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

A Surprise Test

It was a normal Tuesday morning, or at least it seemed so at first. I woke up, got ready for school, and didn’t think anything special would happen that day. I even felt quite relaxed because I had finished my homework the night before.

When I arrived at school, my classmates were talking and laughing as usual. Everything felt calm, and nobody looked worried. I thought it was just another ordinary day. But then something unexpected happened.

During the first lesson, our teacher entered the classroom with a serious expression. She didn’t smile like usual, and that immediately made me feel a bit nervous. She put her bag on the desk and said, «Take out a sheet of paper. We are having a surprise test.»

At first, I thought I misunderstood her. A surprise test? I quickly looked around the classroom. Everyone seemed confused. Some students sighed, others tried to quietly ask their friends what was going on. My heart started beating faster.

I tried to stay calm and think positively. I told myself that I had studied, so it shouldn’t be too bad. But when I saw the questions, I realized that I didn’t remember everything as well as I thought. That moment was stressful.

I started writing, but it wasn’t easy. Some questions were simple, but others were confusing. I kept thinking, «I should have studied more carefully.» Time was passing quickly, and I felt a bit pressured.

At one point, I got stuck on a question and couldn’t move forward. I took a deep breath and moved on to the next one, hoping I could come back later. That helped me not panic completely.

When the test finally ended, I felt both tired and relieved. I didn’t know if I did well or not, but at least it was over. We handed in our papers, and the classroom became noisy again.

After the lesson, my friends and I talked about the test. Some said it was easy, others said it was very difficult. I realized that everyone experienced it differently.

Later that day, I thought about what happened. I understood that surprise tests are not only about knowledge but also about staying calm under pressure. Maybe next time, I will be more prepared — just in case.

Here are some useful expressions you might have noticed:

surprise test — неожиданный тест

at first — сначала

nothing special — ничего особенного

feel relaxed — чувствовать себя расслабленно

ordinary day — обычный день

serious expression — серьёзное выражение лица

feel nervous — чувствовать себя нервно

take out a sheet of paper — достать лист бумаги

confused — растерянный

heart started beating faster — сердце начало биться быстрее

stay calm — сохранять спокойствие

think positively — мыслить позитивно

not as well as I thought — не так хорошо, как я думал

feel stressed — чувствовать стресс

move on — перейти дальше

take a deep breath — сделать глубокий вдох

feel relieved — почувствовать облегчение

hand in papers — сдать работы

talk about something — говорить о чём-то

under pressure — под давлением

You can use patterns like these in your own speech:

It seemed like a normal day, but… — Казалось обычным днём, но…

At first, I thought… — Сначала я думал…

When I realized that…, I… — Когда я понял, что…, я…

I tried to… but… — Я пытался…, но…

I told myself that… — Я сказал себе, что…

One moment I… — В один момент я…

After that, I… — После этого я…

I understood that… — Я понял, что…

Now think about your own experience:

Have you ever had a surprise test? How did you feel?

Do you usually feel nervous during exams? Why?

What do you do to stay calm under pressure?

Do you think surprise tests are fair? Why or why not?

What helps you prepare better for tests?

How do you feel after finishing a difficult test?

Do you prefer planned or surprise tests?

Here are some possible answers:

Yes, I once had a surprise test and I felt very nervous. I didn’t expect it at all.

I usually feel nervous during exams because I don’t want to make mistakes. But I try to stay calm.

I take a deep breath and try to think positively. It helps me focus better.

I don’t think surprise tests are very fair because students need time to prepare. But they can help teachers check knowledge.

It helps me prepare better when I study a little every day. I also review before tests.

After a difficult test, I usually feel relieved but tired. I’m happy when it is over.

I prefer planned tests because I can prepare better. Surprise tests make me more stressed.

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 don’t like surprise tests because they make me feel nervous and stressed. I prefer to prepare in advance so I can stay calm. For example, when I study regularly, I feel more confident during tests.

Complete the sentences:

It seemed like a normal day, but then ________.

I started to feel nervous when ________.

I tried to stay calm, but ________.

During the test, I realized that ________.

After the test, I felt ________.

My Favorite Subject (and Why I Didn’t Like It Before)

When I was younger, I didn’t really have a favorite subject at school. I just studied everything because I had to, not because I enjoyed it. But if I had to choose one subject I didn’t like at all, it would be English.

At that time, English felt confusing and difficult. I didn’t understand why we had to learn so many words and grammar rules. It seemed boring, and I often felt lost during the lessons. I also didn’t like speaking in front of the class because I was afraid of making mistakes.

I remember sitting in class and thinking, «I will never use this in real life.» Because of that, I didn’t put much effort into learning it. My grades were okay, but I wasn’t interested. I just wanted the lessons to finish quickly.

Everything started to change when we got a new teacher. She didn’t teach in a traditional way. Instead of only using the textbook, she made us speak more, play small games, and talk about real-life situations. At first, it felt strange, but also more interesting.

Slowly, I started to understand that English was not just grammar rules. It was a way to communicate with people. We practiced speaking about our lives, hobbies, and plans. I realized that I could actually use English outside the classroom.

One moment that changed my opinion was when we watched a short video in English and discussed it in groups. I was surprised that I could understand more than I expected. That made me feel more confident and motivated.

After that, I started paying more attention in class. I also began practicing a little at home. It wasn’t always easy, but I noticed progress. I could speak more freely, and I wasn’t as afraid of mistakes as before.

Now, English is actually my favorite subject. I like it because it feels useful and practical. I can use it when I watch videos, travel, or talk to people online. It doesn’t feel like just a school subject anymore.

I still remember how much I disliked it before, and it’s interesting to see how much my opinion has changed. Sometimes, it’s not the subject that is boring — it’s the way it is taught.

Here are some useful expressions you might have noticed:

favorite subject — любимый предмет

at that time — в то время

feel confusing — казаться запутанным

grammar rules — правила грамматики

feel lost — чувствовать себя потерянным

in front of the class — перед классом

make mistakes — делать ошибки

put effort into — прилагать усилия

get a new teacher — получить нового учителя

in a traditional way — традиционным способом

real-life situations — реальные жизненные ситуации

at first — сначала

slowly started to understand — постепенно начал понимать

communicate with people — общаться с людьми

pay attention — обращать внимание

notice progress — замечать прогресс

feel more confident — чувствовать себя более уверенно

be afraid of mistakes — бояться ошибок

useful and practical — полезный и практичный

change my opinion — изменить моё мнение

You can use patterns like these in your own speech:

When I was younger, I… — Когда я был младше, я…

I didn’t like it because… — Мне это не нравилось, потому что…

I thought that… — Я думал, что…

Everything started to change when… — Всё начало меняться, когда…

At first, it felt… — Сначала это казалось…

I realized that… — Я понял, что…

After that, I started to… — После этого я начал…

Now, I think that… — Сейчас я думаю, что…

Now think about your own experience:

What is your favorite subject at school? Why?

Is there a subject you didn’t like before but like now?

What helps you enjoy a subject more?

Do you prefer speaking or writing activities in class?

Have you ever had a teacher who changed your opinion about a subject?

What makes a lesson interesting for you?

Do you think the teacher is important for how much you like a subject?

Here are some possible answers:

My favorite subject is English because it is useful in real life. I can use it when I travel or watch videos.

Yes, I didn’t like English before, but now I enjoy it more. It became interesting after I started understanding it better.

It helps me enjoy a subject when the lessons are interactive. I also like when we talk about real-life topics.

I prefer speaking activities because they help me practice communication. But writing is also useful.

Yes, I had a teacher who made English more interesting. She helped me feel more confident.

A lesson is interesting when it is not just theory. Games and real examples make it better.

Yes, I think the teacher is very important. A good teacher can make any subject interesting.

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 didn’t like English before because I felt lost during lessons and didn’t understand grammar rules. But later I realized it is useful and practical. For example, now I can communicate with people online and understand videos in English.

Complete the sentences:

At that time, I didn’t like English because ________.

I felt lost when ________.

Everything started to change when ________.

I realized that English is ________.

Now I feel more confident because ________.

A School Day That Went Wrong

It was one of those mornings when everything already felt a bit off. I woke up late because I didn’t hear my alarm, and I had to rush to get ready. I quickly got dressed, grabbed my bag, and left the house without even checking if I had everything. At that moment, I just hoped the day would somehow fix itself.

On the way to school, I realized I was running late. I started walking faster, then almost running. It was cold, and I felt uncomfortable, but I didn’t want to miss the first lesson. When I finally arrived, I was out of breath and already stressed.

The first problem appeared almost immediately. I couldn’t find my homework. I checked my bag several times, but it wasn’t there. I suddenly remembered that I had left it on my desk at home. That made me feel nervous because I knew the teacher would not be happy.

During the lesson, things got even worse. I tried to focus, but I kept thinking about my missing homework. Then the teacher asked me a question, and I didn’t hear it properly. I gave the wrong answer, and some students laughed quietly. That made me feel even more uncomfortable.

After that, I tried to stay calm and continue the lesson, but I was already distracted. I kept thinking, «Why is everything going wrong today?» It felt like one small mistake was leading to another.

At break time, I went to the cafeteria, but I accidentally spilled juice on my notebook. It wasn’t a big problem, but at that moment it felt like the final straw. I just stood there for a few seconds, not knowing what to do.

Later, I met my friend, and we talked about what happened. I told him everything, and he laughed and said, «Sounds like a bad day, but it will get better.» He was right, because after that, things slowly became more normal.

By the last lesson, I started to feel a bit better. I still had a few small problems, but nothing serious happened anymore. I even managed to answer a question correctly, which helped me feel more confident again.

When I got home, I finally relaxed. I thought about the day and realized that sometimes everything can go wrong at once, but it doesn’t last forever. Even a bad day eventually ends.

Here are some useful expressions you might have noticed:

everything felt a bit off — всё казалось немного не так

wake up late — проснуться поздно

get ready — собираться

grab my bag — схватить рюкзак

run late — опаздывать

out of breath — запыхавшийся

feel stressed — чувствовать стресс

find my homework — найти домашнее задание

leave it at home — оставить дома

not be happy — быть недовольным

focus on something — сосредоточиться

give the wrong answer — дать неправильный ответ

laugh quietly — тихо смеяться

feel uncomfortable — чувствовать себя некомфортно

stay calm — сохранять спокойствие

get distracted — отвлекаться

spill juice — пролить сок

the final straw — последняя капля

talk about what happened — говорить о том, что произошло

feel more confident — чувствовать себя увереннее

get better — становиться лучше

You can use patterns like these in your own speech:

It was one of those days when… — Это был один из тех дней, когда…

At first, I… — Сначала я…

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

That made me feel… — Это заставило меня чувствовать…

I tried to…, but… — Я пытался…, но…

It felt like… — Казалось, что…

After that, I… — После этого я…

In the end, I… — В конце я…

Now think about your own experience:

Have you ever had a school day when everything went wrong?

What usually makes you feel stressed at school?

What do you do when you make a mistake in class?

Do you think bad days can become funny later? Why?

Who do you usually talk to when you have a bad day?

What helps you feel better after a difficult day?

Do you think small problems can make a whole day worse?

Here are some possible answers:

Yes, I had a day when many small problems happened. I forgot things and felt very stressed.

I usually feel stressed when I am late or unprepared. It makes me feel nervous.

When I make a mistake, I try to stay calm and continue. I don’t want to panic.

Yes, sometimes bad days become funny later when I think about them. At that moment it feels worse.

I usually talk to my friends. They help me feel better and more relaxed.

It helps me feel better when I rest or talk to someone. Time also makes things easier.

Yes, I think small problems can affect the whole day. One mistake can lead to another.

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 have days when everything feels a bit off and I get stressed easily. Then I make small mistakes and feel uncomfortable. For example, I once forgot my homework and also arrived late, which made the whole day worse.

Complete the sentences:

I woke up late, so I had to ________.

At school, I suddenly realized that ________.

I felt stressed because I ________.

During the lesson, I tried to ________, but ________.

In the end, I felt ________.

Sitting Next to Someone New

It was a normal Monday morning, and I didn’t expect anything unusual from the school day. I walked into the classroom, said hello to a few classmates, and went to my usual place. But when I got there, I saw that my seat had changed.

Someone new was sitting next to me.

At first, I didn’t know what to do. I just sat down quietly and tried to act normal. The new student looked calm, but also a bit shy. He was checking his notebook and avoiding eye contact, just like me.

The teacher started the lesson, and everything seemed fine, but I couldn’t focus properly. I kept thinking about whether I should say something or just stay silent. It felt a bit awkward because I wasn’t used to sitting next to someone I didn’t know.

After a few minutes, I decided to say hello. I asked a simple question like, «Is this seat taken?» even though I was already sitting there. He smiled and said, «No, I’m new here.» That small moment made things less uncomfortable.

During the lesson, we slowly started talking. At first, it was just short and simple sentences about school subjects and teachers. But then we found out that we both liked similar things, like video games and music. That made the conversation easier.

I realized that it wasn’t as difficult as I thought. Sometimes I just overthink situations and make them feel more stressful than they really are. The more we talked, the more relaxed I felt.

By the end of the lesson, it already felt natural to sit next to him. We even helped each other with one task the teacher gave us. It was a group exercise, and working together actually made it more interesting.

After the lesson, we walked out of the classroom together. I learned that meeting new people doesn’t have to be scary. Most of the time, they are just as nervous as you are.

That day, I understood something simple but important: sometimes all it takes is one small conversation to turn an awkward situation into something comfortable.

Here are some useful expressions you might have noticed:

sit next to someone — сидеть рядом с кем-то

expect something unusual — ожидать чего-то необычного

walk into the classroom — зайти в класс

go to my usual place — идти на своё обычное место

at first — сначала

act normal — вести себя нормально

feel shy — чувствовать себя стеснительным

avoid eye contact — избегать зрительного контакта

focus properly — нормально сосредоточиться

feel awkward — чувствовать себя неловко

say hello — поздороваться

small moment — маленький момент

start talking — начать разговаривать

short sentences — короткие предложения

find out — узнать

similar things — похожие вещи

make conversation easier — облегчить разговор

overthink situations — слишком много думать о ситуациях

feel relaxed — чувствовать себя расслабленно

work together — работать вместе

walk out together — выйти вместе

turn something into something else — превратить одно в другое

You can use patterns like these in your own speech:

I didn’t expect… — Я не ожидал…

At first, I felt… — Сначала я чувствовал…

I didn’t know what to do, so I… — Я не знал, что делать, поэтому я…

I decided to… — Я решил…

It felt a bit… — Это казалось немного…

The more we…, the more I… — Чем больше мы…, тем больше я…

By the end of…, I… — К концу…, я…

I realized that… — Я понял, что…

Now think about your own experience:

Have you ever sat next to someone new? How did you feel?

Do you find it easy to start conversations with strangers? Why?

What helps you feel less shy in new situations?

Do you think small talk is important? Why or why not?

Have you ever made a new friend unexpectedly?

What topics do you usually talk about with new people?

Do you think first impressions are important?

Here are some possible answers:

Yes, I have sat next to someone new, and I felt a bit awkward at first. But later it became easier.

It is not always easy for me to start conversations because I feel shy. But I try to say something simple.

It helps me feel less shy when the other person starts talking first. I also try to relax.

Yes, I think small talk is important because it helps people feel comfortable.

Yes, I once made a new friend just by sitting next to them in class.