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    What Is Her Name?

    trying to remember someone's namea launderetteCEFR A2
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    Diego is at the . He has a big bag of clothes with him. He puts his clothes into a washing machine. He adds some . He closes the door and presses the button. The machine starts to make a noise. Diego sits down on a plastic chair. He looks around the room. There are other people there too. A woman is sitting near the window. She is reading a . Diego looks at her. He knows her face. He thinks he knows her name. But he cannot it.

    Diego tries to think. He closes his eyes. He says to himself, "I know this woman. I see her every week." He opens his eyes and looks at her again. She has short brown hair. She is wearing a red jacket. Diego thinks, "Is her name Maria? No, that is not right. Is it Sara? No, I do not think so." He feels a little . He wants to say hello to her. But he does not want to use the name. He waits and thinks more. The washing machine is still going around and around. Then the woman looks up from her .

    She at Diego. She says, "Hello! It is good to see you again!" Diego back. He says, "Hello! It is good to see you too!" The woman says, "My name is Laura, by the way. I always forget to say it!" Diego feels very happy. He a little. He says, "Of course! Laura! I am so sorry, I am bad with names." Laura too. She says, "Do not worry, I forget names all the time!" They talk for a long time. They wait together for their clothes to finish. Diego feels much better now.

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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.
    launderette
    /ˌlɔːn.dəˈret/
    noun

    a place where you pay to use washing machines and dryers

    "Diego takes his clothes to the launderette every week."

    remember
    /rɪˈmem.bər/
    verb

    to bring something back into your mind; to not forget

    "She tries to remember the woman's name."

    washing powder
    /ˈwɒʃ.ɪŋ ˌpaʊ.dər/
    noun

    a soap product used to clean clothes in a washing machine

    "He adds washing powder before he starts the machine."

    silly
    /ˈsɪl.i/
    adjective

    feeling a little foolish or embarrassed

    "Diego feels silly because he cannot remember her name."

    magazine
    /ˌmæɡ.əˈziːn/
    noun

    a thin book with stories and pictures that comes out regularly

    "The woman reads a magazine while she waits."

    smile
    /smaɪl/
    verb

    to make a happy expression with your mouth

    "Laura smiles at Diego when she looks up."

    wrong
    /rɒŋ/
    adjective

    not correct; not right

    "Diego does not want to use the wrong name."

    laugh
    /lɑːf/
    verb

    to make a sound that shows you think something is funny

    "Diego and Laura both laugh about forgetting names."

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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.

    by the way

    used to add extra information to a conversation

    ""My name is Laura, by the way," she says."

    all the time

    very often; always happening

    ""I forget names all the time!" says Laura."

    I do not think so

    used to say you believe something is not true or not correct

    "Diego thinks, "Is her name Sara? No, I do not think so.""

    look up

    to raise your eyes and look at something or someone

    "The woman looks up from her magazine and smiles."

    say hello

    to greet someone

    "Diego wants to say hello to the woman."

    feel better

    to be happier or more comfortable than before

    "Diego feels much better after he learns her name."

    I am bad with names

    used to say you often forget or mix up people's names

    ""I am so sorry, I am bad with names," says Diego."

    Do not worry

    used to tell someone there is no problem and they should relax

    ""Do not worry," says Laura. "I forget names all the time!""

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