B1 short stories in English
Short stories at B1 (Intermediário) level, newest first. Press play to hear a story, read along, then write it down as a dictation.
The Returning Road
The island bus stopped beside a sea that had swallowed the road. Our driver said the tide had risen faster than the forecast promised. We had planned to reach the village before dark, but had to wait. A local baker appeared with a basket and invited us inside. While we shared warm rolls, she explained the road would return. The tide was going out, though the water still covered everything. Soon, a line of stones emerged, leading straight across the bay. We crossed behind the baker, who knew each slippery stone by heart. I have never trusted a timetable more than someone who watches the sea.
Write this story as a dictationThe Orange Strip
Your letter about the blank printer points to one bright-orange clue. You have replaced the toner, but every page still comes out blank. Before calling for help, you should pull out the cartridge again. Look for a narrow orange strip tucked beneath its plastic handle. It protects fresh toner during delivery, but blocks the toner inside. I missed it once too, and wasted an afternoon checking settings. Remove the strip, slide the cartridge back, and print one test page. If the page stays blank, check the paper direction and toner seal. That bright strip was the whole problem, hiding in plain sight.
Write this story as a dictationThe Whistling Cupboard
The office kettle whistled at noon, though nobody had touched it. Then the same sound came from inside the cupboard. We checked the plug while our sandwiches waited untouched. My notebook felt bulky, and its corners kept catching my bag. Still, I had copied the cleaner's note about a chirping timer. She used a toy bird to remind herself when deliveries arrived. We found it behind the kettle, chirping beside a box of tea. Keeping notes is a bother, but that message solved our lunch mystery. Now I carry my notebook, because one clue beats cold sandwiches.
Write this story as a dictationHot Tea, Late Train
Our train was late, but my tea stayed hot. How? The answer was hiding in the bottle's double wall. Makers remove most air from the narrow space between the walls. With little air between them, less heat escapes through the space. A shiny inner surface reflects some heat back toward the tea. The tight lid also slows warm air from leaving through the opening. A serious dent can damage the vacuum seal and weaken this effect. I kept the bottle upright while we waited beside the tracks. When our train arrived, the tea was still hot enough to enjoy.
Write this story as a dictationA Busy Kitchen
Every Friday, a regular ordered two soups, but one always came back untouched. At first, we blamed the recipe and changed the seasoning. Still, the second bowl returned cold after the lunch rush. I asked him about it when the kitchen finally quieted down. His daughter worked evenings and could only collect dinner later. I offered to pack her soup in a heatproof cup instead. We kept the bread separate, so it would stay crisp. Last Friday, he came back with the empty cup and a grin. Since then, we have packed both meals to travel well.
Write this story as a dictationHow to learn English with short stories
Short stories are one of the easiest ways to practise listening: they are short enough to finish, and the story helps you guess the words you don’t catch. Listen once without reading, then listen again while you read, and notice the words you missed.
When a story feels familiar, write it down as a dictation. You type each sentence as you hear it, and every word is checked, so you see exactly which sounds still slip past you. Every level gets a new story each day.
Where can I find short English stories with audio?
Here, for every level from A1 to C1. Each story has its own recording and full text, and new stories are added every day.
Are these stories good for beginners?
Yes. A1 stories use short sentences, common words and slow, clear speech. Start there, and move up when you understand most of a story on the first listen.
Should I read the text while I listen?
Listen once without the text first, so you train your ear. Then read along to check what you missed, and listen a last time without it.