Read the passage carefully before attempting Exercise 1 (Multiple Choice) and Exercise 2 (Fill in the blanks dropdown) below.
Last Saturday, Priya was walking through the older part of Lisbon when she noticed a small, unmarked door between a bakery and a shoe repair shop. There was no sign, no window display, and no prices. The only clue that it was a shop at all was a tiny handwritten note on the door that said: “Open. Come in if you’re curious.” Priya, who is never able to resist a mystery, pushed the door open.
Inside, the shop was almost completely empty. The walls were painted a deep green, and a single wooden shelf ran along one side of the room. On it sat around twenty small objects: a glass marble, a smooth stone, a tiny painting of a bird, a folded letter, and a few other things that were just as puzzling. There were no labels, no barcodes, and no electronic payment machines. A man in his sixties was sitting quietly in the corner, reading a book. He looked up and smiled but said nothing. Priya picked up the marble and looked at it carefully. It was heavier than she expected. “How much is this?” she asked. The man shook his head slowly. “It’s not for sale,” he said. “None of them are.”
Priya was confused. “So what are you selling?” she asked. The man closed his book and explained that each object in the shop had a story, and that visitors were welcome to listen to those stories for free. He had been collecting objects from around the world for forty years, and the shop was his way of sharing them. Priya stayed for almost two hours. She left without buying anything, but she said it was the most interesting shopping experience she had ever had. She is already planning to go back next weekend and bring a friend.
Exercise 1
Read the passage about an unusual shopping experience carefully, then choose the correct answer for each question based on the information in the text.
Example: Where did the unusual shopping experience take place?
Answer: The unusual shopping experience took place in a small market in the town centre.
An Unusual Shopping Experience
Have you ever walked into a shop and felt completely surprised by what you found inside? Sometimes, a simple shopping trip can turn into something you never expected. Before you read: Think about these two questions. Have you ever had a shopping experience that surprised you? And what makes a shop feel unusual or different from ordinary ones? Keep these ideas in mind as you read the passage below.
Reading Passage: The Shop That Sells Almost Nothing
Last Saturday, Priya was walking through the older part of Lisbon when she noticed a small, unmarked door between a bakery and a shoe repair shop. There was no sign, no window display, and no prices. The only clue that it was a shop at all was a tiny handwritten note on the door that said: "Open. Come in if you're curious." Priya, who is never able to resist a mystery, pushed the door open.
Inside, the shop was almost completely empty. The walls were painted a deep green, and a single wooden shelf ran along one side of the room. On it sat around twenty small objects: a glass marble, a smooth stone, a tiny painting of a bird, a folded letter, and a few other things that were just as puzzling. There were no labels, no barcodes, and no electronic payment machines. A man in his sixties was sitting quietly in the corner, reading a book. He looked up and smiled but said nothing. Priya picked up the marble and looked at it carefully. It was heavier than she expected. "How much is this?" she asked. The man shook his head slowly. "It's not for sale," he said. "None of them are."
Priya was confused. "So what are you selling?" she asked. The man closed his book and explained that each object in the shop had a story, and that visitors were welcome to listen to those stories for free. He had been collecting objects from around the world for forty years, and the shop was his way of sharing them. Priya stayed for almost two hours. She left without buying anything, but she said it was the most interesting shopping experience she had ever had. She is already planning to go back next weekend and bring a friend.
Key Vocabulary in Context
| Word / Phrase | Part of Speech | Definition | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| unmarked | adjective | Without a name, sign, or label on it | They parked outside an unmarked building and weren't sure if it was the right place. |
| clue | noun | A piece of information that helps you understand or discover something | The lights inside were the only clue that the restaurant was still open. |
| resist | verb | To stop yourself from doing something you want to do | She couldn't resist looking at the colourful market stalls as she walked past. |
| puzzling | adjective | Difficult to understand; causing confusion or curiosity | The message on the wall was puzzling because nobody knew who had written it. |
| label | noun | A small piece of paper or card attached to something showing information such as price or name | The label on the jacket showed that it was made in Portugal. |
| for sale | phrase | Available to be bought | The painting on the wall was not for sale; it was part of the gallery's own collection. |
| collecting | verb (present participle) | Gathering and keeping objects over a period of time because you find them interesting | He has been collecting old maps since he was a teenager. |
| display | noun | An arrangement of items shown to the public, often in a shop window | The colourful window display attracted a lot of customers into the shop. |
Reading Strategies & Comprehension Tips
Skim First for the Main Idea
Before reading carefully, quickly skim the passage to get a general idea of what it is about. Ask yourself: Who is the main person? Where does this happen? What is surprising about the situation? You should be able to answer these questions after just one fast read-through.
Scan for Specific Details
When answering detail questions, look for specific information such as numbers, names, or objects. For example, if a question asks how long Priya stayed in the shop, scan for a time expression rather than re-reading the whole passage. Words like almost, around, and for often appear near these key details.
Use Context to Understand New Words
If you see a word you don't know, look at the words and sentences around it. For example, if you didn't know the word puzzling, the sentence describes objects that are difficult to explain — this context tells you the word means something confusing or strange.
Follow the Sequence of Events
This is a narrative text, so notice the order in which things happen. Priya first notices the door, then enters, then speaks to the man, and finally learns the truth about the shop. Following this sequence will help you answer cause-and-effect and inference questions accurately.
Making Simple Inferences
Not all information is stated directly. For example, the passage does not say that Priya enjoyed her visit using the word enjoyed, but her decision to return and bring a friend clearly suggests that she did. Look for actions and decisions that tell you how a character feels.
Common Reading Pitfalls & Traps
Trap 1: Assuming the Shop is Normal
Students sometimes assume that because the passage is about shopping, the shop works in a normal way. Be careful — the key detail is that nothing is for sale. Questions may try to confuse you by offering "the objects are very expensive" or "you need to book in advance" as answer options. Neither of these is true.
Trap 2: Confusing "Not for Sale" with "Free"
The man says the objects are not for sale, and the stories are free to listen to. However, this does not mean the objects are given away. Do not confuse free to listen to with free to take home. Read carefully to understand what exactly is being offered.
Trap 3: Misreading Numbers and Time
The passage mentions that the man has been collecting objects for forty years and that Priya stayed for almost two hours. These are different pieces of information. A question might mix them up to test whether you read carefully. Always check which person or thing the number refers to.
Trap 4: Misidentifying Priya's Feelings
At one point, Priya is described as confused. Some students might conclude that she had a negative experience overall. However, her final reaction and her plan to return tell a different story. Be careful not to focus on one detail and ignore the conclusion of the passage.
Quick Summary
In this passage, a woman named Priya discovers a highly unusual shop in Lisbon while out walking. The shop appears empty, contains objects that are not for sale, and is run by a man who shares the stories behind each item instead of selling them. Priya's visit becomes unexpectedly memorable. The passage explores themes of curiosity, storytelling, and the idea that the most valuable experiences sometimes cost nothing at all.
Now read the passage carefully and complete Exercise 1 (Multiple Choice) and Exercise 2 (Fill-in-the-gap dropdown) below.
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