288 | Advanced - Short Story: The Shadow...

Title: The Shadow of Thermopylae

Level: Advanced (C1)

#Story :

Kleon, a Greek soldier left for dead after the Battle of Thermopylae, awakens among the fallen. As he limps from the battlefield, he finds signs of betrayal hidden in a dead envoy’s hand—an engraved ring from Delphi. Determined to uncover the truth, Kleon journeys to Delphi and discovers that Ariston, son of the High Seer, secretly conspired with the Persians. His plan was to allow the Spartans to fall, ensuring future Greek unity and securing Delphi’s power. With the help of Myrta, a woman whose brother died in the betrayal, Kleon infiltrates Delphi’s forbidden Vault of Prophecy and finds undeniable proof of the conspiracy. Myrta sacrifices herself to destroy the vault, leaving Kleon to escape with the scroll. Now, as a lone survivor carrying the truth of Thermopylae, Kleon walks away—ready to reveal the dark price of Greece’s freedom.

#Vocabulary :

• Labyrinth : a complex network of winding passages; a maze.
• Edict : an official order or decree issued by an authority.
• Sanctioned : formally approved or authorized, often referring to controversial actions.
• Galvanize : to shock or inspire people into action.
• Pawn : a person used by others for their own purposes.

#Grammar Focus:

• Cleft Sentences (for Emphasis in Formal Speech)
• Used to emphasize a specific part of a sentence.
• Example: It was Delphi that orchestrated the betrayal.
• Advanced Passive Voice (for Formal and Impersonal Tone)
• Used to focus on actions and their results rather than the doer.
• Example: Every death at Thermopylae had been sanctioned by Delphi.
• Perfect Infinitive with Modal Verbs (for Past Possibilities or Regrets)
• Used to express something that might have happened in the past.
• Example: He might have been executed for discovering the truth.

Website:

https://Readiocast.com

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@Readiolingua

-------

Learn English fast and easily with podcasts Conversation, Best Tips For Learning English, Improve Your English Language, Listening and Speaking through Listening, Dictation and Grammar Focus with new words, best practice to learn English online by short stories. (best practice for English Listening skills)

-------

#English #learnenglish #howtospeakenglish #englishforbeginners #englishtutorial #ielts #listening #englishlearning #englishpractice #learnenglish #listeningpractice #englishstory #practice #LearnEnglishfast #grammer #podcast #Englishpodcast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.