![Listen English | Learn English by Short Stories - 198 | Advanced - Short Story: The Phantom's Curse [English Listening Practice]](https://storage.googleapis.com/goodpods-images-bucket/episode_images/c069e10c6ff5d508c66f476a06dba6134b2520083ebe13cbfb3346d404861eab.avif)
198 | Advanced - Short Story: The Phantom's Curse [English Listening Practice]
01/20/25 • 21 min
Title: The Phantom's Curse
Level: Advanced (C1-C2)
#Story:
In the village of Ashbourne, a young woman named Isabella Montgomery inherits an old manor filled with rumors and eerie whispers about a ghostly curse. Determined to make the house her new home, Isabella is soon confronted by supernatural forces that seem to linger in the very walls. As she explores the manor, she discovers an ancient portrait that contains the spirit of a man bound to the house by a centuries-old curse. The spirit warns her that she will never escape, and a sinister power begins to take hold of her. Isabella discovers a hidden book that could break the curse, and she fights against the shadows that threaten to consume her. With the curse broken, Isabella believes she is free, but she soon realizes that the ghostly presence still lingers, haunting her every step. The village is trapped in an endless cycle, as the curse is passed on to anyone who dares enter the manor.
#Vocabulary:
- Curse: A supernatural force that causes harm or misfortune.
- Phantom: A ghost or apparition, often associated with hauntings.
- Eerie: Strange, mysterious, and unsettling.
- Portrait: A painting, photograph, or drawing of a person.
- Incantation: A chant or spell used to invoke supernatural forces.
#Grammar Focus:
- Past Perfect Tense: Used to express an action that happened before another action in the past.
- Example: "She had already opened the book before the shadows attacked her."
- First Conditional: Used to talk about future events that are possible or likely.
- Example: "If she breaks the curse, she will be free."
- Relative Clauses: Used to give more information about a noun.
- Example: "The book, which she found hidden in the manor, was the key to breaking the curse."
Website:
https://Readiocast.com
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@Readiolingua
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Learn English fast and easily with podcasts Conversation, Best Tips For Learning English, Improve Your English Language, Listening and Speaking through Listening, Dictation and Grammar Focus with new words, best practice to learn English online by short stories. (best practice for English Listening skills)
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Title: The Phantom's Curse
Level: Advanced (C1-C2)
#Story:
In the village of Ashbourne, a young woman named Isabella Montgomery inherits an old manor filled with rumors and eerie whispers about a ghostly curse. Determined to make the house her new home, Isabella is soon confronted by supernatural forces that seem to linger in the very walls. As she explores the manor, she discovers an ancient portrait that contains the spirit of a man bound to the house by a centuries-old curse. The spirit warns her that she will never escape, and a sinister power begins to take hold of her. Isabella discovers a hidden book that could break the curse, and she fights against the shadows that threaten to consume her. With the curse broken, Isabella believes she is free, but she soon realizes that the ghostly presence still lingers, haunting her every step. The village is trapped in an endless cycle, as the curse is passed on to anyone who dares enter the manor.
#Vocabulary:
- Curse: A supernatural force that causes harm or misfortune.
- Phantom: A ghost or apparition, often associated with hauntings.
- Eerie: Strange, mysterious, and unsettling.
- Portrait: A painting, photograph, or drawing of a person.
- Incantation: A chant or spell used to invoke supernatural forces.
#Grammar Focus:
- Past Perfect Tense: Used to express an action that happened before another action in the past.
- Example: "She had already opened the book before the shadows attacked her."
- First Conditional: Used to talk about future events that are possible or likely.
- Example: "If she breaks the curse, she will be free."
- Relative Clauses: Used to give more information about a noun.
- Example: "The book, which she found hidden in the manor, was the key to breaking the curse."
Website:
https://Readiocast.com
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@Readiolingua
-------
Learn English fast and easily with podcasts Conversation, Best Tips For Learning English, Improve Your English Language, Listening and Speaking through Listening, Dictation and Grammar Focus with new words, best practice to learn English online by short stories. (best practice for English Listening skills)
-------
#English #learnenglish #howtospeakenglish #englishforbeginners #englishtutorial #ielts #listening #englishlearning #englishpractice #learnenglish #listeningpractice #englishstory #practice #LearnEnglishfast #grammer #podcast #Englishpodcast
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197 | Intermediate - Short Story: The Headless Storyteller [English Listening Practice]
Title: The Headless Storyteller
Level: Advanced (C1-C2)
#Story :
In a remote, forgotten village where the air was thick with whispers and shadows, there existed a tale older than time itself. A story passed down through generations, a story that no one dared speak aloud for fear of inviting its curse. It was the legend of the Headless Storyteller, a ghostly woman who roamed the forest near the village with an ancient book in hand. This woman, though headless, possessed an eerie power: she did not speak the story aloud, but instead placed it within the minds of those who encountered her.
The villagers, their faces pale and eyes hollow from fear, spoke in hushed tones about her. They said the story was no ordinary tale—it was a haunting, a curse that lingered long after the encounter. Once you heard the story, it took root inside your mind, twisting your thoughts, turning them into something unrecognizable. Some spoke of a dark figure in the night, others whispered of strange occurrences, but all agreed that the Headless Storyteller had to be avoided at all costs.
Yet, there was one who did not fear the tales. Elena, a young woman with an insatiable curiosity, had heard the rumors since childhood. But unlike the others in her village, who trembled at the thought of the Headless Storyteller, Elena was drawn to her. The idea that the woman could plant a story so deeply into one’s mind fascinated her. Elena had spent most of her life trying to uncover the mysteries of the world—why people feared things they didn’t understand—and this was her greatest challenge yet.
One cold winter’s evening, as the winds howled through the village, Elena made the decision. She would find the Headless Storyteller. She could no longer resist.
#Vocabulary :
- Eerie – Strange and frightening, often in a supernatural way.
- Hollow – Empty or without significance, often conveying a sense of emptiness.
- Insatiable – Impossible to satisfy; constantly wanting more.
- Trembled – To shake involuntarily, typically from fear or cold.
- Lingered – To remain in a place longer than necessary, often in a way that suggests hesitation or reluctance.
#Grammar Focus :
- First Conditional: Used to talk about things that are possible in the future.
- Example: "If you find the story, you will not escape its hold."
- Relative Clauses: Used to give more information about a noun.
- Example: "The woman, who roamed the forest, was headless."
- Past Perfect Continuous: Used to describe actions that were ongoing in the past.
- Example: "The villagers had been hearing rumors about the Headless Storyteller for years."
Website:
https://Readiocast.com
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@Readiolingua
-------
Learn English fast and easily with podcasts Conversation, Best Tips For Learning English, Improve Your English Language, Listening and Speaking through Listening, Dictation and Grammar Focus with new words, best practice to learn English online by short stories. (best practice for English Listening skills)
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#English #learnenglish #howtospeakenglish #englishforbeginners #englishtutorial #ielts #listening #englishlearning #englishpractice #learnenglish #listeningpractice #englishstory #practice #LearnEnglishfast #grammer #podcast #Englishpodcast
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199 | Intermediate - Short Story: The Open Road [English Listening Practice]
Title: The Open Road
Level: Intermediate (B)
#Story :
Zara, a 21-year-old motorcycle enthusiast, lives for the thrill of riding. Her customized black motorcycle is her pride and joy, and she feels free every time she hits the open road. One morning, Zara is invited to a motorcycle rally outside the city, where bikers from all over gather to ride together. At the rally, she meets new friends, including a guy with a Ducati who is impressed with her bike and riding skills. Together, they ride through winding mountain roads, enjoying the beautiful scenery and the excitement of the ride. During a break at a diner, the guy suggests Zara try racing, believing she has the talent for it. While Zara loves the idea of racing, for now, she’s content with the freedom of riding and the adventures it brings. As she returns home, she feels happy and fulfilled, knowing that the open road will always be her true passion.
#Vocabulary :
- Rally: A gathering of people with similar interests, in this case, motorcyclists, to ride together.
- Custom: Something made or modified to fit a specific person’s taste.
- Helmet: A protective headgear worn by motorcyclists.
- Throttle: The device used to control the speed of the motorcycle.
- Ducati: A brand of motorcycles, known for their speed and style.
#Grammar Focus:
- Past Simple Tense: The story uses past simple to describe Zara’s experiences at the rally (e.g., "Zara parked her bike," "She led the group").
- Phrasal Verbs: Common phrasal verbs like "show off," "take off," and "give up" are used to describe actions throughout the story.
- Direct Speech: Dialogue between Zara and the other riders adds interaction and realism (e.g., "Nice bike," "Have you ever thought about racing?").
- Comparatives: The story uses comparatives to describe Zara’s skills and bike compared to others (e.g., "more custom," "faster").
- Action Verbs: The story is filled with dynamic action verbs like "revved," "sped," and "weaved," adding excitement to the narrative.
Website:
https://Readiocast.com
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@Readiolingua
-------
Learn English fast and easily with podcasts Conversation, Best Tips For Learning English, Improve Your English Language, Listening and Speaking through Listening, Dictation and Grammar Focus with new words, best practice to learn English online by short stories. (best practice for English Listening skills)
-------
#English #learnenglish #howtospeakenglish #englishforbeginners #englishtutorial #ielts #listening #englishlearning #englishpractice #learnenglish #listeningpractice #englishstory #practice #LearnEnglishfast #grammer #podcast #Englishpodcast
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