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Learn English with a Touching Story: The Grumpy Neighbor (Slow Listening)

Improve your listening skills with a touching short story.

storylisteningslow English
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📝 Transcript

Click any sentence to jump to that moment in the video. Use the 🔊 button to hear the pronunciation.

0:02am Anna >> and I am Lucas. Today we ask the big question, why? >> It is such a small word, isn't it? Just, you know, three letters W-Hy.
0:13But when you really stop and look at it, when you sort of hold it up to the light, it stops being just a word.
0:19>> It becomes something more. >> It becomes a mechanism. It's the lever we pull to to open up the entire universe. >> It's the key that unlocks the door to understanding everything around us.
0:28Everything from the movement of stars in the galaxy >> to the turbulent messy feelings inside our own hearts. >> Precisely. I mean, it is the fundamental question of existence. It's the engine of science, the engine of philosophy, and maybe most importantly for you listening, it's the engine of human
0:44relationships. >> That's so true. >> But before we get too philosophical and uh get lost in the cosmos, we should probably ground this a little.

📖 Vocabulary

Key vocabulary from this episode with part of speech, meaning, and example sentences. Practice along with the video above.

WordTypeMeaningExample
grumpyadjectivein a bad mood, unfriendlyThe grumpy old man never talked to anyone.
neighbornouna person who lives near youOur neighbor has a big dog.
afraidadjectivefeeling fearThe children were afraid of the dark.
waveverbto move your hand to say helloShe waved at me from across the street.
doorstepnounthe step or area in front of a doorI found a package on my doorstep.
curtainsnouncloth that covers a windowShe closed the curtains at night.
give upverbto stop tryingDon't give up on your dreams.
catch a coldphraseto become sick from cold weatherWear a jacket or you'll catch a cold.

✏️ Exercises

Test your understanding with fill-in-the-blank and multiple choice questions. Click "Check" to see the answer.

Q1

Mr. Wilson lived ___ in a small house. (by himself)

Q2

Lily left ___ on his doorstep. (plants with petals)

Q3

Don't ___ up on your dreams. (stop trying)

Q4

The children were ___ of him. (feeling fear)

Q5

She ___ at Mr. Wilson every morning. (moved her hand to say hello)

Q6

He closed his ___ and looked away. (cloth covering windows)

Q7

What does 'grumpy' mean?

Q8

Why did Mr. Wilson open his door?

Q9

What does 'catch a cold' mean?

Q10

What is the lesson of this story?

📚 Recommended Resources

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