A2 · Elementary · Home · 99 words · ~2 min read

🔊 Complaining About a Noisy Neighbour

Language focus: Present Continuous & should · complaints

It is late at night, and Clara cannot sleep. Her new neighbour is playing loud music, and the walls are thin, so the noise keeps on for hours.

The next morning, Clara knocks politely on his door. “I’m sorry to bother you,” she says, “but the music was very loud last night.”

“Oh, I’m really sorry,” the neighbour replies. “I didn’t realise. I’ll turn it down in the evenings.” Clara calms down and smiles.

“Thank you for understanding,” she says. “And do knock on my door if I’m ever too noisy!” They both laugh, and the problem is solved.

Key vocabulary (8 words)

neighbournoun
A person who lives near you.
noisenoun
A loud or unpleasant sound.
politeadjective
Having good manners and showing respect.
thinadjective
Not thick; here, letting sound pass through easily.
botherverb
To trouble or disturb someone.
understandingadjective
Kind and willing to forgive.
reasonableadjective
Fair and sensible.
peacefuladjective
Quiet and calm.

Phrasal verbs in this story

  • turn down — To turn down means to lower the volume.
  • keep on — To keep on means to continue.
  • calm down — To calm down means to become relaxed after being upset.

Comprehension quiz

  1. Why can’t Clara sleep?

    • Loud music
    • A storm
    • A baby
    Show answer

    Loud music

  2. What are the walls like?

    • Thick
    • Thin
    • Made of glass
    Show answer

    Thin

  3. How does Clara complain?

    • Angrily
    • Politely
    • By shouting
    Show answer

    Politely

  4. The neighbour will ___ the music in the evenings.

    • turn up
    • turn down
    • turn off forever
    Show answer

    turn down

  5. The noise ___ for hours.

    • keeps on
    • runs out
    • sets off
    Show answer

    keeps on

  6. “Calm down” means to…

    • become relaxed
    • get angry
    • fall asleep
    Show answer

    become relaxed

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