Level-graded English lessons for reading, listening, vocabulary, and discussion
ESL News Stories
A growing library of level-graded English lessons for classroom or self-study, with reading, listening, vocabulary, activities, and discussion practice from A1 to B2.
Warm-up| Prediction task and general discussion questions.
Vocab List| Useful words and meanings.
Reading| Read the main text.
Comment Tone Check| Read comments and identify the tone.
Listen and Fill Gaps| Listen for missing words.
True or False| Check understanding.
Put Events in Order| Arrange events from the story into the order they happened.
Multiple Choice| Check understanding.
Vocab Match| Connect words to meanings.
Discussion Builder| Think about how ideas relate to each other to choose connecting expressions.
Discussion Questions| Open speaking questions for discussion (or writing practice).
Answers| Answer key for the printed tasks.
I Found Hidden Photos
Think Ahead: Look at the headline and image. What is in the story?
a) Photos of gift.
b) Photos of a garden.
c) Photos of a girl.
Surprise!
Ask: (1) What do you like to take photos of? (2) Do you use Instagram? If so, what photos or videos do you like to look at?
VOCAB LIST
F23(abbr.) ā Used online to mean female, 23 years old; M25 means male, 25 years old.
save(v.) ā To put something on a computer or phone for later.
break up(v.) ā To end a romantic relationship.
random(adj.) ā Not someone you know.
folder(n.) ā A place on a computer where files are kept.
trust(n.) ā Belief that someone is honest and good.
hidden(adj.) ā Kept where people cannot easily see or find it.
upset(adj.) ā Unhappy and worried.
naked(adj.) ā Not wearing any clothes.
cheating(n.) ā Doing something with another person that breaks trust in a relationship.
Reading
I Found Hidden Photos
Did he cheat on me? I (F23) broke up with my boyfriend (M25) after I found some photos on his computer.
We dated for almost three years. One day, I was trying to find a file I needed on his computer. Then I opened a folder inside another folder. I was not looking through his things. I found the pictures by accident.
The photos were of a girl he used to know well. She was posing naked outside. I could tell he saved them from her Instagram Story. To me, this was not the same as looking at a random girl online. He knew her, and that changed everything.
Before this, we had many honest talks about what we think is cheating. We both said trust matters a lot. He said I was too upset over a few pictures. He also said he did not know I would feel this bad. I still feel hurt. Did I make the right choice?
Warm-up ā Read & Listen ā Check Understanding ā Language ā Use It
Think Ahead: Look at the headline and image. What is in the story?
a) Photos of gift.
b) Photos of a garden.
c) Photos of a girl.
Ask: (1) What do you like to take photos of? (2) Do you use Instagram? If so, what photos or videos do you like to look at?
F23(abbr.)
ā Used online to mean female, 23 years old; M25 means male, 25 years old.
break up(v.)
ā To end a romantic relationship.
folder(n.)
ā A place on a computer where files are kept.
hidden(adj.)
ā Kept where people cannot easily see or find it.
naked(adj.)
ā Not wearing any clothes.
save(v.)
ā To put something on a computer or phone for later.
random(adj.)
ā Not someone you know.
trust(n.)
ā Belief that someone is honest and good.
upset(adj.)
ā Unhappy and worried.
cheating(n.)
ā Doing something with another person that breaks trust in a relationship.
Surprise!
Elizaeeliezaa
Did he cheat on me? I (F23) broke up with my boyfriend (M25) after I found some photos on his computer.
We dated for almost three years. One day, I was trying to find a file I needed on his computer. Then I opened a folder inside another folder. I was not looking through his things. I found the pictures by accident.
The photos were of a girl he used to know well. She was posing naked outside. I could tell he saved them from her Instagram Story. To me, this was not the same as looking at a random girl online. He knew her, and that changed everything.
Before this, we had many honest talks about what we think is cheating. We both said trust matters a lot. He said I was too upset over a few pictures. He also said he did not know I would feel this bad. I still feel hurt. Did I make the right choice?
24 likes Ā· 3 comments
Comment Tone Check
Comment Tone Check
Choose the tone that best matches each comment.
ClockFace3434
People see things differently in relationships. You have to decide what is okay for you.
NiceToughFair
Fair
SoftRain
I am sorry this happened to you. I think you can meet a guy who you can trust.
NiceToughFair
Nice
NoScrubbs
How can you trust this guy now? Don't give him another chance.
Method 1: Listen for the main idea: what is the article about in one sentence? Listen a second time for more details, then try the Understanding activities below.
Method 2: Read the article first to learn the vocabulary and ideas. Then look at the gap-fill sentences to see what to listen for, and listen to fill them in.
Listen and Fill Gaps
Listen to the audio and complete the gaps below:
Loading listening activity...
Listen and Fill Gaps
Listen to the audio on eslnewsstories.com and complete the gaps below:
Did he cheat on me? I (F23) broke up with my boyfriend (M25) after I found some (1) on his computer.
We dated for almost three years. One day, I was trying to find a file I needed on his computer. Then I opened a (2) inside another folder. I was not looking through his things. I found the pictures by accident.
The photos were of a girl he used to know well. She was posing naked outside. I could tell he (3) them from her Instagram Story. To me, this was not the same as looking at a (4) girl online. He knew her, and that changed everything.
Before this, we had many honest talks about what we think is cheating. We both said trust matters a lot. He said I was too upset over a few pictures. He also said he did not know I would feel this bad. I still feel (5) . Did I make the right choice?
True or False
Answer each question by selecting True or False, then click CHECK to see your results.
Explanation
True or False
1. The poster says she was looking through his things on purpose.
TRUEFALSEFalse
2. The couple had honest talks about cheating before this happened.
TRUEFALSETrue
3. The boyfriend said he knew she would feel this bad.
TRUEFALSEFalse
Put Events in Order
Put the events in the order they happened, from first to last.
1They had talks about what cheating is.
2The poster found some photos on her boyfriend's computer by accident.
3She felt this was cheating because he knew the girl.
4He said she was too upset, but she still broke up with him.
Put Events in Order
Put the events from the story in the correct order from first (1) to last (4):
She felt this was cheating because he knew the girl.
They had talks about what cheating is.
He said she was too upset, but she still broke up with him.
The poster found some photos on her boyfriend's computer by accident.
They had talks about what cheating is.
The poster found some photos on her boyfriend's computer by accident.
She felt this was cheating because he knew the girl.
He said she was too upset, but she still broke up with him.
Multiple Choice
Answer each question by selecting A, B, C, or D, then click CHECK to see your results.
Explanation
Multiple Choice
1. How did the poster find the pictures?
a) By accidentCorrect
b) On purpose
c) From his Instagram Story
d) During a talk
2. Who were the photos of?
a) The poster
b) A random girl online
c) A close friend
d) A girl he used to know wellCorrect
3. What did he say about the pictures?
a) Trust matters a lot
b) She was too upset over a few picturesCorrect
c) He knew the girl
d) They dated for almost three years
Vocab Match
Drag each vocabulary word to its matching definition:
Loading vocabulary activity...
Vocab Match
Write each vocabulary word next to its matching definition.
1. Break up (v)e) To end a romantic relationship.
2. Folder (n)d) A place on a computer where files are kept.
3. Save (v)c) To put something on a computer or phone for later.
4. Trust (n)b) Belief that someone is honest and good.
5. Upset (adj)a) Unhappy and worried.
a)Unhappy and worried.
b)Belief that someone is honest and good.
c)To put something on a computer or phone for later.
d)A place on a computer where files are kept.
e)To end a romantic relationship.
Discussion Builder
Hints: 1) Result 2) Contrast 3) Opinion
Discussion Builder
Choose the best phrase for each gap:
He knew the girl, that changed everything for the poster.
because / so / but
He knew the girl, so that changed everything for the poster.
He said it was only a few pictures, she still felt hurt.
but / and / because
He said it was only a few pictures, but she still felt hurt.
trust matters a lot in a relationship.
Also, / But, / I think,
I think, trust matters a lot in a relationship.
Discussion Questions
Why did the poster feel this was cheating?
Was breaking up the right thing to do?
Is her ex-boyfriend a bad guy? Why?
She looked in a folder on his computer. Was that a mistake?
Do you have your own computer? Do you share a computer?
What kinds of photos do you save?
Can people in a relationship keep some things private?
What things can hurt someone's feelings in a relationship?
Discussion Questions
Why did the poster feel this was cheating?
Was breaking up the right thing to do?
Is her ex-boyfriend a bad guy? Why?
She looked in a folder on his computer. Was that a mistake?
Do you have your own computer? Do you share a computer?
What kinds of photos do you save?
Can people in a relationship keep some things private?
What things can hurt someone's feelings in a relationship?