The Book Swap
A2 reading: There was a new notice at Finn's college: "Bring a book. Includes vocabulary, six comprehension questions, discussion prompts and full-sentence answers.
What’s in the worksheet?
- 4 vocabulary explanations
- Six comprehension questions and two discussion prompts
- Separate full-sentence answer key and teaching notes
Follow Finn's visit to a college book swap, identifying why he participates and how a message inside his old book connects two readers. The story gives A2 learners concrete practice with past events, reasons and book vocabulary.
Worksheet preview
Open PDF ↗
Page 1 of 3 · A4 printable PDF
Page 2 of 3 · A4 printable PDF
Page 3 of 3 · Answer key · A4 printable PDF
A simple way to teach it
Before the lesson
Read the four vocabulary explanations before using the story and question page. Keep page 3's suggested answers for checking; the two partner questions have no fixed answers.
- Read for the main event: what does Finn bring, and what does he take home? Distinguish the book he gives away from the cooking book he chooses.
- Answer the six questions in complete sentences. Find the message on the card and the other student's response, using because when explaining Finn's reason for attending.
- Compare equivalent answers with the key, then discuss favourite kinds of books and other things a college or workplace could exchange.
Support and extension
Offer sentence beginnings such as Finn went because and He chose. Extend by writing a short recommendation card for an imaginary book, without requiring learners to bring possessions.
Suggested approach. Adjust the pace and number of questions to suit your class.
