The Lost Scarf - Short Story and Free Lesson
A forgotten scarf

Read the following story, then complete the exercises below.

*****

A man walks into a restaurant and asks a waiter if he’s seen a scarf. The waiter looks for it but can’t find it. Here’s their conversation:

*****

Client: Have you by chance seen a blue and black striped scarf around here? I think I may have left it around lunchtime. 

Waiter: Oh no! Let me go check the lost and found. 

Client: Thank you. My wife’s going to kill me if I can’t find it – she says I have a knack for losing things. 

Waiter: It’s ok, I have a hard time keeping track of my things too. One second I’m holding my keys and the next they’re nowhere to be found. 

Client: I feel you. 

Waiter: What color did you say it was? 

Client: It’s got blue and black stripes.

Waiter: I hate to say it, but I’m not finding anything here. Do you want to leave your phone number and I’ll call you if it turns up

Client: Yeah, sure. It’s 707-344-7554. If you can’t reach me there, you can always get a hold of me at 707-544-6611. 

Waiter: Alright, sounds great. Will do. 

Client: Thanks a lot! 

Waiter: No worries – sorry I wasn’t much help!

Vocabulary

nearby; in the area. 

  • Where can a man get a cold water around here!

close to lunchtime; maybe 11:50, maybe 1:30.

  • Can we meet up around dinnertime?

an ability; a talent for.

  • What a beautiful cake! You definitely have a knack for baking.

Synonym = to be skilled at, good at; to have a gift, to be talented at.

be aware of /pay attention to / take note of something. Usually used to follow or stay updated on somebody or something. 

  • It’s impossible to keep track of time without a clock. 
  • He moves so much, it’s hard to keep track of his whereabouts. 

Antonym = to lose track! “I’m sorry I’m late, I lost track of time!”

Used to describe a quick change. Usually an exaggeration.We can use "second" or "minute."

  • One minute we’re best friends and then next you’re kissing my boyfriend? Who do you think you are!?

I understand your situation / empathize.

  • So, you think the education system needs reforms? I feel ya

Similar = I gotcha (I got you), tell me about it. 

to appear / to be found. 

  • Sherlock Holmes was shocked when the body turned up in the river. 

Other meaning: to make an appearance; to show up.

  • How many people turned up? 

to be able to get in contact with someone.

  • I called my mom five times and couldn’t reach her, I just got her voicemail = I called my mom five times and couldn’t get a hold of her!

Conversation Questions

  1. What are you good at? What do you have a knack for? 
  2. Is it hard for people to get a hold of you during the work week? 
  3. How do you keep track of your stuff?
  4. When you were in school, did you turn in your homework on time? 
  5. Around what time do you eat lunch?

Quiz Yourself: Fill in the Blank

  1. I have a __________ fishing. Every time I go, I catch about five fish! 
  2.  I’ve been trying to ___________ my mom all day, but I think her phone must be off! 
  3. The best way you can __________ me is by email and Whatsapp. 
  4. It’s so strange how I lose things so easily, but they always ____________.
  5. Who’s ______________ of the score? 
  6. I can’t ___________ of all the new words!!! We need to review.

Choose the best substitute for the bolded word

1. Could you tell me the best way to get a hold of your mom?

  1. To call and talk to.
  2. To grab her.
  3. To put her in a headlock.

2. Oprah finds it hard to keep track of her weight loss when she’s on vacation. 

  1. She doesn’t have time to work on her weight loss. 
  2. She doesn’t take note of how much weight is being lost. 
  3. She can’t run on vacation. 

3. The police were searching for the missing person for weeks when suddenly the body turned up in a river! 

  1. The body was facing upwards in a river.
  2. The body appeared in a river.
  3. The body crawled out of the river onto the shore.

4. (Do) You have trouble sleeping after drinking coffee? I feel you, I’m the same way. 

  1. I understand your situation. 
  2. I’d like to rub your arm. 
  3. I can smell you. 

5. I’m going to get there around 6 o’clock. Do you mind waiting to eat? 

  1. At 6 o’clock. 
  2. At 6 o’clock, plus or minus about 20 minutes.
  3. I’m not coming.
Quiz Questions Answers

Fill in the Blank

  1. I have a knack for fishing. Every time I go, I catch about five fish! 
  2.  I’ve been trying to get a hold of my mom all day, but I think her phone must be off! 
  3. The best way you can reach me is by email and Whatsapp. 
  4. It’s so strange how I lose things so easily, but they always turn up.
  5. Who’s keeping track of the score? 
  6. I can’t keep track of all the new words!!! We need to review.

Multiple Choice

  1. a
  2. b
  3. b
  4. a
  5. b
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