English Short Stories Random Pages Sample2

English Short Stories
Emma & Jerry, Volume 1

By Ola Zur
www.really-learn-english.com
store.really-learn-english.com
Copyright © 2011 Ola Zur. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced
or transmitted in any form, by any means,
without written permission.
Ola Zur has made her best effort

to produce a high quality, informative and helpful book.
But she makes no representation or warranties of any kind
with regard to the completeness or accuracy of the contents of the book.
She accepts no liability of any kind for any losses or damages
caused or alleged to be caused, directly or indirectly,
from using the information contained in this book.
ITEM3847520944
English Short Stories
Table of Contents
Surprise! .................................................................................................. 4
Oh, the Horror ......................................................................................... 6
Tomorrow, My Dear................................................................................. 8
An Unexpected Hitchhiker ..................................................................... 10
The Free Gift .......................................................................................... 12
Royalty Food .......................................................................................... 15
A Very Special Gift Card ......................................................................... 19
The Wedding.......................................................................................... 22
The (Dead) Washing Machine ................................................................ 26
A Special Family Meeting ....................................................................... 30
Copyright © 2011 Ola Zur | www.really-learn-english.com

ITEM3847520944
4 | English Short Stories
Story 1
Surprise!
Jerry and Emma are husband and wife. It’s summer, and Jerry’s birthday
E
is approaching. Emma wants to give him a present for his birthday, but
PL
she wants it to be a surprise, so she must keep everything a secret.
But she has a big problem. If Jerry cannot know about her plan, how
M
does she find out what to get him for his birthday?
She decides to use a secret technique. For a whole week, while she
SA
pretends to do other things, she actually listens very carefully for clues.
However, Jerry doesn’t really talk about this subject. A whole week
passes with no mention of something he actually wants or needs!
ES
“That’s it!” Emma thinks to herself. “Jerry’s birthday is tomorrow! I’m
taking off the gloves!”
G
She calls her sister-in-law Mary, and they make a secret plan.
PA
Mary will call Jerry, ask him what he would like to receive for his
birthday, and Emma will listen to the conversation (without Jerry
knowing it).
M
The scheme starts out as planned. Mary calls Jerry, and they have a nice
chat about his upcoming birthday. Emma listens carefully from the other
O
room.
D
Finally, she hears what he wants—a pair of sneakers!

AN
“All right!” she thinks to herself.
Full of excitement, she runs out of the room. She is not so quiet, but who
can blame her?
R
She rushes off to the shop and buys a pair of shiny sneakers, exactly
Jerry’s size. She’s very happy. She will get him the present he wants, and
it will be a complete surprise!

English Short Stories | 5
Today is Jerry’s birthday. Emma waits until their special dinner at night.
Finally, the moment arrives. It’s time for Jerry’s present!
Emma brings in the box of sneakers, wrapped in colorful paper.
“Wow!” Jerry says with a big smile. “I wonder what it is.”
E
“Open it and see for yourself!” Emma replies happily.
PL
He tears off the colorful paper and takes out the box. He opens the box.
M
“Oh, it’s a… pair of sneakers! What a lovely… surprise…”
Emma notices that something is wrong. “What’s the matter? You don’t
SA
seem so happy. Don’t you need a pair of sneakers?”
“Hmm…” Jerry takes a look at each shoe.

ES
“Well, didn’t you tell Mary that you wanted a pair of sneakers?” Emma
asks him.
“A pair of sneakers?” Jerry starts to laugh. “I said a pair of speakers!

G
You seem surprised. Well, I guess I could use a pair of sneakers, too!”
PA
M
O
D
AN
R

6 | English Short Stories
Story 2
Oh, the Horror…
Emma and Jerry like to watch movies. No, actually, Emma and Jerry love
E
to watch movies. They have only one tiny problem. They never like the
PL
same movies…
Emma likes horror movies. She likes the fear and the blood.
M
Jerry, on the other hand, hates horror movies. He hates the fear and the
blood. He likes love stories. He likes romantic couples and happy
SA
endings.
Emma hates romantic movies. She thinks they are silly and boring.
ES
At first, they don’t know they have such different tastes in movies.
Emma comes home. “Oh, my goodness!” she calls out. “Jerry! You have
to come with me to the movies. There is this amazing new movie! I must
G
watch it.”
PA
“Which one is it?”
“The Bloody Ax.”

M
Jerry thinks about it for a second, “Hmm… doesn’t it sound a bit weird?”
“Of course not, silly! It seems like an amazing movie. We must watch it.”
O
Emma laughs at him.

D
“Well, if you say so. Let’s go for it.”

AN
Two hours later, Jerry is sitting in the movie theater, screaming. Five
minutes later he is running to the bathroom to throw up.
“Oh, my goodness, Emma. I didn’t know this is what you meant when
R
you said ‘amazing!’ I don’t think I can watch a movie like this again.”
“It’s OK, Jerry,” she says. “I guess you don’t like horror movies as much
as I do.”

English Short Stories | 7
A few days later, Jerry comes home.
“Emma!” he calls out. “Listen! You have to come with me to the movies.
There is this fantastic new movie! We must watch it.”
“Which one is it?”
E
“Sun, Love, and Hope.”
PL
Emma thinks about it for a second, “Hmm… doesn’t it sound a bit silly?”
“Of course not, Emma! It seems like a fantastic movie. We must watch
M
it.” Jerry laughs at her.
SA
“Well, if you say so. Let’s go for it,” Emma agrees.
Two hours later, Emma is sitting in the movie theater, completely stiff.
Five minutes later she is running away in terror.
ES
“Oh, my goodness, Jerry. I didn’t know this is what you meant when you
said ‘fantastic!’ I don’t think I can watch a movie like this again.”
G
Jerry looks at her and says, “Well, I guess you don’t like romantic movies
as much as I do.”
PA
“That’s right,” Emma agrees. “What are we going to do? Will we ever go
to the movies together again?”
M
Jerry thinks about it for a moment and then answers, “I guess we will
have to wait for a horror love story. You know, a boy meets a girl, they
O
fall in love, and then she eats him!”

D
AN
R

E
PL
M
SA
ES
G
PA
M
O
D
AN
R
Copyright © 2011 Ola Zur | www-really-learn-english.com

English Short Stories Workbook
Table of Contents
Story 1—Surprise! Exercises .................................................................................... 5
E
Vocabulary ................................................................................................................... 5
PL
Grammar—Sentence Structure ................................................................................... 7
Grammar—Questions, Negative Sentences and Positive Sentences ......................... 8
Comprehension ......................................................................................................... 10
M
Essay Writing ............................................................................................................. 11
Story 2—Oh, the Horror Exercises ..........................................................................12
SA
Vocabulary ................................................................................................................. 12
Grammar—Sentence Structure ................................................................................. 14
Grammar—Questions, Negative Sentences and Positive Sentences ....................... 15
Comprehension ......................................................................................................... 17
ES
Essay Writing ............................................................................................................. 18
Story 3—Tomorrow, My Dear Exercises ..................................................................19
Vocabulary ................................................................................................................. 19
G

PA
Comprehension ......................................................................................................... 24
Essay Writing ............................................................................................................. 25
Story 4—An Unexpected Hitchhiker Exercises.........................................................26
M
Vocabulary ................................................................................................................. 26
O

Comprehension ......................................................................................................... 31
D
Essay Writing ............................................................................................................. 32

Story 5—The Free Gift Exercises .............................................................................33
AN
Vocabulary ................................................................................................................. 33
R
Comprehension ......................................................................................................... 38
Essay Writing ............................................................................................................. 39

4 | English Short Stories Workbook
Story 6—Royalty Food Exercises .............................................................................40

Vocabulary ................................................................................................................. 40
Comprehension ......................................................................................................... 45
Essay Writing ............................................................................................................. 46
E
Story 7—A Very Special Gift Card Exercises.............................................................47
PL
Vocabulary ................................................................................................................. 47
M
Comprehension ......................................................................................................... 52
Essay Writing ............................................................................................................. 53
SA
Story 8—The Wedding Exercises.............................................................................54
Vocabulary ................................................................................................................. 54
ES
Comprehension ......................................................................................................... 59
Essay Writing ............................................................................................................. 60
G
Story 9—The (Dead) Washing Machine Exercises ....................................................61
Vocabulary ................................................................................................................. 61
PA

Comprehension ......................................................................................................... 66
Essay Writing ............................................................................................................. 67
M
Story 10—A Special Family Meeting Exercises.........................................................68

Vocabulary ................................................................................................................. 68
O

D
Comprehension ......................................................................................................... 73
Essay Writing ............................................................................................................. 74
AN
R

English Short Stories Workbook | 5
Story 1—Surprise!
Exercises
Vocabulary
E
PL
This is a copy of the original story. Go over it and fill in the blanks with the right
words from the box below.
M
technique, carefully, birthday, shiny, yourself, sneakers, Today, gloves,
problem, wonder, tomorrow, complete, However, pair, plan, laugh, subject,
SA
matter, in law, receive, wife, scheme, thinks, clues, present, wrapped, until, tears,
conversation, secret, notices, what, wanted, Finally, each, pretends, excitement
ES
Jerry and Emma are husband and ___________. It’s summer, and Jerry’s
___________ is approaching. Emma wants to give him a ___________ for his
G
birthday, but she wants it to be a surprise, so she must keep everything a
___________.
PA
But she has a big ___________. If Jerry cannot know about her plan, how does she
find out ___________ to get him for his birthday?
She decides to use a secret ___________. For a whole week, while she ___________
M
to do other things, she actually listens very carefully for ___________.

O
___________, Jerry doesn’t really talk about this ___________. A whole week
passes with no mention of something he actually wants or needs!
D
“That’s it!” Emma thinks to herself. “Jerry’s birthday is ___________! I’m taking off
AN
the ___________!”
She calls her sister-___________ Mary, and they make a secret ___________.
R
Mary will call Jerry, ask him what he would like to ___________ for his birthday, and
Emma will listen to the ___________ (without Jerry knowing it).

The ___________ starts out as planned. Mary calls Jerry, and they have a nice chat
about his upcoming birthday. Emma listens ___________ from the other room.
Finally, she hears what he wants—a ___________ of sneakers!
“All right!” she ___________ to herself.
E
Full of ___________, she runs out of the room. She is not so quiet, but who can
PL
blame her?
She rushes off to the shop and buys a pair of ___________sneakers, exactly Jerry’s
M
size. She’s very happy. She will get him the present he wants, and it will be a
___________ surprise!
SA
___________ is Jerry’s birthday. Emma waits ___________ their special dinner at
night.
___________, the moment arrives. It’s time for Jerry’s present!

ES
Emma brings in the box of sneakers, ___________ in colorful paper.
“Wow!” Jerry says with a big smile. “I ___________ what it is.”

G
“Open it and see for ___________!” Emma replies happily.

PA
He ___________ off the colorful paper and takes out the box. He opens the box.
“Oh, it’s a… pair of ___________! What a lovely… surprise…”

M
Emma ___________ that something is wrong. “What’s the ___________? You don’t
seem so happy. Don’t you need a pair of sneakers?”
O
“Hmm...” Jerry takes a look at ___________ shoe.

D
“Well, didn’t you tell Mary that you ___________ a pair of sneakers?” Emma asks
AN
him.
“A pair of sneakers?” Jerry starts to ___________. “I said a pair of speakers!

You seem surprised. Well, I guess I could use a pair of sneakers, too!”
R

Grammar—Sentence Structure
The following sentences are all mixed up. Put the words on each line in the correct
order to make a logical sentence.
1. are wife Emma Jerry and husband and.
E
_________________________________________________________________
PL
2. everything keep Emma must secret a.
_________________________________________________________________
M
3. clues She very listens for carefully .
SA
_________________________________________________________________
4. sister-in-law Mary make plan She her calls they a secret and.
ES
_________________________________________________________________
5. birthday his calls about and have a chat Jerry upcoming they Mary.
G
_________________________________________________________________
PA
6. shiny buys sneakers She to shop and a pair of the rushes off.
_________________________________________________________________
7. birthday Jerry’s Today is.

M
_________________________________________________________________
O
8. dinner waits special at their Emma night until.

D
_________________________________________________________________
AN
9. is I what it wonder.
_________________________________________________________________
R
10. I too of guess pair use I a sneakers could Well.
_________________________________________________________________

Grammar—Questions, Negative Sentences,

and Positive Sentences
Remember:
A positive sentence: Jerry and Emma are husband and wife.
A negative sentence: Jerry and Emma are not husband and wife.
E
A question: Are Jerry and Emma husband and wife?
PL
A positive sentence: Emma listens carefully.
A negative sentence: Emma does not listen carefully.
M
A question: Does Emma listen carefully?
SA
A positive sentence: She should keep it a secret.
A negative sentence: She should not keep it a secret.
A question: Should she keep it a secret?
ES
Turn the following sentences into questions.
1. Jerry has a birthday.

G
_________________________________________________________________
PA
2. Emma wants to buy Jerry a present.
_________________________________________________________________
M
3. Emma can listen to their conversation.
_________________________________________________________________
O
4. Jerry needs speakers.

D
_________________________________________________________________
AN
5. Emma is surprised.
_________________________________________________________________
R

Turn the following sentences into negative sentences.
1. Mary has a birthday.
_________________________________________________________________
2. Does Jerry want sneakers?
E
_________________________________________________________________
PL
3. Emma should tell the truth.
M
_________________________________________________________________
SA
4. Are they very surprised?
_________________________________________________________________
5. Jerry wonders what is inside the box.

ES
_________________________________________________________________
G
Turn the following sentences into positive sentences.

PA
1. Emma doesn’t have a birthday.
_________________________________________________________________
M
2. Jerry doesn’t know about Emma’s plan.

O
_________________________________________________________________
3. Does Mary help Emma?

D
_________________________________________________________________
AN
4. Emma doesn’t buy flowers.
_________________________________________________________________
R
5. Do Mary and Jerry talk?
_________________________________________________________________

Comprehension
Answer the following questions.
1. Why doesn’t Emma ask Jerry what he wants for his birthday?
__________________________________________________________________
E
PL
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
M
2. Who is Mary?
SA
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
ES
__________________________________________________________________
G
3. What secret plan do Emma and Mary make?
__________________________________________________________________
PA
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
M
O
4. Does Jerry really need a pair of sneakers?
__________________________________________________________________
D
__________________________________________________________________
AN
__________________________________________________________________
R

Essay Writing
Answer the following questions. Write a short essay for each.
1. How do you decide what birthday present to buy for someone?
__________________________________________________________________
E
PL
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
M
__________________________________________________________________
SA
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
ES
__________________________________________________________________
G
2. Have you ever received a gift you did not want or need? What did you do
PA
about it?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
M
__________________________________________________________________
O
__________________________________________________________________
D
__________________________________________________________________
AN
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
R
__________________________________________________________________

1 | English Short Stories for Beginners, www-really-learn-english.com
E
PL
M
SA
ES
G
PA
M
O
D
AN
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English Short Stories Answer Book | 1
Story 1—Surprise!
Exercises
Vocabulary
E
PL
This is a copy of the original story. Go over it and fill in the blanks with the right
words from the box below.
Compare to original story.
M
SA
Grammar—Sentence Structure
The following sentences are all mixed up. Put the words on each line in the correct
order to make a logical sentence.
ES
1. are wife Emma Jerry and husband and.
Jerry and Emma are husband and wife.

G
2. everything keep Emma must secret a.

PA
Emma must keep everything a secret.
3. clues She very listens for carefully.

M
She listens very carefully for clues.
4. sister-in-law Mary make plan She her calls they a secret and.
O
She calls her sister-in-law Mary, and they make a secret plan.
D
5. birthday his calls about and have a chat Jerry upcoming they Mary.
AN
Mary calls Jerry, and they have a nice chat about upcoming birthday.
6. shiny buys sneakers She to shop and a pair of the rushes Jerry’s size off.
R
She rushes off to the shop and buys a pair of shiny sneakers, exactly Jerry’s size.
7. birthday Jerry’s Today is.

2 | English Short Stories Answer Book
Today is Jerry’s birthday.
8. dinner waits special at their Emma night until.
Emma waits until their special dinner at night.
E
9. is I what it wonder.
PL
I wonder what it is.
10. I too of guess pair use I a sneakers could Well.
M
Well, I guess I could use a pair of sneakers, too.
SA
Grammar—Questions, Negative Sentences,
and Positive Sentences
Turn the following sentences into questions.
ES
1. Jerry has a birthday.
Does Jerry have a birthday?

G
2. Emma wants to buy Jerry a present.

PA
Does Emma want to buy Jerry a present?
3. Emma can listen to their conversation.

M
Can Emma listen to their conversation?

O
4. Jerry needs speakers.

D
Does Jerry need speakers?

AN
5. Emma is surprised.
Is Emma surprised?
R
Turn the following sentences into negative sentences.
1. Mary has a birthday.

English Short Stories Answer Book | 3
Mary does not have a birthday.
2. Does Jerry want sneakers?
Jerry does not want sneakers.
E
3. Emma should tell the truth.
PL
Emma should not tell the truth.
4. Are they very surprised?
M
They are not very surprised.
SA
5. Jerry wonders what is inside the box.
Jerry does not wonder with is inside the box.

ES
Turn the following sentences into positive sentences.
1. Emma doesn’t have a birthday.

G
Emma has a birthday.

PA
2. Jerry doesn’t know about Emma’s plan.
Jerry knows about Emma’s plan

M
3. Does Mary help Emma?

O
Mary helps Emma.
4. Emma doesn’t buy flowers.

D
Emma buys flowers.

AN
5. Do Mary and Jerry talk?
Mary and Jerry talk.

R

4 | English Short Stories Answer Book
Comprehension
Answer the following questions.
1. Why doesn’t Emma ask Jerry what he wants for his birthday?
She wants it to be a surprise.
E
PL
2. Who is Mary?
Mary is Emma’s sister-in-law. She is Jerry’s sister.
M
3. What secret plan do Emma and Mary make?
SA
Mary will call Jerry and ask him what he wants for his birthday.
4. Does Jerry really need a pair of sneakers?
No, he needs a pair of speakers.

ES
Essay Writing
G
Answer the following questions. Write a short essay for each.

PA
1. How do you decide what birthday present to buy for someone?
Answers will vary.
2. Have you ever received a gift you did not want or need? What did you do
M
about it?
O
Answers will vary.

D
AN
R

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English Short Stories

Emma & Jerry, Volume 1

Copyright © 2011 Ola Zur. All rights reserved.

Ola Zur has made her best effort

Oh, the Horror ......................................................................................... 6

An Unexpected Hitchhiker ..................................................................... 10

The Free Gift .......................................................................................... 12

Royalty Food .......................................................................................... 15

A Very Special Gift Card ......................................................................... 19

The (Dead) Washing Machine ................................................................ 26

A Special Family Meeting ....................................................................... 30

Copyright © 2011 Ola Zur | www.really-learn-english.com

Finally, she hears what he wants—a pair of sneakers!

“All right!” she thinks to herself.

Copyright © 2011 Ola Zur | www.really-learn-english.com

Finally, the moment arrives. It’s time for Jerry’s present!

Emma brings in the box of sneakers, wrapped in colorful paper.

“Wow!” Jerry says with a big smile. “I wonder what it is.”

“Hmm…” Jerry takes a look at each shoe.

“A pair of sneakers?” Jerry starts to laugh. “I said a pair of speakers!

Copyright © 2011 Ola Zur | www.really-learn-english.com

“Which one is it?”

“The Bloody Ax.”

Emma laughs at him.

“Well, if you say so. Let’s go for it.”

Copyright © 2011 Ola Zur | www.really-learn-english.com

A few days later, Jerry comes home.

“Which one is it?”

fall in love, and then she eats him!”

Copyright © 2011 Ola Zur | www.really-learn-english.com

Copyright © 2011 Ola Zur | www-really-learn-english.com

Grammar—Sentence Structure ................................................................................. 21

Grammar—Questions, Negative Sentences and Positive Sentences ....................... 29

Essay Writing ............................................................................................................. 32

Copyright © 2011 Ola Zur | www.really-learn-english.com

Story 6—Royalty Food Exercises .............................................................................40

Grammar—Sentence Structure ................................................................................. 63

Story 10—A Special Family Meeting Exercises.........................................................68

Grammar—Sentence Structure ................................................................................. 70

Copyright © 2011 Ola Zur | www.really-learn-english.com

to do other things, she actually listens very carefully for ___________.

Copyright © 2011 Ola Zur | www.really-learn-english.com

Finally, she hears what he wants—a ___________ of sneakers!

“All right!” she ___________ to herself.

___________, the moment arrives. It’s time for Jerry’s present!

“Wow!” Jerry says with a big smile. “I ___________ what it is.”

“Open it and see for ___________!” Emma replies happily.

“Oh, it’s a… pair of ___________! What a lovely… surprise…”

“Hmm...” Jerry takes a look at ___________ shoe.

“A pair of sneakers?” Jerry starts to ___________. “I said a pair of speakers!

Copyright © 2011 Ola Zur | www.really-learn-english.com

1. are wife Emma Jerry and husband and.

7. birthday Jerry’s Today is.

8. dinner waits special at their Emma night until.

10. I too of guess pair use I a sneakers could Well.

Copyright © 2011 Ola Zur | www.really-learn-english.com

Grammar—Questions, Negative Sentences,

1. Jerry has a birthday.

2. Emma wants to buy Jerry a present.

3. Emma can listen to their conversation.

4. Jerry needs speakers.

Copyright © 2011 Ola Zur | www.really-learn-english.com

Turn the following sentences into negative sentences.