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English Short Stories Emma & Jerry, Volume 1 By Ola Zur www.really-learn-english.com store.really-learn-english.com Copyright © 2011 Ola Zur. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form, by any means, without written permission. Ola Zur has made her best effort to produce a high quality, informative and helpful book. But she makes no representation or warranties of any kind with regard to the completeness or accuracy of the contents of the book. She accepts no liability of any kind for any losses or damages caused or alleged to be caused, directly or indirectly, from using the information contained in this book.

ITEM3847520944

English Short Stories

Table of Contents Surprise! .................................................................................................. 4 Oh, the Horror ......................................................................................... 6 Tomorrow, My Dear................................................................................. 8 An Unexpected Hitchhiker ..................................................................... 10 The Free Gift .......................................................................................... 12 Royalty Food .......................................................................................... 15 A Very Special Gift Card ......................................................................... 19 The Wedding.......................................................................................... 22 The (Dead) Washing Machine ................................................................ 26 A Special Family Meeting ....................................................................... 30

Copyright © 2011 Ola Zur | www.really-learn-english.com ITEM3847520944

4 | English Short Stories

Story 1

Surprise!

PL

E

Jerry and Emma are husband and wife. It’s summer, and Jerry’s birthday is approaching. Emma wants to give him a present for his birthday, but she wants it to be a surprise, so she must keep everything a secret.

M

But she has a big problem. If Jerry cannot know about her plan, how does she find out what to get him for his birthday?

SA

She decides to use a secret technique. For a whole week, while she pretends to do other things, she actually listens very carefully for clues.

ES

However, Jerry doesn’t really talk about this subject. A whole week passes with no mention of something he actually wants or needs!

G

“That’s it!” Emma thinks to herself. “Jerry’s birthday is tomorrow! I’m taking off the gloves!”

PA

She calls her sister-in-law Mary, and they make a secret plan.

M

Mary will call Jerry, ask him what he would like to receive for his birthday, and Emma will listen to the conversation (without Jerry knowing it).

D

O

The scheme starts out as planned. Mary calls Jerry, and they have a nice chat about his upcoming birthday. Emma listens carefully from the other room.

R

AN

Finally, she hears what he wants—a pair of sneakers! “All right!” she thinks to herself. Full of excitement, she runs out of the room. She is not so quiet, but who can blame her? She rushes off to the shop and buys a pair of shiny sneakers, exactly Jerry’s size. She’s very happy. She will get him the present he wants, and it will be a complete surprise! Copyright © 2011 Ola Zur | www.really-learn-english.com

English Short Stories | 5

Today is Jerry’s birthday. Emma waits until their special dinner at night. Finally, the moment arrives. It’s time for Jerry’s present! Emma brings in the box of sneakers, wrapped in colorful paper.

PL

“Open it and see for yourself!” Emma replies happily.

E

“Wow!” Jerry says with a big smile. “I wonder what it is.”

M

He tears off the colorful paper and takes out the box. He opens the box. “Oh, it’s a… pair of sneakers! What a lovely… surprise…”

ES

“Hmm…” Jerry takes a look at each shoe.

SA

Emma notices that something is wrong. “What’s the matter? You don’t seem so happy. Don’t you need a pair of sneakers?”

“Well, didn’t you tell Mary that you wanted a pair of sneakers?” Emma asks him.

R

AN

D

O

M

PA

G

“A pair of sneakers?” Jerry starts to laugh. “I said a pair of speakers! You seem surprised. Well, I guess I could use a pair of sneakers, too!”

Copyright © 2011 Ola Zur | www.really-learn-english.com

6 | English Short Stories

Story 2

Oh, the Horror…

M

Emma likes horror movies. She likes the fear and the blood.

PL

E

Emma and Jerry like to watch movies. No, actually, Emma and Jerry love to watch movies. They have only one tiny problem. They never like the same movies…

SA

Jerry, on the other hand, hates horror movies. He hates the fear and the blood. He likes love stories. He likes romantic couples and happy endings.

ES

Emma hates romantic movies. She thinks they are silly and boring. At first, they don’t know they have such different tastes in movies.

PA

G

Emma comes home. “Oh, my goodness!” she calls out. “Jerry! You have to come with me to the movies. There is this amazing new movie! I must watch it.” “Which one is it?”

M

“The Bloody Ax.”

Jerry thinks about it for a second, “Hmm… doesn’t it sound a bit weird?”

D

O

“Of course not, silly! It seems like an amazing movie. We must watch it.” Emma laughs at him.

R

AN

“Well, if you say so. Let’s go for it.” Two hours later, Jerry is sitting in the movie theater, screaming. Five minutes later he is running to the bathroom to throw up.

“Oh, my goodness, Emma. I didn’t know this is what you meant when you said ‘amazing!’ I don’t think I can watch a movie like this again.” “It’s OK, Jerry,” she says. “I guess you don’t like horror movies as much as I do.” Copyright © 2011 Ola Zur | www.really-learn-english.com

English Short Stories | 7

A few days later, Jerry comes home. “Emma!” he calls out. “Listen! You have to come with me to the movies. There is this fantastic new movie! We must watch it.”

E

“Which one is it?”

PL

“Sun, Love, and Hope.”

Emma thinks about it for a second, “Hmm… doesn’t it sound a bit silly?”

SA

M

“Of course not, Emma! It seems like a fantastic movie. We must watch it.” Jerry laughs at her. “Well, if you say so. Let’s go for it,” Emma agrees.

ES

Two hours later, Emma is sitting in the movie theater, completely stiff. Five minutes later she is running away in terror.

G

“Oh, my goodness, Jerry. I didn’t know this is what you meant when you said ‘fantastic!’ I don’t think I can watch a movie like this again.”

PA

Jerry looks at her and says, “Well, I guess you don’t like romantic movies as much as I do.”

M

“That’s right,” Emma agrees. “What are we going to do? Will we ever go to the movies together again?”

R

AN

D

O

Jerry thinks about it for a moment and then answers, “I guess we will have to wait for a horror love story. You know, a boy meets a girl, they fall in love, and then she eats him!”

Copyright © 2011 Ola Zur | www.really-learn-english.com

E PL M SA ES G PA M O D AN

R Copyright © 2011 Ola Zur | www-really-learn-english.com

English Short Stories Workbook

Table of Contents

E

Story 1—Surprise! Exercises .................................................................................... 5

M

PL

Vocabulary ................................................................................................................... 5 Grammar—Sentence Structure ................................................................................... 7 Grammar—Questions, Negative Sentences and Positive Sentences ......................... 8 Comprehension ......................................................................................................... 10 Essay Writing ............................................................................................................. 11

SA

Story 2—Oh, the Horror Exercises ..........................................................................12

ES

Vocabulary ................................................................................................................. 12 Grammar—Sentence Structure ................................................................................. 14 Grammar—Questions, Negative Sentences and Positive Sentences ....................... 15 Comprehension ......................................................................................................... 17 Essay Writing ............................................................................................................. 18 Story 3—Tomorrow, My Dear Exercises ..................................................................19

PA

G

Vocabulary ................................................................................................................. 19 Grammar—Sentence Structure ................................................................................. 21 Grammar—Questions, Negative Sentences and Positive Sentences ....................... 22 Comprehension ......................................................................................................... 24 Essay Writing ............................................................................................................. 25

M

Story 4—An Unexpected Hitchhiker Exercises.........................................................26

D

O

Vocabulary ................................................................................................................. 26 Grammar—Sentence Structure ................................................................................. 28 Grammar—Questions, Negative Sentences and Positive Sentences ....................... 29 Comprehension ......................................................................................................... 31 Essay Writing ............................................................................................................. 32

R

AN

Story 5—The Free Gift Exercises .............................................................................33 Vocabulary ................................................................................................................. 33 Grammar—Sentence Structure ................................................................................. 35 Grammar—Questions, Negative Sentences and Positive Sentences ....................... 36 Comprehension ......................................................................................................... 38 Essay Writing ............................................................................................................. 39

Copyright © 2011 Ola Zur | www.really-learn-english.com

4 | English Short Stories Workbook Story 6—Royalty Food Exercises .............................................................................40

E

Vocabulary ................................................................................................................. 40 Grammar—Sentence Structure ................................................................................. 42 Grammar—Questions, Negative Sentences and Positive Sentences ....................... 43 Comprehension ......................................................................................................... 45 Essay Writing ............................................................................................................. 46

PL

Story 7—A Very Special Gift Card Exercises.............................................................47

SA

M

Vocabulary ................................................................................................................. 47 Grammar—Sentence Structure ................................................................................. 49 Grammar—Questions, Negative Sentences and Positive Sentences ....................... 50 Comprehension ......................................................................................................... 52 Essay Writing ............................................................................................................. 53 Story 8—The Wedding Exercises.............................................................................54

G

ES

Vocabulary ................................................................................................................. 54 Grammar—Sentence Structure ................................................................................. 56 Grammar—Questions, Negative Sentences and Positive Sentences ....................... 57 Comprehension ......................................................................................................... 59 Essay Writing ............................................................................................................. 60 Story 9—The (Dead) Washing Machine Exercises ....................................................61

M

PA

Vocabulary ................................................................................................................. 61 Grammar—Sentence Structure ................................................................................. 63 Grammar—Questions, Negative Sentences and Positive Sentences ....................... 64 Comprehension ......................................................................................................... 66 Essay Writing ............................................................................................................. 67 Story 10—A Special Family Meeting Exercises.........................................................68

R

AN

D

O

Vocabulary ................................................................................................................. 68 Grammar—Sentence Structure ................................................................................. 70 Grammar—Questions, Negative Sentences and Positive Sentences ....................... 71 Comprehension ......................................................................................................... 73 Essay Writing ............................................................................................................. 74

Copyright © 2011 Ola Zur | www.really-learn-english.com

English Short Stories Workbook | 5

Story 1—Surprise! Exercises

PL

E

Vocabulary

M

This is a copy of the original story. Go over it and fill in the blanks with the right words from the box below. technique, carefully, birthday, shiny, yourself, sneakers, Today, gloves,

SA

problem, wonder, tomorrow, complete, However, pair, plan, laugh, subject, matter, in law, receive, wife, scheme, thinks, clues, present, wrapped, until, tears,

ES

conversation, secret, notices, what, wanted, Finally, each, pretends, excitement

PA

G

Jerry and Emma are husband and ___________. It’s summer, and Jerry’s ___________ is approaching. Emma wants to give him a ___________ for his birthday, but she wants it to be a surprise, so she must keep everything a ___________. But she has a big ___________. If Jerry cannot know about her plan, how does she find out ___________ to get him for his birthday?

O

M

She decides to use a secret ___________. For a whole week, while she ___________ to do other things, she actually listens very carefully for ___________.

D

___________, Jerry doesn’t really talk about this ___________. A whole week passes with no mention of something he actually wants or needs!

AN

“That’s it!” Emma thinks to herself. “Jerry’s birthday is ___________! I’m taking off the ___________!”

R

She calls her sister-___________ Mary, and they make a secret ___________.

Mary will call Jerry, ask him what he would like to ___________ for his birthday, and Emma will listen to the ___________ (without Jerry knowing it).

Copyright © 2011 Ola Zur | www.really-learn-english.com

6 | English Short Stories Workbook

The ___________ starts out as planned. Mary calls Jerry, and they have a nice chat about his upcoming birthday. Emma listens ___________ from the other room. Finally, she hears what he wants—a ___________ of sneakers!

E

“All right!” she ___________ to herself.

PL

Full of ___________, she runs out of the room. She is not so quiet, but who can blame her?

SA

M

She rushes off to the shop and buys a pair of ___________sneakers, exactly Jerry’s size. She’s very happy. She will get him the present he wants, and it will be a ___________ surprise! ___________ is Jerry’s birthday. Emma waits ___________ their special dinner at night.

ES

___________, the moment arrives. It’s time for Jerry’s present! Emma brings in the box of sneakers, ___________ in colorful paper.

G

“Wow!” Jerry says with a big smile. “I ___________ what it is.”

PA

“Open it and see for ___________!” Emma replies happily. He ___________ off the colorful paper and takes out the box. He opens the box.

M

“Oh, it’s a… pair of ___________! What a lovely… surprise…”

O

Emma ___________ that something is wrong. “What’s the ___________? You don’t seem so happy. Don’t you need a pair of sneakers?”

D

“Hmm...” Jerry takes a look at ___________ shoe.

AN

“Well, didn’t you tell Mary that you ___________ a pair of sneakers?” Emma asks him.

R

“A pair of sneakers?” Jerry starts to ___________. “I said a pair of speakers! You seem surprised. Well, I guess I could use a pair of sneakers, too!”

Copyright © 2011 Ola Zur | www.really-learn-english.com

English Short Stories Workbook | 7

Grammar—Sentence Structure The following sentences are all mixed up. Put the words on each line in the correct order to make a logical sentence.

E

1. are wife Emma Jerry and husband and.

PL

_________________________________________________________________ 2. everything keep Emma must secret a.

SA

3. clues She very listens for carefully .

M

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

ES

4. sister-in-law Mary make plan She her calls they a secret and.

_________________________________________________________________

G

5. birthday his calls about and have a chat Jerry upcoming they Mary.

PA

_________________________________________________________________ 6. shiny buys sneakers She to shop and a pair of the rushes off. _________________________________________________________________

M

7. birthday Jerry’s Today is.

O

_________________________________________________________________

D

8. dinner waits special at their Emma night until.

R

AN

_________________________________________________________________ 9. is I what it wonder.

_________________________________________________________________ 10. I too of guess pair use I a sneakers could Well.

_________________________________________________________________

Copyright © 2011 Ola Zur | www.really-learn-english.com

8 | English Short Stories Workbook

PL

SA

A positive sentence: Emma listens carefully. A negative sentence: Emma does not listen carefully. A question: Does Emma listen carefully?

M

Remember: A positive sentence: Jerry and Emma are husband and wife. A negative sentence: Jerry and Emma are not husband and wife. A question: Are Jerry and Emma husband and wife?

E

Grammar—Questions, Negative Sentences, and Positive Sentences

ES

A positive sentence: She should keep it a secret. A negative sentence: She should not keep it a secret. A question: Should she keep it a secret?

1. Jerry has a birthday.

G

Turn the following sentences into questions.

PA

_________________________________________________________________ 2. Emma wants to buy Jerry a present.

M

_________________________________________________________________ 3. Emma can listen to their conversation.

O

_________________________________________________________________

D

4. Jerry needs speakers.

R

AN

_________________________________________________________________ 5. Emma is surprised.

_________________________________________________________________

Copyright © 2011 Ola Zur | www.really-learn-english.com

English Short Stories Workbook | 9

Turn the following sentences into negative sentences. 1. Mary has a birthday. _________________________________________________________________

E

2. Does Jerry want sneakers?

PL

_________________________________________________________________

M

3. Emma should tell the truth.

SA

_________________________________________________________________ 4. Are they very surprised?

_________________________________________________________________

ES

5. Jerry wonders what is inside the box.

G

_________________________________________________________________

PA

Turn the following sentences into positive sentences. 1. Emma doesn’t have a birthday.

M

_________________________________________________________________

O

2. Jerry doesn’t know about Emma’s plan. _________________________________________________________________

D

3. Does Mary help Emma?

R

AN

_________________________________________________________________ 4. Emma doesn’t buy flowers.

_________________________________________________________________ 5. Do Mary and Jerry talk?

_________________________________________________________________

Copyright © 2011 Ola Zur | www.really-learn-english.com

10 | English Short Stories Workbook

Comprehension Answer the following questions. 1. Why doesn’t Emma ask Jerry what he wants for his birthday?

PL

E

__________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________

M

__________________________________________________________________

SA

2. Who is Mary?

__________________________________________________________________

ES

__________________________________________________________________

G

__________________________________________________________________ 3. What secret plan do Emma and Mary make?

PA

__________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________

O

M

__________________________________________________________________ 4. Does Jerry really need a pair of sneakers?

D

__________________________________________________________________

AN

__________________________________________________________________

R

__________________________________________________________________

Copyright © 2011 Ola Zur | www.really-learn-english.com

English Short Stories Workbook | 11

Essay Writing Answer the following questions. Write a short essay for each. 1. How do you decide what birthday present to buy for someone?

PL

E

__________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________

M

__________________________________________________________________

SA

__________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________

ES

__________________________________________________________________

G

__________________________________________________________________

PA

2. Have you ever received a gift you did not want or need? What did you do about it? __________________________________________________________________

M

__________________________________________________________________

O

__________________________________________________________________

D

__________________________________________________________________

R

AN

__________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________

Copyright © 2011 Ola Zur | www.really-learn-english.com

R

AN

D

O

M

PA

G

ES

SA

M

PL

E

1 | English Short Stories for Beginners, www-really-learn-english.com

Copyright © 2011 Ola Zur | www-really-learn-english.com

English Short Stories Answer Book | 1

Story 1—Surprise! Exercises

PL E

Vocabulary

This is a copy of the original story. Go over it and fill in the blanks with the right words from the box below.

Grammar—Sentence Structure

SA

M

Compare to original story.

G ES

The following sentences are all mixed up. Put the words on each line in the correct order to make a logical sentence. 1. are wife Emma Jerry and husband and. Jerry and Emma are husband and wife.

PA

2. everything keep Emma must secret a. Emma must keep everything a secret.

M

3. clues She very listens for carefully. She listens very carefully for clues.

O

4. sister-in-law Mary make plan She her calls they a secret and.

D

She calls her sister-in-law Mary, and they make a secret plan.

R

AN

5. birthday his calls about and have a chat Jerry upcoming they Mary.

Mary calls Jerry, and they have a nice chat about upcoming birthday. 6. shiny buys sneakers She to shop and a pair of the rushes Jerry’s size off.

She rushes off to the shop and buys a pair of shiny sneakers, exactly Jerry’s size. 7. birthday Jerry’s Today is.

Copyright © 2016 Ola Zur | www-really-learn-english.com

2 | English Short Stories Answer Book

Today is Jerry’s birthday. 8. dinner waits special at their Emma night until.

E

Emma waits until their special dinner at night.

PL

9. is I what it wonder. I wonder what it is.

M

10. I too of guess pair use I a sneakers could Well.

SA

Well, I guess I could use a pair of sneakers, too.

Grammar—Questions, Negative Sentences, and Positive Sentences

Does Jerry have a birthday?

G

1. Jerry has a birthday.

ES

Turn the following sentences into questions.

PA

2. Emma wants to buy Jerry a present.

Does Emma want to buy Jerry a present?

M

3. Emma can listen to their conversation.

O

Can Emma listen to their conversation?

D

4. Jerry needs speakers.

AN

Does Jerry need speakers? 5. Emma is surprised.

R

Is Emma surprised?

Turn the following sentences into negative sentences. 1. Mary has a birthday. Copyright © 2016 Ola Zur | www-really-learn-english.com

English Short Stories Answer Book | 3

Mary does not have a birthday. 2. Does Jerry want sneakers?

E

Jerry does not want sneakers.

PL

3. Emma should tell the truth. Emma should not tell the truth.

M

4. Are they very surprised?

5. Jerry wonders what is inside the box.

ES

Jerry does not wonder with is inside the box.

SA

They are not very surprised.

Turn the following sentences into positive sentences.

PA

Emma has a birthday.

G

1. Emma doesn’t have a birthday.

2. Jerry doesn’t know about Emma’s plan.

M

Jerry knows about Emma’s plan

O

3. Does Mary help Emma? Mary helps Emma.

D

4. Emma doesn’t buy flowers.

R

AN

Emma buys flowers. 5. Do Mary and Jerry talk?

Mary and Jerry talk.

Copyright © 2016 Ola Zur | www-really-learn-english.com

4 | English Short Stories Answer Book

Comprehension Answer the following questions. 1. Why doesn’t Emma ask Jerry what he wants for his birthday?

PL

E

She wants it to be a surprise. 2. Who is Mary?

M

Mary is Emma’s sister-in-law. She is Jerry’s sister.

SA

3. What secret plan do Emma and Mary make?

Mary will call Jerry and ask him what he wants for his birthday.

No, he needs a pair of speakers.

G

Essay Writing

ES

4. Does Jerry really need a pair of sneakers?

PA

Answer the following questions. Write a short essay for each. 1. How do you decide what birthday present to buy for someone? Answers will vary.

O

M

2. Have you ever received a gift you did not want or need? What did you do about it?

R

AN

D

Answers will vary.

Copyright © 2016 Ola Zur | www-really-learn-english.com