"Night. Dead silence. Only the breath of the night sways the grass on the plain. A lonely fire burns in the night,” this is how this story begins, written back in 1955 by the great dreamer and almost madman Ray Bradbury. Read an online story in English called The Dragon. The story is adapted for intermediate level(intermediate). Words to learn are included.
The Dragon by Ray Bradbury (part 1, for intermediate)
Words for understanding:
- on the moor- on a plain covered with heather
- in the wilderness- in this wild place
- strewn hither and thither- scattered here and there
- the birth of Jesus- birth of Christ
The night fell, the silence was on the moor. It was years since a bird had flown in the dark sky. Two men were sitting by their lonely fire in the wilderness, darkness pumped quietly in their veins and ticked silently in their temples and their wrists .
Firelight glamed on their wild faces. They listened to each other's faint breathing.
At last, one man poked the fire with his sword.
“Don't do that; you'll give us away! »
“No matter,” said the second man. “The dragon can smell us miles off, anyway. How cold it is! I wish I was back at the castle."
“It’s death, not sleep, we’re after...”
"Why? Why? The dragon never sets foot in the town!”
“Quiet, fool! “He eats men traveling alone from our town to the next!”
“Let them be eaten and let us get home!”
“Wait now; listen!”
The two men sat in silence. They waited for a long time, nothing had happened, nothing was heard, there was only the shake of their horses’ buckles, softly, softly.
"Ah." The second man sighed. “What a land of nightmares. Everything happens here. God, listen! This dragon, they say his eyes are fire. His breath is white gas; you can see him go across the dark lands. He runs with thunder and kindles the grass. Sheep panic and die insane. Women deliver forth monsters. The dragon’s fury is such that tower walls shake back to dust. His victims, at sunrise, are strewn hither and thather on the hills. How many knights, I ask, have gone for this monster and failed, even as we shall fail? »
"Enough of that!"
“More than enough!” Out here I cannot tell what year this is!”
"Nine hundred years since the birth of Jesus«.
“No, no,” whispered the second man, eyes shut. “On this moor is no Time, is only Forever. I feel if I ran back on the road the town would be gone, the people yet unborn, things changed; don’t ask how I know, the moor knows, and tells me. And here we sit alone in the land of the fire dragon. God save us!
“What's use? The dragon runs from nowhere; we cannot guess its home. It vanishes in fog, we know not where it goes. Aye, put on our armour, we’ll die well-dressed.”
The second man turned his head.
The Dragon by Ray Bradbury (part 2, for intermediate)
Words for understanding:
- all the time confused- time is mixed up
- the midnight wilderness- midnight desert
- terrible wailing cry- a terrifying piercing howl
- gave him plenty of whistle- whistled loudly
Across the dim country the wind blew full of dus t from clocks that used dust for telling time. The burnt leaves were shaken from some autumn tree beyond the horizon. This wind blew, making the blood thicken. It was a thousand souls dying and all the time confused. It was a fog inside of a darkness, and this place was no man’s place and there was no year or hour at all, but only these men were standing in the emptiness of the moor. Sudden thunder was heard, then came the lightning. The rain drenched the moor, and the two men were waiting alone, listening to its sound.
“There,” whispered the first man. "Oh, there..."
Miles off, rushing with a great roar appeared the dragon.
In silence the men mounted their horses. The midnight wilderness was split by as the dragon roared nearer, nearer. Its yellow glare appeared above a hill and then disappeared into a valley.
They spurred their horses forward to a small hollow.
“This is where it passes!”
They got their swords ready for the battle.
On the instant the dragon rounded a hill. Its monstrous yellow eye flashed on them. With a terrible wailing cry it was going forward.
'Mercy, God!'
The sword struck under the huge yellow eye. The dragon buckled him, threw the man through the air, knocked him down. Passing, the monster smashed the other horse and a rider. The two knights were dead. The roaring dragon, the fire and the smoke all around, disappeared.
"Did you see it?" cried a voice. "Just like I told you!"
“The same! The same! A knight in armor, by the Lord, Harry! We hit him!
“Are you going to stop?”
“Did once; found nothing. Don’t like to stop on this moor. I get the willies."
"But we've hit something."
"We gave him plenty of whistle; but he didn’t move.”
The steam cut the mist aside.
"We'll arrive at Stokely on time. More coal, eh, Fred?”
The night train vanished over cold earth, towards the north, leaving black smoke and steam to dissolve in the air minutes after it had passed and gone forever.
Read more online stories in English for intermediate level writer Ray Bradbury / Read more short stories by Ray Bradbury in the category —
Friends, you already know that learning English is divided into levels: elementary, basic, intermediate, professional, etc. Each of these levels gives a person certain knowledge of the English language corresponding to a given stage of learning. Consequently, each level has its own requirements and its own degree of difficulty in learning the language.
Today we will focus on reading in English at the Intermediate or intermediate level. What books, what texts are suitable for those studying English at the Pre Intermediate, Intermediate Upper Intermediate level, what can you read to improve your knowledge of the English language and enrich your vocabulary?
Reading skills at pre-threshold, intermediate and advanced levels have significant advantages over previous levels. At these stages of training, you have a good understanding of the literature at these levels. You are able to read and understand articles on the Internet, newspapers and magazines. You can start reading simple literature in the original, you understand the meaning and main idea of the material you read.
Let's start with reading at the Pre Intermediate level. Since this is a pre-threshold level, that is, a stage up to the intermediate level, the texts and books here are almost no different from reading at a basic level. What can you read at the Pre level? Pay attention to the following authors and their works:
- David A. Hill "How I Met Myself?"
- Isaac Asimov "I, Robot"
- Jack London "Call of the Wild"
- Stephen Colbourn "Robin Hood"
- David Morrison "The Mind Map"
Since the Intermediate level is an average, intermediate level of language learning, texts and books in English should be of average complexity. This means that the reader must grasp the main meaning, the essence of the story or the book as a whole, despite the fact that he still encounters unfamiliar words.
Stories and novellas in English (short stories) are perfect for reading at an intermediate level. If you want your reading to be not only useful, but also exciting, then we bring to your attention:
- Humorous stories by O'Henry
- Stories by Ray Bradbury
- Detective stories by Sara Paretsky
- Famous stories about Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson by Arthur Conan Doyle
And finally, books in English at the Upper level. This stage of learning is more difficult than the previous one, therefore, reading will be the same:
- Herman Melville "Moby Dick"
- Peter Abrahams "Mine Boy"
- Alan Maley "A Tangled Web"
- Margaret Johnson "Jungle Love"
- John Stainbeck "Of Mice and Men"
- Margaret Johnson "All I Want"
These three levels are somewhat similar, but they also have significant differences. The Pre level prepares us to study English at an intermediate level; the intermediate level itself equips us with the basis for the Upper level, etc. Accordingly, reading proceeds in an increasing order.
How to read profitably?
- Get a notebook or notepad in which you will write down all the words you don’t know.
- Pay attention to the context in which a particular word is used.
- Translate the words in writing.
- Make up phrases, sentences, and a short story with them.
- Use new words in short dialogues.
- Make a written plan for the passage you read.
- Retell the fragment out loud in English.
- Work in this order for each chapter or passage you read.
In this way, your reading will be productive, and very soon you will achieve good results in working with English vocabulary.
Hello friends. Many teachers include independent extracurricular reading in their curriculum. Some assign readings from classic works or adapted versions of books, but short stories that can be printed out and distributed to students are much better suited for this purpose.
The boy was soaking wet. He was standing in a puddle of water. His clothes hung heavy on his body. Suddenly, a sharp razor-like slither of white light blazed above his head and a gravelly rumbling echoed in his ears. Then came another downpour. He pulled his jacket tightly...
Long, long ago, in the winter-time, when the snowflakes were falling like little white feathers from the sky, a beautiful Queen sat beside her window, which was framed in black ebony, and stitched. As she worked, she looked sometimes at the falling snow, and so it happened that she pricked ...
In old days, it was believed that the seventh son, in a family of sons, was a conjurer by nature, and that he could work wonders like the fairies and cure diseases better than any doctor. If he were the seventh son of a seventh son, he was himself ...
Down below there was only a vast white sea of clouds. Above there was the sun, and the sun was white like the clouds, because it is never yellow when one looks at it from high in the air. He was still flying the Spitfire.* His right hand was on ...
JACK SELLS THE COW Once upon a time there was a poor widow who lived in a little cottage with her only son Jack. Jack was a giddy, thoughtless boy, but very kind-hearted and affectionate. There had been a hard winter, and after it the poor woman had suffered from ...
Hello, my beloved readers!
Have you ever wondered how to force yourself to listen and read more at the very beginning of learning a language? After all, it seems like it’s so complicated, and difficult, and uninteresting... and you can come up with a couple hundred more excuses!
Today I will share a method that helps my students a lot. I will give you stories in English for beginners (by the way, I have begun to form - please)!
I have prepared short and very interesting stories with parallel translation for you. This practice at the beginning of learning a language helps you quickly and also absorb the structure of the language as a whole.
Story 1
Sudden rain.
Sudden rain.
It was definitely going to rain. The sky turned into gray and there was no sun at all. It was already a noon.
It was definitely going to rain. The sky turned gray and there was no sun at all. It was already noon.
Mary was standing at the corner of the street talking to Jane. Both of them were holding shopping bags in their hands.
Mary stood on the street corner talking to Jane. They were holding shopping bags in their hands.
Mary and Jane started to discuss the weather.
-Do you like rain? -Mary asked.
-Yes, actually I do. - Answered Jane. - When it rains, I sit on the porch and drink tea. Rain is quite refreshing and allows to think about everything. And you?
Mary and Jane began to discuss the weather.
Do you like rain? - asked Mary.
Yes, actually I like it,” Jane replied. - When it rains, I sit on the porch and drink tea. The rain is very refreshing and allows you to think about everything. And you?
-Well, I love when it rains during the summer. But I can’t stand rainy weather in winter.
I love it when it rains in summer. But I can't stand rainy weather in winter.
They were talking when a sudden stroke of thunder interrupted them. The heavy rain was about to start. Jane noticed that Mary didn’t have an umbrella. She decided to invite her for a cup of tea and continue their conversation sitting on her porch.
-I have no objections. At least, we can spend more time talking about your journey to the USA.
They were talking when a sudden clap of thunder interrupted them. It was about to start raining heavily. Jane noticed that Mary did not have an umbrella. She decided to invite her for a cup of tea and continue their conversation while sitting on the porch.
I do not mind. At least we can spend more time chatting about your trip to the US.
At the initial stage of study, it is very important that the stories are adapted specifically to your level. These stories are exactly like that. So try another exciting story with translation and audio.
Story 2
A Book Shop Robbery.
Bookstore robbery.
Sandy was on her way to work. Being the owner of a book shop was her dream. She loved books and the smell of recently published ones.
Sandy was on her way to work. Being a bookstore owner was her dream. She loved books and the smell of newly published books.
When she got to the shop she noticed that there was something wrong with the door. It was open. She remembered closing it last night. So there was only one explanation - she was robbed.
When she reached the store, she noticed that something was wrong with the door. It was open. She remembered closing it last night. So there was only one explanation - she was robbed.
Entering the shop she realized that the place was turned upside down. All the books were on the floor. She checked the till and thanked herself for taking all the money to the bank last night so there was nothing to steal.
Upon entering the store, she realized that everything was turned upside down. All the books were on the floor. She checked the cash register and thanked herself for taking all the money to the bank last night so there was nothing to steal.
She was upset but the relief of the thought that nothing was stolen calmed her down.
-I need to set an alarm system, - thought Sandy and started placing books on the bookshelves.
She was upset, but the relief of knowing that nothing had been stolen calmed her.
We need to install an alarm, Sandy thought and began to lay out books on the bookshelves.
If you want not only to learn to read, but also to perceive texts by ear, then I suggest listening to these stories. I recommend that you first read the story several times, then read and listen at the same time, and not at the last stage just listen.
2. A Book Shop Robbery
Nowadays you can find hundreds of stories online that will help you quickly master the initial stages of the English language. You can read, listen to, download for your travels, and all this is completely free. Don't be lazy and spend 20 minutes a day.
And if you don’t know what to learn, then subscribe to my newsletter, where I will constantly give you new materials and ideas for studying, as well as replenish your piggy bank with new stories for different levels.
Remember that the most important thing on the way to good English is practice.
Until we meet again, my dears.
Reading is for our mind what working out in the gym is for our body. In this article we will give you links to 7 sites with texts for reading in English. Try to “pump up” your brain!
1. English as a Second Language
This site is suitable for beginners with level and. All texts are short, they use simple words and elementary grammar - three tenses of the Simple group. Try to read at least 2-3 texts daily, it will only take 5-10 minutes.
The themes of the texts are different, often they are small jokes. All words are selected in such a way that the student not only reads texts in English, but also expands his vocabulary. So, you can learn the first phrasal verbs, frequently used words and expressions.
Feature of this resource: Each text is accompanied by an audio recording. The speaker speaks clearly and slowly, which is exactly what beginners need to learn to understand English by ear.
2. English Online
This resource was created specifically for English language learners with advanced level and above. The texts are not very long, but they are full of useful expressions and words.
Articles on various topics are adapted specifically for students: the most commonly used vocabulary and simple grammatical structures are used. At the moment, several hundred texts on various topics are available for reading on the site. They are all quite interesting, so this resource contains the optimal proportion of education and entertainment.
Feature of this resource: In all articles you will see words in bold. This is the vocabulary you are asked to learn. After the text of the article you will find an English-English dictionary with these words. Thus, the site performs an important function - you can learn new vocabulary on it in context.
3. Short Stories
This site is suitable for all lovers of fiction. There are no adapted texts or dictionaries here, only stories by English-speaking authors in their unaltered form.
The site presents 8 popular genres: children's literature, detective, fantasy, horror, humor, documentary, novel, science fiction. If you are at the Pre-Intermediate level, try starting to read children's stories. In these texts, the characters speak in fairly simple words, and at the same time, their speech is lively and unadapted. You can try reading any stories at a level; it’s better to start with short texts in your favorite genre.
Feature of this resource: the variety of genres of stories on this site will not allow even the most demanding reader to get bored. Additionally, you can sort stories by length. To do this, select any of the genres you are interested in and click on the All stories button. In the tab that opens, you can select stories from 1-2 to 30+ pages in length. This is quite convenient: you can select your text depending on the availability of free time.
4. Breaking News English
The site is suitable for students from Elementary to , who want to keep up with the latest news and improve their English. News is sorted by date - from the most recent to the oldest. Sources are indicated for each - if interested, you can read them in the relevant media and compare the presentation of information.
For all news there are reading, listening, vocabulary and writing exercises.
Feature of this resource: the same news is adapted to several levels - see what words and grammatical structures can convey the same information.
5. Infosquares
This site contains only a few dozen texts, but it is worthy of your attention. The resource is suitable for students with an Intermediate level and above.
The resource differs from previous sites in that your task is now not just to read the text and understand the main idea, but to grasp even the smallest details. On the tab with any article you will find not only a link to the text itself, but also a test to test your reading comprehension. Therefore, we advise everyone who is preparing for an English language exam to pay attention to this resource, because you can “rehearse” the Reading section on this resource.
Feature of this resource: The main purpose of this site is to check how well you understand the text. Therefore, we recommend studying on this site about once a month, and reading other articles the rest of the time. This way you will see how quickly your English reading skill is developing and how attentive you are when reading.
6. Study Zone
This site is similar to the previous one: the small amount of materials is more than compensated by the presence of various exercises that test understanding of the text. Here you can study at the Pre-Intermediate level and above.
Feature of this resource: Of course, the main advantage of this site is the availability of exercises for understanding and memorizing the text. In addition, we must pay tribute to the authors of the site - they have collected the most interesting stories for you and presented the information in a convenient form.
7. Dreamreader
This resource will be of interest to those who like to read various educational and entertaining articles on the Internet. The site is suitable for students at the Elementary level and above.
Most of the texts on this site are presented in the Fun English and Academic English sections. The beauty of the articles is that they are written in simple but lively language. And the topics discussed in the articles are relevant and cover a variety of aspects of life: from body language to fast food, from UFOs to “cat” idioms. Each text is accompanied by a series of questions to help you check how well you understood what you read.
Feature of this resource: the site is a 2 in 1 tool. You can not only read the article, but also listen to it. Moreover, the audio recording is suitable even for those who have difficulty understanding English speech by ear. The speaker speaks clearly and quite slowly, so you can practice your listening skills, and the text will become your assistant in this matter.
There are many more sites on the Internet with texts in English. However, we have recommended the most informative and useful ones for you to study. Read with pleasure, and let English become your best entertainment, an activity that brings pleasure.
