Let's reflect and learn new vocabulary with a reading text

This is a reading activity with which, apart from having fun, we will learn new vocabulary. It is directed to PRE- INTERMEDIATE or INTERMEDIATE  students.

It has been taken from  https://en.islcollective.com , which is a website where you can find all kinds of printable exercises, videos... 

The link from which this text has been taken and adapted is: 

https://en.islcollective.com/resources/printables/worksheets_doc_docx/a_funny_tense_review_story_reading_comprehension_and_speaking/tenses-idioms-tenses/17257

I hope you enjoy it. 

THE WASHROOM STORY

When I was leaving Montreal, I decided to stop at one of those rest areas on the side of the road. 

I go into the washroom. The first stall is taken, so I go into the second stall. I had just sat down when I heard a voice from the other stall…
- Hi there, how is it going? 

I'm thinking to myself, what the hell? Okay, I am not the type to strike up conversations with strangers in the loos on the side of the road. I didn't know what to say, so finally I say: 
-Not bad… 
Then the voice says:

- So, what are you doing? 
I am starting to find this a bit weird and very uncomfortable, but I finally reply with: 
- Well, I'm going back east…
Then I hear the person, all flustered, say: 
- Look, I'll call you back honey--every time I ask you a question this idiot in the next stall keeps answering me! 
…A harsh silence fell through the washroom. I have to tell you I was relieved. But never before had I felt so stupid! Damn you cell phones...! You win this round. 

Let’s see whether we understand the vocabulary. Try to infer the meaning of the words you don’t know and reflect on the questions that follow:

·         The loo, the ladies’, the John, the washroom… All the four words mean the same. Do you know what?

·         … strike up: start a conversation with a stranger. Has it ever happened to you? What was it about? Do you often strike up conversations with strangers?

·         … find this a bit weird: odd, strange. What was so weird about the person? What was he or she doing when you saw them?

·         … To feel flustered: fell bewildered and confused. Have you ever felt flustered?  If so, what made you feel like that?

Now, take some minutes to think about the following statements and questions. Try to be honest in your answers J

                                 

Think about the last time you traveled.  

·         Did you feel comfortable? If not, why not?

·         Did any stranger try to strike up a conversation with you? Did you reply readily?

·         Did you see anyone/anything weird while travelling?

·         Did anything flustering happen to you during the journey?

·         Do you think that what is told in the text is a joke (an invented funny story) or an anecdote (a real incident)?

·         Could this have happened to you?

·         If this happened to you, how would you feel?