Listen English | Learn English by Short Stories - 210 | Advanced - Short Story: The Curse of the Whispering Shadows [English Listening Practice]

210 | Advanced - Short Story: The Curse of the Whispering Shadows [English Listening Practice]

02/01/25 • 16 min

Listen English | Learn English by Short Stories

Title: The Witch of Elmsworth

Level: Advanced (C1-C2)

#Story :

Elmsworth, a quiet, forgotten village surrounded by mist-shrouded forests, had always been a place where whispers of supernatural occurrences seemed to linger in the air. For centuries, stories circulated about a witch named Lira, who had once inhabited the village. Her power was both feared and revered, and some claimed she had vanished long ago, leaving behind a legacy of darkness.

Jonathan Vane, a young historian with a passion for uncovering the hidden truths of history, returned to Elmsworth after many years of absence. His family had once lived in the village, but they had left abruptly when Jonathan was just a boy. Now, as an adult, he sought to uncover the mystery behind his family’s sudden departure and to unravel the legend of the witch.

Upon arriving in Elmsworth, Jonathan found the village eerily quiet, its once-thriving streets now abandoned and overgrown. The homes, shrouded in ivy and moss, seemed to carry the weight of centuries of secrets. There was a palpable sense of dread in the air, as if the village itself held its breath, waiting for something to happen.

Jonathan’s first stop was the village inn, where he sought answers from the innkeeper, an elderly woman named Maud. She had known his family for years, and Jonathan hoped she might provide some insight into the village’s dark history.

“You’ve come back at a strange time,” Maud warned, her eyes filled with concern. “The rumors are starting again—rumors about the witch. Lira’s been seen near the edge of the forest, and people are talking about strange happenings.”

Jonathan raised an eyebrow. “Lira? I thought she was just a story.”

#Vocabulary :

Shrouded – Covered or hidden from view.
Eerie – Strange and frightening, creating a feeling of fear or discomfort.
Revered – Regarded with great respect and admiration.
Dread – Great fear or apprehension about something that might happen.
Manipulate – To control or influence someone or something cleverly or unfairly.

#Grammar Focus :

Past Perfect Tense: Used to describe an action that was completed before another action in the past.
Example: "Jonathan had left the village many years ago, but now he had returned to uncover its secrets."
Relative Clauses: Used to give additional information about a noun in the sentence.
Example: "The villagers, who had long been wary of Lira, whispered tales of her dark powers."
Conditionals (Second Conditional): Used to talk about hypothetical situations and their possible outcomes.
Example: "If Jonathan had never left Elmsworth, he would have known more about the witch's true nature."

Website:

https://Readiocast.com

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@Readiolingua

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Title: The Witch of Elmsworth

Level: Advanced (C1-C2)

#Story :

Jonathan raised an eyebrow. “Lira? I thought she was just a story.”

#Vocabulary :

Shrouded – Covered or hidden from view.
Eerie – Strange and frightening, creating a feeling of fear or discomfort.
Revered – Regarded with great respect and admiration.
Dread – Great fear or apprehension about something that might happen.
Manipulate – To control or influence someone or something cleverly or unfairly.

#Grammar Focus :

Past Perfect Tense: Used to describe an action that was completed before another action in the past.
Example: "Jonathan had left the village many years ago, but now he had returned to uncover its secrets."
Relative Clauses: Used to give additional information about a noun in the sentence.
Example: "The villagers, who had long been wary of Lira, whispered tales of her dark powers."
Conditionals (Second Conditional): Used to talk about hypothetical situations and their possible outcomes.
Example: "If Jonathan had never left Elmsworth, he would have known more about the witch's true nature."

Website:

https://Readiocast.com

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@Readiolingua

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Previous Episode

209 | Beginner - Short Story: The Little Boat [English Listening Practice]

Title: The Little Boat Adventure

Level: Beginner (A1)

Story :

Daffy, a curious young duck, decides to build a small boat and explore the lake. Along his journey, he meets Finny the fish and Frodo the frog, who both offer advice and cheer him on. Daffy reaches a tiny island with a single tree and discovers new things, like a shiny feather he decides to keep as a treasure. As the sun sets, he returns home to find his friends waiting, eager to hear about his adventure. Daffy tells them all about his journey, proud of his bravery and ready for more adventures.

Vocabulary :

Adventure – a fun or exciting journey.
Brave – feeling strong, even if a little scared.
Treasure – something special that you keep.
Shore – the land along the edge of a lake, sea, or river.
Discover – to find something new.

#Grammar Focus:

Simple Past Tense for Events
Describes what happened. Example: “Daffy met new friends.”
Adjectives for Describing Places
Helps make the story vivid. Example: “The lake was deep and blue.”
Direct Speech for Conversations
Uses quotes to show what characters say. Example: “I’m on an adventure!” quacked Daffy.

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Next Episode

211 | Intermediate - Short Story: A Love Letter from the Past [English Listening Practice]

Title: A Love Letter from the Past

Level: Intermediate (B1-B2)

Story:

Sara, a curious young woman, discovers an old wooden trunk hidden away in her grandmother’s dusty attic. Inside, she finds yellowed letters tied with a faded red ribbon, their ink faded but emotions still alive in every word. As she carefully reads through each letter, she unravels the story of a passionate love between her grandmother, Eleanor, and a soldier named James, whose name she had never heard before. Intrigued by this hidden chapter in her family’s history, Sara dives deeper into the mystery, finding photographs and military records that reveal James was presumed missing during the war. Her journey leads her to the discovery that James had survived the war but lost his memory due to severe injuries. He had written letters to Eleanor that were never sent, expressing his enduring love despite his fragmented memories. This revelation fills Sara’s heart with both sorrow and inspiration, as she realizes the depth of a love that transcended time and loss.

Inspired by their powerful story, Sara decides to write a book, weaving together the heartfelt letters, old photographs, and memories shared by those who knew Eleanor and James. The book touches countless hearts, sparking emotional responses from readers worldwide. Years later, Sara meets Anna, James's granddaughter, who brings with her a locket containing a tiny photo of Eleanor, symbolizing the connection between past and present. The locket, along with the letters, becomes part of a museum exhibit dedicated to wartime romances, ensuring their story lives on. As Sara grows older, she reflects on the enduring power of love, realizing that while time may pass and memories may fade, the emotions and connections we share remain etched in the hearts of those who come after us. Their love story becomes a testament to the resilience of the human heart, proving that true love never truly fades.

Vocabulary:

Whispered - spoke very softly.
Curiosity - a strong desire to know or learn something.
Bittersweet - having both happy and sad feelings.
Resilience - the ability to recover quickly from difficulties.
Preserved - kept something in its original state over time.

Grammar Focus:

Past Perfect Tense:
“She had never heard of a James in her grandmother’s stories.”
Explains an action completed before another past action.
Relative Clauses:
“The trunk, which creaked open, revealed yellowed letters.”
Adds extra information about a noun.
Passive Voice:
“The letters were written during the war.”
Focuses on the action or object rather than the subject performing the action.