrated — чувствовать раздражение

the whole project — весь проект

do everything myself — делать всё самому

get a bad grade — получить плохую оценку

talk to the group — поговорить с группой

work together — работать вместе

be responsible — быть ответственным

divide the tasks — разделить задачи

set deadlines — установить дедлайны

communicate more — больше общаться

in the end — в конце концов

manage to do something — суметь что-то сделать

You can use patterns like these in your own speech:

At first, it seemed… — Сначала казалось…

We needed to… — Нам нужно было…

It wasn’t easy because… — Это было непросто, потому что…

After a while, we… — Через некоторое время мы…

I didn’t want to…, but… — Я не хотел…, но…

So I decided to… — Поэтому я решил…

At first, it was…, but… — Сначала было…, но…

In the end, we… — В конце концов мы…

Now think about your own experience:

Do you like working in a group? Why or why not?

What problems can happen in group projects?

What do you do if someone doesn’t do their part?

Is it easy for you to share your ideas?

Have you ever done everything yourself in a group project?