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    Free Daily English · Level A2 (Elementary) · Topic: planning something important

    Jin's Big Plan

    Name: ______________________   Date: ____________

    Jin goes to the sports center every week. He loves sport. He wants to plan a big swimming competition. He talks to his friend, Mia, about it. "I want to organize a swimming race," he says. "That sounds exciting!" says Mia. Jin writes a list of things to do. He needs a date for the competition. He needs swimmers too. He looks at the big calendar on the wall. He chooses a date three weeks away. "That gives us enough time," he says. Mia nods. "Yes, let's start today!" she says. They both feel very happy. Jin walks to the main desk at the sports center. He talks to the manager, Sam. "Can we use the big pool for a competition?" Jin asks.

    Sam looks at his schedule. "Yes, the pool is free on that day," Sam says. Jin smiles. He feels very pleased. He goes back to Mia. "The pool is ready for us," he tells her. Mia claps her hands. "Wonderful!" she says. They sit down together at a table. Jin opens his notebook. He starts to write down all the jobs. Mia reads the list carefully. "I can put up the posters," she says. "And I can contact the swimmers," says Jin. They work together for a long time. The next day, Jin comes back to the sports center. He brings his notebook. He checks every job on his list.

    He talks to Sam again. "We need chairs for the people who watch," Jin says. "No problem," says Sam. "I can bring fifty chairs." Jin writes this down. He also needs someone to give out the prizes. Mia arrives at the sports center. She has good news. "Ten swimmers want to join the race!" she says. Jin is very happy. "Great work, Mia!" he says. They look at the list together. Everything is ready. "Our plan is going very well," says Jin. Mia smiles. "Yes, it is. I am so excited!" she says.

    Key vocabulary

    organize (verb)to plan and arrange an event or activity“Jin wants to organize a swimming competition at the sports center.”
    competition (noun)an event where people try to win by being the best“The swimming competition will happen in three weeks.”
    calendar (noun)a chart that shows all the days, weeks, and months of the year“Jin looks at the calendar to choose a good date.”
    schedule (noun)a plan that shows when things will happen“Sam checks the schedule to see when the pool is free.”
    notebook (noun)a small book used for writing notes and information“Jin writes all the jobs in his notebook.”
    poster (noun)a large printed notice or picture put on a wall to give information“Mia says she can put up the posters for the competition.”
    contact (verb)to get in touch with someone, for example by phone or message“Jin will contact the swimmers to tell them about the race.”
    prize (noun)something given to the winner of a competition“Jin needs someone to give out the prizes at the competition.”

    Useful phrases

    • write a list — to make a written record of several things you need to do or remember“Jin writes a list of everything he needs to do for the competition.”
    • gives us enough time — allows sufficient time to complete something before a deadline“"Three weeks gives us enough time to get everything ready," Jin says.”
    • let's start today — a suggestion to begin something now without waiting“"Let's start today so we don't leave everything too late," says Mia.”
    • no problem — used to say that something is easy to do or is not difficult“"No problem," says Sam. "I can bring fifty chairs for the event."”
    • good news — information about something positive or pleasant that has happened“Mia arrives with good news: ten swimmers want to join the race.”
    • great work — a phrase used to praise someone for doing something well“"Great work, Mia!" says Jin when he hears about the ten swimmers.”
    • going very well — progressing successfully and without problems“Jin tells Mia that their plan is going very well.”
    • want to join — to wish to take part in an activity or event“Ten swimmers want to join the race at the sports center.”

    Word search

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

    ABCDEFGHIJKLM
    1NRUWCBTFGUATW
    2OIEXWEMECTGCF
    3TRYBXMZXWMUAW
    4ELAXDIHDSPDTD
    5BGZDNBOZOBENX
    6OLUANKNSILSOM
    7OSGCQETHUEXCI
    8KRVVQELDOOOZO
    9OBTURDEAJTZQH
    10NVVBSHEJCEUNH
    11GNQWCSVPHHUHN
    12KVWSGAPRIZEQV
    13ENOITITEPMOCJ

    Comprehension quiz

    1. What does Jin want to organize at the sports center?

      • A) A tennis tournament
      • B) A basketball game
      • C) A swimming competition
      • D) A running race
    2. How far away is the date that Jin chooses for the competition?

      • A) Four weeks
      • B) Three weeks
      • C) Two weeks
      • D) One week
    3. Who is the manager at the sports center?

      • A) Sam
      • B) Lee
      • C) Tom
      • D) Mia
    4. What does Mia say she will do to help with the competition?

      • A) Give out the prizes
      • B) Bring the chairs
      • C) Put up the posters
      • D) Contact the swimmers
    5. How many chairs does Sam say he can bring?

      • A) Fifty
      • B) Forty
      • C) Thirty
      • D) Twenty
    6. How many swimmers want to join the race?

      • A) Eight
      • B) Twelve
      • C) Five
      • D) Ten
    7. In this story, the word 'schedule' means a plan that shows when things will happen. True or false?

      • A) Not stated
      • B) Not mentioned
      • C) False
      • D) True
    8. What does Jin use to write down all the jobs for the competition?

      • A) A schedule
      • B) A notebook
      • C) A poster
      • D) A calendar
    9. Jin plans the competition completely alone, without any help.

      • A) True
      • B) False
      • C) Not mentioned
      • D) Not stated
    10. What does Jin say when Mia tells him ten swimmers want to join?

      • A) "That sounds exciting!"
      • B) "Great work, Mia!"
      • C) "Let's start today!"
      • D) "No problem!"

    Answer key (A2 (Elementary))

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

    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.

    calendar: I10 ↖ · competition: L13 ← · contact: L7 ↑ · notebook: A1 ↓ · organize: A9 ↗ · poster: J4 ↙ · prize: G12 → · schedule: D12 ↗

    Free Daily English · Level B1 (Intermediate) · Topic: planning something important

    Jin's Championship Challenge

    Name: ______________________   Date: ____________

    Jin has been coming to the sports center for nearly two years, but this week feels different. He has decided to organize the center's first inter-club swimming championship, and the responsibility is both thrilling and daunting. He pulls out a well-worn notebook and begins sketching out a timeline, muttering to himself as he works through each detail. His colleague Mia spots him from across the lobby and walks over, curious. "You look seriously focused," she says, glancing at the pages covered in notes. "I'm trying to figure out a realistic schedule," Jin replies, tapping his pen against the table. "There's more to plan than I first thought, but I'm determined to make this work." Mia pulls up a chair, and together they begin turning Jin's rough ideas into a proper plan. The following morning, Jin arrives early to meet Sam, the sports center manager, whose support he knows will be essential.

    "I'd like to request exclusive use of the main pool for a full afternoon," Jin explains, laying his notebook open on the desk. Sam studies the schedule thoughtfully and confirms that the pool would indeed be available, provided that Jin submits a formal written proposal by the end of the week. Jin nods, already composing the document in his head. Later, he and Mia divide the remaining tasks between them: she agrees to design and distribute promotional materials around the building, while Jin takes responsibility for reaching out personally to each participating club. "The key is communication," Jin tells her firmly. "If everyone knows exactly what to expect, the whole event runs smoothly." By the time the final preparations are underway, Jin can see that the effort has been worthwhile. Eighteen swimmers from four different clubs have confirmed their participation, and Sam has arranged additional seating along the poolside for spectators.

    Jin reviews his checklist one last time, ticking off each completed item with quiet satisfaction. There is still one outstanding matter: he needs a reliable volunteer to coordinate the prize ceremony at the end of the event. Mia raises her hand without hesitation. "I'll do it," she says, grinning. "I was hoping you'd say that," Jin replies, smiling broadly. He closes his notebook and looks around the busy sports center with a deep sense of pride. "We planned something real here," he says softly. "And it's actually going to happen."

    Key vocabulary

    championship (noun)a competition to find the best player or team in a particular sport“Jin works hard to organize the sports center's first swimming championship.”
    daunting (adjective)making you feel nervous or worried because it seems difficult or large“The scale of the event feels daunting, but Jin is determined to succeed.”
    timeline (noun)a plan or schedule showing when different tasks or events will take place“Jin sketches out a timeline so that every task has a clear deadline.”
    proposal (noun)a formal written plan or suggestion put forward for others to consider or approve“Sam asks Jin to submit a formal proposal before the pool can be booked.”
    promotional (adjective)relating to activities that advertise or raise awareness of an event or product“Mia designs promotional materials to inform people about the championship.”
    spectator (noun)a person who watches an event or activity without taking part“Sam arranges extra seating along the poolside for spectators.”
    outstanding (adjective)not yet dealt with or completed; still remaining to be done“There is one outstanding matter: finding a volunteer for the prize ceremony.”
    coordinate (verb)to organize people or things so that they work together effectively“Jin needs a reliable volunteer to coordinate the prize ceremony.”

    Useful phrases

    • figure out — to find the answer to something or understand something after thinking carefully“Jin is trying to figure out a realistic schedule for the championship.”
    • take responsibility for — to accept the duty of managing or completing something“Jin takes responsibility for contacting each participating club personally.”
    • divide the tasks between them — to share different jobs or duties among two or more people“Jin and Mia divide the remaining tasks between them to save time.”
    • run smoothly — to happen or progress without problems or difficulties“Jin believes that good communication will help the whole event run smoothly.”
    • by the time — used to say that something will have already happened at or before a specific moment“By the time the final preparations are underway, eighteen swimmers have confirmed.”
    • without hesitation — immediately and without pausing to think or doubt“Mia raises her hand without hesitation when Jin needs a volunteer.”
    • reach out to — to contact someone, usually to offer help or to share information“Jin reaches out personally to each club taking part in the championship.”
    • worthwhile — worth the time, effort, or cost that has been spent on something“Looking at the confirmed entries, Jin feels that all the effort has been worthwhile.”

    Word search

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

    ABCDEFGHIJKLMN
    1LASOPORPYIHVPS
    2FULKIGKRTVXZGZ
    3BLHMTNBFJZDOCX
    4CHAMPIONSHIPCL
    5ETANIDROOCDRAG
    6SILKWNEKBAXNBQ
    7SDMEEAUNEROTGX
    8NABSDTHDIIWKAS
    9CUSGBSNRTLSMPS
    10ZNILUTNOEAENLP
    11ITFGPUMAXIDMVR
    12VIXAMOQOHLTNIQ
    13BNWTROXADPEUUT
    14AGMPSPECTATORI

    Comprehension quiz

    1. What kind of event does Jin decide to organize at the sports center?

      • A) A charity fun run
      • B) An inter-club swimming championship
      • C) A team relay race
      • D) A water polo tournament
    2. In the story, the word 'daunting' is closest in meaning to which of the following?

      • A) Exciting and joyful
      • B) Simple and straightforward
      • C) Intimidating and overwhelming
      • D) Boring and repetitive
    3. What condition does Sam set before he will allow Jin to use the main pool?

      • A) Jin must pay a fee in advance
      • B) Jin must reduce the number of swimmers
      • C) Jin must submit a formal written proposal
      • D) Jin must get approval from all clubs
    4. What does Mia agree to do to help with the championship?

      • A) Contact the participating clubs
      • B) Coordinate the prize ceremony
      • C) Design and distribute promotional materials
      • D) Arrange seating for spectators
    5. How many swimmers confirm their participation in the championship?

      • A) Ten
      • B) Twenty
      • C) Fourteen
      • D) Eighteen
    6. According to Jin, what is the key to making the event run smoothly?

      • A) Having enough seating
      • B) Communication
      • C) A detailed checklist
      • D) A large budget
    7. The story says that Jin has been visiting the sports center for nearly two years.

      • A) True
      • B) False
      • C) Not mentioned
      • D) Not stated
    8. In this story, 'outstanding' means something that is exceptionally impressive.

      • A) True
      • B) False
      • C) Not stated
      • D) Not mentioned
    9. Who volunteers to coordinate the prize ceremony at the end of the event?

      • A) A swimmer from one of the clubs
      • B) Mia
      • C) Jin
      • D) Sam
    10. What does Jin say at the very end of the story?

      • A) "I was hoping you'd say that."
      • B) "We planned something real here, and it's actually going to happen."
      • C) "The key is communication."
      • D) "There's more to plan than I first thought."

    Answer key (B1 (Intermediate))

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

    championship: A4 → · coordinate: J5 ← · daunting: B7 ↓ · outstanding: F12 ↑ · promotional: D14 ↗ · proposal: H1 ← · spectator: E14 → · timeline: N13 ↖

    Free Daily English · www.freedailyenglish.com/stories/jins-big-plan-2026-08-07