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    Aisha Plans a Birthday Party at the Co-Working Space

    a birthday party for a frienda co-working spaceCEFR A2
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    Aisha works at a co-working space. She shares the space with many other people. One of her friends is a woman named Sara. Sara's birthday is on Friday. Aisha wants to do something special for her. She decides to a small party at the co-working space. She thinks it will be a nice . Aisha smiles and starts to plan. She writes a list of things she needs. She needs a cake, some drinks, and some snacks. She also wants to put up some . Aisha looks at her schedule. She has time to get everything ready. She feels very excited. The next day, Aisha talks to her other .

    She speaks quietly so Sara cannot hear. "Sara's birthday is on Friday," she says. "Can you help me with the party?" Her Ben says, "Yes, I can bring some cookies!" Another , Mia, says, "I can bring some juice and a card." Aisha is very happy. She goes to the store near the co-working space. She buys a small cake with white . She buys some paper cups and plates. She buys some colorful balloons. She puts everything in a bag and brings it back. She hides the bag under her desk. She does not want Sara to see it. She feels a little but also very excited. On Friday morning, Aisha early at the co-working space. Ben and Mia arrive early too. They work together to set up the party. They put up the balloons.

    They put the cake on a table in the center of the room. They put the cookies and juice on the table too. Everything looks great. Then Sara walks in. She sees the balloons and the cake. Her eyes go wide. "Is this for me?" she asks. "Yes!" says Aisha. "Happy birthday, Sara!" Everyone claps and smiles. Sara looks very . She has a big smile on her face. "Thank you so much," she says. "This is the best ever!" They all eat cake together and have a time.

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    Key Vocabulary

    How to use these cards
    1. Read each word and its meaning.
    2. Tap “Cover the meanings”, then tap a card to check yourself.
    3. Tap “Quick quiz” for a short test. Tap “I know this” on cards you have learned.
    organize
    /ˈɔːr.ɡə.naɪz/
    verb

    to plan and arrange something carefully

    "Aisha decides to organize a small party for her friend."

    colleague
    /ˈkɑː.liːɡ/
    noun

    a person you work with

    "Aisha talks to her colleagues about the party."

    decoration
    /ˌdek.əˈreɪ.ʃən/
    noun

    something you put up to make a place look nice

    "She wants to put up some decorations for the birthday party."

    surprise
    /sɚˈpraɪz/
    noun

    something unexpected that makes someone happy

    "The party is a wonderful surprise for Sara."

    frosting
    /ˈfrɑː.stɪŋ/
    noun

    a sweet, soft layer put on top of a cake

    "Aisha buys a small cake with white frosting."

    nervous
    /ˈnɝː.vəs/
    adjective

    feeling a little worried or anxious about something

    "Aisha feels nervous because she does not want Sara to find out."

    arrives
    /əˈraɪvz/
    verb

    gets to a place

    "Aisha arrives early at the co-working space on Friday morning."

    wonderful
    /ˈwʌn.dɚ.fəl/
    adjective

    very good; making you feel very happy

    "They all have a wonderful time at the party."

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    Useful Phrases

    How to use these cards
    1. Read each phrase and its meaning.
    2. Tap “Cover the meanings”, then tap a card to check yourself.
    3. Tap “Quick quiz” for a short test. Tap “I know this” on cards you have learned.

    do something special

    to make an occasion different and enjoyable for someone

    "Aisha wants to do something special for Sara's birthday."

    put up

    to attach or place decorations in a room

    "They put up colorful balloons around the room."

    look at (one's) schedule

    to check your plan for the day to see when you are free

    "Aisha looks at her schedule to find time to get everything ready."

    speak quietly

    to talk in a low voice so others cannot hear

    "Aisha speaks quietly so Sara cannot hear the plan."

    hide (something) under

    to put something in a place where it cannot be seen

    "She hides the bag under her desk so Sara will not see it."

    set up

    to prepare and arrange things for an event

    "Ben and Mia arrive early to help set up the party."

    eyes go wide

    to open your eyes very big because you are surprised

    "Sara's eyes go wide when she sees the cake and balloons."

    have a wonderful time

    to enjoy yourself very much

    "Everyone has a wonderful time at Sara's birthday party."

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