Free Daily English · Level A2 (Elementary) · Topic: solving a problem together
Sofia and the Missing Ticket
Name: ______________________ Date: ____________
Sofia wanted to visit the aquarium. She was very excited. She walked up to the entrance and smiled. There was a long line of people. Sofia waited in the line. After a few minutes, it was her turn. She opened her bag to get her ticket. She looked inside. She looked again. The ticket was not there. Sofia felt worried. She checked all her pockets. She checked her coat. She checked her bag again. She could not find the ticket.
A young man was working at the entrance desk. His name was Marco. He saw Sofia looking very worried. "Is everything okay?" he asked. "I cannot find my ticket," said Sofia. "I bought it online this morning." Marco smiled at her. "Don't worry," he said. "We can check on the computer." He asked Sofia for her name. Sofia told him her name. Marco typed her name into the computer. He looked at the screen. He found her booking. "Yes, I can see your ticket here," he said. "No problem at all." Marco printed a new ticket for Sofia.
He gave it to her. "Thank you so much," said Sofia. She felt very happy now. "You are very welcome," said Marco. A woman standing behind Sofia also smiled. "That was very kind," the woman said to Marco. Sofia walked through the entrance. She looked back and waved at Marco. He waved back. Sofia was ready to enjoy the aquarium. She saw a big fish tank near the door. It was full of colorful fish. She laughed with happiness. It was a great start to her day.
Key vocabulary
| entrance (noun) | the door or opening where you go into a place“We met our friends at the entrance to the aquarium.” |
| excited (adjective) | feeling very happy and eager about something“The children were excited to see the fish.” |
| ticket (noun) | a small piece of paper or card that lets you enter a place“She bought her ticket online the night before.” |
| worried (adjective) | feeling unhappy because you think something bad might happen“He was worried because he could not find his bag.” |
| booking (noun) | an arrangement you make to use something, like a ticket or a seat“She showed the booking on her phone at the entrance.” |
| pocket (noun) | a small bag sewn into clothing for keeping things“He put his phone in his pocket.” |
| printed (verb) | used a machine to put words or pictures on paper“The man printed a new ticket for the visitor.” |
| colorful (adjective) | having many bright and different colors“The aquarium had many colorful fish in its tanks.” |
Useful phrases
- Don't worry — used to tell someone that everything will be okay“"Don't worry," said the worker. "We can fix the problem."”
- No problem at all — used to say that something is easy to deal with or not a big issue“"No problem at all," she said, and she helped him find his seat.”
- Thank you so much — a warm way to say you are very grateful to someone“"Thank you so much," said Sofia when she got her new ticket.”
- You are very welcome — a polite reply when someone thanks you“"You are very welcome," said Marco with a smile.”
- Is everything okay? — a kind question to ask if someone looks like they have a problem“She saw he looked sad, so she asked, "Is everything okay?"”
- I bought it online — used to say you paid for something using the internet“"I bought it online this morning," Sofia told the man at the desk.”
- look back — to turn your head to see what is behind you“She walked away but looked back to wave goodbye.”
- at her turn — the moment when it is the right time for someone to do something“When it was her turn, she stepped up to the desk.”
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 | W | A | H | Z | E | N | E | L | X | O |
| 2 | T | E | K | C | I | T | C | G | B | L |
| 3 | D | W | N | H | L | Y | N | D | U | P |
| 4 | E | U | O | L | B | I | A | F | S | T |
| 5 | O | T | A | R | K | J | R | H | I | E |
| 6 | B | R | V | O | R | O | T | A | C | K |
| 7 | Z | K | O | W | L | I | N | P | G | C |
| 8 | P | B | X | O | Y | Q | E | O | A | O |
| 9 | E | X | C | I | T | E | D | D | O | P |
| 10 | U | F | W | D | E | T | N | I | R | P |
Comprehension quiz
Where does the story take place?
- A) At a train station
- B) At a library
- C) At an aquarium entrance
- D) At a park
Why was Sofia worried at the entrance?
- A) The aquarium was closed
- B) She could not find her ticket
- C) She forgot her phone
- D) She lost her bag
What did Marco do to help Sofia?
- A) He gave her a free ticket
- B) He called his manager
- C) He checked her name on the computer
- D) He asked her to come back later
In the story, what does the word 'booking' mean?
- A) A computer screen
- B) An arrangement made to use a ticket or seat
- C) A bag for tickets
- D) A type of fish
How did Sofia buy her ticket?
- A) Online
- B) From a friend
- C) By phone
- D) At the entrance desk
What did Marco give Sofia at the end?
- A) His phone number
- B) A free gift
- C) A new printed ticket
- D) A map of the aquarium
Sofia looked back and waved at Marco when she walked through the entrance.
- A) True
- B) False
- C) Not stated
- D) Not mentioned
What did Sofia see near the door of the aquarium?
- A) A gift shop
- B) A big fish tank with colorful fish
- C) A restaurant
- D) A children's play area
Which word means 'having many bright and different colors'?
- A) Worried
- B) Printed
- C) Excited
- D) Colorful
Another visitor helped Sofia solve her problem.
- A) Not stated
- B) True
- C) False
- D) Not mentioned
Answer key (A2 (Elementary))
1. C 2. B 3. C 4. B 5. A 6. C 7. A 8. B 9. D 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.
booking: B8 ↗ · colorful: C9 ↗ · entrance: G8 ↑ · excited: A9 → · pocket: J9 ↑ · printed: J10 ← · ticket: F2 ← · worried: B3 ↘