B2 English Reading – Short Story & Vocabulary Quiz
Bert had a simple goal: win the annual village baking contest. He felt immense pressure, especially since his grandmother, a legendary baker, had once ruled a small culinary empire. His secret weapon was an ancient true family artifact.
The recipe called for a large quantity of eggs. Bert managed to buy three dozen, but his kitchen soon became a scene of culinary revolution. He accidentally let the oven burn the first batch of cookies. He felt utterly disappointed. His initial enthusiasm was down.
Next, his mischievous cat, Mittens, decided to put a paw print right down in the cake batter. Bert sighed, feeling really close to giving up. He considered skipping the contest altogether. However, he kept trying.
Finally, he succeeded in making a cake, though it looked rather slightly over-baked. He presented it, feeling a mix of hope and disappointment. The judges looked at the cake, then, at each other. One judge asked, “Is this… a modern art piece?” Bert just smiled.
When the scores were announced, Bert’s cake didn’t win first place, but it achieved the “Most Original” award. The cheering coming from the crowd did wonders for his spirits. He decided to keep baking, realizing that sometimes, even a messy attempt can be a triumph. The whole experience didn’t cost much money, but the fun was priceless. He even thought that the old recipe might come in handy for other “original” creations.