Key Vocabulary
| Word | Definition | Usage (Sentence) |
|---|---|---|
| librarian | A person who works in a library. | The librarian helped me find the book I was looking for. |
| valuable | Worth a lot of money or very important. | My grandmother gave me some valuable advice. |
| historical | Connected with the past or the study of the past. | We visited a historical building in the city centre. |
| stolen | Taken without permission. | My bike was stolen from outside the shop. |
| investigation | The process of finding out the facts about something. | The police have started an investigation into the robbery. |
| responsible | Feeling a duty to deal with something. | She is responsible for organizing the company event. |
| unique | Being the only one of its kind; special. | Her style of painting is very unique. |
| noticed | To see or become aware of something. | I noticed you were a little quiet today. |
| clue | A piece of information that helps you solve a problem or mystery. | The police are looking for a clue to help them find the thief. |
| pattern | A regular way in which something happens or is done. | There is a pattern in the weather this week; it rains every morning. |
| criminal | A person who has committed a crime. | The criminal was sentenced to five years in prison. |
| struggling | Having difficulty dealing with something. | She is struggling with her math homework. |
| research | The detailed study of a subject to discover new information. | He is doing research on ancient history. |
| approached | To come near or nearer to someone or something. | The cat approached the dog carefully. |
| understanding | Sympathy or the ability to understand someone’s feelings. | My manager showed great understanding when I was sick. |
| returned | To give, put, or send something back. | I returned the library book yesterday. |
| damage | Physical harm that is done to something. | The storm caused serious damage to the roof. |
| compassionate | Feeling or showing sympathy and concern for others. | The nurse was very compassionate towards her patients. |
| intelligent | Good at learning, understanding, and thinking. | She is a very intelligent student who gets top grades. |
| celebrated | To do something enjoyable for a special occasion. | We celebrated my birthday with a family dinner. |
The Story
Arthur was the town’s chief librarian, a quiet man who loved the smell of old paper. He wasn’t the kind of person you would call a hero. However, when a very valuable and historical book was stolen from the library, everyone in town was worried. The police were called, and a full investigation began.
Arthur felt deeply responsible for the lost book. While the police looked for fingerprints and security camera footage, Arthur started his own, much different, kind of investigation. He knew his skills were unique. He didn’t need high-tech tools; his memory and his knowledge of the library’s visitors were his greatest assets.
He spent the next day carefully reviewing the library’s checkout records. He noticed something interesting. A young university student had been asking about that specific book for weeks. This was a small clue, but Arthur saw a pattern. The student always came in looking stressed and tired. Arthur knew this wasn’t the work of a professional criminal.
Following his idea, Arthur found the student’s information. He learned the student was struggling with his final university project and desperately needed the book for his research. Arthur approached the student not with anger, but with kindness and understanding. He explained how important the book was to the town.
The student, full of guilt, immediately confessed and returned the book. There was no damage. Arthur helped the student find other resources and get special permission to study the book in the library. The town celebrated Arthur not for being strong or brave, but for being a compassionate and intelligent hero who solved a crime with his mind and heart.
Comprehension Quiz
Type the correct long-form answer (e.g., “Yes, it is” or “No, they are not”). You’ll get instant feedback!
Correct Answers Key
1. No, he was not.
2. No, it was not.
3. Yes, he did.
4. No, they did not.
5. No, he did not.
6. No, he was not.
7. No, he did not.
8. No, he was not.
9. No, it was not.
10. No, they did not.
