Reader 24
The Wrong Turn
Sofia was driving to a new office building for an important meeting. She had left home early because she did not know the area well.
A few minutes before she reached the building, the map on her phone told her to turn right. However, the road was closed for repairs. Sofia continued to the next street, but it took her away from the office.
She pulled into a parking lot before checking the map again. “Okay, don’t let this throw you off,” she said to herself. “There has to be another way around.”
The map kept directing her back toward the closed road. Sofia noticed a delivery driver unloading boxes nearby, so she lowered her window and asked if he knew another route.
“The office entrance is on the other side of the building,” he explained. “Follow this side street, turn left at the next light, and you’ll see the main entrance.”
Sofia thanked him and carefully followed his directions. A few minutes later, she saw the office sign.
“Good,” she said. “I figured it out.”
She parked, took a slow breath, and gathered her meeting materials. Although the closed road had delayed her, she had left home early enough to handle the problem. When she entered the building, she still had five minutes before the meeting began.
VOCABULARY
Write the words or expressions from the story that are new to you or that you want to review.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Share your thoughts. Use details from the story to support your answers.
How does Sofia’s decision to leave early affect her ability to deal with the closed road? Explain how the ending connects to her preparation at the beginning.
Why does Sofia seek help from the delivery driver instead of continuing to follow the map? What does this decision reveal about how she responds when her original approach fails?
Sofia tells herself, “Don’t let this throw you off.” How do her actions support these words? Choose two details that show how she manages the unexpected problem.
LISTEN
Listen to the recording and respond in complete sentences.
What did the speaker say?
Do you agree or disagree with the speaker? Why?
