This lovely story from the the American writer O'Henry, I completely re-wrote for B2 level.
Here is the vocabulary discussed:
Just around the corner. The means a place further on where we cannot see but is very close.
English proverb: The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence. This means that life is better any place but where you are now.
hesitation - worried about doing something because you are not sure that it is the right thing to do.
impersonal - without friendly human feelings or atmosphere.
uncaring - not sympathetic about the problems or suffering of others.
loneliness - unhappiness because you have no friends or people to talk to.
vibrant and bustling - full of people moving about in a busy way.
optimism - a feeling that good things will happen.
look at someone in the eye - look directly into someone's face.
passers-by - people walking past in the street.
At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages.
https://www.practisingenglish.com/
My latest novel for learners of B2 English is called The Tudor Conspiracy. You can see it on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
Be back soon with another podcast!
Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology)