B2 English Reading – Short Story & Vocabulary Quiz
Clara had decided to enjoy herself alone at the park that sunny afternoon. She had been expecting a quiet time, perhaps reading her book. As she sat on a bench, she noticed a man across the path. He was staring intensely at a large, oddly-shaped bush. Clara misunderstood his intense focus. She considered that he had lost something valuable in the bush.
She watched him for a few minutes, glancing up occasionally from her book. He neither moved nor spoke, just kept staring. Clara thought, “He must be waiting for someone to help him, or perhaps he’s too embarrassed to ask for help.” She decided to gain some courage and walked over to him feeling a little nervous.
“Excuse me,” she said, “are you looking for something? Perhaps I can help you find it?” The man turned, surprised, and then chuckled. “Oh, no,” he replied, a remarkable smile on his face. “I’m a landscape artist. I was just examining the natural shape of this bush. I’m trying to learn how to capture its form for my next painting.” Clara’s face turned bright red. She quickly mumbled an apology and walked away, feeling a bit silly about the whole incident.