PROGRESSIVE - 05

The Park Bench

After a strong wind, leaves and branches covered the walking path at a neighborhood park. Mr. Lewis brought a broom and began clearing it. Ana arrived with trash bags.

“I didn’t know a cleanup was planned,” she said.

“It wasn’t,” Mr. Lewis replied. “The path was getting hard to use, so I decided to step up.”

Ana opened a bag. “Then I’ll pitch in. You sweep, and I’ll collect the branches.”

A few minutes later, Devon approached on his walk. “What’s going on?” he asked.

“Mr. Lewis saw the mess and started cleaning,” Ana explained. “I decided to help.”

Devon glanced toward the clear part of the path. “It looks as though you have it under control.”

“We’re making progress,” Mr. Lewis said, “but there’s still plenty to do.”

Devon hesitated, then removed his jacket. “All right. I can help for a while. What should I do?”

Ana handed him a bag. “Could you collect the smaller branches? That would take a load off us.”

“Of course,” Devon answered. “I came to exercise anyway.”

By the time they reached the park bench, the path was clear. Devon smiled. “I’m glad I stopped. Helping was better than simply walking past the problem.”

SPEAK

Answer in complete sentences.

  1. Why did Mr. Lewis begin cleaning the walking path?

  2. How did Mr. Lewis and Ana step up?

  3. What did Devon first think when he saw them working?

  4. How did Devon’s help take a load off Mr. Lewis and Ana?

  5. Do you agree that helping was better than walking past the problem? Why?

LISTEN

Listen to the recording and respond in complete sentences.

play

katie The park bench.m4a

  1. What did the speaker say?

  2. Do you agree or disagree with the speaker? Why?

WRITE

Write 3–4 sentences.

  • How did Devon’s actions change after he saw his neighbors cleaning?

You may begin:

When Devon first arrived at the park, he…

Review Phrases

  1. step up
    To take action or responsibility when help is needed.

    Mr. Lewis stepped up when he saw the blocked path.

  2. pitch in
    To help with a task or group effort.

    Ana and Devon decided to pitch in.

  3. take a load off someone
    To make someone’s work or responsibility easier.

    Devon’s help took a load off Mr. Lewis and Ana.

  4. hard to use
    Difficult to use because of a problem.

    The branches made the walking path hard to use.