Key Vocabulary
| Word | Definition | Usage (Sentence) |
|---|---|---|
| disappearance | When someone or something cannot be found. | The police are investigating the mysterious disappearance of the painting. |
| community | The people living in one particular area. | The new park will be a great benefit to the local community. |
| vanished | To disappear suddenly and completely. | My keys seem to have vanished from the kitchen table. |
| investigation | The process of trying to find out all the facts about something. | The bank is conducting an internal investigation into the missing money. |
| evidence | Something that makes you believe that something is true or exists. | There was no evidence to prove that he was guilty. |
| studio | A room where an artist works. | The painter spent most of her day working in her studio. |
| unfinished | Not finished or complete. | He left an unfinished letter on his desk. |
| cryptic | Having a meaning that is mysterious or not easily understood. | She received a cryptic message through the post. |
| remote | Far away from where other people live. | They live in a remote village in the mountains. |
| determination | The quality that makes you continue trying to do something difficult. | She showed great determination to finish the race. |
| fisherman | Someone who catches fish, either as a job or as a hobby. | The old fisherman repaired his nets by the harbour. |
| lighthouse | A tall tower with a strong light to guide ships. | The lighthouse warned the ships about the dangerous rocks. |
| victim | A person who has been attacked, injured, or killed. | The charity provides support for victims of crime. |
| overwhelmed | Feeling a very strong emotion that is difficult to manage. | I felt overwhelmed by all the work I had to do. |
| inspiration | The process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something creative. | She gets her inspiration from nature. |
| exhibition | A public display of works of art or other items of interest. | We went to see the new art exhibition at the museum. |
| relieved | Feeling happy because something unpleasant has not happened. | I was relieved to find out that I passed the exam. |
| chaos | A state of complete confusion and lack of order. | The house was in complete chaos after the party. |
| guilty | Feeling unhappy because you have done something wrong. | I feel guilty about forgetting her birthday. |
| valuable | Very useful or important. | My grandfather gave me some valuable advice. |
The Story
The disappearance of Lily Chen, a talented local artist, worried the small coastal town. The whole community was talking about it. One morning, she had simply vanished from her small house by the sea. Detective Miles Corbin was called to lead the investigation and find out what had happened to her.
Detective Corbin’s first stop was Lily’s art studio. He looked for any evidence that might explain where she went. The place was messy, full of paint and canvases, but there were no signs of a fight. He noticed an unfinished painting of a stormy sea. In her sketchbook, he found a cryptic note that just said, “Where the light meets the water,” along with a train ticket to a remote town up the coast.
Corbin travelled to the remote town, filled with a mix of anxiety and determination. He showed Lily’s photograph to the locals. An old fisherman recognized her immediately. “Saw her walking towards the old lighthouse yesterday,” he said, pointing down a rocky path. It was an unusual lead, but it was the only one Corbin had.
He found Lily at the top of the lighthouse, painting peacefully. She was not a victim of any crime. She explained that she had felt overwhelmed by the pressure of her upcoming art exhibition. She needed to escape to a quiet place to find her inspiration again, without telling anyone where she was going.
Corbin was relieved that she was safe. He calmly explained the chaos her disappearance had caused back home. Lily felt guilty when she realized how much she had worried everyone, but she was grateful that Corbin understood. She agreed to return with him. For Detective Corbin, it was a valuable lesson about the pressures creative people sometimes face.
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, she was not.
3. No, he did not.
4. No, it was not.
5. No, he did not.
6. No, she was not.
7. No, she did not.
8. Yes, she did.
9. No, he was not.
10. No, she did not.
