Podcast 132 - The Green Door

Listening practice for B2 level students

Story starts at 1:32

I have a short story for you today. A story by the American writer, O. Henry. He was born in 1862 and died in New York in 1910. He is best known for his short stories. The one I'm going to read to you today I have completely re-written for B2 level English students. Well, there are a few words in there from higher levels but I'm sure if you have B2 English, you'll be able to understand everything quite easily. If you want to check on the more complicated words, please come over to PractisingEnglish.com at podcast 132. The name of the story is 'The Green Door'. Here we go...

The Green Door (based on a short story by O. Henry)

(Re-written for B2-level English by M. A. Bilbrough)

B2 The Green Door (story)

There is no audio script for this story

Just around the corner. The means a place further on where we cannot see but is very close.

English proverb: The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence. This means that life is better any place but where you are now.

hesitation - worried about doing something because you are not sure that it is the right thing to do.

impersonal - without friendly human feelings or atmosphere.

uncaring - not sympathetic about the problems or suffering of others.

loneliness - unhappiness because you have no friends or people to talk to.

vibrant and bustling - full of people moving about in a busy way.

optimism - a feeling that good things will happen.

look at someone in the eye - look directly into someone's face.

passers-by - people walking past in the street.