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    The Man Who Would Not Stop Talking

    a stranger who will not stop talkinga student common roomCEFR A2
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    Declan walked into the student . He was after a long class. He found a quiet seat near the window. He put his bag on the table. He took out his books and his notebook. He wanted to study for his exam. The room was not very busy. Only a few students were there. Declan felt happy about the quiet. He opened his book and started to read. Then a man sat down next to him. The man had a big smile on his face. Declan smiled back at him. He was , but he wanted to study. "Hello! My name is Otto," the man said. "I am new here.

    Do you study here every day?" "Yes, I do," Declan said. He tried to look at his book. But Otto did not stop talking. "I like this room very much," Otto said. "It is very big and very ." "Yes, it is," Declan said. He looked at his book again. Otto talked about his classes. He talked about his teachers. He talked about the food in the canteen. He talked about the chairs in the library. Declan tried to read, but it was very hard. He could not on his book. He felt a little stressed. He did not want to be to Otto. Declan looked at the clock on the wall. He had an idea. He put his book in his bag.

    He stood up slowly. "I am sorry, Otto," he said. "I need to go to the library now. It is very quiet there." Otto looked a little sad. "Oh, okay," he said. "Can we talk again tomorrow?" Declan smiled at him. "Maybe," he said. "But tomorrow I will have my ." Declan picked up his bag and walked to the door. He looked back at Otto. Otto was already talking to another student. Declan laughed quietly to himself. He walked out of the . He went to the library and found a very quiet seat. He opened his book and smiled. At last, he could study in .

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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.
    common room
    /ˈkɒm.ən ruːm/
    noun

    a room in a school or college where students can relax or study together

    "Declan liked to study in the common room after class."

    tired
    /ˈtaɪəd/
    adjective

    feeling that you need to rest or sleep

    "She was tired after her long class."

    polite
    /pəˈlaɪt/
    adjective

    having good manners and being kind and respectful to others

    "He was polite and smiled at the new student."

    comfortable
    /ˈkʌmf.tə.bəl/
    adjective

    pleasant and relaxing to use or sit in

    "The chairs in the common room were very comfortable."

    focus
    /ˈfəʊ.kəs/
    verb

    to give all your attention to one thing

    "It was hard to focus on his book with so much noise."

    rude
    /ruːd/
    adjective

    not polite; having bad manners

    "He did not want to be rude, so he listened to Otto."

    headphones
    /ˈhed.fəʊnz/
    noun

    a pair of small speakers worn over the ears to listen to sound privately

    "She wore her headphones so nobody would talk to her."

    peace
    /piːs/
    noun

    a quiet and calm state with no noise or trouble

    "At last, Declan could study in peace."

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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.

    start to read

    to begin reading something

    "She sat down and started to read her book."

    smile back

    to return a smile to someone who smiled at you first

    "The teacher smiled at him, and he smiled back."

    look at something again

    to turn your eyes back to something you were looking at before

    "She looked at her notes again after the interruption."

    feel stressed

    to feel worried or under pressure

    "He felt stressed because he could not finish his work."

    have an idea

    to suddenly think of a plan or solution

    "She had an idea and picked up her bag to leave."

    at last

    finally, after a long wait

    "At last, the room was quiet and she could concentrate."

    talk to another student

    to start a conversation with a different person

    "When his friend left, he talked to another student nearby."

    walk out of

    to leave a place by walking through the exit

    "She picked up her bag and walked out of the room."

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