Read the passage carefully before attempting Exercise 1 (Multiple Choice) and Exercise 2 (Fill in the blanks dropdown) below.
Kenji was standing on Platform 7 at Birmingham New Street station, checking his phone and trying to look calm. He had been travelling alone for the first time since moving to the UK three months earlier, and he still wasn’t completely confident about the train system. His connecting train to Manchester was leaving in eight minutes, and he was already worried he was in the wrong place.
That was when he noticed an elderly woman nearby, pulling a large suitcase and looking at the departure boards with a confused expression. She kept looking from her paper ticket to the screen, then back again. Kenji hesitated for a moment — he wasn’t sure he knew enough to help anyone — but he walked over anyway. “Excuse me,” he said. “Are you looking for the Manchester train?” She smiled with relief. “Yes! But this board says Platform 9, and my ticket says Platform 7. I don’t understand.” Kenji looked at her ticket carefully. It was an older reservation, printed before a last-minute platform change. “I think Platform 9 is the right one now,” he said. “The platform changed. We should move quickly.” He picked up her suitcase without waiting for her to ask and started walking.
They reached Platform 9 with just three minutes to spare. The woman, whose name was Margaret, thanked him several times as they boarded the same train. It turned out that she was also going to Manchester, so they sat together and talked for the whole journey. Margaret had lived in the city for forty years and gave Kenji some brilliant recommendations for local restaurants and weekend markets. By the time the train arrived, Kenji felt far more at home than he had that morning. He hadn’t just helped a stranger — he had made a friend.
Exercise 1
Read the passage about helping a stranger carefully, then answer each question by choosing the correct option based on the information in the text.
Example: Why did the man stop to help the stranger?
Answer: He stopped because the stranger had dropped her shopping bags and looked confused.
Helping a Stranger
Have you ever helped someone you didn't know at all? Sometimes an ordinary day can turn into something memorable simply because you chose to stop and help. Before you read, think about these questions: Have you ever been in a situation where a stranger needed help? What did you do — or wish you had done?
Reading Passage: The Wrong Platform
Kenji was standing on Platform 7 at Birmingham New Street station, checking his phone and trying to look calm. He had been travelling alone for the first time since moving to the UK three months earlier, and he still wasn't completely confident about the train system. His connecting train to Manchester was leaving in eight minutes, and he was already worried he was in the wrong place.
That was when he noticed an elderly woman nearby, pulling a large suitcase and looking at the departure boards with a confused expression. She kept looking from her paper ticket to the screen, then back again. Kenji hesitated for a moment — he wasn't sure he knew enough to help anyone — but he walked over anyway. "Excuse me," he said. "Are you looking for the Manchester train?" She smiled with relief. "Yes! But this board says Platform 9, and my ticket says Platform 7. I don't understand." Kenji looked at her ticket carefully. It was an older reservation, printed before a last-minute platform change. "I think Platform 9 is the right one now," he said. "The platform changed. We should move quickly." He picked up her suitcase without waiting for her to ask and started walking.
They reached Platform 9 with just three minutes to spare. The woman, whose name was Margaret, thanked him several times as they boarded the same train. It turned out that she was also going to Manchester, so they sat together and talked for the whole journey. Margaret had lived in the city for forty years and gave Kenji some brilliant recommendations for local restaurants and weekend markets. By the time the train arrived, Kenji felt far more at home than he had that morning. He hadn't just helped a stranger — he had made a friend.
Key Vocabulary in Context
| Word / Phrase | Part of Speech | Definition | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| departure board | noun phrase | A screen at a station or airport that shows information about trains or flights leaving soon | She checked the departure board to find out which platform her train was on. |
| hesitate | verb | To pause before doing something, usually because you are unsure or nervous | He hesitated before answering the difficult question. |
| reservation | noun | An official booking for a seat, room, or service, often confirmed with a printed ticket | She showed her reservation to the train conductor when he asked for her ticket. |
| last-minute | adjective | Happening very shortly before something is due to start or happen | There was a last-minute change to the meeting room, so everyone had to move quickly. |
| with relief | prepositional phrase | Showing or feeling happiness because a worry or difficult situation has ended | She smiled with relief when she finally found her passport. |
| to spare | phrase | Remaining or available, especially when talking about time or space | We arrived at the cinema with only two minutes to spare before the film started. |
| recommendation | noun | A suggestion that something is good or worth doing, based on personal experience | The hotel manager gave us several recommendations for good local restaurants. |
| connecting train | noun phrase | A second train that a passenger must board after their first train arrives, in order to complete their journey | He had only ten minutes to catch his connecting train to Edinburgh. |
Reading Strategies & Comprehension Tips
Skimming for the Main Idea
Read the first sentence of each paragraph quickly. This will help you understand the overall structure: the story begins with Kenji's personal situation, develops through an encounter with Margaret, and concludes with the outcome of their meeting. Knowing this structure before reading carefully will help you follow the events more easily.
Scanning for Specific Details
If a question asks about specific facts — for example, which platform the train departed from, or how long the journey took — scan the text for numbers, names, and places. Key details like Platform 7, Platform 9, and three minutes are easy to locate when you scan rather than re-read everything.
Making Inferences
The passage does not directly state that Kenji felt lonely or nervous about living in a new country, but you can infer this from phrases like "still wasn't completely confident" and "felt far more at home than he had that morning." When answering inference questions, look for feelings and attitudes suggested by the language, not only stated facts.
Understanding Cause and Effect
Pay attention to the reason for the platform confusion. The text explains that Margaret had an older reservation, printed before a last-minute platform change. This cause-and-effect relationship is important for understanding why her ticket showed a different platform from the departure board.
Common Reading Pitfalls & Traps
Confusing Which Platform Was Correct
Students sometimes confuse Platform 7 and Platform 9 because both numbers appear in the text. Remember: Platform 7 was printed on Margaret's original ticket, but Platform 9 was the correct, updated platform shown on the departure board. Kenji correctly directed her to Platform 9.
Misreading Kenji's Confidence Level
The passage says Kenji was "trying to look calm," which suggests he was not actually calm. Some readers may think Kenji was an experienced traveller because he helped Margaret successfully. In fact, he was also uncertain — he helped her despite his own lack of confidence, not because he was an expert.
Assuming the Relationship Was Already Established
It is easy to read too quickly and assume Kenji and Margaret already knew each other. The passage clearly states they were strangers. Their friendship only developed during the journey, as a result of helping each other.
Misinterpreting the Ending
The final sentence — "He hadn't just helped a stranger — he had made a friend" — is a conclusion about the overall experience, not a statement that they made formal plans to meet again. Be careful not to over-interpret this as evidence that they agreed to see each other in the future.
Quick Summary
In this passage, Kenji, a young man new to the UK, helps an elderly woman named Margaret navigate a confusing platform change at Birmingham New Street station. Despite his own uncertainty, he acts quickly, and as a result, the two catch their train together and form an unexpected connection. The story explores themes of kindness, confidence, and the positive surprises that can come from helping others.
Now read the passage carefully and complete Exercise 1 (Multiple Choice) and Exercise 2 (Fill-in-the-gap dropdown) below.
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