Niveau CECR : [B1]
Read/Listen first
We boarded the ferry early and the wind felt warm as the boat left the harbour. The crossing was fast, and people stood on deck taking photos of the open water. Later we drove through a safari park where giraffes walked close to the car. The children laughed when a long neck moved past the window and stared inside. In the afternoon we visited a museum with dark rooms and dramatic skeleton displays. By evening everyone was tired, but the day felt full, simple, and memorable. People compare days, notice small changes, and decide what to wear or bring. Simple observations turn into friendly talk, and practice grows naturally. The situation is easy to imagine and helps fluent, confident speaking. These everyday lines are useful at work, while travelling, or with neighbours. You can repeat key chunks and play with alternatives to build range. This keeps the language simple, natural, and easy to reuse. This keeps the language simple, natural, and easy to reuse.
⚡ Learning goals
- Tell a short holiday story using past simple with clear sequence words.
- Add brief details (weather, movement, reactions) to bring the story to life.
- Use time markers to organise events logically.
✨ Grammar Points — 4 Structures
1️⃣ Past simple for finished events
Rule: Use past simple to list completed actions.
Examples: We boarded the ferry → We drove through the park → We visited a museum.
Practice prompt: Make a sentence with this pattern.
✅ We saw giraffes near the car.
Exercise: Fill: “We _____ the harbour at nine.” (leave)
✅ We left the harbour at nine.
Common pitfall + fix: Avoid mixing tenses without reason.
1️⃣ Past continuous for background
Rule: Use past continuous to describe background action.
Examples: People were taking photos → The wind was blowing → We were driving slowly.
Practice prompt: Make a sentence with this pattern.
✅ The giraffe was walking beside us.
Exercise: Choose: “People (were take / were taking / took) photos.”
✅ People were taking photos.
Common pitfall + fix: Use was/were + -ing form.
1️⃣ Time markers
Rule: Use words like first, then, later, finally to order ideas.
Examples: First we boarded → Then we crossed → Later we visited.
Practice prompt: Make a sentence with this pattern.
✅ Finally we drove home.
Exercise: Select the best marker to end the story.
✅ Finally.
Common pitfall + fix: Don’t overuse *and then* in every sentence.
1️⃣ Sequencing with when/while
Rule: Use when/while to connect actions.
Examples: When we arrived, the sun came out → While we were driving, a giraffe crossed → When the ferry left, people cheered.
Practice prompt: Make a sentence with this pattern.
✅ While we were waiting, the wind changed.
Exercise: Complete: “When we _____ the museum, it was busy.” (reach)
✅ When we reached the museum, it was busy.
Common pitfall + fix: *When* + past simple; *while* + past continuous.
✍️ Vocabulary (6 entries)
ferry
Meaning: a boat that carries people or cars
Synonyms: boat, ship, carrier
Chunk/Idiom: ““board the ferry””
Example: We boarded the ferry early.
Morphology: noun; plural ferries; neutral
Self-practice: Say it aloud with your own variation.
harbour
Meaning: a sheltered area for boats
Synonyms: port, haven, marina
Chunk/Idiom: ““leave the harbour””
Example: The ferry left the harbour.
Morphology: noun; US harbor; neutral
Self-practice: Say it aloud with your own variation.
giraffe
Meaning: a very tall African animal with a long neck
Synonyms: animal, ungulate, mammal
Chunk/Idiom: ““a giraffe walked past the car””
Example: A giraffe walked past the car.
Morphology: noun; plural giraffes; neutral
Self-practice: Say it aloud with your own variation.
skeleton
Meaning: the bones of a person or animal
Synonyms: bones, frame, remains
Chunk/Idiom: ““dramatic skeleton displays””
Example: We saw a dinosaur skeleton.
Morphology: noun; plural skeletons; neutral
Self-practice: Say it aloud with your own variation.
deck
Meaning: the outside floor on a ship
Synonyms: platform, level, terrace
Chunk/Idiom: ““stand on deck””
Example: People stood on deck to watch.
Morphology: noun; plural decks; neutral
Self-practice: Say it aloud with your own variation.
crossing
Meaning: a journey across water
Synonyms: trip, passage, voyage
Chunk/Idiom: ““a fast crossing””
Example: The crossing was fast.
Morphology: noun; plural crossings; neutral
Self-practice: Say it aloud with your own variation.
☁️ Examples (+ audio)
- We boarded the ferry early and left the harbour.
- People were taking photos on deck as the wind changed.
- A giraffe walked slowly past our car window.
- Later we visited a museum with dramatic skeletons.
✏️ Exercises
1) Grammar
-
Choose the correct tense:
1) We leave the harbour. 2) We left the harbour. 3) We are leave the harbour.
✔︎ Answer: We left the harbour. — Past simple for finished actions. -
Pick the best option:
1) People were take photos. 2) People were taking photos. 3) People tooking photos.
✔︎ Answer: People were taking photos. — Use was/were + -ing. -
Fill with the best answer: _____ we arrived, the sun came out. (When/While)
→ Solution: When — Use when + past simple for a point in time. -
Fill with the best answer: We were waiting on the ______.
→ Solution: deck — Collocation: wait on deck.
2) Vocabulary & Comprehension
-
A ferry is:
1) a small car 2) a boat for people or cars 3) a train station
✔︎ Answer: a boat for people or cars — Ferries carry people/vehicles. -
Skeleton means:
1) soft tissue 2) a set of bones 3) a wind direction
✔︎ Answer: a set of bones — Skeleton is the bony structure. -
Fill with the best answer: The ______ was fast and calm.
→ Solution: crossing — Common noun for sea journeys. -
Fill with the best answer: We left the ______ at nine o’clock.
→ Solution: harbour — Harbour is the port area.
⚙️ Integrated content
Mini-dialogue — Natural situation
A: The crossing was fast, and the wind felt warm.
B: A giraffe walked past our window in the park!
A: Yes—everyone laughed and took photos.
Why this matters
Clear sequencing helps listeners follow your story from start to finish.
Verb & Adjective Pack (ready-to-use chunks)
• board the ferry → “We boarded the ferry early.”
• stand on deck → “They stood on deck for photos.”
• drive through → “We drove through the park.”
• visit a museum → “We visited a museum later.”
️ Try and compare — guided production + model answers
Exercise 1 — Fill the blank: “First we boarded, then we ______.”
→ ✔︎ crossed the water
Exercise 2 — Self-correction: You said: “People were take photos.”
→ Better: “People were taking photos.”
Exercise 3 — Practice aloud: Tell three steps from your last trip using time markers.
