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    Free Daily English · Level A2 (Elementary) · Topic: asking for help

    Nadia Asks for Help in the Park

    Name: ______________________   Date: ____________

    Nadia goes to the park every morning. She likes the park very much. It is big and green. There are many trees and flowers. There is also a small lake. Nadia walks around the lake every day. Today, Nadia has a problem. She cannot find her bag. She looks near the bench. She looks near the trees. She cannot see it anywhere. She feels a little worried. She stops walking. She looks around her. She decides to ask someone for help. Nadia sees an old man sitting on a bench. He looks kind and friendly.

    Nadia walks up to him slowly. She smiles at him. "Excuse me," she says. "Can you help me, please?" The man looks up at her. "Of course," he says. "What is the problem?" Nadia tells him about her bag. "I had it this morning," she says. "But now I cannot find it." The man thinks for a moment. "Did you go to the café near the fountain?" he asks. "Yes, I did!" says Nadia. "Maybe your bag is there," says the man. "Thank you so much!" says Nadia. She feels happy now. Nadia walks quickly to the café. She goes inside. She looks around. She sees a woman behind the counter.

    "Excuse me," says Nadia. "Did someone find a bag here?" The woman smiles. "Yes!" she says. "A young boy found it." She gives Nadia the bag. Nadia checks inside. Everything is there. "Thank you very much," says Nadia. She feels very relieved. She goes back to the park. She finds the old man again. "I found my bag!" she tells him. The man smiles. "I am glad," he says. Nadia sits next to him. They talk for a little while. Nadia learns that asking for help is a good thing.

    Key vocabulary

    problem (noun)something that is difficult or causes trouble“Nadia has a problem because she cannot find her bag.”
    worried (adjective)feeling unhappy because you think something bad might happen“Nadia feels worried when she cannot find her bag.”
    friendly (adjective)kind and pleasant to other people“The old man looks kind and friendly.”
    fountain (noun)a structure in a park or public place where water shoots up into the air“The café is near the fountain in the park.”
    counter (noun)a long, flat surface in a shop or café where people are served“Nadia sees a woman behind the counter.”
    relieved (adjective)feeling happy because a worry or problem has gone away“Nadia feels very relieved when she gets her bag back.”
    decides (verb)makes a choice about what to do“Nadia decides to ask someone for help.”
    checks (verb)looks at something carefully to make sure it is correct or complete“Nadia checks inside her bag to see if everything is there.”

    Useful phrases

    • Excuse me — used to politely get someone's attention“"Excuse me," says Nadia. "Can you help me, please?"”
    • Can you help me, please? — a polite way to ask someone for help“Nadia says, "Can you help me, please?" to the old man.”
    • Of course — used to say yes in a polite and willing way“"Of course," says the man. "What is the problem?"”
    • What is the problem? — used to ask someone to explain their difficulty“The man asks, "What is the problem?" when Nadia looks upset.”
    • Thank you so much — a warm way to express strong gratitude“"Thank you so much!" says Nadia when the man helps her.”
    • Did someone find...? — used to ask if a lost item has been picked up by another person“Nadia asks, "Did someone find a bag here?"”
    • I am glad — used to say you are happy about something“"I am glad," says the old man when Nadia finds her bag.”
    • for a little while — for a short amount of time“Nadia and the old man talk for a little while in the park.”

    Word search

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

    ABCDEFGHIJ
    1CSEDICEDDW
    2APTRJBJJEH
    3MRDEUVZKVY
    4FOUNTAINEL
    5ABECFQFNID
    6SLHHHCXGLN
    7DEQAUEFCEE
    8XMMDKMCDRI
    9WORRIEDKJR
    10COUNTERDSF

    Comprehension quiz

    1. Where does Nadia go every morning?

      • A) To the park
      • B) To the lake
      • C) To the café
      • D) To the market
    2. What is Nadia's problem at the start of the story?

      • A) She is lost
      • B) She is hurt
      • C) She cannot find her bag
      • D) She has no money
    3. Who does Nadia ask for help first?

      • A) An old man on a bench
      • B) A park worker
      • C) A woman at the café
      • D) A young boy
    4. In the story, the man asks Nadia: "Did you go to the café near the fountain?" What does 'fountain' mean?

      • A) A tree in a park
      • B) A seat in a park
      • C) A structure where water shoots up into the air
      • D) A place to buy food
    5. Who found Nadia's bag at the café?

      • A) The old man
      • B) The woman behind the counter
      • C) A young boy
      • D) A park guard
    6. How does Nadia feel after she gets her bag back?

      • A) Tired
      • B) Worried
      • C) Angry
      • D) Relieved
    7. What does Nadia do after she finds her bag?

      • A) She goes home
      • B) She calls a friend
      • C) She buys a drink at the café
      • D) She goes back and tells the old man the news
    8. True or False: Nadia finds her bag near the bench by the lake.

      • A) Not stated
      • B) True
      • C) False
      • D) Not mentioned
    9. What lesson does Nadia learn at the end of the story?

      • A) She should not go to the park alone
      • B) Asking for help is a good thing
      • C) She should keep her bag closed
      • D) The café is not a safe place
    10. True or False: The old man goes with Nadia to the café.

      • A) Not stated
      • B) Not mentioned
      • C) False
      • D) True

    Answer key (A2 (Elementary))

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

    checks: D5 ↘ · counter: A10 → · decides: H1 ← · fountain: A4 → · friendly: J10 ↑ · problem: B2 ↓ · relieved: I8 ↑ · worried: A9 →

    Free Daily English · Level B1 (Intermediate) · Topic: asking for help

    Nadia's Afternoon in the Park

    Name: ______________________   Date: ____________

    Nadia arrives at the park on a quiet Tuesday afternoon, planning to spend an hour reading on her favorite bench beside the fountain. She sets her bag down carefully, opens her book, and soon becomes completely absorbed in the story. After some time, she glances up and notices that the light has changed. She reaches for her bag and immediately feels a wave of panic. Her purse, her keys, and her phone are all inside, but the bag itself is nowhere to be seen. Nadia takes a slow breath and tries to think clearly. She retraces her steps in her mind, recalling that she had stopped at the small park café earlier for a drink. Feeling uncertain but determined, she decides the best thing to do is to ask for help rather than search alone. Nadia approaches a park attendant who is tidying a flower bed nearby.

    "Excuse me," she says calmly. "I think I may have left my bag somewhere in the park. Would you be able to help me?" The attendant, a middle-aged woman with a warm expression, listens carefully. "Of course," she replies. "Can you describe the bag for me?" Nadia explains that it is a dark blue shoulder bag with a small silver buckle. The attendant nods and suggests they check with the café first, since lost items are often handed in there. "People are generally very honest in this park," she adds reassuringly. Nadia feels grateful for the woman's calm and practical manner. At the café, the manager greets them with a smile.

    "Actually, yes," he says after Nadia describes her bag. "A gentleman handed it in about twenty minutes ago." He disappears briefly and returns with the bag. Nadia checks the contents and is relieved to find that everything is still inside. "I cannot thank you enough," she tells the manager warmly. She also turns to the attendant and thanks her sincerely for her time and patience. Walking back through the park, Nadia feels a deep sense of gratitude towards the strangers who had helped her without hesitation. She reflects that asking for help had not been a sign of weakness at all. In fact, it had brought out the best in the people around her.

    Key vocabulary

    absorbed (adjective)so interested in something that you give it all your attention“Nadia becomes completely absorbed in her book and loses track of time.”
    panic (noun)a sudden strong feeling of fear or anxiety“Nadia feels a wave of panic when she cannot find her bag.”
    retraces (verb)goes back over the same route or sequence of events in your mind“She retraces her steps in her mind to remember where she last had her bag.”
    attendant (noun)a person whose job is to help or look after people in a public place“Nadia approaches a park attendant who is tidying a flower bed.”
    buckle (noun)a metal fastening used on bags, belts, or shoes“Nadia describes her bag as dark blue with a small silver buckle.”
    reassuringly (adverb)in a way that removes worry or fear and makes someone feel calmer“"People are generally very honest in this park," the attendant adds reassuringly.”
    gratitude (noun)the feeling of being thankful and appreciative towards someone“Nadia feels a deep sense of gratitude towards the strangers who helped her.”
    hesitation (noun)a pause before doing something, often because of uncertainty or doubt“The strangers helped Nadia without any hesitation.”

    Useful phrases

    • I think I may have... — a polite, tentative way of stating something you are not completely sure about“"I think I may have left my bag somewhere in the park," Nadia says to the attendant.”
    • Would you be able to help me? — a polite and indirect way of asking for assistance“Nadia asks the attendant, "Would you be able to help me?"”
    • Can you describe...? — used to ask someone to give details about the appearance of something or someone“The attendant asks, "Can you describe the bag for me?"”
    • handed it in — gave a lost item to someone in authority so it can be returned to its owner“The manager says a gentleman handed the bag in about twenty minutes ago.”
    • I cannot thank you enough — used to express very strong gratitude when a simple thank you does not feel sufficient“"I cannot thank you enough," Nadia tells the café manager.”
    • Without hesitation — immediately, without pausing or doubting“The strangers helped Nadia without hesitation.”
    • brought out the best in — caused someone to show their most positive qualities or behavior“Asking for help brought out the best in the people around Nadia.”
    • a sign of weakness — something seen as showing a lack of strength or ability“Nadia reflects that asking for help was not a sign of weakness at all.”

    Word search

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

    ABCDEFGHIJKLMN
    1REDVNSRRVHPCRY
    2LNJKIKHEVHGTXB
    3AVOYCEMATPHGBI
    4RGEILMSSDRNRPC
    5IBEHTMMSBFAAKB
    6ZOJNQAAUNTTCJK
    7DODLEBTRVTQDEB
    8GEBUSOUIECFRKS
    9VPBKHCNNSIRGHB
    10OCCRZYDGBETQMU
    11JZOLOAKLDDHIPC
    12WZHZNSHYBCLHNK
    13OVETUMBZCINAPL
    14AEDUTITARGAVQE

    Comprehension quiz

    1. Why does Nadia originally sit down on the bench in the park?

      • A) To make a phone call
      • B) To eat her lunch
      • C) To wait for a friend
      • D) To read a book
    2. In the story, Nadia 'becomes completely absorbed in the story.' What does 'absorbed' mean here?

      • A) Tired from reading
      • B) Unhappy with the story
      • C) So interested that she gives it all her attention
      • D) Confused by something
    3. What does Nadia do before approaching the attendant?

      • A) She asks another visitor for help
      • B) She searches every bench in the park
      • C) She retraces her steps in her mind
      • D) She calls the café
    4. How does Nadia describe her bag to the attendant?

      • A) A dark blue shoulder bag with a small silver buckle
      • B) A large brown bag with a leather handle
      • C) A black backpack with a strap
      • D) A red bag with a golden zip
    5. What does the attendant say about people in the park?

      • A) They are usually in a hurry
      • B) They rarely hand in lost items
      • C) They are generally very honest
      • D) They are often unhelpful
    6. Who handed in Nadia's bag at the café?

      • A) The park attendant
      • B) A young woman
      • C) A gentleman
      • D) A café worker
    7. True or False: Nadia finds that some items are missing from her bag when she checks it.

      • A) Not stated
      • B) Not mentioned
      • C) False
      • D) True
    8. What does Nadia reflect on at the end of the story?

      • A) That parks are dangerous places
      • B) That she needs to be more careful with her book
      • C) That she should carry less with her
      • D) That asking for help was not a sign of weakness
    9. True or False: The park attendant goes with Nadia to the café.

      • A) Not stated
      • B) Not mentioned
      • C) False
      • D) True
    10. Which word in the story means 'in a way that removes worry and makes someone feel calmer'?

      • A) Hesitation
      • B) Absorbed
      • C) Reassuringly
      • D) Gratitude

    Answer key (B1 (Intermediate))

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

    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.

    absorbed: H14 ↖ · attendant: L5 ↙ · buckle: N9 ↓ · gratitude: J14 ← · hesitation: K11 ↖ · panic: M13 ← · reassuringly: H1 ↓ · retraces: G1 ↘

    Free Daily English · www.freedailyenglish.com/stories/nadia-asks-for-help-in-the-park-2026-08-04