Free Daily English · Level A2 (Elementary) · Topic: an unexpected change of plans
Fatima's Surprise at the Library
Name: ______________________ Date: ____________
Fatima woke up early on Saturday morning. She had a plan for the day. She wanted to go to the library and study for her big test. She packed her bag with her books and notebooks. She also put a pen and a bottle of water inside. She walked to the library and arrived at ten o'clock. The library was very quiet and calm. She found her favorite table near the window. She sat down and opened her books. She was happy because she had the whole day to study. She started to read the first chapter. The words were difficult, but she tried hard. She made notes in her notebook. She felt good about her plan.
It was a perfect morning for studying. After one hour, Fatima heard a loud noise. She looked up from her book. A librarian walked to the middle of the room. The librarian said, "Excuse me, everyone. I have some bad news." Fatima listened carefully. The librarian said, "There is a problem with the water pipes. We need to close the library today. Please take your things and leave before twelve o'clock." Fatima was very surprised. She looked at the clock on the wall. It was already eleven o'clock. She only had one hour left. She felt worried because she needed more time to study. Her plan was not working now.
She closed her book slowly. She did not know what to do. Other people in the library also looked upset. Fatima picked up her bag and walked outside. She sat on a bench near the library door. She thought about where she could study. Then she saw her friend Lena. Lena was walking towards the library. Fatima said, "Lena, the library is closing today." Lena looked surprised and said, "Oh no, really?" Fatima nodded and said, "Yes, there is a problem with the pipes." Lena smiled and said, "Well, we can study together at my house. I have a big table and it is very quiet there." Fatima felt much better. She said, "That is a great idea, thank you!" They walked to Lena's house together. They studied all afternoon and helped each other. Sometimes a change of plans can be a good thing. Fatima learned that it is important to be flexible.
Key vocabulary
| plan (noun) | something you decide to do in the future“My plan is to study after lunch.” |
| packed (verb) | put things into a bag or box“She packed her clothes for the trip.” |
| quiet (adjective) | with little or no noise“The classroom was very quiet during the test.” |
| favorite (adjective) | the one you like best“This is my favorite book.” |
| noise (noun) | a loud or unpleasant sound“The noise from the street was very loud.” |
| librarian (noun) | a person who works in a library“The librarian helped me find a book.” |
| pipes (noun) | tubes that carry water through a building“The pipes in the bathroom are broken.” |
| surprised (adjective) | feeling shock because something unexpected happened“I was surprised to see her at the park.” |
| upset (adjective) | unhappy or worried about something“He was upset because he lost his phone.” |
| flexible (adjective) | able to change when the situation changes“It is important to be flexible when things go wrong.” |
Useful phrases
- change of plans — when something different happens instead of what you expected“There was a change of plans, so we went to the park instead.”
- I have some bad news — used to tell someone something they will not like“"I have some bad news. The shop is closed today."”
- felt much better — started to feel happier or less worried“After talking to my friend, I felt much better.”
- a great idea — a very good suggestion or thought“"Let's eat outside." "That is a great idea!"”
- the whole day — all of the day, from morning to night“We spent the whole day at the beach.”
- did not know what to do — was confused and had no clear next step“When the bus did not come, I did not know what to do.”
Word search
Find all 10 key words from the story. They can read forwards, backwards, up, down or diagonally.
| A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | S | L | Q | I | N | K | O | P | R | Z | Q |
| 2 | U | E | V | T | D | O | U | E | N | W | Y |
| 3 | R | F | A | V | O | R | I | T | E | N | U |
| 4 | P | F | N | H | L | P | P | S | A | S | T |
| 5 | R | T | B | F | X | L | K | I | E | E | E |
| 6 | I | E | E | Y | A | P | R | C | N | P | S |
| 7 | S | I | Z | N | A | A | G | J | Q | I | P |
| 8 | E | U | F | C | R | Z | T | P | L | P | U |
| 9 | D | Q | K | B | D | E | P | R | K | F | I |
| 10 | P | E | I | J | X | R | G | J | P | G | O |
| 11 | D | L | G | F | L | E | X | I | B | L | E |
Comprehension quiz
Why did Fatima go to the library?
- A) To meet her friend Lena
- B) To study for a test
- C) To return some books
- D) To talk to the librarian
What does the word 'quiet' mean in the story?
- A) Very busy
- B) With little or no noise
- C) Dark and cold
- D) Very large
Why did the library close?
- A) There was a problem with the water pipes
- B) The librarian was sick
- C) There were too many people
- D) It was a special day off
Fatima arrived at the library at nine o'clock.
- A) False
- B) Not stated
- C) True
- D) Not mentioned
What does the word 'surprised' mean in this story?
- A) Happy about a gift
- B) Angry about a mistake
- C) Bored because nothing happened
- D) Feeling shock because something unexpected happened
Who suggested studying at her house?
- A) Lena
- B) A stranger
- C) The librarian
- D) Fatima
Fatima felt worried because she needed more time to study.
- A) Not mentioned
- B) Not stated
- C) False
- D) True
What does the word 'flexible' mean?
- A) Very strong
- B) Able to change when the situation changes
- C) Working very hard
- D) Always having a plan
Fatima and Lena ate lunch together before studying.
- A) True
- B) Not stated
- C) False
- D) Not mentioned
What is the main lesson of the story?
- A) A change of plans can sometimes be a good thing
- B) It is better to study at home
- C) You should always study alone
- D) Libraries are not good places to study
Answer key (A2 (Elementary))
1. B 2. B 3. A 4. A 5. D 6. A 7. D 8. B 9. D 10. A
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.
favorite: B3 → · flexible: D11 → · librarian: B11 ↗ · noise: E1 ↘ · packed: F6 ↙ · pipes: J8 ↑ · plan: G4 ↙ · quiet: B9 ↑ · surprised: A1 ↓ · upset: K8 ↑