Key Vocabulary
| Word | Definition | Usage (Sentence) |
|---|---|---|
| promise | To tell someone that you will certainly do something. | He made a promise to call his mother every week. |
| excited | Feeling very happy and enthusiastic. | The children were excited about going on holiday. |
| guaranteed | Made a formal promise that something will be done. | The company guaranteed that the product would work for a year. |
| event | A planned public or social occasion. | The music festival is a big annual event in our city. |
| unfortunately | Used to say that something is sad or disappointing. | Unfortunately, I won’t be able to come to the party. |
| unexpected | Not expected or regarded as likely to happen. | We had some unexpected visitors last night. |
| situation | The set of circumstances in which one finds oneself. | I found myself in a very difficult situation. |
| immediately | At once; instantly. | When I saw the fire, I called for help immediately. |
| cancel | To decide that a planned event will not take place. | They had to cancel the meeting because of the bad weather. |
| desperate | Feeling a hopeless sense that a situation is impossible to deal with. | He was desperate for a job after being unemployed for months. |
| alternative | Another possibility or choice. | Is there an alternative route to avoid the traffic? |
| solution | A way of solving a problem or dealing with a difficult situation. | We need to find a solution to this problem quickly. |
| disappointed | Sad or displeased because something has not happened. | She was disappointed that she didn’t win the prize. |
| apologize | To say that you are sorry for something you have done. | You should apologize to your sister for being rude. |
| guilty | Feeling responsible for doing something wrong. | I felt guilty for eating the last piece of cake. |
| understood | Past tense of understand; to know the meaning of something. | He explained the problem, and I finally understood. |
| however | Used to introduce a statement that contrasts with something said before. | It’s a cheap car; however, it’s very reliable. |
| damage | To harm something physically or in another way. | The storm caused a lot of damage to the houses. |
| relationship | The way in which two or more people are connected. | He has a very good relationship with his parents. |
| valuable | Very useful or important. | Honesty is a valuable quality in a friend. |
The Story
I made a promise to my best friend, Mark. I told him I would absolutely be at his graduation party. He was so excited about it, and I guaranteed I wouldn’t miss the big event for anything in the world. We had been planning our celebration for weeks.
Unfortunately, on the day of the party, I received an unexpected call from my mother. My younger sister had fallen from her bike and broken her arm. The situation was serious and required me to go to the hospital immediately. I knew with a heavy heart that I would have to cancel my plans with Mark.
I felt completely desperate. While sitting in the hospital waiting room, I tried to think of an alternative way to get to his party later that evening, but there was no simple solution. I felt extremely disappointed in myself. I sent him a long text message to apologize for my absence and explain what happened.
For the next few days, I felt incredibly guilty for breaking my promise. Mark called me later that night and said he understood the situation, which was a huge relief. However, I was still worried that my failure to be there could damage our close relationship.
This experience taught me a valuable lesson about life and friendships. I learned that sometimes, things happen that are outside of our control. Although I couldn’t keep my promise, I realized that good communication and honesty are what truly matter. Mark and I talked it over, and our friendship is as strong as ever.
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, they did not.
2. Yes, he was.
3. No, he did not.
4. No, it did not.
5. No, they did not.
6. No, they did not.
7. No, they did not.
8. No, he did not.
9. Yes, they were.
10. No, it was not.
