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.
| A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | C | S | E | D | I | C | E | D | D | W |
| 2 | A | P | T | R | J | B | J | J | E | H |
| 3 | M | R | D | E | U | V | Z | K | V | Y |
| 4 | F | O | U | N | T | A | I | N | E | L |
| 5 | A | B | E | C | F | Q | F | N | I | D |
| 6 | S | L | H | H | H | C | X | G | L | N |
| 7 | D | E | Q | A | U | E | F | C | E | E |
| 8 | X | M | M | D | K | M | C | D | R | I |
| 9 | W | O | R | R | I | E | D | K | J | R |
| 10 | C | O | U | N | T | E | R | D | S | F |
Comprehension quiz
Where does Nadia go every morning?
- A) To the park
- B) To the lake
- C) To the café
- D) To the market
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
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
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
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
How does Nadia feel after she gets her bag back?
- A) Tired
- B) Worried
- C) Angry
- D) Relieved
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
True or False: Nadia finds her bag near the bench by the lake.
- A) Not stated
- B) True
- C) False
- D) Not mentioned
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
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 →