Stories for English Learners

01. Comfort zone

Aprende expresiones idiomáticas y phasal verbs con la historia de Kate.

Kate is leaving for university tomorrow, leaving behind her comfort zone and family. Melanie is worried, but Kate has something else on her mind. What could it be?

Juan Carlos Martinez
August 1, 2022
Everyday Idioms 2
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Everyday Idioms 2

Preview

Kate is leaving for university tomorrow. It’s her first
year away from home. She is leaving behind her
comfort zone. This includes the home she grew up
in, her family, and her best friend, Melanie. Melanie
is worried about how things are going to change, but
Kate has something else on her mind. What do you
think it is?

Exercise A

Vocabulary for the story

Audio

Difficulty: Intermediate (B1)

Story

Transcription

Melanie: I can’t believe you’re leaving tomorrow. Things aren’t going to be the same around here.

Kate: You’re acting like I’m leaving the planet, Mel. The campus is only two hours away, remember?

Melanie: I know, but it’s not like you’ll be able to just drop everything and go shopping with me anymore. Besides, I don’t have any wheels.

Kate: You can always tag along with my parents when they come up.

Melanie: I know, but your schedule will probably be jam-packed. Plus, you and your mom are going to want your alone time.

Kate: I’ll always have time for my best friend. Come on. Help me sit on my suitcase. I need to zip it up.

Melanie: Okay. Wait, did you pack your black hoodie in here?

Kate: No, it’s in the closet. Why?

Melanie: I was kind of hoping I could borrow it. I won’t be able to bum any clothes from you for a while.

Kate: It’s all yours, Mel. It suits you better, anyway.

Melanie: Thanks, Kate. You know, you don’t seem yourself today. Is something bugging you?

Kate: I can’t keep anything from you, can I?

Melanie: Well, what is it?

Kate: I just got word that I got placed in a coed dorm. My first choice was the all-girls rez on campus, but I guess it was full.

Melanie: A coed dorm? Really? How does your dad feel about you living with a bunch of guys?

Kate: That’s the thing. I haven’t exactly dropped the bombshell yet.

Exercise B

Comprehension

What does Melanie think she needs in order to see Kate this year?
What does Kate ask Melanie to help her do?
What does Melanie ask to borrow?
Why does Kate say she can’t “keep anything” from Melanie?
What did Kate just find out?
What hasn’t Kate done yet?

Exercise C - Writing

Writing – MY LIFE

Discuss these questions with your class or write your responses in a journal entry.

1. What’s on your mind these days?
2. Do you have a best friend who can read your mind? What physical changes occur when you are worried about something?
3. What do you bum from your friends and family members?
4. How would your parents feel if they heard you were going to live in a coed dorm?