Learn English with a Real Story and Exercises

The story of Walter Carr. This is getting ridiculous. What's getting ridiculous? I've applied for so many jobs now. I apply to anything I see that I think I could do, but I've heard nothing back from any. I'm willing to do almost anything. It'd be nice if they could just call and say no, but I guess they have so many job applicants they just can't. I'm just so desperate for a job. What have you applied for? Well, I've never studied or trained in anything, so I've applied for laboring jobs and jobs working with the public, that kind of thing. Ah, okay. I know how hard it can be to get your foot in the door. Fingers crossed for you, man. Thanks. And if you hear of any jobs going, put in a good word for me, yeah? I will do that. Thanks, man. Oh, wait. My phone is ringing. One sec. Hello? Yes, this is Walter Carr. Oh, that's such great news. Thank you so much. Yes, I'd love to work at Bell Hops. A trial? Yes, I'd love to come in. Tomorrow? What time? Yes, 9am is perfect. That's no problem at all. That's great. Thank you very much. Bye. Yes! I can't believe it! I've got a job! That's amazing! I'm so happy for you. Where's the job? It's at Bell Hops, a moving company. What will you be doing there? I'll work as a mover. I'm going to help people move out of their home. I'll start tomorrow. I have to help a family move from Pelham to the Meadowbrook area. That's great! Can you make good money as a mover? Yes, I'll be able to make up to $20 an hour. It's come just in time. I should be okay to pay rent on my apartment now. If not, I'd be so close to losing it and having nowhere to stay. Then it would be a downward spiral. My door is always open, but this is definitely a better outcome. Good luck! Thanks. I'd better get home and get my bag ready. Oh, man! I don't believe this! The engine won't start! Just my luck! How am I supposed to get to work tomorrow? I don't even have money to have it repaired. Looks like I'll be walking to work. There's no way I can miss my first day. I'm going to get this job by all means. Let me check Google Maps. By foot, it'll take eight hours. Oh, man! I'll have to wake up at midnight and get going. But I don't have a choice. I have to keep this job. Oh, my legs are killing me. I'd better rest for a few minutes. Hi there, young man. What's your name? Hi there, officer. It's Walter, sir. Walter, can I ask what you're doing walking along this dangerous stretch of road at this time of night? I know this must look bizarre. It's a long story, but cut short, it's this. I've applied for so many jobs. Yesterday, I had a callback, and they want me to start tomorrow. Well, today now. But then my car broke down. I have to keep this job. Otherwise, I'll lose my apartment. So I decided to walk. It'll take me eight hours in total, and I've done six. So really, I'm almost there. Wow, kid! That's some dedication. I'm impressed. Thanks, sir. Where are you heading? Where is your new job? It's at Bellhops, Pelham. I'll be a mover. Good on you. Hop in. We'll take you the rest of the way. Are you serious? Thank you so much. Have you had breakfast? No, I spent all my money on my apartment and won't have more until I start this job. You must be starving. We are, too. I'll stop at the next drive-thru. But I don't have any money to give you. I just paid my rent. I have no cash on me at all. Not a problem. For your dedication, this one is on us. Buckle up and enjoy the ride. Thank you so much. Hi, officer. What can I do for you? Hi there. I have a special delivery of one Mr. Walter Carr. He is part of the Bellhops team. Hi. Hi, Walter. Can I ask why he has arrived accompanied by two police officers? Well, Mrs... Lamey. Mrs. Lamey. Well, Mrs. Lamey. This young man, Walter Carr, had a few problems last night. His car broke down. But instead of phoning to cancel his first day, he decided to walk the eight hours to get here. We found him six hours in and brought him the rest of the way. Goodness, Walter. I am impressed with your commitment. But if you had called, we would have understood. Thank you, Mrs. Lamey. I really needed this job, though, and didn't want to do anything that could jeopardize it. Well, he's had breakfast, but might not show you his best this morning after being awake all night. But I'll leave this with you now, Mrs. Lamey. Good luck, Walter. It was great to meet you. It was great to meet you, too. Thank you for helping me out. I can't express just how grateful I am. No problem. It's been a pleasure to help you. Yes, thank you so much, officer. Goodbye. Well, Walter, would you like a nap before you start work? Oh, no, Mrs. Lamey. Please. I'd rather get started. Please call me Jenny. Are you sure? No, honestly. I'd just like to get started. No problem. Here are the other two movers from Bellhops 2. Hi, I'm Walter, and I'm your new teammate. Oh, hi, Walter. Our boss told us about you. I'm John, and this is Matthew. Welcome to the team. Thanks. I'm going to show you the ropes. Let's get started. What a kid. I've got to post this on Facebook. I've never known anything like it. Hey, you know I told you about Walter, who was willing to walk eight hours to get to my home? Yeah, what he had endured to help you with your move. He's a very special young man. That's right. He's really incredible. He said it was the way he was raised. Nothing is impossible if you set your mind to it. Well, I posted his story on Facebook, and it's blown up. I think it might even go viral. Really? Yeah. What are people saying? Mostly positive things. Some people are calling him crazy, which I kind of agree with too. Yeah, I'm not sure I'd be willing to walk eight hours, although I can't say how I'd behave if it were my apartment on the line and I didn't have any cash. This job is his lifeline. Definitely. What else are they saying? Some people suggest we set up a GoFundMe page to help him with the cost of his car. What a good idea. Do it. He mentioned his car would cost around $2,000. I'll set the target for that. Great idea. Hey, Walter. Can I speak to you for a moment? Sure, what's up? Well, I was so inspired by you last week. I wanted my friends to know, so I posted your story on Facebook. Really? I hope you're not mad. No, it's cool. There was so much support for you. I then set up a GoFundMe page to raise $2,000 for your car. Wow, did you reach it? Yeah, your car is covered. Oh my goodness, are you serious? Thank you so much. I was really worried about how I'd pay for it. I can't believe it. Now I can relax. Absolutely, it's all taken care of. We all need a little extra help from time to time. Thank you so much. Walter, there's more. What do you mean? The total went above $2,000. Way above $2,000. Okay, how much above $2,000? Like $100,000. What? That's madness. That's amazing. But I can't keep that much. I'll donate $25,000 to an education foundation or something. That's very generous of you. I think the generosity lies with the public for donating so much to somebody they don't know. It's heartwarming and humbling. As much as this money will help me, I haven't done anything special. You have inspired the world, Walter. Hey, Walter. Luke Marklin, the chief executive of Bellhops, wants to come in and meet you on Monday. I would say make sure you turn up for your shift, but I know you will. Really? Wow, I can't wait to meet him. Walter Carr, it's great to meet you finally. It's great to meet you too, Mr. Marklin. I've heard so much about you. My story has spiraled out of control, but in a good way. Hasn't it just? What made you decide to walk here? I mean, eight hours, that's a lot. That's more than the average Joe would consider walking. This was such a fantastic opportunity. I'd applied for so many jobs and heard nothing. I knew I had to get here at all costs, and the price was waking up at midnight and walking through the night. And was it worth it? Absolutely. I'm enjoying working here, and I hope to be here for many years. Well, so far, I've only heard good things, so I hope you'll be with us for a long time too. Great. Walter, there's another reason why I came here today. Your story, dedication, and drive to get to work have warmed us all. And I want to show my appreciation. Oh? You won't need the money for a car after all. Not really. What do you mean? Walter, this is my car. It's brand new. I barely used it. I'd like to give it to you. What? You deserve it for your dedication and commitment to our company. It's in much better hands with you than it is with me. And I couldn't think of a better way to part ways with this or to put it to better use. I can't believe this is happening to me. Well, you'd better start because it's yours. Thank you so much, Mr. Marklin. You're welcome. 1. Why is Walter Carr desperate for a job? A. Because his family needs financial help. B. Because he needs to save money for a new car. C. Because he needs money to be able to pay his rent. 2. What does a mover mean in the story of Walter Carr? A. Someone who helps people move their possessions to a different place. B. Someone who likes to move and dance. C. An energetic person. 3. What does the phrase, just my luck, mean? A. I am very lucky. B. I am unlucky. C. I am very fortunate. 4. How many hours will it take Walter Carr to get to his job by foot, according to Google Maps? A. 8 hours. B. 2 hours. C. 24 hours. 5. Who helps Walter reach his destination? A. His friend. B. His boss. C. The police. 6. What does Walter say when Jenny invites him to take a nap before starting work? A. Yes, I'd love to because I'm very tired. B. No, honestly, I just like to get started. C. Can I take a shower instead? 7. In the sentence, I'm going to show you the ropes. The idiom, show the rope, means A. Show someone how to do a job or activity. B. Show someone where the ropes are. C. Show someone how to use the ropes. 8. Why does Jenny set up a GoFundMe page? A. To raise money for a home for Walter Carr. B. To help Walter with the cost of his car. C. To help Walter pay for his rent. 9. How does Walter's boss show his appreciation? A. He gives him money. B. He gives him a week off. C. He gives him his car. 10. What important lesson does the story of Walter Carr teach us? A. A friend in need is a friend indeed. B. Nothing is impossible if you set your mind to it. C. Love is all that matters.