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    The Wrong Size, The Right Heart

    a gift that was not quite right but meant wella hostel dormitoryCEFR A2
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    Lucía arrived at the hostel late in the evening. She put her bag on the bed and looked around the room. There were six beds in the . Two other travelers were already there. One was a young woman named Priya. The other was a man named Tobias. They smiled at Lucía and said hello. Lucía felt happy because they were friendly. She put her things in a small next to her bed. Then she sat down and took off her shoes. Her feet were tired from walking all day. Priya asked, "Are you hungry?" Lucía said, "Yes, a little." Tobias said, "There is a small kitchen downstairs." Lucía smiled and said, "Thank you." The next morning, Lucía woke up early. She saw a small on her bed. It had a note on it.

    The note said, "For you. I hope you like it. From Priya." Lucía was . She opened the slowly. Inside was a hat. It was very big. It was also very bright orange. Lucía tried it on. The hat came down over her eyes. She could not see anything. She laughed a little. Tobias looked at her and laughed too. He said, "You look like a big orange mushroom!" Priya came into the room. She looked . She said, "I am sorry.

    I did not know your size." Lucía said, "It is okay. It is very of you." Lucía kept the hat on her bed all day. She looked at it and smiled. She knew Priya was . She did not care about the size. In the evening, all three of them sat in the . Priya said, "I wanted to give you something because you looked cold last night." Lucía said, "That is so sweet." Tobias said, "Maybe we can find a smaller hat at the market tomorrow." Priya nodded and smiled. Lucía said, "I will come with you." They all laughed together. That night, Lucía put the big orange hat in her bag. She thought, "This hat is too big. But the feeling is just right." She was glad to have new friends. She felt warm, even without the hat.

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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.
    dormitory
    /ˈdɔː.mɪ.tər.i/
    noun

    a large room where many people sleep, especially in a hostel or school

    "There were six beds in the dormitory."

    locker
    /ˈlɒk.ə/
    noun

    a small cupboard with a lock where you keep your things

    "She put her things in a small locker next to her bed."

    package
    /ˈpæk.ɪdʒ/
    noun

    a small wrapped object, like a gift or parcel

    "She saw a small package on her bed."

    woolly
    /ˈwʊl.i/
    adjective

    made of wool; soft and thick

    "Inside the package was a woolly hat."

    surprised
    /səˈpraɪzd/
    adjective

    feeling something you did not expect

    "Lucía was surprised to find a gift on her bed."

    worried
    /ˈwʌr.id/
    adjective

    feeling that something bad might happen or that you made a mistake

    "Priya looked worried when she saw the hat was too big."

    kind
    /kaɪnd/
    adjective

    friendly and caring towards other people

    "Lucía thought Priya was very kind."

    common room
    /ˈkɒm.ən ruːm/
    noun

    a shared room in a hostel or school where people can relax together

    "In the evening, all three of them sat in the common room."

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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.

    look around

    to look at different parts of a place

    "She put her bag on the bed and looked around the room."

    take off

    to remove something, like clothes or shoes

    "She sat down and took off her shoes."

    try on

    to put on a piece of clothing to see if it fits

    "Lucía tried on the hat and it was too big."

    I hope you like it

    used when you give something and want the other person to enjoy it

    "The note said, "I hope you like it.""

    It is okay

    used to tell someone not to worry; everything is fine

    "Lucía said, "It is okay. It is very kind of you.""

    I did not know your size

    used to explain that you guessed how big or small something should be

    "Priya said, "I am sorry. I did not know your size.""

    come with you

    to go somewhere together with another person

    "Lucía said, "I will come with you" to the market."

    That is so sweet

    used to say that someone's action was very kind or thoughtful

    "Lucía said, "That is so sweet" when Priya explained the gift."

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