Key Vocabulary
| Word | Definition | Usage (Sentence) |
|---|---|---|
| nervous | Feeling a little worried or anxious. | He was nervous before his job interview. |
| perfect | Without any mistakes or faults. | It was a perfect day for a picnic in the park. |
| atmosphere | The mood or feeling of a place. | The restaurant had a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. |
| effort | The physical or mental energy needed to do something. | Learning a new language takes a lot of effort. |
| romantic | Related to feelings of love. | They went for a romantic walk on the beach at sunset. |
| elegant | Stylish and attractive in appearance or manner. | She wore an elegant black dress to the party. |
| delicious | Having a very pleasant taste or smell. | The chocolate cake was absolutely delicious. |
| arrived | Reached a place at the end of a journey. | We arrived at the airport two hours before our flight. |
| unexpected | Not expected or regarded as likely to happen. | We had an unexpected visitor late last night. |
| guest | A person who is invited to visit or stay in someone’s home. | They had a guest staying with them for the weekend. |
| awkward | Causing feelings of embarrassment or inconvenience. | There was an awkward silence when he asked about her ex-boyfriend. |
| disappointed | Sad or displeased because something has not happened as expected. | She was disappointed that she didn’t get the job. |
| situation | The set of circumstances in which one finds oneself. | It was a difficult situation, but we found a solution. |
| realized | To understand a situation, sometimes suddenly. | I suddenly realized I had left my wallet at home. |
| flexible | Able to change or be changed easily according to the situation. | My work schedule is quite flexible. |
| lively | Full of energy and enthusiasm. | It was a lively party with lots of music and dancing. |
| conversation | A talk between two or more people. | We had an interesting conversation about politics. |
| shared | To have or use something at the same time as someone else. | The two brothers shared a bedroom. |
| memorable | Worth remembering or easily remembered. | Our trip to the mountains was a memorable experience. |
| expectations | A strong belief that something will happen or be the case. | The movie did not live up to my expectations. |
The Story
Alex was a little nervous as he checked the dinner table one last time. He wanted everything to be perfect for his girlfriend, Sarah. He had spent the entire afternoon cooking her favorite meal and trying to create a special atmosphere in his small apartment. The amount of effort he put in showed he really cared.
He had planned a quiet, romantic evening. The table was set for two with his most elegant plates and some candles. The smell of the delicious pasta sauce filled the air. He checked his watch; Sarah would be there any minute. He hoped she would appreciate everything he had done.
Just as he lit the candles, the doorbell rang. He opened the door with a big smile, but his smile froze when he saw that Sarah was not alone. When she arrived, she had an unexpected guest with her: her brother, Tom. “He just flew in from London to surprise me!” she said excitedly. The moment felt a bit awkward.
Alex felt a little disappointed. All his plans for a romantic dinner were gone. For a second, he didn’t know how to react to this new situation. He looked at Sarah’s happy face, then at Tom’s friendly smile, and he realized what he had to do. He decided to be flexible and welcome his extra guest warmly. He quickly set another place at the table.
The dinner turned out to be surprisingly fun. It wasn’t romantic, but it was incredibly lively. The conversation was full of laughter as Tom shared stories from his travels. It was a memorable evening, just not in the way Alex had planned. He learned that sometimes, the best moments are the ones that don’t go according to our expectations.
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. Yes, he did.
3. Yes, it was.
4. No, she did not.
5. No, he was not.
6. No, he was not.
7. Yes, he did.
8. No, it was not.
9. No, he did not.
10. Yes, it was.
