Kitabı oxu: «Английский в повседневных историях. 10 историй для лёгкого старта»
© Джимми Теллинг, 2026
ISBN 978-5-0071-2937-4
Создано в интеллектуальной издательской системе Ridero
Предисловие
Эта книга создана для тех, кто начинает изучать английский язык и хочет не просто запоминать отдельные слова и правила, а постепенно учиться понимать живой английский в контексте.
В книге вас ждут 10 коротких историй на повседневные темы. Герои работают, встречаются с друзьями, теряют вещи, опаздывают на автобус, готовят ужин, устраивают сюрпризы и попадают в небольшие забавные ситуации. Все истории написаны простым и понятным языком и постепенно становятся немного сложнее.
Каждая глава построена так, чтобы вы могли развивать сразу несколько навыков. Перед чтением вы познакомитесь с ключевой лексикой, затем прочитаете историю, разберёте полезные слова и выражения и выполните задания на понимание текста, грамматику, письмо и устную речь.
Грамматика в книге изучается постепенно и всегда связана с сюжетом. Вы встретите конструкции с to be, Present Simple, Present Continuous, there is / there are, some / any, can / can’t, а затем начнёте знакомство с прошедшим временем.
Не стремитесь понимать каждое слово с первого раза. Сначала попробуйте уловить общий смысл истории, а уже затем возвращайтесь к незнакомой лексике и упражнениям. Если какая-то глава кажется сложной, её всегда можно перечитать ещё раз через несколько дней.
Лучше заниматься регулярно и понемногу, чем пытаться пройти несколько глав за один раз. Читайте вслух, отвечайте на вопросы полными предложениями, повторяйте новые выражения и старайтесь использовать их в речи.
И главное — не бойтесь ошибок. Они являются естественной частью изучения языка.
Пусть эти 10 историй станут вашим первым шагом к тому, чтобы читать на английском свободнее, понимать больше и чувствовать себя увереннее.
Приятного чтения и успешного изучения английского!
LESSON 1
The New Neighbour
Before You Read
Learn these words before you read the story.
neighbour — сосед / соседка
building — здание, дом
floor — этаж
move — переезжать
box — коробка
heavy — тяжёлый
friendly — дружелюбный
alone — один, в одиночестве
The New Neighbour
Anna is twenty-eight years old. She lives in a small apartment in Manchester. Her apartment is on the third floor of an old building. It is not very big, but Anna likes it. There is a small kitchen, a bedroom and a living room with two large windows.
Anna lives alone, but she is not lonely. She has a lot of friends, and her sister lives only ten minutes away. Anna also has a cat. His name is Charlie. He is big, grey and very lazy.
It is Saturday morning. Anna is at home. She is in the kitchen with a cup of coffee when she hears a noise outside her apartment.
She opens the door.
There are several boxes in the hall. A young man is standing next to them. He has a large box in his hands.
«Hello,» Anna says.
The man looks at her and smiles.
«Hi! Sorry about the noise.»
«That’s okay,» Anna says. «Are you moving in?»
«Yes. I’m your new neighbour.»
«Oh! Welcome to the building. I’m Anna.»
«I’m Daniel. Nice to meet you.»
«Nice to meet you too.»
Daniel puts the box on the floor.
«Is that heavy?» Anna asks.
«Very heavy,» Daniel says and laughs. «I have too many books.»
Anna looks at all the boxes.
«Do you need help?»
«No, thank you. My brother is downstairs. He’s bringing more boxes.»
At that moment, Charlie comes out of Anna’s apartment. He walks slowly towards Daniel and sits next to his feet.
«Oh, hello!» Daniel says. «Is this your cat?»
«Yes. His name is Charlie.»
Daniel sits down and touches Charlie’s head. Charlie immediately closes his eyes.
«He likes you,» Anna says. «That’s unusual. He doesn’t like many people.»
«Really? I love cats.»
«Then you’re a good neighbour already,» Anna says.
Daniel laughs.
«Do you live here alone?» he asks.
«Yes, just me and Charlie. What about you?»
«I live alone too. I’m new to Manchester.»
«Where are you from?»
«I’m from Bristol, but I have a new job here.»
«What do you do?»
«I’m a photographer.»
«That sounds interesting!»
«And you?»
«I’m an English teacher.»
Daniel smiles.
«Perfect. Maybe you can help me with my grammar.»
«Maybe,» Anna says. «But lessons aren’t free.»
They both laugh.
A man appears at the end of the hall with two more boxes.
«Daniel!» he calls. «Are you going to help me?»
«That’s my brother,» Daniel says. «I should go.»
«Of course.»
«Thanks for the welcome, Anna.»
«You’re welcome. See you later.»
«See you!»
Anna goes back into her apartment. Charlie stays in the hall.
«Charlie!» Anna calls.
The cat looks at her but doesn’t move. He is still sitting next to Daniel.
Daniel smiles.
«I think I already have my first friend in Manchester.»
Anna laughs.
«I think you do.»
Vocabulary
Learn these words and expressions from the story.
apartment — квартира
neighbour — сосед / соседка
move in — въехать, заселиться
live alone — жить одному
noise — шум
heavy — тяжёлый
downstairs — внизу, на нижнем этаже
need help — нуждаться в помощи
be new to a city — быть новым в городе
What do you do? — Кем вы работаете? / Чем вы занимаетесь?
That sounds interesting! — Звучит интересно!
See you later! — Увидимся позже!
EXERCISES
Exercise 1. Answer the questions
Answer the questions about the story.
How old is Anna?
Where does she live?
Who does Anna live with?
What is Anna doing when she hears a noise?
Who is Daniel?
Why does Daniel have so many boxes?
What is the name of Anna’s cat?
Where is Daniel from?
Why is Daniel in Manchester?
What does Daniel do?
What does Anna do?
Who becomes Daniel’s first friend in Manchester?
Exercise 2. True or False?
Read the sentences and decide if they are true or false. Correct the false sentences.
Anna lives in London.
Her apartment is on the third floor.
Anna lives with her sister.
Charlie is Anna’s cat.
Daniel is Anna’s new neighbour.
Daniel has a lot of books.
Daniel is from Manchester.
Daniel is a photographer.
Anna is an English teacher.
Charlie doesn’t like Daniel.
Exercise 3. Choose the correct word
Choose the correct option.
Anna lives alone / downstairs / heavy.
Daniel is Anna’s new teacher / neighbour / brother.
Daniel has a lot of books / cats / coffee.
Charlie is a big grey dog / cat / rabbit.
Daniel is from Bristol / London / Manchester.
Daniel has a new friend / apartment / job in Manchester.
Anna is an English photographer / teacher / student.
Daniel’s brother is downstairs / alone / new.
Exercise 4. Complete the sentences
Complete the sentences with the words from the box.
neighbour • alone • heavy • friendly • floor • help • job • building
Anna lives on the third __________.
Daniel is her new __________.
Anna lives __________ with her cat.
The box is very __________.
Anna asks Daniel if he needs __________.
Daniel has a new __________ in Manchester.
Anna lives in an old __________.
Daniel seems nice and __________.
Exercise 5. Grammar — am, is or are?
Complete the sentences with am, is or are.
Anna ______ twenty-eight years old.
She ______ an English teacher.
Daniel ______ her new neighbour.
«I ______ from Bristol,» Daniel says.
The boxes ______ in the hall.
Charlie ______ a grey cat.
Anna and Daniel ______ neighbours.
«______ you new to Manchester?»
«Yes, I ______.»
Daniel’s brother ______ downstairs.
Exercise 6. Make negative sentences
Make the sentences negative. Use am not, isn’t or aren’t.
Example:
Anna is from London. → Anna isn’t from London.
Daniel is from Manchester.
Anna is a photographer.
Charlie is a dog.
The boxes are light.
Anna and Daniel are brother and sister.
Daniel is an English teacher.
Exercise 7. Make questions
Put the words in the correct order.
you / are / new / here /?
from / where / you / are /?
a photographer / Daniel / is /?
Anna / is / teacher / a /?
Charlie / is / your cat /?
the boxes / heavy / are /?
Exercise 8. About You
Answer the questions about yourself. Try to write full sentences.
What is your name?
How old are you?
Where are you from?
Where do you live?
Do you live alone?
Do you have a pet?
What do you do?
Are you new to your city?
Are your neighbours friendly?
What is important for you in a good neighbour?
Speaking Practice
Imagine that you meet a new neighbour for the first time.
Introduce yourself and ask them some questions.
You can use these phrases:
Hi! I’m…
Nice to meet you.
Are you new here?
Where are you from?
Do you live alone?
What do you do?
Do you have any pets?
Welcome to the building!
See you later!
ANSWER KEY
Exercise 1
Anna is twenty-eight years old.
She lives in Manchester.
She lives with her cat, Charlie.
She is drinking/having coffee in the kitchen.
Daniel is Anna’s new neighbour.
He has many books.
His name is Charlie.
Daniel is from Bristol.
He has a new job in Manchester.
He is a photographer.
Anna is an English teacher.
Charlie becomes Daniel’s first friend in Manchester.
Exercise 2
False. Anna lives in Manchester.
True.
False. Anna lives alone with her cat.
True.
True.
True.
False. Daniel is from Bristol.
True.
True.
False. Charlie likes Daniel.
Exercise 3
alone
neighbour
books
cat
Bristol
job
teacher
downstairs
Exercise 4
floor
neighbour
alone
heavy
help
job
building
friendly
Exercise 5
is
is
is
am
are
is
are
Are
am
is
Exercise 6
Daniel isn’t from Manchester.
Anna isn’t a photographer.
Charlie isn’t a dog.
The boxes aren’t light.
Anna and Daniel aren’t brother and sister.
Daniel isn’t an English teacher.
Exercise 7
Are you new here?
Where are you from?
Is Daniel a photographer?
Is Anna a teacher?
Is Charlie your cat?
Are the boxes heavy?
LESSON 2
A Very Busy Morning
Before You Read
Learn these words before you read the story.
alarm clock — будильник
wake up — просыпаться
get dressed — одеваться
hurry — спешить
usually — обычно
forget — забывать
leave — уходить, уезжать
late — опоздавший, поздно
A Very Busy Morning
Emma works in a small travel agency in Leeds. She likes her job, but she doesn’t like mornings.
Every weekday, Emma gets up at seven o’clock. She usually stays in bed for five more minutes and checks her phone. Then she gets up, takes a shower and gets dressed.
At half past seven, she goes into the kitchen. She makes a cup of coffee and usually has toast with cheese for breakfast. Sometimes she has an egg or some fruit too.
Emma leaves home at eight o’clock. She walks to the bus stop and takes the number 16 bus to work. The journey takes about twenty minutes. Her work starts at nine, so she usually has plenty of time.
But today is different.
Emma opens her eyes and looks at her phone.
8:17.
«What?!»
She sits up quickly.
Her alarm clock is silent.
«Oh no!»
Emma usually needs an hour to get ready in the morning. Today she has less than fifteen minutes.
She jumps out of bed and runs to the bathroom.
There is no time for a shower. She washes her face, brushes her teeth and quickly gets dressed.
«Coffee,» she says to herself. «I need coffee.»
She runs into the kitchen and turns on the coffee machine. While she waits, she looks for something to eat.
There is some bread on the table, but there is no cheese.
«No breakfast today.»
Her coffee is ready. Emma takes one quick drink.
«Ouch! Too hot!»
She puts the cup down and looks at the time.
8:28.
«I have to go!»
Emma puts on her coat, takes her bag and runs out of the apartment.
She is halfway down the street when she suddenly stops.
«My phone!»
She looks inside her bag.
No phone.
Emma runs back home, opens the door and finds her phone on the bed.
«Okay. Now I can go.»
She runs downstairs again.
At the bus stop, she sees the number 16 bus.
«Wait!»
Emma runs towards it, but the doors close.
The bus leaves.
«No, no, no!»
The next bus comes in fifteen minutes. Emma looks at the time again. She knows she is going to be late.
She takes out her phone and calls her colleague, Lucy.
«Hi, Lucy.»
«Morning! Where are you?»
«That’s the problem. I’m still at the bus stop.»
Lucy laughs.
«Did you sleep too long again?»
«Again? This never happens!»
«Emma, it happened last month.»
«That was different.»
«How?»
Emma thinks for a moment.
«I don’t remember.»
Lucy laughs again.
«Don’t worry. The office is quiet this morning. Just get here safely.»
«Thanks, Lucy.»
Emma puts her phone back in her bag.
Then she notices something strange.
People at the bus stop are looking at her feet.
Emma looks down.
On her left foot, she is wearing a black shoe.
On her right foot, she is wearing a white trainer.
Emma closes her eyes.
«Perfect.»
An old woman next to her smiles.
«Busy morning?»
«You have no idea,» Emma says.
Finally, the next bus arrives.
Emma gets on and finds a seat near the window. For the first time that morning, she relaxes.
Then her phone rings.
It is Lucy.
«Emma?»
«Yes?»
«Before you come to the office, can you buy some milk? We don’t have any.»
Emma looks out of the window and starts laughing.
«Of course. Why not?»
