The Wednesday Ferry (B2 Reading Story)
Travelling alone, Marta boards a small ferry on the northern coast. A Wednesday visit to an island introduces her to lives that rarely appear in a tourist itinerary.
B2 Upper Intermediate
B2 · UPPER INTERMEDIATE
You can join discussions on complex topics, watch films without subtitles, and use English confidently at work.
A1
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A2
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B1
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B2 · YOU
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C1
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C2
Start Here
All English verb tenses — past, present, future
A full map of every English tense in one place. Use this as your reference as you sharpen the rest of your grammar.
B2 Grammar · 14 lessons
Learn grammar
Advanced word pairs, punctuation rules, and literary devices like irony and hyperbole.
B2 Vocabulary · 1 lesson
Learn vocabulary
Upper-intermediate vocabulary — small but useful. More lessons coming as the site grows.
Reading · Graded Stories
Read short stories made for B2
Original graded stories written at your level — each with key words, a comprehension quiz, and a grammar tip. New stories added regularly.
Ready for C1?
Move on when you can argue, debate, and write at length without effort.
The Window Opposite (B2 Reading Story)
Iris works alone in a flat facing another woman’s window. A wave begins a friendship across the courtyard, until the window opposite unexpectedly goes dark.
Out of Order (B2 Reading Story)
When the lift at Wren Court breaks down, nurse Priya begins to see how her neighbours live. A daily inconvenience becomes a shared struggle to get the building repaired.
The Fifth Bottle (B2 Reading Story)
A sealed bottle appears outside Nadia’s coastal bookshop, carrying an old message. Her employer’s reaction suggests it belongs to a story he has kept quiet for years.
What Are Verb Tenses Past Present Future: Understanding Time in Grammar
Quick Answer Verb tenses tell you when something happens. There are three main tenses: past (it already happened), present (it is happening now), and future (it will happen later). For example: “She walked” is past, “She walks” is present, and “She will walk” is future. Past, Present, and Future — See the Pattern Look at…
Types of Irony: Understanding the Various Forms of Contrast in Literature
Quick Answer There are three types of irony: verbal, situational, and dramatic. Irony means that something is different from what you expected. Verbal: You say the opposite of what you mean. Situational: The result is the opposite of what you expected. Dramatic: The audience knows something the character does not. Verbal, Situational, and Dramatic —…
Most Commonly Confused Words in English: Clarity for Effective Communication
Quick Answer The 5 English word pairs that trip up almost everyone are affect / effect, their / there / they’re, its / it’s, your / you’re, and then / than. They sound almost the same, but they mean very different things. Quick rule: if you can swap the word for it is, use it’s….
Degrees of Adjectives: Comparatives and Superlatives Explained in Simple Terms
Quick Answer Adjectives have three forms: the base form (tall), the comparative form (taller), and the superlative form (tallest). Use the comparative to compare two things. Use the superlative to compare three or more things. Tall, Taller, Tallest — See the Pattern Look at these sentences. The key words are in blue: Did you see…
Abstract Nouns vs Concrete Nouns: Understanding the Differences
Quick Answer A concrete noun is something you can see, touch, hear, smell, or taste — like a chair, a dog, or music. An abstract noun is an idea, feeling, or quality you cannot sense — like love, freedom, or fear. Quick test: if your five senses can find it, it is concrete. If they…
