Sofia and her classmates travel to Barcelona, Spain, for an unforgettable school trip. They explore famous places like La Rambla, the Sagrada Familia, Park Güell, and the beach, enjoying Spanish food, art, and culture. Sofia and her best friend Elena take photos, buy souvenirs, and share fun moments with their friends. Before leaving, they visit Camp Nou stadium, a highlight for many students. When the trip ends, Sofia realizes that traveling is not only about seeing new places but also about making memories and sharing experiences with people you care about.

Grammar: Past Simple.

Topics: Discovering a new country.

Listen and answer the following questions:

1. What were some of the places Sofia and her classmates visited in Barcelona?

2. How did Sofia feel during the trip, and what did she learn from it?

3. What activities did Sofia and Elena enjoy doing together during the trip?

4. Why was visiting Camp Nou so special for the group?

5. If you could visit any city in the world with your friends, which one would you choose and why?

On a sunny July afternoon, the town of Brookfield celebrates its annual Summer Festival with music, food, and laughter. Anna and her best friend Leo are enjoying the day—she’s watching the dancers, and he’s taking photos for the school magazine. When the mayor announces a surprise dance contest, Anna convinces the hesitant Leo to join. To their surprise, they win the competition and become the festival’s champions. As fireworks light up the evening sky, Anna, Leo, and Max realize they are making unforgettable summer memories together.

Grammar focus: Present Progressive

Topics: Friendship & Youth Festival.

Listen and answer the following questions:

1. What are Anna and Leo doing at the beginning of the story?

2. How does the atmosphere of the festival make people feel?

3. Why do Anna and Leo decide to join the dance contest?

4. What happens when Anna and Leo win the competition?

5. What would you do if you were at the festival—would you join the dance contest like Anna and Leo? Why or why not?

Grammar focus: Tag Questions.

Topic: Insecurity & Friendship.

Eli is the funny one in his group, but behind the jokes he struggles with insecurity and self-doubt. When his best friend Jamie notices and reminds him he’s valued just as he is, Eli begins to accept himself and realizes he doesn’t need to hide behind humor to belong.

Listen and answer the following questions:

1. Why do you think Eli uses humor so often with his friends?

2. How does social media affect Eli’s self-image in the story?

3. What role does Jamie play in helping Eli deal with his feelings?

4. Why is the yearbook photo moment important for Eli?

5. What lesson can readers learn from Eli’s experience?

Grammar focus: Negative questions.

Topic: Friendship & Miscommunication.

Naomi and Camila have been inseparable best friends for years, but high school begins to test their bond. When Camila joins the volleyball team and starts spending time with new friends, Naomi feels left out and questions whether their friendship still matters. Hurt by the distance and afraid of losing her best friend, Naomi confronts Camila, leading to an honest conversation about change, loyalty, and the true meaning of friendship.

Listen and answer the following questions:

1. Why does Naomi feel hurt when she sees Camila with her new friends?

2. How does social media make Naomi’s feelings worse?

3. What does Naomi want from Camila during their phone conversation?

4. How does Camila explain the changes in their friendship?

5. What lesson do Naomi and Camila learn by the end of the story?

Grammar focus: Present Simple

Topic: Social Media

When Lena’s phone dies, she discovers that the real world is brighter than any screen

Listen and answer the following questions:

1. Why do you think Lena preferred spending time on her phone instead of talking to her family at the beginning of the story?

2. How did Lena feel when she saw the sunset and people outside after her phone battery died?

3. What changes did Lena make in her daily routine after reconnecting with her family?

4. In what ways can social media be positive, and in what ways can it be harmful, according to Lena’s experience?

5. If you were Lena’s friend, what advice would you give her about balancing online and offline life?

Mia wasn’t the smartest student or the best at sports, music, or art—but she did have the loudest laugh at Lincoln High. When her friend Josh convinced her to join the school’s Talent Show, Mia decided to try something new: stand-up comedy. With only her jokes and her courage, she stepped onto the stage to discover whether making people laugh could truly be her talent.

Grammar focus: Superlatives.

Topic: School life, Friendship & Talent.

Listen and answer the following questions:

1. Why did Mia believe she didn’t have a talent at the beginning of the story?

2. What finally convinced Mia to participate in the talent show, and what did she choose to do?

3. How did Mia feel before going on stage, and what helped her feel more confident?

4. What kind of stories did Mia share during her performance, and how did the audience react?

5. What did Mia learn from participating in the talent show, and how did it change her perspective?

Emma loved taking photos, but she often compared herself to the perfect images she saw on social media. This made her feel insecure, so she started using filters to change how she looked.

When her school announced a photography contest called “Real Life, Real You” where no editing was allowed, Emma felt unsure about participating. With encouragement from her brother, she decided to join and spent days capturing real moments — her messy desk, her grandma laughing, and her cousin after art class. Her photos were different from others: less polished, but full of life.

Grammar focus: Comparatives

Topic: Social media & Teen identity.

Listen and answer the following questions:

1. Why did Emma start using filters on her photos before the contest?

2. What made Emma decide to participate in the photography contest, even though she wasn’t confident at first?

3. How were Emma’s contest photos different from the others, and how did she feel about that?

4. What did Emma learn after receiving the “Most Authentic” award?

5. How did Emma change her approach to social media after the contest?

Carlos, a young basketball player, had always dreamed of competing in the regional championship, even though he wasn’t the tallest or strongest on the team. When his best friend and captain, Ryan, was injured before the big game, Carlos was chosen to lead. Nervous but determined, he encouraged his team to play together and believe in themselves.

Grammar focus: Modal Verbs.

Topic: Basketball, Friendship & Decision-making.

Listen and answer the following questions:

1. Why was Carlos unsure about becoming the team captain after Ryan got injured?

2. How did Ryan support Carlos even though he couldn’t play in the game?

3. What motivated Carlos to take the final shot instead of passing the ball?

4. How did the team react after winning the game, and what does that show about their teamwork?

5. What important lesson did Carlos learn from this experience, and how can it apply to real life?