Read the passage carefully before attempting Exercise 1 (Multiple Choice) and Exercise 2 (Fill in the blanks dropdown) below.
Last summer, Priya and her cousin Ravi were visiting Seville, a beautiful city in southern Spain. They were walking through the old part of the city when Ravi stopped to take photos of a colourful market. Priya kept walking and turned left at the end of the street. A few minutes later, she looked around and realised that Ravi was not behind her. She was completely alone in a narrow street she didn’t recognise.
Priya felt a little worried at first, but she didn’t panic. She checked her phone, but the battery was dead. She couldn’t call Ravi or use a map. So she decided to ask for help. She walked into a small café and spoke to the woman at the counter. “Excuse me, do you speak English?” she asked. The woman smiled and showed Priya a simple map on a piece of paper. She drew a line with her pen and pointed to the left. “The main square is five minutes that way,” she said.
Priya followed the directions and found the square easily. Ravi was already there, sitting on a bench and looking at his photos. He wasn’t worried at all! Priya was a little annoyed, but she also felt proud of herself. On the way back to the hotel, she told Ravi about the kind woman in the café. “Getting lost was actually the best part of my day,” she said, and she really meant it.
Exercise 1
Read the passage about getting lost on holiday carefully, then choose the correct answer for each question based on the text.
Example: Where did the tourist get lost?
Answer: The tourist got lost in the city centre.
Getting Lost on Holiday
Have you ever been in a strange city and suddenly realised you had no idea where you were? It can feel exciting and frightening at the same time! Before you read, think about these two questions: What do you usually do when you don't know where you are? And do you think getting lost can sometimes be a good thing? Keep these questions in mind as you read the story below.
Reading Passage: The Wrong Street in Seville
Last summer, Priya and her cousin Ravi were visiting Seville, a beautiful city in southern Spain. They were walking through the old part of the city when Ravi stopped to take photos of a colourful market. Priya kept walking and turned left at the end of the street. A few minutes later, she looked around and realised that Ravi was not behind her. She was completely alone in a narrow street she didn't recognise.
Priya felt a little worried at first, but she didn't panic. She checked her phone, but the battery was dead. She couldn't call Ravi or use a map. So she decided to ask for help. She walked into a small café and spoke to the woman at the counter. "Excuse me, do you speak English?" she asked. The woman smiled and showed Priya a simple map on a piece of paper. She drew a line with her pen and pointed to the left. "The main square is five minutes that way," she said.
Priya followed the directions and found the square easily. Ravi was already there, sitting on a bench and looking at his photos. He wasn't worried at all! Priya was a little annoyed, but she also felt proud of herself. On the way back to the hotel, she told Ravi about the kind woman in the café. "Getting lost was actually the best part of my day," she said, and she really meant it.
Key Vocabulary in Context
| Word / Phrase | Part of Speech | Definition | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| realised | verb (past simple) | suddenly understood or became aware of something | She realised she had left her bag at the restaurant. |
| narrow | adjective | not wide; with a small distance from one side to the other | We walked down a narrow street with old buildings on both sides. |
| panic | verb | to suddenly feel very scared and lose control of your thoughts | Don't panic if you make a mistake — just try again! |
| battery was dead | phrase | when a phone or device has no power left and stops working | I couldn't take any more photos because my battery was dead. |
| counter | noun | a long flat surface in a shop or café where people are served | She ordered a coffee at the counter near the door. |
| directions | noun (plural) | instructions that tell you how to get to a place | The man gave us clear directions to the museum. |
| annoyed | adjective | a little angry about something | She was annoyed because she had to wait for 30 minutes. |
| proud | adjective | feeling happy and satisfied because you did something well | He felt very proud after he passed his driving test. |
Reading Strategies & Comprehension Tips
Skimming the Passage
Read the passage quickly the first time without stopping. Try to understand the general situation: Who is in the story? What is the problem? How does it end? This gives you a strong overview before you look at the details.
Scanning for Specific Information
When a question asks for a specific fact — for example, where Priya went for help or what the woman did — run your eyes quickly over the text to find the key word. Look for names, places, and action verbs to locate details fast. For example, scan for the word "café" to find the part where Priya asks for help.
Understanding the Sequence of Events
This is a story, so the order of events is important. Notice time words and connectors like when, a few minutes later, so, and on the way back. These words help you follow what happened first, next, and last.
Making Simple Inferences
Not everything in a story is stated directly. For example, the text says Priya was "a little annoyed" but also "proud of herself." Think about why she felt both of these things at the same time. What does this tell you about her character and about Ravi's reaction?
Common Reading Pitfalls & Traps
Trap 1: Confusing the Two Characters
The story has two characters — Priya and Ravi. It is easy to confuse who did what. Remember: Priya got lost and asked for help. Ravi stayed near the market and was already at the square when Priya arrived. Read each sentence carefully and check the subject.
Trap 2: Misreading Emotions
The text says Priya felt "worried at first." Some students think she was worried for the whole story. But the word "at first" is very important — it tells you that her feelings changed later. Always look for words that show how feelings develop or change.
Trap 3: Assuming Ravi Was Worried
You might expect Ravi to be anxious when he lost Priya, but the text says clearly: "He wasn't worried at all." This can be surprising, so be careful not to choose an answer based on what you expect to happen — always go back to what the text actually says.
Trap 4: The Meaning of "the best part of my day"
At the end, Priya says getting lost was "the best part of my day." This does not mean she wanted to get lost. It means the experience turned out to be positive because of what happened — meeting a kind stranger and finding her own way. Read the full context, not just one sentence.
Quick Summary
In this story, Priya gets separated from her cousin Ravi while they are on holiday in Seville, Spain. Her phone has no battery, so she cannot call for help or use a map. She finds a café and asks a woman for directions to the main square. She follows the directions successfully and finds Ravi waiting for her. At the end, Priya feels both annoyed and proud — and she even says that getting lost was the best part of her day.
Now read the passage carefully and complete Exercise 1 (Multiple Choice) and Exercise 2 (Fill-in-the-gap dropdown) below.
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