A2 (Elementary) is the second of the six CEFR levels. A reader at A2 can follow short, simple texts on familiar topics like family, shopping, work and travel. Every story below is written for A2 readers, so you understand most of what you read and pick up new words from context. Tap any word for its translation as you go.
On Mars, oxygen costs a fortune — but songs travel free. Every night a stranger's cumbia arrives in the greenhouse, and the botanist on the night shift begins to wonder who is listening to the red dust with her.
OP's classmate contributed nothing but a three-word title to their group research project, and now half the class thinks OP is being cruel for leaving her name off it.
Lorenzo arrives at a luxury seaside resort ready for vacation—only to discover he packed everything except his swimsuit. His solution shocks every guest at the pool.
A bronze statue of General Facundo has stood in the same park for 87 years. Today, he's had enough—and he's hungry.
OP's brother started dating someone two weeks before the wedding and wants to bring her. OP says no — the place cards are printed, the table is full, and the guest list was closed months ago. Now his brother says he might not come at all.
Santiago's skateboard takes him into a dark tunnel—and out the other side into a world that shouldn't exist. Now he has to decide: go back to his normal life, or stay a little longer with creatures everyone thought were gone forever.
OP left a hotel room in a shocking state—towels everywhere, food on the floor, trash on the bed—and argues it's literally the cleaning staff's job. OP's friends are furious and say it was disrespectful. But OP paid good money for that room.
Ben's mother is the most boring person in San Bruno — a quiet seamstress who sews dresses, drinks tea, and barely speaks. So who is the racing champion in the red suit hidden at the bottom of her closet?
When a workaholic businessman loses everything important in an unfamiliar city, he discovers that the most valuable things can't fit in a pocket.
Twelve falls, one patient instructor, and a bright blue scarf against the snow. Maite's worst vacation idea might be the best thing that ever happened to her.
Ten dollars and a three-word note fell out of a library book. The money wasn't the interesting part.
OP wore a black suit to a summer beach wedding, and now the bride won't speak to him because she wanted all guests in bright, happy colors.
Iker hates math and finds the perfect solution: a magical pencil that writes answers by itself. There's just one problem—every single answer is wrong.
OP spent six months saving for concert tickets that can't be returned — then his uncle died the same weekend. Now his family won't talk to him.
A twelve-year-old buys a metro map from 1900 — and the stations on it shouldn't exist anymore. But someone left something hidden inside them, decades ago, waiting to be found.
Valentina only planned a quick nap on a Hawaiian beach—but the local crabs had bigger plans for her.
Ignacio goes camping alone in a remote forest for some peace and quiet—until the third night, when a massive shadow appears on his tent wall. It looks like a bear. Then it stands up like a person.
Julián has five minutes before his school photo—and zero eyebrows. What started as a small accident with his older brother's electric razor is about to become the most memorable school picture day ever.
In a city where phones are forbidden, the most dangerous technology is a piece of string and two paper cups.
OP borrowed her roommate's favorite silk shirt for a night out, spilled red wine on it, and quietly returned it to the closet—hoping she wouldn't notice. She noticed.
A red umbrella, five million views, and one weather reporter who really, really wanted to stay at his desk.
She terrified every student into perfect silence for fifteen years. Then she fell asleep at her own desk.
A shy baker finally works up the courage to hide a love note inside a fortune cookie for his favorite customer—but she eats the whole thing without opening it.
An ATM screen asks Nelson a question no machine should know how to ask. The black car across the street is already waiting.
