Learn just the words you need.

Did you know that with just a few hundred words, you can understand a significant portion of everyday English? Essential Vocabulary is here to guide you through the maze of the English language, streamlining your learning with short, impactful texts.

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The Dog and the Butterfly
The Dog and the Butterfly
There is a dog in the garden. Its name is Max. Max sees a butterfly. The butterfly is beautiful. It has big, colorful wings. The butterfly lands on a flower. Max looks at the butterfly. He wants to play with it. Max runs to the butterfly. He wants to catch it. But the butterfly flies away. It flies to another flower. Max runs to the new flower. The butterfly flies away again. It is a fun game. Max is happy. Max chases the butterfly. He chases it around the garden. He runs here. He runs there. The butterfly always flies away. Day becomes night. Max is tired. He goes to his house. He sleeps. He dreams of the butterfly.
The Story Time
The Story Time
She is a teacher. She likes stories. She has a book. The book is big. The book is blue. It has many stories. She reads a story to the class. The children sit on the floor. They look at her. They listen to her. The story is about a cat. The cat is white. The cat is small. The cat likes to play. The children like the story. They smile. They laugh. They want to hear more stories. The teacher is happy.
The Newspaper in the Park
The Newspaper in the Park
A man sits on a bench in the park. He has a newspaper in his hands. He reads the newspaper. He sees a story. It is a happy story. He smiles. He turns the page. He sees another story. It is a sad story. He frowns. He closes the newspaper. He looks up. He sees a woman. She is happy. He smiles again.
Bedtime Routine
Bedtime Routine
The girl stands in the bathroom. She holds a toothbrush. The toothbrush is small. It is red. She puts toothpaste on the toothbrush. The toothpaste is white. She puts the toothbrush in her mouth. She brushes her teeth. She brushes up and down. She brushes left and right. She rinses her mouth with water. She spits out the water. She smiles. Her teeth are clean. She goes to bed.
A Day in the Park
A Day in the Park
This is the story of the Wilson family. They live in a big city. They always work and study from Monday to Friday. But on Sundays, they like having a picnic in the park. One Sunday, the sky is blue and the weather is nice. Mrs. Wilson makes the sandwiches and Mr. Wilson packs the picnic basket. Their children, Tony and Lucy, help them. They are going to the park. In the park, they spread a blanket under a big tree. They eat sandwiches and drink lemonade. Tony and Lucy play with their dog after eating. They are happy. At the end of the day, they pack their things and say goodbye to the park. The Wilson family always loves their picnic days. They are going to do it again next Sunday.
The Mystery of the Missing Cake
The Mystery of the Missing Cake
John is a detective. He lives in a small town. He likes his job, but sometimes it is very quiet. One day, his phone rings. It's Mrs. Smith. She says, 'My cake is missing. I am sad. Can you help me?' John goes to Mrs. Smith's house. He looks for clues. He sees a big, wet paw print on the kitchen floor. 'Aha!' thinks John. He is going to solve the mystery soon. John finds Mr. Smith's big dog in the garden. It looks happy, but its mouth is messy with cake crumbs. John laughs. 'The mystery is solved. The dog ate the cake!' says John. Mrs. Smith is happy now. John likes solving cases like this.
Melody's Big Concert
Melody's Big Concert
This is a story about a girl named Melody. Melody likes to play the piano. She lives in a small house in the city with her family. One day, Melody's teacher tells her about a big concert. The concert is in two months. Melody is going to play the piano at the concert. Melody feels happy but also a little bit scared. Melody starts to practice every day after school. Sometimes, she practices for two hours. Her mom often brings her a glass of water. She needs to drink because her throat gets dry. The day of the concert comes. Melody is ready. She has her favorite red dress on and her piano music in her hands. She goes on the stage and starts to play. Everyone loves it!
Sandy's Seashells
Sandy's Seashells
This is Sandy. She lives in a small house near the beach. Sandy loves the beach. Every Saturday, she goes to the beach to collect seashells. Today, Sandy is at the beach again. She is searching for seashells. She is very happy because she finds big, beautiful seashells. She puts them in her bag. Suddenly, Sandy sees a very special seashell. It's the biggest seashell she has ever seen. She is very excited and she says, 'This is going to be my favorite seashell!' Sandy goes home. She looks at all her seashells. She is very happy. She loves her new seashell the most. She says, 'Next Saturday, I am going to find more beautiful seashells!'
The Nightly Rounds
The Nightly Rounds
In a peaceful suburban neighborhood, Officer Mark known for his notorious wit, patrolled the streets every night. His tall figure and bright flashlight were a familiar sight for the residents who would often wave at him from their windows. One cold Wednesday night, as he was carrying out his usual rounds, something unusual caught his eye. Underneath the dim streetlight, a silhouette was moving swiftly, almost like a wisp of smoke. Mark's heart pounded as he slowly approached the figure. Suddenly, a cat jumped out, causing Mark to let out a comically loud yelp. He had spent years on the force, faced some dangerous situations, yet this little tabby managed to startle him. Chuckling to himself, he continued his patrol, deciding to take a different route that night. As he walked past the old Johnson house, he noticed the front door was wide open. The Johnsons were out of town for vacation. Mark quickly dialed their number and Mrs. Johnson confirmed nobody was supposed to be home. Sensing something was off, Mark cautiously entered the house. After a thorough search, he found nothing out of place. However, as he was about to leave, he noticed a note on the table. 'Thanks for the hospitality!' it read, signed 'The Tabby'. Mark laughed out loud, understanding he had been pranked by the neighborhood kids. Even though Officer Mark had to admit, he fell for it completely. Still, he couldn't wait for the next night's patrol, wondering what new adventures it would bring in this seemingly quiet neighborhood.
The Secret Masterpiece
The Secret Masterpiece
In a bustling city, there lived a modest artist named Henry. He was well known for his unique style and attention to detail. However, amidst the city's commotion, Henry felt a lack of inspiration. He yearned for a masterpiece that could captivate anyone who saw it. Henry spent countless hours in his little studio, painting every day and night. He would lose track of time, often forgetting to eat or sleep. Despite his determination, his canvas remained blank. The right inspiration simply wasn't striking. One evening, feeling particularly frustrated, Henry decided to go for a walk. As he wandered, he stumbled upon a secluded park. The setting sun cast beautiful hues across the sky and the sight of children playing filled the air with joy. Suddenly, he felt a rush of inspiration. Excitedly, he rushed back to his studio. His hand moved swiftly across the canvas as the scene from the park filled his mind. The blending of colors, the expressions on the children's faces, everything was perfect. After days of non-stop work, he finally completed the painting. Henry named his masterpiece 'The Joy of Innocence'. The painting was truly a sight to behold. It was more beautiful than anything he had ever created before. The masterpiece not only captivated everyone who saw it, but also rekindled Henry's passion for art. 'The Joy of Innocence' will always remain as a symbol of Henry's victory over his artistic block.
The Fisherman and the Mysterious Lake
The Fisherman and the Mysterious Lake
Early in the morning, Fred, a seasoned but humble fisherman, got up and preparing his fishing gear. With the sunrise giving a breathtaking view, he set off on his little boat, heading towards the peaceful lake situated in the heart of the village. On this particular morning, something felt different, as if an adventure was waiting. Fred cast his line into the water. It was calm and quiet, and all he could hear were the chirping birds and sound of ripples hitting his boat. Hours passed by, but there was no tug on his line. Fred stayed patient, reminding himself that fishing was more about patience than luck. Suddenly, an unexpected force jerked Fred's fishing rod. A thrill rushed through his veins as he took a firm grip. After a considerable struggle, he finally managed to pull out a big, glistening fish. His eyes widened in surprise at the sight of the biggest fish he had ever caught in his entire fishing career. Examining the fish, Fred noticed something intriguing. It had a tiny, ancient-looking key hanging from a thread tied around its fin. Puzzled, he looked around the lake, and his gaze fell upon a small, deserted island that he had never noticed before. The curiosity got the best of him, and Fred decided to row towards the island. The discovery of the fish and the mysterious key was the start of a new adventure that was waiting to unravel. Little did he know, the simple act of catching a big fish was going to take his life on an unexpected turn.
The Hidden Treasure of Valencia
The Hidden Treasure of Valencia
In the beautiful city of Valencia, a curious traveler named Jack was exploring every corner on foot. He was not a simple tourist looking for historical monuments or tasting local cuisine. He had heard about a valuable treasure hidden in the city and was determined to find it. Armed with a faded map from an old book, he took off early in the morning. Although the scorching sun made his quest more challenging, Jack didn't give up. He walked along the old winding streets, crossing landmarks like the Cathedral and the Central Market. He was drawn to the incredible architecture of the old town, but the treasure was his ultimate goal. After walking for hours, Jack finally reached the spot marked on his map. The location was in the Turia Gardens, a picturesque park that once was a riverbed. Despite the fact that he had been exploring all day, Jack felt a burst of energy. He started digging under an old olive tree where the treasure was supposed to be hidden. Suddenly, he hit something hard. His heart raced as he pulled out a small chest. It was filled with old coins, probably the hidden treasure he had been searching for. Overjoyed, Jack could hardly believe his luck. After this incredible journey, he didn't keep the treasure for himself. Instead, he donated it to the local museum. Jack's story became a legend in Valencia and he was honored as a distinguished visitor. The treasure was no longer hidden, but Jack's adventure will always be remembered.