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    Free Daily English · Level A2 (Elementary) · Topic: returning a shirt to a store

    Fatima Returns a Shirt at the Library

    Name: ______________________   Date: ____________

    Fatima walks into the library. She has a bag with her. Inside the bag is a shirt. She bought the shirt three days ago. The shirt is blue and white. She tries it on at home. It is too small for her. She wants to return it. She looks around the library. She sees a sales clerk near the front desk. The clerk is helping another person. Fatima waits near the desk. She holds her bag. She feels a little nervous. She hopes the return is easy. The sales clerk finishes with the other person.

    She smiles at Fatima. "Hello! Can I help you?" she asks. "Yes, please," says Fatima. "I want to return this shirt." She puts the bag on the desk. She takes the shirt out. "I bought it three days ago. It is too small." The clerk looks at the shirt. She also looks at the receipt. "Do you have the receipt?" she asks. "Yes, I do," says Fatima. She takes the receipt out of her bag. The clerk checks it carefully. "This is fine," says the clerk. "No problem at all." The clerk gives Fatima a new shirt.

    It is the same color but a bigger size. Fatima tries it on in a small room near the desk. It fits perfectly. She smiles and comes back to the desk. "This one is great!" she says. "I am so happy." The clerk smiles too. "I am glad it fits," she says. Fatima thanks the clerk. "Thank you so much for your help," she says. "You are welcome," says the clerk. Fatima puts the new shirt in her bag. She says goodbye to the clerk. She walks out of the library. She feels very happy.

    Key vocabulary

    return (verb)to bring something back to a store because it is wrong or you do not want it“Fatima wants to return the shirt because it is too small.”
    receipt (noun)a piece of paper that shows you bought something and how much you paid“The clerk asks Fatima if she has the receipt.”
    sales clerk (noun)a person who works in a store and helps customers“The sales clerk smiles and asks Fatima how she can help.”
    nervous (adjective)feeling worried or a little scared about something“Fatima feels nervous because she has never returned something before.”
    size (noun)how big or small something is“The shirt is too small, so Fatima needs a bigger size.”
    fits (verb)is the right size for someone“The new shirt fits Fatima perfectly.”
    exchange (verb)to give something back and get a different one instead“Fatima exchanges the small shirt for a bigger one.”
    carefully (adverb)with a lot of attention so you do not make a mistake“The clerk checks the receipt carefully before helping Fatima.”

    Useful phrases

    • I want to return this. — used to tell a sales clerk you want to bring something back to the store“Fatima says, "I want to return this shirt."”
    • Do you have the receipt? — a question a store clerk asks to check that you bought the item there“The clerk asks, "Do you have the receipt?"”
    • It is too small. — used to explain that something does not fit because it is not big enough“Fatima tells the clerk, "It is too small."”
    • No problem at all. — used to say that something is easy and not a difficulty“The clerk says, "No problem at all," and helps Fatima right away.”
    • Can I help you? — a polite question a store worker asks when a customer arrives“The sales clerk smiles and says, "Can I help you?"”
    • It fits perfectly. — used to say that a piece of clothing is exactly the right size“Fatima tries on the new shirt and says, "It fits perfectly!"”
    • Thank you so much for your help. — a polite way to show you are very grateful for what someone did“Fatima says, "Thank you so much for your help" to the clerk.”
    • I am glad it fits. — used to say you are happy that something is the right size for someone“The clerk smiles and says, "I am glad it fits."”

    Word search

    Find all 8 key words from the story. They can read forwards, backwards, up, down or diagonally.

    ABCDEFGHIJKL
    1WOFSZAAKEJND
    2CTEXUISHPRKI
    3DGXSQONTUSRO
    4LQCIVHVTIKET
    5OEHZPQERGFLG
    6UHAEURWGEUCI
    7DINPVMOZFNSG
    8ZEGUFYKCVEEX
    9LIEAXQSNWMLW
    10OCAREFULLYAR
    11CYRQNSBSMISI
    12NBRECEIPTMQQ

    Comprehension quiz

    1. Where does Fatima go to return the shirt?

      • A) A café
      • B) A library
      • C) A shopping mall
      • D) A post office
    2. Why does Fatima want to return the shirt?

      • A) It is too small
      • B) It is the wrong color
      • C) It is too expensive
      • D) It is damaged
    3. How long ago did Fatima buy the shirt?

      • A) Two weeks ago
      • B) Three days ago
      • C) One week ago
      • D) One day ago
    4. What does the sales clerk ask Fatima for?

      • A) A bag
      • B) Her phone number
      • C) The receipt
      • D) Her name
    5. What color is the shirt?

      • A) Yellow and gray
      • B) Blue and white
      • C) Green and white
      • D) Red and black
    6. What does Fatima get in the end?

      • A) Her money back
      • B) A bag
      • C) A different shirt in a bigger size
      • D) A smaller shirt
    7. Fatima feels nervous while she waits for the clerk. True or False?

      • A) Not stated
      • B) Not mentioned
      • C) True
      • D) False
    8. The word 'receipt' means a piece of paper that shows you bought something. True or False?

      • A) True
      • B) Not mentioned
      • C) Not stated
      • D) False
    9. Which word means 'is the right size for someone'?

      • A) Returns
      • B) Waits
      • C) Fits
      • D) Checks
    10. How does Fatima feel at the end of the story?

      • A) Angry
      • B) Sad
      • C) Happy
      • D) Nervous

    Answer key (A2 (Elementary))

    1. B 2. A 3. B 4. C 5. B 6. C 7. C 8. A 9. C 10. C

    Word search answer key (A2 (Elementary))

    Columns are lettered from the left, rows numbered from the top. The arrow shows the reading direction from the word's first letter.

    carefully: B10 → · exchange: C2 ↓ · fits: J5 ↖ · nervous: J7 ↖ · receipt: C12 → · return: F6 ↗ · sales clerk: K11 ↑ · size: D3 ↓

    Free Daily English · Level B1 (Intermediate) · Topic: returning a shirt to a store

    Fatima's Shirt Return Goes Smoothly

    Name: ______________________   Date: ____________

    Fatima walks into the library carrying a bag that contains a blue-and-white shirt she purchased three days ago. After trying it on at home, she realized it was too small and decided to return it. She spots a sales clerk at the front desk who has just finished helping another customer, so she approaches with her bag and waits politely. Although she is a little nervous, she reminds herself that returning items is a normal part of shopping and takes a slow breath to calm down. "Hello!

    Can I help you?" the clerk asks with a warm smile. Fatima explains that she would like to return the shirt because it does not fit her properly. The clerk examines it and then asks, "Do you have the receipt?" Fatima reaches into her bag, pulls out the receipt, and hands it over. The clerk checks it carefully and confirms that everything is in order. "No problem at all," she says, and asks Fatima what size she would prefer instead.

    The clerk brings out the same shirt in a larger size, and Fatima tries it on in a small fitting room near the desk. It fits her perfectly, and she returns to the desk feeling relieved and pleased. "This one is great, thank you so much for your help," she tells the clerk. "I am glad it fits," the clerk replies warmly. Fatima places the new shirt in her bag, says goodbye, and leaves the library with a smile, grateful that the whole experience turned out to be much simpler than she had expected.

    Key vocabulary

    return (verb)to bring a purchased item back to a store because it is unsuitable or unwanted“Fatima decided to return the shirt after realizing it was too small.”
    receipt (noun)a printed or written record proving that a purchase was made“The clerk asked for the receipt before processing the exchange.”
    examines (verb)looks at something carefully to check its condition or details“The sales clerk examines the shirt to make sure it is in good condition.”
    fitting room (noun)a small private room in a store where customers try on clothes“Fatima tries on the new shirt in the fitting room near the desk.”
    relieved (adjective)feeling happy because a stressful or worrying situation has ended well“Fatima feels relieved when the clerk accepts the return without any difficulty.”
    confirms (verb)states officially that something is correct or agreed“The clerk confirms that the receipt is valid and the return can go ahead.”
    approaches (verb)moves closer to someone or something“Fatima approaches the front desk when the clerk becomes available.”
    exchange (verb)to give back an item and receive a different or better-suited one in its place“Fatima is happy to exchange the small shirt for a larger size.”

    Useful phrases

    • I'd like to return this. — a polite way to tell a sales clerk you want to bring an item back to the store“Fatima tells the clerk, "I'd like to return this shirt because it doesn't fit."”
    • It doesn't fit properly. — used to explain that a piece of clothing is not the right size or shape for you“She explains that the shirt doesn't fit properly and asks for a bigger size.”
    • Everything is in order. — used to confirm that all the necessary details or documents are correct“The clerk checks the receipt and says everything is in order.”
    • No problem at all. — used to reassure someone that a request or situation is easy to deal with“"No problem at all," the clerk says before bringing out a new shirt.”
    • What size would you prefer? — a question used to find out which clothing size a customer wants“The clerk asks Fatima, "What size would you prefer instead?"”
    • Much simpler than expected. — used to describe a situation that turned out to be easier than you thought it would be“Fatima is glad the return was much simpler than she had expected.”
    • In good condition. — used to describe something that is undamaged and still in its original state“The clerk checks that the shirt is in good condition before accepting the return.”
    • I'm glad it fits. — used to express satisfaction that a piece of clothing is the right size for someone“The clerk smiles and says, "I'm glad it fits" after Fatima tries on the new shirt.”

    Word search

    Find all 8 key words from the story. They can read forwards, backwards, up, down or diagonally.

    ABCDEFGHIJKLM
    1AZUAMMXPSOBKA
    2RRNLJTPIECERP
    3HESIBOAUCIFAP
    4EVLQQOYOTIXCR
    5XXJITPNDTWKWO
    6INAAEFBTGAQGA
    7HIUMIVILNMQQC
    8SMZRINEIRRXTH
    9SWMIGNRDUHBEE
    10YSHRBMEFTHMDS
    11JFOBSQZSEJNDN
    12YOEEHROYRVZVV
    13MREXCHANGECEO

    Comprehension quiz

    1. Why did Fatima decide to return the shirt?

      • A) It was the wrong color
      • B) It was damaged
      • C) It was too small
      • D) It was too expensive
    2. Where does the story take place?

      • A) A shopping mall
      • B) A library
      • C) A post office
      • D) A fitting room
    3. What does the clerk ask Fatima to provide before processing the return?

      • A) A form of identification
      • B) The receipt
      • C) The original bag
      • D) Her name and address
    4. In the story, the word 'relieved' means feeling happy because a stressful situation has ended well. True or False?

      • A) False
      • B) Not stated
      • C) True
      • D) Not mentioned
    5. What does the phrase 'everything is in order' mean in this story?

      • A) The customer must wait in line
      • B) The items are neatly arranged
      • C) All the necessary details are correct
      • D) The clerk is organizing the desk
    6. How does Fatima feel while she is waiting for the clerk?

      • A) Completely relaxed
      • B) A little nervous
      • C) Excited and confident
      • D) Angry and frustrated
    7. What does the clerk bring Fatima after checking the receipt?

      • A) A refund
      • B) The same shirt in a larger size
      • C) A gift card
      • D) A completely different shirt
    8. Fatima had tried the shirt on in the store before buying it. True or False?

      • A) True
      • B) False
      • C) Not mentioned
      • D) Not stated
    9. Which word means 'to look at something carefully to check its condition'?

      • A) Examines
      • B) Confirms
      • C) Approaches
      • D) Exchanges
    10. How does Fatima feel when she leaves the library?

      • A) Confused about what happened
      • B) Grateful that the experience was simpler than expected
      • C) Disappointed that the process took so long
      • D) Annoyed that she had to wait

    Answer key (B1 (Intermediate))

    1. C 2. B 3. B 4. C 5. C 6. B 7. B 8. B 9. A 10. B

    Word search answer key (B1 (Intermediate))

    Columns are lettered from the left, rows numbered from the top. The arrow shows the reading direction from the word's first letter.

    approaches: M1 ↓ · confirms: I3 ↙ · examines: A4 ↘ · exchange: C13 → · fitting room: K3 ↙ · receipt: L2 ← · relieved: A2 ↘ · return: I12 ↑

    Free Daily English · www.freedailyenglish.com/stories/fatima-returns-a-shirt-at-the-library-2026-09-29