Reading
Lisa had just finished her first year teaching English in Japan, and her friend Mark had flown in from the UK to visit her. They hadn’t seen each other in years, so they decided to take a spontaneous road trip along the coast to reconnect and explore Japan’s quieter side.
Lisa had spent most of her time in a bustling city known for its neon lights and towering skyscrapers. She was craving a break, a chance to escape the city’s noise and find some peace. Mark, on the other hand, had just left his stressful job in London. He was hoping this trip would clear his mind and help him decide what to do next.
They set off with no fixed plan, just a map, and the open road. As they drove south, the landscape began to change. The tall buildings gave way to lush green mountains, and the road started to wind along the coast, offering stunning views of the ocean. The air was fresher here, with the faint scent of citrus from the nearby groves, reminding Lisa of the local specialty fruit she had tried earlier that year.
Their adventure soon led them to a small, hidden beach, tucked away from the main road. It was a spot Lisa had heard about from her students, a place only locals knew. The beach was quiet, with soft, golden sand and crystal-clear water. There were no tourists, just the sound of waves gently lapping at the shore. It was exactly what they both needed—a peaceful retreat away from the chaos of their everyday lives.
But reaching this serene spot wasn’t easy. The road to the beach was arduous, winding through dense forests and steep hills. They passed small shrines nestled in the woods and glimpsed fishing boats in the distance, bobbing near the shore. At one point, Mark, who was usually calm, felt a bit petrified as the road narrowed and the trees closed in around them. He wasn’t used to driving on such challenging roads, especially in a foreign country. But Lisa, with her newfound spontaneity from living abroad, laughed and encouraged him to keep going, promising that the destination would be worth the effort.
When they finally arrived, they spent the afternoon swimming, talking, and soaking in the beauty of the secluded beach. As the sun set, casting a warm glow over the water, both Lisa and Mark felt a deep sense of calm. This trip wasn’t just about seeing new places; it was about reconnecting with themselves and each other, finding peace in the unexpected, and realizing that sometimes, the best moments are those that aren’t planned.
Comprehension Quizzes
- Multiple Choice: What motivated Lisa and Mark to take the road trip?
a) Lisa was on vacation, and Mark wanted to visit temples.
b) Lisa needed a break from city life, and Mark wanted a fresh start.
c) Lisa wanted to explore the coastal area, and Mark wanted to learn Japanese.
d) They both wanted to visit popular tourist spots in Japan. - True or False: The road to the hidden beach was wide and easy to drive on.
a) True
b) False
Grammar and Vocabulary Qs
Identify the correct word: Mark felt a bit petrified as the road narrowed and the trees closed in around them.
- a) serene
- b) arduous
- c) petrified
- d) spontaneous
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the verb: Lisa realized her new life in Japan had made her more spontaneous.
- a) realize
- b) realized
- c) realizes
- d) realizing
Match the word with its definition:
- Spontaneity
- Arduous
- Serene
- a) Something very difficult and requiring a lot of effort
- b) Calm and peaceful
- c) Doing something without planning
Discussion Questions
- Can you guess which region of Japan Lisa and Mark might be traveling through based on the clues in the story?
- If you’ve ever lived in a foreign country, how did it change your outlook on life? If not, how do you think it might affect you?