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Level 1
There is a competition in the USA. The competition chooses the ugliest dog. One dog wins. He is from North Carolina.
He is small and He has an ugly face. It looks like the face of a small horse. He looks angry, too.
Other dogs are also ugly. One dog has no hair. Another dog has no nose. However, only one dog can be the ugliest. The ugliest dog’s owner gets $1,500. She will use her money to help other animals.
Source: newsinlevels.com
Simple english story Level 1—Level 2—Level 3
Dictionary
1) competition-noun /ˌkɒm.pəˈtɪʃ.ən/-a situation in which someone is trying to win something or be more successful than someone else:
Competition for jobs is intense.
There’s a lot of competition between computer companies.
The two companies are in competition with each other.
There’s fierce competition to get into that school.
Foreign competition (= similar products from other countries) had reduced their sales.
Why are you jealous of her? She’s no competition!
2) Choose-verb /tʃuːz/- to decide what you want from two or more things or possibilities:
She had to choose between the two men in her life.
Danny, come here and choose your ice cream.
He chose a shirt from the many in his wardrobe.
It’s difficult choosing where to live.
I’ve chosen a present for Luis.
UK I’ve chosen Luis a present.
Yesterday the selectors chose Dales as the team’s new captain.
The firm’s directors chose Emma to be the new production manager.
3) Ugly-adjective /ˈʌɡ.li/-unpleasant to look at; not attractive:
I think a lot of modern architecture is very ugly.
Yesterday I saw the ugliest baby I’ve ever seen in my life.
I feel really fat and ugly today.
He was a really unpleasant man and as ugly as sin (= very ugly).
Simple English story
4) Win-verb /wɪn/- to achieve first position and/or get a prize in a competition, election, fight, etc.:
Which year was it that Italy won the World Cup?
He won first prize/a bottle of wine in the raffle.
Who’s winning?
This is the third medal she’s won this season.
Who won the men’s finals at the Open?
They won the war, although it cost them millions of lives.
If this government win the next election, I’m leaving the country.
Everyone likes winning an argument.
5) Face-noun /feɪs/-the front of the head, where the eyes, nose, and mouth are:
She has a long, thin face.
She had a puzzled expression on her face.
6) Small-adjective /smɑːl/-little in size or amount when compared with what is typical or average:
a small dog/house/car/country
I’d rather live in a small town than a big city.
Would you like a large or small cola with your burger?
Ella is the smallest girl in her class.
That jacket’s too small for you.
He’s small for his age.
Only a small number of applicants are successful.
The number of women in parliament is pitifully (= extremely) small.
Liqueurs are usually drunk in small quantities.
Simple English story
7) Look-verb /lʊk/ to direct your eyes in order to see:
Look! There’s grandma.
They looked at the picture and laughed.
Look at all these toys on the floor.
She looked up from her book and smiled at me.
I looked out (of) the window.
Look over there – there’s a rainbow!
8) Angry-adjective /ˈæŋ.ɡri/-having a strong feeling against someone who has behaved badly, making you want to shout at them or hurt them:
He’s really angry at/with me for upsetting Sophie.
I don’t understand what he’s angry about.
They feel angry that their complaints were ignored.
I got really angry with her.
It made me really angry.
9) Other-determiner /ˈʌð.ɚ/-as well as the thing or person already mentioned:
The product has many other time-saving features.
There is no other work available at the moment.
There is only one other person who could help us.
Are there any other people we should ask?
I found one earring – do you know where the other one is?
Simple English story PDF
10) Also-adverb /ˈɑːl.soʊ/-in addition:
She’s a photographer and also writes books.
I’m cold, and I’m also hungry and tired.
We have a spare bedroom which also functions as a study.
He’s a comedian who also does magic.
For a teacher to hit a child is not just morally wrong but also illegal.
Famous mainly for his wonderful voice, Cole was also a virtuoso on the piano.
The Royal Shakespeare Company also have many modern plays in their repertoire.
11) Another-determiner, pronoun /əˈnʌð.ɚ/- one more person or thing or an extra amount:
I’m going to have another piece of cake.
“Would you get me a bar of chocolate from the kitchen?” “Another one?”
We can fit another person in my car.
Danny’s had yet another car accident.
For another £30 (= for £30 more) you can buy the model with a touchscreen.
Just think, in another three months (= three months from now) it’ll be summer again.
English Simple story
12) Owner-noun /ˈoʊ.nɚ/-someone who owns something:
Are you the owner of this car?
We still haven’t found the dog’s owner.
The previous owner of the house had built an extension on the back.
The painting was restored to its rightful owner.
It’s a typical country estate with a large house for the owner, farm buildings and estate workers‘ houses.
The government restructured the coal industry before selling it to private owners.
The unions assured the new owners of the workers‘ loyalty to the company.
13) Get-verb /ɡet/-to obtain, buy, or earn something:
He went to the shop to get some milk.
UK I think she gets about £40,000 a year.
We stopped on the way to get some breakfast.
I managed to get all three suitcases for under $200.
How much did he get for his car? (= How much money did he sell it for?)
Where did you get your shoes from?
14) Use-verb /juːz/-to put something such as a tool, skill, or building to a particular purpose:
This glass has been used – could you get me a clean one?
Use scissors to cut the shapes out.
Going on the expedition gives me a chance to use all the training I’ve had.
The old hospital isn’t used any more.
These lights are used for illuminating the playing area.
To use military force against the protesters would be unacceptable.
Your table manners are appalling – don’t you know how to use a knife and fork?
If we clear out the spare room, you can use it as a study.
The teacher demonstrated how to use the equipment.
Pronouns are often used to refer to a noun that has already been mentioned.
15) Help-verb /help/-to make it possible or easier for someone to do something, by doing part of the work yourself or by providing advice, money, support, etc.:
How can I help you?
I wonder if you could help me – I’d like some information about flights to New Zealand.
My dad said he would help with the costs buying a house.
The $10,000 loan from the bank helped her (to) start her own business.
I feel that learning English will help (= improve) my chances of promotion at work.
Nothing can help her now (= her situation is too bad for anyone to be able to improve it).
16) Other-determiner /ˈʌð.ɚ/-as well as the thing or person already mentioned:
The product has many other time-saving features.
There is no other work available at the moment.
There is only one other person who could help us.
Are there any other people we should ask?
I found one earring – do you know where the other one is?
17) Animal-noun /ˈæn.ɪ.məl/- something that lives and moves but is not a human, bird, fish, or insect:
Both children are real animal lovers.
The panda is becoming an increasingly rare animal.
The farmer was accused of cruelty to animals.
These remote islands are inhabited only by birds and small animals.
Personally , I don’t think animals should be killed for their fur.
The ugliest dog for 2014-Level 2
Level 2
The 2014 World’s Ugliest Dog Competition has its winner. His name is Peanut and he is from North Carolina in the USA.
The dog is small and he has a face of a tiny angry horse. He competed with dogs who were hairless, had warts, and one had no nose! However, Peanut was the ugliest one.
Like many dogs in the competition, Peanut’s owner saved him from a shelter. The competition gives her $1,500. She says that she will use the money to help other animals.
Source: newsinlevels.com
Simple english story Level 1—Level 2—Level 3
Dictionary
1) Winner-noun /ˈwɪn.ɚ/-someone who wins a game, competition, or election:
There’ll be a prize for the winner.
The winner of this match will play Aston Villa in the semifinals.
And to find out who are the lucky winners of our competition, Samantha is going to draw some names out of the bag.
2) Tiny-adjective /ˈtaɪ.ni/-extremely small:
a tiny flower
Wart-noun /wɔːrt/
Hairless-adjective /ˈher.ləs/- without hair
5) However-adverb /ˌhaʊˈev.ɚ/-despite whatever amount or degree:
However hungry I am, I never seem to be able to finish off a whole pizza.
If Emma likes something she’ll buy it however much it costs.
I’ll see you after the show and give you £20 for the tickets, or however much (= whatever) they cost.
He is unlikely to succeed in getting his bill through Congress, however worthy it is.
If you’re an ostrich about your debts, you’re only going to make matters worse: it would be much better to take your head out of the sand and face facts, however unpleasant.
You have to sit the exams, however much you don’t feel like doing them.
However much I respect him, I can’t agree with him on this occasion.
I mustn’t have any more chocolate, however much I feel like it.
6) Owner-noun /ˈoʊ.nɚ/-someone who owns something:
Are you the owner of this car?
We still haven’t found the dog’s owner.
The previous owner of the house had built an extension on the back.
The painting was restored to its rightful owner.
It’s a typical country estate with a large house for the owner, farm buildings and estate workers‘ houses.
The government restructured the coal industry before selling it to private owners.
The unions assured the new owners of the workers‘ loyalty to the company.
7) Save-verb /seɪv/-to stop someone or something from being killed, injured, or destroyed:
He fell in the river but his friend saved him from drowning.
Wearing seat belts has saved many lives.
He had to borrow money to save his business.
We all need to do our part to save the planet.
The former tennis champion was now serving to save the match
He was desperately trying to save their failing marriage.
Next English short stories for Learning English
The ugliest dog for 2014-Level 3
The ugliest dog for 2014-Level 3
It may surprise you to know this, but you’re currently looking at an award-winning animal.
This is Peanut, winner of the 2014 world’s ugliest dog competition in Petaluma, California.
An accolade that rewarded, or perhaps that should be compensated, owner Holly Chandler to the tune of $1,500.
The award-winning dog who, let’s be honest, has the face of a tiny, angry horse, saw off competition from a number of homely hounds in order to take home the prize.
Some were hairless, some had warts and one even appeared to be missing a nose, but none of them turned the heads and the stomachs of judges quite like Peanut.
Like many dogs in the competition, Peanut was rescued from a shelter. Ms Chandler, who came all the way from North Carolina for the competition, says she plans to use the prize money to help other abused animals pay vet bills back home.
Source: newsinlevels.com
Simple english story Level 1—Level 2—Level 3
Dictionary
1) Surprise-noun /sɚˈpraɪz/-an unexpected event:
Don’t tell Anne we’ve arranged a party for her – I want it to be a surprise.
It was a wonderful/nasty surprise to get home and find the letter.
Last night’s heavy snow came as a complete surprise.
You’re always full of surprises .
I wish you wouldn’t keep springing surprises on me.
They mounted a surprise attack at dawn.
My uncle paid us a surprise visit yesterday.
2) Currently-adverb /ˈkɝː.ənt.li/-at the present time:
The Director is currently having talks in the US
The device is currently available only in Japan.
Currently, about 82 billion pictures are printed each year.
The manufacturers are currently testing the new engine.
The England cricket team is currently on tour in Pakistan.
Our social club currently has about 80 members
The interest rate on my credit card is currently 25.5% APR.
He currently holds the position of technical manager.
3) Accolade-noun /ˈæk.ə.leɪd/-praise and approval:
He’s been granted the ultimate accolade – his face on a postage stamp.
Her approval was the highest accolade he could receive.
4) Reward-noun /rɪˈwɔːrd/- something given in exchange for good behaviour or good work, etc.:
There’s a reward for whoever finishes first.
The rewards of motherhood outweigh the anguish.
5) Perhaps-adverb /pɚˈhæps/-used to show that something is possible or that you are not certain about something:
He hasn’t written to me recently – perhaps he’s lost my address.
Perhaps the most important question has not been asked.
We plan to travel to Europe – to Spain or Italy perhaps.
6) Honest-adjective /ˈɑː.nɪst/- telling the truth or able to be trusted and not likely to steal, cheat, or lie:
She’s completely honest.
I’d like you to give me an honest answer/your honest opinion.
He had an honest face (= he looked like he could be trusted).
To be honest (with you), I don’t think it will be possible.
7) Hound-noun /haʊnd/- a type of dog used for hunting
8) Appear-verb /əˈpɪr/- to start to be seen or to be present:
He suddenly appeared in the doorway.
We’d been in the house a month when dark stains started appearing on the wall.
His name appears in the film credits for lighting.
9) Rescue-verb /ˈres.kjuː/- to help someone or something out of a dangerous, harmful, or unpleasant situation:
The government has refused to rescue the company from bankruptcy.The management are putting together a plan to rescue the company.
They shouted for help, but nobody came to rescue them.
Six people were rescued by helicopter from a fishing boat in distress off the Cornish coast.
The lifeboat rescued the sailors from the sinking boat.
She showed enormous courage when she rescued him from the fire.
A goal just before half-time rescued the match from mediocrity.
Simple English story
10) Abuse-verb /əˈbjuːz/- to use something for the wrong purpose in a way that is harmful or morally wrong:
She is continually abusing her position/authority by getting other people to do things for her.
I never expected that he would abuse the trust I placed in him.
to abuse alcoholIf you abuse your body now, you’ll pay the price when you’re older.
The Mayor and his cohorts have abused their positions of power.
In a landmark case/decision, the Governor pardoned a woman convicted of killing her husband, who had physically abused her.
People who have been abused as children often experience feelings/a sense of worthlessness.
The minister was sacked for abusing power for his personal gain.