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    Mateo Returns the Wrong Seeds

    returning something to a shop politelya community gardenCEFR A2
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    Mateo liked to spend his free time in the community garden. He had a small piece of land there. He grew vegetables and flowers every year. Last week, he went to a garden shop near his home. He wanted to buy tomato for the spring. The shop was small but it had many things. Mateo looked at the shelves carefully. He found a of and paid for it. He put the in his bag and walked home. Later that evening, he opened the . He looked at the closely. They were not tomato . They were pepper . Mateo checked the in his bag.

    He decided to return the the next day. He was not angry, but he needed the right . The next morning, Mateo went back to the shop. He brought the pepper and the with him. A young woman was working behind the . Mateo walked to her and smiled . He said, "Excuse me, I bought these yesterday." The woman looked at him and said, "Of course, how can I help you?" Mateo explained, "I wanted tomato , but these are pepper ." He showed her the and the . The woman checked the carefully. She said, "I am sorry about that. Let me find the right ones for you." She went to the shelf and picked up a of tomato . She brought it back to the . Mateo thanked her and said, "I really your help." The woman smiled and said, "You are welcome." After the shop, Mateo went straight to the community garden. He was happy because he had the correct now.

    He opened the new and looked at the inside. They were small and round. He made small holes in the with his fingers. He put one seed in each hole carefully. Then he covered the with . He watered them with a small can. Other gardeners were working nearby. One of them, a friendly old man, waved to Mateo. Mateo waved back and smiled. He told the old man about his trip to the shop. The old man laughed and said, "That happens to everyone sometimes." Mateo felt good about his day. He sat on a bench and looked at his garden with a smile. He knew the tomatoes would grow well in the warm weather.

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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.
    seeds
    /siːdz/
    noun

    small things that you put in the ground to grow plants

    "I planted the seeds in the garden last week."

    receipt
    /rɪˈsiːt/
    noun

    a piece of paper that shows what you bought and how much you paid

    "Please keep the receipt in case you need to return the item."

    politely
    /pəˈlaɪt.li/
    adverb

    in a way that is kind and shows good manners

    "She asked politely for a glass of water."

    counter
    /ˈkaʊn.tər/
    noun

    a long flat surface in a shop where you pay for things

    "He put the items on the counter and waited."

    packet
    /ˈpæk.ɪt/
    noun

    a small bag or container that holds things inside

    "She opened the packet of biscuits."

    soil
    /sɔɪl/
    noun

    the top part of the ground where plants grow

    "The soil in this garden is very good for vegetables."

    appreciate
    /əˈpriː.ʃi.eɪt/
    verb

    to feel thankful for something

    "I really appreciate your kind words."

    gently
    /ˈdʒent.li/
    adverb

    in a soft and careful way

    "She gently touched the baby's hand."

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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.

    Excuse me

    a polite way to get someone's attention or to start a conversation

    ""Excuse me, can you help me find this item?""

    How can I help you?

    a polite question to ask what someone needs

    "The shop assistant said, "How can I help you?""

    I am sorry about that

    a polite way to say you feel bad about a mistake or problem

    ""I am sorry about that. Let me fix it for you.""

    You are welcome

    a polite reply when someone thanks you

    ""Thank you for your help." "You are welcome.""

    I really appreciate your help

    a warm way to thank someone for helping you

    ""I really appreciate your help with my bags.""

    Let me find

    an offer to look for something for someone

    ""Let me find the right size for you.""

    That happens to everyone

    used to make someone feel better about a mistake

    ""Do not worry. That happens to everyone sometimes.""

    went straight to

    went directly to a place without stopping anywhere else

    "After work, she went straight to the park."

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